A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood Thursday, March 23, 2000 Page 23 Arts & Entertainment Oratorio Singers Tom Cruise To Present Take the Stage Continued from Page 24 Annual Concert “I’d just tell him that I’m really mire his fame. But I don’t admire Special Double Take Coverage happy for him and all he’s done,” he might pay.” WESTFIELD — The First United she said. “With someone like Bill Ms. Burns has owned a “fulfill- Methodist Church of Westfield will Cosby or any other be the setting at 3 p.m. on Sunday, huge star, it would be March 26, for the 20th annual different. I’d be in concert of the Oratorio Singers The Price Ensemble Gives awe. But with Tom, it under the direction of Trent really would feel like Johnson, organist/choirmaster and seeing an old friend.” at the Westfield Methodist Church. Despite her position Featured works will be Sir Ed- ’s Work Its Best as the proposed target ward Elgar’s “The Music Makers” for observation by a and Felix Mendelssohn’s “Sym- By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT teresting individuals who all have and she is very effective. Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times reputable talent agent hopes and dreams that they have Stan Kaplan is delightful in the that fateful night, to- WESTFIELD — The Price, one yet to fulfill. role of Gregory Solomon, the an- of the least recognized plays by This production would flow a tique and furniture dealer. He has day Ms. Burns refuses Arthur Miller, has recently come bit more seamlessly if it had faster some wonderful moments as a the envy many would back into focus on , pro- pacing. A wordy script such as this very funny, but very real gentle- feel. duced by David Richenthal and demands that the actors stay on man who has long since retired “My sister was hurt The Williamstown Theatre Festi- their toes and not let a moment go from the household furnishings when Tom made it val. That production, directed by by that is devoid of action. This is business. He is the only one who because she herself James Naughton, closed on March simply the only way of keeping a does not have an emotional in- was so close to her 5 after a limited run. Mr. Miller’s repetitive script such as this mov- vestment in the family’s belong- dream,” she said. incredible work includes Ameri- ing. ings, and oddly, he is the wisest of can theatre classics such as The “But me? No. I know The play is not boring, but at times them all. he has such talent, Crucible, All My Sons, A View from it can be long-winded, and the actors And last, but not least, Bud the Bridge, and the Pulitzer Prize have the exhausting job of keeping Moore turns in a distinguished and if he was a bad actor making all that Sandra Rains West winning drama Death of a Sales- the audience interested. Applause performance as Walter Franz, the Courtesy of Kathy Burns money I’d be mad. man. goes to all four of the performers in doctor in the family. Mr. Moore LAST MINUTE TOUCHES...Kathy Burns and phony - Cantata, Hymn of Praise.” Miller is one of the finest play- this production at WCP. has the difficult job of bringing But he’s a good ac- Tom Cruise in make-up stage, hours before Soloists for this performance in- wrights of our time, and it is won- John Becker, in the role of Victor human qualities to a role that is tor. Plus, I’ve heard a visiting New York talent agent lifts Cruise clude, Jeannette Ferrell Maraffi, derful to see his lesser-known work Franz, the police officer who sac- basically despicable, but he some- about a lot of celeb- away to stardom. soprano; Sandra Rains West, mezzo being produced. The Price was rificed his dreams to pacify his how makes the character likable. rities who are so fa- soprano, and Thomas Trotter, tenor. first presented in 1968 at the ing” acting career on a different father, is endearing. Victor is a All in all, the WCP production of mous that they have to hide level, and her own special mark in The Oratorio Singers is a large Morosco Theatre in New York. righteous man, intent on doing The Price is honorable. The work chorus which performs major cho- With the enormous success of when they go out, and they life of being a wife and mother she what’s right, and Mr. Becker is that the actors did was visible, and can’t even be themselves in pub- ral works with soloists and full Miller’s later plays, The Price qui- very accomplished. it would be nice to see patrons considers second to none. lic.” orchestrations. The year 2000 per- etly faded into the background, Janet Aspinwall has the arduous jumping to their feet for them. I formance will mark the sixth sea- never quite becoming the type of job of playing a character that you doubt that this particular play son that Mr. Johnson has directed material that sparks heated discus- would like to smack across the would ever bring an audience to this chorus. sions and debates at acting schools face, but she does her task ex- its feet, but WCP gave its all, and Ms. Ferrell Maraffi, soprano, has across the country. tremely well, playing the role of it was appreciated. established an international sing- The story focuses on the rela- Esther Franz, Victor’s penny-pinch- The Price was directed by Edison ing career, in opera, oratorio and tionship between two estranged ing wife. You could easily hate resident Gordon Weiner and con- recitals. She has been a frequent brothers, one a successful doctor, Esther, but Ms. Aspinwall distinctly tinues its run at WCP on Friday soloist with the Oratorio Singers the other a middle-class police shows the character’s many sides, and Saturday, March 24 and 25. “If they make a mistake every- “I myself feel very blessed and of Westfield in performances. She officer. Sixteen years after the death body knows it. Then people blame grateful for what I have,” she pro- is co-founder of the American Per- of their domineering father, the them, expecting them to be a role fessed. “Once you have children two are forced back together to SPFHS Repertory Theatre divide the family belongings. model. So they can’t be who they and a full life, a happy marriage and In an attempt to avoid facing are because they have to hide,” she a career, it gives you a sense of one another, the furniture and noted. “That’s one thing I don’t contentment. So I wouldn’t change heirlooms sat untouched, but now, Gives Good Effort in Grease admire. I admire his money. I ad- a thing.” with the imminent demolition of the home in which they grew up, By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN in the original. Full of spunk and the brothers have no choice but to Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times grit, Meryl was always in character reunite. SCOTCH PLAINS – Grease’s and never flinched or lost her Junior League to Present On the heels of the recently saga of Sandy and Danny was place. Strong and unwavering vo- closed revival of The Price at The resurrected in a commendable ef- cals made hers’ a stellar perfor- Royale Theatre on Broadway, fort by the Scotch Plains-Fanwood mance, especially during the Rizzo A Literary Luncheon Westfield Community Players High School Repertory Theatre last favorite when she taunts Sandy, (WCP), has staged their own pro- Saturday evening, as an ensemble “Look At Me, I’m Sandra Dee.” duction of this intimate family of nearly 60 students took to the Operatic and pure was the voice Thomas Trotter drama. This is a difficult piece, and auditorium stage. of Courtney McDonald, who held With Four Noted Authors formance Studios in Mountainside WCP does an admirable job. Meryl Bezrutczyk, who portrayed the lead role of Sandy Dumbrowski. where she teaches singing, and At first glance, this play appears the sassy Betty Rizzo rivaled Although I would have like to have The Junior League of Eliza- “After the Fire,” will be re- continues to work at the annual to be about two grudge-holding Stockard Channing’s performance seen more emotion projected in beth-Plainfield will host “A Lit- leased in April. Rome Festival, Italy, as a vocal brothers, a disillusioned and her delivery of those vocals and her erary Luncheon” on Wednes- •Linda Fairstein, America’s coach and solo performer. lines, Courtney offered a pleasant day, April 5, from 11 a.m. to 3 foremost prosecutor of crimes Ms. Rains West, mezzo soprano, rendition of Sandy. p.m. at The Chanticler in Short of sexual assault and domestic retains a large repertoire of orato- All of the Pink Ladies (Chrissy Hills. Proceeds will benefit the violence, has run the Sex rios, numbering over 30. In April, Perrotta as Jan, Lindsey Davis as she will sing “Verdi’s Requiem” at Frenchy, and Laine Bonstein as League’s community projects Crimes Unit of the District the Haddonfield United Method- Marty) deserve kudos for their en- serving families in crisis in Attorney’s Office in ist Church with members of the ergy and heartfelt enthusiasm they Union County. for over two decades. Her first Philadelphia Symphony. She has brought to their characters. Chrissy The event will feature a dis- novel, “Final Jeopardy,” was performed in concerts through- was especially full of light-hearted tinguished panel of authors published in 1996 as well as out the U.S., Asia and South verve during her performance with who will discuss their literary “Likely to Die” in 1998. America. the unbelievably talented and comic careers and sign copies of their Proceeds will benefit diabe- Tenor, Mr. Trotter, a native of John Corbin as Roger. books for guests. tes research funded by the Ju- Atlanta, Ga., is a singer of versatil- James L’Heureux as the wise- Scheduled to speak are: venile Diabetes Foundation In- ity, who is at home in opera, orato- cracking Kenickie and Raj Mukherji •Diane Goode, an award- ternational. rio, and the concert stage. He made as Sonny Latierri were brilliant in their supporting roles. Raj’s winning author and illustrator Tickets are $50 each and are streetwise accent and gestures kept of children’s books best known available by calling (908) 709- the audience laughing and loving for her anthologies of folktales 1177. Tickets may also be pur- him. Ian Wehrle, who played fel- and songs. Her works include chased at The Jumble Store in low T-Bird Doody incorporated a “When I Was Young in the Cranford, Prudential Realty and healthy dose of humor and sincer- Mountains,” “Mama’s Perfect the Book Lover’s Outlet, both ity to his role. Kudos to the black Present” and “Where’s Our leather jacket clad T-Birds. Ian Bonner gave the role of pompadoured heartthrob Danny Zuko fantastic flavor and punch. His vocals were also impressive, IN REHEARSAL...Four members of The Price ensemble at the especially in a scene when Sandy fled the drive-in after he asked her Westfield Community Players practice their lines. Pictured, left to Jeannette Ferrell Maraffi right, are: Bud Moore, Janet Aspinwall, Stan Kaplan, seated, and to go steady. John Becker. Nearly stealing the show with his his debut at the New vocals was Gary Fletcher, who re- York City Opera last season. He was greedy wife and a retired furniture ceived heaps of hoots and hollers a world finalist in the Lucianno dealer, spending an evening to- from supporters in the audience for Pavarotti International Vocal Com- gether, arguing. After further ex- his portrayal of Teen Angel during petition. Mr. Trotter is also a tenor position, the piece reveals itself as “Beauty School Dropout” in which soloist at St. Bartholomew’s Church a tale of family ties and the resent- Gary sang to a forlorn Frenchy in . ment that arises from unachieved (Lindsey Davis). His voice, which Tickets for this concert are $15 dreams. boomed out even to the last rows for adults and $10 for senior citi- The brilliant work of Miller aside, of the auditorium, was full of style it is evident why this is one of his and promise. Fletcher also had the plays that never received critical talent to play Johnny Casino. acclaim. The writing is exemplary, Choreography, which was spear- the theme is entirely clear, but headed by Courtney McDonald, somehow, the audience fails to was excellently accomplished. care about these characters. This Costumes were true to the poodle The Golden Fleece Planned skirt and pompadour quality that GENEROUS DONATIONS...Literary Luncheon Committee mem- leads one to question whether it is ber, Jill Sawyer of Westfield, reviews donated items for the the performance or the play itself At Union County College makes us long to return to this 1950’s setting time and time again. Junior League of Elizabeth-Plainfield’s upcoming “A Literary that is lacking. Luncheon” event on Wednesday, April 5. The luncheon will The actors in the current pro- CRANFORD – The Theater Saxophone player Whitney Slaten Project at Union County College will and fellow band members Emily feature authors Sylvia Weinstock, Belva Plain, Diane Goode duction at WCP turn in commend- present The Golden Fleece, two one- and Linda Fairstein. able work, with frank, earnest Chan, Evan Flath, Edward Jackson, act plays by A.R. Gurney in the Roy Chris Nelson, Brett Pocorobba, performances. At some points W. Smith Theater on the Cranford Mama. of Westfield. Brian Raszka and Pete Hogan were •Sylvia Weinstock – baker and The Junior League of Eliza- during this production, it was ob- Campus from Thursday, March 23, to Trent Johnson vious that the audience was losing Saturday, April 1. wonderful and never missed a beat. cake decorator who will dis- beth-Plainfield is an organiza- interest, and it was disconcerting These performances will be held Set design was innovative, ex- cuss her newest novel, “Sweet tion of women committed to zens and students. Tickets are avail- to see that happen. Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 cept for a few signs set up for the Celebrations.” She has created able at Lancasters, Ltd. or the First dance scene, which were much too improving their community The message of this piece is p.m. with one matinee on April 1 at cakes for Liam Neeson, Donald through the effective action and United Methodist Church office in unclouded and the creative writ- 3 p.m. small for audience members to read. Westfield and in Scotch Plains at Trump, Eddie Murphy, Cindy leadership of trained volun- ing stands on its own, but the fact Following each performance, a All in all, the Repertory Theatre the Scotch Plains Music Center on “meet the actors” reception will be took some clever comedic risks Lauper and Whitney Houston. teers. Sponsorship for this lun- that this play failed to enchant the • Park Avenue. audience is not the fault of the held at which refreshments will be and ran with them, successfully. Belva Plain, who authored cheon has been provided by For concert information, please actors. sold. From Roger’s “mooning” the crowd “Evergreen” which was pub- Sanford Bernstein, Paine call (908) 233-4211. This arts pro- Tickets are $5 for students and with his “Hi Mom” underpants to a lished in 1978 and became a Webber, PNC Bank, The Saint This is a loquacious, monologue- senior citizens with $10 for general gram is made possible in part by a heavy script that carries deep mes- fun little golf cart which looked mini-series on NBC, topping Barnabas Foundation, Summit HEART Grant from the Union admission. Senior citizens will re- like a lot of fun to drive, Grease sages about the importance of vir- ceive free tickets on March 23. For the New York Times Bestseller Bank, Unity Bank and other Country Board of Chosen Free- tue within the family. The four ticket reservations, please call (908) gave audience members an List for 41 years. Her next novel, local businesses. holders, Daniel P. Sullivan, Chair- characters are well-developed, in- 659-5189. evening worthy of applause. man. CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK