A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION The Westfield Leader and The Scotch Plains – Fanwood TIMES Thursday, August 30, 2007 Page 15 CONTINUED from 16 WILLOUGHBY EXHIBIT Troupe Of Friends Presents for an artist – she holds a master’s investigator,” she continued. degree in biochemistry from Trinity Ms. Willoughby has exhibited her College in Dublin, Ireland. She also paintings and drawings locally at the Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night worked in biochemical research at Visual Arts Center of New Jersey in Harvard University and biological Summit, the Arts Guild of Rahway, WESTFIELD – Under the spon- in love. He, however, loves Olivia data computer support at Merck in the Freeholder’s Gallery in Elizabeth, sorship of the Westfield Recreation and sends Viola to woo her for him. Rahway. and at WAA Members’ Shows. Department, Troupe of Friends, Inc., Olivia, in turn, becomes smitten with “It is true that our western educa- She has won various awards for her a non-profit Westfield theater com- his messenger. Confusion and hilar- tional system tends to categorize in- art and her work is held in many pany, will perform William ity ensue as this love triangle works dividuals depending on whether they private collections. Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night this com- itself out. have scientific or artistic ability... Despite previous accolades, Ms. ing weekend. This play follows on The performances are Saturday and For me it has never been a problem, Willoughby feels exhibiting at the heels of their first two produc- Sunday, September 1 and 2, Labor as I often pursued art as a side inter- UCOCHA casts her work in a new tions of Comedy of Errors and Wait- Day weekend. Curtain is at 4 p.m. on est, while my day job was in sci- light. ing for Godot. the ball field at Memorial Park in ence,” she explained. “I feel it made my work seem more Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s Westfield. In case of rain, the produc- “One thing I enjoy about art is that important than it did before,” she said. most popular plays, is a comedy about tion will be in the Westfield Town there is no one true way of doing it,” According to UCOCHA, Union love, mistaken identity and confused Hall Community Center on East she said. “There are as many ap- County artists interested in exhibit- gender. Broad Street. proaches to artistic creativity as there ing in the Pearl Street Gallery are Disguised as a boy, Viola, a woman Both shows are free, open to the are artists, and if a piece of artwork welcome to apply. separated from her twin brother fol- public and suitable for audiences of all pleases the viewer, it works, regard- For more information about the lowing an accident, enters the service ages. Lawn chairs and blankets should less of how it is made.” Pearl Street Gallery or to learn about of Duke Orsino, with whom she falls be brought for outdoor seating. On the other hand, “In scientific other UCOCHA programs and ser- research, to get reproducible results vices, please contact the Union … the methodology must be rigor- County Office of Cultural and Heri- Symposium Picks Best Of ous… which requires a very disci- tage Affairs, 633 Pearl Street, Eliza- plined approach on the part of the beth at (908) 558-2550. NBC Photo: Justin Lubin Sundance, Cannes, Tribeca ™ WELL ‘BEE’HAVED...Former Westfield resident Pamela Gross participates on POPCORN NBC’s “Singing Bee” hosted by former ‘N Sync band member Joey Fatone. Ms. MOUNTAINSIDE – Starting Sep- tions made by September 4. Gross walked away with $10,000 after showing off her skills at recalling lyrics and tember 17, Filmmakers Symposium Confirmed films and those under Superbad: Gets Down singing along karaoke-style with popular music. will run for 12 weeks in New Jersey at consideration for the upcoming ses- CONTINUED from 16 NBC’S “SINGING BEE” AMC Loews Mountainside and AMC sion include: Charlie Wilson’s War With Separation Anxiety Loews Monmouth Mall. This series with Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, di- fellow contestants backstage. two mistakes. Ms. Gross won $5,000 has hosted 1,198 movie premieres rector Mike Nichols; The Diving Bell “It was heaven because I have this for each of the two songs she sang with 792 live guest appearances over and the Butterfly with Mathieu One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent big karaoke geek side, and no one I’m correctly, but a third mistake during the past 16 years. Amalric, Emmanuelle Seigner, di- By MICHAEL S. GOLDBERGER he doesn’t look anywhere near friends with in normal life really likes Rick James’ “Superfreak” prevented “The program will always be flex- rector Julien Schnabel; Elegy with 3 popcorns twenty-five, as the bogus credential it,” Ms. Gross said. “My birthday is her from proceeding any further. ible in order to take advantage of Penelope Cruz, Ben Kingsley, direc- Sex, sex and more sex. It seems to be claims. And it makes no sense that he really the only time I can drag my Because the episodes were taped opportunities as they arise,” said Sym- tor Isobel Coixet; Leatherheads with the only thing on Seth’s mind in chose only one name—McLovin— friends out to do it, so it was really fun weeks in advance, Ms. Gross wasn’t posium director Chuck Rose. “Won- George Clooney, Renee Zellweger, Superbad, director Greg Mottola’s hu- to adorn the document. Fogell, er, to hang out with all these people who allowed to share her good news with derful surprises and fantastic celebri- director George Clooney; Lions for morously raunchy, teen angst farce. McLovin, will score the booze. like to sing.” friends or family immediately. ties can pop up out of nowhere, so I Lambs with Tom Cruise, Meryl Shades of George Lucas’s masterful The odyssey afoot, Fogell enters She was also happy to learn she’d “It was really hard, but I just kept try to keep the schedule as fluid as Streep, director Robert Redford; No American Graffiti (1973), it’s a valid the liquor store. It looks like all signs been selected for the 1980’s-themed telling everyone they just had to watch possible. In the past two years, we Country for Old Men; with Tommy update of that timeless, rite of passage are go. But then, just as he is about to show. it,” she said. “My closest friends are premiered 71 films that later earned a Lee Jones, Woody Harrelson, direc- rigmarole, sans the innocence, of course. make his coup, a bandit dashes in to “I would’ve been much more un- from Westfield and were all really total of 18 Oscar, 16 British Acad- tors Coen Brothers; Sweeney Todd Well, not quite. Virtue does have its rob the till, sucker-punching our point comfortable with more current stuff excited.” emy, 18 Spirit and 17 European Film with Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham representation. While Evan (Michael man in the process. The cashier is like Pink or Maroon Five,” she said. She believes the only other time Award nominations.” Carter, director Tim Burton; and The Cera), Seth’s best friend, might not hysterical. The cops arrive. Instead, Ms. Gross sang along with she won a prize was years back at a Oscar winners and nominees Danny Orphanage with Belen Rueda, care to put it in so many words, he But while it appears to the frightened music from bands like Blondie and WHS pep rally. Aiello, Alan Arkin, James Cromwell, Fernando Cayo, director Juan Anto- timidly exemplifies its last remnants. lookouts that Fogell is being arrested, ZZ Top. “I was called out of the audience Frank Darabont, Ethan Hawke, Jean- nio Bayona, produced by Guillermo It is with pretty much the same cha- the truth is that officers Slater (Bill She recounted how the judges are when Allie Manville drew my name, Pierre Jeunet, John Sayles, Marc del Toro, the director of Pan’s Laby- grin that Superbad soft-pedals its Hader) and Michaels (Seth Rogen) have really sticklers for detail, such as in and I made a basket into the net across Shaiman, Howard Shore and David rinth. nonetheless touchy-feely core. taken an immediate liking to the be- the latter group’s lyrics to “Sharp the gym,” she said. “It was so amaz- Strathairn have joined Dylan Baker, Which is why Mr. Mottola’s con- spectacled geek. Adopting him as their Dressed Man.” ing, and I won a gift certificate to the Al Franken, Famke Janssen, Delroy New Theater Group tained explosion is far more gratifying mascot and confessor, he’ll ride the “I sung ‘every girl’s crazy about a Music Staff and bought a Jackson Lindo, Derek Luke, David Morse, than the scads of movies hoping to cash night with them. They are nuts. sharp dressed man’ and got it wrong Five CD!” Viggo Mortensen, Connie Nielsen and Presents Godspell Jr. in on the bad behavior of young folks in Meanwhile, through a subsequent because it’s ‘every girl crazy…’” she Ms. Gross has bigger plans for her Kevin Smith as guest speakers who SCOTCH PLAINS — A new the- search of a good time. Indeed, the out- series of mishaps and prompted by said, chuckling that the actual lyrics Singing Bee prize money. She re- have come to share their insights with ater group will present Godspell Jr. landishness and fantasy are there. Still, the promise of alcohol, Seth and Evan aren’t even grammatically correct. cently began publishing a new maga- Symposium participants. on Friday, August 31, at 7 p.m. and the characters are recognizable, their link up with a few screwballs of their But Ms. Gross still managed to zine, Hollywood Covered, and will Mr. Rose added, “Last fall, well in Saturday, September 1, at 2 p.m. at adventures possible, sort of, kind of. own. Which lands them at a party sing her way to the championship use the money to pay off some debts advance of public release, we pre- the First United Methodist Church of In this variation on the coming-of- where the wine is flowing and the with “Sussudio” by Phil Collins. incurred with the start up. viewed Academy Award nominees Scotch Plains, located at 1171 Terrill age theme, a major door is closing for company is decidedly bad. The trick During the final round, the cham- “I was definitely in to win it, and Pan’s Labyrinth, Jesus Camp and Road. Seth (Jonah Hill) and Evan. High now is to extricate themselves from pion needs to recall lyrics from five really wanted the $50,000,” she said. Little Children, highlighted by a fas- Twenty-two students between kin- school graduation nears. And while said den of iniquity with some eighty songs accurately to win the grade “But I was so happy to leave with cinating discussion with dergarten and high school, as well as college is in the plans, suddenly the proof souvenirs in tow. prize of $50,000 and is only allowed $10,000 more than I came with!” screenwriting nominee Tom Perrotta. adults, have rehearsed all summer for way seems so foreboding. By this juncture, the romp has For information or to register, call these performances. But if Seth is as concerned as Evan firmly established an anything can 1-800-531-9416 or visit All tickets will be $10 and can be about these grave uncertainties, he isn’t happen momentum, replete with a PrivateScreenings.org. obtained by calling the church office showing it. Or at least he has a different series of running gags and a host of Vic’s Picks The series is open to anyone, but at (908) 322-9222 between Tuesday way of dealing with life-defining doubts. other comic conventions that keep The Fratellis: Crazy seating is limited, so early enrollment and Thursday from 2 until 5 p.m. In He informs that in order to become a matters lunatical and frothy. Though is advised. Subscription is $166 for addition, members of the public can consummate lover in college, it be- they are caricatures and their exploits Times Worth Having six weeks or $299 for 12 weeks. Dis- e-mail [email protected] to hooves him to devote this watershed are exaggerated, we’ve come to know counts will be available for registra- place an order and arrange pick up. summer to losing his virginity. these kids. We are deliriously invested. By VICTORIA McCABE payoff – its ending chorus – it’s a Evan frames matters a tad more But the guilty thrills wouldn’t be Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times full-out rocker. romantically. He’s been fond of Becca possible without the presumption that “These are crazy times down at It’s actually a testament to the (Martha Maclsaac) since time imme- all this hullabaloo and cataclysm were Costello Music,” The Fratellis an- band’s knack for memorable melo- morial and hopes to cement a mean- going to lead to character building nounce recklessly on the opening cut dies that they can get away with so ingful relationship before college be- and good citizenship. Or so we’d like of their debut album, a 2006 record many “las” and “doos” amid real gins. Seth scoffs, albeit respectfully. to think. The serious thread that tac- that took their Scottish and UK con- lyrics – their guitar hooks are so It’s part and parcel of the ongoing itly intersperses itself throughout the temporaries by storm almost a full tempting, why wait for the verse to debate that has united the odd couple hijinks allows that, while “Superbad” year before they made their mark on start singing along? It’s that kind of since kindergarten. makes sport of naughtiness, it doesn’t the United States. raw passion that gives The Fratellis But their differences are not so dispar- sanction it. And they’re right. “Costello Mu- an intangible appeal. ate to preclude a teaming together when The groundwork for this humanis- sic” is an album devoted to crazy “Baby Fratelli” uses everything opportunity strikes. Jules (Emma Stone), tic lip service is established early on times, a throwback record that’s all the boys have to offer – tight rock- the lithe beauty who’s been occupying when we learn that while Evan and about cutting loose and pretty im- and-roll instrumentals under the chubby Seth’s visions of sexual con- Fogell have been accepted to possible to resist. verses, layered vocal harmonies that quest, is having a party. Becca will be Dartmouth, Seth was rejected. He’ll By now, the raucous strains of open up on the choruses, tempo there. Can Seth procure the liquor? be going to State. “Flathead” should be recognizable changes that give depth and surprises. Sure thing, no problem. Thus, their escapade on this critical to anyone who has seen a recent The lyrical contradictions in “For Of course, it’s the problem. That’s evening is an acting out of far greater iPod commercial – it’s that whole the Girl,” the straight-up romp of the joke at the heart of director Mottola’s issues than whether or not they can now-the-underground-sound-is-the- “The Gutterati?” and the melodic raucous, few-holds-barred delve into obtain the requisite hooch. And it may mainstream phenomenon that some vocals on hidden track “Ole Black this time-honored misconduct. And not be cool to admit it. But in exploring fans of bands off the beaten path ‘N’ Blue Eyes” all add up to a solid FEATURE FILMS…Filmmakers Symposium moderator Chuck Rose, seen here loathe. rock album that never gets redun- with recent guest speaker Fisher Stevens, will premiere 20 not-yet-released unless you were a very sheltered teen, said crisis, Superbad makes some ex- movies in the fall series beginning in September at AMC Loews Mountainside and doubtless the ensuing antics will have ceptionally good points about friend- But it doesn’t really matter. Forget dant. AMC Loews Monmouth Mall. For info, call 1-800-531-9416 or vist you thinking it’s deja vu all over again. ship to complement the non-stop laughs. the ever-widening reach of commer- “Costello Music” falters a bit in its PrivateScreenings.org Naturally, in these immature hands the * * * cialism; these guys rock. tracklist order; the midtempo mission seems near impossible. Superbad, rated R, is a Columbia The Fratellis take the exuberance “Whistle for the Choir,” the third Yet when Fogell (Christopher Pictures release directed by Greg of the early Beatles sound and throw song, slows things down a bit too Mintz-Plasse), the duo’s nerd buddy, Mottola and stars Jonah Hill, Michael it on top of vintage garage rock. It’s soon. It’s not a bad effort, and the obtains a fake Hawaiian drivers li- Cera and Seth Rogen. Running time: unbridled energy and an alluring choral harmonies are nice, but the cense, hope springs eternal. OK. So 114 minutes. unpolished sound that, if nothing whistling to which the title alludes is else, reminds the listener of how a little too cheesy a little too early in much fun rock and roll is supposed the set. Premiere Stages Offers to be. But that’s a minor misstep, and the “Chelsea Dagger” is brilliant from fact that “Costello Music” doesn’t its opening drum beat to the guttural resort to filler songs at the end – An ODD Performance bass line to the sing-along “doo doo some of its last are some of its best – UNION – Premiere Stages at Kean premierestages. doo doo” melodies (no matter what it renders the question of pacing irrel- University continues its 2007 season The theater is located at 1000 Mor- looks like on paper, it’s not tacky). evant. Start to finish, these are some with the world premiere of ODD, ris Avenue in Union. By the time they get to the song’s real crazy times worth getting in on. written by New Jersey playwright Hal Corley. In ODD, a struggling tutor running THE CAROLYN KLINGER-KUETER from his past takes on a teenager with the farmhouse store Oppositional Defiance Disorder (ODD), opening the teen’s eyes to a MUSIC STUDIO like no other store in Westfield world outside his sleepy New Jersey suburb and providing hope and per- haps something more to the boy’s 424 ST. MARKS AVE., WESTFIELD mother. The play is the winner of the 2007 Premiere Stages Play Festival and was selected from more than 350 “Drop-in” Music classes submissions. “The play provides a from infants to 3 yr. powerful and thought-provoking look olds. into America’s heavy application of medication and labels in the treat- Piano preparatory & ment of our troubled youth,” said John Wooten, producing artistic di- general music classes rector of Premiere Stages. for 4-6 yr. olds “Hal has created a profound and moving testament to the importance Piano lessons for 5 ½ of role models in reaching children yr. olds & up who society has rejected,” he said. ODD runs from Friday, September 7, through Sunday, September 23, in Adult piano lessons Kean University’s Zella Fry Theatre. Sunday performances begin at 3 p.m.; Wednesday, September 19, at 5 p.m.; all others at 8 p.m. Tickets range from $15 to $25. Tel: 908-233-9094 Fax: 908-317-0588 To order tickets, get on the mailing Pottery Jewelry Metal list, or to request a season brochure, E-mail: [email protected] Glass Textiles Wood Paper please call the Kean Stage Box Office Website: www.carolynmusic.com www.thefarmhousestore.com at (908) 737-SHOW (7469) or visit 221 North Ave East, Westfield 908-654-0444 Premiere Stages online at kean.edu/