Page 18 Thursday, July 12, 2001 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION HueHueyy LeLewiswis DeliversDelivers tthehe NeNews:ws: Hearing,Hearing, NotNot SeeingSeeing MusicMusic IsIs BelieBelievingving By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN how do you feel singing it to them?” Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Also, Lewis said “Plan B” is not MAHWAH – Rocker Huey Lewis geared toward rocketing to the top of has come a long way from his deejays’ radio-play rosters. “I don’t schooldays at The Lawrenceville think about it at all, I guess I should,” Academy in Lawrenceville. He’s he said. come even further with his band Such a centered perspective has mates since the Beach Boys sound of not cost Lewis in terms of a strong “Do You Believe in Love?” in the fan base. He reported that when the TheThe DinersDiners 1980s. band blends in new material with the Lewis, who recalled visiting familiar 80s tunes, it catches audi- Westfield in his Jersey days, recently ences by surprise but the hardcore NOVITA’ R ISTORANTE spoke with The Westfield Leader and fans are tried and true. The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood “It’s a team sport, it’s a team deal,” 425 South Elmer Street about how his music has changed Lewis said when asked about The Westfield, NJ 07090 since the birth of MTV, his take on News-men. (908) 233-9777 HIGHEST POSSIBLE RATING: 4 STARS dabbling in movies, and his band’s But, would he go solo? CD, “Plan B,” due out on Tuesday, “I flirted with it,” he admitted, “I By CAROL F. DAVIS overwhelming for my July 24. cut some stuff in Los Angeles, but Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times palette, was a zinger With a new horn section added to there was nothing. I’m creatively WESTFIELD — My husband put — and many vegetar- the group, Lewis acknowledged that fulfilled with my band. I live for that the top down on the convertible (it’s ians will not eat honey. his music has moved away from the band thing. It’s very hard to find in really more like a motorized wheel- Our second appe- machine-generated sound made fa- terms of professionals.” barrow — just ask the neighbors), tizer (we shared, of mous in the 80s. While making an impression on and decided that this was the night. course) was the Crostina of Mush- “It’s even more old-fashioned,” the video screen may not be a prior- It had been very hot and muggy all rooms and Cheese. That dish her- Lewis said. “We chose kind of our ity for Lewis, taking small roles on day, and the breeze was refreshing. I alded the start of the richest meal I old style that’s creatively liberat- the silver screen has had its benefits. knew where I was going, or so I have eaten in years. The crust was ing.” Wearing “his favorite color,” plaid thought. Novita’ is not exactly hard exceptionally light and fluffy. The “Plan B,” which Lewis and band MUSICIAN TURNED INVESTIGATOR...Huey Lewis takes a break from the in Back to the Future (1985) with to find, but it is nestled in such a spot dish had a thick base of goat cheese, members will promote at the A&P music scene to play FBI Agent Matheson in the thriller .com for Murder, a role Michael J. Fox, Lewis played a high that if you don’t know it’s there you smothered by sautéed mushrooms Tennis Classic on Saturday, July 21, he recently wrapped up for Omega Entertainment. school band judge. Though he said can easily miss it. In any event, I deliciously favored with herbs. We at the Sheraton Corporate Center in much was left on the cutting room found it after two large circles through should have stopped right there. Mahwah, emanates a “more rhythm floor, Lewis called his role as Ricky Westfield and Garwood, and we Between courses I noticed the and bluesy” sound, according to the Dean in Duets (2000) a great one. pulled into their lot at about 8 p.m. music. I couldn’t decide if it was new lead singer. Westfield Explodes With Two Lewis continues to receive a lot of on a Wednesday night. age or musak. I recalled disliking “We wrote songs, arranged them, offers from movie producers. Most Inside it felt cool and refreshing, some of those songs when they were road-tested them, re-arranged and recently, he wrapped up .com for Mur- and Novita’ was much nicer than I new releases and not instrumentals. re-recorded,” he said. “We used less Evenings of Top Entertainment der, in which he plays FBI Agent had imagined. The décor is a combi- The sounds were soft and, for the microphones and more microphone Matheson. nation of Italy meets Southwest, with most part, not too offensive. proximity.” By HORACE R. CORBIN and down Quimby and Elm Streets With his heart and soul grounded an Aspen ski-lodge ceiling. It is in- I ordered one of the daily specials, “Lyrically, as long as a song is true, MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN to gaze dreamily at the classic auto- in music, Lewis has watched his credibly clean. Perhaps that is be- for me the only viable that’s what matters,” said Lewis when Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times mobiles and chat with their owners. audience change and grow. choice that wasn’t on giving an overview of “Plan B.” “It WESTFIELD – Blend one night Closing off Elm Street, which is “We did tour Europe last summer the menu. It was a doesn’t have to be about anything in of sweet jazz sounds in downtown abundant with restaurants, should be and we were amazed,” said Lewis. dish of goat cheese particular, as long as it’s true.” Westfield, add an ensemble of vin- considered for future festivities, in Noting that the audience included ravioli, served “Some (of the songs) are up and tage cars, a splash of thunderous order to ensure safety of pedestrians members in their early 20s, he said in a saffron some are down. Some are humorous fireworks and a hearty helping of crossing to appreciate one of the there were “a lot of guys instead of in the rhythm and blues sense. And, patriotic songs by the top symphony vintage cars or to hear a band. young girls,” as well as two to three we’re not afraid of poking fun at in Union County. What have you Terraplane Blues, Marks & Noble blind people. ourselves,” he added. got? Two evenings of stellar enter- Jazz Trio, The Soul Searchers, Chris “This may or may not mean that we Drum machines and click tracks, tainment that Westfield should be Colaneri, and Joel Chassan made look as good as we used to,” Lewis techniques and instruments signa- quipped, “but we sound better.” ture of the band’s hits “The Heart of Rock & Roll” and “I Want A New * * * * * The 2001 A&P Tennis Classic will Drug,” have been dropped from the include Huey Lewis & The News on new sound. Lewis said his band would Saturday, July 21, at 7 p.m. at the rather focus its energy on the sound Sheraton Corporate Center. Randy of “musicians playing with each Travis and The Doobie Brothers will other.” also be spotlighted during the event. Shying away, but not shunning Individual tickets may be purchased what he calls a “literal translation” in advance through TicketMaster. of songs in music videos, Lewis Other tickets may be obtained by Carol F. Davis for The Westfield Leader and The Times knows that, “when kids listen to pop calling the Tournament Office at today, the visual is more important.” (201) 825-9100. For more informa- He told The Leader and The Times cause it was basically empty. No broth, with sun-dried tomatoes and tion, please visit that while he wouldn’t turn down patrons, no crumbs. If you don’t pesto. What’s not to like? When it www.tennisclassic.com. enjoy crowds, and crave individual arrived, I saw the five ravioli ar- making a music video for “Plan B,” service, this was the perfect time to ranged perfectly on another wonder- he would rather have viewers pick up go. ful piece of china. The dish was more the music’s vibe than focus on the After asking us if we had called for filling than it appeared. It was a little images flashing before them. a reservation (we didn’t), we were on the salty side, but I think that it For Lewis, the true test of produc- led to our table. I easily spotted a originated in the pesto, which, by the ing successful music comes when party of five in the front, and a solo Continued on Page 17 band members ask themselves, “Not Artist of gentleman diner in the opposite rear how does the audience like it, but corner. I immediately thought that I should have brought my mother David Palladino’s along. You never know — this could the Week have been an opportunity. proud of. shoppers stop in their tracks to ap- Our server was courteous, and Music Corner Tuesday night, Downtown preciate the fine musical skill dem- promptly took our drink order. The Music Corner Westfield Corporation (DWC) kicked onstrated by the jazz ensembles. tables were set with white linens, off its Sweet Sounds Downtown fes- DWC Executive Director Sherry and the menus were delivered Mega-Voice Featured tivities for the month of July. After Cronin told The Westfield Leader promptly. One glance told me that dining bistro-style in the heart of the and The Times of Scotch Plains- this was a higher-end Italian fare, town, diners and visitors traveled up Fanwood that she was pleased with with pasta dishes beginning at around At Opera Festival of NJ the turnout. She noted that the num- $14. When the server told us about ber of attendees was significant when By DAVID PALLADINO the specials, she didn’t bother to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Continued on Page 17 quote prices. That always concerns PRINCETON – The Opera Festi- me just a bit. val of New Jersey (OFNJ) is offering Thinking that we were hungrier their largest production yet this sum- than we were, we agreed to order two mer season at the McCarter Theater appetizers and two entrees. We or- in Princeton — Puccini’s grand op- PenPen && InkInk dered, the bread came, and we dug era Turandot. in. The bread tasted a bit like sour- The opening of the opera featured dough, and it was slightly warm. the debut of a splendid woman, Anna Toy Stores Stocked With Military There’s never enough butter for my Shafajinskaia from the Ukraine, who husband. That’s another story. will surely become known as at least Martin Sheen I selected the Stagione Salad, Guns, Dolls Sends Mixed Message one of the major voices of the de- which was served on a gorgeous cade. “Daddy, when I pull the trigger, you’re supposed to die! Die, daddy, dish. In fact, all of the dishes were She has made her North American unique and the collection was quite die!” (1940- ) debut singing this title role of Amidst one of the last aisles in a K•B Toy Works Store in South By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN beautiful. The assortment of greens Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Turandot and literally floored not Plainfield, a mother and her baby girl eyed packages of dolls in pretty was accompanied by a honey bal- only the audience, but all of the One would never guess that the samic dressing. This was clearly not opera-savvy present to witness the pink dresses that did everything from burping to somersaults. The man who plays the President of the bottled honey balsamic. The fresh miracle. husband and his five-year-old son, at the other end of the aisle, were United States on television once slept taste of the honey, while a little choosing between the MP-28 Machine Pistol Set and the .45 Automatic on a sidewalk grate inside the nation’s Anna Shafajinskaia Pistol. After his father said, “Well, this one has more firing power and capital. Martin Sheen, born Ramon ammo,” the young Rambo decided which one he liked best. Estevez in Dayton, Ohio, slumbered there to raise money for the home- Turandot, by the great Giacomo While his sister and mother were still choosing less. Puccini, is the story of a Chinese between Singing Bathtime? Bouncing Baby and Baby In fact, Sheen, the father of Emilio princess who will marry the first man Mini Muffin, the boy flew Estevez, Carlos or Charlie Sheen, to answer her three riddles. Many toward his sister’s stroller, and Ramon and Renee Estevez, never have lost their lives in trying, but lets his celebrity status stand in the Calaf is determined to succeed. When way of fighting for issues closest to he does, it is up to Turandot to figure his heart. Whether he is demonstrat- out his name so that he must accept ing against nuclear warfare or pro- the fate of death as well. testing U.S. sanctions against Iraq, Ms. Shafajinskaia was destined to Sheen has been cuffed, but proudly. play Turandot. She possesses a cha- gun in hand, raised it to- So, while most celebrities use their risma and star-power that is not only status to sell cans of soda or a brand inescapable, but it simply hits you in ward her head, cocked the of deodorant, he is striving for world the face. With confidence and assur- trigger and roared, “Now you peace. ance, she initially belted out her three have to die!” In movies, Sheen has been praised questions, sung in the upper octave My cousin and I stood at the end of the aisle, jaws to the floor, and for his work in Firestarter with Drew of the soprano range with clarity, agreed that there are toys on the shelves that should not be used to Barrymore, Wall Street with his son, volume, musicality. Charlie, and The American Presi- Commenting after the performance entertain children. What ever happened to educational toys that fur- dent with Michael Douglas. He over- to have based her musical interpreta- thered the imaginations of children and encouraged learning? worked himself in 1979, however, tion of the role after that of mega- Keep in mind that these military figures and paraphernalia are not when he took a role of a military soprano Bridgitte Nielsson, her mu- gender-specific. The “Kat 12” Action Figure can assure you of that. assassin in Francis Ford Coppola’s sical presentation highlighted phras- Manufactured by Blue Box Toys, “Kat comes with complete accesso- Apocalypse Now. When Sheen suf- ing that was beyond perfect. fered a massive heart attack, he de- The soprano has already portrayed ries, including weapons.” Her selling points, according to Blue Box, cided to rejuvenate his life by taking the role with the Welsh National reveal that Kat is “trained specifically for survival warfare.” (That things a little slower. Opera and at the Opera Royal de should help her defend herself against those pesky stuffed animals at A man of many miniseries Wallonie and will be performing the tea parties). “Kat is equally expert in the jungle or desert. She’s also an (“Kennedy”-NBC, 1983, (“That Cer- role at the Royal Opera House, expert with camouflage and a highly effective sniper.” (This should tain Summer”-ABC, 1972, and Covent Garden, New Orleans Opera, “Blind Ambition”-CBS, 1979), Sheen and Teatro San Carlo di Napoli. She prepare your little girl for that bully at recess). “Equally skilled with got his first big break when offered has also performed the role of Tosca explosives and hand to hand combat, Kat is one secret agent you the leading role in The Subject Was opposite Luciano Pavarotti and will Continued on Page 17 Continued on Page 17 Continued on Page 17 CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK