18 minute read
Arts
Chandler, other EV thespians present ‘Junie B’
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Twelve-year-old Savannah Springer doesn’t get in trouble very often.
The Mesa seventh grader is pretty good at following the rules, from helping around the house to completing her homework on time.
Now, she is one of two performers playing the title role of Junie B. in the Arizona premier of “Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School” and trying on a different personality for size.
The new musical, produced by Limelight Performing Arts in Gilbert, is based on the bestselling books by Barbara Park and shares the saga of the wisecracking Junie B. – a self-appointed expert on all things first grade – who is determined to write the ultimate guide to school.
The production features a cast of 16 young performers from across the East Valley.
“Junie B. is constantly making jokes and getting in trouble,” said Springer. “It is so much fun to play a trouble-maker in this show and do things I would never try to get away with in real life.”
The show uses high-energy music and comedic dialogue to take audiences through a series of stresses and mishaps as precocious Junie confronts the challenges of first grade – and gets in a lot of trouble along the way.
“One of my favorite lessons of the show is that Junie B. learns how to control her anger when things aren’t going her way,” said director Rio Chavez of Mesa.
“She faces her anger head on by learning to control El Toro Fabuloso, the bull who lives in her stomach, and learns to turn her frustrations into successful solutions,” he said.
Young audiences will see a version of themselves in the over-the-top, slapstick characters of Junie B. and her friends. And people of all ages will appreciate the show’s lessons: that everyone makes mistakes, why it’s important to own up and how nobody is ever done learning.
Kaylee Forth, 12, of Chandler, said, “My character, May, is the teacher’s pet. She’s bossy and annoying. Everyone has a May in their life.”
In real life, she is nothing like her character, so she’s putting extra effort into perfecting the role.
“I have been working hard to practice my dances, lines and vocal parts,” she said.
Chavez noted, “Our goal with this production is to teach the children of our community that it’s okay to make mistakes. Even ‘when things go wrong,’ with a little effort, ‘you can make things right.’”
“It’s a great opportunity for kids to see that we are always learning and growing – even when it’s an uncomfortable and challenging process,” added Emma England of Gilbert, the show’s choreographer and Limelight’s artistic director.
For England, it’s also a chance to show off the sizable talent in “Junie B.’s” small cast.
“It’s always such a surprise for audiences when young performers put on a very strong show,” she said. “The kids in this cast really hold their own and bring so much talent to the stage. I think people will be blown away by what the ‘Junie B.’ cast has created.”
Added Chavez, “We have a wonderful group of actors who are as dedicated as they are talented. These kids
The ‘Junie B’ cast includes, from left: Shea Fuery, Janelle Frazier), McKenna Henry, Gabriel Ritchie and Edward Oster. Jaelyn Harden, Owen Aspinall, Ava Chiappetta, and Piper Perea. (Pablo Robles)
See LIMELIGHT on page 49
Chandler author’s 2nd novel right out of headlines
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Chandler author Howard Gershkowitz’s second novel departs from science fiction and focuses instead on fraud and corporate greed.
A couple years ago, Gershkowitz, a Chandler resident for 19 years who has been in the financial services industry for 35 years, published the “The Operator” – a novel set in Prescott that involves time travel, the economy and romance.
This time, his new book, “Not on My Watch,” is a thriller inspired by some news stories he read. It involves a nurse who, with her broker/boyfriend, must stop the merger of the only locally owned, independent hospital with a ruthless conglomerate out of Boston intent on turning it into a Medicare mill.
“This book was inspired by an article about a hospital back east that was indicted for Medicare fraud to the tune of $100 million.” Gershkowitz explained. “I thought that was outrageous, especially because of the business I’m in where corporate greed often takes center stage.”
He recalled how he had interviewed a hospital chain administrator while doing research for the novel “and was assured nothing of the kind could happen there because of their checks and balances.”
Four weeks later, Gershkowitz read that one of that administrator’s hospitals in the southeast was similarly indicted on Medicare fraud totaling well over $100 million.
“They were recommending unnecessary procedures to seniors specifically because they were easy to perform, relatively benign and carried the highest reimbursement rates in the Medicare universe,” said Gershkowitz, calling it “sickening to hear about.”
“Watch” was actually written before “The Operator” while Gershkowitz was attending a creative writing class at Scottsdale Community College.
“It was initially a short story,” he explained “but it motivated me to continue expanding it till it was a fulllength novel.”
He recalled writing the bulk of it in longhand as he sipped coffee in the Starbucks inside the Barnes & Noble book store, where the novel begins.
After failing to get any nibblers from publishers, he put that manuscript aside and started work on “The Opera-
Chandler resident Howard Gershkowitz has published his second novel and has three more underway that he hopes to put in readers hands in the next 18 months.
(Courtesy of Howard Gershkowitz)
Chandler artists part of Prescott studio tour
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Chandler artists Laurie Fagan and Nicole McCaigue are encouraging people to enjoy fall colors and their work at the 14th annual Prescott Area Artist Studio Tour Oct. 1-3.
The two artists, who will be showing their work at McGaigue’s Prescott studio – number 51 on the tour – are excited about being part of the prestigious event.
The 2021 Studio Tour features 74 artists in 49 private studios plus an additional 28 artists at three art centers.
See PRESCOTT on page 49
Chandler artists Laurie Fagen, left, and Nicole McCaigue hope locals will motor up to Prescott to see their work.
(Special to SanTan Sun News)
City launches annual Expression Competition
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
The City of Chandler is holding its annual Creative Expression Competition.
Students living in or attending a school in Chandler may vie for awards in writing and visual arts. One entry per student will be accepted in both the writing and visual arts categories.
Entries can be submitted starting Oct. 1 and no later than 5 p.m. Oct. 30.
Now in its 26th year, the contest has had thousands of local students participate.
This year’s theme is “Connected Through Diversity” and encourages works that find “commonalities and connections in our diverse community.” Guidelines and judging criteria are at chandleraz.gov/CreativeExpression.
Students may submit their writing or visual entry online or to mail or drop off entries to the City of Chandler, Attn: Rori Minor, 175 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225. There are three grade categories for contestants: K-4, 5-8 and 9-12.
Winners will be notified in late November. All winning entries also will receive a certificate and be featured on the City’s website at chandleraz.gov/CreativeExpression. The first-place winners and their schools will be recognized during a City Council meeting in February 2021.
For additional questions on the 2022 Creative Expression Competition, call 480-782-4329 or email chandler.diversity@chandleraz.gov.
September is Library Card Sign-up Month Card Sign-up Month
Your Chandler Public Library card provides you with access to thousands of items that can be checked out at any of Chandler’s Public Libraries. Use your library card to access physical books, eBooks, eAudiobooks, graphic novels, newspapers, magazines, online information resources, LinkedIn Library, fi lms, and downloadable music. The amount of information and entertainment available at your fingertips is virtually limitless and available at no charge with a Chandler Public Library card.
Library cards are free for residents of Maricopa County, and for non-residents who work or go to school in the city of Chandler, with an additional ID that verifi es the workplace or school.
chandlerlibrary.org
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Chandler Museum slates programs, exhibitions
SANTAN SUN NEWS STAFF
Chandler Museum, 300 S. Chandler Village Drive, Chandler is offering a variety of free programs. The museum is open 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. It is closed Mondays. Information: 480-7822717 or chandlermuseum.org.Exhibits
Bigger than Boxing: Zora Folley and the 1967 Heavyweight Title, Through Feb. 13.
On March 22, 1967, at Madison Square Garden, New York City, two men face off in the ring for the Heavyweight Championship of the World – Muhammad Ali and the challenger from Chandler, Zora Folley.
“Bigger than Boxing” features the stories of these two boxers, the circumstances that weighed heavy on each man, and the fight that was a turning point in both of their careers.
Black and white in black and white: Images of dignity, hope, and diversity in America. Through Oct. 17.
At the turn of the 20th century, many African Americans across the country embraced the “New Negro Movement,” which set the stage for the Harlem Renaissance. No one better captured the essence of this time of advancement than African American photographer John Johnson. This exhibition includes thirty-one large-scale black and white photographs captured by Johnson from 1910 to 1925.
September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World. Through Oct. 10.
This educational exhibition recounts the terror attacks through the personal stories of those who witnessed and survived them. Told across 14 posters, this exhibition includes archival photographs and images of artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial Museum’s permanent collection.
Adult Programming History Bites: Noon-12:30 Oct. 5
Photography Technology Series, Part 1: Glass plate negatives. Dry glass plate negatives started a photography revolution in the 1870s. Previously, photographers were tied to studios or troublesome portable darkrooms. With this new technology, they could capture images in any location, carefully pack the exposed glass plates, and develop them later. Learn how this technology works and why the images it creates are so prized. Collections Coordinator Nate Meyers will feature glass plate negatives from the Chandler Museum artifact collection.
Our Stories : 10:30 a.m. Oct. 23
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs): More than 1,000 women served as WASPs during WWII, freeing male pilots for overseas duty. WASPs served on 122 bases in 31 states, including Arizona in Chandler and Kingman. Their primary task was ferrying combat aircraft from factories to embarkation points--totaling over sixty million miles between 1942 and 1944. They also towed targets for artillery and gunnery training, piloted top-secret missions and served as administrative and engineering test pilots. These women pilots flew every type of plane in the air arsenal.
Thirty-eight WASP died in service. However, the Air Force did not acknowledge their contribution until 1979.
Natalie J. Stewart-Smith, MA, MEd, Army veteran, WASP historian and educator, presents this talk to coordinate with the final phase of the Field of Honor Veterans’ Memorial, to be dedicated at Chandler’s Veterans Oasis Park on Nov. 11.
Museum in a Box
Dive into culture, history, and art at home with a themed activity box. Each Chandler Museum in a Box includes instructions and supplies for three-five activities. Available in the Museum Store.
Build It! Frank Lloyd Wright in Chandler
Explore architecture with a Frank Lloyd Wright themed activity box. Design a city, test your building skills with edible construction supplies, and review shapes hidden within authentic Wright drawings. This Chandler Museum in a Box contains all needed supplies for three activities, stories about Wright’s time in Chandler, and the book Who Was Frank Lloyd Wright from the popular Who Was? series. $18, Ages 7-10, includes enough supplies for two users
Docent Tours Sundays at 1:30 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Free 45-minute tours led by volunteer docents will give you insights into the architectural and artistic components of the museum campus as well as details about Chandler’s history.
Tour groups limited to eight participants. For larger groups, call 480-782-2879. Register for events at Eventbrite.com and search “Chandler Museum.”
LIMELIGHT from page 46
bring vibrance and life to their characters while showing a level of professionalism that is well beyond their years.”
For 11-year-old Janelle Frazier of Chandler, “Junie B.” is a chance to get back to what she loves.
“Being able to be back in theater has made me realize how much I missed it,” Janelle said. “I am so thankful for all the people who have helped me come so far doing what I love.”
Among the skills they’re learning are iconic dance moves from the 1990s.
“We wanted to stay true to the time period of the books,” said England. “That means learning the Roger Rabbit and Hammer Time. The kids are absolutely crushing it! Everything in this show features styling from the 90s, including lots of bright colors in the set and costumes.”
And there are bonuses for England, too, as she watches Savannah and the other perofmrer playing Junie B, Anna Scales of Scottsdale, perform.
“I love the way Savannah and Anna work together,” she said. “I’ve never seen two kids who are so supportive of one another.”
Six weeks since the cast list was posted, Limelight is ready to open the show. “Junie B.’s Essential Survival Guide to School” runs from Sept. 24-Oct. 2 at the Studio 3 Artspace Theatre, 511 W. Guadalupe Road in Gilbert.
Tickets are $15 and can be purchased at limelight.ticketleap.com. Limelight is also producing a “Page to Stage” storytime version for young children ages 2-7 and their parents.
AUTHOR from page 46
tor” – which continues to sell well.
Then he turned back to “Not on My Watch” and had a harrowing discovery: “It wasn’t very well written. It was my first attempt and it showed.”
Gershkowitz applied the lessons he learned in editing and writing “The Operator” and now believes “Watch” is even better than it.
It’s also been thoroughly researched and Gershkowitz said he made sure that even the streets, buildings and other landmarks in his book exist and were accurately spelled and portrayed.
“Coordinating dates, locations, time changes between the two coasts, and
Still, Gershkowitz is busy on his third novel, about assisted suicide, that also was inspired by something he had read.
“I have two other manuscripts in the works, ‘License to Steal’ and ‘The Painter,’” he said. “The characters are all different, as are the plotlines and underlying issues.” His hope is to have all three novels completed in the next 18 months.
Though he has been in the financial planning business for three decade, Gershkowitz said, “Writing is what I hope to be my next career.” “I’ve always journaled,” he said. “I’ve always written poetry. I always wanted to be a writer, but I knew I had to earn a living. My son works with me. He’s also my best friend. He and I talk about
–Howard Gershkowitz
making sure there was consistency from page one through the final lines required constantly re-reading and adjusting things,” he said.
As for the subject itself, besides reading, he also relied on a retired Arizona State University professor, Sharon Lohr, who has published several books on crime data and studied Medicare fraud.
Yet, anyone who might think the pandemic and its shutdowns and workat-home orders comprised a boon to Gershkowitz’s muse would be mistaken.
Indeed, he’s found the pandemic a huge distraction. “There was such uncertainty everywhere, even after the vaccines arrived on scene, that it was difficult to concentrate on writing,” he said, admitting it was “ironic that I had more free time during the shut-down, yet the motivation to write seemed to evade me.
“Coupled with a divisive election that generated an unfortunate national sense of animosity, it was just a difficult time to focus,” he added. everything. On my 55th birthday I said, ‘If I don’t start writing soon, I may never get it done.’”
He said his son, Robert Gershkowitz, a financial planner, recommended writing classes. The determined Howard has taken classes at community colleges and Arizona State University’s Virginia G. Piper Center for Creative Writing, as well as in workshops around the country.
“People told me I have a natural talent for it,” he said. “Coming up with ideas for stories and poetry and even novels isn’t a problem. You need to be able to work on characterization and the plot.”
Gershkowitz is planning a couple book signings – 6:30 p.m. Nov. 2 at Tempe Library, 11 a.m. Nov. 6 at Desert Foothills Library and Nov 13, I will be in Prescott at the Elks Lodge for the PAAHC Thumb Butte Book Festival.
“The Operator” has five-star ratings on Amazon.com and on Goodreads.com.
Both “Not on My Watch” and “The Operator” are available at Amazon.com.
PRESCOTT from page 49
McCaigue paints mostly fi gurative art, with subjects in nature and usually with a bird.
“The images are dreamy, almost surreal, with patterns and vivid colors,” McCaigue explained. “I fi nd peace while creating and viewing my art.”
She adds on her website, “Color brings me joy and the happiness I feel when creating goes into my paintings. It is a two-way therapy that fuels the
emotions and excites the senses. I create paintings that take me on a journey through transparent layers and dreamy shapes. My art transports me to another place; it sets me free to dream.”
Fagen, a fi ber artist and jewelry designer who also is a crime novelist, creates textile wall art as well as polymer clay jewelry and sculptural items.
“I love to design and create fi ber art quilt wall-hangings from my original photos, transferred to fabric,” said Fagen, adding: “My wearable art includes necklaces, earrings and rings, and I enjoy working with people to create a highly personalized design specifi cally for them.”
Fagen also is preparing for a November release of her third novel in her series build around a fi ctitious radio reporter in Chandler. The new novel is titled “Bleeder.”
Hours for the studio tour are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day and raffl e prizes will be given at the McCaigue Studio, and many other studios also are holding raffl es.
–Nicole McCaigue
“Houdini,” left, is a painting by Nicole McCaigue while Laurie Fagen made “Angelina,” an ink drawing on fabric and machine quilted.
(Special to SanTan Sun News)
The tour is free and self-guided.
For more information on Fagen and McCaigue, visit McCaigue.Art and FagenDesigns.com.
For additional details about the 53 locations on the Prescott Studio Tour, specifi c locations and maps, visit prescottstudiotour.com.
Getyourstudent backon track.
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