Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 11

SHOW NOTES' AStUIT PARK IVININO MM, Mat. 1, Ut 11 tht NEW A Big Success HUTS mi ''J Wy Miriam Bush" 4 AT THE UKE-921 917) -JACKSON MIUS 1 Mllti WdiI itf Itk'wmitl on rit Una ftsal From LtkxwMl Tut Rait N. It Miaitwr Jatataa Thaaikaf at (taaiiH "The Hom of Country Miuic" (f A )) Featuring 'EDDIE CONNORS' AND HIS COUNTRY GENTLEMEN featuring Tommy Rocco" j. trn Ingrid B.roman (left) with Arthur Hill and Collesn D.w. hum in a icn from Euon O'Neill's "Mors Stately which tnds monty making run tomorrow.

30BIOC OBOl 31 ipOBO 0 rv i FREDA'S Bf1 0 nn ITALIAN-AMERICAN ii RESTAURANT COCKTAIL LOUN3E Chuck Thompson (center) it flanked by hit Rock-A-Billiet, Ken Chamber! and Ben Mar--row (foreground); Rutty Calvertt (left), and Bob Thompson. AT LOCAL CLUB Whis Group Combines PRIVATE PARTY ROOMS for Wedding Banquets Parties, etc. RESERVE FOR YOUR PRIVATE PARTY NOW PARTIES, AND BUSINESS MEETINGS NOW! Western With 'Rock9 III OPEN AU.YEAR 1 I I (CLOSED FOR5 II ALTERATIONS II REOPEN MARCH XZZttCHt jj famous for Italian Cuisine DAVinil a lACAftllA iwiiiwai tniiiiwiin And SEAFOOD SPECIALTIES liU TRY. OUR HSR 2 TEMPTING ASBURY PARK They're IRock-A-Billies, not hillbillies. And there's a difference.

The problem is, most people don't know this. They ihink "country style" music 'automatically means blue jeans, bandanas, banjos, mandolins, and non-electric 'guitars. They're surprised when Chuck Thompson and the Rock-A-Billies who appear weekends at the Country-politan swing into cha-chas, ''Night Train," and "Begin the Beguine." The most frequent reaction is "I didn't know country music sounded like this." Actually, their style is western" swing. And altohugh they feature western favorites, they can play whatever the audience requests. CHUCK THOMPSON, Leader of the group, lives in Brick Township, where he is proprietor of Music City.

His brother, Bob, who lives in Toms River, is manager of the business and drummer for the group. Other members of the crew are Rusty Calverts, Newark, a shipping clerk who also plays organ, bass, and accordion; Ben Marrow, Long Branch, an electronics teacher at Ft. Monmouth, who plays the steel guitar, and Ken Chambers, also of Long open from 12 noon That charming- First Lady of the Theater, Helen Hayes, was beinj Interviewed the other day on a spot radio news program. She was asked what made a star. "Presence," she replied, adding that there's a certain something about top actors and actresses which electrifies an audience even before the person speaks a line.

Probably no one in show business personnel this better than the very famed Ingrid Bergman, departing tomorrow after a fantastically successful 145-performance run on Broadway in "More Stately Mansions." For it is the Bergman presence which makes this show. Thousands have purchased the tickets, traveled hundreds of miles, and then sat patiently through some perfectly horrible theater just to see Bergman in person. Their efforts are worth it all, despite the Eugene O'Neill play which just about every critic agreed should have been left to gather dust as its author intended. O'Neill himself said he did not want the unfinished work produced, but star Ingrid Bergman persisted. She says she "had to do it," when asked why she wanted to appear as a woman her own age (52) in this costume drama, part of a saga of an American family.

THE BERGMAN star presence really kept the, critics from being extremely unkind. She is so beautiful and gracious that just looking at her en-. chants most of the audience at least for the first act. Then too the costumes are elegant, all ruffles and pleats, and she adds to their romantic look. Despite the few silver hairs there is still a regal tilt to Miss Bergman's head and she manages to keep that princess-turned-coquette appeal which helped to make her a star.

This is her first trip to Broadway since she was a fresh pink-cheeked "Joan of Lorraine" in the Maxwell Anderson drama which ran 11 months 21 years ago. Married to one of Europe's top theatrical producers and a wealthy woman in her own right, Miss Bergman enjoys a world unclouded now by problems except she will not soon forget the unkind reviews "Mansions" garnered after opening last fall. She is very proud of the fact that she is the only member of the company to have met O'Neill personally. When she was playing in "Anna Christie" in San Francisco his then wife Carlotta came backstage and invited her to their oceanside home. There O'Neill showed her his many plays lying around his study and told of his plans for the family saga.

He envisioned nine plays in all and wanted to sign up players (her included) for sic years. She demurred at that but later jumped at the chance to do this part of the saga in Europe. There it ran four hours and 45 minutes in the Swedish version. It was lopped to two hours and 45 minutes for New York, but the critics still did not buy it. MISS BERGMAN obviously believes any O'Neill is better than none.

In one interview she said, "Isn't it more interesting to see what a man like O'Neill had in his head even if it is not one of his best plays?" Well, there are various ways to answer that question. With a sellout house behind her despite the critics, Miss Bergman can take such a stand. But there are many O'Neill fans who appreciate his genius who can sit for hours entranced watching repeats of any of his great plays. These are the ones who may well agree with the master himself. Like an unpolished diamond, an unfinished play, even done by a genius, is pretty dull.

Despite the valiant efforts of the star and supporting cast, "Mansions" was particularly unrewarding theater. And in this nod World Warhol movies, concrete poetry and Pinter plays, it all looked rather square. WITHOUT MISS BERGMAN it probably would have closed in record time. She could return again and pull the same success story as star of anything she chooses in the future. Even that charming other member of the cast, Colleen Dewhurst (Mrs.

George C. Scott in private life) had to admit that "our business is the result of having a superstar." She noted recently, "I thought the day had passed when a star could carry a play but Ingrid did it. Maybe Greta Garbo could do it, or Olivier, but I can't think of anyone else. "We sold out for six weeks in Los Angeles. Then we came here and we were beaten badly about the ears and eyes and it was as though the public never heard it.

They wanted to see Ingrid." savins waiu a. 11 whi yj Sunday Family Dinners id AMI Ji Cocktail Lounge phone 612 Ridge Asbury Park 776-6207 aCloied ovary Monday ncapr Holidays 11 Club 4 American Exprass II "HAPPY DAYS ARE HERE AGAIN" Enjoy the Oldies Sing Danee Laugh with THE GASLIGHTERS Featuring Timmy Freddy Every Fri. and Sat. Nite HIGGINS BRIELLE 223-9504 cjCindi VBOCCBFEST ITALIAN RESTAURANT end COCKTAIL LOUNGE To be held on Fri. 8tf 9th-Sun.

10th, 1968 NOW OPEN Serving LUNCHEON DINNER and LATE SUPPER from 12 NOON ft Bachert's Branch, who plays lead guitar. He is an Army career man at Ft. Monmouth. Thompson and Calverts have been playing together for 15 years, first in the Newark area and then at the Shore, where they centered around Lakehurst before coming here. Music of the group is a combination of western and rock.

And Thompson says it is more difficult to play than straight modern rock 'n roll. There are four lead instruments, but the object isn't just to blast out. Quality is important. Arrangements are worked out, but not written down. As Thompson notes, "Sixty per cent of the musicians can't read music anyway.

It comes from the heart and you have to have a feeling for it." He believes that humbleness is the stuff of which stars are made. "A country singer needs a warm, homey personality. He is friendly with everyone and mixes with customers. No particular voice is required. Everybody has his own style.

And if it's pleasing to the ear and puts the song across, it will be a hit." But he notes that it is the personality that builds the' following. RECORDINGS THE group has made for Granite and Jax include "Devil's Sweetheart," "Tired of Fooling Around," and "Baby Put Your Arms All Around Me." Appearances have been made on the same bill as Little Jimmy Dickens, Ferlin Husky Wanda Jackson and Johnny Dollar. Thompson says he was musically brainwashed by his parents, who listened to nothing but country favorites. But he notes that that type of music has been around for a long time. It has survived the rock era and is getting more popular all the time, as radio stations throughout the coun-try make the western switch.

The club here caters to patrons in their 20s and 30s. And the Rock-A-Billies have noticed that after ttie first set, those in the audience know what to expect and begin to relax. They let themselves go, "get out on the floor and stomp around a bit," and have a good time. Patrons have come from as far away as Hackensack and Trenton and they say they are coming back. HOFBRAUIIAUS Scenic Drrvt iHenttc Hlflhlindj, H.

J. I PRroipect 5-3164 162 Syfvania Ave. land Highway 35 CloMi Taaaday except Holidays 291-0224 (Cloud Tuesday) NEPTUNE CITY SOMETHING NEW SATURDAY NIGHTS AT Entertainment: World's Fair-Beer Garden Band Bavarian Schuhplattler (Dancing group) The Highest Point on the Atlantic Coast 0T dlavs ynju Jhhd 1s PRICE'S ilJP FROG LEG SAUTE Full thtghed legs ot Bayou Frogs lightly floured yO fA and Sauteed In Garlic Butter. Delictously flavored if Fresh Garden Vegetables. Long Branch or Baked la 1A Potato.

4.00 IU wrX Dinner and Luncheon Served Daily Except Tuesdays Pa wtl Luncheon 11 ta I. Dinner 6 to 10, Sun. Dinner 1 ta t. u3 SPECIAL LUNCHEON MENU Mil I FOUNTAINS Matei a IV Morris and Ocean Area. L0NG tm COMPLETE DINNER ndl Overlooking the Skyline of New York me of New York i 291-0224 LIVE BAND DANCING INCLUDED Hon D'Oeuvrei, Full Count Tablt D'Hote, For Reservations Call ROAST PRIME RIBS OF BEEF AU JUS DINNER.

5.95 per person Includes: Appetizer Soup Entree Salad Stuffed Baked Potato Vegetable Deuert and Bareraie, BROILED AFRICAN ROCK. 6QC eaV person LOBSTER TAIL DINNER (Include! lane ai Abort) Vanessa Reports A Foot Problem SERVED FROM 6:30 TO 8:30 P.M. Following this dtlicioui dinner wo wont you to bo our guoir in tho magnificent PRESIDENTIAL ROOM for dancing to Phil Shillings Orchottro, plut delightful entertainment and a late luffet mock (on tho Houte.) "Yes!" yelled the actress in a firm voice. "I've always worn shoes even at the beach. In fact, I feel undressed without them.

That's why "Isadora" was a traumatic experience. I do all the dance numbers in my bare feet." LONDON Vanessa Redgrave, currently putting the finishing touches on "Isadora," Universal's autobiographical drama of the famed dancer Isadora Duncan, was asked if she had to make any big adjustment for the part. Enjoy your favorite Cocktail in the CAUCUS LOUNGE FINE FLAVORFUL FOOD GROG The mid-week specials ot the Lobster Shanty are always great! Monday is Lobster-for-Two Night; the fabulous buffet comes Tuesday Night; and Wednesday is Shanty Night, followed by Fish-Lovers Night on Thursday. Come enjoy yourself! CllklHAV RDIIMfU A popular war ta apani Ranlay with year SUrtUAI BKUPIwn enolrea of ateaa and erce and jour faror-II dlnhea. Served from a.m.

to p.m. Eat all you want. Only II.5S for adulti, 1 1. IS children. TUESDAY NIGHT roaiti, and Join thoie who ntaka TueadaT their flneat nl(ht out.

Barred from 4:30 to p.m. Onlj per person. DAILY SEA FOOD fholrts for yon to mike from the board. from nooa t9 p.m. Only I2.1VO for adulti.

children. Wisit. tJia rtDiH rl-ori tin a Rnnm9 Tear Retii SOPHIE and AL BBANDENBERO Sixth and Clifton 363-6700 Lakawood 1 Overlooking the Scenic Manaiquan River r. aaaaaaaaB aaBaaaaawant raaaaaaai aaaaaKiramai aaaaaaaaaaaak raaaaaaaaai aaaaaaaaam caaaiaH aaavaaaaaai Saturday Night At The Stags Ceach! 0 y. arwav arr a-v iv mt a7 mk a ACK BAKER'S i IS! The Shore's Favorite Oriental Dancing Star I 0 You Are Invited to attend a showing of The Willows Rest Home 73 Dudley Street, Long Branch Sunday, March 3 between tho hours of 2 and 4 I TAAftBIL! WEEKEND SPECIALS! Top Sirloin 4 mm of Beef or 1 V3 I I I Sea Food Platter Combination i Antique Lover will have' ''Ball Have a cocktail at oar Authentic Nautical lr NEVER CLOSED Special Sunday Dinner (Brlna Thn Chlldran) FRESH HAM or POT ROAST DINNER ft DINING DANCING v.

We are happy to announce the complete readiness of our newly enlarged and completely refurbished "Home Away From Horn" for the care of those who are convalescing or who desire accommodations in a rest home without on Institutional atmosphere. Those with friends or relatives requiring such accommodations will find The Willows most comfortable and attractive. We hope we may have the honor of showing you our facilities. in 0 I Children 1.95 3.50 Complete 0 I I Come Early To Dinner Slay for The Shotc! Open Daily from 12 Noon luncheon Dinner Cocktails ALAN CORDON and CLARENCE PINCKNEY Frl. I Sat.

Nighti Rprvino From Nnon Until t1 FAMOUS SEAFOOD SHRIMP SCAMPI LOBSTER A SPECIALTY (During Winttr Month Wilt 9 Cloitd Sundayj) Look for Marlln Tuna Itrd l.ohitrr Kltn on tile. 71 (at Thatroa Oat Station). Ihen itraliht acri'it drawkrlriie ta Marlln laaa. The Willows Mildrtd Scott, RN. Manasquan Beach 223-9572 On Scenic Chnnnal Drivt nuerloofcing tlx Manasqunn Inlet POINT PLEASANT BEACH, N.

J. Telephone 899-6700 7.