1 )1 or
their supper

Guests at the Shulman home don't just attend parties — they participate.

SHELLI LIEBMAN DORFMAN
Staff Writer

C

or 18 years, Marci Shulman's friends
excitedly anticipated discovering the theme
she chose for her annual bash.
Hosting the final party last year, she vows to
hold occasional events and to keep memories of
past revelry in mind.
The festivities began simply in 1987 but soon
became an annual musical extravaganza, each with
an elaborately planned central focus.
"The parties started when we invited 35 people
who are musicians — or just love music — to a
gathering in our home," said Shulman of West

Marci Shulman wore a
colorful gown for her
music awards evening.

Bloomfield. "I got up and sang something
classical. Then I looked around and said,
`Who's next?'"
Since then, the parties, held each January, have
included creative themes like "Shulman's Shop of
Horrors," "Summer in Winter," "Andrew Lloyd
Webber Night" and a pajama party, complete with
guests in bathrobes and fuzzy slippers enjoying
typical late-night snacks.
A focus of each party has been a musical perform-
ance that fits the theme.
"I have a cast who include people who do corn,
munity theater and teachers I know who are talent-
ed," she said of the volunteer group. "The Friar's
Club and the Maize and Blue, both from Ann

XX'

3/24

2005

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