Roller Coaster

Theater Art Tony-winning comedy about a painting that ignites fierce debate between three friends. Judd Hirsch stars. Closes 7/31. Surflight Theatre, Beach & Engleside Ave., Harvey Cedars, NJ; 609-492-9477. $31-$49. Cape May Stage: The Understudy A Hollywood action star gets a big role in a new Broadway play, but finds himself clashing with his understudy. Closes 7/30. Robert Shackleton Playhouse, Bank & Lafayette Sts., Cape May; Box Office: 609-884-1341. $35-$50; $30-$50 seniors; $12.50-$50 students.

DARIEN, N.Y. - A U.S. Army veteran who lost both legs in Iraq and had been trying to rebuild his life was killed after he was thrown from a roller coaster at an Upstate New York amusement park. Teams of inspectors on Saturday were examining the Ride of Steel coaster at the Darien Lake Theme Park Resort, about 30 miles east of Buffalo. Sgt. James Thomas Hackemer, 29, was ejected from the 208-foot-tall ride Friday evening, after climbing aboard during an outing with family and friends.

This week's new DVD releases are a mixed bag of drama, action, romance, and some cool dance moves. Sucker Punch, Grade B: A young girl must use her imagination to escape from a dark reality. Jena Malone and Vanessa Hudgens star. Director Zack Snyder's a master at creating visually stunning films. The film's best appreciated as a visual roller coaster. Don't think. Just hold on and enjoy the wild ride. Barney's Version, Grade A: Paul Giamatti stars in this story of a man whose life is filled with love and loss.

HERSHEY, Pa. - Few roller-coasters feature more twists and turns than the story surrounding Hersheypark's current top-secret project, Attraction 2012. And even as the first pieces of the new ride arrive, the park still won't say much about its new roller-coaster. But a few facts have leaked out. Among them is that the ride is being constructed in a section of the park called Comet Hollow and incorporates a section that will twist and turn over Spring Creek. Zooming over the creek will add thrills to the ride, but it's also a necessity - the park is simply running out of room.

Earlier this week, Flyers forward Ian Laperriere was named a finalist for the Masterton Trophy for "perseverance and dedication" to hockey. Brian Boucher could have been right with him. Given the ride he has been on since joining the Flyers in 1999-2000, how many other goaltenders would have given up and retired when faced with the same obstacles? Let's recap: 1. (UP)First NHL start: Oct. 14, 1999 5-4 OT loss to Montreal 2. (UP)First NHL win: Oct. 30, 1999 5-3 vs. New Jersey "I told 'Boosh' it's hard to know how many games he'll play," coach Roger Neilson said on Oct. 31, 1999.

BUFFALO - No need to revisit the lost Super Bowls and Stanley Cup playoff runs that fell short, but Buffalo for years has been a pessimistic, if not tortured, sports town. Sabres owner Terry Pegula changed the culture with his positive nature and commitment to winning. In less than 2 months, he restored faith and hope. Remember, winning is not a goal. It's a belief. Of course, you believed yesterday afternoon when Rob Niedermayer wired a wrist shot into the top corner for an early lead against the Flyers, sending the 18,600 fans inside HSBC Arena and another 6,000 outside its doors into pure, unbridled jubilation.

ARIES (March 21-April 19). You feel safe enough to voice your agreements and disagreements alike when a loved one opposes you. It's a sign that your relationship is healthy. TAURUS (April 20-May 20). Life rarely happens with the sweet humor represented in a romantic comedy. Today is a delightful exception. GEMINI (May 21-June 21). You'll enjoy the day's illusions. Then something happens that is truly unexplainable. It's the real magic. CANCER (June 22-July 22). Do business with the one who has proved himself time and again.

CLEARWATER, Fla. - If baseball is an amusement park, it wouldn't be hard to guess which ride J.C. Romero would be on. The veteran lefthander cheerfully admits that his career has been a roller coaster and, to be fair, that doesn't make him different from most relief pitchers. The best hitters tend to be pretty good almost every year. Same with the best starting pitchers. Relievers are more up-and-down than a double-loop coaster with hairpin turns and a stomach-in-your-throat vertical drop.

In the three weeks since preseason practice began at St. Joseph's, Phil Martelli has seen sparks from the youngest team he will send on the floor in his 16 seasons as head coach on Hawk Hill. The question is whether those sparks will ultimately ignite a flame that represents St. Joe's return to its previous status as a perennial contender in the Atlantic Ten Conference. "There have been times at practice when I don't feel like I'm out there just trying to put a Band-Aid on a wound and hoping," said Martelli, whose Hawks will open their season Friday against Western Kentucky at Hagan Arena.

ARLINGTON, Texas - Pat Burrell was soaked in champagne Monday night, but he had little to do with making the corks pop. Except for winning the World Series, really, he had a season to forget. In fact, as Burrell waited his turn to touch the Commissioner's Trophy for the second time in 3 years, he had a hard time remembering the beginning of his climb from baseball's trash heap. He beamed, exultant, a champion again, and he was asked to compare his feelings: June 1, digging in against Kevin Pucetas in Las Vegas, vs. his feeling exactly 5 months later, celebrating here on the field at Rangers Ballpark in Texas.