The Waverley Gallery, by Kenneth
Lonergan,
at the Golden Theatre, is a play about a grandmother
(Elaine
May)
who rents the art gallery of the title In Greenwich
Village. She is having hearing difficulties, and
shows signs that she is losing her mind. Her
grandson (Lucas
Hedges)
narrates her sad story, while her daughter (Joan
Allen)
finds it is hard to take care of the frail lady. The
five member cast, directed by Lila
Neugebauer,
give excellent performances. Anyone who has
grandparents or parents suffering from dementia will
relate to this realistic play.
Inner Voices, at TBG Mainstage Theatre, is an
interesting evening of three short musical solo
pieces, by three talented artists, accompanied by
two different musicians for each selection. It
began Window Treatment, starring Farah
Alvin, about a lonely woman looking for love.
The second was The Costume, starring an
11-year-old Finn Douglas, taking care of an
injured bird in his bedroom. It concluded with Scaffolding, starring
the incomparable Rebecca Luker, directed by Victoria
Clark, about a single mother, hoping her son
will be accepted at MIT. On opening night we
congratulated the performers at a reception at the
theater.
The Yeomen of the Guard, libretto by William
S. Gilbert, music by Arthur Sullivan, at
the Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College, is a
production of the New York Gilbert & Sullivan
Players. Directed and conducted by Albert
Bergeret, founder, artistic director and general
manager since 1974, it is one of the finest
companies presenting the delightful operettas the
nineteenth century of the two geniuses that are
Gilbert and Sullivan. It is a convoluted story that
takes place in the 16th century outside the Tower of
London. A prisoner is to be beheaded, and what
follows is highly entertaining.The principal singers
and ensemble performed magnificently in this superb
production. Among the singers, that were especially
outstanding. one must mention James Mills, Daniel
Greenwood, Matthew Wages, and Abigail Benke in
her debut with the company. The beautiful music was
played by the excellent orchestra. Albert Bergeret
has to be congratulated for the glorious music that
he has given New York for the past 40 years. I have
enjoyed every production that he has offered.
The Martina Arroyo Foundation 2018 Gala honored
three wonderful gentlemen of the world of opera, Simon
Estes (photo below with Martina), Rufus Wainwright and
Maestro Anton
Coppola.
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It a was a pleasure to see Martina again. She was one of
my favorite opera singers at the Metropolitan Opera,
where I reviewed her many times. I also met Elaine
Malbin, with whom we shared many memories from a
long time ago. She also was one of my favorite opera
singers. I mentioned to Rufus that I was born in
Manchester, England, and I visited my hometown in 2009
with my wife, where his opera Prima
Donna was being performed. A small world indeed! I
took photos of Martina and the honorees. The event took
place at the JW Marriott Essex House. It was a lovely
affair.
I attended the after-party for the 24
Hr Musicals on Broadway, which is part of the 24
Hour Plays, which supports the Lillys, at the
American Airlines Theatre. Many of the performers
attended like Lea
DeLaria, Jordan Roth and Norm
Lewis, and writers like Amanda
Green. I photographed Amanda and her husband before
they left. It is a always a delightful event.
I attended the Claire Tow Theater for the 12th
Annual Yale Drama Series Prize presented to Leah
Nanako Winkler for her play God
Said This. The evening began with a cocktail party
followed by the award presentation, A reading of the
play took place inside the theater with six splendid
actors on stage, followed by another cocktail reception.
It was a wonderful event, with delicious hors d'oeuvres
and fine drinks. I enjoyed every minute of the
delightful evening.
New York City has many fine museums, but the jewel in
the crown is the Frick
Collection, 1 East 70th St. At a press preview,
three magnificent exhibitions were presented. Luigi
Valadier: Splendor in Eighteenth-Century Rome, October
31, 2018-January 20, 2019. He was a brilliant
artist, who worked in silver, gold, bronze and precious
stones, and there are three rooms are dedicated to his
work. It is a breathtaking exhibition. Do not miss it!
The second exhibition is Masterpieces
of French Faience: Selections from the Sidney R. Knefel
Collection, October 10, 2018-September 22, 2019. The
colorful ceramics are a joy to see. The plates are works
of art.. The third exhibition is The
Charterhouse of Bruges: Jan van Eyck, Petrus Chistus,
and Jan Vos, September 18, 2018-January 13, 2019.
The paintings are simply exquisite. Be sure to visit the
Frick! You will be rewarded with a most enjoyable and
memorable experience
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