By:Mary Ellen Zangara
Three local residents gave a top performance last week for the "Old Time Trio" concert at the Manville Public Library, entertaining more than 80 people in attendance.
Rudy Nowak, along with Lillian and Joe Zuza, wowed the crowd that came out in the frigid weather for their night of entertainment (a photo of the performers appears on page 11A).
Mr. Nowak played the piano, while the Zuzas lent their voices to many tunes. He was referred to as "Manville’s own Liberace" by Mr. Zuza as he introduced one of Mr. Nowak’s selections.
The concert was made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts and administered by Somerset County Cultural and Heritage Commission through the State County Partnership Local Program.
In the crowd were both young and old residents, relatives, library trustees, Board of Education members, Weston School Principal Don Frank, music teacher Bob Longstreet and many others, and they all came to hear the trio.
The hour-plus concert included selections of "Make Believe," "On the Street Where You Live," "Climb Every Mountain," "Edelweiss," "’Til There Was You," "My Funny Valentine," "I Could Have Danced All Night" and many more.
Residents were amazed at the talents they saw that night.
"I loved the show tunes and the selection is fantastic," North Second Avenue resident Cindy Flanagan said. "Rudy on the piano is out of this world. He is so talented. I love Joe’s voice it is so pure and soothing. It’s nice to see people out side the normal day to day. It’s kinda cool to see them in a different light. I am thoroughly enjoying myself. This is very nice and I am glad that I came. They are so good."
Rabecca Shelton, sitting next to Ms. Flanagan, said she couldn’t agree more. "It’s a really classy event to be brought to Manville."
With this concert such a success, another one is already in the works for the spring with brand new musical selections by the newly famous trio.
