A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, December 14, 2017 Page 17 Open Auditions for POPCORN Annie, Jr. in January The Man Who Invented Christmas The Dickens, You Say ELIZABETH – The CAU Com- Annie charms everyone's hearts de- 2 popcorns munity Players will be holding open spite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s One Popcorn, Poor — Two Popcorns, Fair — Three Popcorns, Good — Four Popcorns, Excellent auditions for their 2018 production New York City. of Annie, Jr. on Tuesday, January 16, Annie is determined to find the By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER allow any and every possible cir- from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, January parents who abandoned her years ago film critic cumstance and entity around him to 18, from 6 to 8 p.m., and Saturday, on the doorstep of an orphanage run Once upon a time, a woman at a serve as the root and origin of the January 20, from 10 a.m. to noon, by the cruel Miss Hannigan. She even- party who learned I was a film critic book that will foreseeably right his with callbacks from 1 to 3 p.m. All tually foils Miss Hannigan's evil crossed the crowded room and asked, belletristic ship. Never mind that he auditions will take place in the audi- machinations and finds a new home “From whence do you get your in- has no working title, let alone a sub- torium of Community Access Unlim- and family in billionaire Daddy spiration?” So O.K., she didn’t re- ject. ited (CAU) at 80 West Grand Street in Warbucks and a lovable dog named ally say ‘whence.’ But anyway, I was Once that old miser who he over- Elizabeth. Sandy. a bit flummoxed and, making it as hears ranting about decreasing the CAU Community Players is a Each year the CAU Community clear as I could, answered, “Well, I surplus population becomes his troupe of actors both with and with- Players select a play that is represen- see the movie that I intend to re- Scrooge (Christopher Plummer), ev- out developmental disabilities. tative of the agency's message of in- view.” That said, I belatedly thank erything else follows. Soon, he imag- Formed in 2012, the troupe allows clusion, acceptance and believing in her for the entrée to my review of ines the entire dramatis personae of CAU members to engage in the plea- oneself, as well as everyone's worth The Man Who Invented Christmas, what will become The Man Who sures of acting, singing and dancing regardless of disability. They also KIDS CARE CLUB...The School One PTA SOS Committee, along with the Kids director Bharat Nalluri’s long- Invented Christmas making them- with people from the wider commu- select a play that allows for a large Care Club, hosted a Thanksgiving Food Drive. With the support of the School One winded treatise on the alleged tor- selves at home in his study, each nity and to be judged for their talents cast, as no one is turned away from families and staff, the collection was a huge success. A total of 662 food items were ment Charles Dickens suffered try- lobbying for a proper part in his rather than disabilities. The produc- performing. collected and organized for delivery to the Salvation Army of East Orange. The ing to conjure inspiration for “A creation. It gets quite homey, their tions also allow individuals without "The main song, 'The Sun Will students are proud to serve the needs of the surrounding communities and spread Christmas Carol.” intrusive but well-meaning counsel disabilities to interact with those with Come out Tomorrow,' shows that kindness to others. While Mr. Nalluri’s mini biopic/ not too unlike the support Marion disabilities and build bonds. Annie has the optimism that even if fantasy may or may not be based on and George Kirby tendered Cosmo CAU is a statewide nonprofit pro- things don't look good, she'll make it fact, I know that, personally, I don’t Topper. viding support programs and services work," said Marguerite Modero, the Crescent Concerts to Present particularly enjoy watching a fellow It’s kind of cute for a while, the to adults with disabilities as well as troupe's director. "Our members have tradesman, especially one I hold in hyperactive author dashing back and youth served under the Department the same tenacity and optimism to such high esteem, anguishing so des- forth from the realities of his house- of Children and Families (DCF) to keep trying until they work things Yuletide by Candlelight perately. But even being a bit less hold to the phantoms and spirits sug- enable them to live independently in out. And to me CAU is like Daddy subjective, it behooves noting that gesting their ideas for the novel that the community, providing supports in Warbucks, taking care of our mem- PLAINFIELD – Crescent Con- is “A Rose in Winter” with music by the screenplay by Susan Coyne, based he has promised his publisher will be areas including housing, vocational bers to make sure their lives are bet- certs presents the 46th annual “Yule- Britten, Rutter, and a host of other on the book by Les Standiford, froths ready for print just before Christ- skills and life-skills training, educa- tered." tide by Candlelight” concert on Sat- composers known for their Christ- with the clichés generally paraded mas. We muse, ‘Oh, so that’s where tion, advocacy and recreation. Auditions are open to all members urday, December 16 at 5 p.m. in the mas anthems. A special highlight out when the subject concerns the that character came from. And here’s The CAU Community Players of the public, including youths and historic Crescent Avenue Presbyte- and tradition of this annual candlelit agony and ecstasy of artistic creation. how he got that idea.’ On and on it stages a three-day production each adults, as well as all members of rian Church in Plainfield. This free concert is audience participation in You know the drill. The artist, goes ad nauseam until the billions of year that draws hundreds. This year Community Access Unlimited. No concert of anthems and carols is a singing several of the beloved perhaps Schumann or Shubert, or mental pixels coalesce into a leather the troupe will be staging Annie, Jr. registration is required. For more in- holiday gift to the community fea- Christmas carols of the season. any of those olden day longhairs, is bound copy of A Christmas Carol, based on the comic strip and adapted formation about the CAU Commu- turing the renowned Crescent Sing- General admission is free and no stuck for a melody. So, to tempo- the epiphanic tale essentially mir- from the Tony Award-winning Best nity Players, visit www.caunj.org and ers. Making her debut with the Cres- tickets are required. Crescent Av- rarily escape the rigors of being a roring the moral lessons Dickens Musical. With equal measures of click on Recreation/CAU Commu- cent Singers is conductor Deborah enue Presbyterian Church is located musical genius, he and his sweetie learns along with Ebenezer. pluck and positivity, little orphan nity Players. S. King, who is also the artistic on Watchung Avenue at East Sev- take a carriage ride into the country. I don’t think I’d like a bunch of director of Crescent Concerts and enth Street in Plainfield. Ample free, Happily, and most serendipitously, apparitions rummaging around in my the Crescent Choral Society. The secure parking is available. For only a little way into the pastoral writing cave, offering their two cents, singers will be accompanied by more information, call (908) 756- retreat our composer hears a bird in not that I couldn’t use the help. noted pianist and organist, Eric 2468 or visit a tree issue a stirring trill. “That’s Shamefully, my own notion of how Olsen. www.crescentconcerts.org for this it!” he exclaims… the basis of his the creative process works is fraught The theme of this year’s concert concert and upcoming events. next symphony…the one that’ll make with far more supernatural illusions, him financially independent. Now which egotistically attribute artistic he and Ilsa can be wed. I only hope talent to some spiritual gift over Kean Students Connect he invites the bird to the wedding. which the writer has little say. Mr. Nalluri’s take on the creative Whereas in this film, the fantasy is process amps up that dramatic plati- that creativity can be engineered, Design to Social Change tude to the degree that nary a line of albeit cobbled together by imagi- A Christmas Carol seems to have nary souls. Fact is, if anyone could UNION – Robert Busch School of help change people’s lives.” originated from good old Charlie unearth the secret of imagination, Design students in Kean University’s Mr. Baldwin presented a series of himself, but rather, from the story they’d be knocking out those best Michael Graves College learned what guiding principles to the class with within a story that wraps itself around sellers like sausages. it takes to be a successful designer from examples of how each manifested into the plot like ivy around a tree. In the Granted, director Nalluri’s film one of the best in the business – Geoff his professional collaborations with fall of 1843, hard put to write a does a decent enough job of estab- Baldwin, senior design director for in- Code and Theory, Samsung, Kounkuey literary hit after three commercial lishing time and place, replete with STEP UP...Union County Freeholders Christopher Hudak, Linda Carter and ternational design and consulting firm Design Initiative, Otter Net and Ford. failures, Mr. Dickens frets. He’s ac- the usual atmospheric images of Vic- Alexander Mirabella congratulate the recipients of the Susan Hudak Leadership IDEO.org. Mr. Baldwin conducted his “Start with context before content,” customed to a rather privileged torian England, good, bad and ter- Award at the 5th annual Union County Student Training and Enrichment Design it All workshop, sharing his he told the students, something Mr. lifestyle, has a gaggle of kids to feed, rible. But by parsing and dissecting Program (UC STEP) Summit at Kean University in Union. UC STEP is a day-long experiences as a designer, offering in- Baldwin says he applied in his work in and yet hasn’t the heart to ask his A Christmas Carol according to summit that invites high school sophomores and juniors from throughout Union ternship and career advice, and ex- Kenya with Konkuey Design Initiative. wife to economize. Has the muse which specter inspired what, The County to participate in hands-on activities focused on leadership, personal plaining how design can help bring Together with officials in Nairobi, Mr. forsaken him? Shh. Don’t say Man Who Invented Christmas inad- growth, and civic engagement. More than 200 students from 22 high schools in about social change. Baldwin and his team used flood data to “writer’s block.” vertently implies that Mr. Dickens Union County broke into 11 groups to attend breakout sessions focused on As an industrial designer, Mr. design and reimagine the waterways in But not to worry. I need a movie to had his book ghostwritten. personal growth and leadership while collaborating with others to work through the day’s activities. One student from each group received the Susan Hudak Baldwin has worked in a variety of the communities surrounding Nairobi review this week, and Charles *** Leadership Award. The recipients include: Thomas Gilmartin from Cranford mediums, including physical products, to build flood resilience. Dickens, played by Dan Stevens, The Man Who Invented Christmas, High School, Jose Calixto from Cranford High School and Virendra Ghate from digital services and advertising. At Welcoming presenters like Mr. must continue pursuing one of the rated PG, is a Bleecker Street Media U.C.V.T.S. For more information about UC STEP visit www.ucnj.org/uc-step. IDEO.org, he guides teams and sup- Baldwin, who are passionate about finest literary careers in history. Thus, release directed by Bharat Nalluri ports designers focused on the overlap change and the meaning of design, is an no sooner than you can say Tiny and stars Dan Stevens, Christopher between design and social change. example of the effort Michael Graves Tim, the celebrated scribe rolls up Plummer and Jonathan Pryce. Run- Wardlaw+Hartridge Student “Our goal as a company is to eradi- College at Kean University has made to his sleeves and adjusts his brain to ning time: 104 minutes. cate poverty,” said Mr. Baldwin. “To do make architectural and design educa- Enjoys All-State Choir that you have to design things that can tion meaningful to a wider audience. SCOTCH PLAINS – The third time “I really wanted to make All-State SALSA Club Conducts proved to be the charm for to see if it was a different vibe. Of Wardlaw+Hartridge senior CJ Stueck. course, it’s a higher level and I wanted Having twice qualified for the re- to see what it’s like,” he said. Thanksgiving Drive gional choir, the Scotch Plains resi- The All-State Choir held a summer dent was determined to rehearsal and met a few SCOTCH PLAINS – For more than would not have a Thanksgiving din- take it one step higher and times in the fall before the 33 years, El Centro Hispano- ner,” Executive Director Silvia earn selection to the performances. CJ gained Americano, has supported local Hernandez said. NJMEA All-State Choir confidence in his ability to Latino families in need. Since 2010, “On behalf of those 80 families, I and perform with the state’s perform at this level after a both Scotch Plains-Fanwood High want to thank you for helping us make finest singers. Mission ac- few rehearsals and contin- School Spanish Club (SALSA) and a difference and for your continued complished. ued work with his W+H the Spanish Honor Society students support for those who are feeling the CJ recently performed music teacher, Sharon have helped support their holiday ef- pain of poverty and misfortune,” Ms. with the All-State Choir at Byrne. He especially en- forts. Under the advisory of Ms. Hernandez continued. two venues – the Atlantic joyed singing Baba Yetu, a Verlangieri and Ms. Davidzon, re- Members of both the SALSA and the City Convention Center Swahili adaptation of the spectively, students participated once Spanish Honor Society will participate, and New Jersey Perform- Lord’s Prayer. again this year in El Centro’s Thanks- again this year, in their popular annual ing Arts Center. CJ Stueck “What makes this giving Drive. end of the year party that El Centro “It was really cool,” said achievement really special “I want to extend my sincere grati- organizes for families in need and will CJ, who was among 45 singers in the is that I continued to work hard to tude to you and your students for food help collect toys for the children. Tenor II section. “It was great stand- reach it. It finally paid off and I got a contributions to make our Thanks- SPFHS’s Spanish Honor Society ing next to these people who are striv- spot,” CJ said. “I’m always going to giving Drive a success; with your members also work with El Centro’s ing to be music professionals. put in the work to be a better singer and generous donations and others, we ESL initiative where students volun- a better actor, but I don’t know where were able to give out 80 turkeys and teer on a weekly basis as teacher Christmas Tree it’s going to take me at this point.” fixings to families that otherwise assistants. Removal Offered by WHS Music Students WESTFIELD – The yearly Janu- ary collection by the Westfield High School (WHS) Band and Choir stu- dents was oversubscribed last year and they were forced to close reser- vations before the deadline. For just $15, the music students will remove your tree from the curbside outside your home on Sat- urday, January 6 (rain/snowdate Sat- urday, January 13) and take it to the Westfield Conservation Center. To make a reservation, email [email protected]. Reservations will not be accepted after Sunday, THE JAMES WARD December 31 and may have to close earlier if too many requests are made. MANSION Trees should be placed at the curbside at the front of your home by 9 a.m. on Saturday, January 6 with Make Our Mansion Your Mansion cash or a check (made out to WHS Music) for $15 attached to the tree or “THE BEST KEPT SECRET” IN NEW JERSEY placed in your mailbox. This fundraiser supports over 400 Specializing in weddings, birthday parties, Westfield music students in reach- ing their musical goals throughout anniversaries, holiday parties and fundraisers. the school year by providing fund- ing for equipment, clinicians and MAKE YOUR RESERVATION TODAY! performance trips. Should you have questions regard- %AST"ROAD3TREETs7ESTFIELD .*ss ing this event, contact WHS Band Director Chris Vitale at (908) 789- www.JamesWardMansion.com 4500, ext. no. 4551.