From the first bars of the Overture one can sense that “She Loves Me” is different from most American musicals. Phrases seem to endlessly repeat. There’s some dissonance and the tempo is sometimes uneven. While there are strains of tension and moodiness this musical tapestry builds to a final crescendo and resolves itself into beauty and harmony. I begin this review with the music because it’s the small orchestra, under the seasoned baton of Wayne Barker that plays a significant role in this musical comedy – which really should be termed an Operetta, in my opinion. Worthy of special mention is a lovely violin solo by Angela Marroy. Other fine orchestra members are: percussionist (Deane Prouty), cellist (Fred Rose), bass/accordion (Louis Tucci) and harpist (Lynette Wardle).

If you’re familiar with “Three Penny Opera” (“Mack the Knife”) and the ballet in “Slaughter on Tenth Avenue,” you may be able to identify the music with the style of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weil. With these roots in mind, you would probably also know something about German theatre and its influence on Jerry Bock (music), Sheldon Harnick (lyrics) and Hal Prince, who made his debut as a Broadway director with this show. And, you might also contemplate why, in 1963, “She Loves Me” lasted only 302 performances on Broadway while the same team’s “Fiddler on the Roof” was highly successful.

American audiences want songs with melodies that they can easily sing and sparkling dancing which this musical lacks. Also, the majority of audiences have no identity with the German Zeitgeist or the satire that took place in the theatres during the 1930’s (when many, innovative Jewish artists were force to flee). Miklos Laslo, whose play “Parfumerie,” (upon which “She Loves Me” is based) was among those writers forced to flee Hungary in 1938.

Interestingly, Hal Prince, in a 2007 interview by Jerry Tallmer for “Thrive,” lamented that “…we’ll soon use up the audience … in this case, people in their 50’s, Jewish, Upper West Side; very much the audience that I’d made a career of…there’s an audience that goes regularly to hits and an audience that goes selectively.” Prince (died in 1998) was referring to “Lovemusik” (about Kurt Weil and Lotte Lenya). It was about to close despite full houses.

“She Loves Me” takes place in a Budapest “Parfumerie.” Like the assortment in Forrest Gump’s candy box, each of the characters is different and we are introduced to their ambitions in the splendid opening number “Good Morning, Good Day. The central theme concerns a pair of pen pals who meet unknowingly and antagonize each other at their place of employment -- until they discover their true identities and fall in love. Their colorful colleagues also have problems and their sub-plots tie into the story. A Hungarian Rhapsody with an international flavor, tangos, waltzes and even the distinctive drumbeats of Ravel’s Bolero are artfully blended into scenes.

The comic antics of headwaiter (David Bonnanno) and busboy (Aaron Stierle) take place in a marvelous nightclub scene. Here, “A Romantic Atmosphere” begins like a slow czardas and builds to a frantic pace -- as most Hungarian dances do. “Vanilla Ice Cream,” a duet with Jessica Grove and Jeremy Johnson is an outstanding blend of acting and singing.

Under the superb direction of Mark Lamos the entire cast with its splendid voices, stunning costumes by Candice Donnelly, choreography by Jonathan Butterell and a heavenly fresco of cupids fit for a Habsburg palace, by Riccardo Hernandez, are flawlessly presented.

This 80th season Valentine at Westport Country Playhouse will be extended to May 15. Marlene Gaylinn is a member of the Connecticut Critics Circle. This review appears in “On CT Theatre.”

Our next Monday at Seven meeting will be on Monday, May 10th from 7 - 9 a.m.. Our featured speaker will be Henning Seip.

Henning Seip is president of SkillPROOF, a start-up firm focused on improving information about job openings on the web. They concentrate on job market trends and job search efficiency.

Photo courtesy of flickr user jurvetson

With May comes an onslaught of events, from crafts fairs to carnivals, art exhibits to outdoor theatre. It’s so hard to keep track of everything that’s happening! No worries! The Darien Library has the answer. Our Community Calendar allows you to keep track of events for adults, teens, and children taking place in the Library, in Darien, and in lower Fairfield County. And because it's a Google Calendar, you can automatically save events to your own personal Google Calendar with just a few clicks. If you aren't familiar with the Community Calendar, we invite you to take a look. And if you have an event of interest to the Darien Community, please let us know. We would be happy to add your event to the Community Calendar. Send an email with the Who, What, When, and Where to Judy at jsgammato@darienlibrary.org or call her at 203-669-5256.

See you @ the Library!

Learn about the Darien Land Trust, Thursday, May 6 at 7 PM

We are pleased to announce a special presentation by the Darien Land Trust, entitled Becoming a Positive Force for Nature.

Thursday, May 6 at 7 PM

Aided by vivid slides that bring out nature's full colors, the Darien Land Trust will reveal how it is becoming a positive force of nature. The presentation will include a screening of the short film, "The State of the Birds," created by the Cornell Ornithological Lab. The film asks the question, "How will the impacts of climate change influence our bird populations and their habitats?"

Shirley Nichols, Executive Director of the Darien Land Trust, will highlight the accomplishments of the organization this past year and describe many of the projects that are currently underway.

Den Frelinghuysen, Co-chair of Stewardship for the Darien Land Trust, will address why it is important to provide natural habitat for birdlife, and how improving habitat for birds also improves habitat for us all. He will show examples of recent stewardship projects based on that objective.

Chris Filmer, Co-chair of Stewardship, will present an intimate bird's-eye view of a local backyard, and how just a few changes can make a huge difference in becoming a positive force for nature.

With the beautiful spring weather we're having these days, now is the perfect time to learn about and explore the stunning landscapes in our local community. Please join us!

Ticks are most active in late spring and early summer.

This morning Darien Health Director David Knauf issued a Lyme Disease Prevention memo. 

Please open the attachment below for all the facts. 

Our next Monday at Seven meeting will be on Monday, May 3rd from 7 - 9 a.m.. Our featured speaker will be Marilyn Vojta, who is a career coach, and independent senior level Recruiter.

The topics that Marilyn will cover are:

1. Is your search too narrow or too broad?

2. What to know about communicating with a recruiter

Marilyn has 10+ years of experience in the search business having placed over 170 senior and middle management people in Fortune 500 companies. She has an impressive record of finding the best fit of talent for companies and helping individuals realize and achieve their personal goals.

On Monday, May 10, our featured speaker will be Henning Seip, president of SkillPROOF, a start-up firm focused on improving information about job openings on the web. They concentrate on job market trends and job search efficiency.

May is designated Stroke Awareness Month and a good time to learn about your personal risk factors for stroke. Uncontrolled high blood pressure is the number one cause of stroke.

"Every adult should have theirs checked on a regular basis and take steps to lower it if it is too high" says David Knauf, Darien Director of Health.

For more information and the upcoming dates and times of local blood pressure screenings, please see the attached notice, issued today, from David Knauf.

Enjoy a day of fun with friends and family and celebrate wishes come true! March through the streets of beautiful Fairfield, Connecticut, with police officers, wish families, and friends from your town led by your town's police vehicle! Celebrate with us at a Beach Party with food, music, a Kids Tent with activities themed around Alyssa's Hawaiian Cruise wish and a display of police vehicles! Sign up at http://wishct.kintera.org/walk10. For more information, call Make-A-Wish Foundation of Connecticut, Inc., at 203-261-9044, or email tara@ct.wish.org.

Stand Against Racism Day - Friday, April 30th

. . . and there are many ways you can stand along with us!

The Stand Against Racism is a movement of the YWCA, with the goal of bringing people together from all walks of life - across the country - to help elimate racism. Friday, April 30th is "Stand Against Racism Day," and the YWCA Darien/Norwalk, along with 60 YWCA's and approximately 1,500 organizations, will celebrate diversity and raise awareness that racism still exists and should not be tolerated.

Please visit Darien Library on April 30th as we host programs and activities throughout the day in support of the Stand Against Racism:

Color Me Beautiful!
All day in the Children's Library
Like the many colors of crayons in a box, children come in all colors, too! Children of all ages are invited to color and design their own die cut people of all colors, shades, and hues to be displayed throughout the Children's Library.

Film Screening of "Crash"
2 PM in the Community Room
A seemingly simple car accident in Los Angeles brings together a very diverse group of people; as their lives collide, the issue of racism is explored as they each work through their own fears and inherent prejudices. Winner of the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2006. Starring Sandra Bullock, Don Cheadle, and Thandie Newton; Rated R; 112 minutes.

Racism - No Way!
4 PM - 5 PM in the Teen Lounge
Teens, we'll have a variety of puzzles and group activities that explore issues relating to racism and cultural diversity. Bring a friend and join the discussion on what racism means to you.

Also, stop by all day to browse our display of books and films from our collection that capture the spirit of the day. Take a look at these booklists to get you started:

Multicultural Stories for Children

Around the World Kids
 

Our next Monday at Seven meeting will be on Monday, April 26th from 7 - 9 a.m. and it will be all about refining...refining the "elevator talk." Preparing the "elevator talk" gives you the opportunity to articulate who you are and what you offer a prospective employer. Build confidence while building this essential networking skill.

Next Monday, May 3rd, our featured speaker at Monday at Seven will be Marilyn Vojta, who is a career coach, and independent senior level Recruiter. The topics that Marilyn will cover are:

1.) Is your search too narrow or too broad?

2.) What to know about communicating with a recruiter

Marilyn has 10+ years of experience in the search business having placed over 170 senior and middle management people in Fortune 500 companies. She has an impressive record of finding the best fit of talent for companies and helping individuals realize and achieve their personal goals.