IN THE ARTS
Danke schoen, Wayne

Wayne Newton will bring his spectacular show to the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank Thursday, Feb. 21, 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $80 and $50 and are on sale now at the box office at 99 Monmouth St., online at countbasietheatre.org or by calling (732) 842-9000.

Newton is no stranger to the entertainment industry. Discovered by Jackie Gleason and commonly referred to as "Mr. Las Vegas," he has performed thousands of shows during his five decades as a performer.

Songs he is best known for are "Danke Schoen" and "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast." Tickets will also be available day of show at the door. For more information, log on to www.countbasietheatre.

Paper Moon Puppet Theatre will present "Beauty and the Beast" through March. Performances are on Saturday at 2 p.m. at the theater, which is based at the First Avenue Playhouse, Atlantic Highlands. Tickets are $9. Birthday parties are available. Reservations are required and can be made by calling the playhouse at (732) 291-7552.

Pianist Konstantin Soukhovetski will present a concert Sunday at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 255 Harding Road, Red Bank. Konstantin is a graduate of The Juilliard School and was the recipient of the Arthur Rubenstein Prize and was also recently awarded third prize in the Cleveland International Piano Competition. A free will offering will be taken during the concert to offset expenses. For more information, call (732) 747-1348, ext. 21.

Soar Productions will hold auditions for "Blather Blarney & Balderdash" by Patrick Rainville Dorn on Sunday, noon-2 p.m. and Monday, Jan. 14, 4:30-6:30 p.m. Auditioning boys and girls ages 5-17. All roles are available. Shows are in March. Auditions will be held at 1110 Union Ave., Union Beach. For more information, call Mary or Moe at (732) 471-8268 or visit www.Soarproductions.Org.

The Art Society of Monmouth County meets Jan. 16, at Monmouth Beach Cultural Center, 128 Ocean Ave. Everyone interested in art is welcome. A social half-hour with refreshments begins at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m., artist Tim Dorland will give a presentation on stained glass artistry. Using sheet glass, frits and powdered glass, Dorland has pioneered his own approach to painting with glass in a kiln. To learn more about his glass art, visit http://tdorlandstudio.com. The Art Society meets the third Wednesday of each month. For directions to the meeting, call the cultural center at (732) 229- 4527 or visit www.surfmen.com.

New Jersey Repertory Company, 179 Broadway in Long Branch, will kick off its 10th season with the world premiere comedy

"And Her Hair Went With Her" by Zina Camblin. Performances are Jan. 17-Feb. 17. Jasmine owns the beauty parlor and has pretty much settled into her life, while Angie, who works there while going to school, is much more politically active. The interchange of their daily routine provides the foundation for this new comedy with a cast of two. Performances are Thursdays and Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sundays at 2 p.m.; tickets $35. For reservations or information, call (732) 229- 3166 or visit www.njrep.org.

Spotlight Players veterans will perform in "Spotlight on Spotlight 3: Celebrating the Standards," a cabaret of great songs from the 1930s through 1960s presented in a dessert-theater setting. The revue will take place Jan. 11 and 12 at 8 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Matawan, Route 34 and Franklin Street. Tickets are $15 for students and seniors, $18 for all others. For reservations and information, call (732) 583-7874 or visit www.spotlightplayers.org.

The Bluegrass & Oldtime Music Association of New Jersey will hold a show and jam session Sunday, Jan. 20, 1-5 p.m., at the Embury Methodist Church Hall, Church Street in Little Silver. Five bluegrass, country or folk bands will perform. Admission is $4 members, $5 others. For more information, visit www.newjerseybluegrass. org or call (732) 787-1891.

The Monmouth Conservatory of Music in Red Bank will present a Student Showcase Recital Saturday, Jan. 19, time to be announced, featuring performances by selected students at the conservatory at 50 White St. On Jan. 23 at 7:30 p.m., the conservatory will present a piano concert by two advanced piano students. Register at the Middletown Library, 55 New Monmouth Road. The programs are free. For information, call (732) 741-8880 or visit www.monmouthconservatory. org.

On Sunday, Jan. 20, the Cecilian Music Club, sponsored by Steinway Hall Paramus and its manager Gavin English, will present its 10th annual Multiple-Piano Monster Concert at 3 p.m. at the Count Basie Theatre in Red Bank. This ensemble of 35 Steinway baby grands is a unique event.

Tickets must be purchased in advance, and a donation of $10 per ticket is suggested. Contact Barbara Lerro (732) 780-9819 to purchase tickets. The Cecilian Music Club is an organization of teachers, performers, and music lovers dedicated to the study and performance of classical music. For more information, contact Helen Bungert at (732) 905-1761 or e-mail h_bungie@yahoo.com.