Julliard Drama "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark," By the Way, See Future Stars

The Julliard Drama Dept. tackled the complex, mulit-layered play "By the Way, Meet Vera Stark," and scored a huge hit.  Vera Stark is the central character in a play, about the making of a movie in the 40's which becomes the subject of black history panel analyzing the roles depicting Negroes as subservient servants while subverting the subject of American slavery.  An ambitious play that looks at racial stereotypes from various angles and examines all the angles which people vie for their ambitions.  A cerebral play that resonated with political & racial messages in an engaging & insightful approach.   Pulitizer prize winning playwright, Lynn Nottage, (b. Amer. 1964) provided an outstanding play that examines racial relations & how/why Negroes, Afro-Americans have been portrayed in cinema.  The talented ensemble gifted performers with delightful singing voices.  The smaller dual roles of Lottie/Carmen (Chelsea Williams) & Leroy/Herb ((Brandon Hall) were played as if by B'wy veterans.  This amateur Julliard production was appealing for multiple reasons; most notably for its dazzling star quality performances.

FALL for DANCE $25 all Seats Best Dance Deal EVER

New Yorkers are pretty savy when it comes to dance, especially when there's a bargain.  But, unless you're in line the morning tickets go on sale (at least 6 hours beforehand) you're out of luck.  The tickets sell out in a NY minute.  I went 2 days later & managed to buy 2 seats in the very top row of City Center, just beneath the ceiling.  I wanted to see the SF Ballet Co. on the program Wed. Oct. 8th.  The FALL for DANCE brings in world wide 1st class dance companies providing a motley mix of dance.  This is an exciting & inexpensive way to see numerous companies rarely appearing in NYC.  The $25 to see SF Ballet perform "Variations for Two Couples" choreographed by Hans Van Manen with Benjamin Britten's score was the piece des resistance.  (I want to grouse that I paid the same as the audience seated in the orchestra for the nose bleed section.)  Having said that, the choreography & 4 dancers took my breathe away.  (It wasn't from the altitude.)  The BLACK GRACE Co. from New Zealand performed a tribal Samoan dance that was more calisthetics & mind numbing pounding.  I've never seen anything quite like it and I didn't like it, at all.  Mark Morris Dance Group was commissioned for FALL for DANCE.  Morris choreographed this world premier "Words" for which I only have derogatory words: silly, unimaginative and at it's best, banal.  I have much kinder words for  Sadler's Wells London Co.'s "TWO x TWO" choreographed by Russell Maliphant.  This U.S. premier features 2 female dancers.  Both are constricted to a lighted square; one downstage & the other further back.  The darkened staged & saturnine dance was hypnotic.  It created a very somber yet magical feel.  I was dazzled by this piece.  That scored a 2 out of 4 for my $25 which proved well worth it.  But hey, maybe for us seated up in the boonies - maybe we could be given a complimentary drink for the ascent required to get to our seats.

Henri Matisse: The Cut-Outs-Filled with Shapes & Color; Don't Miss Out

The MoMA's Matisse cut-out collage exhibit is the most comprehensive assemblage of Matisse's works in this medium.  In the 1940's, when Matisse's health & mobility waned, he veered from his oil paintings & began cutting & assembling painted paper into abstract & architectural forms.  Perhaps this facilitated the artist's ability to create from a more sedentary, eased position.   Perhaps this medium was liberating, allowing Matisse to manipulate his work easier than painting oil on canvas.  Regardless,  Matisse continued to experiment & expand from his body of work.  It may be assumed that great artists would contemplate their legacy in their later years with the aspiration for remaining relevant.  "I know it will only be much later that people will realize to what extent the work I am doing today is in step with the future."  Many of the 100+ works on display are easily identifiable as Matisse's.  The painted paper cut-outs resemble compositions & forms of his previous paintings.   It is intersting to note, however, that the rigid cut-out shapes have a fluidity & mobility in their composition.  And, the abstract, multi-layered child-like shapes are very joyful & intriguing.  Most refreshing & dynamic is Matisse's monumental cut-out "The Swimming Pool," (1952.)  I felt bouyant as though I were I floating through his configuration of swimmers.  The entire exhibit is delightful & exuberant; not to be missed.

NYC Ballet Premiers Ratmansky's "Pictures at an Exhibition"- A Masterpiece

The program for NYC Ballet "21st Century Choreographers I" featured new works by Scarlett, Schumacher, Peck & the World Premier (Sept. '14) of Ratmansky's Pictures at an Exhibition.  Ratmansky's brilliant ballet brought a vivid musicality to Mussorgsky's music.  The costumes, lighting & projection designs  created a stunning visual effect; a work of art in the making.  Ratmansky's choreography had a vitality & fluidity that reverberated with every note.  The dancing was lyrical, magical & fresh.  The entire  ensemble was first rate.  Wendy Whelan added her ephemeral grace & artistry.  The audience lauded Ms. Whelan who will be ending her long & illustrious career with NYC Ballet.  The dancing & visuals were altogether dazzling.  Sara Mearns & Tiler Peck are 2 prima ballerinas who continue to flourish and amaze.  I'm a huge fan of Ratmansky's ballets & will look forward to seeing this ballet again & any future works by this gifted choreographer.  I was deeply moved by Liam Scarlett's "Funerailles," melancholy pas de deux with music by Franz Liszt.  This stirring & eloquent ballet was danced with perfection by Tiler Peck & Robert Fairchild.  The pair created a powerful macabre aura. The costumes by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen & lighting by Mark Stanley added emotional gravitas.  Scarlett is another creative genius whose ballets never fall short of spectacular.  The program not to be missed this fall season is "21st Century Choreographers I."

NYPhil Rehearsal Premiers Rouse's "Thunderstuck"

Yes, "Thunderstuck" (no r) is a terrific, apropos title.   This was an exciting opportunity to hear the world premier of this magnificent work by Christopher Rouse (b. Amer. 1949.)  This stirring composition emulates Gerswhin's famous Rhapsody in Blue.  It is not a facsimile but it does build upon the indigenous American sound of industry, opportunity & swagger.  The piece begins with the solo sounds of sandpaper blocks, setting the tone for the brighter, richer resonance which builds to a crescendo.  The jubilant harmony elicits from orchestra bells, Chinese cymbals & cow bells (just enough cow bells.)   The bass drum, oboes, clarinets & bassoons enrich the score with a resounding swagger.  I was smitten with "Thunderstuck." It's clever composition & instrumentation creats a jocular jaunt.   Rouse is completing his 3 yr. Composer-in-Residence with the NYPhil.   He dedicated "Thunderstuck" to maestro Gilbert.  The other pieces on the program were Haydn's Symph. #103 & Brahms Violin Conerto in D.  This was a magnificent program.  It was thrilling to have been one of the 1st to hear Mr. Rouse's composition & to see him present at the rehearsal.

Leon Panetta Dellvers Direct Responses to Andrea Mitchell @ 92ndY

Leon Panetta's talk last night @ the 92ndY was timely, important, direct & engaging.  It was a privilege to be in the audience to hear NBC's chief foreign correspondent, Andrea Mithcell, ask pertinent, pressing questions to Leon Panetta at this precarious time.  Mitchell, is a former chief White House reporter & regular guest on "Meet the Press."  Mitchell's questions to Panetta were very direct & left Panetta free to answer.  Panetta, former dir. of the CIA & sec. of defense under Obama & Clinton's chief of staff, was well versed & cogent in his responses.  Panetta likened ISIS overtaking borders on Turkey yesterday to al qaeda's intention of attacking the U.S. "ISIS is the greatest fanatical terrorist threat."  He believes "the U.S. will be in a long & sustained war with ISIS."  Asked if removing troops from Iraq left a vacuum allowing ISIS to burgeon, Panetta answered, yes.  He maintained U.S. troops should have continued to be a presence in Iraq & Afghanistan.  Panetta faulted Obama with not following through on his threat to take action on Syria after al-assad gased & killed thousands. Panetta believes Obama gave a "terrible message to the world" by remaining passive, abetting aggressive leaders like Putin.  Panetta advised the U.S. to apply heavy sanctions against Russia & provide military equipment & financial support to the Ukranian people.  Panetta is vehement against allowing Iran to develop nuclear capabilities.  Tthe greatest threat to our nation," according to Panetta, "is the dysfunction in D.C." Obama must fight hard every day to get things through Congress & maintain a strong leadership role or the U.S. will be led instead crisis by crisis.  Panetta quoted Theodore Roosevelt "the best thing you can do is make the right decision, the 2nd best thing is to make the wrong decision & the worst thing you can do is make no decision."    

Off Bwy IT HAS to be YOU-$25 too GOOD to be TRUE?

I like NY in June, how about you?  I like a good bargain or two, how about you?  For $25 the off B'wy show IT HAS to be YOU will do.  Playwright, Catherine Butterfield (Joined at the Head) stars as Mindy in this droll, predictable play about familial ties & gigalo wiles.   Mindy & Frank (Adam Ferrara) are siblings driving up to check on their 75 yr. old widowed mom, Dorothy, after a neighbor alerted them to her nude dancing on the balcony.  Fearing that their mother may becoming senile & wistfully planning on inheriting her estate, they strategize together & bring each other up to date on their problematic lives.  Mindy is a neurotic, narcissitic single woman whose 10 yr. affair with a married man has been terminated.  Frank is struggling to keep his tuxedo business afloat & his marriage anchored.  When they arrive at their mother's home they find they have bigger fish to fry.  Their mom has a guy 30 years younger they fear will usurp them in her will.  Senility has not set in rather Burt (Peter Davenport) her young lover has moved in & Frank & Mindy want him out.  Jed their successful, gay brother arrives the next & the 3 siblings are in collusion to rid them mom of Burt.  Jed does just that by outing Burt as gay breaking their mother's heart in the process.  Mother may know everything but mother does not know best.  The acting by the cast elevates this comedic yawn; particularly Burt played with convincing charm & Frank with comedic chops.  I can see we may disagree on what to do you - I don't recommend, how about you?  

Doc. on Jazz Legend Terry Carter "Keep On Keepin On" Inspirating to Infinity & Beyond

Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Herbie Hancock & many others honor Terry Carter (TC) as the greatest jazz trumpet player to have picked up a horn.  As 1 of 11 children born into a very poor neighborhood in St. Louis.  TC at a very young age was so impassioned to play a trumpet, he assembled an instrument from lead pipes, & flotsam jetsam taken from the local dump & played his heart out.  The neighbors couldn't tolerate the abrasive noise & scrummaged together $12 to purchase him a trumpet from the local pawn shop.  Thus began a lifetime of love & dedication to performing & mentoring of music.  The countless other jazz artists in the film sing praises not only for his talent but for the man & his life.  This winning, heartwarming & inspirational doc. spans TC's illustrious career.  More importantly, the camera captures the loving mentoring of TC to Justin Kauflin, 20+ jazz pianist prodigy whose been blind since age 6.  Mr. Carter, now in his 90's, has dealt with diabetes for over 50 yrs.  The disease recently cost TC his eyesight & both his legs.  Still, this is a doc. that is a heartfelt tribute to determination, support, kindness, love and of course jazz.  What comes blazing off the screen is the love & respect between TC & his wife Gwen, the love they have for Justin and Justin for them & how this keeps the love & support for others paying forward.  Justin says "Thank you so much CT, for everything."  I watched this film & it touched me more than I can express.  I thought to myself, what a wonderful human being; what a wonderful world.

David Hockney's THE ARRIVAL of SPRING Just in Time for Fall

One of the most celebrated & renowned modern, pop artists living today, David Hockney (b. Britain 1937) is pushing 80 & still adding to his panoply of works that include painting, print making, set designs & photography.  THE ARRIVAL of SPRING @ PACE Gallery is an exhibit of videos & experimental iPad paintings that pay homage to his Yorkshire roots to which he has returned. Known for his splashy paintings & collages that represent his LA years, Hockney presents a sonnett to the transition from a wintery landscape to the rites of spring.  A large video installation in fragmented sections puts the viewer into the frame as the cameras continues down the road with trees shedding their melting snow.  The colorful, whimsical paintings ( 2011) were created on the iPad app for drawing. Some of the works resemble Van Gogh style of broken strokes & vivid colors.  Hockney's paintings are awash in color & playfulness.  This Renaissance man shows his perpetual interest in utilizing cutting edge technology in his art and a youthful spirit.  Hockney admits to his impatience for waiting on the passing seasons.  With this impatience Hockney found "It made me look much harder at what I was drawing." This delightful show is a breath of fresh air as we transition into autumn.

Jenny Holzer's "Dust Paintings" in Chelsea Leave a Solid Impact

Jenny Holzer, is a contemporary conceptual artist (b. Amer. 1950.)  Conceptual art is construed as potent social, political commentary.  Conceptual artists work in a multitude of mediums to express their intent.  Holzer's most recent works "Memory & Regret: Dust Paitings" are on view @ the Cheim & Read Gallery.  The 1st room is arresting; figuratively & literally.  The darkened room accentuates the audio/visual installation suspended from the ceiling. It has a fleeting text in flashing, white lettering on a black monitor.  Deciphering the message demands attention.  The word security stood out.  There is a pervasive siren sound.  The combined effect paired with the only other piece in the room, a large black/white painting, stirs up the tension of a police interrogation.  Holzer may be referencing the killings of black teen - Brown by a white officer in Ferguson or Martin - murdered by a white man exonerated of the crime.  It also references racial profiling.  The large, well lit gallery is deceptively more disturbing.  Holzer managed to obtain transcripts of interrogations of Muslim prisoners detained at Guantanamo Bay.  These men were interrogated & tortured with methods referred to as water boarding.  The texts on these paintings are verbatim transcripts with blackened censorship markings.  Jamal Nasser the prisoner who died while in custody is apparent.  The paintings resemble headstones with snowflakes or rushing water.  The final 2 galleries offer a respite from the macabre art.  Here Holzer's Mondrian style paintings have cheery colored lines & shapes. Tragically, our current military consequences in Iraq/Afghanistan stem from Bush/Cheny's hawkish invasions.  The message of concealment or disseminating of sensitive information is more obscured by hued aesthetic of the paintings.  Holzer's "Dust Paintings" are disturbing & provocative and serve as tangible, repentant reminders.