Page 22 Thursday, March 16, 2000 The Westfield Leader and THE TIMES of Scotch Plains – Fanwood A WATCHUNG COMMUNICATIONS, INC. PUBLICATION Arts & Entertainment
POPCORN On The Beat What Planet Are You From? Love, Intergalactic Style The Cures Bloodflowers By Michael S. Goldberger One Popcorn, Poor • Two Popcorns, Fair • Three Popcorns, Good • Four Popcorns, Excellent Doesnt Break New Ground 3 popcorns Anderson as his Earth name, the sur- It’s about sex. But it isn’t really. reptitious invader will work as a mort- By ANDY GOLDENBERG Strewn throughout Mike Nichols’ gage loan officer. He is to find a of sound quality. suitable partner, make her the mother Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times Continuing the BBC vibe, MCA direction of Garry Shandling’s wacky laughfest about an alien’s mission to of his child, wait the required time, Let’s see what is spinning on my Records has just released a 25- and then return home with the result- laser turntable (read CD player) impregnate an Earth woman is a sur- song collection entitled, “The Who prisingly human tale of love and mar- ant offspring. this week. BBC Sessions.” While not includ- riage. Well, half human is more accu- Naturally, or rather, unnaturally, he Two releases I was especially ing every song that the band re- rate. is fitted with the missing equipment so looking forward to include the corded for BBC radio, (“So Sad Mr. Shandling, who co-authored the necessary to the mission. Problem is, new Tracy Chapman album, “Tell- About Us” being strangely omit- script with Michael Leeson, stars as H- in a running gag that literally keeps on ing Stories,” as well as the new and ted) many of the classics are in- 8R311, a perfect example of his planet’s running, under amorous circumstances possibly last, The Cure album, race of advanced beings. Like his the prosthesis in question makes whir- cluded such as “I’m Free,” “Substi- ring noises like a Waring blender. “Bloodflowers” on Electra Records. tute” and “Long live Rock.” This is brethren, the wiles of evolution have bred the emotion out of him. And “What’s that sound?” asks a discon- The verdicts? Well, “Telling Sto- essential rock listening. certed flight attendant (Samantha ries” starts off magnificently with that’s not all he’s missing. Yup, you Finally, Rhino Records has put guessed it. Smith) during one of the alien’s botched the rollicking title track but each out Dr. Demento’s 30th Anniver- So the question is, what’s a civiliza- attempts to complete his assignment. song gets slower and slower. Al- sary collection, a terrific 2-CD set tion on the verge of oblivion to do? Mr. The mixture of such adolescent rib- though all the songs are excellent, of musical comedy from such stal- Darwin forgot to leave instructions on aldry with equal portions of heart- I wish Tracy could have mixed up warts as Weird Al Yankovic, Cheech just how a culture is supposed to warming truths creates an ingratiating the pace better or added a few & Chong, Monty Python, and procreate once the quest for perfection synergism that neither element could more up-tempo numbers to bal- has cultivated them into eunuchs. The achieve alone. But what really makes George Carlin. the combination of low-brow humor ance out her heartfelt ballads. In the DVD universe, “IMAGE” answer, per planet leader Graydon’s (Ben Kingsley) world-dominating plan, and high-principled lampoonery work Highly recommended nonetheless. has just put out some very interest- is a stunningly intuitive interpretation Regarding the new Cure release, is to find a conveniently inferior species ing and educating titles including to gestate your offspring and then just by Annette Bening. She holds it all I feel lead vocalist and songwriter “Portraits of Ireland & England.” Richard Stoltzman and Peter Stoltzman send your best, er, man. together. Robert Smith has taken this doom These gems feature a visual and Tag...we’re it! While Miss Bening will doubtfully and gloom Goth Rock ship as far audible journey into the country- But first, there is training, wherein gain the kudos here that she received as he can. While numerous trade sides of both countries. Richard Stoltzman to Appear the film’s satirical mandate for poking for her obsessed real estate lady in publications have heralded The England DVD features the wicked fun at both genders is inaugu- American Beauty (1999), this amaz- “Bloodflowers” as the best Cure rated. All the planet’s possible candi- ing performance alone is worth the smooth jazz of Wynton Marsalis price of admission. since 1989’s “Disintegration,” a while the Ireland DVD features In The Clarinet and All That Jazz dates must learn the nuances and subtleties of women by conversing She is Susan, a reformed alcoholic masterpiece in my humble opin- Enya and The Chieftains. These whose claim to fame is a long history of ion, and while I feel it is a better with a hologram housewife arrayed in DVD’s are so relaxing to put on WESTFIELD – Renowned clari- produced. It is recommended for purplish silver hair and pink lipstick. picking the wrong man. And that irony effort than their last album, “Wild after a hard day at work. The netist Richard Stoltzman and his son, ages 10 and up. “Make like you are interested in is not lost on the viewer when, cruising Mood Swings,” the music as well visuals are stunning to behold. Peter, will come to Westfield to per- This event has been made possible what she is saying by responding, ‘Uh, AA meetings to meet vulnerable women as the lyrics fail to break any new Moving from geography to his- form a concert of classical, jazz and by Simpson’s Home Improvement and huh’ after each statement,” instructs at the suggestion of caddish coworker ground nor move the listener that tory, “IMAGE” also brings us “Se- contemporary music on Sunday, March by the Union County Board of Chosen Graydon. “Compliment her on her Perry (Greg Kinnear), Shandling’s ex- much emotionally. Here’s hoping 19, at 4 p.m. at St. Paul’s Episcopal Freeholders, Daniel P. Sullivan, Chair- hair and footwear,” he adds. traterrestrial decides on Susan as the crets of War,” courtesy of The His- means to his assigned end. The curious for a Robert Smith solo acoustic tory Channel and narrated by the Church in town. The church is handi- man, through a HEART Grant admin- Following an extensive screening, capped accessible. istered by the Union County Division of H-8 gets the nod to go down to Earth courtship ensues in classical farce fash- album. NRA’s poster child, Charlton ion. The zingers and retorts fly. “Fuel 2000,” a relatively new This concert is being produced by Cultural and Heritage Affairs. and save his race. Adopting Harold Heston. This DVD contains two the Arbor Chamber Music Society in But while the trajectory of the rela- record label, has recently released sections, a history of the secret air tionship is never too difficult to antici- some vintage live BBC recordings. cooperation with Young Audiences of wars in Vietnam and Cambodia, New Jersey. The music of Bach, pate, the comic chemistry created by I am very excited to have this featuring fascinating interviews Stravinsky, Messiaen, Monk, Ellington Miss Bening and Mr. Shandling allows material available stateside. The with North Vietnamese veterans. and Gershwin will be featured, as well for an astute mini thesis on opposites first set of releases I was able to The second part traces the his- attracting. as pieces from other composers. It’s all an old ploy....a popular sci- hear were The Small Faces, tory of aerial spying. I was glued to A two-time Grammy Award winner, Badfinger & Dinosaur Jr. ence fiction paranoia that probably the screen as the documentary Mr. Stolzman is considered one of dates back to tribal man’s fear of having The Small Faces, who never re- unfolded. After all of this educa- today’s most sought after concert art- his women ravaged by a stronger ad- ally had a huge following in the tion, I was able to kick back and ists. He is a national board member of versary. Shandling’s variation on the states but were huge in England, crank up some more great concert Young Audiences, an organization theme serves as a multipurpose send- featured Ronnie Lane, later to cut DVD’s from “IMAGE” including which brings professional artists into up, merrily satirizing the sci-fi genre as an album with The Who’s Pete Cream’s “Farewell Concert,” “The schools and communities for perfor- well as the mating game. And while Mr. Townshend, Steve Marriott and Who Live At The Isle of Wight mances and residency programs. Nichols’ handling of the material may Kenney Jones, who also went on Festival” 1970, featuring, inciden- The Arbor Chamber Music Society not be as polished as we’d expect from to play with Townshend in The offers concert and pre-concert lecture somebody with such an esteemed body tally, some of the greatest live of work (The Graduate, Catch-22, What Who. concert video footage ever shot. series in Westfield and Maplewood. The group also heads the Mentoring Planet Are You From?) is an unques- The recordings are vintage Brit- “Ziggy Stardust & the Spiders tionable treat in any solar system. ish ‘60’s Pop. from Mars” chronicles the final Program and the Humanities-Music Badfinger rose to fame in the Link in Westfield Public Schools. * * * * * concert of David Bowie’s Ziggy This concert with Mr. Stolzman What Planet Are You From? rated early ‘70’s with a string of hits character live from the including the Paul McCartney- marks the first family event that the R, is a Columbia Pictures release di- Hammersmith Odeon in London. Arbor Chamber Music Society has rected by Mike Nichols and stars Garry penned, “Come & Get It,” “Day From the Odeon, we cross over Shandling, Annette Bening and John After Day” and the epic, “Without to the Rainbow Theatre also in ON WITH THE SHOW…Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat Goodman. Running time: 104 min- You,” later made famous by Harry London for Yessongs, a 1972 con- The Foxhunters to Hold will be presented by The Rainbow Experience on Saturday and Sunday, utes. Nilsson. This set recorded for the cert featuring the classic line-up of March 18 and 19, at 7:30 p.m. at First Congregational Church in Westfield BBC includes a smoking version Progressive Rock institution, “Yes.” Concert at Library and on Saturday and Sunday, March 25 and 26, at United Church of of Dave Mason’s “Only You Know Finishing up with all of the early In Fanwood Today Christ, Congregational of Plainfield. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for & I Know and “Feelin’ Alright” ‘70’s London concert venues, we children under 12. Tickets are available at Marylou’s Memorabilia and Big at WHS among others. This is a must-have get “ELO live at Wembley Arena” The Town Book Store, both in Westfield, as well as Margie’s Cakebox and FANWOOD – A pre-St. Patrick’s the Plainfield Performing Arts Center, both in Plainfield. Pictured, left for any British Rock fan. from 1978. “IMAGE” also brings us Day concert, a free event, will be Continued from Page 24 Lastly, we fast-forward to the to right, are: front row, Tim Kelman of Westfield, Ryan Aspell of Scotch “Yes” from the Spectrum in Phila- offered by three-piece Irish Plains, Tenin Baba Ndanani and Amy Mills of Fanwood, Quinta Whitaker late-1980s for the grunge-rock of delphia, the first concert ever filmed band, “The Foxhunters,” at and Antequa Anderson; second row, Jason DeMarco, Jaquan Jefferson, Dinosaur Jr. I am highly looking inside that venue’s walls. What Fanwood Memorial Library Matt Bierman, and Sara Woods of Scotch Plains. ally happened, Tyler Patla is a joy. forward to Fuel 2000’s next set of makes this show so unique is that today, March 16, at 7:30 His scenes with both young and big releases! the band played “in the round” p.m. Green refreshments Josh are charming, and the bond between the two friends is crystal Speaking of Dave Mason, I highly with a revolving stage. will be served. recommend the new “Feelin’ The Golden Fleece On Tap clear. Alright” featuring the aforemen- Lyndsay Ruotolo, who plays Josh’s tioned Dave Mason on guitar and mother, Mrs. Baskin, is a wonderful the incomparable Steve Winwood At Union County College young actress with a lovely voice. In on keyboards and vocals. Taken most of her scenes, Lyndsay is alone CRANFORD – The Theater Project sold. on-stage lamenting the difficulties of from the original master tapes, this motherhood, and she is outstanding. collection cancels all others in terms at Union County College will present Tickets are $5 for students and The Golden Fleece, two one-act plays senior citizens with $10 for general In the starring role of Susan, big by A.R. Gurney in the Roy W. Smith admission. Senior citizens will receive Josh’s romantic interest at MacMillan Theater on the Cranford Campus from free tickets on March 23. For ticket Toys, Shana Golembo is marvelous, Thursday, March 23, to Saturday, April reservations, please call (908) 659- giving a quirky, interesting perfor- Editorial 1. 5189. mance. These performances will be held Funding for this performance has The femme fatale role of Susan Continued from Page 24 Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m. been made possible in part by the could easily be played one dimen- with one matinee on April 1 at 3 p.m. New Jersey State Council on the Arts, sionally, but Shana is a polished, The comedy, which is directed by Department of State, through a grant engaging performer. is famous for her portrayals in Mark Spina, includes Andre DeSandies, administered by the Union County Practically stealing the show is Sam Bulworth and Introducing Dor- Barbara Guidi, Daaimah and Gary Division of Cultural and Heritage Fleder, in the role of MacMillan. Sam othy Dandridge denies such Wood. Affairs and by a HEART Grant from gives an outrageous, saucy perfor- mance that would make Robert Log- charges. Berry’s representative Following each performance, a the Union County Board of Chosen “meet the actors” reception will be Freeholders, Daniel Sullivan, Chair- gia proud. Sam and J.D. Hyman bring states only, “She intends to do held at which refreshments will be man. the house down during the song, what she can to make things “Fun,” in which they dance on a Christopher Johnson gargantuan toy piano. right. But that doesn’t mean The entire cast is wonderful and it she will allow anyone to take seems unfair to only mention a few. advantage of an unfortunate Pianist Christopher Johnson There were many performers in situation or make slanderous smaller roles that did wonderfully funny work. Therefore, accolades go insinuations.” To Join Cast of Celebrities to everyone involved with this pro- What outrages me about this duction. case is that Berry, if found It was very bold for WHS to take on guilty or innocent of the charges, At A Moveable Feast a seldom-performed, contemporary piece such as this. The usual high has served as an example of WESTFIELD – Acclaimed Ameri- School of Music where he received his school fare generally consists of more what seems to be a growing can pianist Christopher Johnson master’s degree and continues to study traditional standards, such as Okla- trend in Hollywood: has accepted an invitation to dis- and teach in the school’s doctoral homa and South Pacific. The hard Do the crime, don’t pay the play his musical talent at “A Move- program. work that went into this show was able Feast,” a celebratory gala of The pianist held solo performances evident, and the Drama and Music time…that is if you’re a celeb- The New Jersey Workshop for the at Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Department of WHS should be very rity. Arts on Sunday, March 26, from 4 Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall and proud. Enter Darryl Strawberry, Exit to 9 p.m. at the Grand Summit at The University of Zurich. He has Technically, the show was very Robert Downey, Jr. who has Hotel. also offered solo performances with impressive, complete with a fly-sys- Mr. Johnson, a New Jersey native, the Rochester Philharmonic Orches- tem and the use of wireless micro- been paying and working will join a cast of celebrities including tra, the Westfield Symphony Orches- phones. through rehabilitation and his Broadway composer Matthew Sklar, tra and Italy’s Orchestra Sinphonicia Big was expertly directed by WHS slights to society. Strawberry, Miss America Victoria Andrews Paige, del Estio, di Chioggio. drama teacher, Joe Nierle, who re- and Miss Saigon star Juan Pineda. Mr. Johnson is recording two CD’s turned to the drama department after on the other hand, keeps ask- Another two dozen professional of American music at Sony Record a year’s sabbatical to enrich his di- ing for another chance. performers will also entertain the as- Studios in Manhattan under the aus- recting skills. If you, Joe Average or Jane sembled guests as they sample and pices of Sony. Some of his most William Mathews did a terrific job Everyday were driving that savor their way through offerings fea- memorable performances include ren- musically directing the show, and turing fare with Viennese, New Or- ditions of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in also conducted and played keyboard Chevy Blazer and fled the scene leans, Mexican, New York, Asian and Blue,” Chopin’s “Polonaise in A Ma- in the exceptional orchestra. after harming Raythatha, we Mediterranean fare. jor,” and Beethoven’s “Waldstein So- PERFORMANCE SCHEDULED…Gary Wood ponders how wife Bar- Again, the choreography by Mr. would be hunted down, hauled Mr. Johnson studied with renowned nata.” bara Guidi could have gotten to her ninth month without his ever Chandler was stellar. He was assisted into jail and charged without instructors since the age of 5. He is a To request an invitation to “A Move- having realized that she was pregnant in The Golden Fleece. The by WHS student Megan Rodd, who graduate of Julliard School and is able Feast,” please call the New Jersey production will be held at Union County College in the Roy W. served as Dance Captain. pause. currently working with Byron Janis Workshop for the Arts office at (908) Smith Theater from Thursday, March 23, to Saturday, April 1, at Big ran at WHS on March 9, 10 and Why is Berry any different? and Marc Silverman at The Manhattan 789-9696. 8 p.m. 11. CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK