Little River-Big Night at the Sherman 03-30-07

Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA presented The Little River Band which was preceded by The Mark Williams Band on Friday March 30th. A massive audience were entranced by the local talent of the local 16 year old Mark Williams and his band while awaiting to hear their favorite tunes from The little River Band. They were not disappointed as the electrifying music of youth proved to be an inducement to many members of the audience who regained the youth they had when they first heard The Little River Band in the 70s. Our Good Friends Cheryl Yost, and Richard Berkowitz (of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friends Fran Henry, Arline M. Smeltz, Gary Lambert, Eric and Vicki Doney, Laurinda Rubin, and Cyndie Dutkiewicz were among the appreciative audience who enjoyed everything they experienced. The Sherman Theatre’s next event will be The Warped Tour Battle of the Bands on Friday April 6th at 4pm. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music JFM 07 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

An ESU Juried Show 03-29-07 -

Numerous works were on displayed the ESU Art Association’s Juried Student Art Exhibition during the Artists’ Reception on Thursday March 29th. A variety of creative styles and disciplines entreated the eye of the multitude of visitors of The Madelon Powers Gallery in The Fine and Performing Arts Center located on the Campus of East Stroudsburg University (ESU) in East Stroudsburg, PA. The highlight of the show was a performance art piece and the distribution of awards given in recognition to the marvelous achievements of the recipients. The exhibition will continue until April 26th. However, the gallery will be closed on April 5th and 6th. Please contact Dr. Rita Plotnicki at 570-422-3695 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Visual Arts JFM 07 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

A Sherman Choral 03-25-07

Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Pocono Choral Society presentation of The Soul of Broadway on Sunday March 25th featuring the delightful and insightful tunes the great white way has become known for. A sizable audience of over 100 musical fans shared the entertaining experience while singing or humming along with their favorite songs. Our Good Friends Cheryl Yost, and Richard Berkowitz (of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friends Jeanette J. Jennis, Fran Henry and Arline M. Smeltz were part of this gentile event while Our Good Friends Sara Estrada, Bob Hartman, and Danny Grae were among those who lent their voices to the performance. The Sherman Theatre’s next show will be a live concert of The Little River Band on Friday March 30th at 8pm. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music JFM 07 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

St. Patrick’s Parade 03-25-07

Many of Our Good Friends were on hand to experience the joy of watching and participating in Stroudsburg’s Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade on Sunday March 25th. Warm weather greeted the crowd and the participants serving as a welcomed contrast to the wintry conditions which caused the date of the event to be postponed from the previous weekend. Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre, The Gallagher School of Dance, Rep. John Siptroth, and many more shared their love of the Irish and the Celtic traditions as part of the parade while Our Good Friends Fran Henry and many more others expresses similar sentiments by encouraging the participants with their presence. There were so many people there I’m sure I’m not mentioning you all. So, if I neglect doing so, please let me know and I’ll share your recollection of this wonderful event. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Parades 07 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

Pink Sherman 03-24-07

Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre in Stroudsburg, PA hosted The Paramount Laser Spectacular presentation of The Music of Pink Floyd on Saturday March 24th featuring a 3 D laser light show accompanied the band‘s mind expanding sounds. A huge audience of over 800 fans shared the visual and audio experience which ranged from exhilaration to feelings of becoming comfortably numb. Our Good Friends Cheryl Yost, Brook, and Richard Berkowitz (of The Sherman Theatre) along with Our Good Friends Fran Henry, Arline M. Smeltz, Gary Lambert, and Dave of Dave’s Unique Gifts were part of this great event. There were so many people there I’m sure I’m not mentioning you all. So, if I neglect doing so, please let me know and I’ll share your recollection of this wonderful event. The Sherman Theatre’s next show will be a live concert of The Little River Band on Friday March 30th at 8pm. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Sherman Theatre at 570-420-2808 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Music JFM 07 Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

Theatrical Review: CALIFORNIA SUITE by Neil Simon

CALIFORNIA SUITE
Written by: Neil Simon
Theatrical Review by: Paul Adam Smeltz

Our Good Friends at The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA presented The Worthington Players production of Neil Simon’s “California Suite” which consists of four playlets taking place in two hotel rooms in California. Although it took until the second playlet for the full comedic gifts Neil Simon is famous for to take effect, the production was well acted and very entertaining. The changing of the set between scenes added to the amusement as the stage crew dressed as hotel staff went through their amusing paces. This was an unexpected treat for the audience who applauded after the little side show was completed. It is rare stage crew members get this level of appreciation, but it was well deserved.

The first playlet presented a couple who were engaged in a custody battle for their daughter. Although the scene was well acted by Ethan Czahor (Billy Warren) and Sara Ferguson (Billy Warren), the volume was a bit low and the situation came across a bit more seriously than fans of the Mr. Simon’s work are accustomed to. This is not necessarily a bad thing as it brought more pathos to the work while allowing the audience to explore their emotional attachment to the characters without the filter humor often provides. It merely left the piece less laughable then the following ones.

The second playlet presented a situation consisting of an older man (Marvin Michaels as played by Bob Waltz) awakening to find a young woman (Bunny as played by Sara Ferguson ) next to him in bed. This scene introduces the audience to the satisfying comedic charm of the play. The laughter the scene inspired was further enhanced by the arrival of the wife (Millie Michaels as played by Irene Garner who also served as Stage Manager) and the anticipation of her discovery ensued.

The third playlet presented a couple who traveled from London to attend the Academy Awards Ceremonies. Midge McClosky portrayed an actress (Diana Nichols) who was nominated for the Academy’s Best Actress Award while Our Good Friend Neal Johnson (who also provided the Sound, Program, and Poster Design) portrayed her patient, supportive, and loving husband (Sidney Nichols) in spite of his sexual preferences. The playlet consisted of two scenes which took place before and after the Awards Ceremonies. The playlet also had a well balanced amount of comedic effects and pathos to add a degree of depth to the characters. This allowed the audience to feel for the couple while laughing at the words they shared with one another.

The fourth and final playlet gave a definite impression this was where Neil Simon decided just to have some fun. The scene consisted of the aftermath of a tennis match between two couples (Mort and Beth Hollender as played by Our Good Friends Marty Courtney and Amy Cramer-who also provided the Program and Poster Design-and Gert and Sue Franklyn as played by Amy Geiser-Getz and alternately by Michael Alan Read and Patrick Turner) while on vacation. The slap stick antics was accompanied by uproarious laughter from the audience and proved to bring a delightful ending to a wonderful theatrical evening.

The Production was well directed by Jon Baptiste (who also designed an excellent set) along with Bill Ulichney (Set Construction), Michael Alan Read (Lighting Design), and Jessica Johnson (Light and Sound Tech).

“California Suite” by Neil Simon is currently being performed at The Shawnee Playhouse in Shawnee on the Delaware, PA. The Production runs until Sunday April 1st. Please call 570-421-5093 for information and ticket reservation. The next theatrical production at The Shawnee Playhouse will be Our Good Friends at The Center Stage Players’ presentation of “Desperate Hours” to run April 27th - 29th.

Numerous photographs relating to the production can be found in The Forwardian Arts Society Theatre 2007 Gallery on The Forwardian Arts Society Blog at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

Poetry at The Library 03-14-07

Our Good Friends at The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL) in Stroudsburg, PA held a Poetry Reading featuring Sander Zulauf who read from many of his published works. His work brought a great deal of meaningful thoughts to those who’ve heard them. An open Reading followed his presentation. Our Good Friends Michael Wetmore (Coordinator of SYLP-H -Support Your Local Poet-Hooray), Mary Ellen Higgins (of The EMPL), and Annette Le Bar were among the attendees who listened and shared their words with one another. The next event for The Eastern Monroe Public Library will be a Bookhouse event featuring Our Good Friends Louie Setzer and The Appalachian Mountain Boys in Concert on Friday April 20th. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Eastern Monroe Public Library at 570-421-0800 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Literary Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

TFAS Annual Meeting 03-05-07

We, The Forwardian Arts Society (TFAS) held our Annual Meeting (aka Expedition Party) at Our Good Friends at The Eastern Monroe Public Library (EMPL) in Stroudsburg, PA. Our Good Friends Arline M. Smeltz, Suzanne McCool (Monroe County Commissioner), Alex Castro (Artist-Teacher-Author), Michael Kessler (Editor of NEMO Music Magazine), and Michael Wetmore (Coordinator of SYLP-H -Support Your Local Poet-Hooray) were among the attendees along with Our New Friends Robin Kessler, Angelo Revilla III (both of Stage II-The ESU Theatrical Club), and Laura Seebacher (an Art Lover). Many ideas were shared throughout the evening with some considered worthy to pursue. A report of the meeting can be gained by emailing The Forwardian Arts Society at forwardian@hotmail.com. The next event for The Forwardian Arts Society will be a Poetry Festival scheduled for Monday April 2nd at 4:30pm in The EMPL. Please contact The Forwardian Arts Society at 570-269-3348 for more information. You’ll find numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.

An Environmental Potluck 03-04-07

Our Good Friends at The Kirkridge Retreat Center in Bangor, PA held their Spiritual Cinema Potluck Dinner Event. The evening begun with the showing of the film, “An Inconvenient Truth” with Al Gore. A shared dinner was enjoyed along with conversations relating to the film’s topic. Discussion relating to global warming and how to remedy the environmental dimensions of the phenomenon were eagerly explored. Many of those attended agreed to take individual initiatives in the forms of vows to take better care of the environment to help curb the emissions of pollutants. Suggestions on how to pursue political actions were also made. Our Good Friends Mark Lichty (who served as moderator), Jean Richardson and Nancy Scheirer (both of Kirkridge), Don and Jane Slepian, and Thomas Busteed were among the many who attended this event. The next Spiritual Cinema Potluck Dinner Event is scheduled for Sunday May 6th at 4:30pm. Please contact Our Good Friends at The Kirkridge Retreat Center at 610-599-4604 for more information. You’ll find Numerous photographs at The Forwardian Arts Society Friends Gallery at 360.yahoo.com/pauladam.