Off-Broadway, there was a splendid production by the Classic Stage Company
of A Midsummer Night's Dream, by William Shakespeare, with a
cast headed by Bebe Neuwirth. The cast, which includes Christina
Ricci and Anthony Heald and guests like David Rasche,
Walter Bobbie and Terrence McNally celebrated the opening at
Pangea Restaurant.
An Early History of Fire, by David Rabe,
takes place in 1962, and features a group of young men and women in the
Midwest, who face an uncertain future. The opening night party at B. Smith's
attracted many actors, including Meryl Streep, Eric Bogosian
and Halley Wegryn Gross.
In cabaret, Emily Bergl gave a delightful
opening night performance at Cafe Carlyle. Among her fans who congratulated
afterwards were Helen Hunt, Christine Andreas, KT Sullivan,
Tommy Tune and Victor Garber.
The 2012 Spring Season of the New York City Ballet
began May 1 and will continue for six weeks. I attended an excellent program
of three superb ballets. It began with Serenade, music by
Tschaikovsky, choreography by Balanchine, which was the first
ballet that Balanchine choreographed for the company in 1935. A spectacular
Firebird, music of Stravinsky, choreography by Balanchine and
Robbins, with gorgeous scenery and costumes by Marc Chagall,
and an outstanding performance by Maria Kowroski in the title role.
The program concluded with DGV: Danse a Grande Vitesse, music by
Michael Nyman, choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, a modern
ballet, danced brilliantly to pulsating rhythms. It was a splendid night at
the ballet.
Jim Parsons and Kristin Chenoweth
announced the Tony Awards Nominations at the New York Public Library for
Performing Arts. As expected Once, The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess
and Nice Work If You Can Get It received the most well deserved
nominations.
The 2012 Tony Nominees reception was held at the
Millennium Broadway Hotel and most of the nominees attended, including
Kellli O'Hara, Audra McDonald and Cristin Milioti
competing for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in Musical.
A lovely reception was held at the Broadway Theatre
for the book MR. Broadway: A Memoir
by Gerald Schoenfeld. Many people from the theatre world attended,
including Melissa Errico, Roger
Rees and Rick Elice.