Off-Broadway,
the revival of New Girl in Town, music and lyrics by Bob
Merrill, book by George Abbott, is a splendid production,
with a first rate cast, headed by Margaret Loesser Robinson
and Patrick Cummings. Based on the Eugene O'Neill play
Anna Christie, about a prostitute, who seeks shelter with her
father, it has melodious music, intelligent lyrics, lively dancing
and excellent acting. Don't miss it.
The Last Smoker in
America, book and lyrics by Bill Russell, music by
Peter Melnick, is a very loud, silly rock musical about a wife,
who wants to smoke illegally. Four energetic, talented actors
perform in this convoluted story of a family living in suburbia with
a nosey neighbor, but only the remarkable, movable set by Charlie
Corcoran deserves praise. The opening night party took place in
Bourbon Street restaurant with guests like Danny Burstein, Karen
Ziemba and Christopher Durang.
Mostly Mozart July
28-August 25 is one of the classical music highlights of the
year. Since it began, I have enjoyed attending during the summer
months. The first program was all Mozart, and it was
delightful. Louis Langree led the orchestra in a brisk
Overture to La clemenza di Tito, K. 621, followed by Piano
Concerto No. 20 in D minor, K. 466, played brilliantly by the
soloist Nelson Freire. After the intermission, Lawrence
Brownlee sang two arias with great style, and the program
concluded with a rousing interpretation of Symphony No. 38 in D
major, K. 504 ("Prague"). It was a splendid evening, and it is
good to have this wonderful festival back.
A new restaurant
Segafredo Zanetti Espresso Cafe, 504 6th Ave invited us for a
tasting. I met one of the two owners, a charming Bari Kang,
who invited us to try two of the specialties from the menu, a
delicious baked chicken and a scrumptious pasta dish. The coffee is
exquisite and we had marvelous capuccinos. It is a sleek, modern
space, and customers will be delighted.
.
|
I attended three screenings
of Film Society at Lincoln Center NewFest, the
24th Annual New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival July
27-July 31. Petunia,
by Ash Christian, USA, 2012, is a film about a typical dysfunctional
family in Brooklyn. All are confused sexually and tiresome. It is an unfunny,
unbelievable comedy. A cast of fine actors are, unfortunately, wasted in this
film. A Q & A followed the screening with the director, and members of the
creative team.
Kiss Me, by
Alexandra-Therese Keining, Sweden, 2011, on the other hand, is quite
believable and well acted. A bride-to-be has second thoughts about her marriage
when she meets the daughter of her stepmother. Their love affair leads to
complications among members of their families. It is a well-made, interesting
film.
Mosquita y Mari, by Aurora Guerrero, USA, 2012, is a penetrating look at two female teenagers in Los Angeles. One (Fenessa Pineda) is a good student from a decent family, and the other (Venecia Troncoso) has tremendous home problems. They bond together and we see their transformation. The two young actresses give splendid, natural performances in this touching film.
Film Society of Lincoln Center presents the 50th New York Film Festival September 28-October 14. Each Tuesday a memorable film from each previous year is screened. I attended Flowers of Shanghai, by Hou Hsiao-hsien, Taiwan, 1998, a film about four beautiful so-called flower girls, who work in different brothels in the 1880s, hoping to be supported by wealthy patrons and eventually get married. We see the ladies entertain their clients with food, wine and opium. They also fight with one another and reveal their jealousy and anger. The film moves at a slow pace, but at the end one becomes very knowledgeable about the horrible conditions that these women have to endure.
Film Society of Lincoln Center is presenting Claude Sautet: The Things of Life, August 1-9. I attended another press screening of Max et les ferrailleurs, by Sautet, France, 1971. It is a well made cops and robbers film with his two favorite stars (and mine too) Michel Piccoli and Romy Schneider. A policeman pretends to be a banker in order to capture a group of petty thieves in the act of robbing a bank. He becomes involved with the girlfriend of one of the thieves, a prostitute, with unexpected results. It is an engrossing film, showing the director at his peak. It is highly recommended and is being released for the first time in America in August.
I also attended a regular screening of Cesar and Rosalie, by Sautet, France, 1972, about a menage-a-trois, which proves the saying that two is company, three is a crowd, with Romy Schneider, as a divorced woman, with a middle-age, wealthy boyfriend Yves Montand, whose life is upended with the sudden appearance of an ex-boyriend (Sami Frey) after a five year absence. The three actors are superb in this perceptive look at feelings, that cannot be contained among supposedly mature people. It is a marvelous film, again revealing the genius of this astounding director.
08-03-12
Cast
members
(L-R)
John
Bolton.
Farah
Alvin.
Natalie
Venetia
Belcon.
Jake
Boyd
at
the
opening
night
party
for
"The
Last
Smoker
in
America"
at
Bourbon
Street.
346
West
46th
St.
Thursday
night
08-02-12 |