Richard III
by William Shakespeare
directed by Paul Mullen

Richard the III is back on stage for the first time in ten years at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.

Richard, Duke of Gloucester, is played by Derek Wilson who delivers a chilling performance as a bloodless, cut-throat cripple that slashes his way to the throne. 

He exploits anyone that will hasten his trip to kingship and then ruthlessly murders them.  Even women and children are not exempt from his callous and conscious-free maneuvers.  The deceit and death-dealing leave spectators gasping and shrieking but a clever Richard tries to warm us up to his ideas but talking directly to audience and disclosing his plans as if to gain our support.

The set is cold and bland, offset only by a chandelier at the top right of the stage.  The costumes are not period correct but rather more of an unroyal crime-organization style.  A rather large cast brings the commotion to vivid life with a robust performance.  For more information, contact the box office at the number below.  Performances through November 6th.

                                                  The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey

36 Madison Avenue

Madison, NJ 07940

973-408-5600

THE ALLWOOD DINER
913 Allwood Road
Clifton, New Jersey 07012
973-365-2575

Dark, earthy tones, contrasted by white pendant lights, create a chic, inviting atmosphere...(Impeccably clean.  Major sweep currently underway.  See?)

Food order was taken at 2:48 p.m. and promptly delivered to the table at 2:56 p.m.  Potatoes weren't well done as requested but the waitress quickly realized this on her own and whisked our plates back to the kitchen for more grill time.

Guacamole, our favorite side for eggs over medium, was very fresh and I rejoiced in my head that the ketchup was full and the bottle neck was clean.  The potatoes, still not at preferred done-ness, were flat and bland but overall it was a very nice diner experience with lots of staff busying around to keep patrons properly serviced.  We didn't feel rushed at all to turn the table over which gave my breakfast-at-dinner-time companion ample time to practice his magic skills.

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Our favorite and regular diner order, for price comparison purposes, is two eggs over-medium, rye toast with butter home fries well-done and guacamole on the side.

SEX WITH STRANGERS

SEX WITH STRANGERS

by Laura Eason

GEORGE STREET PLAYHOUSE

David Saint, Artistic Director

Michael Mastro, Resident Artistic Director

Kelly Ryman, Managing Director

Sex with Strangers is spicy and charged as two mismatched authors grapple to determine if it was love or opportunity that brought them together.

Ethan (Kyle Coffman), 28, is a high profile blogger that posts his indiscriminate sexual encounters as he pursues the challenge of sleeping with a different party girl every night for a year without the hangup of a conscious.  He books a weekend at a winter bed and breakfast where he knows he'll find Olivia (JoAnna Rhinehart), 39, a talented, yet apprehensive writer.  

At the onset, Ethan is brash and vulgar as he practically busts into the inn to escape the cold.  It is immediately evident that the two characters share little in common and struggle to make it through their fist encounter.  But as the conversation continues, they realize they have more in common than first depicted and Ethan is quick to show a different, more substantive side of himself.  He is eager to shed his indecent profile as a writer and Olivia quietly wants to see her work in print again. Their separate situations, life changing if paired, lead them to a questionable love.

Their far-fetched relationship was a fast union of two writers; one youthful, worldly and entitled; the other reclusive, practical and pragmatic which renders them an unlikely couple.  Their performances, however, were energetic and smooth as the entire play rested on these two characters alone.

A snug lodge set is the backdrop for this fast encounter that later spins into a novelist's book-lined apartment.  Costumes of cozy socks and loungewear make the audience want to sit by the fire, too.  

For tickets or more information visit www.GSPonline.org or call the box office at 732-246-7717.

George Street Playhouse 

9 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ

March 8 through March 27.

The Second Mrs. Wilson

The Second Mrs. Wilson
by Joe DiPietro
at the George Street Playhouse

David's Saint, Artistic Director
Michael Mastro, Resident Artistic Director
Kelly Rymsn, Managing Ditector

Tony Award winner, John Glover (TV's Smallville) and Laila Robins (TV's Homeland) take the lead roles Woodrow Wilson and Edith Galt in the George Street Playhouse of 'The Second Mrs. Wilson', by two-time Tony Award winner, Joe DiPietro.

Edith Galt didn't vote or read the newspapers but when husband, President Woodrow Wilson, became debilitated, Edith secretly assumed the role of President to maintain her husband's policies and initiatives, most notably the creation of The League of Nations.  She barred visitation and screened all communication to the President only allowing pressing matters to reach him.  She concealed Wilson's condition from the press, public and government officials, essentially running the Executive Branch of government.  This little known cover-up and improper presidential transfer of power was considered a constitutional crisis.

This play brings to light the new love of a man that was grieving the loss of his first wife and how that love became the power that claimed the unofficial title of first female president of the United States.

John Glover and Laila Robins are stunning in their portrayals of real-life historical figures and give powerful insight into the emotions behind the political process.  Richmond Hoxie (Vice Presudent Thomas Marshall, Sherman Howard (Senator Henry Cabot Lodge), Michael McGrath (Secretary Joe Tumulty), Stephen Spinella (Colonel Edward House), Stephen Barker Turner (Dr. Cary Grayson),  Attendants Christopher C. Gibbs, Brian McCann and Andre Penn make up the remaining outstanding cast that creates a performance full of energy, enthusiasm and witty humor.

Directed by Gordon Edelstein, Set Design by Alexander Dodhe, Costume Design by Linda Cho, Lighting Design by Ben Stanton, Sound Design by John Gromada, Production Stage Manager Thomas Clewell, Production Magager Christopher J. Bailey, Casting by Calleri Casting.

For more tickets or more information visit www.GSPonline.org or call the box office at 732-246-7717.  Performances through November 29, 2015.

LAMBERT'S CASTLE

28th Annual 
LAMBERT'S CASTLE 
Holiday Boutique
3 Valley Road
Paterson, New Jersey

Open Wednesday through Friday 1:00-8:00, Saturday-Sunday 9:00-5:00.  Admission 6.00 (includes 2 re-entries) now through November 29, 2015.

If you're looking for a healthy dose of merriment to start the holiday season, you'll love, love a visit to the Lambert's Castle holiday boutique, abounding with everything you need to decorate, stuff stockings and keep your neck warm.  You'll find vintage treasures amongst handmade crafts and delectables.  Enhance the experience with hot cider and pumpkin pie from the third level cafe.

 

 

     

Bar Academy 101 in Montclair

BAR ACADEMY 101 

BARTENDING SCHOOL

5 South Willow Way 

Montclair, New Jeresey

Not for well acquainted experts on swirling, sniffing and cling.  If you're a crackerjack clinker, however, you'll enjoy this unpretentious wine tasting event for it's inviting, romantically cluttered atmosphere, six generous sample wine pours and a heaping plate of paired cheeses.

Robert, attentive owner and operator, makes guests feel welcome, even while hosting a wine and chocolate, wine and cheese and craft beer event simultaneously.

For more information or reservations, call Robert at 973-438-0385.

The Diary of Anne Frank

By Francis Goodrich and Albert Hackett

Adapted by Wendy Kesselman

Directed by Joseph Discher

October 14–November 21

A moving depiction of Anne Frank's year and a half of life in hiding.  In tight quarters with seven others, no access to fresh air or outside pleasures, little to eat and the stress of confinement and worry, Anne remained hopeful and cheerful in the face of doom.  Her diary chronicles her experience during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.

This outstanding performance revives the pain of the Frank family's struggle to remain unnoticed in a wartime of chaotic upheaval, separation and loss.  It portrays Anne and her group in vitality and good health while they put forth a determined effort to maintain politeness under difficult circumstances.  

Certainly a highlight of the season, The Diary of Anne Frank at the Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey should not be missed!   

The cast, Emmanuelle Nadeau (Anne Frank), Bryan Scott Johnson (Otto Frank), Jacqueline Antaramian (Edith Frank), Laurel Friedman (Margo Frank), Shana Wiersum (Miep Gies), Sean Hudick (Peter Van Daan), Michael Leigh Cook (Mr. Kraler), Carol Halstead (Mrs. Van Daan), Anthony Cochrane (Mr. Van Daan), Patrick Toon (Mr. Dussel), Mathias Goldstein (First Man), Jackson Knight Pierce (Second Man), Nick Clark Tanner (Third Man) will touch your heart and soul in this unforgettable modern classic.

For tickets or for more information, please visit The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey.