|
The reason one lives in New York
is that we have the opportunity to see the finest
theatre, opera, ballet and cabaret by the most talented
performers in the world. I thought of that when I saw a
brilliant performance by Carey Mulligan in the
Off Broadway play Through a Glass Darkly, by
Ingmar Bergman, adapted by Jenny Worton, with
Jason Butler Harner, Ben Rosenfeld and Chris
Sarandon. A Little Journey, by Rachel
Crothers, recalls those days from the past, when
people traveled by train and slept in Pullman Cars. It
takes place in 1914, and has a cast of 14 actors, headed
by a superb Samantha Soule. Lysistrata Jones,
book by Douglas Carter Beane, music & lyrics by
Lewis Flinn, is a fun musical inspired by the
ancient Greek comedy of Aristophanes. The young
talented cast sing and dance splendidly, under the
direction and choreography of Dan Knechtges.
The Shaggs is another
musical, based on the true story of a father who
forces his three daughters to become a singing
group, although they have no talent. Peter
Friedman and Annie Golden as the father
and mother have a lot of talent. We celebrated the
opening night with a party at the Heartland Brewery
with guests like Mary Testa, Stephen Bogardus,
Annie Baker and Michael Arden.
The opening night party for The Illusion
at the West Bank Cafe was attended by Dallas
Roberts, Stephen Spinella, Molly Price and
Brenda Wehle, among others, to
congratulate the terrific cast.
The Friars Club
Foundation Applause Award Gala honored
Connie Francis and Leonard A. Wilf
at the Waldorf Astoria. Among the many
guests were Neil Sedaka, Pat Cooper,
Dominic Chianese, and five cast members
from Baby It's You! performed as well
as Nicole Henry.
Camelot, with Jeremy Irons,
Melissa Errico and James Barbour,
directed by Charlotte Moore was
wonderful, and the party afterwards at
Sardi's was delightful. Besides the cast,
Joey Grey, John McMartin, Swoosie Kurtz
and George S. Irving, among many
others, enjoyed the post performance supper.
When Roseanne Colletti, Bonnie Fuller,
Kay Unger, Valerie Monroe and Bobbi
Brown speak about Beauty, Fashion &
Business at Breakfast at '21', it is
worth getting up early. The ladies are
bright, lively and intelligent. It was a
pleasure to listen to them.
The 67th Annual Theatre World Awards
is an event not to be missed. So many stars
showed up to present and receive the awards,
that they are too numerous to mention. Among
my favorites were Rosemary Harris, Blythe
Danner, Zoe Caldwell and Edie Falco
who presented the awards to talented
newcomers like Rose Hemingway, Grace
Gummer, Halley Feiffer, Heather Lind, Patina
Miller, and believe it or not, Ellen
Barkin, who is superb in The Normal
Heart.
Actors' Equity Association presented the
AEA Diversity on Broadway Award to the
Public Theater's The Merchant of
Venice, and we toasted them with a
champagne reception afterwards.
Carmen Dell'Orefice is 80 years old, and
a great party was held at Chez Josephine
with her friends like Dallas
Boesendahl, Jane Powell, Dickie Moore,
Gay Talese, Liliane Montevecchi, Marty
Richards, Tony and Cynthia
Maltese and Margot
Rogoff.
|
We met
the creative team and cast of the New
York Stage and Film at Vassar College
2011-12 Powerhouse Theater Season.
Johanna Pfaelzer is the Artistic
Director and Mark Linn-Baker is
Co-Producing Director. Among the stars
present, were Mario Cantone, Deirdre
O'Connell and Talia Balsam.
The League of Professional Theatre
Women's Leadership Luncheon at Sardi's
is a delightful event. Christine
Jones received he Ruth Morley Design
Award and Jessica Burr received
the Lucille Lortel Award. Among the
stars present were Tony Walton,
Estelle Parson, Dallas Roberts and
Susan Hilferty.
The first Celebration of Color on
Broadway Awards were presented at
SAKS Fifth Avenue, and George C.
Wolfe and producer Ruth Hendel
(Fela!) were honored. Among the
guests were David Rockwell, Ruben
Santiago-Hudson, Yvonna Wright and
Kim Brockington.
The Film Society of Lincoln Center
offered free screening and events from
June 10-12 at its new Elinor Bunin
Monroe Film Center, which included a
twelve hour movie marathon of six films
from the New York Film Festival's 48
year history. Not being as young as I
once was,
I enjoyed just one, Women on the
Verge of
a Nervous Breakdown. Had I lasted
until the end, I would have received
free coffee
and bagels.
I saw Lady of
the Camellias, at the Metropolitan
Opera House, where the American Ballet
Theatre (ABT) is enjoying a magnificent
season. Irina Dvorovenko is
splendid in the title role, Cory
Stearns is wonderful as her lover
and Stella Abrera is marvelous as
the title character of the ballet
Manon Lescaut. The Bright Stream,
choreography by
Alexei Ratmansky,
is a delight, a fun filled ballet that
leaves the audiences laughing, as well
as enjoying the superb dancing, by
especially Julie Kent and
Isabella Boylston.
Jewels, choreography by
Balanchine, at the New York City
Ballet, reveals the genius of the great
choreographer. It consists of three
ballets, Emeralds, Rubies and
Diamonds, and the result is
stunning. Not only the magnificent
costumes by Karinska, but the
different styles of dancing in each
ballet make it a memorable evening.
|