Gabriel Byrne and Will Rogers: Artist to Artist Conversation at Linc Ctr Atrium

The David Rubenstein Atrium at Linc Ctr is a fabulous public space.  They also provide a plethora of FREE programs.  Last night had a double bill:  Gabriel Byrne & Will Rogers in a discussion about the craft of acting.  And, a special late night performance & discussion with Conductor Alan Gilbert of the NYPhil.   A line usually forms early outside the atrium for most programs.  The space is limited & fills  quickly.  I was able to gain admittance just as the program began at 7:30PM and found good seating. On stage was Gabriel Byrne, a Golden Globe winner for his brilliant work as a therapist in the series "In Treatment."  Byrne is also a veteran of film & stage (Tony nominee.)  Seated next to Byrne was Will Rogers, a young actor with a bit part in Spielberg's "Bridge of Spies,"  If you blink, you miss it. Rogers performed in a Lanford Wilson's play at MTC.  As moderator, Rogers acted poorly.  Rogers asked Byrne questions regarding their shared craft.  Unfortunately, he wasn't prepared for the role.  He didn't pose perceptive questions and failed to listen to Byrne's loquacious and candid remarks.  Although Byrne did say that was the most important thing he learned about acting; listening.  Rogers failed to follow-up on Byrne's comments.  Their pairing felt awry.  Byrne, a veteran Irish actor regaled us with his gift for gab and was entertaining.  However, he was left doing the heavy lifting in the conversation.  The free talk was a paradigm of "The Actor's Studio."  It had a distinguished guest artist (Byrne) but lacked the skills of host James Lipton to elicit a fascinating discussion.  The idea of an artist to artist discussion was great but this was a somewhat of a missed opportunity.  Perhaps, had this event been more engaging, I would have remained for the FREE 10:30PM discussion & musical peroformance with Conductor Alan Gilbert.