"The Evolution of Mann" A New Musical Progresses Slowly for a Single Man Seeking Companion

 "The Evolution of Mann" a new musical is based on a time old scenario of men & women seeking a significant lasting relationship.  Henry Mann (an affecting Max Crumm) is 32 and bereft by his single state.  He's seeking a mate while pining 5 years over his previous girlfriend Sheila.  This elongated grieving period is far too long and a hinderance to Henry's perpetual pursuit for finding the right woman to purpose marriage.  The treads to this play move as furtively as an amoeba.  Mann's evolution from a self-pitying mess, to a heartless cretin, to a humble and considerate human being is uninspiring.  Nonetheless, the talented collaborative musical score & lyrics by Douglas Cohen & Dan Elish offer some uplifting numbers that elevate the overall production.  "It's Only a First Date" (which is reprised) and "Low Expectations" succeed in creating an emotional angst for hopefulness & loneliness.  Henry's best friend Gwen (Leslie Hiatt) is currently living with him since her wife as thrown her out for cheating.  Gwen is constantly advising Henry to date while trying to reconcile her own marriage.  All the other women in Henry's life include Sheila, his mom and 2 women he's dated; Christine & Tamar are played in head spinning & convincing fashion by (Allie Trimm).  Trimm's impressive singing voice & versatility is notable.  Still, much of the musical numbers tend to blend and the story overly sentimental.   Where timing is everything "The Evolution of Mann" needs modifications.

Access Theater's "R & J" A Romeo & Juliet Adaptation and Experimentation in Gender Distillation

Playwright Molly Houlahan's "R & &" at the Access Theater is an artistic interpretation of Shakespeare & the English language devoid of gender specified terms.  The play is set in the not too distant future with extermination of the male species.  The Montagues & the Capulets & Shakespeare's writing in unrhymed iambic pentameter & prose remained in tact.  As for the delivery of  Shakespeare's poetic ye olde English lines and re-enactment of star crossed lovers, the play manages successfully.  The all female cast aptly captures the melodic phrasing, romanticism and emotional angst.  The staging upon raised platforms between seated audience members posed a distraction from its fluidity.  I was not aware of the intended "Quick Tips" on the gender-neutral language incorporated into Molly Houlahan's play were insightful, regardless, it was not apparent in the play.  Gender is far more complex than a binary assignment and referencing plural pronouns for the singular pronoun is confusing.   I applaud the play's mission towards open-mindedness in respect to non-binary vernacular.  The use of an all female cast in "R & J" is in opposition to the all male casting in Shakespeare's original productions.  However, I'm currently grappling with the terminology to encompass actors noting there's a distinction between male actors & female actresses.

"The Music of Duke Ellington" at 92ndY was a Cabaret Extravaganza Celebration

Yesterday at the 92ndY there was a wonderful discussion, musical salute and live entertainment honoring the legendary Duke Ellington.  Harvey Granat, a cabaret and Broadway performer was the host.  Mr Granat crooned several of the Duke's composition accompanied by David Lahm on piano.  Mr. Lahm is a recording jazz pianist and arranger.  Ms. Mercedes Ellington, the granddaughter of Duke Ellington is a Broadway veteran, dancer (original June Taylor dancer) and choreographer . She shared intimate memories of her beloved grandfather.  Another special performance came from Daryl Sherman who sang & performed on the piano.  Mercedes shared her experience traveling to Russia in 1971 with her grandfather & his orchestra to entertain and their plane landed amidst thousands rushing to greet and meet Mr. Ellington.  It was astounding the reception from the Russians.  The people were so enamored of his music despite the cultural blockade.  Mercedes recalled bringing her grandfather sheet music while he was in the hospital just before he passed.  He had a piano in his room and continued to compose and play.  Mr. Ellington received the Presidential Medal of Honor in 1969.  "Sophisticated Lady" comprised of all Duke's music opened on Broadway in 1981.  Mercedes performed in the production.  Mr. Ellington remains one of the most prolific and innovative American jazz musicians & composers of all time. He compiled more than 3,000 compositions & arrangements.  The Cotton Club became renown from Duke & his orchestra & the famous singers who performed for them including Billy Holiday.  This was an incredibly fortuitous event which included a number of songs performed including:  "In My Solitude" "I Got it Bad" "Azalia" and "All too Soon."  The dazzling array of entertainment ended far too soon.

POP PUNK HIGH a Musical Extravaganza a Parody and Plethora of Music Styles and Ethos of Early 2000s

POP PUNK HIGH is an original musical comedy that travels back to senior year in high school in 2003.  Before reaching this entertaining musical parody looking back to when Avril Lavigne reigned as the post grunge Pop Punk Princess, the prelude entertainment came from a punk rock band "Fat Heaven."  "Fat Heaven" was loud & proud with 2 male guitarists and a fabulous female drummer.  Their lyrics (except for "my head, my, head, my head") were undecipherable under their stentorian sounds.  Before exiting the stage a guitarist asked the audience "Do you think we suck?  We can take criticism."  I thought this was hilarious but I believe he was serious.  My head needed a break between "Fat Heaven" and the main event; the new musical comedy POP PUNK HIGH.  The clever & witty lyrics were something to really give a fuck about - big shout out to the composer & lyricist.  My favorite number was "My Life Sucks" sung by Derrick who pines for the hottest girl in the school who rules.  The choreographer did a fantastic job with an ensemble cast that was a total blast from the past.  The high school seniors, class of 2003 were styling in their skinny jeans, band t-shirts, knit hats and converse sneakers.  The plot needed some revamping. A doppelgänger for Avril Lavigne appears as an aberration & appeals to Derrick to solve her murder.  Someone murdered her to assume her identity and if Derrick helps solve the mystery she'll grant him 3 wishes.  Derrick a.k.a. pencil dick wishes to be an expert on skate board and guitar player all to impress Amanda who doesn't know he exists.  His 3rd wish is for a huge shlong.  The dick jokes went on too long and needed to be axed.  Tim, Derrick's best (& only friend) asks him why he didn't wish to stop global warming.  Touche'!  Tim is winning as the loyal friend & valedictorian who ends up with the handsome school jock and aspiring poet.  The musical gleefully captures the carefree high school years in the early 2000s.  It  drew the aesthetic of this epoch as expertly as Avril's eye-liner.  There were some smudges that needed to be rubbed off including a soft shoe number by Derricks parents who tended to peek in on him when privacy was crucial.  For all the high jinx and high energy (a cast on speed washed down with Red Bull) POP PUNK HIGH delivers an amusing look back at the era, a decent sound track and a rollicking good time.    Too bad Tim wasn't granted her wish for Green Days but this parody had plenty of American Idiots.

"Notes on Longing"a Poem by Brooklyn Poet Laureate Tina Chang Noted on MTA Today

During hell week in NYC with the president & the UN in session, the subway is the best mode of transportation.  Getting around the town is thwarted by an oppressive ugly gridlock.  I was in luck to spot Tina Chang's bittersweet & enchanting poem "Notes on Longing."  Chang (b NYC 1969) has been named Brooklyn's Poet Laureate (2010) and has been a finalist for the Asian-American Literary Award.  NYC claims with pride Ms. Chang as our hometown Poet Laureate.  The title of the poem speaks to burgeoning aspirations.  The poem permits a voyeuristic look in on Asian-American families, perhaps with first generation youngsters, gathered round the dinner table.  These often over-looked everyday lives are being nurtured to sprout and claim their futures yet unfurled.                                    
                                                     
                                                   "Notes on Longing"

It smells of after-rain tonight.
Duck bones, a wounded egg on rice.
On the corner, there is a shop
that makes keys, keys that open
human doors, doors that lead to rooms that hold families
of four or seven who sit at a table.
There is a mother who brings
sizzling flounder on a wide platter
for the family whose ordinary
mouths have been made to sing.

Leading Neuroscientist Dr Eric Kandel in Conversation at 92nd Y with Journalist Claudia Dreifus

It was a pleasant surprise walking into the 92ndY as I found myself standing next to the renown Nobel Prize winning physiologist Dr Kandel known for his studies on the brain; particularly the processes in which memories are made and stored.  He was very charming & gracious.  Dr Kandel has written numerous books & articles pertaining to studies on the brain.  He is currently a Prof. at Columbia Univ. and a frequent presence on the media discussing the fascinating & elusive understanding of brain functions.  Dr Kandel has just published his latest book "The Disordered Mind:  What Unusual Brains Tell Us About Ourselves."  I was interested in hearing him elucidate on this topic. The interview was led by Claudia Dreifus the NYT columnist in the Science Times .  Dr Kandel was engaging & his stentorian laugh infectious.  Unfortunately, the conversation led by Dreifus didn't elicit information on the topic of Dr Kandel's new book pertaining to how diseases like autism, depression & addiction can be invaluable in gaining further understanding on the processes of the brain.  Nor was the subject of scientific understanding of the brain as it pertains to thought and emotions discussed.  Dreifus questioned Dr Kandel if he would choose to eviscerate any painful memories if it possible.  His resounding no was as he stated memories are what makes us who we are.  The loss of memory and dementia that's associated with aging or Alzheimers is due to the loss of nerve cells which do not regenerate.  There is medication to slow the progression of demential.  Early detection would benefit from medical treatment.  I recall hearing Dr Kandel discussing synapses in the brain which enables cognitive learning & the ability to create memories and conversely blocked synapses lead to deterioration in the brain.  Dr Kandel would like to see more cognitive therapy outcome studies to measure effectiveness of psychoanalysis.  He believes that psycho therapy in combination with prescription drugs has shown to be the most beneficial to patients.  I had more questions than new insights into Dr Kandel's discoveries.  I'm curious what a scientific outcome study might entail with results that show objective metrics - or would the studies rely on subjective interpretations?  What are the most interesting pursuits pertaining to understanding the brain being pursued?  Dreifus praised Dr Kandel's writing.  He responded "I know what I think after I read it."  I know now we were lured into this science talk to promote the sales of his new book.  I agree with Dr Kandel, the study of the brain is most compelling & mysterious.  However, the short talk was short on sparking new discoveries, ideas, new areas of study or bridging new synapses of knowledge.    

COLETTE A Renaissance Women - The Film Stars Keira Knightly in a Crowning Role

Colette (b France 1873-1964) was a country girl with humble beginnings that belie the revolutionary, artistic genius and free spirit that lies ahead.  COLETTE directed by Wash Westmoreland (b UK 1966) captures the fascinating irrepressible & independent spirit possessed by the acclaimed author, actress & journalist.  Keira Knightly is captivating as Colette, a woman whose talent & thirst for life could not be suppressed by her deceitful & domineering husband Henry (Dominic West.)  Henry, a sophisticated boorish Parisian deigns to marry Colette & move her to Paris with him.  Early on Colette shows her disdain for pretentious airs & unflappable character when thrust upon Parisian snobbish society.  Still Colette married "Willy" for love and she willingly (at first) becomes a ghost writer under Henry's nom-de-plum Willy.  The "Claudine" novels fly off the bookshelves garnering fame & financial success for Willy.  The first of the "Claudine" novels written by Colette became best sellers due to Colette literary prose & titillating lesbian innuendos.  Success only leads Willy to become more of a reckless spendthrift keeping them in debt and demanding Colette proliferate her writings holding her captive.  This arrangement doesn't sit well or last long with Colette.  She finds her own voice, lovers and embarks on an emancipated & exotic life-style. Knightly luxuriates in daylight, candlelight and electric lights.  The epoch at the turn of the 19th C in France was feverish for avant-garde artistic circles and bohemian attitudes.  British cinematographer Giles Nuttgens captures an authentic Parisian aesthetic and is flush with intimate sensuality.  The enticing British & Irish cast includes Fiona Shaw as Colette's strong willed mother, Denise Gough as Missy, Colette's androgynous female lover and Eleanor Tomlinson as the American lover to both Colette & her husband.  This movie revels firmly on Knightly's strident portrayal of a woman for the ages who found her own voice and lived her life without constraints. "What a wonderful life I've had!  I only wish I'd realized it sooner." COLETTE is an art house film without pretense that paints an exquisite portrait of a complex, confident & truly remarkable maverick on the big screen.  I suggest seeing the life of this Renaissance woman up on the screen sooner rather than later.

The Play YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT Forced Sterilization to a Dismissed Population in NC 1960s

YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT is play by Marilynn Barner Anslmi that enlightened me on the inhumane, legalized forced sterilization of people deemed mentally deficient or undesirables receiving financial support from the govt. in NC in 1960s.  This barbaric selective sorting of a population known as eugenics was what Nazis carried out in WWII to create a superior race.  The coerced "neutering" of blacks, mentally disabled & poor actually began in 1933 and only delegalized in 1988. This deplorable systematic regime was at an apex in the 1960s under the Human Betterment League in NC.  Massive tubal ligations were performed under the pretense of limiting suffering for the mentally impaired, physically disabled and as a means to reduce the cycle of poverty from those receiving social welfare benefits.  The vast majority of surgeries were on black women.  YOU WOULDN'T EXPECT is a portrayal of this shameful epoch in US history that is largely unrecorded.  This smart and painful play takes place in a Eugenics Office run by a white woman Mary (Erin Gilbreth).  Mary is convinced of her superior status & delusional believing this work is divine intervention.  She's startled when assigned an educated black woman Temperence (a remarkable Okema Moore) as her assistant.  Mary orders "Tammy" around like a servant, demeans her & the "Negra" race.  Temperence tolerance for what the Eugenics Office is conducting is tested until she reaches her boiling point.  The initial shock & disgust of these forced sterilization wears off and replaced by unmitigated horror & pain.  The cruel manipulation of a mother to have her mentally challenged daughter sterilized is heart wrenching.  When the mother refuses Mary threatens to clarify her unfit and have her other children taken away.  A King Solomon choice that is excruciating & appalling to bear.  A young black women who doesn't fit the criteria for tubal ligation is turned away though she pleads to have the surgery because she can't manage with another child.   A poverty stricken white racist is forced into having his daughter sterilized & her newborn child taken from her at birth if he wants to continue on the dole.  This intelligent and emotionally draining play sheds light on a dark treatment of people that's mostly hidden from history under sheets.  The acting is very affecting particularly from the mother (Adiagha Faizah) & her daughter (Atiya Taylor).  The plot twist connecting Mary & Temperance isn't necessary.  The names of famous people called out who may not have been born was a misfire.  The play is compelling in its direct depiction of the inhumane eugenics program sanctioned by legislation.      

THE LIFESPAN of a FACT a Strident New Play with Daniel Radcliffe, Cherry Jones and Bobby Cannavale

"Alternative facts" is a phrase coined by Kellyanne Conway to corroborate the exaggerated attendance to Trump's inauguration.  Alternative facts are a.k.a. falsehoods, untruths and delusions.  THE LIFE of a FACT is an absurdist comedy that is alternatively brilliant, prescient and profound.  Co-Playwrights Gordon Farrell, Jeremy Kareken, David Murrell and Gordon Farrell based the play on the original essay/book by John D'Agata & Jim Fingal.  The play contemplates humorously & solemnly what's essential for journalism fact checking.  The lines between journalism & storytelling remain enigmatic.  An editor, veteran writer and young intern for a magazine banter arduously & meticulously over detailed minutia on an article (or "essay") written by venerated contributor John (Bobby Cannavale).   Emily short staffed & under siege calls up rookie intern Jim (Daniel Radcliffe) and assigns him to fact check John's submitted piece before it goes to press early Monday morning.  Emily claims John is a fine writer but prone to taking artistic licenses.  John is instructed to merely verify name spellings & locations.  Jim doesn't want to miss a thing with this opportunity.  The "article" written by John is about the suicide of a young boy, Levi Pressly who jumped to his death from a building in Las Vegas.  Sadly, Levi has left the building and this world.  Jim's initial temerity turns into the tenacity of a pit bull.  Jim takes issue with details that derail from substantive significance & everyone's patience.  Jim flies to Las Vegas from NYC without authorization to clarify so many statements directly from John that it becomes absurd & infuriating.  Emily flies out to help negotiate the editing & fact checking after John informs her Jim has burrowed himself into his home.  John has written an essay of Levi's death in the context of what occurred that day.  He argues with Jim that facts are negotiable for the embellishment and priority of the story.  It's self evident that fake news is a major contention for society, the media & the president.  Fallacies in reporting can be benign misinformation or dangerous misleading propaganda.  Emily reads John's writing out loud for a final joint editing.  The article/essay/obit. reads with impact & poignancy.  Much of what Jim had bickered with John is irrelevant.  John had shown his essay of Levi's suicide to his mother & received her approval.  But knowingly fabricated a fact serves to embellish Levi's short life while  diminishing  the life of another teen who committed suicide the same day.  Despite questioning all the facts the question of why Levi took his own life is never investigated.  There are multiple sides to truth & varying priorities to storytelling.  Farrell's amusing examination of exaggeration or alternative facts makes THE LIFESPAN of a FACT an impactful play that resonates long after the curtain falls.

POSE PosEbly the Best Series on TV Lest Forgetting the AIDS Epidemic in the 80s

POSE is a glamorous & painful look at the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s has killed so many people particularly those in the LGBT population.  POSE created by Ryan Murphy & Brad Falchuk (co-creators of "GLEE" and "American Horror Stories."  POSE is a pastiche of styles and people living during to the 80s epoch in NYC & surrounding areas.  POSE refers to the Glamour Ball competitions where drag queens dressed up to the 9s & strutted their stuff hoping to get all scores of 10 to take home the trophy for best looking in various designated categories.  The costume festival atmosphere is the place where gays & transgenders could express themselves freely.  The competitions are orchestrated by Pray Tell (Tony winning Broadway veteran, Billy Porter).  His running commentary, acting & singing are in a winning class all by itself.  But, how do you supPOSE a show that truthfully & painfully shows the horrors of AIDS and delves behind the facade of transvestite/gay fashion frippery shapes itself into a gratifying, compassionate & consequential drama?  There are numerous dimensions that contribute to making this a phenomenal series.  It's fueled by a stellar cast lead by the exceptionally talented Porter are all transfixing in their roles.  The cinematography is spellbinding.  The show centers on self-made families, friends & foes who are utterly fascinating.  The diva of amongst the drag queens is Elektra (Dominique Jackson). She leads with haughty disdain that puts Diane Carroll of "Dynasty" to shame.  Elektra is the "mother" of a motley family she participates with on the runway Balls.  Elektra is in it to win it.  Her durable facade masks her innate compassion. Blanca (Mj Rodriguez) has fallen from Elektra's grace & and forms her own family where she is the caring responsible "mother" to Angel (a luminous Indya Moore) and 2 young gay dancers.  She nurtures her wards with a firm but loving hand.  The show crosses over to a married couple Patty (Kate Mara) & Stan (Evan Peters).  Steely Stan has the avarice & cunning to land a job with Trump's organization.   Stan and other characters are on a shifting spectrum of sexual attraction.  Stan is drawn to the Angel and sets her up as his mistress.  Stan grapples with his own sexual leanings.  Other characters are clearly out and comfortable in their own skin and some feel trapped within the wrong gender.  As outlandish & freaky as this show gets, it also gets gritty showing the reality of the persecution & rejection of gays & transvestites and the suffering & deaths caused by AIDS.  We see the brutal life living off the streets and we're brought the beautiful world of ballet and dance.  Many are flagrantly opPOSED to the gay community.  But, from within a world filled with hatred, avarice, vanity & cruelty extraordinary acts of empathy, dignity and love arise like a Phoenix.  

Paul Simon's Farewell Concert at MSG - Don't Miss this Legendary Artist Slip Sliding Away

New York's own legendary songwriter & recording artist Paul Simon (b Queens 1941) played to an adoring hometown crowd at MSG last night on his farewell tour.  Simon & his expansive group of musicians & vocalists extraordinaire took to the stage with little fanfare.  Simon was much at ease exuding infectious good humor.  He paid tribute to his longtime bandmate guitarist Vincent Nguini with whom he collaborated for decades and to the great Aretha Franklin.  "I see my farewell concert banner but I don't want this to be a memorial.  I'll still be writing music but I'm going to take some time for myself to see what's going on in the world."  Perhaps this septuagenarian who showed no signs of slowing down is thinking homeward bound to where his thoughts are escaping.  Simon's career covers 6 decades & his musical styles span the Queensborough Bridge in addition to his folk,  rock & folk-rock recordings  He reclaimed "Bridge Over Trouble Waters" a song 1st recorded with "Artie."  "It came to me pretty quickly and I thought, you know, it was pretty good."  Simon favored the crowd with some of his memorable recordings but this was not a greatest hit concert.  Paul remained onstage for 2 hours+ singing and playing numerous acoustic guitars.  Simon performed songs from his just released album "In the Blue Light" affirming artistic evolution of a one of the most gifted singer/songwriter poet of our generation.  The average age of concert goers must have been in the 60s.  This was no average concert.  The multinational musical influences included Africa, Jamaica and Brazil to name a few.  The musical styles played went from folk, to gospel, to reggae to jazz without a slip in mastery.  Paul's musical genius was amplified by his group of talented musicians including Nigerian born guitarist Biodun Kurti, an accordion aficionado, Mark Stewart on guitar, cello & sax, and a 6 piece chamber string and brass group performing on "Rene & Georgette Magritte with Their Dogs after the War."  Paul said the title came from a book of photos he was looking at while working with Joan Baez at her home.  It just so happened Ms. Baez was in the house.  Paul asked for a spotlight on Joan.  She was spotted in the nosebleed section and we were all somewhat surprised.  "Ghee, sorry about the bad seats" Paul quipped.  It was disappointing Ms. Baez didn't join him on stage.  But then she has her own fare thee well tour.   Paul demonstrated some fleet footwork and unrestrained pleasure highlighting his fellow artists onstage.  Paul Simon's concert was spectacular memorable & one for the ages.  Don't squander any resistance to see one of his last live performances.  "All lies and jest, Still a man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest."

"A Simple Favor" Deliciously Funny & Wicked Thriller Stars Blake Lively, Anna Kendrick, Henry Golding

"A Simple Favor" has all the ingredients to make for a wickedly beguiling dish.  The comedy crime mystery begins benignly with the effervescent & overly helpful classroom mom, Stephanie (Anna Kendrick).  Stephanie has a cooking/craft making video blog disarming her irrepressible charm & resourcefulness.  Stephanie's blog has few followers & few fans from the parents in her son's class.  Her son has befriended another boy in his class whose working mom Emily (Blake Lively) hasn't cared to ingratiate herself with the other parents.  Emily shows up to retrieve her son from school and his tantrum for a playdate leads to an off-hand invite for Stephanie & her son to follow them home so Emily can be quicker to get some liquor.  The mommies get off to a cool start appearing as polar opposites.  Sophisticated Emily & socially inept Emily manage a cordial conversation aided by martinis.  Emily's handsome husband, Sean (Henry Golding "Crazy Rich Asians") comes home to the ladies imbibing in the afternoon.  Sean & Emily are hot for each other but not everything is as it seems.  A few mommy/son playdates in with mandatory martinis brings down their guard & they swap dark secrets.  Stephanie says, "Everyone has a dark side."  Stephanie manages to shock Emily with her shameful past which leads to a fast friendship between the two.  Stephanie is flattered by Emily's attention & happily agrees to the simple favor of bringing Emily's son home from school.  The pickup timeline wasn't clarified and it turns into several days without word from Emily.  Stephanie contacts Sean in the UK whose there caring for his mother.  He flies home to collect his son & contact the police along with Stephanie.  Stephanie shows her cunning side by checking in at Emily's workplace where she encounters the boss (a marvelous Rupert Friend) and proves she's no easy mark.  Stephanie uses her blog to talk about her missing best friend and asks for help from her viewers.  Viewership grows as does Stephanie's savvy at detective work.  The plot is fiendishly delicious and seductive.  Whose playing who takes you on a joyride of intrigue and suspense.  The sensational cast, including all the supporting roles are pitch perfect adding to this titillating crime thriller.  Everyone has their secrets and I wouldn't want to spoil the fun.  The clever plot does not favor a simple explanation.  Director Paul Feig ("Bridesmaids" and "Spy") has the right blend of high jinx and suspense to make a potent concoction that goes down smoothly with a twist.

Psychobiography with Dr Gail Saltz on Renoir with Prof Barbara Ehrlich at 92ndY The Art and the Man

Dr. Gail Saltz is a renown psychiatrist and foremost go to expert on psychological and mental health issues.  Dr. Saltz is prof. of psychiatry and multi-media consultant regarding mental health issues especially pertaining to anxiety disorders, emotional health and relationships.  The 92ndY was fortunate to have Dr. Saltz to discuss Renoir's personality traits and issues with Dr. Barbara Ehrlich, author of "Renoir An Intimate Biography."  Dr. White is also the author of "Renoir, His Life Art & Letters."  Dr. Ehrlich provided an outline of Renoir's life (b France 1841-1919).  He was born into an impoverished family of 5 children.  His father was a tailor & mother a seamstress.  His paternal grandfather an orphan. The family were very poor living in one room struggling to make ends meet.  At a young age, Renoir demonstrated an artistic talent and found work painting ceramics. This was helped support his family.  His passion for art grew & he became determined to make a career as an artist.  He was accepted into the Royal Acad. where he meet Manet and Pissarro. They would remain lifelong friends.  Manet become his mentor & provided Renoir with financial assistance to continue his studies & pursue his art.  Interesting characteristics Dr. Saltz pointed out were Renoir's lifelong struggle with anxiety & a facial tick.  He was a compulsive & prolific painter producing over 4,000 works.  Still, he was indecisive & managed to work as do many talented people with a compulsive/obsessive disorder.  In his 40s Renoir developed debilitating rheumatoid arthritis and still continued to paint daily.  Renoir gave birth to 3 illegitimate children with 2 of his models; 2 sons and a daughter.  He & his wife had 3 sons.  Renoir maintained the secrecy of his illegitimate children from his wife although he maintained a loving presence in her life & bestowed her his surname.  He feared his children out of wedlock would be a social stigma on his life & harm his career & social standing. Dr. Saltz mentioned Renoir was a chain smoker which may have helped soothe some anxiety.  He hated solitude and always wanted to be surrounded by others.  He avoided confrontations and managed to avoid alienating himself from his artistic peers who were anti-establishment while sustaining relationships with art dealers.  Letters written to his daughter were recovered maintaining their relationship.  When Renoir received the French Legion of Honor he wrote Monet an apology letter dismissing the Honor and admitting his need for doing it. The French were very dismissive of Renoir's sloppy strokes while Americans (and his peers) greatly admired his work.  American's eagerness to own Renoir's work shifted France's disdain.  The French museums & patrons felt it important to retain his paintings in France and began clamoring for his art.  

Ballet Hispanico and Panel Discussion at 92ndY Harkness Dance Center

The Fridays at Noon 92ndY Harkness Dance Center started the fall season with a joyous celebration with The Ballet Hispanico Co. The Dance Co. performed two numbers followed by a panel discussion with Artistic Dir. Eduardo Vilaro and choreographer Bennyroyce Royon.  The intimate space on the 2nd floor was lit by sunshine filtering through uncovered windows and Latino music playing while the audience filtered in.  The 1st piece, "Sombreisimo" was choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa (b. Belgian 73).  The 6 male dance members with their bolero hats (a wink to both Belgian artist Magritte and choreographer Bob Fosse) were  dynamic, sexy and playful.  Their partnering and interchanging of their hats had a whimsical elasticity and connection.  Choreographer Bennyroyce Royon introduced his work "Homebound/Alaala" saying this was only the 2nd time he's shown the work which will premiere at the Joyce in March.  He said it's an exploration of his Philippine heritage under Spanish colonization.  The score was an assemblage of Latino, Middle Eastern & African music and the dancing a blending of classical/modern and various cultural styles.  The rough props made of cardboard boxes and cardboard cutlery gave the piece a raw sense of development.  The imagery of building & tearing down walls portrayed both divisive and resilient forces.  The panel discussion after the 2 energetic pieces included Mr. Vilaro, Mr. Royon and a male & female dancer. The discussion provided the audience an incredible insight into the creative collaborative process.  In particular, Mr. Royon explained what he was striving to achieve in space and artistic expression and how he worked both with the liberties allotted him by Mr. Vilaro and the expansiveness he absorbs from the dancers while molding & fulfilling his vision.  The dancers shared their compassionate focus to achieve technical proficiency while allotting a freedom in both movement & expression essential to transforming dance as an art form.  The intimate performances were exhilirating.  The candid open dialogue was a master class from the multi-disciplined artists comprising Ballet Hispanico. This was an enlightening & privileged experience.  I plan on seeing Ballet Hispanico at the Joyce this spring.  I also look forward to upcoming Fridays at Noon at 92Y.  The Harkness Dance Center programs provide not only top professional companies, they allow for an intimate appreciation of artistic collaborative experiences.  Oct. 19th will feature a tribute to Paul Taylor.

BLACK CITIZENSHIP in the AGE of JIM CROW at NY Historical Soc. Rage at the Dismal Change

The recently opened exhibit BLACK CITIZENSHIP in the AGE of JIM CROW is a compelling, cogent & cohesive installation of our country's battles and dismal failures for establishing equal protection, justice, and liberties to all men that were the clear intent mandated commencing with the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order signed by Pres. Lincoln on Jan 1, 1863.  The timeline for our nation's Civil War, historic events & objective, and Congressional Amendments 13 and 14 outlining responses to legal rights bestowed former slaves are clearly defined yet wantonly denied.  The exhibit opens with an oil triptych showing a former black slave in works clothes, dressed in Union garb and as a wounded veteran after the Civil War.  The sacrifice and loss of lives within our ruptured nation were devastating and the repercussions debilitating.  The Civil War was fought from April '1861 - May '1865.  It was waged to insure unification & with the explicit goal to eradicate slavery.  The Civil War raged for 2 years prior to Pres. Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation.  Congressional passage of the 13th Amendment ensuring the abolishment of slavery was not ratified until Jan '1865 & the 14th Amendment outlining federally protected rights for former slaves was not passed by Congress until July 1866.  The 15th Amendment passed in 1870 provides the "rights of citizens of the US to vote and not to be denied by any state on account of race, color or previous condition of servitude."  These Amendments (did not provide full rights for women or Native Americans) floundered & were infringed for nearly a century following the Civil War & the passages of the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments. It's shamefully evident and painfully relevant in the 21st C how misconstrued and maligned the battles for racial equality continues to fail African Americans.  The show contains historic replicas from the era including omnipotent documents in the exhibit.  On display are authentic artifacts; a cotton scale, shackles, whips and bibles.  The northern states were mostly segregated.  The southern states during & following Reconstruction, systematically blocked any forward progress towards equality.  When Pres. Hayes withdrew Federal troops from the south in 1877, southern lawlessness reverted to a noxious persecution of African Americans bestowed protection from involuntary servitude or persecution.   The Civil War fought to unite the Union and abolish slavery was a "lost cause" in establishing equal rights.  History has been rewritten claiming the Civil War as being fought over states rights; not slavery.  This exhibit outlines the failure to establish equal rights for black citizens in an orchestrated & the highlights the foundations for the heinous ongoing repression & slaughter of black citizens from the end of the Civil War through WWI and the foundation for divisiveness in our nation today.

New Musical "The Wrong Box" with the Dry Brit Wit of "The Play Goes Wrong" Goes Amiss

"The Wrong Box" at the Theater for the New City is a musical comedy music, book & lyrics by Kit Goldstein Grant.  The play is set outside London in the late 19th C.  "The Wrong Box" corresponds with the slapstick British antics in the Broadway hit "The Play Goes Wrong."  Grant's original score/lyrics "The Wrong Box" has a motley medley of musical numbers and an earnest cast that delivers on several numbers.  Two-first rate musical numbers were "Bundle Up" and "Play the Game" mostly owed to two charming actors and their pleasing voices.  Julia (Jiazi Colon-Soto) and Michael (Brian Kilday) who brought ample mirth to their eccentric characters accompanied by a live quartet on stage.  The musicians comprised a pianist, flutist/clarinetist, bass and drums/percussion on stage.   The plot is intentionally supercilious but stumbles over itself do to the multitudionous "boxes" & suitcases situated on the small stage that are constantly being shifted, re-shuffled and rolled away.  The plot contains 2 insidious plans motivated by financial gains and are inter strewn by a mischievous minded dolt who finds it a deliciously clever idea to switch address labels on the boxes loaded in steerage on a train for the pleasure of trickery & disappointment upon delivery.  Therein lies a weak plot but the basis for a seriously consequential mix-up caused by "The Wrong Box."  "The Wrong Box" asks a lot from the audience in order for the musical to maintain a hilarious note.  The choreography & staging gets tripped up in the over abundances of boxes & oftentimes, by too many actors on stage.  Still, there are plenty of moments of devilish fun and light romance.  Less would be more in turning "The Wrong Box" into a precise winning musical score.

"Juliet, Naked" Stars Rose Byrne, Ethan Hawke and Chris O'Dowd Is an Unbridled Joy

The film "Juliet, Naked" is an impregnable comedic love story.  Annie (Rose Byrne) has been in a 15 year relationship with Duane (Chris O'Dowd) and the bloom is off the rose in this romance for good reason.  Duane's infatuation with former rock star Tucker Crowe (Ethan Hawke) borders on an insanity.  Annie is at the heart of this charming & poignant story of mounting regrets with passing time.  Annie's remained in a small British town to raise her younger sister after both her parents have died.  She takes on the responsibilities as her sister's caretaker and the curator position held by her father for the town's Historical Museum.  When she first met Duane she found him enthralling.  As the years roll by, she realizes his passion is misplaced.  He's totally obsessed with former rock musician Tucker Crowe who mysteriously disappeared midway through his show.  Now Annie finds herself pinned to Duane with photos & paraphernalia of Tucker pinned all over her space.  Annie wonders what she saw in Duane in the first place.  After Annie pans a review of a newly released Tucker song on Duane's fan blog he has an affair with a colleague who fauns over him.  Duane admitting his affair to Annie is a comedic masterpiece.  Duane didn't appreciate her critique but Tucker replies and agrees "You nailed it perfectly."  An intelligent & confidential epistolary correspondence transpires.  They candidly share each other's lives, loves and regrets.  Annie aches for the unconditional love to give a child and Tucker regrets the parenting he failed to provide for his  children.  "Children are reminders of our blunders" Tucker writes.  He's remained a constant caring father in the states for his youngest child Jackson.  When he plans a trip to see his daughter & new grandson he asks Annie if she wants to meet him & his son in London.  By now, Duane has moved out and Annie has moved on.  The film is full of humor, heart, wisdom and hopes for better days ahead.   Duane is a dullard but he becomes wistful, "I can't press reset back to 0.  You never value things that come easily." "Juliet, Naked" is  nothing short of a modern day romance.  You can't help but root for Annie & Tucker to find happiness with one another.   I unabashedly loved this movie.  The talented cast are all first rate.  Desires change and life has its uncertainties.  But this movie is a sure bet to become a classic romantic comedy.  There aren't many movies I see twice, but I want a do over with this clever & winning movie; that's the naked truth.

The Film THE WIFE based on Meg Wolitzer's book Stars Glenn Close and Jonathan Pryce

THE WIFE is psychological combat between husband & wife where the husband assumes the spoils while his brilliant, beautiful wife toils.  Did she or didn't she that is not really the mystery to unravel.  Meg Wolitzer's combustible novel of domestic intrigue between a college prof. and star pupil taken to  a relationship outside the classrooms.  Starting at Smith College in the 50s it's a foregone conclusion illicit sex leads to domestic bliss that somehow goes somewhat amiss.  The literary prof., Joe Castleman (Jonathan Pyrce) meets his muse, Joan (Glenn Close) in his class of all women.  Joe & his wife have just had a baby.  Joe tests Joan by asking if she's free on Saturday night & then secures her as a babysitter.  Joan consents & then confides to the infant she's watching she's falling in love with  her daddy.  By semester's end, so does Joe's marriage and the enduring long lasting marriage between Joe & Joan entwines into a partnership that blurs the lines.  The young Joan is played beautifully by Annie Maude Starke, Close's real life daughter.  The young Joe is portrayed by Max Irons, son of actor Jeremy Irons.  Here the talent didn't fall far from the tree.  Both Starke and Irons are magnificent in their roles as the adoring wife and unsettled son.  Both Close & Pyrce give Oscar worthy performances as the steely & sacrificing wife and the narcisstic overindulged husband.  Nathaniel (Christian Slater) plays a probing journalist/biographer who has a hunch that hubby isn't the brains behind the Nobel winning literary outpouring.  The movie flashes between the young couple struggling financially in the 50's to a mature couple living in a magnificent ocean side mansion. They've had 3 children and a grandchild on the way.  The night before the call to the winning writer of the Nobel Prize, Joe is fidgety and persuades his wife to have sex as a distraction, "You don't have to do anything, just lie there."  When the call comes in the morning Joan is on the other extension listening as Joe is congratulated & bestowed his award.  Joan's expression is both ecstatic & enigmatic.  Joe asks his wife to confirm this prestigious honor is real.  She assures him "It's all real darling."  Once the two are ensconced in the frigid Norwegian country the clarity of their relationship reaches a frozen pinnacle on the verge of cracking.  A writer needs to write and actors need to act.  The acting bounces off the pages of Wolitzer's brilliant book.  Under the keen eye of Swedish director Bjorn Runge the story demands to be seen on the screen.  The calls will be flooding in for Close & Pyrce come awards season.

The Flea Theater World Premiere SCRAPS the Enduring Aftermath of Racial Killings by Geraldine Inoa

Geraldine Inoa is a writer for TV's "The Walking Dead."  SCRAPS premiering at the Flea Theater is Iona playwriting debut.  It is an astonishingly well written and well constructed play that hits home with hard truths of black males being shot by white officers.  The lengthy one act, one set play is segmented by short blackouts spanning 3 years starting on the stoop in a rundown NYC hood just months after a fatal shooting of a black man by a white officer.  This wasn't just another scenario of a soon to be forgotten man quickly replaced by the next victim in the media. This man has a name, Forrest Winthrop a.k.a. in official reports Winthrop, Forrest.  He's left behind a 5 year old son, Sebastian, another fatherless black male left to be raised by his single mother, Aisha & grandmother.  Forrest Winthrop had just returned from his 1st year on a football college scholarship in the South & planned to take Aisha & Sebastian out of the hood into the suburbs "on a hill so high your neck would snap when looking up at it."  But once back in the hood his running cost him his life shot in the back by a white officer and Aisha & Sebastian are left going nowhere fast.  Also returning from a year studying in London is Calvin whose attire, etiquette & annunciation make him stand apart from his old chums; Aisha, Adriana and Jean-Baptiste (JB) stuck on the stoop poet, rapper, nappy hair philosopher.  Calvin prods JB to get his G.E.D., Adriana to finish NYU and stirs the heat with Aisha with whom he may have fathered Sebastian.  Calvin's convinced he's ascended but is thrust back to harsh reality when confronted by a white cop along with the others.  Iona's dialogue is crude & lyrical, formidable & credible.  JB's rap & repartee hits on racial oppression, cultural appropriation, gentrification and the emaciation of the black male & he's tired of being brow beaten "to pull himself up by the boot straps."  Aisha's pragmatism is do what you got to do after having laid her hopes on riding out on Forrest's NFL shoulders.  Adriana's nightmares & shattered dreams are most haunting.  Her rants of her hatred for whites with their entitlement, apathy, silver spoon mentality & bland palettes ring with palpable truths.  She hates Paula Deen for her racism & appropriation of southern soul cooking which came from the slaves.  Slaves used discarded SCRAPS from their masters table and transformed them into salvageable dishes. "Strange Fruit" the famous anti-lynching poem is heard before Adriana sets up her own noose.  SCRAPS is a potent, relevant & stirring play.  It might have ended with this sobering scene.  Inoa took the play into a final nightmarish parody where Sebastian (now 8) wins prizes on a game show that teaches him harsh realities of his past, present & future.  This was a bold artistic direction taken by playwright Geraldine Inoa, one I wouldn't have ventured but this gifted playwright is a name to remember.  

Ailey Preview for Its 60th Season at NY City Center - New Yorkers Own Home Bragging Rights

I'm gloating because I was fortunate to be amongst the first to see a peek preview for Aileys 60th Anniversary Season.  The evening was hosted by the delightful, welcoming and immensely talented Artistic Director, Robert Battle.  The program contained excerpts from 3 upcoming world premieres; choreographed works by Wayne McGregor, Ronald K. Brown,  Rennie Harris and Robert Battle.  Mr. Brown's THE CALL & Mr. Harris' LAZARUS will be making their world premieres at NY City Center.  McGregor's KAIROS will be a company premiere this season.  JUBA, a work by Mr. Battle, was the first work choreographed for the Ailey Co. in '03 and is being restaged in a new production.  All 4 eminent & honored choreographers have created major works for numerous other prestigious dance companies.  This year the Alvin Ailey American Dane Theater will be performing many of their works accompanied by live music.  Speaking of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the dancers are the MOST talented, versatile, expressive, artistic, athletic, graceful and joyous assemblage of dancers in the world.  Simply put, the Alvin Ailey dancers, renowned and celebrated throughout the world, are omnipotent.  The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater has continued to build upon Mr. Ailey's legacy paving the way for artistry that inspires excellence and brings societal relevance to the forefront.   The best part, as New Yorkers along with Mr. Battle have bragging rights for having the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in our own backyard.  Just don't miss your opportunity to see them perform here at home in NY City Center.  Tickets sales are going fast get there and get them while they last.  This 60th Anniversary Season is a diamond jubilee celebration poised for toasting and boasting.

Giacometti at the Guggenheim: 1st Major US Retrospective Stretches both Sculpture and Canvas

The Swiss born artist Alberto Giacometti (b 1901-66) is linked with his elongated, minimalistic raw figure sculptures.  This exhibit displays Giacometti's portraiture paintings, busts and ornamental masks.  Much of his earlier works were influenced by New Guinea, Africa and oceanic art.  In this 1st major US Retrospective, Giacometti's genius for reductionist art is abundant.  A delightful surprise are his earlier paintings and abstractions in a surrealist mode (1920s-early 30s).  I found his body of work to maintain a unifying theme of stillness; a dreamlike unperturbed quality.  Despite his drawings & paintings having sketchy and erratic lines, the subjects appear formidable.  In both his paintings & sculptures the artists' hand is felt continuously at work molding and extracting.  The ambiguous dark palette lends a quality of indeterminate race or ethnicity.  However there are definite distinctions between the sexes.  It would seem he gravitated towards the female form and bestows these with eminent grace & strength.  His wife, Annette Arm was his constant muse and omnipresent model.  The first portrait is of his wife Anne ('42) is made in charcoals & oils with a black/grey palette.  "In the course of my work, I have eliminated 1 color after another, and what has remained is gray, gray, gray." The first gallery contains 3 sculptures; a bust, a male figure and a towering female figure.  These 3 works were submitted and then withdrawn by the artist for an art installation in an NYC Public Plaza.  On reflection he commented "A single female standing might have been the most effective monument of all."   Giacometti's iconic thin figures represent emaciated, displaced survivors of WWII.  He constructed these sculptures from the mid 40s for the next 2 decades until his death at age 64.  Without referencing history, they felt more like pillars of resiliency & dignity.  One large male figure appears to be pointing an accusatory finger.  "The Nose," a hanging head with a grossly distended nose resembles a gun and is a ghoulish work.   A side gallery is work by Brancusi.  It's noteworthy to draw comparisons between these artists.  As you ascend the earlier sculptures reflect Picasso's, and Henri Lavens' influence.  Giacometti had long lasting friendships with prominent poets and theologians Andre Breton, Jean Genet and Isaku Yannibara.  Giacometti philosophies, "All the sculptures of today like those of the past will end 1 day in pieces.  So it is important to fashion ones work carefully in its smallest recess and charge every particle of matter with life."

US OPEN Sept 3 '18 The Gal Grunter Went Under and the Mate from Down Under Came out on Top

Last night's US OPEN was a double upset.  Maria Sharapova (RUS) went down but not without plenty of sound to Carla Suarez Navarro (Es) in straight sets.  Maria was seeded #22 and Carla seeded #30.  Sharapova's shrill didn't serve to thrill her serve.  Her 4-6, 3-6 loss to Carla was in part due to her 8 double faults & only 49% of her 1st serves landing in although she managed to win 79% on her 1st serves.  Carla is to be congratulated on her fast paced well place shots and her speed covering the court.  It was a well earned win especially jubilant falling on her 30th birthday.  The major upset of the tournament was Roger Federer (CH) seeded #2 who fell to the player from down under, John Millman (AU).  John was unseeded in the tournament and this his 1st win against a top 10 ATP player.   Roger took the 1st set then lost the following 3 sets.  John took sets 3 & 4 in heartbreaker tie-breakers for Roger.  Roger's serve was also key in the match.  Roger had 10 double faults.  However, the major factor which must be taken into consideration going forward, is the weather.  The heat & humidity is turning tennis tournaments into torture chambers.  It was tough just watching from the stands along with Bill Clinton, Steve Kerr and Anna Wintour (behind her trademark dark sunglasses) seated in Federer's box with his wife.   Consideration must be from the WTF to have the men's matches match the women's: best of 3 sets.  The arduous sport is not regulated by the clock and games, let alone sets can last well over 4 hours.  In weather conditions such as NYC is experiencing now is not conducive to fair play rather play demanding Herculean effort that is hazardous and life-threatening.  It's fair to assume some players may succumb to the extremely demanding weather conditions.  Whether it's going to take a serious case of heat exhaustion before action becomes imperative it should be circumvented.  The matches are long for the fans many of whom improvised hand made fans.  Perhaps, closing the retractable roof and regulating the air conditioning is a possible alternative rather than reducing the number of sets played.  But, it's fair to grumble & groan - the sport of tennis should not be so grueling played in high temperatures & humidity.  We were all getting hot & bothered under the collar.

Paul Taylor's Passing Past Over but His Dancing Legacy is Lasting

Paul Taylor's passing this past week came amidst a plethora of artists, mavericks and heroes.  Lest, Mr. Taylor's death (1930-2018) be overshadowed, his legacy and contributions to dance and the world of arts will remain overwhelming & everlasting.  Taylor was a gifted dancer in his 20s whose long lithe body and unique movements made him a standout on the stage.  When he formed his own dance company he brought in Pina Bausch and Twyla Tharp who went on to be renowned for their own innovative choreography & dance companies.  As a choreographer he brokered in modern dance with classical and lyrical movement exerting poetry & power.  Mr. Taylor collaborated with other prominent artists & musicians.  In the 50s he worked with Robert Rauschenberg and John Cage.  In the 60s Mr. Taylor created works with painter Alex Katz.   Mr. Taylor also choreographed pieces for Balanchine, Cunningham and Graham.  In the 70s Mr. Taylor retired from his dance company.  But, in 1975 his piece "Esplanade" premiered, an encore masterpiece.  Bravo!  Adieu.