The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

Star Gazing

Arts & Entertainment

ARTIST OF THE WEEK

e. e. cummings (18941962) One of the more abstract paintings

by poet e. e. cummings. Editor’s Note: Kind reader, please note that this piece is purposely including uncapitalized words and sentences in celebration of e. e. cummings’ literary style.

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

for cambridge, mass.born poet e. e. cummings, the standard rules of grammar and punctuation (such as the capitalization missing in this column) were not terribly important. not allowing himself to be confined only to poetry, cummings thrived in painting and drama as well.

educated at harvard college, cummings graduated in 1915 and received a master’s degree the following year. his disinterest in correct punctuation and grammar had nothing to do with laziness, he just knew how to break the rules with finesse while producing dynamic results.

some readers criticized cummings for his style (calling him pretentious and odd), but most embraced him for his individuality and experimental nature. in 1957, cummings earned the bollingen prize for poetry.

cummings, who worked for

vanity fair and penned several of his own volumes containing poetry and collections of paintings, found true happiness in his third marriage to photographer marion morehouse.

a poet who clearly wasn’t afraid of testing literary boundaries, cummings passed away on september 3, 1962 at his home in north conway, n. h.

Pen and Ink

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Glitzy Star Endorsements of Gore,

Bush Shouldn’t Sway Us One Bit

If Barbra Streisand sings “People, people who vote Democrat… are the luckiest people in the world” at the Democratic National Convention, hold off on buying the album “Dem Convention: Greatest Hits.”

Entertainment and politics make strange bedfellows. Will the fact that the glamorous blonde Bo Derek broke out the red, white and blue for George W. Bush at the GOP Convention have any bearing on whether I vote for the Texas governor? Hmm… let me think… nope. What about Latin pop star Enrique Iglesias belting out a few tunes to show his support of Al Gore at the Dem’s bash? Doesn’t mean a bit to me. I look at (gasp!) the issues when I cast my vote.

However, for generations entertainers have attempted to reel in the undecided voters by performing and rubberstamping their star status all over the convention floor and stage. Do politicians think we are that dimwitted and impressionable to not focus our attention on issues like gun control, abortion and campaign finance reform, but instead, whether Babs hit the notes high enough?

These conventions are not meant to be a forum for our entertainment pleasure or to catch up on the latest celebrity fashions. At the first GOP convention at the Music Fund Hall in Philly, I sincerely doubt that composer LouisHector Berlioz took the stage to sway the votes with his classic music. No, back in 1856, both the GOP and Democratic parties stuck to discussing the issues without sidetracking the public.

If walls could talk, our forefathers would have been heard screaming in Philly two weeks ago as heavyweights like The Rock, Arnold Schwarzenager, singer Chaka Khan and actor Bruce Willis filled the GOP’s bleachers. What would they say in L. A. as singers Babyface, Boys 2 Men and actress Whoopi Goldberg shed their celebrity skin for political duds at the Dem’s venue?

Those forefathers would be rolling over in their graves, I think. Celebrity endorsements for a political figure, a can of soda or a pair of sneakers should carry no weight at all when it comes right down to the American decisionmaking process – be it in a beverage aisle at the ShopRite, in the footwear section of Foot Locker or the voting booth at your local polling place.

Thinking for yourself. That’s a value which this country was founded on. Don’t let a little star power cloud your vision.

Macy’s Annual ‘Tap-O-Mania’ Set For Sunday in New York City

Courtesy of Richard Stalker

ON TAP IN THE BIG APPLE… Pictured at a previous Macy’s “TapOMania” are some of the more than 6,000 “tappers” who traveled from near and far to take part in the event. Among them are Westfield Leader and

Scotch PlainsFanwood Times editor Suzette Stalker, left, and mom, Phyllis, second from left. 3 tbsp. canola oil 1 tsp. cumin 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp. garlic powder 1 red bell pepper, chopped 1/ 2 tsp. paprika 1 medium onion, chopped 1/ 4 tsp. salt 2 celery stalks, diced Dash red pepper flakes 1/ 2 lb. mushrooms, chopped Dash black pepper 1 lb. boneless chicken breasts, sliced 1 can whole tomatoes 1 tbsp. chili powder 1 can kidney beans, drained

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WITH KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT Take the Stage

Courtesy of WYACT

SEEING STARS... Meghan Hales, Aliza Kennerly, James Kilduff (Tonetti) and Betsy Paynter in The Gay Divorce.

Cole Porter’s Gay Divorce at Kean Comes to Life With WYACT Troupe

By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD — WYACT has done it again! In conjunction with Kean University’s second annual Arts Incubator series, the Westfield Young Artist’s Cooperative Theatre, (WYACT) presented Cole Porter’s The Gay Divorce on August 4, 5, 6, 11, 12 and 13 at The Zella Fry Theater on the Kean University campus in Union.

On the heels of their remarkable production of Brigadoon at The New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, WYACT treated audiences yet again to a near flawless production of this Cole Porter romp with a revised libretto approved by the estate of Porter.

The elegant music and intelligent lyrics of Porter are recognized in shows such as Anything Goes, Jubilee, and most recently, the Tony Award winning revival of

Kiss Me, Kate. The Gay Divorce is another wonderfully crafted masterpiece of Porter’s, with heartwarming songs such as, “You’re in Love,” “After You, Who?” and

“Night and Day.” Set in London at the Ritz Hotel in 1932,

The Gay Divorce is a romantic and witty celebration of love.

I applaud the decision of WYACT’s Artistic and Stage Director Cynthia Meryl to introduce her terrific troupe to this genre of musical theater. While most musicals today rely on special effects to thrill an audience, the work of Porter stands on its own and the audience is simply swept away, transported back in time to a delightfully gay era.

The Gay Divorce is a true “feel good” piece where problems are solved through song and dance, and any dilemma can be washed away with a glass of fine champagne.

Leading the cast, René Martinez and Sarah Mugavero, in the roles of Guy Holden and Mimi Pratt, are delightful. Both of these fine young performers sing and dance beautifully and completely captured

the essence of this bygone age. Their work was focused and whimsical and would make Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers proud.

In the role of Teddy Egbert, Justin Restivo was perfect. He thoroughly understands and delivers the type of work that a piece such as this demands, and he is funny and charming. I love this actor’s work. He is focused, committed, and so obviously at home on the stage.

As Barbara, Mr. Egbert’s love interest, Katie Doyle was terrific. Quirky and sweet, Ms. Doyle has a Bernadette Peterslike quality, and she is just adorable and engaging. She shined in the song and dance number, “Please Don’t Make Me Be Good.”

Meagan Crowley was fabulous in

Continued on Page 17

By SUZETTE F. STALKER

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

MANHATTAN – Thousands of tapping feet will bring the city to life Sunday morning, August 20, as the annual Macy’s “TapOMania” gets underway with another dance extravaganza.

Now in its 22nd year, the popular event takes place in front of Macy’s Herald Square store on 34th Street. It is free and open to all ages, veteran tap dancers and novices alike. No experience is required.

Macy’s hopes to surpass last year’s tally of 6,676 “tappers” for a new listing in the Guinness Book of World Records for the largest assembly of tap dancers performing in a single routine.

Toddlers through octogenarians, from the metropolitan area to as far away as Europe, have turned

out for “TapOMania” over the past two decades.

The event showcases a different theme character each year, with Betty Boop, the Pink Panther and Rocky and Bullwinkle among just a few of the past “honorees.” This year, dancers will salute “Greendog” in a routine done to music with a Latin flair.

Registration will take place between 8 and 10: 30 a. m. at the west side of Seventh Avenue at 35th Street, where participants will hand in completed registration forms. For those who have not already preregistered, forms will be available on the day of the event.

After registering, the first 6,800 participants will receive official Macy’s Tshirts and top hats with the “Greendog” logo. They will then be assigned to a “tap captain,” who will teach them a simple dance routine which they will practice until about 11: 15 a. m.

Choreographers and Macy’s officials will at that time begin directing the crowd into lines in preparation for a march up 34th Street.

Continued on Page 17

Hollywood Starlet Sally Kirkland Uses Celebrity to Help Others

By JOSH HAMERMAN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIF.

Sally Kirkland, not to be confused with her friend and fellow entertainer Sally Kellerman, is on a mission. Actually, she is on many missions, the most important being her drive to use the fame she has acquired from four decades in the entertainment industry to help others.

Ms. Kirkland was recognized for her charitable efforts in 1999 when she received the prestigious Diversity Award from the Multicultural Motion Picture Association.

“I believe that all people no matter their race, creed, color, circumstance, or environment, should have the same opportunities that I’ve had,” she told The Westfield Leader and The Times of Scotch PlainsFanwood. “It was my mother who taught me to be diverse.”

Ms. Kirkland’s mother, also named Sally, was the first woman to be appointed senior editor of Life

magazine, and served as fashion editor of the publication for 25 years. During the Cold War, she traveled to the Soviet Union and dressed Russian peasants in the styles of the day.

“She was way ahead of her time,” concluded Ms. Kirkland. “She was very supportive of women, all people of color, and the gay community, and taught me to accept all types of people. My mother was the first person to give AfricanAmerican artist Gordon Parks a job photographing models before his celebrated photography, literary, and film career.”

Academy Awardwinning actress Shelley Winters, who treats Sally as her own daughter, is also credited with molding the Diversity

Award recipient into the person she is today.

“I lived with Shelley when I first moved to Los Angeles,” Ms. Kirkland revealed, “She always told me to care about the underdog and that the most important reason to become an actress is to make a difference.”

Since the 1960’s, Ms. Kirkland has starred in many plays, movies, and television specials. During the 1970’s, she costarred with Robert

Redford in The Sting, and worked with Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were and A Star is Born.

“Barbra was the first person to hire me for an important project,” she said, “I always found it interesting how she balanced the icon Barbra that the world knew with the curious, innocent, and childlike person she was with me. I coached her in Actors’ Studio stage scenes from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, where I played the Nurse to her Juliet, and she had such

a desire to do Shakespeare well. Famed acting coach Lee Strasberg said that she was one of the best Juliets that he had ever seen. I’m eternally grateful that Barbra took a chance on me three times.”

Ms. Kirkland is probably best known for her leading role in the 1987 movie Anna, for which she won a Golden Globe and received an Oscar nomination for Best Actress. Cher, however, was the victor.

“Of all the years I’ve seen, 1987 was the best one for the sheer female talent that I respect, and I felt privileged to be a part of that historic moment alongside Glenn Close, Meryl Streep, Holly Hunter, and Cher. They’ve all been role models for me in different ways,” Ms. Kirkland stated.

Teenagers may recognize her as Professor Sherman from the TV series “Felicity.”

However, Ms. Kirkland’s life was not always so glamorous. She grew up the child of two alcoholics and in 1966 she almost died from a drug overdose (she had been participating in legal LSD experiments with doctors when her life spun out of control).

Luckily, she survived but, after her neardeath and lifeafterlife As always, the event will culminate

with dancers performing the routine in front of Macy’s, during which time the street will be closed to vehicular traffic.

Winners’ names will be drawn for several prizes, topped this year by a vacation for two to Ireland. Second and third prizes are Broadway tickets to The Music Man and a “Greendog” wardrobe, respectively.

Participants are advised to wear white shorts, slacks or a skirt to create a uniform look during the dance routine, along with tap or hardsoled shoes. Since there are no changing facilities on site, individuals are also urged to don lightweight clothing which can be worn under their Tshirts.

Macy’s will donate $1 for every registered participant to SHiNE, a national education program aimed at promoting selfesteem and understanding of cultural diversity among youth, as well as ending teen violence. For further information on “TapOMania,” please call (212) 4941917.