The National Chorale is
celebrating its 50th Anniversary. My good friend,
Artistic Director Everett
McCorvey leads this magnificent group, and is
presenting Beethoven's 9th Symphony at Geffen
Hall, Lincoln Center, on Friday, April 13. Before
the concert, there will be a grand reception, a
fundraiser, with a brief musical performance and a
silent auction for benefactors, supporters,
contributors and friends. The
Chorale also supports music in New York’s public
schools with its Artists in Residence vocal
programs. The highlight of this program is their
partnership with the Professional Performing Arts
School which provides a pre-conservatory style vocal
program in which 72 students perform. Their annual
school choral festivals display the prodigious
talents of multiple New York City elementary, middle
and high school choruses. Board member Peter
Perlman is sponsoring the reception at the
Phillips Club, 155 West 66th St. It will be a grand
occasion to show your generosity to this wonderful
organization. To contribute, please contact The
National Chorale, 1650 Broadway, Suite 301, New
York, NY 10019, (212) 333-5333.
A revival of Angels
in America,
by Tony
Kushner,
at the Neil Simon Theatre, is a revised version of
the play that captured the attention of Broadway
audiences in 1993. At that time, AIDS was the
scourge of the nation. Fortunately, today, there are
cures for the illness. However the subtitle of the
play is A
Gay Fantasia on National Themes,
and it is as relevant today as it was in 1993. Andrew
Garfield,
as a gay young man with AIDS, who utters the last
word at the end of the 7 and one half hour two part
play, will be nominated for a well deserved Tony
Award. His performance is riveting. Nathan
Lane,
a Broadway treasure, is also splendid as Roy
M. Cohn.
His first scene in his office is hilarious. Lee
Pace, Denise Gough, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett and James
McArdle give
outstanding performances. The first two as a Mormon
couple, with Nathan as a black hospital nurse and
James as the Jewish lover of Andrew. In 1993, there
was diversity in casting. Marianne
Elliott directed
the superb cast, and the play still leaves an
indelible impression on the audience. The opening
night party was at Espace, 635 West 42nd St.
A revival of the Off-Broadway play, Lobby
Hero, by Kenneth
Lonergan, at the newly renovated Hayes Theater,
formerly known as The Helen Hayes Theater, is a play
that takes place in a dilapidated lobby, where a
security guard Jeff, (Michael
Cera) acts as a doorman. His supervisor, William
(Bryan Tyree
Henry) checks on him, and tells him about a
serious problem involving his brother in the murder
of a nurse. Two policemen on duty, Bill and Dawn (Chris
Evans and Bel
Powley) stop by each night.
Bill visits apartment 22J to have sex with a
prostitute, while his female partner waits for him
in the lobby. Jeff cannot stop talking, and his big
mouth causes trouble for all the the four pathetic
characters, who cannot utter a sentence without
using profanity. The dialog is so revolting, that I
am fed up with being bombarded by the f... word. It
is grim, depressing tale, directed by Trip
Cullman. Security people and members of the
police department should do well to avoid this play.
The Stone Witch, by Shem
Bitterman, at the Westside Theatre, features
three splendid actors, Dan
Lauria, Rupak
Ginn and Carolyn
McCormick. directed expertly by Steve
Zuckerman. It is about a famous children's book
writer and illustrator, who lives isolated in the
woods.
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A young man arrives
at his cabin to inspire him to write again. Besides
being a fascinating, well acted story, the scenic design
& illustration art by Yael
Pardess and the projection design by Brad
Peterson are most impressive, especially in an
Off-Broadway production. The opening night party took
place at The Palm, 250 West 50th St. and was the finest
opening night party that I have ever attended, with
guests like Byron
Jennings, Edward Hibbert and Lorna
Dallas.
A revival of A
Walk in the Woods,
by Lee
Blessing,
at the Barrow Group Mainstage Theatre, features two
superb actors, K.
Lorrel Manning and Martin
Van Treuren, directed by Donna
Jean Fogel. They play two diplomats, one American,
the other Russian, who are in Geneva, Switzerland trying
to negotiate an arms treaty between their two countries.
It is a serious, intelligent, funny, well acted play. I
enjoyed every minute of it. A champagne reception for
the opening night followed in the lobby, where we
toasted the two fine actors.
I was invited again to see Once on
this Island, book & lyrics by Lynn
Ahrens, music by Stephen
Flaherty, at Circle in the Square. The musical is
quite enjoyable and the cast is delightful. There is a
goat in the production, and the children in the first
row squealed with delight when they petted him. It is a
perfect family show, with an excellent cast and pleasant
music.
Founding Artistic Director Susan
Charlotte presented Cause
Celebre Musical Brunch Series at
Chez Josephine, 414 West 42nd St, one of my favorite
restaurants. KT
Sullivan performed Songs
by 29 Women and 2 Men!, accompanied
by Jon
Weber at
the piano. As well as the watching a fine performer. the
guests enjoyed a delicious lunch of a choice from
three appetizers, followed by a choice
from three entrees and a special dessert, with a choice
of a cocktail or wine. It is always a lovely event.
Following the three hour luncheon, certain guests were
invited to Susan's penthouse for fine conversation
with a glass of wine.
MCC Theater presented MISCAST 2018 at
the Hammerstein Ballroom. The honoree was Laurie
Metcalf. Among the multitude of guests and
performers were James
Monroe Iglehart, Michael Esper and Alison
Pill. The evening began with a cocktail reception
followed by dinner and a performance. It is always a
lovely event.
I went to Treadwell Park, 1125 1st Ave, for A
Night of Classics, celebrating the work and writing of
Michael Jackson: The Beer Hunter.
There are Talks and Tastings in The Cellar beginning
6:30pm. There are three more different talks each half
hour at 7, 7:30 and 8 with speakers and samples of
beer. They include Schneider Aventinus, Saison Dupont,
Sierra Nevada Pale Ale and Cascade Hops and Dogfish Head
90 Minutes. I tasted Saison Dupont, St.Bernardus Tripel
and Cask: Greene King Abbot Ale. All three were
delicious. The restaurant has a full bar, with 20
selections of Draught Beer, and Bottled Beer from many
countries. I tasted a fine Sauvignon Blanc La Petite
Perriere from France, 2016. It also serves food from an
extensive menu, plus a weekend brunch. Beer lovers
rejoice! You have a wonderful restaurant in which to
indulge your favorite beer.
I
attended an intimate party for Andre
Holland,
who is directing Dutch
Masters,
by Greg
Keller,
at the Wild Project from April 3-April 21. It took place
at Tuscany Steakhouse, 117 West 58th St, where delicious
hors d'oeuvres were served with fine wine. Ian Duff,
who is one of the two cast members in the play
attended. It was a delightful party.
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