Oliver Ranch an Outdoor Sculpture and Art Installation in Sonoma County

The Oliver Ranch located in Sonoma just an hour north of San Francisco is an outdoor art museum with 18 installations on a sprawling 100 acres of rolling landscapes with breathtaking  panoramic views of the surrounding wine countryside.  It's fair but diminutive to compare Oliver Ranch to Storm King an hour north of NYC sitting on 5 times the acreage and 10 times the number of installations.  Of course, this is petty and both outdoor art museums are well worth visiting.  Both have large scale installations that can be appreciated in a relaxed and organic environment.  We were met at the property by Steve Oliver.  Steve and his wife Nancy have partnered with the Community Fdtn Sonoma County to offer tours to organizations benefitting the local community.  Oliver greeted us in jeans & t-shirt & gave a rehearsed, self-deprecating history of his initial interest in contemporary arts which were honed into a driving passion by his wife.  Oliver's background is in engineering & business.  He built & owns the massively successful Oliver Construction Co.  The only restriction placed on the artists' works by Oliver were to be site specific.  The art installations are majestic feats of architectural engineering and complex configurations.  There are 3 derivations from this generalized description.  Two sound installations and the dual figurative sculptures by Terry Allen.  I took exception to the curators' shallow summation of Allen's works as whimsical.  I thought Allen's sculptures of a girl with her head buried in the ground and the headless male torso braced against a tree a powerful political comment on racial injustice with its history of lynching and the continual failure to acknowledge and affirm civil by burying one's head or turning a deaf ear.  The 2 structures I was most taken with were Roger Barry's "Darwin" a large steel cor-ten arch for its graceful form melding into the earth as well as its ingenious functioning as a seasonal sun-dial by its casting shadows.  Robert Stackhouse's "Russian River Bones" is an all white oblong structure resembling a board walk.  The upper boards are braced upon tall saw horses.  As you move alongside the structure the shape undulates and creates the sensation of water ebbing and flowing.  I'm disappointed our tour was limited to 8 artists.  I very much wanted to experience Andy Goldsworthy's  "6 untitled installations."  I hope to have another opportunity to immerse myself into Oliver Ranch.  There are performances held inside Ann Hamilton's gargantuan concrete tower with helix staircases which I'd be thrilled to attend.  

Congrats to Elaine May for Her Tony Win - As Predicted Back in November

THE WAVERLY GALLERY is the name of a defunct art gallery run for almost 30 years by Gladys Green (the incomparable Elaine May) in Greenwich Village.  She's an eccentric octogenarian teetering on senility.  The play begins with Gladys having lunch with her grandson Daniel (Lucas Hedges "Manchester by the Sea").  Gladys is garrulous, charming and ultimately exasperating.  She talks non-stop about herself and the glamorous social life she led with her previous husband; both deceased.  Gladys asks Daniel questions repeatedly.  His contained vexation with his grandma is admirable & hilarious.  Gladys tells Daniel about his paternal grandma who was, well "nuts" at the end of her life.  ACT I is set in 1989 and Gladys' non-stop prattle is maddening but tolerable by her daughter Ellen (Joan Allen), Ellen's husband Howard (David Cromer) and Ellen's son Daniel.   Gladys' loquaciousness at the family dinner table is a comedic masterpiece.  May began as a comedy duo with Mike Nichols & she's a showbiz legend.  May as well hand her the TONY for this remarkable performance.  Her comedic timing is uncanny & her dramatic turn extremely poignant.  ACT II set 2 years later paints a drastic change in Gladys.  Her dementia has deteriorated to the point where she can no longer manage on her own.  Her mind has been smashed to pieces a blank canvas.  The full-time care required is excruciatingly draining on her family.  Ellen's  anger & frustration is understandable and the situation painful for everyone.  Ellen wishes her mom would have a "peaceful death" and tells Daniel to "just shoot me when I get like this."  The running gag with hearing aids is bittersweet.  Don (Michael Cera) is a pathetic flailing painter who hangs his art & his hat in the vacant Waverly Gallery.  Don keeps insisting the family needs to adjust Gladys' hearing aids.  The owner of the gallery evicts Gladys despite the families pleas for more time.  The owner has his own plans for the space although it remains empty for the next 2 years.  Most people don't have the strength or unwilling to commit to someone whose life is fading.   Kenneth Lonergan's brilliant play was a Pulitzer Prize finalist (2001).  The play is cleverly staged.  The brick wall curtain serves as a screen between scenes showing how things have changed over the years in Greenwich Village from the 1960s to 1980s.  Daniel speaking directly to the audience is very affecting.  Allen & Hedges are excellent in their roles.  May gives a powerhouse performance.  Lonergan's brilliant play is a potent reminder to listen to each other, to remember the details and to fully embrace life.   THE WAVERLY GALLERY is a masterpiece and May is a miraculous force of nature.

Warriors Loss is Shoved aside by Mark Steven's Foul Mouth and Contact with Player

I was at the Warriors game last night where the home team fell to the Toronto Raptors 123 to 109 despite an all time high of 47 points for Steph Curry and celebrity support by Beyonce and Jay-Z. The Raptors now lead the series 2-1.  The NBA Finals are not over yet except for one of its owners, Mark Stevens.  In the 4th quarter Raptors' player Kyle Lowry fell into the stands trying to save a loose ball.  It was apparent Lowry was extremely agitated as he was seen asserting himself with a ref.  Not long afterwards,  two security guards were seen escorting a man from the arena who was seated in the section where Lowry had landed.  The man being led out was Mark Stevens; not merely a fan but part owner of the Warriors.  Security reviewed footage of the incident.  Stevens was seated off to the side and not involved in the collision. Nevertheless, Stevens reached over and put his hands on Lowry and yelled vulgarities at him.  This abhorrent behavior is not to be taken lightly.  Lowry said "He {Stevens} had no reason to touch me.  He had no reason to reach over two seats and then say some vulgar language to me.  There's no place for people like that in our league."  Lowry's absolutely right.  The NBA has banned Stevens from the rest of the series.  But, is this in itself serious enough action?  No, it' not!  I agree with Lowry, "Honestly, I hope he's never allowed to come to an NBA game because he shouldn't have done that.  There's no place for that."  The NBA has come out with the following statement "Mr. Steven's behavior last night did not reflect the high standards that we hope to exemplify as an organization.  We're extremely disappointed in his actions along with Mr. Stevens offer our sincere apology to Kyle Lowry and the Toronto Raptors' organization for this unfortunate misconduct. "  Good for Lowry for speaking to league security and for taking action to remove Stevens.  Still, this doe not even out the score.  Stevens should be forevermore banned from attending any NBA games.  I'm hoping the Warriors will tie up the series and go onto a repeat championship.  There should never be a repeat of this disgraceful behavior by a fan and should it be an owner - they should be banned.

"Booksmart" A Superbad Senior Breakout Flick with Funny Clever Chicks

Film and TV Actress Olivia Wilde makes her film directing debut with "Booksmart" written by Emmy winner Emily Halpern ("Black-ish").  Wilde brings something new & refreshing to the comedy genre of high school seniors, self-proclaimed losers, seeking to redeem their social status and achieve sexual conquests.  There is something blatantly outdated with "Booksmart."  The inane  casting of 20 somethings in roles as high school students deserves detention.  There has to be teens to fill roles as teens.  The entire h.s. class should've already graduated college by now. But, the 2 leads Amy (Kaitlyn Dever "Beautiful Boy") and Molly (Beanie Feldstein "Ladybird") are a pitch perfect comedic duo that precludes warranting a do over.  Feldstein, a youngish Rebel Wilson is magnetic, hilarious and commandeering as the over achieving student with myopic focus.  Molly put aside fun & socializing albeit for her cohort & bestie Amy (an endearing Dever).  The movie begins the last day of high school; a precipice into the future.  Amy picks up Molly for school but first the two do a pas de deus that is like to die for leaving you wanting more.  The footwork is paved for friends who have each other's back.  Back at school, the two are seen on the outside looking in as the student body is submerged in outlandish celebration for their imminent emancipation.  Molly with Amy in tow, go to see the principal (Jason Sudeikis) whose already clocked-out.  But, we'll see from Sudeikis later in an excruciatingly funny scene.  Molly is unsinkable and unperturbed by the bubble she & Amy have been under for 4 years because they both got into Ivy League schools.  Her bubble bursts big time when enlightened by classmates she perceived foolish & puerile they too got into top notch schools while finding time to enjoy other endeavors.  Molly's indignation ignites a highly motivated plan.  She & Amy will make up for lost time by having the time of their lives on their last night.  The two go on a major bender with hilarious detours.  They're not deterred from achieving maximum levels of  cool fun.  The film splashes into the foray of a "Superbad" genre starring Jonah Hill, Feldstein's sister.  "Booksmart" earns valedictorian honors & goes overboard with clever, laugh-out-loud, unexpected humor.  A scene where the girls try to heist a pizza delivery guy for directions to "the party" is priceless and a lock-up as a comedy classic.  The film doesn't shy away from unabashed sexual grossness but it's done with a gamine flair.  "Booksmart" makes top grades for its LOL ludicrousness.  Its high level of perfection goes to uber drive from the girls' bond of friendship so deep it's uplifting to fathom.   Wilde's two "wild & crazy" principles - don't miss out on all the fun - you don't get do overs.  My seminal advice is don't miss out on "Booksmart."

Healdsburg Jazz Festival Features Pianist Ethan Iverson and Saxophonist Mark Turner

The Healdsburg Jazz Festival which is from May 31 - June 9 at the Raven Theater features a variety of styles from spiritual, blues, bebop, Latin, classical and even a Jazz Night at the Movie with archival footage of rare live footage of some of the greatest artists in jazz history.  Last night was a double bill featuring composer/arranger/pianist and NEA Jazz Master Carla Bley, 82 and the contemporary jazz duo pianist Ethan Iverson and tenor saxophonist Mark Turner.  Iverson on keys did all the bantering with the audience and wrote most of their compositions.  My favorite piece nonetheless was one of Turner's compositions which gelled their sinewy rhythms that enhanced each other's unique sounds.   Iverson's piano playing was somewhat reminiscent of Monk's; unpredictable and perfect.  Iverson's arrangement at times seemed to be working too independently and somewhat at odds with each other.  Af first Turner struggled with the reed to his sax.  It took Turner a while to settle in and present the full rich complexities of his tenor sax reminiscent of Coltrane.  Iverson said they were going to play "esoteric contemporary jazz."  The duo, sans drums or bass was intriguing.  The piano & sax duo sufficed to a driving, rich and complex aesthetic.  Their avant-garde style was innovative and exciting.  The type of jazz that embraces a new & rewarding learning curve.  Iverson referred to his mid-western, WI roots, which accounts for his friendly, outgoing demeanor.  The background for the titles to their compositions were clever, especially "Unclaimed Freight."  He was driving in MN with his family in the middle of nowhere when they came upon a gargantuas warehouse with a sign that read "Unclaimed Freight." "I knew this would be the title for my next composition."  Iverson has recorded with Ron Carter and was the musical director for the Mark Morris Dance Co.  Iverson & Turner's original compositions charter new territories that are well worth taking note.  I'm looking forward to hearing the soul jazz duo with Calvin Keys on guitar & Jeff Chambers on bass.

Steven Dietz's Play "This Random World" is Ho Hum LBT in Santa Rosa

"This Random World" playing at the Luther Burbank Theater in Santa Rosa is a rigorous riff on the "wake up and smell the coffee" trope.  Oftentimes, a carpe diem theme resonates with the poignancy of having lived an unfulfilled life as in Miller's "Death of a Salesman," Chekov's "Uncle Vanya" or Wilder's "Our Town."  Steven Dietz (b Amer. 1958) is a prolific playwright whose many plays are currently been produced throughout the US.  "This Random World" fails to break new ground searching for missed opportunities.  The writing lacks depth and the actors were all shrill.  I won't fault the actors for shouting as they were trying to be overheard by Joe Winkler's sound design of continual sonorous rain.  Set designer Argo Thompson made better use of background inclement visuals and sparse sets that shifted fluidly from scenes in both the US & Japan.  The cast of characters includes 2 sibling sets whose familial connections are loosely tethered.  Both sets of siblings harp on "mother always liked you best."   The brother/sister siblings' quibbling revolves around their hermetically isolated mother, Scottie (Trish DeBaun).  The two have no clue their mom is up at dawn to view each unique, miraculous sunrise accompanied by a less than enthused caretaker, Bernadette (Rose Frater).  Scottie also has a penchant for clandestine travel abroad with Bernadette's help and her vow of secrecy from her adult children.  The families intertwine without connecting although they come close in circumstances that are incredulous.  Beth fails to meet up with her travel groups designated departures leaving her in precarious situations.  Furthermore, Beth's macabre obsession with arranging her own obituary & funeral prove her to be controlling and out of touch with savoring life precious moments.  Gary (Ariel Zuckerman) and Claire (Paige Picard) share the most engaging scene where Gary is ending their relationship much to Claire's bitter chagrin.   The play is neither sentimental or moralistic. But, neither is it savvy or funny.  Its construct grows wearisome and the rainfall of life's bounties prove shallow.  Don't wander far from home in order to see "This Random World."

Whitney Biennial - Two Works Worth the Tour From Nicole Eisenman and Brendon Fernandes

Brendan Fernandes' "The Master Form" is a large installation of 6 geometric sculptures of identical black coloring on linear, thin edged structures.  The central structure is a large configuration of open squares that remind me of jungle gyms on playgrounds meant for children's innovative climbing and exploration.  Fernandes (b. Kenya 1979 and raised in Canada) was a classically trained ballet dancer. His dancing career was sidelined due to injury.  His creative outlet merged into the visual arts.  "The Master Form" combines the ephemeral art of balletic performance with the sedentary art of sculpture.   Five ballet dancers, 2 women (1 in pointe) and 3 male dancers walk in sync to the gallery of Fernandes' solo work to syncopated snapping of their fingers.  All 5 are attired in black leotards that mesh with the sculptures.  Individualizing the dancers, they adhere to the smaller structures as they mirror or become an extension of the form itself.  There is no other audio and each dancers' movements embrace their inhabited sculpture and create a unique orchestrated measure.  Simultaneously, the dancers enter the "jungle gym" moving in rigid, sharp lines without ever making contact with each other.  This captivating installation brought kinetic energy to innate objects and a heightened sense of strength and composition to movement.
Nicole Eisenman's "Procession" takes up the entire 6th floor terrace, a highly coveted platform for presenting artworks.  Eisenman (b France 1965) is primarily known for her colorful figurative paintings that have an element of exaggeration and humor.  "Procession" is a panorama of massive mixed medium incorporating a video, numerous sculptures of varying sizes and figurations.  Taken collectively, the jaw dropping work is perplexing, engaging, whimsical and political.  The largest sculpture of a male figure on his hands and knees emits steams from his annus sporadically.  There's a  small all white eagle prostate in a too small box with wings folded and eyes shut.  A wooden abstract sculpture on a podium is both seductive and haunting.  There's movement with some of the works such as a fishing pole that bobs with multiple tuna cans.  You're invited to walk amongst the works and a ubiquitous staff member cheerfully "answers" any questions with mainly ambiguous responses.  This work needs no curation other than one's own interpretation but it requires a wandering eye and unflagging engagement.

Pedro Almodovar Presents the Doc. "The Silence of Others" Francos Hold On Spain

"The Silence of Others" is a documentary film, 6 years in the making that reveals what transpired under General Franco's 40 year dictatorship of Spain and the ongoing pain.  Dir/producer Almudena Carracedo's (b. Spain 1972) courageous & eye-opening doc. reveals the Parliamentary Amnesty granted in 1977 for both political prisoners who opposed Franco and government officials in Franco's regime.  Carracedo doesn't delve into the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) nor portray to a large degree   life under Franco's 40 year dictatorship; 1939 until his death in 1975.   The substance of "The Silence of Others" is the orchestrated absence of knowledge of historic events incurred by Spain's "Amnesty Laws".  Both political prisoners opposed to Francos' fascist rule and Nationalist cabinet members empowered under Franco were absolved.  The majority of Nationalist cabinet members retained their political positions posthumously.  Franco rose to power in 1939 abetted by Hitler & Mussolini.  Franco's Nationalist forces overthrew the democratic elected  2nd Republic.  What's mainly equated with Spain's Civil War is Picasso's mural "Guernica" which hangs in Madrid and also speaks to crimes against humanity under Franco.  "Guernica" was momentarily spotted on screen.  Carracedo's award winning doc. is a minuscule history lesson of Spain from 1930s-1970s.  The film serves to enlighten the world on the acquiesced acceptance that disavows the genocide & torture of hundreds of thousands of people opposed to Francos oppressive rule.  Young people in Spain appeared unaware of "Amnesty Law" passed in 1977 or of brutal crimes & mass murders during Franco's rule.  Many felt it better not to speak of the witnessed horrors to their families, schools didn't address Spain's 20th C history and the perpetrators of crimes against humanity enabled themselves pardons.  The purported justification was not to open sore wounds in the best interest of healing & uniting the country.  Certainly, it was in the best interest of the Nationalists guilty of committing atrocities.  The "Pact of Forgetting" or untouchable justice is in fact, no justice.  It's shocking to learn of the infants stolen from their mothers for eugenics plodding taking place through the 80s.  Carracedo's doc. gets buried under the long-drawn-out legal proceedings to invoke justice.   Legal battles have been waged in Argentina for more than 8 years to extradite accused Nationalists who tortured, killed and stole infants since they are immune in Spain. The questions raised about white-washing history are prescient and omnipotent.  The ongoing proceedings to recover remains of loved ones feels remote & of lesser consequence. "The Silence of Others" would benefit from major editing and redirecting its lens on how, why and the implications of dismissing and rewriting history.  

Tony Winner Alice Ripley stars in THE PINK UNICORN Understanding and Transformation

Alice Ripley won a Tony for her performance in "Next to Normal."  Should "The Pink Unicorn" move to Broadway, she should win another Tony for her heartfelt performance of a mother's journey of love, understanding and support for her daughter's gender neutral identification.  Trisha Lee (Alice Ripley) lives in a small Christian TX town where most people attend Church regularly on Sundays and put out the American flag every 4th of July.  The town isn't known for its diversity or its open mindedness.  Trisha takes us into her confidence and trust sharing her befuddlement when her only child, Joeliene informs her mother she is gender neutral a.k.a. gender queer or pansexual.  She tells her mother she wants to be called Joe and the correct pronoun is they.  Joe tries to explain her to dazed mom that gender neutral means not identifying as either male or female.  Trisha's  acceptance for Joe's penchant for wearing all black and short, multi-colored hair style did not prepare her for the serious talk they had at the dining table over tea when Joe revealed the shame felt in concealing being gender queer.  Her classmate Elijah Breckinridge came out as gay and now Joe felt empowered and compelled to freely express how "they" feel.   Joe tells her mother to look it up which she does while at her housekeeping job at a hospital.  Trisha needs the work after her husband was killed by a drunk driver.  Trisha earnestness to understand & support her daughter are all very real and lead her to an epiphany of inner-strength and compassion.  The local priest, Father Dick "he really is a dick" preached the Episcopal Church's acceptance of gay priests as an abomination and heresy.  Trisha questions the priest's narrow minded religious rhetoric.  Joe & Elijah's attempt to form an LBGTQ and Straight Alliance Club at school but are banned by the blockheaded principal.  Ripley has this magical ripple effect that fills the stage with real characters and emotions spinning a one woman show into a transformative work of art that is quietly powerful and deeply penetrating.  Trisha wonders "if God didn't make people of diversity to make us better people."  Playwright Elise Forier Edie has written a smart, warm, funny and provocative play that mystify the soul inspiring empathy, tolerance and love.  We are us better for having experienced this miraculous production from Out of the Box Theatrics.  Out of the Box Theatrics is committed to hiring diverse actors, playwrights regardless of gender, race, creed, ethnicity, or disability.  

British Playwright James Graham's INK - Rupert Murdoch's Rising Claim in the Media Game

Stop the presses for the sensational West End import INK, a biopic play about Aussie Rupert Murdoch's initial emergence as an international media mogul.  Playwright James Graham's (b UK 1982) INK received an Olivier & Tony nomination for this exceptional production of an indelible portrayal of a ruthless & brilliant business operator.  The script follows the year 1969-70 in which Murdoch took over the fledgling SUN paper in London and transformed into a best selling tabloid.  Murdoch is mercilessly played by Brit Bertie Carvel nominated for a Tony in this role.  INK is a David v Goliath story in which its anti-hero Murdoch maneuvers to beat down the competition with steadfast cunning and has you rooting for his success.  Already a newspaper king in his homeland, Murdoch aims to get conquer the media game abroad appealing to the everyman by selling them what they want. Murdoch pulls the wool over the eyes of its major competitor the "Mirror" starting by luring away Larry Lamb (Johnny Lee Miller in a pitch perfect performance) as editor for the "Sun".   Murdoch agrees to allow Lamb free range over the paper.  Under Lamb's no holds barred modus operandi, rag tag team  of unconventional journalists & photographers, and Murdoch's omnipresent oversight without overstepping, the paper transforms into a sensationalized tabloid outselling the competitors. Major breakthroughs came with exclusive reporting on Murdoch's Deputy's wife kidnapping for ransom. Lamb ran 1st hand privileged information which may have compromised her rescue.  Lamb was the first to post female nudes and to use the telly to advertise the SUN.  Both moves garnered massive readership.  The entire cast is first rate.  Rana Roy (Stephanie Rahn) is outstanding as the infamous first female nude. The sleek scenic design by Bunny Christy provides the fast paced underpinnings to putting together a paper and keeps the tempo pulsing.  Murdoch explains the 5 W's requisite for writing a news story with a wry take on the WHY.  "Once you give the why - the story is over."  Murdoch's business acumen kept his eye on the ever changing future in media to remain relevant and expanding.   INK makes you think whether the media feeds the people what they want or are we now being dictated by the media what it is we want.   Graham's thrilling writing, Rupert Goold's tight direction and great acting make INK a formidable production that you'll want to see.