ADAPTATION OF PULITZER PRIZE-WINNING NOVEL TO RECEIVE WORLD PREMIERE IN RED BANK

By Thornton Wilder
Adapted for the stage by David Greenspan
Directed by Ken Rus Schmoll

A WORLD-PREMIERE PLAY

WHEN: February 17 – March 18
WHERE: Two River Theater, 21 Bridge Ave., Red Bank
TICKETS: $40 to $80, with discounts available for groups, seniors, and U.S. military personnel, their families, and veterans. A limited number of $20 tickets are available for every performance; $20 tickets may be partial view. Tickets for patrons under 30 are $20 and include the best available seats at every performance. Tickets are available from tworivertheater.org or 732.345.1400.
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Thornton Wilder won three Pulitzer Prizes: two for the classic American plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth, and one for his novel, The Bridge of San Luis Rey. This quiet masterpiece—a dazzling rumination on the nature of love—will be brought to life on stage by a troupe of actors led by one of the singular figures in the American theater: writer and actor David Greenspan, the winner of five Obie Awards. 

“There’s an impassioned camp of theater lovers who assert that Thornton Wilder is the consummate American theater artist; there’s another who say the same of David Greenspan. Imagine what they’ll say when these two collaborate on something new,” says Artistic Director John Dias. 

The Bridge of San Luis Rey was published in 1927 and won Thornton Wilder the first of his three Pulitzer Prizes. (Wilder, the only writer to win Pulitzer Prizes for both fiction and drama, was also honored for his plays Our Town and The Skin of Our Teeth.) Set in 18^th century Peru, the novel is about five travelers who fall to their deaths when they are crossing a bridge that breaks without warning. “There is a land of the living and a land of the dead and the bridge is love, the only survival, the only meaning,” Wilder wrote in its famous final words.

Commissioned by Two River Theater, five-time Obie Award-winning playwright and actor David Greenspan brings Wilder’s masterpiece about life, fate, and love to the stage as a profound meditation on theater and live performance. Greenspan (most recently seen in a solo performance of Eugene O’Neill’s Strange Interlude) leads a nine-actor company in the role of Uncle Pio, the play’s narrator.  

The cast of The Bridge of San Luis Rey also includes Sumaya Bouhbal (Pepita), Zachary Infante (Esteban), Julienne Hanzelka Kim (Madre María), Elizabeth Ramos (Camila Perichole), Steven Rattazzi (Don Andrés de Ribera/Captain Alvarado/Don Vicente/Jaime/Inez), Mary Lou Rosato (Doña María), Bradley James Tejeda (Manuel) and Madeline Wise (Doña Clara). 

Says Tappan Wilder, Thornton Wilder’s nephew and literary executor, “Beneath the beautifully wrought surface of Wilder’s Bridge rage epic battles before the bar of judgement, questioning the meanings of life, death, faith and love. The Wilder Family and I are thrilled that David Greenspan and Two River Theater are bringing this novel to the stage.”

Before Play and Lobby Display

Audiences will learn about Thornton Wilder, David Greenspan, and The Bridge of San Luis Rey in Two River’s Before Play lecture series, which takes place 45 minutes prior to every performance, and Lobby Display.

Post-Play Conversations

Discussions with the cast and a member of Two River’s Artistic staff will take place following the performances on Wednesday, February 28 at 7pm and Wednesday, March 7 at 1pm.

Meet-up with Madeleine

WHEN: Sunday, March 4, following the 3pm performance

Meet-up with Madeleine is a post-show discussion series with Two River’s Playwright-in-Residence, Madeleine George. Patrons are invited to enjoy refreshments and conversation on topics including Thornton Wilder, the play’s themes, elements of the production, and more.

To reserve a free spot, interested patrons should call 732.345.1400 or visit www.tworivertheater.org.

BOOK CLUB

Cloud Atlas 

RESERVE HERE

Monday, Mar 12, at 6:30PM

Thornton Wilder’s novel The Bridge of San Luis Rey and its message of human connection provided the inspiration for David Mitchell’s unique 2004 novel (Mitchell even named a character Luisa Rey as a tribute).

Comprised of six nested stories with very different styles and settings, Cloud Atlas is an intricate, gorgeous, heartbreaking variation on Wilder’s original theme. We’ll discuss the art of interlocking stories, and how works of art can teach us how to live.

Coffee and cookies will be served.

An audio-described performance is scheduled for Wednesday, March 14 at 1pm, and an open-captioned performance is scheduled for Saturday, March 17 at 3pm. Tickets are available at a discounted rate of $25 for patrons using these services. To reserve wheelchair-accessible seating or tickets to a performance listed above, patrons should call 732.345.1400 or e-mail boxoffice@trtc.org.

CONCERT OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN SACRED MUSIC IN BASKING RIDGE MARCH 4

WHEN: Sunday, March 4, 5 PM
WHERE: Pingry School Auditorium, 131 Martinsville Rd., Basking Ridge

J. Donald Dumpson is one of the leading authorities on, and performers of, African-American sacred music. As well as being minister of music and arts at Arch Street Presbyterian Church in downtown Philadelphia, Mr. Dumpson is the founding director of the Philadelphia Heritage Chorale. On March 4 we will welcome him to Hauser Auditorium at the Pingry School in Basking Ridge as guest conductor of a very special MISH concert in which the Somerset Hills Chorus will be joined by the Caritas Chamber Chorale and the Apprentice Chorus of the Newark Boys Chorus School in a program of African American sacred music.

TICKETS & INFO:  http://musicsh.org/concerts/

CELEBRATE LEONARD BERNSTEIN’S CENTENNIAL @ LIVINGSTON TEMPLE THIS SUNDAY

Prime Time invites you to enjoy

The Music and Impact of Leonard Bernstein

in honor of his 100th birthday

Presented by

Maestro Robert Butts

Music Director and Conductor of the Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey

WHEN: Sunday, February 25, 2018, 2:00 - 4:00 PM
WHERE:  Temple B'nai Abraham, 300 East Northfield Road, Livingston
COST: $10 per person Prime Time Members; $12 per person All others
Click Here to RSVP 

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Prime Time Program Maestro Robert Butts February 25, 2018

Name:___________________________________
Phone:___________________________________
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CENTRAL JERSEY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA CONTINUES ENSEMBLE’S 48TH SEASON WITH SOLOISTS FROM LIGHT OPERA OF NEW JERSEY

MOZART IN MILAN

WHEN: Sunday, February 25, at 3p.m.
WHERE: Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 140 South Finley Avenue in Basking Ridge
TICKETS: $25/adult, $20/senior, $15/student
To purchase tickets, concert patrons may visit www.cjso.org/concert_tickets. Half-season tickets (February 25 and May 6 concerts) may also be purchased at this time ($37.50/adult, $30/senior, $27.50/student). The latter prices represent a 25 percent savings. Please e-mail orchestra@cjso.org with any questions.

The concert—the second on the CJSO’s 48th season (its 10th under music director Michael Avagliano)—will include Mozart’s overture to The Marriage of Figaro and Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter,” as well as arias from Donizetti’s La fille du régiment (The Daughter of the Regiment) and other operas, featuring soloists from the Light Opera of New Jersey (LONJ).

“We are very excited to continue the 48th season of the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra,” Mr. Avagliano said. “We look forward to collaborating, once again, with some of the outstanding singers from the Light Opera of New Jersey, as well as to performing Mozart’s timeless and classic final symphony and one of his most-well-known overtures. We cannot wait to share these beautiful works with both loyal and new audience members.”

Featuring:

• Michael Avagliano, music director
• Chelsea Friedlander, soprano
• Hanna Ladefoged-Dollase, contralto
• Ivan Rivera, tenor
• David Murray, baritone

The program:

• Mozart Overture to The Marriage of Figaro
• Puccini “O mio babbino caro” from Gianni Schicchi
• Mozart “Ah, se fosse intorno” from Cosí fan tutte
• Rossini “Cruda sorte” from L’Italiana in Algieri
• Leoncavallo “Prologo” from Pagliacci
• Donizetti arias from La fillé du regiment
• Mozart Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”

About Michael Avagliano, music director
Michael Avagliano has served as music director of the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra since 2008, and was recently appointed music director of the Summit Symphony. He joined the faculty of Drew University as director of the chamber orchestra in 2015.  In the 2014 season, Mr. Avagliano conducted the orchestra’s first opera performances, collaborating with the Light Opera of New Jersey for a fully-staged production of Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte. Previously, the orchestra was a runner-up for The American Prize, awarded each year for excellence in orchestral performance. Also an active violinist and violist, Mr. Avagliano has performed with the New Jersey and Singapore symphonies, as well as the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. As a member of the Madison String Quartet, he has performed on chamber music series throughout the United States, with recent appearances in Alaska, New York, and Pennsylvania. For more information, please visit www.michaelavagliano.com.

About the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Founded in 1970 as the Somerset County College Orchestra, the orchestra changed its name to the Central Jersey Symphony Orchestra in 1985. For 16 seasons, the orchestra presented six to eight concerts, performing the standard orchestral repertoire. At its Gala 10th anniversary concert under the new name, the orchestra completed a cycle of the Beethoven symphonies with a sold-out performance of the Ninth. In the following year, it presented an acclaimed concert of “Music of the Holocaust at Terezin.” In 1998, the orchestra began a cultural exchange with Lithuania, presenting Lithuanian guest artists making their U.S. debuts. Committed to presenting the works of New Jersey composers, the orchestra has presented world premieres by Mario Lombardo, John Sichel, David Rimelis, and David Sampson.

Guest Review: “Art” exceptional Broadway level theatre at Centenary Stage Company

Guest reviewer: Rick Busciglio (www.njfootlights.net)

Yasmina Reza`s Tony-winning comedy “Art” opened Friday night at the Centenary Stage Company’s comfortable Sitnik Theatre. Let me cut right to the chase. This production, directed by the multi-talented Anne Occhiogrosso, starring a trio of outstanding Broadway, film and television vets, Randall Duk Kim, Kevin Carolan and CSC’s own Carl Wallnau,  provides an exceptional theater experience worthy of any stage.

The three men, Marc (Duk Kim), Serge (Wallnau) and Yvan (Carolan) are longtime best friends who find their relationship severely tested when Serge buys an expensive painting for 200,000 francs (the setting is Paris). The painting is by a respected modern artist. It is a large, completely white painting. Marc and Yvan have different reactions to the canvas. Marc, Serge’s social mentor, is horrified, and calls the painting s**t; Yvan, forewarned of the uniqueness of the painting, attempts a more restrained reaction.

(photo: L-R Kim, Carolan & Wallnau)

Both however, ignite from Serge a barrage of verbal abuse for their lack of appreciation and/or understanding of modern art. Their debate of these three questions: What is art? What does it mean to be a friend? What does it mean to be a friend when your friends have terrible taste in art? results in a brutal examination of their roles in this friendship. All delivered with the witty, smart, provocative dialogue of Ms. Reza.

The favorite star turn was Kevin Carolan’s monologue about the stress of dealing with his approaching wedding. The audience responded with a round of enthusiastic applause. He is a marvelous comedy actor. All three were perfectly cast. Randall Duk Kim was exceptional as Marc. He demonstrated that he could easily conduct a master class in acting. Carl Wallnau, the CSC’s artistic director, impresses as always with his excellence in comedy, drama, and music (fine voice).
The play is presented as a series of scenes (no intermission) that vary from three and two characters, to several single character monologues directly to the audience.

The set, a stark but handsome apartment living room, designed by Tim Golebiewski, serves as the residence of all three via clever prop changes. Particularly effective is the often overlooked music between scenes by sound designer Carlos Dias Jr. The stage manager is Danielle Constance. Ed Matthews is the lighting designer. Ashleigh Poteat designed the costumes. Jeff Chase serves as technical director.

Centenary Stage Company’s production of Art runs February 16 through March 4 in the Sitnik Theatre of the Lackland Performing Arts Center.  Remaining performance dates are Fridays, February 23 and March 2 at 8pm; Saturdays, February 17, 24 and March 3 at 8pm; Sundays, February 18, 25 and March 4 at 2pm; Wednesdays, February 21 and 28 at 2pm and Thursdays, February 22 and March 1 at 7:30pm.

Ticket prices $27.50 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12 on matinee and Friday evening performances.  Saturday evening performances are $29.50 for adults and $17.50 for children under 12.  Thursday evening performances are $27.50 for ALL SEATS with a special ‘buy one/get one’ rush ticket special when purchased in person at the Centenary Stage Company box office starting two hours prior to performance time.  The ‘buy one/get one’ rush ticket special is not valid for advance ticket sales, on – line or by phone.  Offer is only valid in person at the box office during the designated time and may not be combined with any other special offer or discount.

Centenary Stage Company is also offering a buffet matinee for groups of 25 or more (up to 50) on Wednesdays February 21 and 28. Buffet matinees are $45.00 per person and include pre-show dining in one of CSC’s private dining rooms, as well as admittance to the 2pm matinee.  Buffet matinees must be scheduled in advance.  CSC also offers discounted tickets for group sales of 25 or more.  To find out more or schedule your group or buffet matinee call the Centenary Stage Company box office directly at (908) 979 – 0900.

For more information or to purchase tickets visit centenarystageco.org or call the Centenary Stage Company box office at (908) 979 – 0900.  The box office is located in the Lackland Performing Arts Center at 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown and is open Monday through Friday from 1 – 5pm and two hours prior to every performance.

BAROQUE ORCHESTRA OF NJ SETS 2018-2019 SEASON

The Baroque Orchestra of New Jersey is excited to announce its 2018-2019 Season. Full programs are still being decided, but the dates are confirmed and several of the soloists are ready to go!

The excitement starts November 11, 2018, at 3:00 PM at Dolan Hall, The Annunciation Center, The College of Saint Elizabeth, when the orchestra presents Ah! Perfido!  Beethoven's rarely heard concert aria for which he was mentored by none other than Antonio Salieri!   One of Beethoven's other mentors was the great Franz Joseph Haydn, whose Symphony #100—The Military Symphony will be a featured work as the orchestra celebrates Veterans Day!  Special guest artist will be soprano Timothy Maureen Cole.

The Wassail Concert will be at 3:00 PM on January 13, 2019, at  Grace Church.  A special treat will be the world premiere of Viola Concerto composed by Maestro Robert W. Butts especially for our esteemed guest soloist Brett Deubner!   Also on the program will be Beethoven's popular Symphony #6—The Pastoral.  

The April 14, 2019 concert is still being determined but will be at 3:00 PM at Dolan Hall, The Annunciation Center, The College of Saint Elizabeth. The concert will feature a wonderful guest artist and music by Beethoven.

The season will conclude June 2, 2019, at 3:00 PM at Dolan Hall, The Annunciation Center, The College of Saint Elizabeth with one of the most electrifying works of American Music - George Gershwin's dynamic Piano Concerto with special guest artist Paul Zeigler!

Tickets will be on sale soon—don't miss an afternoon of great music with us as we celebrate our 23rd season.

For the complete article, click here.

WHEN: Sunday, March 11, 2018 - starting at Noon
WHERE: Dolan Hall, The Annunciation Center, The College of Saint Elizabeth, 2 Convent Road, Morristown, New Jersey
ADMISSION: Competition/Performance is open to the public. Admission is FREE!

Competition features ten extraordinary young musicians performing movements from major concertos and sonatas. Don't miss this opportunity to hear tomorrow's stars today!

Reminder: March 11 Starts Daylight Saving Time

The Jewish Heritage Museum Presents A Seder Plate Craft Project

The Education Committee of The Jewish Heritage Museum of Monmouth County presents

A Seder Plate Craft Project

WHEN: Thursday, March 8, 2018, from 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM
WHERE: Around the Corner Art Center, 290 Mounts Corner Drive, Freehold, NJ 07728 (next to the Museum).
ADMISSION: $10.00 per child for ages four and up (must be accompanied by an adult).

Decorate your own Ceramic Seder Plate! During the program, subsidized by the Museum’s Druin Education Fund, participants will be guided by the staff at the Art Center to decorate their own plate. After completion that day, the piece will be dried and fired, and returned to the Museum for pick up the following week.

Funding has been made possible in part by an operating supporting grant from the New Jersey Historical Commission, a Division of the Department of State, through grant funds administered by the Monmouth County Historical Commission.

For more information or to make a paid reservation (non-refundable), call the Museum at 732-252-6990, or visit www.jhmomc.org.

The Jewish Heritage Museum is located in the Mounts Corner Shopping Center, at 310 Mounts Corner Drive Freehold, NJ, at the corner of Route 537 and Wemrock Road (between the CentraState Medical Center and Freehold Raceway Mall). It is on the second floor of the historic Levi Solomon Barn. The JHMOMC is a tax-exempt organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. The Museum is handicapped and assisted listening accessible.

HISTORICAL ACTIVITIES ABOUND IN NJ!

FREE POP-UP THEATRE IN UNION

TIX are free, but seating is limited—reserve at: TheTheaterProject.org

The StrangeXchange pop-up flea market will return to The Wellmont Theater on June 16, 2018!

WHEN: June 16 from 11am to 5pm
WHERE: The Wellmont Theater in Montclair, NJ
ADMISSION: Tickets go on sale for $5 on Wednesday, February 21 at 10am on livenation.com. Check out our Facebook page here for more information and vendor announcements.

It will feature over 45 unique vendors and food trucks. This year's theme will celebrate grads and dads as it falls the Saturday before Father's Day.

The Aquarian Weekly was founded in 1969 and is one of the last independently owned alternative weekly print and online publications still running today.

ALL ROLES OPEN FOR “IT SHOULDA BEEN YOU” @ CHESTER THEATRE GROUP

AUDITION NOTICE:

Music by Barbara Anselmi
Book and Lyrics by Brian Hargrove
Directed by Clifford Parrish

WHEN: Tues 2/20 at 7.30pm
WHERE: Black River Playhouse, 54 Grove Street, at the corner of Maple Ave., in Chester, NJ
908-879-7304
www.chestertheatregroup.org

Visit our website or FaceBook page for details!

All roles are open.

Please come prepared with a "traditional" Broadway Show Tune!

JAZZ THIS WEEK IN NEW BRUNSWICK

Gerry Gibbs is the son of jazz vibraphone legend & bandleader Terry Gibbs. Besides leading his own bands, projects and studio productions, Gerry is also an in-demand drummer, having performed, recorded and toured with a who's who in jazz, funk, electronic & world music, among them: McCoy Tyner, Alice Coltrane, Stanley Clarke, Joe Henderson, Hubert Laws, James Moody, Sam Rivers, Patrice Rushen, Dewey Redman, Eddie Harris, Mike Stern, Larry Coryell, Randy Brecker, Tom Harrell, Brad Mehldau, Parliament Funkadelic & Electronic Music Pioneer Flying Lotus, to name but a few.

Lucien Barbarrin tours internationally with the Preservation Hall Jazz Band and Harry Connick Jr. He made his debut at six, playing drums in the Onward Brass Band, with his great-uncle Paul Barbarrin. Lucien has also played with Dr. Michael White, Wynton Marsalis, Dianne Reeves, Doc Cheatham, Lionel Hampton. Lucien and his nonet were a big hit at the 2017 Central Jersey Jazz Festival - New Brunswick! Come out and enjoy the belated Mardi Gras Celebration with us!

Michael Bond started playing classical piano when he was four and discovered jazz in his teens. He has performed at Weill Recital Hall in Carnegie Hall, the Blue Note, Smalls, Mezzrow, the Puffin Cultural Forum, and many other venues.

Seattle native, Molly Mason earned a Masters in classical voice from Boston U. Molly switched from opera halls to intimate clubs when she found a love for the freedom and creativity that jazz offers. Mason can be heard performing standards, new compositions and modern arrangements in clubs and concert venues across the Tri-State area.