The Westfield Leader Newspaper
The Times of Scotch Plains-Fanwood

CYAN YELLOW MAGENTA BLACK

ARTIST OF THE WEEK

Joe Pesci (1943)

Arts & Entertainment

2 1/ 2 to 3 lbs chicken 1/ 2 c. parmesan cheese 1/ 2 c. flour 1/ 2 tsp. garlic powder Dashes salt, pepper 1/ 2 c. vegetable shortening 1 egg, beaten 1/ 2 lb. sliced mushrooms 1 tbsp. parsley Juice of one lemon 1/ 2 c. white wine 1/ 2 tsp. salt

The Main Ingredient The Main Ingredient The Main Ingredient The Main Ingredient The Main Ingredient

Finger Lickin’ Chicken By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

MILLBURN — On the heels of their highly successful season opener, Anything Goes, Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn is delighting audiences yet again with a dynamic production of Victor/ Victoria.

Blake Edwards wrote and directed the terrific 1982 film, which starred his wife, Julie Andrews. The subsequent Broadway production of Victor/ Victoria opened in 1995 at the Marquis Theater and ran for 738 performances. With music by the late Henry Mancini, who collaborated with Leslie Bricusse, (additional music was provided by Frank Wildhorn,) the staged version of

Victor/ Victoria is every bit as entertaining as the delightful film. The farcical plot of Victor/ Victoria is set in Paris in the 1930’s and tells the tale of a nightclub singer, Victoria Grant. Down on her luck, she is befriended by flamboyant cabaret performer, Carroll Todd, also known as “Toddy.” Together the two friends come up with the idea to turn Victoria into “Victor,” a female impersonator. The result is a huge success, bringing recognition and quite a desirable lifestyle to Victoria and Toddy. The only catch is that Victoria must live her life as a man.

When King Marchan, a charming Chicago businessman, and Norma Cassidy, his ditsy girlfriend, arrive in Paris, the hilarious antics ensue. King Marchan finds himself falling for the mysterious Victor and is horrified that he may actually find a man attractive. Norma’s silly capers only add to the outrageous mix.

The production of Victor/ Victoria

currently running at Paper Mill is expertly directed by Mark S. Hoebee, who now serves as Associate Director of the Playhouse. With the expertise of musical director, Tom Helm, and choreographer, Arte Phillips, the show is a joy from start to finish.

In the title role of Victor/ Victoria,

Paper Mill Playhouse favorite, Judy McLane, is terrific. Ms. McLane is a polished and magnetic performer who easily handles this massive singing role. Charming throughout, Ms. McLane steals your heart from the moment she walks onstage. This is a multidimensional role that requires the utmost skill, and Ms. McLane is flawless. This is wonderful work.

Broadway veteran, Lee Roy Reams, (who recently directed the delightful Anything Goes at Paper Mill,) is simply perfect in the role of Toddy. Mr. Reams is irresistible as the unluckyinlove performer with a heart of gold. Witty and whimsical, Mr. Reams is an elegant Toddy. I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing this role so beautifully.

Robert Cuccioli is a splendid King Marchan. Mr. Cuccioli, of

Jekyll and Hyde fame, is truly appealing as the stalwart Chicago club owner who is struggling with his feelings for the eccentric impersonator. Mr. Cuccioli has proven to be a multitalented actor time

and again, and it is fun to see him in a comic role such as this. Great work.

While all the performers I have mentioned so far are wonderful and winning in their roles, I must say that the show belongs to Tara O’Brien,

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

When wisecracker Marisa Tomei’s character in My Cousin Vinny eyed up her costar Joe Pesci after he criticized her “Joisey Girl” attire, she chided, “Yeah, you blend.” Pesci, in his black leather jacket and steeltipped shoes, captured the funny bones of moviegoers in the role of a softhearted lawyer trying to spring his nephew and pal out of jail in the Deep South.

However, Pesci wasn’t quite sure if he would be a big fish in the Hollywood ocean. At 10, he was a regular on the television show “Startime Kids,” then a lounge singer and guitarist in a band. The Newarkborn celebrity who dropped out of high school decided to give it all up and run an Italian restaurant in New Jersey.

But, a phone call from heavyweights Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese changed everything. After winning over audiences with a part in Scorsese’s film,

Raging Bull, Pesci was tapped for an Oscar. Small roles came next and although they didn’t pay well, Pesci pressed on and won unforgettable roles in

GoodFellas, JFK, Home Alone, A Bronx Tale, Jimmy Hollywood, With Honors, Casino, and Lethal Weapon 3.

Perhaps Pesci’s most original trait as an actor involves his attitude and unique way of talking. He exudes the Joisey confidence – going from a tuff guy you don’t wanna mess wit to a softhearted Romeo with puppy dog eyes.

Nobody can duplicate his style… and no one could ever try… tough guy.

Continued on Page 23

Quadruple Threat Posed By Wonderful Westfield

Actress Jean Marie

By KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

WESTFIELD — One of the nicest things about living in our lovely area is the opportunity to discover our interesting neighbors. Living in such close proximity to Manhattan, Westfield and the surrounding towns are home to many creative professionals. We have authors, photographers, painters and actors living among us. I’m sure that we will continue to be amazed by the amount of talented individuals who make their homes in Union County.

I recently had the opportunity to interview Westfield resident, Eleanor Glockner, who was starring in a production of Anything Goes at Paper Mill Playhouse. I was thrilled to discover that Paper Mill is currently utilizing the talent of another Westfielder, actress/ dancer, Jean Marie.

Jean Marie is a married, fulltime mother of two, but somehow still managed to find the time to appear in Paper Mill’s current production of Victor/ Victoria. This lovely performer is a former Mountainside resident.

After living in Manhattan for several years, Jean Marie and her husband settled in Westfield.

I recently had a chance to chat with Jean Marie, who was nice enough to squeeze me in between dropping her children off at school and heading to rehearsal.

Leader/ Times: How long have you lived in Westfield?

Jean Marie: Eight years. It’s nice, because I come from Mountainside.

Leader/ Times: Did you live in Manhattan prior to moving here?

Jean Marie: For a few years. Hell’s Kitchen for awhile.

Leader/ Times: Me too. Yikes.

Jean Marie: (laughs) It was scary sometimes. Then we lived on the Upper West Side.

Leader/ Times: Is this your first time working at Paper Mill?

Jean Marie: No, my sixth! Let me see, I did Crazy for You, Will Rogers, 42nd Street, Follies, and

The Sound of Music.

Leader/ Times: What other interesting things have you done professionally?

Jean Marie: I was in the original company of Crazy for You

on Broadway, which was wonderful. I did Me and My Girl on

tour, La Cage and Evita. I was in

42nd Street three different times.

Leader/ Times: Do you have a favorite role that you have played, or a favorite professional experience?

Jean Marie: Crazy for You on Broadway. Definitely. I got married and then started rehearsal. I left the show to have my first child, and then went back. It was a great experience. It doesn’t get much better than that.

Leader/ Times: What has been a highlight for you so far, working on Victor/ Victoria?

Jean Marie: Oh, the choreography. Arte Phillips, the choreographer, has given us some really fun stuff to do. It’s great.

Leader/ Times: Where did you train?

Jean Marie: I started at Yvette’s in Cranford when I was 4! Then at 7, I started to train with Phil Black in New York.

Leader/ Times: What are some of the things you like most about living in Westfield?

Jean Marie: I love the center of town, walking down the street and running into friends. I love my neighborhood. I also appreciate the arts in Westfield. There is culture here. I think, most of all, I really love the sense of community that we have. The sense of home.

Leader/ Times: Tell me one thing about yourself that would

Continued on Page 22

WITH KERRIANNE SPELLMAN CORT

Pen and Ink

By MICHELLE H. LePOIDEVIN Sick Leave Discovery: Soap Operas Are Earful Of Corn, Eyeful of Porn

Last week, I was the posterchild for a Nyquil commercial, but I considered my stay at home a research project of sorts and fodder for this column. So, huddled under a grandmacrafted afghan on the living room couch, I caught up on my soap operas. Between popping lozenges, slurping chicken soup and watching myself turn into a preChristmas Rudolph from too much tissue use I made an interesting observation. Soaps are super stupid.

Created by producers and writers to sate the shallowminded with unattainable fantasies, characters named Helena, Stefan, Haley and Brooke captivate our brains with their wanderlust, expressing emotions and banter we ourselves wish we could provide. I cannot believe I ever clogged my psyche with this gunk. They remarkably end each scene before the commercial with a blank gaze at the other actor, waiting for the director to yell, “Cut!”

To prove my point, I gathered some quotes and storylines that are, aside from completely laughable, ideal examples of the soapy sort.

On “All My Children,” David, a doctor mad on an experimental drug, is pushed away by his cardiac patient Dixie, whom he lusts after. Instead of accepting the rejection, he breaks into her house to seduce her while panting like a rabid Rottweiler.

“Don’t be afraid, it’s only me. Nobody knows your heart like I do, Dixie,” he tells her. “I’ll die if I c a n ’ t have you. Are you going to let me die, Dixie. Is that what you really want?” With hubby Tad on the way home, Dixie decides to make out with Doctor Demento. So much for holding your

Jean Marie

Victor/Victoria Promises to Bedazzle Audiences at Paper Mill Playhouse

Dredge chicken in flour, seasoned with dashes of salt and pepper dip in egg and roll in mixture of parmesan, garlic powder, and parsley. Heat 1/ 2 cup shortening in skillet and brown chicken quickly. Remove to a shallow baking dish.

Saving the drippings from the skillet, add mushrooms and lemon juice along with 1/ 2 tsp. salt. Stir until brown and add wine. Simmer for 5 minutes.

Stir to blend and pour mixture over chicken. Cover pan with foil and bake for 45 minutes at 325 degrees. Uncover and bake 15 minutes longer.

Bill Burt’s

Music Corner

A Review of Local Concerts

David Palladino’s

Continued on Page 22

NJ Symphony Orchestra: Back in the Saddle

By DAVID PALLADINO

Specially Written for The Westfield Leader and The Times

NEWARK — The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (NJSO) is back. Back from their previous Sunday afternoon flirtation with mediocrity.

Once again under the capable direction of Maestro Zdenek Macal, the orchestra offered an exciting performance for all concertgoers Thursday night, October 26, at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC) in Newark.

Repertoire included the Concerto for Two String Orchestras, Piano and Timpani by Bohuslav Martinu, the Concerto No. 1 in E minor for Piano and Orchestra by Frederic Chopin, and the Felix Mendelssohn Symphony No. 4 in A major, “Italian.”

The Concerto for Two String Orchestras was completed in September 1938, shortly before the outbreak of the Second World War. The Czech Martinu’s biographer Brian Large describes the piece as containing a host of emotions that “are not those of despair, but rather of revolt, courage and unshakable faith in the future.”

Yeah. Two balanced miniorchestras are placed on either side of the timpani and piano, which makes for an interesting and pleasing sound balance — especially effective, for some reason, in Prudential Hall.

The modern era piece certainly contains forward motion and drive

but many have recognized that it lacks a certain musical eloquence and beauty.

The Concerto is certainly not without total merit. The second movement begins with some very interesting techniques and orchestrations. And much of the pieces Angst kept many in the audience interested.

The final applause factor analysis showed that it was just another mildly interesting “lets dump on the evil Germans” piece of modern semi unmusic thrown in by a fellow Czech, to let the plebeians know that Böhmen and Mähren offered a few more composers other than Dvorak and Smetana.

Unlike the previous, obligatory repertoire, the next two selections worked extremely well. Pianist Jeffrey Swan was superior in his interpretation of Chopin. Swann, who has a number of recordings on major record labels such as DeutscheGrammophon, Ars Polana and RCAItaly, demonstrated a depth of understanding and command for the music of Chopin, which is both technically and emotionally challenging.

Swan handled with ease and finesse the many chromatic runs, rubato, gracenotes and turns so common in the writing of Chopin.

Orchestral support included an

Chez Catherine

Highest Possible Rating: 4 Chefs

431 North Avenue, Westfield Telephone: (908) 6544011

Cuisine: French Price Range: Expensive Lunch: Wed. – Fri. Noon to 2 p. m. Dinner: Tues.Thu. 5: 30 – 9 p. m. Fri.Sat. 5: 3010 p. m. Closed SundayMonday Attire: Proper Attire Required Reservations: Requested Credit Cards: All major

WESTFIELD — In this country, there was once only a faint awareness of the regionality of French cuisine. Much has changed in the last 20 years or so, but smaller towns still often cannot support more than one French restaurant and so, that restaurant must offer a reasonable picture of the great variety of French food. Chez Catherine does this splendidly.

French restaurants in this country fall broadly into three types: bistros; brasseries; and restaurants. Chez Catherine is a restaurant whose menu reflects that degree of refinement. Although not specifically “regional,” the menu does present a gastronomical tour of France with a good balance between meat, poultry and fish.

There are some standard entrees including veal chop with cream of morrells and rack of lamb with rosemary infusion as well as regional representations.

Two things are also worth mentioning: the owners handscript the menus themselves which adds an intimate touch and dinner, which includes appetizer, entrée, coffee/ tea and dessert or cheese is prix fixe.

Chez Catherine’s wine list is extensive, including wines from all major wine producing regions of France and some fine American labels and a good champagne selection. Wine prices start at $23 per bottle and champagne at $40.

We began with two appetizers. I ordered open mushroom ravioli with porcini and lemon reduction and my friend chose chicken roulade on a bed of mango and pear chutney. The

ravioli, made with a delicate homemade pasta played nicely with the lemon/ porcini reduction. The tartness of the lemon and the earthy flavor of the porcini reminded me that intensity of flavor is precisely what good reductions are all about.

The roulade, stuffed with veal, chicken meat and vegetables had a texture and flavor reminiscent of good paté de compaigne with the chutney offering a pleasant, fruity balance.

For entrees I opted for duck breast sautéed and leg “confite” with a fruit sauce while my dining partner chose lamb steak, sautéed and served with a Provençale garniture. The duck, sautéed to a medium perfection was served over a bed of wild rice with shoots of braised endive and a sauce whose intense fruitiness served as an ideal match for the flavor of the duck. The leg confite was tender with a crisp outside.

My cohort’s lamb was also wonderful with the meat again faultlessly sautéed to perfection alongside a steaming mound of mashed potatoes with a tomatorich reduction that was the essence of Provençe.

The dessert menu is small but excellent. For dessert, we enjoyed the crême bruleé “pure style” and the poached pear with nuts and figs “confites.” Every crême bruleé should be like this one and “pure style” describes it perfectly. Any adornments would only have masked the velvety smoothness of that luscious lukewarm custard covered by a flawlessly browned crust.

I enjoyed the meticulously presented poached pear, but felt that the fig confites were a bit overwhelming, given the sweetness of the homemade ice cream and the

Continued on Page 22 We welcome your input and opinions: michelle@ goleader. com

CALENDARS FOR A CAUSE... The first and only public reception for 13 artists who contributed their paintings of women for the 2001 Breast Cancer Calendar is scheduled as a benefit for the New Jersey Breast Cancer Research Fund on Sunday, November 19, from 13 p. m. at Swain Galleries in Plainfield. Pictured, above, this amazing image is part of the calendar. Judy McLane sings

“Le Jazz Hot” in Paper Mill’s production of Victor/ Victoria. Take the Stage

Continued on Page 23

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