Doc. Film FINDING VIVIAN MAIER an Artist Revealed Posthumously

FINDING VIVIAN MAIER (b.1926-09) is a film that uncovers a bounty of photos taken by Maier that were never shared with anyone.  Her work was discovered by John Maloof who purchased a box of negatives at an auction sale (for approx. $350) to use for a book project.  Scanning the negatives, he deemed them irrelevant and stored them for 2 years.  Taking a 2nd look, Maloof, a dir. of this film, found the works extraordinary and sought corroboration for his assessment & assistance in organizing this treasure grove.  Turned down by both the MoMA & Tate Modern (big mistake!) Maloof went on the internet & swiftly found a mass audience who perceived Maier's uncanny eye.  Reknown photographers, Joel Meyerowitz & Mary Ellen Park attest to her adroit skills in capturing the qualities of human warmth, playfulness & tragedy.  Her work is put on par with Cartier-Bresson, Arbus & Frank.  A major body of her work captures Chicago's street life and its people from 1950-1970's.  The enigma of why Maier had amassed "a ton of work," roughly 40,000 negatives without showing them to anyone is a mystery.  Maloof interviews the families for whom Maier was a nanny/housekeeper.  She's described as intensely private, eccentric, a pack rat and as a person whose mental stability spiraled downward.  She described herself "as a sort of a spy." FINDING VIVIAN MAIER is an engrossing  & beguiling character study of an artist whose work should have made her famous during her lifetime.

Denzel Washington in a Raisin in the Sun on B'wy

Scrawled upon the curtain prior to the the play was Langston Hughes' poem "a Dream Deferred" from which Hansberry took the title for her play. "What happens to a dream deferred?  Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?  A fascinating Studs Terkel interview of Lorraine Hansberry was being played.     Hansberry maintained a "realism" in her writing; "fiction demands the truth."  A RAISIN was 1st performed on B'wy in 1960, earning 4 Tony nominations, including best play & best actor (Sidney Poitier.)  Hansberry wrote her play in response to her family's lawsuit "Hansberry vs. Lee '1940" arguing racially motivated restrictions were issued to prohibit the family from purchasing a home.  The Fair Housing Act was not passed until 1968.  It's been debated whether Hansberry's play was writtten as a particular African Amer. experience or universal in subject.  As per the playwright's interview, her intent was aimed at racism directed at African Americans prior to the Civil Rights Movement.  Bruce Norris wrote the Tony & Pulitizer Prize winning play Clybourne Park in response to Hansberry play.  Norris' play has a modern twist regarding issues of racial equality and human aspirations.  The events in Clybourne are prior to and after RAISIN.  Seeing this revival with Denzel, the play felt like a universal  play concerning the relationship between a husband & wife.  Walter (Denzel) needed his wife "to back him up." Walter's wife said "All I got to give him is nothing. Dreams - life is a barrel of disappointments."  The production, a Raisin in the Sun "just sags like a heavy load."  It doesn't explode with the power of a dream deferred.

Lady Day on B'wy-Them that Goes Shall Get

Them that doesn't get there shall lose the opportunity to see the incredibly talented Audra McDonald as Billie Holiday in LADY DAY at EMERSON'S.  McDonald is totally convincing as the real life Billie Holiday the show transports you back to a small night club in Philly (1959.)  The Circle in the Square theatre replicates the feel of a smokey nightclub replete with smokey haze, full bar, night club tables &  waiters serving drinks.  Audra McDonald is a 5 time Tony winner.  Them that goes to see her, will get another Tony worthy performance.  McDonald, a Julliard trained opera singer, has a vocal range & artistry have earned her 2 Grammy awards.  LADY DAY is a spectacular show for the jazzy blues for interpretation of Holiday's music by McDonald, her pianist/partner, Jimmy (Shelton Becton) and bass player & drummer.  Billie speaks from the heart directly to the audience, "her friends" about her life; her arrests, on-going struggles with alcohol/drugs & racial discriminations.  This is a mesmerizing musical that sheds a light on racial tensions of the 50's which need to be re-examined today.  "Saying someone is better than you doesn't make it so."  LADY DAY is a powerhouse of a musical that tells the life of a tormented artists who self-destructive behaviors I was sympathetic to and "T'aint Nobody's Business if I Do."

Julliard Dance Repertory 2014

The Julliard School's Dance Dept. continues to get stronger & broader in repertoire and talent.   The 5 evenings of performance will end this evening.  The programs all contain:  "Baker's Dozen" by Twyla Tharp (1979,) "Concerto Six Twenty-Two" by Lar Lubovitc (who was present, 1986)  and "The Jig is Up" by Eliot Feld (1984.) Tharp's "Baker's Dozen" was the oldest work on the program but still felt contemporary & fresh.  The youthful pantomimes and light footing of the dancers added to its whimsy.  The dancers displayed strength & ease with their lifts.  The all white costumes were repeated in Lubovitc's "Six Twenty-Two."  The ambience of both were joyful and buoyant.  Mozart's Concerto 622 worked beautifully for the choreography for both allegros & the adagio.  The partnerings were all well suited f& complimented each other.  The Julliard Orchestra performed the music for their classmates which added to the enjoyment of the program.  The final piece of the program was "The Jig is Up" accompanied by Celtic music.  (By now, audience members have learned to return to their seats early as performances commence without fanfare.)  This piece was a colorful medley of River Dance, Irish Jigs & Celtic dancing styles.  In contrast to all white, the costumes were a kaleidoscope of greens & vivid blues with black accents.  However, the costumes were very ragtag looking even though, the  men were dashing in their fitted colorful caps.  The music was taped (I don't think the Julliard Orch. includes bagpipes.)  The energy and fancy footwork dazzled although the hand waggling behind the backs was tiresome.  This piece was a little long.  I would have eliminated the female solo whose dance  looked like a performance in the musical HAIR.  The 2014 Repertory had a lot of excitement & gaiety.  I look forward to the Senior Showcase on May 19th.  

On B'wy-THE REALISTIC JONESES - Don't Bother Keeping Up

THE REALISTIC JONESES by Will Eno, Horton Foote winning playwright (MIDDLETOWN '13.)  JONESES is a 4 character, 1 act play featuring an all star cast.  Oscar winners, Toni Collette (Jennifer) & Marisa Tomei (Pony,) Golden Globe winner, Michael C. Hall (John) and Tracy Letts, Pulitzer Prize winning playwright (Osage County) & Tony winning actor (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?)  A perfect assemblage of talent is imperfectly balanced.  John & Pony Jones are new neighbors in a small town to Bob & Jennifer Jones.  Besides the same family name, it is ironic how very much they all have in common.  The Joneses share the fears, failures and loneliness that everyone feels.  Everybody's conversations are exactly like those of the Joneses, well almost everyones, or maybe no one's.  People don't speak to each other as the Joneses do, with their "awful vocabuary, awkward punch-lines, & gobble-y-gook nonsense." But again, "people just throw words at each other and never know what the other is talking about."  Eno is a clever writer who is way too smart for his own good.  I found the play so funny I forgot to laugh.  Although, the audience found it hilarious; there are "different levels of not knowing."  This play is a play on words filled with oxymorons.  Eno tackles theology, sociology & linguistics without scoring a run.  I found the play vast yet lacking in depth.  However,  I do agree "the way to listen is by not talking." And, I do love it when it's "so quiet you can hear the clouds passing."  

French Film "Just a Sigh" My Oh My!

JUST a SIGH is a French film whose genre encompasses romance/drama & intrigue which is tres French. The film follows Alix (Emmanuelle Devos,) a flailing actress following Doug (Gabriel Byrne.)  The 2 make sensuous eye contact while travelling by train.  The cat & mouse rendezvous is pursued by Alix who stalks Doug to a church funeral & then to his hotel room.  When Doug finally asks "why did you follow me," she says "I didn't follow you, I found you." {Strangers on the train, exchanging glances - wondering what were the chances, they'd be making love, before the day was through}  The mystery was not whether there was going to be a sexual liaison but in discovering this history of these 2 people and what drew them together.  The drama is awash in French family melodrama & Alix's struggles as an actress to find work & her most recent lover.  French Dir. Jerome Bonnell has won numerous Int'l awards for his filmmaking. "Just a Sign" was nominated at the Tribeca Film Festival ('13.)  Irish actor Byrne, has been nominated for a Tony & garnered Golden Globe & Emmy awards for his role on the TV series "In Treatment."  Byrne brings smoldering sexuality to his character.  This romantic, drama filled with mystique will find a niche with women of a mature age and Francophiles.  The film lingers over scenes sans dialogue & allows the eyes to do the talking.  Perhaps, Americans who aspire for the sophisticated French palate & je ne sais quo, this movie will speak to them.  But, as Americans, "We will always have Paris," and "a kiss is but a kiss."  And, JUST a SIGH is "a little too much in love with  life," which ain't a bad thing.

Disney's Aladdin on B'wy - A Whole Other World in Family Fun

Aladdin flew in on a magic carpet last night sprinkling a lot more than fairy dust.  There was razzel dazzle a plenty to delight audience of all ages.  Disney is legendary for bringing their animated movies to life on stage with "power in their corner."  There's "never been a friend like…" Disney for spectacular family fun.  Aladdin adds another plume in Disney's turban with memorable, award winning music by Alan Menken & lyricists Howard Ashman & Tim Rice.  The live orchestra keeps the energy flowing and the clever choreography going.  The medley of memorable Disney tunes from other musicals is a charming interlude that exudes happiness with a wink.  The sets  & costumes themselves are bedazzling jewel tones.  The amusing special effects were always "One Jump Ahead."  Jasmine & Aladdin made a beautiful couple with clarion voices that soared.  Jafar & Iago were wickedly campy.  The Genie (James Monroe Iglehart) was the real thief; he stole the show.  Iglehart was an omnipotent song & dance man with irrepressible bravado.  Nobody does musical extravaganzas better than Disney.  ALADDIN is a glimmering diamond of show not to be overlooked.

NY Philh. Rehearsal Heralds Spring with Gershwin's Concerto in F for Piano & Orch.

How rousing to be in Avery Fisher to hear Gershwin's Concerto in F on the 1st day of spring.  Brooklyn's own George Gershwin gives New Yorkers bragging rights for a musical genius who built  bridged classical music with jazz.  Conductor & pianist phenomenon, Jeffrey Kahane played the piano while simultaenously conducting the Philharmonic.  On the 1st day of spring this was a delightful 1st for me in musical entertainments.  Kahane is equally at home at the keys as he is at the helm.  In addition to conducting the NY Phil., he has conducted numerous other prestigious orchestras: LA Phil., Cleveland Orch., & SF Orch.  He has collaborated his playing virtuosity with artists such as Yo-Yo Ma & Joshua Bell.  For his diverse skills & commitment to education he has been awarded the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.  The audience was rewarded with Gershwin's invigorating music that exudes the spirit & resiliency indiginous to America.  The music has swagger, surprise & brassy syncopation.  Spring burst into NYC this morning & then to no surprise -  slid back into hibernation.

Terrence McNally's MOTHERS and SONS-An Aids Memorial

Terrence McNally is a 4 time Tony Award winning playwright & recipient of the Guild Lifetime Achievement Award.  In 1996, McNally was was inducted into the Theater Hall of Fame.  His new play, MOTHERS and SONS, is set in the present, here on the UWS inNYC.  It focuses on a married gay couple, Cal (Frederick Weller) & Will (Bobby Steggert) who have a 7 yr. old son.  Catherine (Tyne Daly) was Andre's mom, Cal's previous lover who died of AIDS.   Catherine comes to pay a visit to Cal whom she hasn't seen since his memorial service 20 years prior.  Catherine tells Cal 'when their friend sang that beautiful aria of Mozart, that was a perfect moment." The tranquility lasts but a moment.  Catherine turns viciously against Cal, both for their homosexual relationship as well as his disloyalty for having moved on to another relationship.  Catherine brings Cal Andre's diary.  Cal in turn brings forth a box of photos & memorabilia of Andre's.  The multi-Tony & Emmy winner actress, Daly, who performed last year in Mcnally's revival of MASTER CLASS, fails to elicit sympathy or credibility in her role.  Perhaps, this is a testament to changing attitudes as well as legislation that have changed since the 1980's.  It is Cal, (Weller) B'wy veteran & multi-Drama Desk noms., who carries the gravitas & relevance of the play.   A generation of gay men died from AIDS.  They bore the scorge & stigma of AIDS.  This a "bridge" or a transitional play that serves as a dignified memorial.  Cal effigy to these men was his questioning "the diminished capacity of care given to gay men at the end of the 20th C has become a footnote in history with the raw edges of pain dulled."  McNally's insightful timepiece play speaks of "bridges of transitions."  MOTHERS and SONS is a monument to AIDS' casualties and asks "maybe those who died of AIDS changed us, or maybe changed us not at all." The play ends with Mozarts' aria and an illuminated Catherine.  In a less than perfect world, there is hope that people can change.

Carrie Mae Weems-Melds Photos/Poetry/Prose to Overwhelm the Eye & Heart

The Guggenheim exhibit of Carrie Mae Weems work spans 3 decades.  Weems' (Amer. b. 1953) work is influenced by Henry Cartier-Bresson & Robert Frank.  Her photos capture moments that speak with a stentorian voice to the heart about slavery, racial stereotypes, her personal family history, and universally, women's positions within their families and communities.  Ms. Weems is an artist whose photos & text are alluring and troubling.  Weems is a courageous & admirable artist.  Weems appropriated a series of photos originally commissioned by a 19th C Harvard scientist to delineate blacks as inferior race.  Weems colored these photos in crimson and added text, "From Here I Saw What Happened & I Cried."  Her provocative series stirred the Univ. to threaten legal action only to submit & purchase her work for their archives.  (These are not included in the exhibit.)   There is sufficient work from her "Family Pictures & Stories" that lays bare familial bonds & dark underbelly in her family.  Images that confront racial stereotypes such as the demise of the black family are rebuked  in her "family reunion" & "mom at work" & contest Sec. Moynihan's report ('65) "on the deterioration of the fabric of Negro society." Weems also focuses her lens on racial images: "Black Man with Watermelon," and "Black Sambo & Mammy figurines."  The poetry in Weems' art lulls you only to slap you to attention.  "Three Decades of Photography & Video" is presented in a side venue at the Guggenheim, nonetheless, this potent show necessitates multiple visits.  

"Esperanza Spalding: New Songs" @ 92ndY - "Emily What?"

Last night @ the 92ndY, there was a packed house to hear the Grammy winning jazz composer, musician & vocalist, Esperanza Spalding.  David Letterman called Spalding, "the coolest guest he ever had on the show."  Her music & style exude coolness.  Her Afro inspired Angela Davis' hairstyle has become a trademark.  Known for her soulful, Brazilian, pastiche of jazz & stirring lyrics, Spalding has produced a prolific amount of work for someone her age (b. 1984.)  Begninng at age 5, Spalding first studied violin, & an assortment of winds, finding her voice & calling for music by 15.  She studied at Berkeley where she became a faculty member at 22.  As a jazz veteran @ 29, Spalding has broadened her style and her material.  Band member, Matthew Stevens on guitar, came on stage moments prior to the program to say that Ms. Spalding was unable to attend but had sent a talented guest artist in her place, Emily What.   Say WHAT?!?  Emily What came bobbing & strutting onto the stage while band members performed; dynamic drummer, Karriem Riggins, Corey King on trombonie & vocals, Nadia Washington guitar & vocals.  Emily What was a stunning  guitarist, with long straight hair & oversized lime green eyeglasses.  She resembled a prelude to a children's concert.  Emily engaged the audience calling "When I say Emily you say - What," adding to the sophomoric tone on set.  The performance itself was cool, upbeat jazz with soulful vocals from Emily whose beautiful voice had a broad range.  Unfortunately,  the songs blended into one another with inaudible lyrics.  Emily paused to chant "Funk the Fear," again looking towards the crowd for an echo.  After a set, shy of an hour, Emily came back onstage for 1 encore.  "The music performed tonight was all original except for the song we're going to play for you now." The concert was very entertaining.  The mystery woman Emily What, was indeed Esperanza sporting a new do along with original new recordings a strand away from her signature style.   That is what truly artists do, they keep reinventing themselves and their art.  Say What?    

French Film "On My Way" - Stay Away (avec Catherine DeNeuve)

The French Film, "On My Way," has Catherine DeNeuve going for it.   Otherwise, this is a c'est la vie cinematic bore.  DeNeuve, is a national Frenceh treasure who gained int'l fame from Belle de Jour (1966.)  Bettie (DeNeuve) is an older woman and former beauty queen whose life is in shatters.  Bettie lives & works with her overbearing mother in their rundown bistro that is barely staying afloat.  Bettie  lives in the same provincial town she's always lived.  Her young husband died choking on a chicken bone.  Her great love in life was not her husband or estranged daughter, but a young lover who died in a car accident when they were together.  Her current lover has just jilted her & his wife for a 25 year old pregnant girlfriend.   This is just more than she can stand & impetuously drives away leaving her mother to worry & manage the restaurant.   Meanwhile, her daughter contacts her to beg help with her son, Charly, so she can pursue a job opportunity.  Charly is a volatile pre-teen which makes for a odd duo "hitting the road." Kudos to DeNeuve for playing an aging former beauty with courage & sensitivity.  Otherwise, this is droll pretentious French cinema is weighed down with lots of talking, eating & promiscuity that the French love and non-Francophiles reason to detest the French.   Family & friends gather round the charming outdoor table for wining, dining & singing "I miss my lost years."  I miss my 2 hours.  Rent Belle de Jour with the young & glamorous DeNeuve or see Belle in Disney's Beauty & the Beast.  My advise, steer clear of "On My Way."

The Israeli Film "Bethlehem" Never Ending Mayhem Israelis/Palestinians

"Bethlehem" is an Israeli film in both Hebrew & Arabic depicting the current, ongoing violence between Israelis & Palestinians.  This is the 1st feature film by Israeli Dir/screen-writer, Yuval Adler.  The movie starts with a game of chicken: a group of armed male teens being taunted by Sanfur (Shadi Mar'i) to fire their weapons at him while wearing a protective vest.   War is anything but a game, nonetheless, it is all consuming and devastating.  Sanfur has been manipulated by Israeli Secret Service Agent, Razi (Tsahi Halevi) to abet the capture/killing of his brother, Ibrahim; a leader in the Palestinian Resistance.  Razi is a pawn for information on terrorist's activities being plotted in Israel.  A suicide bombing in Israeli sets the Secret Service Agency in a frenzy to find Ibrahim via any tactics.   Razi speaks fluent Arabic & has established a rapport with Sanfur as a young teen through attention & bribery.  Clandestine & risky rendezvous & are orchestrated by Razi involving Sanfur. The questions of loyalties and honesty are nebulous & constantly shifting.  What remains constant, is the abhorrent killings & destruction inflicted by both sides.  The raw & brutal depiction of this portion of the Middle East conflict is relentless and extremely disturbing.   "Bethlehem" is an upfront & unforgettable film.  It demonstrates mankind's capacity for friendship & understanding.  Unfortunately, the reverberating & escalating violence abandons peace between a rock and a hard place.    

Italian Film "Honey" Re: Euthanasia? About Life - Si!

"Honey" is the alias used by Irene (Jasmine Trinca) whose "shitty job" or mission in life is to assist in the humane act of ending the lives of terminally ill individuals.  Irene lives & works in Italy.  She flies frequently to the U.S./Mexico to obtain the lethal barbiturate, lamputal; used to put down dogs.  With the right cocktail of lamputal & narcotics, Honey is able to assist euthanasia she deems a mercenary act & "helpful job."  Honey professionally & kindly administers to both patient & consenting family member.  Before assiting the illegal euthanasia practice & extracting a hefty fee, she seeks assurance for this choice.  Her "boss" assigns her to an elderly gentleman, Carlo Grimaldi (Carlo Cecchi) who insists on acting solely alone.  After providing Grimaldi lamputal & instructions, she discovers he is of fit mind & body.  This poses a moral dilemma for Honey and violates her conduct code.  She is determined to retrieve the materials & convince Grimaldi to abandon his plan.  Their confrontations pose the quandaries of euthanasia in an intelligent & comprehensive manner without proselytizing either side.  Both Trinca & Cecchi are award winning European actors.  Trinca is a stunning combination of Audrey Hepburn Natalie Portman.  Both actors light up the screen, especially when together.  This Italian film marks the directorial debut of actress Valeria Golino (Rain Man.)  Golino has made a beautiful looking film whose monotones are splashed with colored accents of sunny yellow, pale blue & deep honey.  "Honey" brings euthanasia to the forefront while highlighting the precious gifts life offers.   Irene tells Carolo, "No one wants to die.  They all want to live."

Doc. Elaine Stritch Shoot Me - She Does it Her Way

Elaine Stritch is best known for her work on the Great White Way.   Famous playwrights & composers, Stephen Sondheim, Hal Prince Noel Coward have written musicals for her.  She may not be well known to younger generations or non-theatre goers other than as Alec Bladwin's feisty mother on 30 Rock.  Elaine Stritch: Just Shoot Me will awaken a larger, appreciative audience for her boundless talent and indefatigable spirit.   The doc. film is directed by Chiemi Karasaw, founder of Isotope Films ('05) which develops/produces original, non-fiction content.  (Karasaw is seen in Elaine's hospital room near the end of the film.)  This film clearly gives us one bold, bawdy bare naked dame. There is so much life inside her, it comes bursting out of her every pore, every moment.   The miraculous thing is how relatable we feel to her.  Elaine quotes Betty Davis, "getting old is not for sissies."  Elaine doesn't like the word old, "we're all getting older so why not enjoy it."  We given an intimate look at her life;  loves, fears & battles with alcohol.  She turned 87 during the filming and we see her health & memory wane.  Her stories are endlessly amusing & the admiration from showbiz legends is remarkable.  (There is a poignant tribute from James Gandolfini.)  Elaine Stritch Shoot Me is a doc. film that reaches an emotional truth that is sentient to every age.  Elaine Stritch is a woman too consumed with vitality to retire or become "one of the ladies who lunch."

Rangers White Wash Red Wings oh oh oh!

The Rangers stepped out on the ice @ Madison Square Garden and owned it from the start of the game.  Scoring once in the 1st period, the Rangers held the 1-0 lead through the 2nd with more shots on goal than the Wings were able to flutter.  The Rangers came roaring out on the ice at the start of the 3rd scoring a goal 14 seconds into the game.  Oh Oh Oh YEAH YEAH YEAH - They added one more for insult to shut out the Red Wings.  The Wings never pulled their goalie.  Of course, ma cheri, Henri, is the master keeper of the gate and Detroit could not get past our NY Rangers.  Hockey has game going on & no music playing during game time.  I would like the Knicks to let the game play with out the loud music constantly interferring with the integrity of the game.  Obviously, hockey fans are purists & are more trustworthy.  Why do they conviscate bottle caps at Knicks' games & they don't @ Rangers' games.  If throwing caps onto the court or ice poses a problem, hockey fans are to be trusted.  Trust me, Knicks games would be more enjoyable if music was restrained during play.  As for bottle caps - someone's flipped their lid.

BAD WORDS, Filthy Fun Spelling Bee Comedy

Justin Bateman stars in & directs this comedy that is both hilarious, touching & off putting.  Ribald comediennes push the boundaries of salacious sleaze; offending some, but the majority of audiences with a sense of humor will be immensely entertained by this surprising charmer.  Guy Trilby (Bateman) is a 40 year old irreverent genius highjacks a spelling bee competition for grade school students.  How & why can a 40 yr. old ingrain himself into a children's spelling bee competition?  Therein lies the mysteries.  How he is legally able to participate is made clear from the beginning much to the chagrin of parents, students & spelling bee officials.  The always fabulous Allison Janney who is hilarious as the consummate Spelling Bee Officiando who cheats to try to stump Guy but ends out getting herself dumped before the final round.  Trying her best to unravel the quandary & ingratiate herself into Guy's life is a reporter played with spunk & junk by Kathryn Hahn (TV: Crossing Jordan.)  The odd couple comedy dynamos are Guy & the precocious 10 yr. old Chopra (Rohan Chand) who tries his darn best to win Guy as his only friend.  Does Guy corrupt innocent Chopra, does Chopra melt the heart of gruff guy Guy or will a true bond form between the two?  This mystery here is obvious from the get go but still can make most curmudgeons cheer for their friendship & this comedy.  The enigma of why Guy was intent on being a contestant takes a 2nd seat to the affection Guy & Chopra developed.  For those who love to laugh out loud don't miss this and for those with a highbrow sense of humor - don't look!  You're welcome.

Gauguin: Metamorphoses @ MoMA - More than Paintings of Paradise

The Tahitian idyllic paradise that Gauguin portrayed in his beautiful oil paintings are on view along with his rare & exceptional prints and transfer drawings.  This magical exhibit is an assembly of more than 100 works on paper that connect with dozens of his significant paintings & sculptures.  The use of color and female figures in his "idyllic pagan" compositions are dispersed amongst innovative wood carvings and prints that add a depth of innovation to his iconic modernist paintings.  The wider range of Gaugin's work encompassed detail woodcuts, mystifying watercolors and transfer drawings which appear multi-dimensional.  As you 1st enter, there are several surprising ceramic cylinder sculptures with rich glazed tones.  His wood carvings are remarkably detailed.  Some capture the movement of waves & island breezes.  I was transfixed with his "Noa Noa" woodcut.  There are recurring motifs of beautiful women amidst tropical splendor that are lovely & serene.   Also look for images of impish nymphs & spirits.   The oil painting "A Girl with Fan" is exquisite.  The beauty of his modernist paintings are enhanced surrounded by other creative but less familiar works that utilized varied mediums.   Gauguin:  Metamorphoses is an oasis of delights.  

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder - Likeable Theatre for Tourists

A Gentleman's Guide to Love & Murder at the Walter Kerr Theatre is a new musical on Broadway which has plenty of good things to recommend.  The clever music & lyrics by award winning composer Steven Lutvak.  The singing & acting by its lead actors, Bryce Pinkham, Lisa O'Hare & Lauren Worksham whose love triangle is charming and their voices, particularly their overtone singing is delightful.  Jefferson Mays who plays numerous characters adds humor & wit to each role.  The musical is told in flashback with Monty Navarro (Bryce Pinkham) in prison awaiting execution writing (aloud) his true story depicting the calculated killings of 6 members of the D'Ysquith family (think Dowtown Abby) to rise to the top of the food chain.  The staging of each murder proves more creative  than the next.  But, as the opening chorus for the play set in London, 1909, tells us "No one ever tells the truth."  The truth is this musical is entertaining.  The type of musical that will play to tourists (and on the road) and the show to take your folks to when they're in town.  I give it a sold B but it doesn't get a must see from me.

"The Happiest Song Plays Last" is a Lugubrious Ending for Hudes' Trilogy

"The Happiest Song Plays Last" at the 2nd Stage Theatre is the final play in play Quiara Hudes' Trilogy which starts with a trio of Latin musicians performing.  The musicians remained on set & played engagingly throughout the show.  Sadly, the musical score was the best part of this verbose play that attempted to cover too many issues all over the globe.  Hudes' won the Tony award for In the Heights ('08) a high energy musical of small town Puerto Rican girl made big.  The 2nd play in the Trilogy, Water by the Spoonful, received a well earned Pulitizer ('12) for its poignant writing & heartfelt connections made via the internet.  "The Happiest…" continues with the same close cousins, Elliot (Armando Riesco, reprising his prior roles) & Yaz (Lauren Velez.)  Yaz teaches music in a small Philly town. Yaz skypes regularly with Elliot, a former Iraqui war vet who combines his military experiences with his acting aspirations shooting a war film in Jordan.  Hudes broadens his scope from the confines of a "tight knit" Puerto Rican community in Philly to Elliots' international travels to Jordan, Egypt and Dubai.  The messages in "The Happiest…" are simultaneously melancholy, macabre, exultant and far too disjointed to make a cohesive and compelling play.  War is Hell and what the Hell are we doing fighting foreign wars when we have so many problems here at home.  The internet is again another character in this play which plays a major role in bringing the excitement of revolution in Egypt instantaneously out into the world.  Lefty (Anthony Chisholm) is a simple minded vagrant who looks out for neighborhood youngster & is cared for by the altruistic Yaz.  Chisholm plays his role so movingly that when he asked Yaz's forgiveness, I almost wanted to forgive the play its convoluted plot.  At least the band played on but the legacy of Hudes' Trilogy ends on a sour note.  

NYC is Synonymous with Scaffolding, Subways & Sonnets

Scaffolding, can't avoid it anywhere you go in the city.  Subways, can get you wherever you want to go in the city.  NYC's Poetry in Motion which appears serendipitously on the subways, gives us commuters a chance to pause and marvel at all that makes our city so inspiring.  The most recent poem is by British born (1939-2013), Irish poet, playwright & recipient of the Nobel Prize in Lit. (1995.)  Heany captures the pulse and of the heart & NYC in his poem SCAFFOLDING.  His poem finds beauty in what enfolds us while supporting the ever changing landscape which makes Manhattan & its inhabitants so vibrant.

                 SCAFFOLDING

Masons, when they start upon a building,
are careful to test out the scaffolding:

Make sure that planks won't slip at busy points,
Secure off walls of sure & solid stone.

So if, my dear, there sometimes seem to be
Old bridges breaking between you and me

Never fear, We may let the scaffolds fall
Confident that we have built our wall.  

Not Much Kicks with KNICKS vs. WARRIORS

For us Knicks fans - who deserve a lot of credit for remaining (or trying to be) die hard fans there was not a lot to get excited about at the Garden last night.  Unless, you're a Warriors fan.  The Knicks trailed by more than 20 points all 4 periods.  There were Stephen Curry's amazing passes to watch; something the KNICKS need to demonstrate along with some offensive rebounding.  Other than the adorable Knick's Kid Dancers and a preview of the new Rockets' Show (strictly for tourists) the only excitement came from the the usually placid Tyson Chandler who got into a shoving match & received 2 technicals last night.  However, if you blinked you missed it & there was no replay on the jumbotron (bummer.)  J.R. Smith was playing with a Freddy Krueger facemask as if he's not scarey enough already.  Anyways, Knicks fans - we have March Madness to be excited about -the Knicks, no so much.