Ailey II's Repetory Keeps Getting Strong at Joyce Theater

The Ailey II Co. has groomed the artistic dancing skills of our country's finest young dancers for 4 decades.  Known for their creativity and versatility, the dancers are continuously performing some the world's newest & most challenging choreography.  A highlight on the repertoire from their recent performances at the Joyce was a piece by Katarzyna Skarpetowska (b. Poland) "Cuore Sott'Olio" (Heart Submerged in Oil '2013.)  Skarpetowska is currently a member of the Lars Lubovitch Dance Co. and a Julliard alum.  This piece showcases the grace, agility and emotional impact the dancers personify. The powerful athletic demands & lifts are breathtaking.  This is a very somber piece.  It  evokes fear, oppression and resilience.  The energetic, fast paced footworks are beautifully juxtaposed with slow-moving compositions and intricate, smoldering pas de deuxs.  The original music and dark lighting add tension & elegance to the dancing.  The Ailey II dancers are highly skilled modern & balletic dancers. "Cuore SottpOlio" exemplifies the cutting edge choreography Ailey II continues to embrace.    

HEAVEN - MTA Poetry in Motion AS IF!

Riding the MTA subways is more like descending into the circles of Hell.  You burrow underground  into dank, filthy surroundings, ever vigilant of violence or theft.  Bereft of a carefree ride, perhaps poetry can soothe the savagery surrounding us.  The newest poem to surface inside the subway cars is a poem called HEAVEN by Patrick Phillips (b. Amer. 1970.)  Phillips has received the Guggenheim & Nat'l Endowment for the Arts in Poetry & bestowed the Lyric Poetry Award by the Poetry Society of America.   His haunting prose reads:

       It will be the past
 and we will live together.

  Not as it was to live
but as it is remembered.

     It will be the past.
We'll all go back together.

     It will be the past.
And it will last forever.


How very prescient, just as our fares are being hiked again, the old fare of $2.50/ride will cease to be except in memory.  The new price increase will surely not last forever, as it will rise again.  We may take solace in that we will all endure with this together.  AS IF!

The Movie DANNY COLLINS stars Al Pacino, All You Need

What do you call a D+ script with A+ stars?  The producers of "Danny Collins" pulled an ace out of their sleeves having convinced Al Pacino to star in this mawkish script.  Al Pacino plays Danny, a singer/song writer from the 80's who lives royally off his royalties & his loyal old fans.  Pacino is supported by a bonafide cast of actors whose talents help raise this hokey scenario to heartfelt, enjoyable entertainment.  Bobby Conavale plays Tom, Danny's son from a 1 night stand back in his hey day, performing & then performing with groupies while strung out on booze & drugs.  Now, at a seminal moment in his life & waning career, Danny has an Oprah epiphany as to what really matters (need I say family?)  Danny wants redemption via a  reconcilliation with the son he never met.  Jennifer Garner is Tom's wife, Sam "the best daughter-in-law you could have had." That's tellings him.  Tom & Sam have an adorable, precocious 7 yr. old, Grace & are expecting a son.  Christopher Plummer is cast as Frank, Danny's long-time mgr. & best friend who warned him early on of the onslaught of fame, fortune & females.  Danny jets off in a pvt. plane to NJ leaving his young adultrous fiancee (wife #4) to be near his estranged son.  Mary (Annette Bening) is the mgr. of the Hilton where Danny stays & who he preys on, relentlessly.  The predictable plodding plot:  Danny comes bearing gifts & bearing his soul.  Danny says Hello & Tom says Good-bye.  Just give me 1 day & then I'll be on my way, pleads Danny.  You say why when given a dimwit script you can end up with a marvelous movie. And, I say I hello, with A+ actors, led by Al Pacino, combined with John Lennon's beautiful, beautiful, beautiful music, magic happen.

SKYLIGHT starring Bill Nighy and Carey Mulligan at The Golden Theater

Coming off their acclaimed West End production of SKYLIGHT, Bill Nighy & Carey Mulligan bring their fine acting skills to this revival; last seen on B'wy in 1996.  Tom (Nighy, Love Actually & Best Exotic Marigold) & Kyra (Mulligan, Great Gatsby & An Education) star in a tormented May-December romance that is just being rekindled after a 3 year suspension.  Acclaimed British playwright David Hare, 3 Tony nominations & 2 Acad. Award nominations has over 30 plays to his credit.  This  play is froth with bombastic diatribes touching on grief, guilt, love, betrayal, social strata, success & control.  A verbal barrage between Tom & Kyra reveals their adulterous 6 year affair.  Kyra was 18 when she first arrived in London all starry eyed.  Grateful to be hired by Tom & his wife Alice in their family restaurant, Kyra becomes indispensable at work & ingratiated into their family household; caring for their 2 young children.  When Alice uncovers their illicit relationship, Kyra flees without a trace.  Soon after, Alice becomes gravely ill. Tom's businesses flourish so he moves his family into a luxuirous home and builds Alice a room featuring a huge skylight.  Alice is now able to see clearly what she chooses to see.  Tom believes in never looking back and remains in constant motion.    He is bursting with frenzy.  Kyra, for the most part, remains cool, calm & collected.  But, we can all see where this relationship is headed.  This verbose & clever  play would have become tedious & wearisome were it not for the capable acting of its two leads.   Nighy & Mulligan bring life & light to a play that might otherwise appear dim.

NY Phil Rehearsal-Strauss Suite & Salonen Nyx (2010)

Conductor Alan Gilbert who announced his departure from the NY Phil. recently, conducted the Philh. in a program consisting of Strauss' Der Rosenkavalier Suite  (1910) & Salonen's Nyx (2010.)  Also on the program was Ravel's piano Concerto in G Major (1930) and Debussy Jeux:  Poeme dans (1913.)  For those able to take advantage of the bargain priced rehearsals, the relaxed atmosphere & starts/stops are no surprise.  Rehearsals don't necessarily follow the order on the programs printed on the formal programs.  (I do suggest that the with the introduction to shut off cell phones, an annoucement be made of the order the pieces will be performed.)  I was able to make an educated (& correct guess) as to what was played 1st:  Strauss.  Listening to the the full orchestra (sans piano i.e. not Ravel) I discerned recognizable musical interludes associated with Strauss.  However, I also perceived more contemporary sounding movements attributed to symphonies of the late 20th C.  I find it more rewarding when listening to opera, not to focus on the context but rather the musicality of the human voice.  Not being informed that Der Rosenkavalier Suite was the 1st piece rehearsed allowed me to attune more fully to the variations in the music.  I did not stay to hear Salonen's Nyx composed 100 years later or Ravel's Piano Concerto (darn.)  The open rehearsals offer a lot of great music for only $20.  This concert I will return to hear the performance in its entirety as I fully recommend to fellow classical music lovers.  

IT FOLLOWS-A Horror Movie-Chills with Added Thrills

IT FOLLOWS is of the horror film genre.  It certainly provides terror, tension & ominous harbingers of bumps in the night.  It manages to frighten because the story provides credibility.  Jay (Maika Monroe a Kaley Cuoco doppelgänger) convinces her sister & her friends of the ubiquitous demons pursuing her.  You Follow?  The premise is a good one.  After having sex with someone already cursed (right…like vampires or VD) that person will be hunted by zombies (some more sexually provocative than others.)   Jay has consensual sex with a guy who then chloroforms her & ties her to a chair in a desolate structure as a courtesy, to explain she can only banish the curse by passing it onto someone else by having sex with that person.  Or, she will be killed by the creepy crawly walking dead.  Are you still with me?  The Amer. dir./screenwriter David Mitchell has his pulse on something truly terrifying.  The entire cast of unknowns are perfect in their roles as friends trying to help Jay with her nightmare & sexual dilemma.  Should she or shouldn't she have sex to save herself but sacrifice someone else; sort of like herpes.  Mithcell has created a sophisticated & visually stunning film that captures the look of middle class suburbia in the 80's (a dark epoch before cell phones) and spooky autumnal twilights.  IT FOLLOWS offers more than your classic horror flick, it's a film about friendship & sexual awakenings.  In addition, it is a mystery, pscycho thriller which dabbles in porno.  I completely followed along with the film from its scary start.  There's a heart to this film that grabs you.  It also keeps your pulse racing.  Mitchell's film career is one to follow.    

Knicks' New Roster Chumps the NBA Champs SPURS in OT 104 to 100

The starting lineup for the NY Knicks were new names for this Knicks fan.  Knicks' fans packed MSG until the final buzzer in overtime with a 104 to 100 win over the World Champion San Antonio Spurs.  Coming off a very dismal season, this spectacular win gave us Knick fans some bragging rights.  Sour grapes spoil sport Coach Popovich was ungracious in his post game loss, "We didn't respect our opponent.  It was a pathetic performance and I hope that each player is embarrassed."  Popovich, you should be embarrassed popping off at the mouth & show our  Knicks respect."  The Knicks never led the Spurs until the 4th period.  Knicks trailed by 13 pts. in the 3rd.  Rookie Langston Galloway is a name to remember & his performance on the court memorable.  Halloway had 21 pts. & finished with game winning free throws.  March Madness got a great leg-up from the NY Knicks (with the worst record in the NBA.)   Knicks spurned the NBA Champions Spurs.  I'm excited for next year's season with Galloway on the roster & Derek Fisher at the helm.  MARCH MADNESS - let the games begin.  GO BADGERS!

HARRY BELAFONTE Ted Talk: Race, Arts, and America at Walter Reade

Mr. Harry Belafonte is well-known & admired for both his career in entertainment and his humanitarism.  It was a privilege to be among the packed Walter Reade Theater to hear Mr. Belafonte in dialogue with Damian Woetzel, Dir. of the Aspen Instit. of Arts.  The timing of this talk aligns with the 50th Annv. of the March on Selma to acquire legalized voting rights & advance the civil rights movement.  Mr. Belafonte & Congressman John Lewis are the only 2 people alive today that stood alongside Dr. Martin Luther King in peaceful protests for civil rights.  Cong. Lewis was only 18 when they first met.  Mr. Belafonte mentioned he is approaching 90.  He walked carefully on stage with the use of a cane but his rich voice reverberated clearly.  This TED TALK will be available on the internet.  The comments that resonated with me were Mr. Belafonte's lifelong commitment to justice throughout the world.  Mr. Belafonte's mother told him as a boy of 7 "Never go to bed knowing you could have done something to fight injustice."  Mr Belafonte talked of having served in the military in WWII fighting facsim to come home to a nation that was segregated & oppressive to Blacks.  This did not sit well with him.  He did not take a passive stance.  He become active with Dr. King to bring about equality.  Other people he mentioned whom he considered "miracles" in his life were:  Eleanore Roosevelt, Paul Robeson& Nelson Mandela to name a few.  The causes Mr. Belafonte has fought for & continues to support are numerous & international.  He spoke of getting to know a culture from within to best communicate.  And, art, free choice & integrity are of the utmost importance in life.  A  disturbing note:  the large turnout of young people never tuned into anything but their phones.  When the discussion was opened to 3 questions from the audience, a woman dressed in fur, chose to speak of her accomplishments - what a self-indulgent waste.  An interesting question to ask Mr. Belafonte-why he was not present with Pres. Obama & Cong. Lewis @ the 50th Annv. of the March in Selma. Perhaps because former Pres. Bush was present.  He did say Pres. Bush "was his arch enemy" for getting us involved in Iraq. Still, it was an honor to be able to hear Mr. Belafonte, Grammy winner & inspiring humanitarian in person.

The Mystery of Love and Sex Starring Tony Sholub and Diane Lane at LCT

The garrulous play "The Myster of Love & Sex" has plenty to say about, racism, anti-semitism, homophobia, love, hatred, sexual promiscuity & the interminable ways people communicate with each other.  The simplistic set is shifted around by its stellular cast of big name stars: Tony Sholub (Howard) Diane Lane (Lucinda) & newcomers Gayle Rankin (Charlotte) & Mamoudou Athie (Jonny.)  Everyone does their party with the heavy lifting in this laden play.  Rankin & Athie lay their acting craft bare,  leaving little to the imagination.  Howard & Lucinda are parents to college co-ed Charlotte.  Jonny & Charlotte grew up together as inseparable friends.  Their young adult relationship is evolving into a deeper relationship, harder to define.  Howard, a successful novelist of Jewish heritage is determined to have his daughter clarify where her longtime bi-racial relationship with Jonny is headed.  Charlotte, a southern belle, is a bohemian free-spirit addicted to cigarettes & prescription meds.  Her family ties were severed following her marriage to Howard, a NY Jew.  Howard is outspoken, openminded, charismatic & controlling. Meanwhile, Charlotte & Johnny are grappling with their feelings for each other as well as their own sexual orientation.  This topical play touches on almost every controversial hot bed issue imaginable.  It is a very entertaining & enigmatic play.  How a play this verbose can be so engaging & thought provoking remains a mystery.  What defines a family, love & loyalty?  An ambitious play with a lot of interesting points of view.  "We should consider every day lost on which we have not danced at least once." (Nietzche)

POSTERITY Ibsen Meets Vigeland; Historical Fiction Soon Forgotten

The setting for the historical fictitious meeting between Ibsen, Norway's most famous author & Vigeland, Norway's most famous sculptor is a musty artist's studio complete with a gauzy haze & rank odor.  Whether you've read or seen any of Ibsen's plays (A Doll's House, Ghosts) his name is well known.  Unbeknownst to me, Vigeland designed the Nobel Peace Prize & the humongous, permanent installation in Oslo's Frogner Park.  The creative foundation for the misshapen play is based on the collaborative & contentious posturing of Ibsen when having his rendition immortalized in bronze by Vigeland.  Since factual accounts of their interactions are scarce, the Pulitzer & Tony award winning playwright, Doug Wright (I am My Own Wife) has taken creative license.  Unfortunately, Wright did not get much right with POSTERITY.  The acting was stiff, the dialogue banal & bombastic which  proved stale.  What poignancy the play possessed came with the contemplation of one's mortality, legacy & imprint on this world.  Several of the world's most highly regarded writers were mentioned including Shaw & Joyce.  I find the works of Ibsen, Shaw & Joyce to be tiresome dried up relics.  Ibsen  wryly noted "critics to an artist is like a barnacle to a whale."  Touche.  Stilly I say all things will pass.  I recommend you pass on this forgettable show.