Page 20 Thursday, February 22, 2001 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Concert at Crescent Grabs Audience With TheThe Bard’sBard’s VerseVerse MakesMakes ComebackComeback High Emotion, Drama By DAVID PALLADINO ForFor StudentsStudents atat FanwoodFanwood WorkshopWorkshop Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times PLAINFIELD — To witness a By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT cently sponsored a two-day cises and had the chance to present piano performance by Christopher Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Shakespeare workshop for students what they had learned in a comfort- Johnson is like observing passion FANWOOD — The Friends of the from Scotch Plains-Fanwood High able, supportive atmosphere. incarnate. His performance captures Fanwood Library andYoung Adult (YA) School. The second session was a perfor- your imagination and emotion. It is services in conjunction with the The program was open to upper mance workshop. Using a scene from both musically compelling and awe Fanwood Community Foundation re- middle and high school students and one of Shakespeare’s plays, students was held on Thursdays February 8 and were led through the actors’ process inspiring. & 15 at the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural from first reading to live performance. Clearly, Mr. Johnson’s playing is Arts Center in Fanwood, formerly Students had the opportunity to per- driven by an inner force few of us known as The Carriage House. form a live scene while learning the have tapped into. And this passion Author,Author, TherapistTherapist Dr.Dr. KalellisKalellis AdvisesAdvises and drive will propel him far. Hailing from Watchung, Mr. Johnson’s star is on the rise. He is currently the Plainfield Symphony’s ReadersReaders toto GiveGive PeacePeace SecondSecond ChancesChances Artist-in-Residence, has performed numerous recital debuts at Alice Tully By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN percent is a utopia. It doesn’t exist.” maturity and strength. Hall as well as Carnegie Hall, and is Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Carefully ladling a spoonful of “You must make the other person currently working on his MSM doc- MOUNTAINSIDE – Therapist soup, he resolved, “I haven’t seen it a priority,” he said. toral degree at The Juilliard School Dr. Peter M. Kalellis has been mend- yet.” To combat the J.B. NAG, Dr. in New York, where he also teaches ing hearts since his collaboration In his book, the wise doctor illus- Kalellis offers these five steps as the privately. with the late Ari Onassis to bring trates a “five-headed monster” named core of “Restoring Relationships” – Mr. Johnson performed over 30 American physicians to a hospital in J.B. NAG (Judgment, Blame, Nega- surrender, dispense with anger wisely, engagements in the 1999-2000 sea- his native Greece to perform heart tivity, Anger and Guilt) that often forgiveness, communication, and son, which included six different pi- surgeries. The Greek doctors were ano concerti with orchestras. trained in the life-saving procedures Furthermore, he was recently in- by the American doctors, a project vited down to Washington D.C. to Dr. Kalellis was determined to see participate in the inauguration fes- through. tivities of President George W. Bush. So, broken hearts are rarely con- sidered beyond repair for the Kerrianne Spellman Cort for The Westfield Leader and The Times Mr. Johnson performed his Horowitz A MID-WINTER NIGHT’S WORKSHOP...Students from Scotch Plains- transcription of Sousa’s “Stars and Mountainside resident who main- Fanwood brush up on their Shakespeare during a special two-day program at Stripes” march — a transcription tains a practice in Westfield. He has the Patricia M. Kuran Cultural Arts Center in Fanwood. Pictured, above, which is not written down, and has 40 years of experience in encourag- instructor Jake Berger leads students in learning the tricks of the trade. not been attempted since Horowitz ing individuals to reconstruct their recorded his version. relationships before deeming the The workshop sessions were pre- basics of Shakespearean verse. Mr. Johnson presented a recital at bond irreparable. sented by members of The New Jersey The play of the day was Hamlet. the Crescent Presbyterian Church in In his latest volume, “Restoring Shakespeare Festival as part of the After some basic theatrical warm-up Plainfield this past Sunday afternoon. Relationships: Five Things To Try Shakespeare Live! program. The com- exercises, the students were each given The repertoire was particularly well Before Saying Goodbye,” Dr. Kalellis pany travels to schools in the area and a partner and had the chance to work chosen and included the Sonata No. supplies readers with realistic solu- performs the work of William through their scenes using fundamen- 3 by Ludwig van Beethoven, several tions, not temporary Band-Aids. He Shakespeare in an effort to educate tal activities. There was a strong em- offers generous examples of couples students about the most famous play- phasis on the words of William pieces by Frederic Chopin including wright of all time. Shakespeare, and the exercises that the Polonaise in A, Waltzes in F and individuals who have sought his Using the more recognized plays of aid and applied his principles. were introduced were helpful and fun. minor and A-flat and the Etude in C. the Bard, such as Hamlet, A Midsum- Shakespeare Live! company members Claude Debussy’s Clair de lune was During an interview with The mer Nights Dream and The Taming of Jake Berger and Carrie Siegel were a included, to temper the program no Westfield Leader and The Times last Fred Lecomte for The Westfield Leader and The Times the Shrew, actors from the company terrific team which guided the students doubt, and finally the formidable Friday at Theresa’s restaurant in HEART TO HEART...A&E Editor Michelle H. LePoidevin talks to Dr. Peter M. also donate their talents to these hands- through the lessons with passion and Sergei Prokofiev Sonata No. 7. downtown Westfield, he addressed Kalellis about his latest book, “Restoring Relationships: Five Things to Try on workshop sessions with students. expertise. It was nice to see the confi- The Muse driving Mr. Johnson is divorce as a quick fix to broken Before Saying Goodbye.” The first session on February 8 had a dence build in the students as the work- noticeably strong and one can dis- relationships, as well as the impact terrorizes and dooms relationships. love and live longer. terrific turnout with 27 students attend- shop went on, and while being very cern a distinct Chi in his musical of infidelity. An issue most consider To slay the monster, Dr. Kalellis Let there be no confusion. Dr. ing. Stage combat was the lesson of educational, it was also fun. presence. Mr. Johnson’s form is quite the straw that breaks the camel’s points out, each party must eradicate Kalellis’ recipe for patching up rela- this workshop and students had the While there was a smaller turnout on unique and can be immediately char- back. these tendencies and be willing to tionships is not unrealistic or pie-in- opportunity to discover how a piece of the 15th, the program was still a lovely acterized as intense — both lyrically “If your partner can fulfill 10 per- stage combat is created, rehearsed and way to spend a cold, gray afternoon. face issues in the relationship with the-sky. He acknowledges the jagged maintained. and physically. This personal inten- cent of your needs,” advised Dr. edges in all interpersonal struggles Students who attended the work- sity and in fact, sincerity, manifest Kalellis, “then that’s enough. It can Learning basic “hand to hand” com- shops received extra credit for their and the barriers we place between bat skills, the students were given exer- quite clearly through in his music. increase as time goes on. But 100 ourselves and others. participation. Equally as important, he possesses “Sometimes similarities cause a highly developed technicality competition or a power struggle,” which he executes with a particu- said Dr. Kalellis, when asked about David Palladino’s larly hefty and strong left hand and those types of barriers. The differ- highly agile right hand. Take the Stage Continued on Page 19 Continued on Page 19 WITH KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT Music Corner DeliciousTreachery Is Everywhere and An Ideal Husband Macbeth Meets His Destiny Has It in Spades With Paper Mill’s Star-Studded Production With NJ State Opera By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT Mill version is elegant Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times By DAVID PALLADINO Macbeth ascends the throne after and expertly presented. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times MILLBURN — Deception. As the conniving Mrs. Malcom flees for his life. To secure his Blackmail. Bribery. Political secrets. NEWARK — In a special 35th position, Macbeth and his wife, ar- Chevely, Stephanie anniversary performance of the New Mistaken identities. Treachery. A Beacham is terrific. range another series of murders. scheming seductress. Scandal. Lav- Jersey State Opera Company (NJSO) Both he and his wife are later driven Known to television au- under the direction of Maestro Alfredo mad by the ghosts of their victims and ish parties. Society. Corruption. diences from such hit Sound like the ingredients that Silipigni, a powerful performance of eventually succumb to the revengeful shows as “The Colbys,” Giuseppe Verdi’s musical version of Malcom in a dramatic hand to hand make up a modern-day soap opera? “Dynasty” and “Beverly Macbeth was offered this past week- sword fight. No, it’s Victorian London. It seems Hills 90210,” Ms. end at the New Jersey Performing Arts The orchestra, the central founda- that long before we glued ourselves Beacham is a power- Center (NJPAC). tion and general canvas of any opera to our television sets to lose our- house onstage. The dynamic cast included Metro- performance, deserves particular at- selves in stories of passion and in- Commanding atten- politan Opera singers soprano Audrey tention. Act One opened with a ready, trigue, the greatest playwrights of all tion from the moment Stottler as Lady Macbeth, tenor Giorgio honed and primed orchestra immedi- time were already whipping up tales she appears, Ms. Cebrian as Macbeth, bass Luiz-Ottavio ately executing strong and solid tem- of deceit and coercion. Beacham is a polished Faria, who appeared in the most recent pos. String section, including a stan- Except for the British accents and and delightful actress to NJSO performance of Aida, as Banquo, dard 10 first violins, eight second, four impeccably designed ball gowns, watch. Her portrayal of and tenor Jianyi Zhang, who has been celli, six violas and three basses, were things haven’t changed all that much. the nasty Mrs. Chevely featured in performances at The Met notably solid both in volume and pitch. An Ideal Husband, by Oscar Wilde, is sexy and naughty and and New York City Opera, as Macduff. Because there is enough room in the tells the deliciously decadent tale of delivered in a near ser- In addition to conducting the hand large orchestra pit at NJPAC, string the scheming Mrs. Chevely who will pent-like manner. The selected orchestra, Maestro Silipigni, basses might be pulled slightly for- sell anyone and anything to achieve term “Diva” comes to also serving as Artistic Director, over- ward from under the overhang to en- her own selfish desires. Ruin a mar- sees all areas of the opera productions hance lower end sound. mind, but in the absolute and has the responsibilities of casting, The woodwind section, arrayed in riage? Of course! Destroy a seem- finest sense of the word. ingly honest man’s political career? general administration and most other standard doubles, was also of particu- As Sir Robert Chiltern, aspects of the opera production — a lar note. They possessed a clear, dis- All in a day’s work, my dear. Kerrianne Spellman Cort for The Westfield Leader and The Times the man Mrs. Chevely is PAPER MILL DIVAS...Stephanie Beacham and Fiona Hutchison celebrate an acclaimed job which he has done since the incep- tinct and resonant sound. The brass The impeccable work of Wilde happily trying to destroy, tion of the company. section was not to be trifled with either includes the literary masterpieces, production of An Ideal Husband, which will run through Sunday, March 18, at Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn. David Ledingham is well The three act opera Macbeth is and included four horns, which were The Importance of Being Earnest cast, offering a refined packed with drama. Macbeth tells the deployed with the woodwind section, and The Picture of Dorian Gray. The production of An Ideal Hus- rendition of the Wilde classic, with a portrayal of a man in turmoil. Per- tragic and murderous story of a victo- two trumpets, and four trombones — While his work may not be everyone’s band currently running at Paper Mill remarkable cast and lavish scenic haps because his role is not as exu- rious Scottish general, Macbeth, who including one exceptionally sounding cup of tea, it is the nectar of the gods Playhouse in Millburn is a glorious design. berant as some of the other charac- is confronted by three witches who bass trombone. for some. Directed by James Warwick, (who ters in the play, Mr. Ledingham prophesize that he will become king. Percussion included snare, bass and appeared in the 1996 Broadway pro- doesn’t always quite rise to the en- Macbeth’s wife urges him to kill the cymbal all topped off by timpanist Al duction of the same play), the Paper Continued on Page 19 king to prevent him from naming his Jorgensen, who as usual, perfectly set NEW JERSEY’S OLDEST son Malcom as successor to the throne. Silipigni’s cornerstone steady pitch and COMMUNITY THEATER tempo for the orchestra. • • Vocalists were well suited for their Concert I Concert II parts. Tenor Giorgio Cebrian as • The Cranford Dramatic Club Proudly Presents... Brandenburgs! Pulling Out All the Stops: Macbeth entered with a full, rich and The Ducal Chamber Players Bach Organ Marathon developed voice, producing good vol- • ume. Contrasting, was the initial voice Neil Simon’s Classic Friday, February 23, 7:30 p.m. Saturday, February 24, 3:00 p.m. of bass Banquo sung by Luiz-Ottavio • St. Paul’s Episcopal Church First Congregational Church Faria, who displayed a voice surpass- 414 East Broad Street 125 Elmer Street ing in volume but initially lacking the Barefoot • more rich and full texture of his coun- terpart. Faria’s voice once warmed how- • Program: Organists: ever, developed a more smooth and full In The Park Trio Sonata in G Major Mary Lou Stevens (3:00 p.m.) sound. • Brandenburg Concerto #6 Rives Cassel (3:30 p.m.) Act One, Scene Two saw the en- French Suite #5 in G David Drinkwater (4:00 p.m.) trance of Lady Macbeth. Audrey Stottler • Relive the fun and comic vitality of this Brandenburg Concerto #4 Trent Johnson (4:30 p.m.) shook the foundations of the hall with look back at the wild 60’s • Barbara Thomson (5:00 p.m.) a voice that possessed aggressiveness, sheer force and volume. While ini- • Concert III tially, not particularly agile in lyrical Westfield Bach Festival Gala Concert runs and phrasing, and somewhat raw Fri, February 23, • Westfield Bach Festival Chorus, Soloists, and Orchestra early in the opera, Stottler also warmed Saturday, February 24 Andrew Megill, Conductor and refined her tone quickly to produce • the perfect compelling and dramatic Reserved seating tickets only $15.00 Sunday, February 25, 7:30 p.m. Program: performance a deranged Lady Macbeth • Holy Trinity Church Concerto in C Major for Two Harpsichords requires. Westfield Ave. and First St. Cantata No. 51: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen Entering later, tenor Jianyi Zhang • Box Office (908) 276-7611 908-233-4996 Cantata No. 80: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott also displayed a fine voice with solid Mastercard and Visa accepted tone and volume. • “Heaven, let your flames fall on the Free, lighted, on-site parking These concerts have been made possible in part by a generous grant from murderer!” was sung by Zhang with a • The Westfield Foundation. believable fervor equal to the highly • Tickets for the individual concerts (2-23: $20, 2-24: $20, 2-25: $30) dramatic musical moment that one read- available at the door.. Advance tickets for the series only ($50 for all three ing here could only imagine. His solid concerts) are available from The Classic Basket, Lancaster, Ltd., and straightforward aria “oh figlii miei,” • which might have been sung with a • • • •• Periwinkle’s, Betty Gallagher Antiques, little more Italian passione in his voice, Visit us online at http:\\westfieldbachfestival.homestead.com was still a well performed solo high- Continued on Page 19 CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK