A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, March 3, 2016 Page 21 POPCORN Race Takes the Silver 2 & ½ popcorns

One Popcorn, Poor — Two Popcorns, Fair — Three Popcorns, Good — Four Popcorns, Excellent

By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER or woman. Still, while we want our film critic past faithfully recounted, we also want If only we were as proficient at it told in poetic, fairy tale terms. But correcting our social sins as we are at alas, and good thing, too, these days chronicling them. My case in point is Hollywood is much more careful in director Stephen Hopkins’s Race, a its elaborations. Given such narrow dutiful but dramatically average tell- limits, the challenge to the contempo- ing of the heroic odyssey that made rary filmmaker is to conjure the artis- Jesse Owens a worldwide sports leg- tic yet honest magic required to gild end. We, in the more enlightened the truth. nooks and hollers, are properly Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen ISLAND NATIVES...Students are rehearsing scene in upcoming musical Once on abashed at the stumbling blocks Mr. here. As a result, if the track and field TALENTEDTEEN SINGERS...The acclaimed traveling Choir of GrotonSchool this Island at Roosevelt Intermediate School in Westfield on Friday, March 4, will sing a Lenten Evensong at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield on Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6. Picutred above are: Michael Moore, Owens had to hurdle on his way to star was indeed compelling outside Tuesday, March 8, at 6 p.m. St. Paul’s is located at 414 E.Broad Street in Alexandra Sica, Eva Boyes, Christina Arida, Julia Singer, Matthew Meixner, glory in the 1936 Berlin Olympiad. of his storied travail, it remains un- Westfield. For moreinformation, contact Music Director Charles M. Banks at Vincent Mora, Caroline Schafer, Sara Kirschner and Sarah Rappoport. Yet, beneath our conceit, we shiver in known to us. Otherwise, working from (908) 451-5082 or [email protected]. the knowledge that there are still cave a script by Joe Shrapnel and Anna dwellers in those intolerant area’s Waterhouse, the director paints an loath to celebrate humanity’s égalité. informative backstory to the central Free Evening Concert So we watch respectfully, basking tale, responsibly detailing the winds Traveling Teen Choir in this one victory, a stepping stone of history and partially ameliorating that etched away at the hard granite of some of his shortcomings with a bit of Offered by Musical Club outrageous fear that fuels prejudice, elucidative muckraking. Will Sing at St. Paul’s and wonder just how many superhu- Now, there has never been conclu- WESTFIELD – The Musical Club Beethoven’s Sonata in F# Major, Op. man achievements it takes to make sive proof that Avery Brundage, who WESTFIELD – The traveling Choir In that regard, St. Paul’s Evensong of Westfield invites the public to a 78. people act, well, just human. Even headed the American contingent of of Groton School (Groton, Mass.) attendees on March 8 can expect a free concert on Wednesday, March 9, The concert ends with a perfor- good old Aesop himself couldn’t make athletes in the 1936 Berlin Olympics, will sing a Lenten Evensong at St. varied, musically textured, devotional at 7:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church, mance by guest artist Javier Oviedo, up a better parable than this one. War was responsible for excluding Jewish Paul’s Episcopal Church in Westfield and inspiring program that celebrates 170 Elm Street, Westfield. The con- alto saxophone, and Marie Daniele is in the air. In a few years we’ll be runners Marty Glickman and Sam on Tuesday, March 8, at 6 p.m. Rec- the Lenten season. The service will cert will feature local and guest artists Mercier, organ, of Rapsodie for Alto sending young men, segregated into Stoller from their relay event so as not ognized as “a group of 20 talented feature choral music by leading 17th presenting the finest music from the Saxophone and Organ, Op.108a by black and white, to fight and die. The to embarrass Hitler. But Hopkins, high school students,” the choir will Century English composer William 18th,19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Paul Creston. saber-rattling Nazis have made Aryan boldly sewing that controversy into make St. Paul’s its last stop on a mid- Smith; Irish-born composer Sir Opening the program, Flora Pol- There will be a reception following supremacy their raison d’être. But the greater fabric of the plot, delivers Atlantic tour wherein they performed Charles Villiers Stanford; 20th Cen- lack, flute, and Mary Beth McFall, the concert where the audience will you see, there’s this runner, Jesse on the implied promise of Race’s at Church of the Redeemer in Bryn tury British composer Herbert piano, perform Sonate, Opus 2, No.4 have an opportunity to meet the per- Owens. double entendre title. Here Brundage Mawr, Penn.; St. Paul’s Church in Sumsion; and American composer by Michel Blavet, and Sonate pour formers and enjoy light refreshments. Born in Alabama and raised in is deemed not only culpable, but, for Washington, D.C.; the Chapel on his- Richard Wayne Dirksen. Flûte et Piano by Francis Poulenc. The Musical Club of Westfield is a Cleveland, Ohio, he would ultimately alleged business favors hinted at by toric Jamestown Island in Virginia; In March 2013, the Groton Chapel The concert continues with pianist 501(c)(3) organization now in its be known as the fastest man on Earth. the Nazis, a de facto conspirator. and the Princeton University Chapel Choir “had the unique honor of jointly John Blasdale playing the Impromptu 101st season, and offers scholarships Much to the inconvenience of the Yipes! in New Jersey. singing with the St. Paul’s Cathedral in G Flat Major, Op. 90, No. 3, by to promising young musicians who white superiority crowd, Jesse just Jeremy Irons as Brundage is near Dan Moriarty, Groton School Or- Choir Evensong in London. Every Franz Schubert. Then Mr. Blasdale are pursuing a musical education. happened to be black, a fact that Dickensian as the face of upper crust ganist and Director of Choral Music, December since 1919,” notes offers the first public performance of Membership in the club is open to proved of no little inconvenience to arrogance and tacit anti-Semitism, all describes his Choir as “one of the Moriarty, “the Choir has also per- his own Elegy in E Minor (2016); anyone interested in music. Those Jesse himself. The naysayers, for in service to what Kipling smugly most advanced high school singing formed a Service of Nine Lessons John notes that “a theme from a So- wishing information about member- whatever feverish reasons that ruled coined The White Man’s Burden. In groups in New England.” He notes and Carols, drawing a combined nata that Beethoven composed in 1820 ship in the Musical Club of Westfield, their blinding bigotry, weren’t going contrast, struggling to extricate him- that, “the Choir sings for weekly crowd of nearly 1200 listeners at three is the basis of the Elegy, though it is as a performer or an associate mem- to make it easy. Originally just a kid self from the pawn-like status those chapel each Sunday, preparing a large identical services, and many more greatly varied.” Mr. Blasdale will ber, may visit who loved to run and dreamt of rais- powers that be would relegate him to and varied repertoire of anthems and through its live stream.” conclude with Ludwig van www.musicalclubofwestfield.org. ing a family in the country that had if left unchecked, Mr. James acquits service music that represents both the Groton School is a private Episco- promised him his civil rights, he is himself well enough, albeit Western Classical tradition and new pal college preparatory boarding forced to live his life in the burning unexcitingly. The real high-relief stuff expressions of contemporary and glo- school located in Groton, Massachu- Oratorio Singers to Offer crucible of history. is left to his Ohio State coach, Larry bal music. Students in the Choir setts. For more information, contact Then again, if he were born in what Snyder, entertainingly emoted by Ja- improve their vocal technique and [email protected]. the apocryphal blessing calls “unin- son Sudeikis. sight-reading skills through weekly St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is lo- Concert of Exciting Music teresting times,” we’d have no This is no Chariots of Fire (1981), rehearsals.” cated at 414 East Broad Street in epiphany, no great watershed and no the Academy Award-winning biopic “It is also noteworthy,” advises Mr. Westfield (near Euclid Avenue and WESTFIELD – The Oratorio Sing- first created beam" and "Then shall scolding reminder that indeed there is that investigated racial convolutions Moriarty, “that Choir at Groton, un- across from Town Hall). Evensong is ers of Westfield, under the baton of they know." Moving on to 19th century still much work to be done. Thus his in the 1924 Olympics. The running like many of its peer schools, is an offered free to the general public. music director Trent Johnson, will music, the instrumental ensemble will story is told, accurately by most ac- scenes, while realistic, pale in com- academic subject and meets as part of Area parking is also free. For more present a program of choral and brass showcase the well-known "The counts, save for just a few dramati- parison. There is not the exquisite- the curriculum. Consequently, it never information, please call (908) 451- music with percussion and organ in- Pilgrim's Chorus" from Wagner's opera cally expedient exaggerations. Prob- ness of art direction, momentous is forced to compete with athletics or 5082 or e-mail Music Director Charles cluding works dating from the Baroque "Tannhäuser." lem is, it’s much better history than it music or the pomp and pageantry of other priorities.” M. Banks at [email protected]. period through the 21st century on Sun- Contemporary music will round out is biography. Stephan James, who competition. Nevertheless, the atten- day, March 13, at 3 p.m. in the sanctu- the program when the audience will treads carefully and reverently in Mr. tion to detail is admirable and, given ary of the First United Methodist have three opportunities to sing along. Owens’s legendary track shoes, ex- its humanistic message, we’ve no Church, One East Broad Street in John Rutter's setting of "Now Thank udes little between-the-lines artistry, doubt that “Race” has its heart in the American Theater Group Westfield. We All Our God" is a triumphant, imagi- allowing for very few flourishes of right place from start to finish. Contrasting music styles of several native setting. Trent Johnson's settings character insight. *** well known composers including Aaron of "Amazing Grace" and "Great is They It’s a double-edge sword. Granted, Race, rated PG-13, is a Focus Fea- Announces Drama Festival Copland, Georg Frideric Handel, Rich- Faithfulness" receive their first perfor- the fortitude to persevere against tures release directed by Stephen ard Wagner, John Rutter and Trent mances at this event. A new and recent seemingly unconquerable forces de- Hopkins and stars Stephan James, RAHWAY – American Theater During the day-long event, stu- Johnson are sure to delight music-goers anthem, "This is the Day" by John termined to dash your dreams is cer- Jason Sudeikis and Jeremy Irons. Group (ATG), New Jersey’s newest dents will have the opportunity to of all ages. Opening the program will be Rutter, was commissioned for the wed- tainly character enough for any man Running time: 134 minutes professional theater, located at the present a scene from whatever play Copland's " Fanfare for the Common ding of HRH Prince William of Wales state-of- the-arts Hamilton Stage or musical that they have performed Man," a stunning display of brass and and Catherine Middleton at Westminster Theater in Rahway, announced its during the course of the year, or one percussion written in 1942 for The Cin- Abbey in 2011. It is a setting of Psalm first annual High School Drama Fes- they have prepared specially for the cinnati Orchestra. Following the Fan- 118. tival, an event that promises to be competition. These excerpts will fare will be a premier of a new work by To round out the program, Mr. an extremely popular annual offer- then be given an in-depth critique Trent Johnson, The Wisdom of Johnson has chosen John Rutter's ing. On Thursday, April 28, ATG by working members of the Broad- Solomon, for chorus, brass ensemble, "Gloria," an enjoyable, rhythmic and will serve as host to high schools way theater industry. timpani and percussion. This work ex- melodic three movement odyssey throughout New Jersey for a day of For more information, call (732) plores Solomon's wisdom through di- through the text of the Gloria which great theater and inspiring instruc- 238-9982 or visit rect quotations from the Book of Prov- comes from the Ordinary of the Catho- tion. www.americantheatergroup.org. erbs, a collection of short sayings that lic Mass. The outer movements are instruct and give advice on common- exuberant in their joyousness. The place interactions and situations. middle movement is lovely and a plea From the Baroque and from two to "hear our prayer." well-known Handel oratorios - Solomon Donations at the door will be $20 for Westfield Pediatric and Samson - will come five delightful general admission and $15 for students choruses including "Swell the Full cho- and seniors. For concert information, Dental Group rus," "Awake the trumpets lofty sound," call the Church office at (908) 233- "Then round about the starry throne, "O 4211. Orchestra Friends, Talbots Present Spring Fashions WESTFIELD – The Friends of during the party will be donated to the New Jersey Festival Orchestra, the Friends, according to Dayna fundraising arm of the orchestra, are Gonzalaz, General Manager of Tal- looking ahead to the arrival of spring bots’ Short Hills store. and new fashion trends as they part- Attendees will have the chance to ner with the Talbots’ store in the Mall win a door prize and receive a goodie at Short Hills on Thursday, March 10, bag comprised of Talbots merchan- between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. to present dize. Raffle tickets to drive a sleek a “fashion show and party.” 2016 Tesla automobile for 24 hours ALL STATE SINGERS...Pria McNeil and Laura Salway, both sophomores at Cranford High School, performed in the NJ All-State Treble Chorus on February According to Lee Corcoran, chair- will also be on sale by The Friends 20 at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark. This school year, at total man, the party is a “different” kind of during evening. of nine Cranford High School students were selected for and participated in the fundraiser. She stated, “No admis- New Jersey Festival Orchestra’s NJ All-State Choruses. The students were sponsored by Anthony Rafaniello, sion will be charged, attendance is next presentation will be one of the Director of Choirs at Cranford High School. Dentistry for Infants, Children totally free and no reservations are world’s most beloved operas, necessary. Thanks to the generosity Puccini’s La Boheme, on Saturday, Adolescents, and Special Needs of Talbots, a lavish selection of hors March 5, starring internationally rec- N O T I C E d’oeuvres will be served and a group ognized vocalists. Tickets for the of late-winter and spring fashions will opera are available at www.NJFestival • New Patients Welcome be modeled by members of the Friends Orchestra.org, or by calling (908) 232- ATTENTION WESTFIELD RESIDENTS group.” Ten percent of pre-tax sales 9400. 2016 POOL REGISTRATION UPDATE • Laser Dentistry • In Office General Anesthesia • Registration information has been mailed to all 2015 pool members. Members can register on-line, mail in, or in person through April 14, 2016. Timothy P. McCabe, D.M.D. Board Certified • Once pre-registration of current 2015 members is completed Julie Jong, D.M.D. Private instrumental & vocal lessons for the 2016 season on April 14th; IF there are still openings, Board Certified World-class professional faculty the Recreation Department will start contacting those on the Kelly Walk, D.D.S. For all ages & levels wait list. Board Certified Performing ensembles for everyone • John Chang, D.D.S. REMEMBER: If you are interested in joining the Memorial Instrument rentals & sales Pool, and you are not a 2015 member, YOU MUST be on the Board Certified wait list at the Westfield Recreation Department! Wait List 15 0-152 East Broad Street Westfield, NJ 07090 applications are available on-line at: 908-232-1231 www.westfieldnj.gov/recreation or can be picked up in the (908) 789-9696 555 Westfield Avenue, Westfield www.njworkshopforthearts.com Recreation Department at 425 E. Broad Street. A Non-Profit Organization Est. 1972 Contact number – 908.789.4080 www.kidsandsmiles.com