Atlantic Theater's HOLD onto ME DARLING- Is too Long, Still it Grabbed Me

The lively comedy HOLD onto ME DARLING begins with a country singing star bemoaning the recent passing of his beloved mama.  After that, hold onto your hat because the enormous ego of its charismatic lead, Strings (a handsome hunky Timothy Olyphant) ensures nothing will fit his head.  Strings does not perform a solo of self-serving, manipulative agenda.  Nancy, hired as a masseuse to relieve Strings of stress, lathers herself onto this successful star and won't let go.  This appealing play has a lot to say about givers & takers, movers & shakers and sycophants, hopelessly devoted.   After learning of "dear mama's" passing, Strings skips out on the film he's shooting & takes a detour from his singing tour.  He heads back to his TN hometown to be with his brother for the burial of their mother.  Little brother commiserates with his big brother over their dear departed mama.  Strings tells his brother Duke he envies his life; a wife, kids & steady job.  Strings would gladly trade places.  It's Duke whose led the charmed life of a king.  Strings has never felt he lived up to mama's expectations.  Olyphant & Keith Nobbs as Jimmy, Strings' unctuous lackey are pitch perfect.  The clever rotating set helps the comedy roll along as Strings spins his lascivious web and gets himself tangled.  Does it always come down to blaming the mother?  I find no fault with this witty play other than it held on a bit too long.

Julliard Jazz Artist Diploma Ensemble Perform Early Masters of Jazz

The Diploma Ensemble consists of jazz artists who've earned degrees from Julliard.  Last night's program was a tribute to the early masters of Jazz:  Buddy Bolden, Sideney Bechet and of course, the great Louis Armstrong.  The ensemble comprised a jazz pianist, bass player, drummer, clarinetist, trombonist and trumpet player.  The trumpet player's solos were strong and nuanced.  The trombone player added his vocals to Bolden's "Careless Love" and the trumpet player sang in part to Armstrong's "Heebie Jeebies."  Their singing wouldn't land them gigs but it provided mirth to their numbers.  Bolden, Bechet and Armstrong (the most pivotal & influential figure in jazz) were all artists credited with 1st establishing the Amer artform of jazz.  Bolden was a trumpet player & composer (b. 1877-1931.)  Unfortunately, his playing was never recorded.  (Interesting tidbits of info are shared by the performers.)  The program had an early ragtime, jazzy blues sound.  The horn instruments used mute caps which made the trebling wah wah wah sounds.  Bechet (b. 1897-1959) is considered one of the 1st notable jazz saxophon players.  The stirring program comprised of music originated in the US (primarily New Orleans) is still revered a century later.  The light hearted, thigh slapping music had one short somber composition written as a funeral march "Nearer My God to Thee."  The program of early masters of jazz had the power to evoke joy & sorrow and laid a foundation for the evolving & thriving artform of jazz.  

The film MIDNIGHT SPECIAL is a Nightmare of a Movie

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL is awful and a horrible waste of a talented actors: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver and Kirsten Dunst.  Dunst & Shannon are parents to son, Alton (Jaedan Lieberher.) Alton posses some special abilities that make him sought after by the US military & religious cults.  Jaedan is already a seasoned actor (St. Vincents co-starring Bill Murray & Melissa McCarthy.)   Alton is fleeing with his father & his cohort during the night.  This eerie, violent but unsuspenseful film is a cheap grab bag of E.T. and car chase killer/thrillers.  However, the movie lacks charm & excitement.  For all the fast car chases this movie drags on too long.  The hook comes when we see Alton's eyes turn into lightbeams.  We learn his father is fighting against all odds to…get somewhere, for some reason at some point.  Sheehan, Driver & Edgerton do their best to put some energy into this dreadful movie written & directed by Jeff Nichols (MUD, starring Matthew McConaughey.)  The same cannot be said for Dunst who acts like a dunce & Jaeden Lieberher fails to radiate emotion.  The sic-fi  E.T. twist ending is anti-climatic.  Whatever spectrum of curiosity is aroused gets doused.  Don't search for meaning from this spectrum of film genres.  MIDNIGHT SPECIAL is substellar and should stay in a dark cellar.

FAMILIAR by Playwright Danai Gurira is Disarming Family Dynamics

Award winning playwright, Danai Gurira has 2 plays currently running.  "Eclipsed" on B'wy &  "Familiar" at The Playwrights Horizons.  Gurira's (b. US and raised in Zimbabwe) writes about Zimbabwe immigrants who fled during the Rhodesian Bush War (1964-1979) and live in MN.  The couple have raised their 2 adult daughters, Tendi who is about to be married and Nyasha just returning from Africa to attend the wedding.  The parents Donald & Marvelous live in an upscale suburban area. Margaret is Marvelous' sister.  She lives nearby & is there for her neice's wedding.  Donald is mild mannered and Marvelous is overbearing & commandeering.  As soon as Nyasha returns the bickering between mother & daughter commence, anger mounts and Donald hides out.  Can't blame him for all the yelling.  The boisterous, canterkous accusations fly at high decibles.  Commotion centers around preparations for Tendi's wedding to Chris.  Chris does religious volunteer work in Africa.  Tendi is an atty with her father's firm.  Weddings call up tradition and tension.  The conflicts deal with blending African & US traditions not with race.  FAMILIAR has scenarios of assimilation but on a much broader scale.  The situation spirals out of control when the oldest sister who still lives in Zimbabwe arrives with her own agenda for the nuptials.   The 1st act is a hilarious parody of respect, heritage, relgious & culturak values that is preposterous. The 2nd act takes a serious, absurdist twist that bring intelligence & awareness to what constitutes a family and questions when customs become antiquated.  Gurira's clever writing and strong cast performances combine for an entertaining and discerning play. FAMILIAR resonates on many levels but is atypical from most family dramas.  Nyasha's solo at the end is beautiful. I give the play an A.      

Julliard Dances Rep 2016 Taylor, Robbins and Klylian Choreography

The Julliard dance students are all commendable, exceptional & exuberant.  I love seeing the dancers - I don't always love the dance.  "Roses" by Paul Taylor (1985) was the 1st of 3 works in the repertoire. I'm not a fan of Taylor's choreography.  "Roses" - you need work at staying awake.  "Roses" is a tired, listless dance.  The lovely dancers were clad in shades of gray, black & white but the entire piece was awash in shades of gray.  There was no spark, no arch and too much lolling on the floor.  The piece was a bore.  Nonetheless, the Julliard Orch performed Wagner's music with flourish and deserve recognition for their playing.  The last piece on the program, "Symphony of Psalms" was the antithesis to Taylor's tedious work.   Choreographer Jiri Kylian's (b. Czech 1947) ambitious dance was set to Stravinsky's powerful Symph of Psalms.  The Julliard Orch played majestically and the Venture (NY) chorus added a layered emotional fabric to the dancing.  Religious outlooks aside, "Praise Ye the Lord, Praise Him with the sound of trumpets…AND THE DANCE."  The students did a remarkable job with demanding chroreography.  I was swept up in the rousing work.  My favorite piece, was by the legendary choreographer, Jerome Robbins entitled" MOVES," (1959.)  The dance is done without music.  The piece remains contemporary.  It combines precise steps & elegiac ballet moves.  The women were on pointe.  The pleasing pastiche of modern & ballet without accompaniment was staggering.  (How did they keep count?)  The dancers evoked a sensual & viseral response in their partnering.  Robbins may have appropriated some moves into his "Glass Pieces" (1983.)  The students gave a penetrating performance. The Julliard Dance programs are always worth attending.  The program is like a box of chocolate, you never know what you're going to get but it's always a treat.  

We Really Like Sally Fields in MY NAME is DORIS

MY NAME is DORIS is a very likable film featuring Sally Fields as Doris, a delusional relic in a young person's world.  She plays the old fool willing to learn a few new tricks.  She won me over with her gutsy grab for gusto.  At first, Doris is seems the stereotypical spinster who sacrificed her life to take care of mom leaving her living alone except for a feline and a household of trash.  The courageous, self-effacing quest for the unattainable office hunk leads Doris on a delightful transition into the world of possibilities with a clean slate.  All the characters are likeable, quirky and caring.  Doris (the illuminating Fields) finds herself working in an office with a rubber ball underneath & peers a generation or two younger.  Although not a total recluse, she lives an unhealthy hoarding lifestyle.  Doris' best friend is veteran actress Tyne Daly (6 time Emmy winner & Tony winner.)  Daly performance is Oscar worthy.  This movie is about friendship & compassion as well as taking a leap of faith.  John (Max Greenfield, "The New Girl")  is the new art dir. at the office where Doris is a holdover from before the takeover.  She is an oddball, wallflower willing herself to blossom.  Greenfield plays John charisma & charm and is lead male material.  There are cringeworthy moments due to Doris' obsessive & compulsive behaviors but these make you like her all the more for efforts. MY NAME is DORIS is a movie I adored.  Yes, I really like this chick flick with Sally Fields.  It's a film to look forward to seeing.    

NY Rangers Make Bobble Heads out of Boston Bruins on March 23rd

Wed night's Ranger  game at MSG was a big win over the Boston Bruins who went home with their heads held down.  The 5-2 victory was a slick victory.  In the 1st period, Rangers scored on 2 consecutive power plays in short order but not without a major fight breaking out on the ice.  Boston's Belesky felt slammed (check that) and went after Glass with a sucker punch that was returned.  Glass didn't deserve the penalty for fighting, Belesky started it.  Glass shot at Belesky landed a stunning shiner that showed up before Belesky bolted from the box.  There were 2 interesting calls that worked in the Rangers favor.  Coming into the 21st C with sports challenges, Rangers' coach called for a review on a Bruins goal. He questioned an offsides infraction prior to the goal.  After review, the goal was gone and the crowd went wild: HEY HEY HEY Hey now!  Good call by both the coach & the referees.  Another Bruins goal went under review by the refs and while the jumbo screen seemed to justify the goal, the refs ruled otherwise and Ranger fans will take the goal and be all the wiser.  With little hope or luster left, the Bruins pulled their goalie with 3 minutes left in the 3rd & the Rangers put another goal on the scoreboard.  Despite the Bruins having more than 30 shots on goal only 2 goals made it by Henrik Lundquist.  Center Derek Stepan stepped up his game and everyone could use a wingman like Zuccarello.   Happy Ranger fans all went home with a "Zuc" bobblehead.

THE WAY WEST-Not Worth Wasting Your Time or $ at Labyrinth Theater

I detested this annoyingly misguided show.  It is an aggraviting waste of time.  Set in contemporary CA, this is a long winded story about a mentally unstable mother,  of 2 grown daughters who is financially strapped with a loose grasp on reality.  Family dysfunction and financial crisis can be fodder for drama but this black comedy is without levity, sanity or credibility.  Mom has gone through the last of her $13,000 savings as a gullible rube in a shady scam.  Older, wiser, departed daughter Manda has returned from Chicago as a grant writer (how ironic) to help sort her mother's health & money crisis.  Younger, wilder & ruthless daughter Meesh is a mess who only exacerbates her mother's money woes and Manda's wrath.  The only reprieve and light (other than the house fire) come from the vistas out the 2 large pane windows showing shimmering rays of colorful sunsets.  My interest in this play by Mona Mansour (her previous plays were commissioned by NY Public Theater) died soon after the show started.  Mom's monologues about westerner's resourcefulness & perseverance wears thin. Motivational cliches of  nothing ventured nothing gained are wan.  There were multiple missed opportunities for telling worthy tales from financial crisis fallouts.  The value to seeing this show is irredeemable.  Stay away from this dreadful play which runs low on entertainment and peters on far too long.  

EDGAR DEGAS: A Strange New Beauty at MoMA

Edgar Degas (b. France 1834-1917) is a major artist of the 19th C best known for his lovely depiction of ballet dancers in various positions of repose.  This exciting & rare exhibit of Degas' works: drawings, monotypes, prints, oil & watercolor paintings (no sculptures) is a glimpse into the artist's experimentation with various mediums & his broad oeuvre.  The constant theme throughout is Degas' fascination with capturing ephemeral moments & intimate glimpses of women's private toilette.  The nudes & drawings of women bathing are voyeuristic and titilating.  I think he was motivated to capture a fleeting, unobserved moment.   Many of Degas' depiction of dancers portray them off-stage; adjusting their costumes or relaxing rather than their performance.  I noticed a similarity between Degas' paintings with his fellow Frenchmen, Bonnard (1867-1947) and Lautrec (1864-1901.)  Bonnard & Degas (surprisingly) were both prolific painters of women bathing.  Bonnard & Lautrec were huge fans of dancing & the entertainment nightlife.  Several of Degas' paintings I confused with Lautrec because of  the similar iridescent lighting & composition.  The additional allure of the exhibit is noting the evolution of Degas' works.  The happenstance of his prints and watercolor landscapes demonstrate a freedom & abandon to his practice.  The transition from the precise figurative drawings to the blurred, somewhat abstract paintings of dancers is enthralling.  The last gallery contain elegant & lovely pastels/oils of the ballet world.  It is the choreographing leading to these paintings that enrich the appreciation for his body of work.  "Painting is easy when you don't know how, but very difficult when you do." (E.D.)

REMEMBER-An Unforgettable Story of Senior Holocaust Survivors

REMEMBER is a remarkable film that will serve as a reminder of the genocide of 6,000,000 Jews & millions of others during WWII.  It addresses the turbulence of hatred that festers.  The number of survivors from the Holocaust have dwindled.  Soon, there will be no one left with a 1st hand account of the Nazi's atrocities.  Simon Wiesenthal, a survivor and famous Nazi hunter died in 2005.  His mission in the pursuit of Nazis "was justice, not vengence."  Wiesenthal wanted them brought to trial for the world to hear & know the truth of their heinous crimes against humanity.  Max (Oscar winner Martin Landau) and Lev (Christopher Plummer) are 2 elderly men living in the same assisted living facility.  The movie stars with Lev waking calling out for Ruth, his wife of many years who recently passed.  Max (wheel chair bound & tethered to an oxygen tank) and Lev conspire together on the last night of Yahrzeit (mourning) for Lev's wife, Ruth.  The 2 geriatrics still have tricks (& cash) up their sleeves.  It becomes obvious that Lev has dementia.  He is in needs constant reminders & is often confused.  Max has written a letter for Lev (which he constantly refers) and reminds Lev of his promise made for after his beloved Ruth passed.  Both actors give tour de force performances.  Max is a wizened & frail yet still a force to be reckoned.  Lev's senility is so prominent its incredulous to believe him capable of  navigating his travels let alone hunt down & murder the Nazi guard they both knew from Auschwitz.   The movie is filled with intrigue, pathos and mystery.  It will have you riveted throughout the slow suspenseful scenes and the combustible confrontations.  REMEMBER pays tribute to the millions killed in the Holocaust and serves as a permanent, indelible reminder.  "For ever to flourish, it only requires good men to do nothing."  "Justice for crimes against humanity must have no limitations." (S. Wiesenthal)