The Montclair Times from Montclair, New Jersey • B1

MT1107 Pg B1 Red Black www.montclairtimes com THE MONTCLAIR TIMES THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2002 Bl ARTS ENTERTAINMENT 'Shades Of Harlem The Cotton Club Musical, Opens At Tribeca By JOAN FINN of The Montclair Times 5 I ll VI "MOM ALWAYS LIKED YOU BEST," a mixed media encaustic painting by Montclair artist Lori Field, is part of the joint exhibition, "MemoryMythology," a two-person show featuring the artwork of Montclair artists Karen Nielsen-Fried and Lori Field, on view Nov. 17 through Dec. 13, at the Arts Guild of Rahway, 1670 Irving Rahway. An opening reception for the artists will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m.

For more information, call (732) 381-7511. Montclair Artist Lori Field In Two-Artist Exhibition Montclair singer, actress and playwright Jeree Wade created "Shades of Harlem" in the mid-1980s as a musical tribute to the Harlem Renaissance. "I wanted to re-create the Harlem I had heard about with its spiritual values and family ties, she recalls. To authenticate the production, she engaged performers from the Harlem community, including members of the Swinging Seniors gray-haired former chorus girls, who were alumni of the famed Cotton Club, other well known Harlem clubs, or the Broadway stage. "Harlem in '20s and '30s was an era of champagne and style, that saw Lena, Billie, Ethel and the Duke wowing audiences at the legendary Cotton Club," she went on to explain.

"Cafe society from downtown went uptown in diamonds, pearls and furs to be dazzled at the nightclubs. These decades were the Harlem Renaissance a time when the sizzling rhythms of jazz and the wailing of the blues made audiences forget their troubles" "Shades of Harlem" has been performed regularly since the mid-1980s, receiving rave reviews from standing-room-only audiences all over the world. The musical was scheduled to open in October 2001 at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center, located on the campus of the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), at 199 Chambers just blocks from Ground Zero. However, because of the tragic events of Sept. 11, the production was cancelled.

Tribeca, along with the entire BMCC campus, became an integral part of the recovery effort as it temporarily housed the Port Authority workers, military personnel and scores of medical teams. "We are happy to open our theater season this fall with 'Shades of stated Linda Herring, executive director of the Tribeca Performing Arts Center. "As Tribeca, and all of lower Manhattan continues to rebuild, this inspirational musical is the perfect show at the perfect time." And so, "Shades of Harlem," directed by Jeree Wade's husband, Adam Wade, kicks off the 2002-2003 season at the Tribeca Performing Arts Center in Lower Manhattan, with a special limited one-week, eight-performance COTTON CLUB CAPERS From left, Jeree Wade, Chemise Spruell, Ty Stephens, Cassandra Palacio and Branice McKenzie dance up a storm with their lively interpretation of The Charleston, part of the history of the Harlem Renaissance they bring to life in the musical, "Shades of Harlem." Jeree Wade and Ty Stephens are both residents of Montclair. engagement running Tuesday, Nov. 19, through Sunday, Nov.

24. The musical stars entertainers Jeree Wade and Ty Stephens of Montclair and Branice McKenzie of New York City. Curtain times are Tuesday, Nov. 19, through Thursday, Nov. 21, at 7:30 p.m.; Friday, Nov.

22, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

"This is the right time for a revival of this show," added Jeree Wade. "Not only will the Tribeca Performing Arts Center once again hear the sounds of laughter and applause filling up their theater, but the ministries and churches will receive sizeable donations by selling reduced-price tickets to their worshippers, who will enjoy an entertaining, inspirational, and family-oriented musical." In an unprecedented move, Montclair residents Jeree and Adam Wade and Ty Stephens have created a great fundraising opportunity for all Montclair religious organizations in the area that purchase 100 tickets or more at reduced prices. Based on a $5 donation for each reduced-price group ticket purchased, religious organizations will receive donation checks of at least $500. The reduced group ticket price is $40 (reduced from $45) for front orchestra, and $32.50 (reduced from $35) for rear orchestra seats. To take advantage of this offer, contact group sales representative Sheila Burke or Robert Blume at (212) 354-5124.

For standard admission tickets and travel directions, call the box office at (212) 220-1460, or visit the Tribeca Web site at www.tribeca.org. Montclair artists Lori Field and Karen Nielsen-Fried will present a selection of their works in encaustic mixed media in a joint exhibition titled "MemoryMythology," a two-person show on view Nov. 17 through Dec. 13, at the Arts Guild of Rahway, 1670 Irving St. in Rahway.

An opening reception will be held on Sunday, Nov. 17, from 1 to 4 p.m. Though the work of Nielsen-Fried and Field is related by overlapping qualities the use of encaustic and a poetic inclination to explore inward or other dimensions their work is substantially different, providing a dynamic contrast between the two artists. Field's work begins with a stream of consciousness collage, part of an apparently endless series of strange mutants, exhibitionists, and odd seducers. These anthropomorphic confabulations are loaded with animal and exotic hybrids that seem to have chosen the artist, rather than the other way around.

Field's drawings and paintings on unconventional surfaces like slate or on panels encased in layers of encaustic or gold leaf, are often covered with embroidered tattoos or embedded with charms, and are based on the collages. They straddle the borderland between reality and dream that seems to produce myth, an alternative planet populated by humans and animal archetypes, who create narratives treating themes of vulnerability and loss, alienation and denial, fear, humor, rebirth, and forgiveness. Fitted with psychological and scientific references and a multicul-turalism that speaks of globalization Field's work may provide an early glimpse of the mythos of the coming age. Gallery hours are Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, from 1 to 4 p.m., and Thursdays, from 1 to 3 p.m., and 5 to 7 p.m., or by appointment. For more information, call (732) 381-7511, or visit the Web site at www.rahwayartsguild.org.

Diane Moser's Band Entertains At Annual Harvest Moon Ball ney's until January 2003. Diane Moser's Composers Big Band has been together for six years. "We are a big band that does new music," said Moser. They have 10 memberscomposers and also guest composers. They released a CD in 2000 called "Diane Moser's Composers Big Band -Live!" They are heading back into the studio to record a second one.

And busy Moser has just released another CD, "Looking Forward Looking Back," with another band she created called The Diane Moser Quintet. They have been together since 1999. When asked what she does when she is not working, Moser answered, "Good question!" and continued to talk about more projects. Moser recently recorded with Klezmer group, Hot Pastrami. Moser said the band has a "funk, hip-hop, rock, tango, military vibe" and all songs are sung in Yiddish.

"It was just wild. I really dig it." Tickets to the Harvest Moon Ball are $85 per person. Reservations may be made by calling (973) 744-3813. sense legislation, increased public awareness and education, and community activism focused on the issue of gun violence. The Harvest Moon Ball will be held on Saturday, Nov.

16, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Woman's Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Ave. The evening begins with cocktails at 7 p.m., with a buffet dinner and an open bar at 8 p.m. Moser's band will be providing music for dancing. Jazz recording artist Gradie Stone will be singing with the band. "She's a magnificent singer," said Moser.

"Everybody will dig her." Moser put together a special band for this occasion. "That's an interesting thing in the music business. You have special events where you put things together. You have a chance to have different combinations of people and that's always fun." Another one of Moser's groups is Diane Moser's Composers Big Band. It is an innovative jazz big band that performs at Tierney's on a monthly basis.

However, because of the upcoming holidays, they won't be back at Tier By MARY ANNE CHRISTIANO of The Montclair Times "Music chose me," said Montclair musician and composer Diane Moser. "It was something I was drawn to in a variety of ways. I have always been a musician. I can't remember a time when I wasn't." Moser has been composing and performing solo piano and ensemble music professionally since 1973 throughout the United States, and works incessantly in a variety of musical combinations that she puts together. The most recent band Moser formed will be performing at the Harvest Moon Ball.

"It's a fundraiser for Ceasefire New Jersey," said Moser. This year, Ceasefire's annual Harvest Moon Ball will honor U.S. Sen. Jon S. Corzine and Thomas J.

Russo, Montclair's director of public safety. Corzine will be presented with the 2002 Distinguished Service Award, and Russo will receive the 2002 Lifetime Achievement Award. Founded in 1988, Ceasefire New Jersey advocates common- Staff photo by Joan Finn MONTCLAIR PIANIST DIANE MOSER works on the music for her upcoming gig a benefit for Ceasefire New Jersey. Moser and her band will provide music for dancing at Ceasefire's annual Harvest Moon Ball, on Saturday, Nov. 16, from 7 to 11 p.m., at the Woman's Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Ave.

U.S. Sen. Jon S. Corzine and Montclair Public Safety Director Thomas J. Russo will be honored at the fundraiser.

For ticket information, call (973) 744-3813. Montclair To Host Uptown Friday Night Dance Party Montclair will play host to a good time dance party at Uptown Friday Night on Friday, Nov. 22. The New Jersey Rhythm Blues Band will be playing high-powered dance music of the '60s and '70s, from 8 p.m. until midnight, at the Woman's Club of Upper Montclair, 200 Cooper Ave.

Dress is casual. It will be a B.Y.O.B. evening, but snacks, soft drinks and raffle prizes are on the menu. The band is the brainchild of Kevin Ellman on drums (1999 Rock Roll Hall of Fame nominee who played with Todd Rund-gren, Bette Midler and the Manhattan Transfer) and Don Sarlin on guitar (who played with Van Morrison and Esther Phillips). They'll be joined by powerhouse vocalists and the Garden State Horns to deliver the best of Otis Redding, Sam Dave, James Brown, Wilson Pickett, Smokey Robinson and other legendary musicians.

Tickets are $30 and proceeds go to Montclair High School Project Graduation. Additional donation levels are available at $50, $75 or $100 per person. Advance tickets can be ordered by sending a check made out to Project Graduation to 151 Inwood Montclair, NJ 07402. For more information, call (973) 509-8993. Making Radio War On Stage Is Not Such An Easy Project then, television now, and the way it influenced the thoughts and minds of its listeners.

Director Chip Bolcik accepted the daunting task of trying to conform one medium, radio, to another completely separate one, the stage, as 12 Miles West presented "War of the Worlds: A Radio Play." The final showing was Saturday evening. It is a solid performance, but By DARREN COOPER of The Montclair Times Orson Welles' radio play, "War of the Worlds" put this nation into a self-induced panic in 1938 with its dramatic story of aliens landing on Earth and destroying a big chunk of mankind. It was a chilling example of the growing power of modern communication; which was radio ing music was played and the integrity of the true broadcast was retained. The adaptation moves quickly to the climax as the smallest of enemies brings down the aliens. The voices are somewhat jumbled because each person plays several different characters.

Prosper Bellizia plays five roles and shows a distinct tone for each. Tricia Burr, who portrays the doomed first reporter on the scene, is also fine. The use of plastic bottles to garble some voices is a nice touch. A big part of the staged play is the sound effects and Dylan Maniglan deserves applause for bringing them to life. He uses a nail puller, a whistle and a garbage can to set the tragic scene in Grovers Mill wonderfully.

At times I was able to close my eyes and be transported back to the wonders of radio as Welles' drama played out and there were some big laughs as the action of the show unfolded. But at other times, the fast pace and mishmash of sounds made me wish I were somewhere else. the adaptation falls short in many areas largely due to the constraints of time and the medium. Upon entering, the audience was told that the program was being broadcast over the Internet and would start about 20 minutes past 8 o'clock (it ended at 9:15 p.m.). However, upon further examination, the DJ was reading from a visible highlighted script, not standard for any radio broadcast.

Even accepting that fact, the initial prelude where a reporter from the radio station interviews a scientist was too quick and too hollow. The scientist (Jeff Maschi) stammers to an almost annoying degree as he regales the story of how they may have contacted alien life forms. After that opening, the War, as Welles told it, begins. A sinister cylinder drops in on a farm at Grovers Mill, New Jersey. Reporters and people are on the scene, the aliens come out, and the destruction begins.

One of the best things about the original drama is how much the tension builds, in between broadcasts and bulletins, relax 12 Miles West Launches 'Life In Motion' Series 12 Miles West continues its 2002-2003 series of company projects with "Life in Motion." The series examines a single moment from one of the world's operatic masterpieces brought to life and retold from different perspectives through a collage of music and movement. Start with the story of "Carmen," add a little sylis-tic movement a la Von Stroheim's "Greed," throw in a bit of "Rashomon" by Kurosawa, and the result is one intriguing piece of performance art. "Life in Motion" will be presented on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8 and 9, at 8 p.m., at 12 Miles West Theatre, 488 Bloomfield on the lower level of the Clairidge Cinema building. Tickets are $15, general admission; $12 for seniors and students.

For reservations and more information, call (973) 746-7181, or visit the Web site at www.12MilesWest.org. Staff photo by Joan Finn OVERSEAS NEIGHBORS, the Montclair-Graz sister-city organization, recently honored Susan Cole, president of Montclair State University, for her outstanding contributions to global education. In the photo above, Overseas Neighbors President Perry Doerr, left center, presents Cole with a ceramic platter painted by MSU student Frederique Justus, a 200203 exchange student from MSU who currently studies at Graz University in Austria. Also pictured are Juliana Belcsak, far left, former president of Overseas Neighbors, and Sabine Eck, far right, vice president of Overseas Neighbors..