Arts

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'Rent' Comes to Newark

by By Peter Filichia/The Star-Ledger

Monday December 01, 2008, 6:20 PM

Not only will a touring company of "Rent" drop by the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark, but three of its original stars will be part of the cast.

Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal, who were the first to share a freezing apartment in the 1996 landmark musical, will reprise their roles of Mark Cohen and Roger Davis. Stewart, a Newark native, was the first to sing the show's now-famous anthem, "Seasons of Love."

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Ballantine House delivers a Victorian Christmas

by Dan Bischoff/The Star-Ledger

Monday December 01, 2008, 4:37 PM

Feasting with Family and Friends: Christmas in the Ballantine House. Where: The Newark Museum, 49 Washington St., Newark. When: Now through Jan. 4. Noon-5 p.m. Wednesdays-Sundays. How much: Suggested donation $9; $6 students, children and seniors. Call (973) 596-6550 or visit newarkmuseum.org. As it does every year, this holiday season the Newark Museum is opening the Ballantine mansion next door for "Feasting With Family and Friends: Christmas in the Ballantine House" (through Jan. 4). Two floors of the old mansion, which was built by the brewery family, have been decorated as if for a Victorian Christmas, even down to period ornaments and a fancy holiday dinner (complete with recipes). Continue reading "Ballantine House delivers a Victorian Christmas" »

NJN News Anchor Kent Manahan set to become network director

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Monday December 01, 2008, 3:25 PM

Kent Manahan, long-time anchor of "NJN News," is set to become the acting executive director of the struggling public broadcasting network later this week. Manahan will replace outgoing director Elizabeth Christopherson, who resigned last month after 14 years at the helm.

New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority chairwoman Patricia Costante announced Monday that the board will meet in a special session Thursday to consider Manahan's appointment.

"She has gained the trust and respect of everyone who works with her and watches her on NJN. Kent is the ideal person to lead the network," said Costante in a statement.

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Prime Morris location is too close for 'Comforts'

by Peter Filichia/The Star-Ledger

Sunday November 30, 2008, 9:30 PM

Southern Comforts
Where: Bickford Theatre, Morris Museum, 6 Normandy Heights Road, Morris Township
When: Through Dec. 14. Thursdays through Saturdays at 8 p.m., Sundays at 2 p.m.
How much: $35 general public; $30 senior citizens, and $15 students. Call (973) 971-3706 or visit bickfordtheatre.org.

What would help an audience to enjoy Kathleen Clark's dim-witted comedy "Southern Comforts"? Even a fifth of Southern Comfort wouldn't be nearly enough.

Eric Hafen, the artistic director of the Bickford Theatre, must have been tempted to stage it because it takes place in Morris Township, the very municipality where his playhouse sits. And while real estate insists that "location, location, location" is what's most important, in theater, it's the script. That's where Clark woefully fails.

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Art auctions reflect economic collapse

by Dan Bischoff/The Star-Ledger

Saturday November 29, 2008, 10:00 PM

This month the auction art market finally took its pratfall. Depending on the sale or the country you choose to measure it, the prices for Modern and Contemporary art dropped a full one-third to one-half all around the world, costing the three big houses -- Sotheby's, Christie's and Phillips De Pury & Co. -- millions of dollars.

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