The Central New Jersey Home News from New Brunswick, New Jersey • 58

p.2 THE SUNDAY. HOME NEWS NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J., SUNDAY, JULY 1970 World Apart Ex-Edison Girl Finds Soap Opera World Is (A By FRAN KOSA Home News Staff Writer EDISON Soap operas are strange. Some people' can't pull themselves away from their television set during "soap time." And non-patrons of the art are often prone to ridicule the addicted. No matter what your views on the subject may be, the show, "A World Apart," should have a measure of significance to Middlesex County residents. Patrice Kahlman, the confused 18-y a -o 1 adopted daughter of a single woman, is actually not the neurotic teenager seen Mondays thnrnh Fridays at 12:30 p.m.

on NBC. She is in real liie busan Sarandon, remembered by members of Edison High School Class of 1964 as Susan Tomalin, the cheerleader, "Lady Precious" of the junior class play, or "Eileen" of the senior class play. Sue, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Tomalin of 5 Dorset Way, went to Catholic University in Washington, D.C., af- ter graduating from Edison High.

As a drama major there, she met her future husband, Chris, who was then working on his master's degree in drama. They were married during her senior year and following her graduation, they left to find a place in the world of show business in New York City. Sue's husband has appeared in several Broadway shows and other performances, as well as in soap operas since their move to the city. Auditioned in March A willowy, long-haired brunette with an appealing face, Sue auditioned for her role as Patrice early in March. After being accepted for the part, she began iapng for ihe show which premiered later that month.

"A World Apart," described by Sue as "sort of an autobiography," is written by Katherine Phillips, daughter of veteran serial writer Ima Phillips who is story editor- of the show. As Sue explains it, Katherine is the adopted daughter of Irna Phillips who was one of the first unmarried women to adopt a childr The story is based on the problems which might be encountered in the true-to-life situation of the Phillips. 1 The former Edison resident show business and look what happens I get two roles as neurotic young girls." She's One of Nine The Tomalin family consists of nine children and Mrs. Tomalin says she hasn't given too much thought to her daughter's career "I'm so busy raising the other eight." One son is presently serving in the Navy and one daughter is a student at Marymount College. The head of the Tomalin household was an entertainer many years ago, but left the careers of directing and producing for an office in a New York advertising agency.

"My father used to hate professional children," recalls his now-professional daughter who thinks her father might have changed his mind, or she at least hopes he has. Sue's transition from life in Edison and on the Catholic University campus has been quite successful, although she still "sort of prefers" the quiet life of the suburbs. "I like New York City but not as a permanent home. I'm happy with my work but sensitive to the pace of the city. We lived in Connecticut last year," she remembers with a small sigh, "and it was very nice, but you have to come here after a while." thinks the soap is "just great the people are fantastic; it's a young soap opera in tht of 20 performers, 15 are young adults." The drama has met with success since its only folr months ago.

Sue is delighted with her loads oi ton mail "I've even gotten letters from California and the Midwest." Film Career, Too In between tape sessions for the soap, Sue has occasionally done some TV commercia's. but that is not the extent of her acting career. She has a leading role in a movie released last week, presently playing at the Murray Hill and New Embassy 46th Street "Joe," a motion picture which shows the contemporary problems of the hardhats versus hippies, has received good reviews from many critics. Sue carries through her role from the soap opera when she plays Melissa Compton in the picture. Melissa is an 18-year-old confused middle-class girl who drops out of college, takes drugs, and distresses her parents.

Sue giggles when she describes her roles, saying, "My father used to tell me I wasn't neurotic enough to make it in wikv '-vi fa fa WJ' A QUIET MOMENT Sue, a member of the Class of 1964 at Edison High School, takes advantage of a pause in her normal hectic schedule. Presently living In New York City, she admits she "sort of prefers" the quieter life of the suburbs, despite her recent success in the acting world. SOAP OPERA DILEMMA Susan Sarandon, left, handles a problem on "A World Apart" with professional finesse with the assistance of two fellow actresses. Sue appears daily on the show as Pa trice Kahlman, adopted daughter of unmarried Betty Kahlman, played by Elizabeth Lawrence, at right. Also in the scene are Anna Minot, second from left, and Erin Connor.

Mendes Kicks Off Arts Center's Week Tuneful CarouseF Is Next Play in Park HOLMEDL Brazil and And Jose Feliciano, the blind Ohio, represented bv Sersio blues sinaer who was born in Mendes and Brasil '66 and Puerto Rico, will perform at Nancy Wilson, respectively, will the center's amphitheater on share in the spotlight at Now July 31, and Saturday, Jersey's Garden State Arts Aug. 1. Center on' Monday, July 27, 1 "Carousel" by Richard Rogers and Oscar Hamrherstein II, will be presented free to the public under the auspices of the Middlesex County Parks Capestro, chairman of county parks. "Of the many popular and successful musicals contributed to the American theater tradition by Rogers and Hammer-stein, 'Carousel' is considered by many to be their finest Department on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings in the Roosevelt Park Amphitheater, Edison, according to Freeholder Stephen J. I 'wwi are limited, I find it wiser to share them among as many performers as possible.

Double-casting allows me to do this on a larger scale." The performers are all area residents. Some are veterans of both the Plays in the Park and other productions by Gumbs but many are making their debuts in the park. Among these are Ed Ford Uhe Starkeeper), Kathleen McKenzie (one of the two Julie Jordons), Wayne Jo-nelunas (Billy Bigelow), Ai'ne Oakes (Louise), Art Pilaski (one of the Jiggers), Phil bus-acca (the Heavenly Friend) and Steven Petok (Enoch Snow Principal roles will be played by Phyllis Cohon and Debbie. Martin who will share the role of Carrie; Lynn Torok and Kathleen McKenzie, sharing the role of Julie; Shirley Fisler and Dorothy Drwal who share the role of Nettie: an! Art and Bruce Conroy, splitting the role of Jigger. and Tuesday, 'July 28.

Soviet expatriate Vladim'r Ashkenazy, considered by many as the best pianist in the world, and Sixten Ehrling, a native of Sweden, will give the arts center even more of an international flavor when they make guest appearances with the New York Philharmonic on Wednesday. July 29 and Thursday, July 30. Just Like Old Times NEW YORK-Baritone Robert Merrill will officially celebrate the 25th anniversary of his debut with the Metropolitan Opera with a special non-subscription performance of Verdi's "La Traviata" on Oct. 31. Merrill will sing the part of the Elder Germont, the role in which he made his debut on Dec.

15, 1945. Joan Sutherland will sing the part of Violetta. Bekim Fahmlu Candict Bsigen THE ADVENTURERS (rated R) WEDNESDAY JULY 29th Lm Marvin Clint Eastwood Jean Seberf PAINT YOUR WAGON rated GP) work," Capestro said. "It has a lyrical and tuneful score and unlike many it has a strong dramatic story." Gumbs has previously produced musicals for the county's Plays in the Parks. Gumbs, the principal of New Brunswick Junior High School, usually "double-casts" his productions, that is, assigns leading roles to two different pe-' formers, one appearing one night, the other the next.

"I feel that an important part of the Plays, in the Park," he said, "is the opportunity for talented young people to appear before their friends, neighbors and fellow Since our performances unci Of mc pwiiihe NOW CONTINUOUS from 1:30 P.M. is from the musical "Carousel' being pre a WALT DISNEY'S A MAN OF ACTION Jigger (Art Pilaski) takes matters into his own hands where Carrie (Debbie Martin) is concerned. Scene SERGIO MENDES sented Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in Roosevelt Park, Edison. amtMutim j. I ASM II rr.ii.-ii-K.ii.ii Theater Tix Prices Impresario Aims to Hold Line on "HANG YOUR HAT I ON THE WIND 3 "Walter Reads Theatre" EDITOR'S NOTE After battling Hollywood and breeding squabs, producer Paul Gregory is returning to the theater to battle inflation at the box office.

Gregory has four productions in the works and hopes to be able to keep ticket prices down for each of them. looted mi th I. i. K-. Shopping Center 2nd Big Week! rmmmmmmmmmmmm run at Broadway's Atkinson Theater.

"I've a whole series of projects under way," declares Gregory, who more than most impresarios jumps into action during cyclic surges of enthusiasm. "This time it's all because Miss Anderson told me she was ready to do the part." They first talked about it 15 years ago, along with the late Charles Laughton, Gregory's prime theatrical mentor, "1 learned how to read material with him and see what a. show needed to work," the producer says. "I can almost still hear his voice at my shoulder in spite of how ornery he could be at times." Doesn't Buy Gimmicks The "Hamlet" presentation isn't going to follow tradition "that kind of thing with a woman in the lead as a gimmick wouldn't interest me for five minutes," remarked the old a sort of flushing out." With "Hamlet" well into preparation, Gregory lists three other projects a script being polished by Leslie Stevens about the suffragette movement that could emerge either as a straight play or musical; "Sky High," a tune show based by Jimmy O'Hanlon on mythological wonders, with a composer yet to be and "Big Man Jeff," a drama by Norman Corwin about Thomas Jefferson. The burst of stage activity ends Gregory's involvement in feature movies.

"I'll never make another picture as long as I live," vowed the retireing executive' producer. "What teed me off is that invisible committee of studio experts. You never meet them, never know them, but they tell you when and what you can do." Instead of being performed by a regular -cast, an ensemble with only Miss Anderson in a specific part will orchestrate the drama for "exhilarated clarity." William Ball, director of the American Conservatory Theater, is to do the staging. "When we first talked," says Gregory, "we found our ideas over what could be done surprisingly jibed." Free adaptation of classics, along with all sorts of uninhibited contemporary playcraft, is regarded by the 49-year-old showman from Waukee, Iowa, as for a vital, living theater. "I don't care what they do to entertain," Gregory reports after inspecting much off-Broadway experimentation during a visit here from his West Coast headquarters.

"Just as long as audiences don't come in the nude. This is a period when people and society are finding new values in place of out quick. Survival of Fittest "Actually, the rise in production costs is a. healthy thing because it weeds out a lot of weak pieces which could, but shouldn't have, survived in the past." To back up his stand, Gregory points to the $650,000 advance that has flowed in since the announcement a few months ago of a touring production of "Hamlet" to star Judith Anderson. In the background is a record of 19 road presentations, 15 of which paid off costs, with 11 "showing a healthy profit." The $5.50 top he is holding to was in effect for his first show in 1950.

Among the hits were "Don Juan in Hell," "The Caine Mutiny Court Martial" and "Marriage-Go-Round." For which will be launched Sept 24 at Santa Barbar, 125 coast-to-coast bookings are listed fof a 26-week span, followed by a amy JjHEATRES By WILLIAM GLOVER AP Drama Writer NEW YORK After a six-year hiatus devoted to surjh motley matters as film-making and the weight problems of gourmet squabs, Paul Gregory is swarming back into theatrical operation. Most important for crosscountry audiences is the ebullient impresario's determination, in spite of inflation, to hold ticket prices down to a long-ago top of $5.50. "The whole box-office spiral is a fraud," runs the Gregorian chant. "The profit factor is so enormous that increased costs can be readily absorbed if a show is a hit. If it get 1' I Telly Sawalas A T-tf TURNPIKE DonRcMes' kMMMUTeMRi CarrdlCConnor Dcsnakj'SUhalahcl FAIR PLAYS AT FAIR PRICES Impresario Paul Gregory contends that theater must entertain whatever the means.

And, he Says, box-office prices must remain reasonable: a good play shoul pay its way. (AP CORT TMCITRt lAJT MAIN sr. 0MUVIU4 FUMIK0 Beautiful, tiotle, Jipinttt "picluri bridi" int miitreit PURITY HOXWORTH Proud af twr royal blood, hiunttd hy paln put WHIP HOXWORTH Volitili fitebnnd, buiimrofPltidiu. Amusemenils Theater (J up tAST 3 DAYS Burt Lancaster NOW SHOWING WALT DISNEY'S artin Jacqueline Bissrt M. DtinM VEBSBl Gtor Kennedy Helen Hayes WTTTI RTTO "11)1 DALMATI0NS" Plus Walt Disney's Musical for Moppets NEW HOPE, Pa.

The children's musical, "Puss in Boots," will be the fifth in a series of musicals fof small fry being presented' at. the' Bucks County Playhouse. Slated for ThursdayJuly 30, it will be performed at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Reservations may be made by contacting the playhouse.

The management advises that reservations be made well in advance for any of the remaining shows, which will continue each Thursday, through Sept.3. 1(1 AIRP0RF-G I "HANG YOUR HAT DM I 'oT The Continuation of James A.Michener's 2:10 tHEWIND" BRUNSWICK jr. rrii I 'Irnot I di. I i I "Iht A0ance iicmi ialt For Saturday Evening in EpicSoveL.Bawiii) OUT! 1 Our Smoking MMTH lUMlWtM logo it' They set out JJiy, rfe'JXlL 'FOX HAWA11HNS WOODBRIDCE at AMB0YS f-r- DTE.35 lH DRIVE-IN PAH400 II DRIVE-IN 264-2200 CHARLTON HESTON ff 6EPJTO DWJPffi PHtUP LMWr.Q-TrH WL THE FIRST OF THE hi' 1 II 1 I "1 I I 1 I "vi i k-W war instead SOMERVILLE SHOCK ROCK! Rt 1 at Gill Lan Next to S. Klein's NOW SHOWING- 20lhCentuiy-F(K presents This thcyV realty Beyond thcvsUcy THE MIRISCH PRODUCTION COMPANY Pr(ni, Mart Crowley's iirfwl KS3, UU IHUrW "Jyl2lSrf CHARLTON HESTON "THE HAWAIIANS" CLINT EASTWOOD: Alio sttfrinr) Co stiffing TELLY SAVALAS DON RICKLES "ii ir: coys not a musical.

and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Presents a Katzka-Loeb Production starring Clint Eastwoodjelly Savalas Don Rickles, Carroll O'Connor and Donald Sutherland HEROES" 6ERALDINE CHAPLIN. JOHN PHILLIP LAW MAKO TINA CHEN United Artists GP by Deluxe cftlioDcIls CARROLL O'CONNOR DONALD SUTHERLAND i and tij ''a Fusj Meyer Production Qpj AU tail dmittu rumn BMn SuggM jm THISPKTUHHASAMtSMCC Fin j.i iTn i i i mil mm FETURE.It-t:2l-4:4$ 11 ilii'lT dtiV' mill ii I rriTiiortunuiM BOSTON STRANGLER CUM P.M. I1M MOWN MQUEtWEtCHj.