Page 20 Thursday, June 1, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Arts & Entertainment

POPCORN™ Last Night of Ballyhoo Auditions Scotch Plains Art Teacher Small Time Crooks On Tap By Community Players Portrays Benjamin Franklin WESTFIELD — Westfield Com- Sunny Freitag, Reba’s daughter in her No Big Deal munity Players (WCP), is holding open 20’s; Joe Parkas, Adolph’s office assis- SCOTCH PLAINS — Victor switch gears and go into education. By Michael S. Goldberger auditions for Alfred Uhry’s The Last tant in his 20’s and Peachy Well, a Morosco, a teacher for 30 years at He loved the arts and an audience. One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent Night of Ballyhoo, on Monday, June visitor from Lake Charles in her 20’s Park Middle School in Scotch Plains “I couldn’t have chosen a better 19, and Wednesday, June 21, at 7:30 The show opens on Saturday, Octo- is about to portray one of his favor- audience than the students in my 2 & 1/2 popcorns a side dish to an astonishing career, p.m. in the WCP theater at 1000 North ber 14 and continues October 20, 21, ite historical characters, Dr. Ben- classroom,” said Mr. Morosco. a gag-filled, neo-Vaudevillian diver- It’s a basic comedy, a simple farce Avenue West, Westfield. 27, 28 and November 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. jamin Franklin, in a musical produc- “Teaching and performing on stage sion that’s close, but no exploding Those cast in the show, must be- with all tickets $12. have gone hand in hand full of simple laughs being heralded cigar. by some as a harking back by Woody come dues paying members of WCP. Funding has been made possible in all these years.” While in Allen to the schnooky innocence * * * * * Director Joe Viemo is casting the part by the New Jersey State Council school, his early efforts that first endeared him to Small Time Crooks, rated PG, is a following parts: Adolph Freitag, a on the Arts, Department of State, and energy created a audiences.....before he abandoned DreamWorks Pictures release directed businessman in his late 40’s; Boo through a grant administered by the school-wide Variety Show the great unwashed and set out for a by Woody Allen and stars Woody Allen, Levy, Adolph’s older sister; Reba Union County Division of Cultural which became a quite life of cinematic intellectualism, bit- Tracey Ullman and Hugh Grant. Run- Freitag, sister in law in her mid 40’s; andCranford Heritage Affairs. Dramatic memorable experience for ing social satire, and perceived lech- ning time: 95 minutes. Lala Levy, Boo’s daughter in her 20’s, Scotch Plains alumni. ery with the considerably younger Reminiscing, Mr. offspring of supposed loved ones. Club Schedules Morosco wondered where Optimistic moralists might see it he ever got the energy as Woody’s quest for redemption. Godspell Auditions and time, as the show was Realists will view it as a business monumental and involved venture. CRANFORD — The Cranford 90 percent of the school But we cynics ask: Is Small Time Dramatic Club (CDC) will hold population. His evenings Crooks yet another one of Allen’s auditions for its production of were spent actively in- tricks? He sure had us going with volved in both New Jersey Interiors and A Midsummer Night’s Godspell on Sunday, June 4, at l Sex Comedy. Might this just be his p.m. and Monday, June 5, at 7 p.m. regional and community latest bit of filmic prestidigitation? at the CDC Theatre at 78 Winans theatre. He has appeared Why would one of America’s most Avenue in Cranford. at the Union County Arts creative moviemakers recede from There are five featured male Center, Red Oak Musical the cutting edge and offer up this roles (including Jesus and John Theatre, Plays in the Park, convivial enough but rather tame the Baptist/Judas) and five fea- Premier Theatre, and and traditional comedy about a hap- tured female roles as well as an many other community less crook (Mr. Allen) and his status- ensemble of singers and dancers. theaters throughout cen- seeking wife (Tracey Ullman)? tral and southern New Jer- The easy answer is money. While Those auditioning for the fol- Victor Morosco as Benjamin Franklin sey. Mr. Allen’s artistic efforts more often lowing roles should prepare the He lists his favorite roles than not receive critical praise, their following songs for auditions: tion of 1776. as Sancho in Man of La Mancha, inevitably limited appearance, pri- Jesus, “Save the People;” John the This is not the first time Mr. which got him nominated for best marily in college towns and on ur- Baptist, “Prepare Ye;” Jeffrey, “We Morosco has portrayed this charac- musical character at the New Jersey bane inner city screens, grosses them Beseech Ye;” Lamar, “All Good ter. Five years ago, he auditioned ACT awards in 1996. He also lists relatively small sums compared to Gifts;” Herb, any ensemble num- and won the role at a dessert theatre Benny South Street from Guys and any number of wide-release com- ber; Robin, “Day by Day;” Joanne, in Sayreville. Dolls and The Governor from The edies of less consequential pedi- “All Good Gifts;” Peggy, “By My Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as gree. In preparation for this role he did The conjecture is, that by reprising Side;” Sonia, “Turn Back O Man;” some research on the man. “I found two other favorite characters to play. a pure comic character we haven’t and Gilmer, “Learn Your Lessons him to be quite an interesting Ameri- Mr. Morosco, a versatile character seen since Take The Money and Run Well.” can hero,” said Mr. Morosco. “The actor is often sought out by various and Bananas, the combination of All those who audition for the more I read about him the more he theater groups. No stranger to the nostalgia and unpretentious fun will ensemble are recommended to became an old pal. He was quite stage he has also produced, di- justify placing Small Time Crooks on bring a song from the show that brilliant and never at loss for words. rected and served in various capaci- cineplex marquees. It just may be so. best suits their voice and person- He was full of wit and quite persua- ties back stage. He is presently on And in light of the laughs — mostly ality. Production dates for the show sive as well as being a ladies’ man the artistic staff of the Sayreville titters and chuckles, but very few are Fridays and Saturdays, Octo- well into his senior years. So magi- Main Street Dessert Theater, while guffaws — Mr. Allen cranks out, one ber 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28. cal is this man’s character that even continuing to teach art at Park Middle shouldn’t mind the economic ma- REIGNING SUPREME...Mary Wilson and the Supremes will join in as I began to develop the role of School in Scotch Plains. nipulation too much. For further information, please Franklin I became aware of a re- “I have been lucky to have the The everyman schmo this go-round the Cape May Festival Pops Orchestra on Saturday, June 3, at 8 call the director, Janice-Lynn p.m. at the Atlantic City Convention Center and Sunday, June 4, spect for me as an actor.” arts in my life both as a vocation and is Ray Winkler (Allen), a safecracker Shuhan, at (973) 890-5614 or Cast- Mr. Morosco initially began his avocation,” said Mr. Morosco, “and hell-bent on renting the empty piz- at 8 p.m. at Cape May Convention Hall for two gala evenings of ing Chairman, Bobby Gleeman, at career as an actor in New York City what amazes me is that my creativ- zeria two doors down from the bank, classic hits from the 60s and 70s. For more information, please (908) 232-4460. where he trained at The American ity in both education and the theater tunneling under to the cash, and call (609) 884-5404. Theatre Wing. After a few years of after all these years is still I strong as then taking it on the lam for Florida. moderate success, he decided to the day I began.” He and his impossibly stupid part- Tittle, Rogerson, Horowitz Gardens ners (wackily realized by Michael Mr. Morosco will portray the role Rapaport, John Lovitz and Tony of Dr. Franklin in the musical pro- Darrow), have agreed to contribute duction of 1776 and can be seen at $6,000 each in seed money. To Open for Tour This Saturday Playhouse 22 on from Friday, June But when Ray initially tries to 2, to Saturday, June 24. The theater is located in East convince wife Frenchy, a former attached garage. exotic dancer that his plan is their WESTFIELD — Six Westfield area mals and the insects that share the Brunswick. For further information ticket to a better life, it dawns on us gardeners are anxiously watching the space, there is continual enjoyment in Two gardens on the tour are in and reservations, please call (732) that this is the filmmaker’s little hom- weather forecasts as they plant a few my garden.” Scotch Plains, one cultivated by Pam 254-3939. age to “The Honeymooners.” more flowers, trim the lawn once more Developed much more quickly, a DeYoung, the other by Claudia and Jim The parable that follows could and hope for sunny skies on Saturday, third garden on the tour is one owned Heffner. A third one, in Mountainside, is very well pass for an expanded epi- June 3. by Andrew and Amy Horowitz in owned by Carlene (Tinky) and Jim sode of “The Honeymooners,” albeit That is the day when they have Wychwood. In the six years since they Dunne. delivered with defining sprinkles of offered to exhibit their private gardens moved into the modern house, they At the Dunne house there will also be Allen’s shtick. to hundreds of strangers with tickets to have had three children, acquired two refreshments provided by Trader Joe’s, In what amounts to an urban idyll, a garden tour sponsored by the Garden dogs and added several rooms to the along with a sale of baked goods. A Frenchy may chide and deride her Club of Westfield. house, each addition requiring rear- boutique featuring stone and gifts for man, but she is Allen’s ultimate fe- With years of study and hands-on male fantasy, the perfect purveyor of experimenting, each gardener has unconditional love. Played with en- created a setting of flowers, shrubs, amoring comic verve by Miss Ullman, trees and lawns that is both unique she is much too loyal a wife to deny and beautiful. her small time crook a chance at his Sharon Tittle was recognized as a BAROQUE MUSIC…On Sunday, June 4, at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary of The dreams. So she gives in. budding gardener while still a tod- Naturally, the plan goes bust right Presbyterian Church in Westfield, the Chancel Choir with Chamber dler, when her neighbor, then presi- Orchestra will perform Cantata 4 Christ lag in Todesbanden and the duet from the get-go as Ray and his band dent of the Garden Club of Westfield, of unlikely excavators, overly con- for women’s voices from Cantata 78 Wir eilen mit schwachen, doch saw her picking flower heads from emsigen Schritten by Johann Sebastian Bach. Gloria by Antonio Vivaldi cerned with making a fashion state- one of the president’s prized flower ment in their flashlight-equipped will also be included in the program. The church is located at 140 beds. As a teenager in Westfield, Mountain Avenue. No tickets are required. An offering will be accepted. miner’s hats, pierce a water main. Sharon was always the chief gar- But since irony is the main ingredi- dener in her family. ent of such fables, the whimsical result of all Ray’s subterranean machi- Over the last eight years she, with Pippin at Paper Mill to Run nations is the reaping of a treasure help from husband Bill and local despite himself. landscaper Craig Stock, has devel- Up above in the former pizzeria, oped the handsome new beds sur- posing as a cover for the would-be rounding their colonial home in Through June and July bank robbers, Frenchy’s cookie busi- Wychwood. ness has been baking up a fortune. With sun in front and shade in back, MILLBURN — Paper Mill Play- Charlotte Rae as Berthe, and an en- Fast forward and they’re filthy rich, their property lends itself to a variety of house audiences will be the first to see semble of talented dancers. a tasteless, gaudy, townhouse ver- plants. Two years ago, the Tittles a major reconceived production of Performance dates will be from sion of the “Beverly Hillbillies.” But added a dry wall and a curved Walpole Pippin, the longest-running 1970s Wednesday, June 7, to Sunday, July aside from outfitting himself in the white fence to enclose a sunny bed musical hit by Academy Award-Win- 23. From Wednesdays to Saturdays, loudest jackets available, Ray isn’t with unusual perennials as a shrub- ning Composer/Lyricist Stephen performances will be held at 8 p.m. very happy. And neither is Frenchy, like clematis and a climbing hydrangea. rangement of landscaper Craig Stock’s gardeners will be available at the Tittle Schwartz. and on Sundays, Pippin will take the only she just doesn’t know it. Beyond a white gate is her prized master design. house. Pippin is an irreverent, funny, hip stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Sun- Obsessed with obliterating her ig- rose garden, featuring hybrid teas and a The overall effect, however, is one of The June 3 garden tour will take and sexy tale about a young man’s day matinees are slated for 2 p.m. and noble roots, Frenchy is determined favorite Portland rose named Comte de casual grace, with shrubbed terraces in place, rain or shine, from 11 am to 4 search to discover the secret of true Saturday matinees will take place at to buy her way up the social ladder. Chambord. Two important aspects of front; while, behind the house, flower p.m. Tickets are available for a donation happiness and fulfillment. 2:30 p.m. And this dire need serves as an creating a new garden, Sharon said, is beds wind around children’s slides and of $15, with the proceeds to be used for This Pippin for the new millennium Pippin will close on the Sunday entree for David, a cosmopolitan art seeking help from a professional land- swings and along picket fences, ending the garden club’s civic projects and stars Broadway, television and film’s matinee, July 23, at 2 p.m. There will dealer portrayed with convincing scaper and having a good-natured helper at a pretty little fish pond with a tiny scholarships. Tickets are available from Jack Noseworthy as Pippin, Jim be an added performance on Wednes- temperament by Hugh Grant. A ready like her husband, who is “very good” at waterfall and flashing gold fish. all garden club members or by phoning Newman as The Leading Player, Sara day, July 19, at 2 p.m. A Gay and Henry Higgins to her Eliza Doolittle, digging holes and weeding. Adjoining the house is a spacious (908) 233-7572 or (908) 232-7559. They Gettelfinger as Fastrada, Ed Dixon as Lesbian Night will be held on Wednes- Frenchy sees him as her ticket to a Beneath tall oaks and hickory trees at patio shaded by huge oak trees, and can also be purchased at Lancaster’s, Charlemagne, “The Fact’s of Life’s” day, July 12, at 2 p.m. with a post-show seat on one of those art museum the rear is an amazing variety of shade near it climbing roses cascade over an Ltd. in Westfield. boards that she so desperately cov- reception. Singles Night is Thursday, loving plants - mounds of sweet woo- July 20, at 8 p.m. with a post-show ets. druff, astilbe, huge hostas, hellbore Casting Call Announced The Winklers hire the perfect Brit reception. foetidus which can bloom in the snow The Presbyterian Church in Westfield Audio-Described Performances, snob to teach them culture. Churn - and many more providing season- For Untitled Film these ingredients together, insert a with a sensory seminar 90 minutes long interest. 140 Mountain Avenue In New York City prior to curtain opening, will take hint of a love triangle, and there you On the south side of Westfield Alice have it....Woody Allen’s latest ex- place on Thursday, July 6, 12:30 p.m. ample of romantic comedy. Rogerson is another gardener who has NEW YORK – An open casting seminar, 2 p.m. curtain Saturday, July To please diehard Woody fans been gardening since childhood. At the Sunday, June 4 • 7pm call will be held on Saturday, June 8, 1 p.m. seminar, 2:30 p.m. curtain who just can’t leave the Revolution age of six, she tended a row of radishes 10, for the feature film, Untitled, Sunday, July 9, 6 p.m. seminar, 7:30 at home, the humorous end of class in her parents’ victory garden. directed by Todd Solondz, the direc- p.m. curtain. Sign-interpreted, open- struggle is thrown in for good mea- When she and her husband Bill tor of Welcome to the Dollhouse, captioned performances will be held sure. And the cast of zany fortune moved to their current home 35 years produced by Killer Films and Good on Sunday, July 9 at 7:30 p.m. and ago, their first objective, she said “was to The Chancel Choir hunters, including a very ditsy Elaine Machine of Boys Don’t Cry, Sense Friday, July 14 at 8 p.m. May, also have something to say reduce the amount of grass that needed and Sensibility and Ice Storm. to be cut each week.” with Chamber Orchestra For further information, please call about society, human nature, love The casting call will be held at 100 the box office at (973) 376-4343. Paper and the corporate world. She began studying landscaping with West 84th Street between Amsterdam a course at Westfield’s Adult School, Mill Playhouse is barrier-free and com- Still, you can’t help but wonder if and Columbus in Manhattan. pletely accessible to people with dis- there’s something more to this. Maybe continued by earning a horticulture According to Casting Director Ann playing the motion picture back- certificate from the Garden Club of New abilities. For each production, Paper Baroque Music Goulder, the following actors are Mill offers audio-described perfor- wards will unearth secret messages. Jersey, and has just completed the needed: But the practical suggestion here is Master Gardener program at the Rutgers • mances for the visually impaired, as 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. – Very intelligent well as sign-interpreted and open to simply view Small Time Crooks as Cooperative Extension of Union County. Cantata 4 boys ages 9-10 and Athletic, offbeat Referring to President Thomas captioned performances for the hear- Johann Sebastian Bach and “nerdy”-type boys ages 15-19. ing impaired. Braille and large-print Jefferson’s well-known love of garden- • 2 to 4 p.m. – Males with cerebral Please send ing, Alice said, “Through the years my programs, as well as an infrared listen- palsy who are non-wheelchair us- ing system are also available. all A&E News to: Jeffersonian blooming plan gives plea- ers, ages 18-23. sure. Starting in January and February Gloria Tickets are $36 to $60. Visa, Mastercard [email protected] with snowdrops, through frost with No acting experience is neces- and Discover accepted. $10 student chrysanthemums, there is always some- Antonio Vivaldi sary. Please bring a non-returnable rush tickets may be available 15 minutes by Fridays thing in bloom. Add to that the activity photo. prior to curtain. Group sales for 20 at 4 p.m. of the birds, the butterflies, the mam- No Tickets Required • An offering is received For more information, please call persons or more may be obtained at Ms. Goulder at (212) 982-3432. (973) 379-3636, Extension No. 2438. CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK