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Written by: Deborah Skolnik

Published: 05 June 2014

Created: 05 June 2014

Last Updated: 05 June 2014

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Here's a mother/daughter movie review of a summer film both you and your teen will want to see.
Mom Deborah Skolnik: Sixteen-year-old Hazel spends her days at the doctor's office or on the couch, her delicate features washed out by fluorescent bulbs or a television's glow. It's a match for the harsh light in which she views her plight: She has terminal cancer, and though a miracle drug has prolonged her life, she's ceased to appreciate the miracle of life itself. Thus begins The Fault in Our Stars, a movie that starts with a whimper and ends with a bang, after many tears and unexpected laughs. Based on the wildly popular young adult novel of the same name, it's the flick your adolescents will beg to see this week. Take them, and stay to enjoy this profoundly moving film yourself.

Things start looking up when Hazel meets charismatic Augustus Waters, 18, via a hilariously cheesy support group. Augustus has lost a leg to bone cancer, but still stands up to fate, armed with wit and a Rat Pack's worth of charm. Soon, Hazel is pinching her cheeks, checking her tests, and strolling with this handsome young man in the sunshine. In one brilliant scene, the pair flirts while a mutual pal, who's just been dumped by his girlfriend, throws a tantrum in the background—a perfect metaphor for joy in the midst of sorrow.

Augustus opens new worlds for Hazel. Together, they travel to Amsterdam to meet the author of Hazel's favorite novel, who's promised to reveal what happens even after the book's conclusion. Will Hazel get answers? More importantly, has she asked herself the right questions?

While the movie is often delightful, it's heavy, too; I heard adults sniffling along with the teenyboppers during the tough scenes. And parents be warned, there's a bit of non-graphic sex as well. Personally, I don't begrudge gravely ill older teens a taste of life, and any middle-schooler who's watched Romeo & Juliet has seen more skin than is shown here. What does trouble me is the movie's implication that this intimacy is long overdue; that healthy teens have sex much earlier, as a matter of course. You'll want to talk that one over with any tween or teen you take along to the theater (and I wouldn't take anyone younger than 12).

But you'll have plenty more to talk about besides, from the wonderful acting (Divergent's Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort play the leads; Laura Dern is Hazel's warm and worried mother) to the numerous quips and thought-provoking scenes. This may just be next generation's Love Story. So go see this cultural touchstone in the making—if you don't, the fault's not in this reviewer.

Eighth Grader Clara Enders: "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves." To many generations, this quote brings to mind grueling hours of Shakespeare and crazy English teachers. However, to this generation, it means a lot more. It represents John Green's best selling novel, The Fault In Our Stars, which is about Hazel Grace Lancaster, a 16-year-old cancer patient who falls in love with Augustus Waters, a cancer survivor and amputee. The highly anticipated movie adaptation comes out June 6th 2014, with a special screening June 5th. I had the privilege of attending an advance screening, and I found that the movie more than lives up to the hype (but I may have been slightly biased considering the fact that I have read the book eleven times back to front). Hazel, played by Shailene Woodley, is depressed because of her cancer, so she goes to a support group recommended by her doctor. There, she meets Augustus (Ansel Elgort) who is philosophical and charming (and not to mention insanely handsome). As they become friends, they go through the ups and downs of life, and embark on an adventure to Amsterdam to meet their favorite author. As their situation takes a turn for the worse, they realize that it doesn't matter if you leave a mark on the world for something extraordinary; it matters if people remember you for being you.

I thought that the acting in TFIOS was very good. Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort were both able to convey believable emotions without over doing it. Nat Wolff, who played Isaac, Hazel and Augustus' friend with Oster coma (Isaac= eye-sick), had some of the funniest lines said by him and directed towards him. The music in the movie went very well with what was happening: sad music in sadder parts and lighter music in happier parts. The scenes in Amsterdam were my favorite, because of the way they were filmed and because it is the best part of the story. As I said before, the emotions were very real. VERY REAL. I don't think I have ever been at a theater with so many people in the audience simultaneously crying. If you're thinking of seeing this movie, bring tissues. MANY TISSUES. You were warned.

Fans of the book have been wondering how the movie would stack up to the book. In my opinion, the movie was able to capture the spirit of the book and what it's all about. The point of the story isn't the cancer; it's the relationship between Hazel and Augustus. Sure, some scenes were omitted, but the ones that were included were done beautifully and mirrored the book, and the new scenes exclusive to the movie went with the story and made sense.

In conclusion, I think this is the best book-to-movie adaptation I have seen so far. So many young adult books are being converted to movies (Shailene Woodley just starred in Divergent), but this one stands out because of the unique story and the emotional connection people have with the book. I highly recommend this movie to fans of the book or any of John Green's other books, or anyone who enjoys love stories.

Deborah Skolnik is a Greenacres mother of two—including her favorite movie critic Clara Enders.

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Written by: Marie Ceske

Published: 29 May 2014

Created: 29 May 2014

Last Updated: 30 May 2014

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The Scarsdale High School auditorium will rock to the sounds of the 50's and swoon for summer lovers this weekend when the senior class puts on their production of Grease, based on the original 1971 version about teenage love. A perennial favorite, the show was last seen at SHS in 2010 when the senior class also chose it as their class play and at Edgemont High School in 2011.

150 seniors auditioned for the musical, which will feature 120 students at "Rydell High School." The leads include Jonathan Potter as Danny; Sarah Mar as Sandy; Eric Berman, Wyatt Chamlin, Alex Benitez, and Daniel Markowitz as the T-Birds; and Veronica Dickson, Clara Belk, Allie Miller, and Abby Greenberg as the famous Pink Ladies.

The musical is being directed by Bianca Rogoff with assistance from Rebecca Primoff and the audience is sure to recognize the score that includes popular favorites like ""Summer Nights," "We Go Together," "Greased Lightening" and "You're the One That I Want."

The directors are usually drama club veterans and have experience in musical theatre. They serve as the experts and teachers in the field since this production is the first theater experience for several seniors. Both Rogoff and Primoff have directed plays, but this is their first time directing a musical. "I'm learning a lot in the sense that I now know how to conduct a musical. And it's really nice to be able to work with my peers," stated director Bianca Rogoff, who also added that the production team is "phenomenal." Rebecca Primoff agreed, stating: "The process has been a lot of fun. It requires a lot of grunt work like copying scripts and taking down notes. But being assistant director, I've gotten to do more." As director and assistant director, Rogoff and Primoff are in charge of organizing and perfecting lines, stage blocking, and choreography.

The play's music director is Josh Kaufman. While not a drama club veteran, Josh is an accomplished musician and conductor. He is responsible for the musical aspects of the show, including recruiting and running the pit. He will also conduct the entire show. "Working with so many of my peers is certainly challenging, but I am always proud to see how much effort they are putting into the production," he commented.

Although the play, which was cast in March, takes a great deal of time and effort (recent rehearsals have been running three plus hours everyday), it's a really fun experience and bonding activity for the outgoing seniors. As Alexa Pappas, a member of the cast, commented, "It's a lot more fun than I expected."

The show really makes an effort to include all cast members, splitting up the ensemble so that everyone has a turn being in a song. "It's a really new experience and it's getting me really into acting. And I'm really stepping into my role," stated Alex Faegenburg. "It's such an honor to be part of it." Not only are the seniors excited about their new acting experiences, they are also excited about the play itself. "I think it's a really relevant play. It's a high school setting that I think everyone can kind of relate to," remarked Devon Kerr. As the cast is in its final week of rehearsal, dubbed "hell week," the excitement and anticipation has been building up. "I'm truly excited for the finished product!" exclaimed Kaufman.

Why should everyone go to see the SHS production of Grease? Because students have worked hard preparing the show, and it promises to be a fun event full of great music and dancing.

The play will run from Friday May 30th to Sunday June 1st. Performances on Friday and Saturday start at 7:30, while Sunday begins at 2:00. Sunday's performance will feature a meet and greet with the cast after the show. Tickets are available online - click here to buy yours today.

 

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 20 May 2014

Created: 20 May 2014

Last Updated: 20 May 2014

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The fifth annual Westchester Festival of the Arts took place in Scarsdale on May 17-18, bringing artists from far and wide to the Village to display their art and chat with locals about their work. We stopped by on Sunday – when the clouds had rolled in and foot traffic was somewhat slow. We spoke to a few of the artisans, photographed their work and here are a few shots of what was on display:

Thomas Long (pictured at top) came north from St. Augustine Florida with brilliantly- colored blown glass – assembled as wall hangings or to be displayed as solo pieces. Brightly toned in turquoise, purple, gold, chartreuse and deep orange these translucent pieces are both original and eye-catching. See more at www.createglass.com.

Master Pastelist Donna Grande and her daughter were on hand from Montclair, NJ to show Donna's lovely pastels under glass. Check out these alluring images. http://www.donnagrande.com/Paintings.html

Photographer Loren Fisher seeks out the simplicity in his environment and has taken photographs in 49 states. At home in Woodstock Vermont he photographs covered bridges and snow covered vistas. Check out his depictions of nature at www.LorenPhotos.com.

We caught Barbara Kemp modeling one of the original millinery designs from Della's Hat Box! Lovely, one of a kind hats. See more of Della's fashionable work at https://www.facebook.com/DellasHatBox.

Ernest Porcelli, a glass artist from Brooklyn creates fused glass but also does stained glass commissions and restorations for homes. See his work at www.ErnestProcelli.com.

And Domenico Belli uses recycled metal and Rustoleum paint to create a fanciful outdoor flower garden that doesn't require mulch or water. www.domenicobelli.com.

Fox Meadow's Ira Starr brought his camera and standard poodle Gracie to see the show. Some baby!

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Written by: Joanne Wallenstein

Published: 13 May 2014

Created: 13 May 2014

Last Updated: 20 May 2014

Hits: 5566

Creative Scarsdale parents launched impressive carnivals at all five elementary schools on Saturday May 10 – and fortunately Mother Nature did her part. Under sunny skies, kids enjoyed games, rides, crafts, jumping castles, climbing, swinging, pie-eating, performances and even getting dunked. Greenacres and Fox Meadow went Hawaiian, while the circus came to Edgewood, skateboarding to Heathcote and Quaker Ridge was launched into outerspace.

Carnival Chair Jocelyn Gross said, "Quaker Ridge families had a blast at their Outer-Space-themed carnival. In addition to inflatables, games, prizes, crafts, and face painting, highlights included relay races and tug of war provided by Backyard Sports and a Marvels of Motion show provided by Mad Science." At Greenacres, where the theme was "Aloha," they held a Hawaiian luau. Chair Amy Nadasdi said, "We had an AMAZING turnout, and a professional hula and fire dancing troupe."

Here are just a few of the wonderful photos we took and received from readers around town. Send your carnival photos to [email protected] and we will add them to the slide show.

Photo Credits: Thanks to Carly Glickenhaus, Amy Nadasdi, Ottolie Jarmel, Tracy McCarthy, Amy Frank and Stephanie Klingsbe