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Monday, July 29, 2013

AUGUST @ THE FOLK PROJECT & SWINGIN’ TERN CONTRA DANCES

FRIDAYS AT THE MINSTREL

Finvarra’s Wren
WHEN: Friday, August 2 from 8 to 11 PM
WHERE:
Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown.
TICKETS:  Adults $8; children 12 and under, free.
For more info call 973.335.9489 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Handicapped accessible; free parking.

Rachel Streich opens.

Open StageOpen Stage 
WHEN:
 Friday, August 9 from 8 to 11 PM
WHERE: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: Adults $8; children 12 and under, free.
For more info call 973-335-9489 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Handicapped accessible; free parking.

 

Dave RimelisDave Rimelis 
WHEN:  Friday, August 16 from 8 to 11 PM

WHERE: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: Adults $8; children 12 and under, free.
For more info call 973-335-9489 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Handicapped accessible; free parking.

Pat Guadagno opens.

David MassengillDavid Massengill 
WHEN:  Friday, August 23 from 8 to 11 PM

WHERE: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: Adults $8; children 12 and under, free.
For more info call 973-335-9489 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Handicapped accessible; free parking.

Loretta Hagen opens.

Uke New Jersey (Part 2)SPECIAL CONCERT — UKE NEW JERSEY
WHEN: Friday, August 30 and Saturday, August 31.

WHERE: Morristown Unitarian Fellowship, 21 Normandy Heights Rd., Morristown
TICKETS: Please call 908.229.1214 or go to www.folkproject.org for more information and prices
For more info call 973-335-9489 or go to www.folkproject.org.
Handicapped accessible; free parking.

Featuring James Hill, Victoria Vox, Celtic Spirit and Jim & Liz Beloff. Sponsored by the Folk Project. 

Summer PictureSwingin’ Tern Contra Dances

WHEN: Saturday, August 3 from 8 to 11 PM
WHERE:
First Presbyterian Church, Parish House, 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover.
ADMISSION: Adults $10; students $5.
Beginners’ workshop at 7:30 PM. No partner necessary.  For more information, call 973.295.6864 or go to www.folkproject.org.

Barbara Goldstein will call the contras. The band will be Hog Wild.

WHEN:  Saturday, August 17 from 8 to 11 PM
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church, Parish House, 14 Hanover Road, East Hanover
ADMISSION: Adults $10; students $5.
Beginners’ workshop at 7:30 PM. No partner necessary.  For more information, call 973.295.6864 or go to www.folkproject.org.

Tavi Merrill will call the contras. The band will be Unbowed.

FREE READING OF SHAKESPEARE PLAY @ FARMSTEAD ARTS CENTER

Farmstead Arts presents a reading of

MEASURE FOR MEASURE
By William Shakespeare

WHEN: Monday, August 5, at 7 PM
WHERE:
Farmstead Arts Center,  450 King George Road, Basking Ridge
ADMISSION: Free

Measure for Measure deals with the issues of mercy, justice, hypocrisy and truth and their relationship to pride and humility.

Please contact Artistic Director William Ward at wjpward@verizon.net to learn more about casting or simply come and join the audience at the reading. The readings are free as are intermission refreshments.

For a complete list of Farmstead Arts events and classes and to register for classes or purchase concert tickets, visit www.farmsteadartscenter.org.  For more information, e-mail farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com, or call 347.9AR.S4U (347.927.8748).

The farmhouse is wheelchair accessible.  Anyone anticipating the need for additional accessibility services is requested to make a request by sending an e-mail to the farmsteadartscenter@gmail.com at least three weeks in advance.

Funds for these events have been made possible in part by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, through the State/County Partnership Local Arts Program Grant administered by The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission.

Friday, July 26, 2013

STUDENTS PERFORM “LES MIZ” @ PASCACK VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Another production of Les Miserables, this time in a school edition! Students perform this marvelous tale, this time out!

LES MISERABLES

www.PVTheater.com

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

NEW JERSEY YOUTH THEATRE PRESENTS “WEST SIDE STORY” @ CENTENARY COLLEGE AUGUST 2-11

West Side Story - the New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT)

WEST SIDE STORY
Book by  Arthur Laurents
Music by  Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics by  Stephen Sondheim
Based on Conception of   Jerome Robbins
Based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
Performed by the New Jersey Youth Theatre

WHEN: August 2-11; Friday and Saturday performances at 8 PM, and matinees on Sundays at 2 PM and Thursday, August 8, at 12:30 PM and an evening performance at 7:30 PM
WHERE:
Sitnik Theatre in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown (Directions)
TICKETS: $18.50 to $28 in advance and $23.50 to $33 for day of purchases, with discounts for seniors, students, and children under 12.

New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT)

The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre's finest accomplishments. Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time.

New Jersey Youth Theatre’s production of West Side Story is part of Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series, which will also include An Evening With Groucho, Masters of Motown, and The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra with a Flex Pass available to all FOUR events at $90.00 per person.

TEEN PRODUCTION OF “RENT” @ WAYNE YMCA’S ROSEN THEATER

Rent PerformanceRENT (SCHOOL EDITION)
Directed by Lauren Moran Mills of Boonton 

WHEN: Friday, July 26 at 7:00 PM, Saturday, July 27 at 7:00 PM and Sunday, July 28 at 2:00 PM
WHERE:
YMCA’S Rosen Theater, 1 Pike Drive in Wayne
TICKETS: $16
To purchase tickets online go to www.wayneymca.org or facebook.com/wayneymca
Please note that this musical deals with mature themes.

Come to the Wayne YMCA to see our cast of area teens ages 13-18 in the musical masterpiece RENT (School Edition). 

Set in the East Village of New York City, RENT is about falling in love, finding your voice and living for today. Winner of the TONY award for Best Musical and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, it has become a pop cultural phenomenon with songs that rock and a story that resonates with audiences of all ages. 

With the permission of the Jonathan Larson Estate, this version of RENT has been adapted for use in schools and other producing organizations. 

RehearsalandWackyWednesday039The cast of RENT includes:  Angelika Anastasio of Lincoln Park; Brooke Baldino of Wayne; Alice Bershtein of Wayne; Marisa Budnick of Wayne; Julianna Clark of Wayne; Yvonne DeSouter of Wayne; Adrianna DiCosomo of Wayne; Matt Ferrara of Wayne; Hawkins Gardow of Kinnelon; Isabelle Kamp of Pompton Plains; Kaitlyn Kerwin of Wayne; Gianna Mongelli of Wayne; Joseph Nicolaro of Boonton; Matt Poalillo of Wayne; Danny Sciolaro of Wayne; Lucy Simms of Prospect Park; Ian Suter of Wayne; Timothy Thompson of Wayne; and Amy Zaniewski of Boonton. (Above, L-R:  Amy Zaniewski, Yvonne DeSouter, Angelika Anastasio, Gianna Mongelli, Lucy Simms)

The Metro YMCAs of the Oranges is a proud partner of The YM-YWHA of North Jersey.

The Y is for Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility and is accessible to all people.  Financial assistance is available to the individuals and families who need our help the most.

The Y is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. Across the U.S., 2,687 Ys engage 21 million men, women and children – regardless of age, income or background – to nurture the potential of children and teens, improve the nation’s health and well-being while providing opportunities to give back and support the community.

The Wayne Y is a branch of the Metropolitan YMCA of the Oranges, which is the largest Y in the state of New Jersey. Its Mission is to enrich the lives of the children, families and communities it serves through programs that build spirit, mind and body, welcoming all people, in an environment nurturing positive values. Its six branch facilities are located in East Orange, Livingston, Maplewood, Hardyston, Stillwater, and now Wayne provide a wide variety of services and activities.

MUSICAL WONDERLAND IN STORE @ 2013 SUMMER FESTIVAL SPONSORED BY BAROQUE ORCHESTRA OF NJ

BAROQUE ORCHESTRA OF NEW JERSEY
2013 SUMMER FESTIVAL

WHEN: Sunday, Aug. 4-Sunday, Aug. 11 (Check below for times, places and programs)
WHERE:
Dolan Hall, College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, and Grace Church, 4 Madison Avenue, Madison
ADMISSION: Tickets for the events at Dolan Hall are priced at $35/$25/$5/Adults/Seniors/Students under 22 with ID. For the chamber music concert and the Wilde, Wild West performance, both at Grace Church, tickets are priced at $20/$15/$/5/Adults/Seniors/Students under 22 with ID. Festival passes for the entire series of events are available for $70.

For further information about tickets and pricing, visit the Orchestra’s web site, www.baroqueorchestra.org, or by calling the office, 973.366.8922; or at the performance the day or evening of the concert.

to watch a clip from the recent performance of Madama Butterfly in collaboration with Eastern Opera Company, Conducted by Maestro Butts, click here

Area residents have come to expect wonder, excitement and new experiences at the annual Summer Music Festival, sponsored by The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey, under the tutelage of Dr. Robert W. Butts, founder, artistic director and conductor.

Highlighting the Festival on both ends of the week will be the opening full Orchestra concert at 7:30 PM, Sunday, Aug. 4, entitled FRESH BREEZES, and at 3 PM, Sunday, Aug. 11, a semi-staged production of Verdi’s beloved and fabled opera, OTELLO, with singers from the Eastern Opera Company of New Jersey, under the direction of Karole Lewis. Conductor is Dr. Butts.

Program selections for the Aug. 4 concert include: Ballet Music from Otello, by Verdi; Chaconne, by Vitali; Maestro Butts’ original composition, Bassoon Concerto, featuring Andrew Pecota, the Orchestra’s principal bassoonist, as soloist; and Haydn’s Symphony #101, The Clock.

Commenting on the overall aspects of the Festival, Maestro Butts said: “I look forward to this, the eighth BONJ Summer Music Festival. Collaborating is always exciting and this summer we return to working with Grace Community Music to present lunchtime keyboard recitals and we begin our collaboration with Eastern Opera Company of New Jersey in celebrating the 200th birthday of Giuseppe Verdi with the Festival’s most ambitious opera undertaking—Otello

I am happy to tie the entire Festival together by opening the week with a rare performance of the Ballet Music from Otello Verdi composed for the 1894 production of his Shakespearean masterpiece in Paris. The music is delightful, but rarely heard and is little known.”

A CHAMBER MUSIC CELEBRATION will be held on Friday, August 9, at 7:30 PM. at Grace Church, 4 Madison Avenue, Madison. Compositions featured on this program include works by Susato (Renaissance Dances); Mozart (Trio in C, DV548); and Schubert (Death and the Maiden Quartet). In addition, there will be brief selections from the Arioso Consorte, an ensemble dedicated to bringing the music of the Baroque and Classical eras to life, featuring Orchestra members Margaret Walker, traverso, and Andrew Pecota, bassoon; as well as Laura Ferraro, traverso, and Ilizabeth Cabrera, viola da gamba.

The evening before, Thursday, Aug. 8, at 7:30 PM, at Grace Church, a raucous, rambling evening is in store for Festival patrons with the presentation of A NIGHT IN THE WILDE, WILD WEST, a cabaret style performance of a new musical, with book by Jewel Seehaus-Fisher and music and songs by Dr. Butts. The play is a mad, dark comedy in which Oscar Wilde arrives in the mining town of Leadville, CO, in 1882 on his lecture tour of America. Madam August and her henchman, Willie, have a stranglehold on Leadville.

Together they lie, cheat and even hang in order to maintain their control. August’s daughter, Frenchie, is pursued by Willie, but she loves her mother’s enemy, the miner Charlie. Oscar outwits the bad guys, frees Leadville, rescues young love, and enjoys a three-course dinner of whiskey, whiskey, and whiskey, with the miners, the Prince of Wales, and Lillie Langtry. Patrons are encouraged to bring their own snacks and beverages.

Rounding out the Summer Festival program will be a series of KEYBOARD RECITALS at 12:15 PM, from Monday, August 5-Thursday, August 9, at Grace Church. Although there is not a fixed price for these recitals, donations will be accepted. Boxed lunches will be available for $6. Several of New Jersey’s leading keyboard artists will be on hand for these recitals. They will be playing music of all periods.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

MUSICAL MONSTER WINS THE GIRL @ THE SUMMIT PLAYHOUSE

SHREK — THE MUSICAL
Book by William Steig
Book and Lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire     
Music by Jeanine Tesori
Directed and Choreographed By Lindsay Maron

WHEN: July 20-August 4*
WHERE:
Summit Playhouse, 10 New England Ave., Summit
TICKETS: $20
TO PURCHASE TICKETS CLICK HERE
www.pixiedustplayers.com

SHREK THE MUSICAL, based on the Oscar® winning DreamWorks film that started it all, brings the hilarious story of everyone's favorite ogre to dazzling new life on the stage.

In a faraway kingdom turned upside down, things get ugly when an unseemly ogre—not a handsome prince—shows up to rescue a feisty princess. Throw in a donkey who won't shut up, a bad guy with a SHORT temper, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand...and his name is Shrek.

Full of fantastic songs, great dancing and lots of laughs, SHREK THE MUSICAL is part romance, part twisted fairy tale and all irreverent fun for everyone!

*SHOW DATES:

  • Thursday, July 25 7:00 PM
  • Friday, July 26 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, July 27 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, July 28 3:00 PM
  • Thursday, August 1 7:00 PM
  • Friday, August 2 7:00 PM
  • Saturday, August 3 7:00 PM
  • Sunday, August 4 3:00 PM

WHAT’S DOING @ NJPAC NEXT WEEK

NJPAC email header

Terry Fator

WHEN: Friday, July 26 at 8 PM

TERRY FATOR


Singer, comedian and celebrity impressionist Terry Fator, on stage in his one-man band of music and laughter! MORE INFO

"He's a singing impressionist ... a human iPod," says The Las Vegas Sun.

 

Mary Mary

WHEN: Saturday, July 27 at 8 PM

Mary Mary / BeBe Winans


Gospel music royals BeBe Winans and Mary Mary share a spirited celebration of soul, R&B and contemporary gospel.Horizon MORE INFO

Barry Manilow

WHEN: Friday, August 2 and Sunday, August 4 at 8 PM

Barry Manilow


Barry Manilow returns to NJPAC for a special, two-show engagement. "The Magic Is Back!" raves The New York Times. MORE INFO

LONG-LOST GERSHWIN PIECE TO PREMIERE AT CENTENARY STAGE BY THE PARAGON RAGTIME ORCHESTRA

clip_image001THE PARAGON RAGTIME ORCHESTRA

WHEN: Saturday, July 27th at 8 PM
WHERE:
David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown
TICKETS: $20 to $27.50 in advance and $25 to $32.50 for day of purchases, with discounts for seniors, students, and children under 12.
Tickets are available online at www.centenarystageco.org, or by calling the box office at 908-979-0900, open 1-5 PM Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to each performance. The David and Carol Lackland Center is located at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown.

Along with the discovery of 5,000 historic theater scores, buried in an attic in Washington, D.C., Founder and Artistic Director of The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra Rick Benjamin was stunned when he came upon George Gershwin’s long-lost Broadway score for La La Lucille, which hasn’t been performed since 1919.  The piece will make its premiere in Hackettstown this month at the Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series.

This is a concert that audiences won’t want to miss with pieces by other famous composers such as Scott Joplin and John Philip Sousa. The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra, the world’s only year-round, professional ensemble re-creating “America’s Original Music,” will fill the Centenary Stage this summer with the syncopated sounds of early musical theater and classic dance rhythms.

When Benjamin came upon the lost Gershwin treasure, he immediately contacted CSC to announce that he had decided to perform this piece first at the July concert. Benjamin wrote, “A big part of my job involves expeditions out in the field looking for lost musical scores, literally combing through old attics and basements. I had a huge find in Washington, DC - about 5,000 historic theater scores, including parts of George Gershwin's lost first Broadway show, La La Lucille. I've decided to break the news of this discovery at your concert, and play the Overture for the first time anywhere since 1919.” La-La-Lucile was George Gershwin’s first Broadway show. It closed after only a short run due to an Actor’s Equity strike, and most of the score was subsequently lost. This concert will also include interactive elements where the audience is encouraged to sing-along.

Since 1989 the Walt Disney Company has relied on the Orchestra’s recordings for the outdoor theme music heard at Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland, Disney World, and Disneyland Paris; The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra strengthened its international following during its extended engagement as a U.S. Ambassador of Goodwill at the 1992 World’s Universal Exposition in Seville, Spain. Over the years they’ve been heard on the soundtracks of several motion pictures and television programs. In addition to its worldwide concert hall, university, and festival appearances, the orchestra has acquired a considerable following both here and abroad through its radio programs on the New York Times’ WQXR, National Public Radio, the British Broadcasting Corporation, and the Voice of America networks.

The Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series and the 2013-14 season at the Centenary Stage Company are made possible through the visionary and generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, Bronze Sponsors The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and Wells Fargo Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

TEENS PERFORM SONDHEIM REVIEW IN MADISON THIS WEEKEND

The Madison Recreation Department and Playwrights Theatre Present
SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM
A Musical Entertainment
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
and music by Leonard Bernstein, Mary Rodgers, Richard Rodgers, Jule Styne
Continuity by Ned Sherrin
Produced on Broadway by Harold Prince in association with Ruth Mitchell

WHEN: July 25, at 7:30 PM; July 26, at 7:30 PM; July 27, at 2:30 PM
WHERE:
Madison High School, 170 Ridgedale Avenue, Madison, NJ.
TICKETS: $10 for Adults, $5 Children & Students
Buy tickets online
To purchase tickets by phone, call 973.514.1787 X31
Senior Citizens - No Charge
Call Madison Senior Center 973.593.3095

SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM is a musical revue with narration of various shows composed by Stephen Sondheim. It includes popular songs from GYPSY, WEST SIDE STORY, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, COMPANY and A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM.

Appropriate for ages 12 and up.

CAST:
Rob Bazaral
Larry Bissett
Bernadette Bizer
Katharine Brundage
Clark Scott Carmichael*
Kasey Colligan
Loren Donnelly
Mike Dreitlein
Najah A. Johnson*
Sahirah Johnson*
Jane Keitel*
Brian Lang
Sharlys Leszczuk
Scott McGowan*
Chris Shoemaker

*Appears Courtesy of Actors' Equity Assocation

BERGEN COUNTY PLAYERS ANNOUNCES OPEN AUDITIONS FOR MAGICAL MUSICAL “ALADDIN”

Bergen County Players (BCP) of Oradell, one of America's foremost theater groups, will hold open auditions for the magical, mystical, musical

ALADDIN
Directed by Lynne Lupfer
Book and lyrics by Jim Eiler and music by Jim Eiler and Jeanne Bargy

WHEN: August 6 and 8, 7:30 PM in order of arrival; Callbacks (by invitation only): Saturday, August 10 at 10:00 AM
WHERE: Little Firehouse Theatre, 298 Kinderkamack Road in Oradell, NJ

Aladdin is based on a story from The Arabian Nights. This Prince Street Players version uses artful Chinese theater techniques to put a new spin on a classic tale. Children ages 4 to 10 will be thrilled to follow Aladdin's quest to capture the heart of the beautiful princess Mei-Ling, taking him on a magical journey from rags to riches and featuring not one, but two fantastical genies!

Performance Dates: November 30 - December 22, 2013

CAST BREAKDOWN:

  • Aladdin- a young street urchin who falls in love and changes his ways when he finds true love. Must sing (baritone) and dance.
  • Princess Mei-Ling- the Emperor's delicate and demure daughter who falls in love with Aladdin. Must sing (soprano) and move well.
  • Emperor- very strict, selfish and vain Emperor of all China
  • Mrs. So-and-So - Aladdin's mother. Changes from a poor widow to a comedic rich woman. (mezzo)
  • Magician- an evil whirling dervish from the mid-East who seeks the magic lantern and its genie. Must spin and move well. The ultimate bad guy. (baritone)
  • Genie- a large blue Arabian genie who has been cramped in a lamp. This person also plays the genie's twin brother, the genie of the ring. Must sing and move well with a good sense of comic timing. This character must be played with zest and fun.
  • Fatima, the Dancing Doll- beautiful, petite dancer who moves as a mechanical doll until someone touches her shoulder. A gift for the Emperor.
  • Stage Manager - the narrator of the story, he also plays a variety of characters in the story. This male character actor must relate well to the young audience.
  • 4 Assistants- these characters serve as the chorus and some minor characters while also performing all of the choreographed set changes.

Those auditioning should come prepared to sing an up beat, fun song.

They will read from the script and will also be taught a dance pattern so they should dress comfortably.

Copies of the script are available by e-mail. Contact Lynne Lupfer (mrslupfer@gmail.com) or Paul Reitnauer (pjreitnauer@gmail.com)

“SPAMALOT” AUDITIONS IN EAST BRUNSWICK

It seems as though MONTY PYTHON’S SPAMALOT is all over the theater map this summer. If you miss it one place, you can catch it at another.

clip_image001

Spam-jaws-b smallerAUDITION NOTICE 

MONTY PYTHON'S SPAMALOT
By Eric Idle
Directed by Mark Kalet
Musical Direction by Rory Chalcraft
Choreography by Jaime Moritz

WHEN: Sunday, August 11, Monday August 12 and Tuesday August 13, 7:30 PM, with callbacks on Thursday, August 15.
WHERE:
East Brunswick Community Arts Center, 721 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick, NJ 08816

Performance  dates are November 8 – 24, 2013. All shows are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM

Monty Python’s Spamalot is a musical comedy “lovingly ripped off from” the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

 

  • Looking for a multi-ethnic cast of 20-25; some roles may be cast without regard to gender; doubled roles may be split.
  • Please prepare 32 bars of a Broadway-style song (songs from the show are acceptable). You must bring sheet music for piano. No a capella.
  • Please dress comfortably as all auditioners will be expected to participate in the dance audition.

CASTING INFORMATION

  • KING ARTHUR (Late 30s-60s, baritone): The King of England who sets out on a quest to form the Knights of the Roundtable and find the Holy Grail. Great Humor. Good singer.
  • SIR ROBIN (30s-40s, baritone): A Knight of the Roundtable. Ironically called ‘Sir Robin the Brave,’ though he couldn’t be more cowardly. Joins the Knights for the singing and dancing. Also plays GUARD 1 and BROTHER MAYNARD, a long-winded monk.  Good dancer.
  • SIR LANCELOT (30s-40, baritone): A Knight of the Roundtable. He is fearless to a bloody fault but through a twist of fate, does discover his ‘softer side.’ This actor MUST be great with character voices and accents, as he also plays THE FRENCH TAUNTER, an arrogant, condescending, over-the-top Frenchman, the KNIGHT OF NI, an absurd, cartoonish leader of a peculiar group of Knights, and TIM THE ENCHANTER, a ghostly being with an outrrrrrrrrrrageous Scottish accent.
  • PATSY (30s-40s, baritone): King Arthur’s horse and servant. Underappreciated but always longing for King Arthur’s approval. Good, funny, physical mover with some tap dancing. Also plays MAYOR, a jolly red-faced man who advertises the merits of his home town and the drunken, useless GUARD 2.
  • SIR GALAHAD (30s, tenor): A Knight of the Roundtable. Begins as Dennis, a lower class ‘mud gatherer’ who becomes Knighted and transforms into the dashing Sir Galahad. Also plays PRINCE HERBERT’S FATHER, a wealthy, brutish Yorkshireman man at odds with his sensitive son, THE BLACK KNIGHT who is always ready to duel despite multiple injuries. Strong bari-tenor singing required.
  • SIR BEDEVERE (20s-40s, baritone): A Knight of the Roundtable. An inept scholar. Also plays DENNIS GALAHAD’S MOTHER, a shrill peasant woman, and CONCORDE, Sir Lancelot’s horse. No solo singing.
  • THE LADY OF THE LAKE (20s-30s, alto/soprano):A Diva. Strong, beautiful, possesses mystical powers. The leading lady of the show. Great singing voice is essential, as she must be able to sing effortlessly in many styles and vocal registers.

THE FOLLOWING ROLES CAN BE PLAYED BY THE SAME ACTOR (20s-30s, tenor): Tenor singing required. Very good mover.

  • HISTORIAN: A tweedy academic.
  • NOT DEAD FRED: A sickly little fellow who, despite others’ beliefs, claims he is “not yet dead.”
  • FRENCH GUARD: The condemnatory French sidekick to the French Taunter.
  • MINSTREL: In Sir Robin’s band.
  • PRINCE HERBERT: The hopeful and frilly prince who loves to sing and pines for his love atop a tower.
  • SIR NOT APPEARING
  • THE DANCING NUN
  • TWO FRENCH GUARDS
  • ROBIN’S MINSTRELS: 2 MEN, 1 WOMAN.
  • SIR BORS
  • ENSEMBLE: Six men and six women

Questions can be emailed to spamalot@playhouse22.org  or by calling 732.254.3939. For more information, please visit Playhouse22.org.

Monday, July 22, 2013

REVIEW: SHARKS AND JETS MIX IT UP IN “WEST SIDE STORY” @ THE BICKFORD THEATRE

By Ruth Ross

Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim and Arthur Laurents may have written West Side Story back in 1957, but its driving rhythms, energetic dancing and beautiful melodies remain fresh today. And it is a testament to the mega-talent of the New Jersey Youth Theatre singers and dancers that we care about these characters and events in a way we would not expect to feel about young men who are, essentially, hoodlums and their girls waging race war on the streets of New York.

Prologue Trio DSC_6508Yes, the gang members today are older and more violent, but the juvenile delinquents who made up the gangs of New York were every bit as terrifying then as the Crips and Bloods are now to urban dwellers. Unfortunately, the themes of prejudice and hatred continue to resonate today in inner cities here and abroad. (Left: Miguel Urbino, Lawrence Dandridge, and Derek Colon—Shark trio in the Prologue)

The basic story of West Side Story is Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet translated to the streets of New York City’s Hell’s Kitchen of the 1950's with Montague-Capulet strife replaced by gang warfare: the Puerto Rican Sharks vs. the white Polish-American Jets. Caught in the crossfire of hatred are Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, sister of the Shark leader Bernardo. We watch their forbidden love grow and root for the couple as they dream of finding “A Place for Us” where they can live in peace. Like its model, West Side Story doesn’t end on a hopeful note; Maria’s anguished cry at the end chillingly reverberates through the Bickford Theatre auditorium. It’s a sobering moment and great theater in the most classic dramatic sense.

Mambo at the GymFrom the first strains of the orchestra and some snapping fingers, the entire stage explodes in a whirlwind of movement. It is a marvel of synchronization, as is “The Dance at the Gym” (right) with its mélange of dance styles and rhythms. The male dancers portraying the Jets and Sharks leap across the stage as they engage in mock combat, and their girls shake their skirts and move in intricate formations at the Mambo competition at the dance in the gym. Choreographer Sherry Alban has provided these young performers with challenging dances very reminiscent of the originals choreographed by the great Jerome Robbins, and they perform with great energy and skill.

Director Cynthia Meryl keeps the action on the money; scene changes were effected smoothly and effortlessly by the cast via rolling scaffolds, tables and chairs, a bed and dressmaker forms. And the orchestra directed by Gonzalo Valencia provided remarkable accompaniment for the singers and dancers; Leonard Bernstein's music is notoriously difficult to play, and these young musicians rose to the challenge. They sounded like a Broadway orchestra!

Jets in the airThe huge cast is to be commended for their ability to perform as an ensemble. Every one of them turned in a top-notch performance, but several deserve to be singled out for excellence. Of the Jets, Ben Chavez (Riff, left, center) and Travis Przybylski (Action, left, second from right) are especially fine; the former, for his voice and the way he puts across a song, and the latter for his voice and lithe dancing ability, given his height and physique. Of the Sharks, the wiry, tall Lawrence Dandridge is appropriately menacing and outraged that his sister would even look at a Jet. The rest of the gang members were also terrific. They moved well in the complicated dances and gave good vocal support to Riff and Bernardo.

Anita in Quintet DSC_7263Taylor Feldman as Graziella, Riff's girl, commanded the stage whenever she appeared, whether it is in the dance at the gym or the ballet sequence that accompanies "Somewhere." As Maria’s friend and Bernardo's love Anita, Julia Silva (right) is a real firecracker in “America,” and her duet with Maria, “I Have a Love,” is very poignant, considering what happens to that love. In the two main roles, Alex Corson as Tony and Angelica Staikos as Maria (below) are riveting. Both have magnificent singing voices, and the romantic chemistry between them is palpable. Silva and Staikos get the Puerto Rican accent just right, without sounding like caricatures. As Tony, Tony and Maria (favorite) DSC_7458Corson's earnest desire to distance himself from the Jets makes his involvement in the rumble even more touching. Staikos and Corson were especially heartbreaking singing “One Hand, One Heart;” I even found myself wiping away tears.

The adult roles are also played well. As Lt. Shrank Joe Schrank, Jonathan Wells was excellent; his imperious manner and his own prejudices made him part of the problem instead of part of the solution. Sam Rosalsky's Doc was appropriately ineffectual and frustrated in the face of raging teenage hormones

This frenetic action occurs on a set designed by Steven Mitchell, complete with a fire escape, a soda fountain and a chain link fence. Deborah J. Caney has provided costumes appropriate to the period (the 1950's) and to the different cultures. The Sharks' girls wear brighter colors than the Jets' women. Jay Ryan's lighting and Jay Spriggs' sound convey the urban environment and the passage of time very well.

The perfect blend of book, music, lyrics, staging and dancing, West Side Story is the epitome of American musical theater. The added tragedy of Tony and Maria reminds us that, despite improved communication between people, despite the interest in multi-culturalism and political correctness, sectarian strife continues to leave tragedy in its wake. And it all stems from, as one character puts it, fear.

West Side Story will be performed at the Bickford Theatre, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morristown, through July 28, Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8 PM; Friday at 1 PM; and Sunday at 2 PM. Tickets are $32 (members and seniors), $35 nonmembers, $20 students 18 and under with IDs; and $28 for groups of 10 or more. For information and tickets, visit http://www.morrismuseum.org/main-stage-performances/  or call 973.971.3706.

The production moves to the Sitnik Theatre at Centenary College in Hackettstown, where it runs August 2-11, with Friday and Saturday performances at 8 PM, and matinees on Sundays at 2 PM and Thursday, August 8, at 12:30 PM and an evening performance at 7:30 PM. Tickets for NJYT’s West Side Story are $18.50 to $28 in advance and $23.50 to $33 for day of purchases, with discounts for seniors, students, and children under 12. Contact the CSC Box Office for GROUP rates available for the Thursday talk-back matinee at $16 and other show dates for $24 for adults and $18 for youth 17 and under. Tickets may also be purchased using the Secure Online Ticketing, or by calling the box office at 908.979.0900.

NJSDA PRESENTS "SHREK—THE MUSICAL” IN BLOOMFIELD

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA         SHREK—THE MUSICAL
Music by Jeanine Tesori,
Book and lyrics by David Lindsey-Abaire
Based on the Dreamworks animation motion picture and the book by William Steig
Cirected by Corinna Sowers-Adler of Bloomfield
Musical direction by Terri Gorgone of Rutherford
(Above: L-R, Kevin Bergen, Lauren Barr, Dean Schansinger, Brandon Bennett, Lilly Baldassare, Amber Smith and Maggie Buckley; photo by New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts)

WHEN: THURSDAY AUGUST 1, at 8 PM, AND FRIDAY, AUGUST 2, at 8 PM
WHERE: THE WESTMINSTER ARTS THEATRE, BLOOMFIELD COLLEGE, 449 Franklin Street, Bloomfield, NJ
TICKETS: $15 for adults and $12 for students.
For more information and tickets, please call 973.566.9700. |
Tickets are available ONLINE

Teen musical is a "monster" of a good time for everyone! New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts (NJSDA) presents SHREK—THE MUSICAL, a delightfully fun production that features 25 kids from local towns.

The cast includes Amber Smith, Sophie Bell, Elizabeth Nucci and Shannon Bretz of Bloomfield, Lauren Barr, Rebeca Lamb, James Smith, Saisha Wesley and Dean Schansinger of Montclair, Lilly Baldassare and Aleah Colon-Alfonso of Glen Ridge, Emily Ascherl and Brian Miseo of West Orange, Natalie Aris of Short Hills, Kevin Bergen of Hawthorne, Brandon Bennett of Butler, Diana Carranza of Clifton, Christina Caulfield of Hackensack, Siobhan Crompton of Maywood, Judith Kirkikis of Cranford, Amaya Loyal-Benton of Orange, Maggie Buckley of Summit, Brianna Martinez of Belleville, Jay Pineda-Pirro of Rutherford, and Talia Wynzel of Lake Hiawatha.

Founded in 2004, the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts (www.njactors.org) in Bloomfield, NJ has provided comprehensive professional acting training for adults, teens and children. More than 1,200 students, some of whom have gone on to pursue professional acting careers, have taken classes at the school since it opened its doors eight years ago.

CENTENARY STAGE CO.’S JAMMIN’ IN JULY WELCOMES “WEST SIDE STORY” BY THE NEW JERSEY YOUTH THEATRE

2003's West Side Story1WEST SIDE STORY

WHEN: August 2 – 11; Friday and Saturday performances at 8 PM, and matinees on Sundays at 2 PM and Thursday, August 8, at 12:30 PM and an evening performance at 7:30 PM. There will be a special matinee featuring a talk-back with the cast after the show on Thursday, August 8, at 12:30 PM.
WHERE:
Sitnik Theatre in the David and Carol Lackland Center at 715 Grand Avenue in Hackettstown
TICKETS: $18.50 to $28 in advance and $23.50 to $33 for day of purchases, with discounts for seniors, students, and children under 12.
Contact the CSC Box Office for GROUP rates available for the Thursday talk-back matinee at $16 and other show dates for $24 for adults and $18 for youth 17 and under.
Tickets are available online at www.centenarystageco.org, or by calling the box office at 908-979-0900. They may also be purchased through the CSC Box office at the Lackland Center at 715 Grand Ave., open 1-5 PM Monday through Friday, and 2 hours prior to each performance.

Earning a total of ten Oscars for the movie version back in 1961 and launching Stephen Sondheim’s Broadway career in 1957, West Side Story is one of the most beloved musicals in American theater history. Back by popular demand, New Jersey Youth Theatre (NJYT) will be bringing their highly acclaimed production of West Side Story to the Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July series.

In 2003, NJYT’s production of West Side Story won the Music Theatre International’s Award of Excellence, an award rarely given out and only once in the ensuing ten years. The show is a musical masterpiece that set a standard of excellence in American musical theater seldom, if ever, achieved since. The original stage production opened in 1957 with powerful direction and choreography by Jerome Robbins, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by Arthur Laurents, and a musical score by Leonard Bernstein featuring now-legendary songs such as "Tonight," “Maria” and "America.”

New Jersey Youth Theatre’s production of West Side Story is part of Centenary Stage Company’s Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series, which will also include An Evening With Groucho, Masters of Motown, and The Paragon Ragtime Orchestra with a Flex Pass available to all FOUR events at $90.00 per person.

The Jammin’ in July Summer Concert Series and the 2013-14 season at the Centenary Stage Company are made possible through the visionary and generous support of the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation, the NJ State Council on the Arts, and CSC sponsors, including Premier Sponsor Heath Village Retirement Community, Silver Sponsors Hackettstown Regional Medical Center and The Holiday Inn in Budd Lake, Bronze Sponsors The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and Wells Fargo Bank, and Centenary Stage Company members and supporters.

Sunday, July 21, 2013

DISNEY’S “ALADDIN JR” IN LINOLN PARK: 2 PERFORMANCES ONLY

Picture

WHEN: Friday, July 26 at 8 PM; Saturday, July 27 at 3 PM
WHERE:
The Jacksonville Chapel, 264 Jacksonville Road, Lincoln Park
www.aspirepac.com
aspirepac@gmail.com
201.220.4933

Saturday, July 20, 2013

SEE “CINDERELLA” IN A NEW WAY @ PREMIERE STAGES

Join Premiere Stages for the second production of their 2013 Play Factory Series, Pushcart Players'

Happily Ever AfterHAPPILY EVER AFTER

WHEN: Wednesday, July 24, 10 AM
WHERE:
Premiere Stages, Kean University, 1000 Morris Ave., Union
TICKETS: All tickets are just $15, and group discounts are available!
Please call Heather Kelley, Audience Services Coordinator, at 908.737.4077 for more information

Based on the beloved classic, CINDERELLA, HAPPILY EVER AFTER takes us on that sometimes happy, sometimes sad—but always compelling—journey, fueled by inner beauty, courage and kindness as they triumph over greed, arrogance and bully behavior.

Hip original music, zany contemporary humor and sparkling visual surprises help young and family audiences connect with characters and events in this legendary tale that speaks to all of us in search of our own "happily ever after."

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, EDGAR DEGAS!

degas birthday poster

CATCH “WEST SIDE STORY” IN ONE OF 2 PLACES THIS SUMMER!

This wonderful troupe of very talented young performers is bringing us an iconic American musical in not one but two places this summer. Try to catch a performance if you can! They are INDOORS in theaters that are air-conditioned, so you have no excuse!

west side story

Friday, July 19, 2013

AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL OPENS @ LINDEN HIGH SCHOOL THIS WEEKEND

IN THE HEIGHTS
By Lin-Manuel Miranda
Directed by Howard Whitmore

WHEN: July 19, 20, 25, 26 & 27 @ 8:00 PM; July 21 @ 3:00 PM
WHERE: Linden High School Auditorium, 121 W. St. Georges Ave., Linden, NJ
TICKETS: $15 general admission; $12 for students 17 and under

More at: http://mysticvisionplayers.com

IN THE HEIGHTS is an award-winning musical about life in Washington Heights, a tight-knit community where the coffee from the corner bodega is light and sweet, the windows are always open, and the breeze carries the rhythm of three generations of music.

During its acclaimed NYC runs, IN THE HEIGHTS quickly became an audience phenomenon and a critical success,and we bring you same talent, excitement and emotion on the Linden High School stage this summer.

With its universal themes of family, community and self-discovery, IN THE HEIGHTS can be enjoyed by people of all ages and backgrounds.

Find out what it takes to make a living, what it costs to have a dream and what it means to be home IN THE HEIGHTS.

Cast List
Usnavi De La Vega - Louis Vetter
Nina Rosario - Alicia Cordero
Kevin Rosario - Patrick Starega
Camilia Rosario - Stephanie Lubroth
Benny - Mohamed S. Jalloh
Vanessa - Nikki Ashe
Sonny - Daniel Cancel
Abuela Claudia - Mimi Francis
Daniela - Natalie Pineiro
Carla - Shanice Williams
Graffiti Pete - A.J. Douglas
Piragua Guy - Claudio Venancio

Ensemble - Krystal Aguilar, Evan Cordero, Duane Cosby, Lyle Dungee, Tyron Howard, Melissa Kaban, Maleesa Lamatina, Ashley Molina, Tony Neal, Sarah Phemsint, Kyndell Pierce, A.J. Primavera, Destiny Marie Santiago, Devin Santiago, Monae Torres

14 POETS WITH NJ TIES, 13 POET LAUREATES & OTHERS IN BOOK TO RAISE MONEY FOR BOSTON MARATHON VICTIMS

“We are one Boston. We are one community. As always, we will come together to help those most in need. And in the end, we will all be better for it. ” —Mayor Thomas M. Menino, Boston

LikeOne-Coverlike one: an anthology of humorous & uplifting poems created to raise money for The One Fund, the charity for the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings

Former Jersey City Poet Laureate Aaron M.P. Jackson, Montclair resident Nicolas Destino and Maria Mazziotti Gillan, Founder and Executive Director of the Poetry Center at Passaic County Community College are three of the poets featured in Like One, an anthology of humorous and uplifting poems created to raise money for The One Fund, the charity for the victims of the Boston Marathon Bombings.

Rutgers alumni in the book include former U.S. Poet Laureate Robert Pinsky, Benjamin S. Grossberg, Editor Deborah Finkelstein, and Brett Goldberg, owner of Chocolate Chili Publishing. Other alumni from New Jersey universities include Kevin Carey, who has an MFA from Fairleigh Dickinson, and Joy Ladin, who has a PhD from Princeton.

Two of New Jersey’s most famous poets, Walt Whitman and William Carlos Williams, are also featured in the book. David Trinidad, who has taught at Princeton and Rutgers, is also part of the book as are three poets who spent part of their childhood in New Jersey, Miriam Sagan, Caryn Mirriam-Goldberg and Julie Kane, the Poet Laureate of Louisiana.

The book encompasses a diverse blend of poets from all over the U.S. with one common goal: building a better world. Poets created a book that would be used to heal the community and the country while raising money for The One Fund. As part of the healing process, poets were encouraged to send poems that healed and lifted the spirit with humor and joy. Some of the poems will make readers laugh out loud. Others will take readers on an enlightening journey through the literary landscape of love, family, and nature. Poetry creates catharsis. Its power is wrapped in the creative harnessing of raw emotion. It heals and nourishes the spirit while showing the mind a new way to view the world and new language to express that view. It allows people to connect in new ways and generates new thought patterns to heal.

“At moments like this, we are one state, one city, and one people.” —Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts

Like One is available as a paperback on Amazon.com. An ebook will be published soon. Visit www.likeonepoetry.com

Purchase your copy today by clicking here

Click here to learn more about The One Fund

NJ PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS PEANUTS PARODY @ CIRCLE PLAYERS

DOG SEES GOD: CONFESSIONS OF A TEENAGE BLOCKHEAD
By Bert V. Royal
Directed by Ian Moore
Produced by Nicholas Kaminski
Jasmine Gomez is stage manager

WHEN:  July 26-Aug. 3, Fridays and Saturdays, 8 PM with 3 PM matinees on Sundays, July 28 and Aug. 4.
WHERE:
Circle Players, 416 Victoria Ave., Piscataway
TICKETS: $18 for adults and $15 for students and seniors
To purchase tickets, please CLICK HERE, or call 732.968.7555.
Please note that credit cards will not be accepted at the box office, but can be used online.

Described as an “unauthorized parody,” this daring, and at times shocking play takes characters from the comic strip “Peanuts” and turns them into teenagers dealing with drug abuse, bullying, suicide, eating disorders, teen violence, rebellion, sex and sexual identity.

When CB’s dog contracts rabies and must be euthanized after ripping Woodstock to shreds and nearly biting CB, he begins to question the existence of an afterlife. A chance meeting with Beethoven, an artistic kid and also the target of his group’s bullying, offers CB peace of mind and sets in motion a friendship that pushes teen angst to its limits.

Appearing onstage are Roberto Forero, Rachel Phelan, Zachariah Smith, Kerielle Sollecito, Michael Rosas, Sydney Hymanson, Danielle Yucht, Nick Napoli, Eddie Rogers and Gina Solebello.

EXHIBITS OPEN @ HUNTERDON ART MUSEUM

Katherine Daniels: Paradise Pieces &
HAM Faculty Exhibition 2013

WHEN: July 6, 2013 - Sept. 8, 2013
WHERE:
Hunterdon Art Museum, 7 Lower Center Street, Clinton
ADMISSION:  free
www.hunterdonartmuseum.org

ASPIRE PAC TEENS PERFORM “LEGALLY BLONDE” @ THE BARN THEATRE 3 PERFORMANCES ONLY

Aspire Performing Arts Company's Senior (ages 12-18) Performing Ensemble presents

LEGALLY BLONDE

WHEN: Friday, July 19 at 8 PM; Saturday, July 20 at 3 PM and 8 PM
WHERE:
The Barn Theatre, 32 Skyline Drive, Montville
TICKETS:
For more tickets or more info, please contact Aspire Performing Arts Company at: www.aspirepac.com
201.220.4933

COMING UP @ THE ROXBURY ARTS ALLIANCE INVESTORS’ BANK THEATRE

RAA logo

BD Lenz & Friends
WHEN: Thurs., July 25, 7 PM
WHERE:
at the bandshell*, 72 Eyland Avenue, Roxbury
ADMISSION: FREE

Hailed as one of the top 20 “up and coming” jazz musicians of New Jersey by the Newark Star-Ledger, and featured in the New York Times, noted guitarist B.D. Lenz leads an original band which has best been described as “a spirited mixture of sounds in the contemporary vein, ranging from the sprightly to the hard-wailing” (Curt Yeske – The Trenton Times).

Blood Red Orange
WHEN:  Thurs., August 1, 7 PM
WHERE:
at the bandshell*
ADMISSION: FREE

Blood Red Orange is a classic and contemporary rock band who plays the hits and reacquaints us with the lost brothers and sisters who share the same vinyl.

Olde Succasunny Day 
WHEN: Sat., September 7
WHERE: come find us at our booth at the library.

A TRIBUTE TO GEORGE GERSHWIN
By Ballet Enchanté
WHEN: Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 PM
WHERE:
the Investors Bank Theater, 72 Eyland Avenue, Roxbury
TICKETS: $12 Adult/ $10 Students & Seniors available online at the Roxbury Recreation Department & at the door, if available

This original ballet program, is a celebration of George Gershwin's genius as a 20th century, American composer. There are 7 dances that comprise the program, set to an eclectic sampling of Gershwin's work, featuring piano rags, Broadway tunes, a Charleston, & his brilliant symphonic poem, "An American in Paris."

*In case of inclement weather performances will be held in the Investors Bank Theater

Contact us at sales.raa@gmail.com for group sales info or any other questions.

www.roxburyartsalliance.org

A CAJUN, BLUEGRASS, ROCKABILLY, JAZZ, IRISH, ROOTS, AFRICAN, CUBAN, SOUL, FUNK & FOLK EXTRAVANZA @ CD RELEASE PARTY IN NYACK

This event is just across the NY border in Nyack—perfect for all the NJ Arts Maven readers who live in Bergen County (or those who don’t mind a bit of a ride):

Jeffrey Friedberg Bossy Frog_photo credit Myles Aronowitz at Lushphotography

JEFFREY FRIEDBERG'S BOSSY FROG PRODUCTIONS HAS A NEW CD, AND THEY'RE READY TO RAISE THE ROOF!

15 SONGS EVERY KID SHOULD KNOW (AND WILL LOVE!)

WHEN: Friday, August 2, 6:30 PM
WHERE:
The Nyack Center, 58 Depew Ave., Nyack, NY
ADMISSION: Free
Pre-registration suggested HERE
Discount on CD purchase available with pre-registration.
INFORMATION: 845.358.1115. info@bossyfrog.com

 

Nyack's own award-winning children's musician, Jeffrey Friedberg, leader of The Bossy Frog Band, has gathered more than 40 locally based performers of Cajun, bluegrass, rockabilly, jazz, Irish, roots, African, Cuban, soul, funk, and folk music to create a new album of songs with which every child should be familiar: 15 Songs Every Kid Should Know (and will Love!).

Bossy Frog Band2_photo credit Myles Aronowitz at Lushphotography

Fans should arrive ready to hold on to their hats at this good times, family-friendly, multicultural blowout, with performances by a number of musicians featured on the album, including The Bossy Frog Band, Michael Mark, members of The UpSouth Twisters, and Jon Pousette-Dart. There'll be screenings of music videos from the CD recording sessions, giveaways, a meet-and-greet with all the musicians, photos with The Bossy Frog Band for the kids, and, as Jeffrey Friedberg enthuses, "some surprise crazy stuff!"

Explains Friedberg, "With 15 Songs Every Kid Should Know (and will Love!), I wanted to explore the rich treasury of classic children's songs -- those gems that make up our cultural DNA -- but in a way that reflects our multicultural society, with Cuban rhythms, African drumming, Irish fiddling, and Cajun accordion playing, along with jazz, rockabilly, bluegrass, rock, folk, funk and soul styles."

A New York City native, Jeffrey Friedberg began his musical career as a jazz saxophonist aboard a cruise ship in the Bahamas. After three years afloat, Friedberg decided to return to dry land and entered the MA program in Music Therapy at NYC. Upon receiving his degree, he embarked upon fifteen years as a music therapist for children and adults with special needs and mental illness in hospitals, clinics, and schools in the greater New York area. During this time he began writing songs to use in his therapy sessions, with a goal of inspiring children to move, use their imaginations, and explore the world around them through active participation.

Since 1999, Jeffrey Friedberg has released seven kids' albums (six recorded with The Bossy Frog Band and one with psychologist Jed Baker, Ph.D.) and has performed for more than 100,000 children and families.