The British/Amer Film DENIAL-Holocaust Denier's Libel Lawsuit Decrees Him Liar

The movie DENIAL is the true & historic facts pertaining to the contentious libel lawsuit brought against Amer Prof/historian Deborah Lipstadt.  Lipstadt's book "Denying the Holocaust: the Growing Assault on Truth & Memory" published in 1993, gave the ignominious British Holocaust denier a platform to spout his hate mongering in the British courts by accusing Lipstadt of libel for denouncing his claims that the systematic murder of millions of people by Hitler & the Nazi party has been fabricated.  I won't deem this perverse & delusional person worthy of naming.  The Judge in the case declared him "a Holocaust denier, anti-Semite, racist & promoter of neo-Nazism."  The British/Amer. true, courtroom drama is an intelligent film of utmost significance.  Lipstadt was muffled during the trial per her brilliant attorney's strategy in a legal system that varies from the US.  She has commented on the verdict, "A victory for all those who speak out against hate & prejudice."…"a fight against those who sow the seeds of racism and anti-Semitism."  The case, ruled upon in 2000, detail the imperative for historians to maintain an utmost conscience of presenting historical information based on evidence, witness accounts and truths.  Although it is not easy to corroborate the facts,  it's vital for those who record history to be factual in order to support justiceb& serve humanity.  Rachel Weisz portrays Debortah Lipstadt, Tom Wilkinson is her lead counsel and Timothy Spall is the nemesis with an evil agenda.  The ensemble cast is phenomenal.  It's noted the case abetted those who purport Neo-Nazsim, white supremacy & hatred.  A disturbing question was asked in the movie "How long before they {Jews} let go of their grievances."  This struck me all the more how responsible we all are to remember, respect & insure a voice be given to those who suffered.  

Richard Pousette-Dart Symposium at the Whitney-Artist Chritopher Wool a former Student Spoke

Supposing you wanted to learn more artist Richard Poousette-Dart's (P-D) life & work, a symposium at the Whitney might present an erudite & enlightening evening.  Featured speaks for the centential celebration of the great painter, sculpture & photographer included artist & former student, Christopher Wool, Whitney Dir Adam Weinberg, former stuido assistant & poet Patti Trimble, British curator Dr Jennifer Powell and art historian & critic Barbara Rose.  I will depose Rose, the 1st speaker.  It took a hook to get her off the stage.  Her rambling insights were few & some I felt untrue.  P-D did incorporate many religious symbols & motifs contrary to her stating otherwise.   Rose categorized P-D contemporaries as alcoholics & felt the issue needed addressing.  I felt she was out or order.  Patti Trimble bantered about their working relationship at his studio in Nyack where she claimed not to have been productive.  Trimble testified to P-D's delight with poetry.  A letter produced by Dr Powell written by a young P-D to his mother was poetic in his prose & spoke of the astonishment he found in the beauty of nature surrounding him which he equated to God.  Artist Christopher Wool, a young student of P-D was ill at ease at the podium.  Perhaps, as an artist, his work speaks best for him.  I was intrigued why P-D discouraged him from an artistic career?  Wool attested to his determination to pursue the arts & perhaps that was what P-D was assessing.  I enjoyed learning about his work in photography, sculpture & metal cuttings.  His photographic works were quite arresting and surprising.  I was disappointed the Whitney was not exhibiting P-D's work.  Weinberg was abject in his deference to P-D's widow, Evelyn who was prsesent.  His repeated suggestion to bring P-D's studio to the museum kept falling on flat ears.  (Bring in his work.)   The mostly erudite lecturing became tedious.  The personal anecdotes were more enticing.  After the 100 year anniversary tribute droned on for 3 hours, it's nice to learn more about his art, teaching, legacy & dedication.  Still, after more reflection, I won't be attending an art symposium anytime soon.  

NYPhilharmonic Performs Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade

The 1st open rehearsal was a spectacular start to the season featuring Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade.  Rimsky-Korsakov's (b Russia 1844-1908) majestic symphony 1st premiered in 1888.  It's a favorite composition of mine.  It has a powerful orchestration that blends beautiful with the violin solo, performed magnificiently by Frank Huang (b China 1978.)  The combative motifs referencing the power struggle between the Sultan & Scheherazade evoke a magical feeling of flying carpets, swirling sand dunes & oceanic waves.   The buoyant orchestration lifts seamlessly to reveal the violin beckoning, uplifted by the honeyed sounds of the harp, flutes & piccolo.  Condcutor Alan Gilbert lead his orchestra in the last of his opening rehearsals and it was a resounding commencement to his final season with the NY Philharmonic.

Julliard Jazz Orchestra "The Ever Modern Ellington 1920-70

The 1st Julliard Jazz performance spanned the musical genius of Duke Ellington from his earliest compositions in the 1920's through the early 1970's.  The evening showcased Ellington's broad musical oeuvre & the Julliard's student's expansive talents.  The students demonstrated their range for jazz styles:  ragtime, big band, swing and famous jazz standards.  Ellington's prolific work & his continously evolving style is astounding.  The 1st 1/2 of the program fell under the Grammy winning conductor Vince Giordano.  He led us through Duke's early years.  The earlier compositions had a ragtime sound utilizing the banjo & tuba.  "Liberian Suite: Dance #5" showed an innovative jazz style with rich undertones providing an exotic & sensual rhythm.  "Portrait of Louis Armstrong" had a New Orleans jazz sound stemming from trumpets & trombones & their use of instrument plugs.   After an hour plus set, award winning jazz composer Andy Farber took over for the students & shared his love of  Ellington's music.  "Lightning Bus & Frogs" was recorded in 1959 but not released until after Ellington's death in the '70's for which he received a posthumous Grammy.  It maintains a classic, contemporary jazz sound.  Julien Lee's solo on the alto sax was remarkable.  Pianist Michael Thomas' & Charles Goold on drums were also exceptional.  It was enjoyable listening to the expansive style Ellington brought to jazz and the passion the students brought to the music.

"The Battle of Brooklyn" at the NY HIstoric Soc-Worth Beating any Crowds to Catch

Actually, there were no crowds at the exhibit which just opened at the NY Historic Soc "The Battle of Brooklyn."  Perhaps, like most, people don't know that the Battle of Brooklyn in Aug. 1776 was the 1st, the biggest, most costly battle of the Amer Revolution which almost cost Washington's rag-tag soldiers the end to our War for Independence.  Who knew?  Did you?  Did you know that the British Royal Army aligned themselves on Staten Island ready to take out the impertinent rapscallions who dared to defy King George III and his imperialist & omnipotent battalions.  Gen. Washington strategically placed his soldiers in Brooklyn (Brooklyn Heights & Crown Heights,) to combat the British.  The bloodiest battle of the entire  Revolutionary War occured on August 22, 1776.  There were an estimated 200 American casualties and 900 taken prisoner.  The British casualties were 61 &  31 held captive.  The battle itself lasted less than 4 hours.   This battle was the 1st & almost last of the war.  The defeat led  Washington to a call a retreat from Brooklyn to Manhattan undercover of night. It's believed the British army would have annihilated the makeshift American army had they remained.  An unsigned leaflet recovered of a NY Pocket Almanac '1776 reads…"this fatal day independence declared by the Congress - rivers of blood will flow in consequence of it - no peace for many years."  King George III underestimated the American colonists and overtaxed them - all leading to a BIG MISTAKE on his part costing a long & deadly conflict before giving birth to our independence.  How did the American colonist go from fighting alongside British soldiers in the French & Indian Wars merely 13 years prior, to calling for war against Great Britain?  The exhibit houses rare antiquities & correspondences between many of our prominent founding fathers:  Washington, Adams, Franklin as well as King George's Proclamations.  There are poignant letters from citizens describing their experiences during the years 1775-1783.  Many of these documents are illegible; transcripts are needed to decipher the information.  The exhibit posed numerous questions.  How did Adams gain the authority to call upon troops?  How was it slaves worked to build fortresses in Brooklyn?  How was forgery detected (which almost derailed the fighting) & how was information circulated?  The historic significance of the artifacts is awe-inspiring.  I appreciate the application of current technology with  touch screens to give detailed information.  I'm in anticipation of the discussion that accompanies this exhibit in October.  New York is home to the first battles of the Revolutionary War, the inauguration of it's 1st President and the NY Historic Soc on CPW.  

The COLOR PURPLE Vibrates with Golden Voices

The musical revival for The COLOR PURPLE is a surefire crowd pleaser based on Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize winning novel.  The play doesn't resonate with the poignancy of Walker's book or the movie which earned Oprah an Acad Award nom.  Oprah is one of the producers of the show.  The strength of this Tony winning show stems from the grammy winning composers/lyricists:  Brenda Russel, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray.  The musical styles span gospel, ballads, blues, jazz, ragtime & soul.  You also have to give it up for the sexual healing numbers.  The musical numbers are song by an exceptionally talented cast that makes every number a show stopper.  Heather Headley as Shug & Danielle Brooks as Sofia were magnificient in their leading roles.  The lead role of Celie was performed by understudy Adrianna Hicks whose voice was sublime.  The number "Mysterious Ways" song by the cast was similar in style to Alvin Ailey's masterpiece "Revelations."  The scant set never changed except for the chairs on stage constantly being moved.  The ramshackle backdrop held various, simple wooden chairs.  The heart of the story is the undying love between sisters.  The show is a joyous testament to love, strength and gratitude.  I recommend The COLOR PURPLE which is a lighter configuration of Walker's stirring novel for its first rate musical production.

DANCER Doc on Ukranian "Bad Boy" of Ballet Sergei Polunin

DANCER is both a beautiful dance doc. and a beguiling character study of Ukranian born Sergei Polunin. In 2010, Servei became the youngest principal dancer for the Royal Ballet.  Sergie (b Ukraine 1989) in an impoverished town, he Sergei he trained as a young gymnast, switching to ballet where his natural talents became apparent.  This film is for ballet lovers & for those not enthralled with the ballet world, it should pique your interest in this beautiful & demanding art form.  Either way, it doesn't require an officiando to recognize the incredible talent Sergei demonstrated during his training at The Royal School of Ballet & the virtuosity in his illustrious & notorious career.  A degree in psychology  may be needed to comprehend Sergei's tempestuous behaviors & decisions.  It's enthralling to watch Sergie dance.  It's also somewhat troubling & enigmatic to grasp.  As we follow Sergei we're left with more questions than insights.  Coming from such humble beginnings to become the fastest rising star in the ballet world, why quit only 2 years into his career?  Unpredictable, unknowable & indomitable are the 3 major traits I gleamed from what Sergei revealed.  What we learn from parents & closest (perhaps only) friend; Jade, a fellow student/dancer elucidate certain sides to Sergei.  The mother wants a better life for her son.  The family makes many sacrifices to financially support Sergei's training.  His seemingly sudden departure from may be explained in part by his irascibility, drug use, & resentments.  Blaming his pushy mother is cliche but plausible.  Nonetheless, with his majestry & artistry, it's mystifying why he would impulsively leave the ballet behind.  I deem the doc. film DANCER a captivating trove of ballet treasures.  And, a titilating pleasure of an artist dealing with his demons.  "Why do you have to do anything?  Because you're good at it? Why am I doing it?  I'm a prisoner to my body & to the urge to dance."  (S Polunin)  I recommend DANCER.  At the very least, watch Sergei's utube "TAKE ME TO CHURCH."

CRACKSKULL ROW-Don't be a Numbskull, DON'T GO

CRACKSKULL ROW, part of NY's annual Festival of Irish Theater is deplorable & without merit. Irish born playwright Honor Molloy has written a shameful, family dysfunction show involving incest, murder - need I describe the rest?  Life on Crackskull Row in Dublin is Hell.  This ignominious production begins with the slurred words of a drunkard "Trouble is people forget the past." I'm troubled by the time lost in watching this odious play that feigns artistic contrivance of folding the past/present onto itself.  Whether the character's have visions of the spiritual world or drunken hallucinations is irrelevant.  The elephant on the stage is this immensely awful  play.  The elderly mother (also played in flashback) lives in squalor in a shanty without water or electricity.  "Is there no end to this miserable time," the mother asks.  My answer is - NO.  I loathed this play.  Avoid CRACKSKULL ROW.  It's worse than serving time in a lion's cage.

The Play CHOKEHOLD is Enacted to Stop Police Brutality in the US

CHOKEHOLD, performed at the 14th St Y, is a powerful play taking aim at the unrelenting shooting of black men by law enforcement in our racially divisive nation.  Written by Anthony Pennino, this forceful play is not without flaws, but to take potshots at its foibles would be a disservice to its influential message & clever construct.  Pennino drives home the continuous count of killings of unarmed men, women & children of color & the exoneration of law enforcement involved.  CHOKEHOLD recants the names of victims of recent years & recent days in an elegy to the victims; many of whom may have been forgotten.  CHOKEHOLD ensnares your attention from the onset.  A video taping is being set-up as 2 black enforcement officers roughhouse a white male, order him to strip & rummage through his possessions.  Two black women catalogue his discarded items with disdain, "Abercrombrie & Fitch, that is so yesterday.  Plenty of anti-depressants but only $3 in the wallet," she asks with incredulity.  The white "prisoner," seems more dazed than the audience now unsure if the abduction is real or being staged for reality TV.  The tension & hostility emanating from the 5 actors engaged in imprisoning, humiliating & videotaping their victim is palpable.  I was baffled by the audience's laughter.  We learn the 2 "officers" are posing as law enforcement.  Devon, the white captive clothed only in his skivvies, ID's one of his captors as Andre, the RN from his freshman dorm at Bard.  Devon is pressed with a script & ordered to read into the camera.  Devon's epiphany of his imminent death sends him into a pathetic, blubbering fit.  The crew sermonize "the scales of justice need tipping in another direction."  As Malcom X claimed "Sometimes you have to pick the gun up to put the gun down."  Each of the cast is given the spotlight for their righteous soliloquy on injustice.  The murder of Devon, an innocent white man, will reverberate whereas "Black Lives Matter" is a fallacy.  The actors other than Devon are a rigid distraction on stage when not spouting rhetoric.   Still, their oratories are compelling.  "If you are not part of the solution, you are a part of the problem."  (E Cleaver)  CHOKEHOLD is a gripping play on our world that has gone made and its infectious, volatile tempest ready to combust.  "There is no justice in America, but it is the fight for justice that sustains you." (A Baraka)

MET Jerusalem "Every People Under Heaven" 1000-1400

The exhibit so appropriately called "Every People Under Heaven" is an extensive an impressive collection of ancient artifacts from 1000-1400 pertaining to the history of Jerusalem of this epoch.  The massive assemblage contains mundane utensils, ornate religious artifacts & jewelry, textiles, tombs, arcades and ancient books & scriptures.  The collection of manuscripts and books alone would make the exhibit worthwhile for any bibliophile.  The artistry, the varying hieroglyphics, the religious & historic significance is staggering.  The gold leaf detailing & illustrations are breathtaking & humbling.  The majority of items on loan are being shown for the 1st time outside the city of Jerusalem. I will most impressed with the extraordinary books which have been preserved for centuries.  But, what is most stirring is the connections & commonalities that brought so many different cultures and parts of the world to the same crossroads.  Jerusalem, often referred to as a city that is a mecca of 3 religions:  Judaism, Christianity & Muslim diminishes the rightful impact of so many other cultures & countries. Trade was the driving factor for Jerusalem evolving into the hubbub of an interconnecting commerce.  It was essential that cultures interact, learn each other's language, customs & be respectful of other's faiths.  The ancient writings show excerpts from the Quran, Arabic, Latin & Hebrew scrolls.  The walls of the exhibit have videos placing you inside present day Jerusalem.  There are several short videos of various contemporary relgious leaders & historians which were succinct and absorbing.  An Armenian priest explained how his worshippers literally allocate their religious sanctuary time with Greek Orthodox & Christians for worship. "We're like a family that loves each other and like a family we have our fights.  For instance, we don't allow the Greeks to run over into our worship time or that becomes custom."  There was a stronger sense of collaboration v. clashes to this deferentiall exhibit.  It's sobering to consider the representations of so many varied cultures assembled together having shared a strong tie to one common location and sadly, a history of violence & hatred.