Off-Broadway, one of the most delightful evenings that I have spent at the theatre this season was Desperate Measures, loosely based on Shakespeare's Measure for Measure, book and lyrics by Peter Kellogg, music by David Friedman, at the Theater at Saint Peter's, which is a York Theatre Company production. The six members cast sing and act wonderfully, under the direction and choreography of Bill Castellino. The four musicians play the lovely songs and melodious music under the conductor David Hancock Turner. It is a pleasure to hear. The six cast members are so marvelous, that I must name them. Nick Wyman, Peter Saide, Emma Degerstedt (photo below), Lauren Molina, Conor Ryan and Gary Marachek are hilarious. I enjoyed every minute of the show. I congratulated the cast and creative team at the opening night party at Luna Piena, 243 East 53rd St with guests like Kate Baldwin, Julie Budd and Tovah Feldshuh.

MoMA presented Jang Woo-jin's Autumn, Autumn (Chuncheon, chuncheon), South Korea, 2017 (although the final title states 2016), Sep 29-Oct 5. It is a film in two parts. An unemployed young man returns from a job interview in Seoul, and is frustrated as he makes contact with old friends. The second part has a middle age couple from Seoul spending time together, obviously on their first date. As their dialogue proceeds over two meals and a night spent in a hotel, we learn about their lives. It is a tender, sensible, remarkable film, beautifully photographed. In 78 minutes, one captures the life of three separate individuals in a distinctly South Korean small town atmosphere. The acting by all three is natural, and the middle age couple are charming. It is a fine film experience.
 

A Red Bull Theater Benefit Reading of The Triumph of Love, by Marivaux, translated by James Magruder, directed by Jesse Berger, at Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, featured a superb cast of seven artists and the Lumiere String  Quartet. It is a convoluted plot involved with cross dressing, but is quite funny and entertaining, and proves love conquers all. At a reception afterwards in the Thalia bar, I photographed cast members Kathryn Meisle and Carson Elrod (photo below), and chatted with guests like Laila Robins, Robert Cuccioli and Stephen DeRosa. It was a lovely evening.

 

I attended a photo op at Shelter Studios for Harry Clarke, by David Cale, starring Billy Crudup, directed by Leigh Silverman, a Vineyard Theatre production in association with Audible. It opens on November 21, and I eagerly await the opening.