‘Children of Eden’ at Westminster Arts Center

New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts students performed “Children of Eden” for a two-night run on Friday and Saturday nights.

  The young performers at the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts  played to a sold-out crowd January 13 and 14 with the two-night production, “Children of Eden.”  The musical retelling of three Bible stories: “Adam and Eve”, “Cain and Able” and “Noah’s Ark” cast a new light on the age-old tales, bringing them alive for modern audiences. The crowd knew they were in for a great show from the start as the cast sang a remarkable rendition of “Let There Be,” led by Einar Gunn as “Father”. “The Spark of Creation” sung by Cindy Edwards as “Eve” was equally accomplished. Branden Mangan as “Older Cain” may have appeared unsure when he began “Lost in the Wilderness” but about halfway through his voice suddenly soared, eliciting applause from the …

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Lewis Black Brings Laughs to the Weekend

Get spooked by the Halloween party scene? There are plenty of costume-free options out there for having weekend fun.

The Borgata, Atlantic City THIS WEEKEND: Friday Frank Sinatra Jr. channels his father during 8 p.m. shows Friday and Saturday at the Music Box Theater;8 p.m. Friday and Saturday; Saturday Rock guitar hero Joe Walsh and blues legend B.B. King promise an "electric" evening. NEXT WEEK: Lisa Lisa, DJ Kiss and M.O.S. perform Halloween night at Club Mixx, the party starts at 10 p.m. BOOK IT NOW: Absurdist comedian Steven Wright delivers his odd observations, 9 p.m., Nov. 4.; Jerry Seinfeld brings his iconic humor about nothing to the Borgata at 8 p.m., Nov. 5; "Savor Borgata" Restaurant Week, where you can get 3-course meals for $33 and four-course meals for $44 in the casino's restaurants, Nov. 6-11. Check out theborgata.com for details about …

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Burlesque At Pianos: Steamy, Hot Fun!

The White Elephant Burlesque Society offers a raunchy and riotous performance at Pianos Bar & Grill to celebrate their 5th anniversary.

Sex and comedy are not the most obvious bedfellows. One seems like it should be undertaken with the utmost seriousness and the other should be a fun romp. Which is which, depends on the individual. Fortunately, the packed house audience at Pianos Bar & Grill didn’t have to choose.  The White Elephant Burlesque Society’s performance on Saturday night, delivered what their website promises: “ [the] melding of a gypsy cabaret approach with vaudevillian burlesque … featuring a variety of bawdy humor, salacious dancing, and a sincere, modern adaptation of the classic style that has never been more relevant.” After performing to the song “Candy Man” and littering the audience with treats, Viktor Devonne, master of ceremonies for the evening, …

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Merriment Ensues with Music at the Mansion

Corinna Sowers-Adler’s cabaret series, ‘Music at the Mansion’ begins its second season.

Cabaret is not for everyone. The mix of music and humor by performers who speak directly to the audience as they segue into their next number can seem a bit corny to some. But for those who enjoy talented singer/songwriters with a flair for comedy, Corinna Sowers-Adler’s “Music at the Mansion” series is a real treat. Sunday's sunny afternoon served as the perfect setting for the show. With sunlight breaking through the atrium, Sowers-Adler took centerstage to introduce the series, now in its second season. She sang a sexy number called “The Air Conditioner Song” by Christine Lavin, in which the narrator playfully offers to warm up to her lover while cooling down, before turning over the stage. The first guest of the afternoon, Garry …

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‘Seussical the Musical’ Delights at the Westminster Arts Center

The NJSDA presents ‘Seussical the Musical’ at the Westminster Arts Center for some mid-summer fun.

With the theater near to capacity and the audience all abuzz, Corinna Sowers-Adler, director of the New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts production of “Seussical the Musical”, took the stage to remind everyone to “remember how to be a kid again.” When the lights came up on the Westminster Arts Center stage (which looked like pages right out of “Green Eggs and Ham”) a child named Jojo (Henry Gardner) opened a box and out popped the Cat in the Hat (Tyler Lynch). From that point forward the show never stopped. For anyone unfamiliar with the play, “Seussical the Musical” takes the children’s rhyming books of Dr. Seuss (nee Theodor Seuss Geisel) and combines them in a non-stop musical. The plot centers on young Jojo getting caught in the tiny …

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Amusing Mayhem at Murder Marinara

Murder On Cue Mystery Theater presents ‘Murder Marinara’ at the Oakeside

Who killed “Tony Loprano?” That was the big question posed to guests at the Oakeside Mansion during “Murder Marinara” the Murder On Cue Mystery Theater show presented Fri., April 29. With a mix of improv humor, silly games and delicious food the capacity crowd got more than enough for their money. The evening began with “Don Loprano,” dressed in a black suit, black glasses and a white tie, greeting the crowd on the porch of the mansion at about a quarter to 7. He said the mansion was still being swept for “bugs.” He even checked under one woman’s elaborate hat for a wire, speaking into it, “I pay my taxes and I love the police.” As patrons were ushered in, there was one snag when the “Red Hat Society,” a women’s social group, was seated in…

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‘Lyrics & Laughter’ Delivers the Goods

New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts mixes comedy and cabaret on a rainy Saturday night

The New Jersey School of Dramatic Arts was brimming with laughter on a soggy Saturday eveningwhen “Lyrics & Laughter: An Evening of Comedy & Song” played in one of the small downstairs theaters at the school. The performance at the venue, tucked next to L & E Jewelry on Bloomfield Avenue, was divided into two parts: the first half consisted of three stage singers, while the second half was taken over by the comedy improvisational troupe “On the Spot.” The first entertainer Nicole Corrisu was accompanied by partner Sean Ferguson. The pair performed three songs with Corrisu bantering about their working relationship and their time as duo. This repartee led seamlessly into “Schroeder” from You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, one of the more …

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'Gypsy' Flaunts It All at Westminster

Montclair Operetta Club presents musical “Gypsy” in stunning performance

Director Bob Cline said it best when asked what he thought of the opening night of Gypsy at the Bloomfield College Westminster Arts Center. “I feel really blessed to have these three leads.” Indeed, he is. Last night marked the first of five performances of the musical, with lyrics written by Broadway luminary Stephen Sondheim, presented by the Montclair Operetta Club. Bianca Sutlovich (as Mama Rose), Jacqueline Taylor (as Louise) and Richard Colonna (as Herbie) created the world Gypsy lives and breathes in and command the stage with impressive prowess. These three gave performances that truly transport an audience.  The story of Gypsy centers on a mother, Rose, struggling to raise her two daughters on the stages of vaudeville. She fights …

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