Derren Brown Secret on Broadway ,
at the Cort Theatre, written by Andy
Nyman, Derren Brown and Andrew
O'Connor ,
directed by Andrew O'Connor and Andy Nyman. For lovers of magic, this is the
Broadway show to see. We cannot divulge the Secret, but we can tell you that
Derren Brown is an Englishman, who has won many awards in England, and is
famous for his psychological manipulation. He summons volunteers from the
audience by tossing frisbees into the audience and up to the balcony. The
number of volunteers vary, but generally about twenty. The show lasts two
and a half hours with an intermission. Brown is a genial, likable performer,
who is funny and entertaining. I cannot reveal more, but for me, the amazing
highlight was his grandfather's box in the first act.
The Frick Collection, 1 East 70th Street, is my favorite museum.
Their exhibitions are fabulous, and the building itself is the most
wonderful in New York. To drink a coffee in its splendid interior garden is
the most relaxing and peaceful place in the city. I attended a press
preview Bertoldo di Giovanni: The Renaissance of Sculpture in Medici
Florence, September 18-January 12, 2020. In two rooms on the lower
floor, it is a remarkable exhibition, the only one to be seen in America. Bertoldo (1440-1491)
was a student of Donatello, a teacher of Michelangelo and a
favorite of Lorenzo de' Medici. His statuettes, reliefs, medals and
friezes are a joy to behold. There are so many outstanding works, that it is
difficult to choose my favorite. However, the two Shield Bearers, in
gilt bronze, impressed me tremendously. I urge every lover of fine art to
attend this exhibition.
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I was invited toThe New York Public
Library for the Performing Arts for a
reception for the opening of In the Company
of Harold Prince, September 18-March 31,
2020, a wonderful exhibition
honoring the man who revolutionized
Broadway as a producer, director and
collaborator. He died on July 31, 2019.
A large turnout of theatre people
attended, including Susan
Stroman, Karen Ziemba, Saundra Lee, Tony
and Gen Walton, Jason Danieley, William
Ivey Long, just to mention a few. It
was a lovely evening. Hal
Prince would have been delighted!
Fern Hill, by Michael Tucker
(photo below with Jill Eikenberry),
at Theater A, 59E59, is a play about
three elderly couples who want to live
together in a commune, to take care of
each other as they age. However one
member causes a problem when he admits
to adultery. How this problem is
eventually resolved is the main point of
the play. An excellent six member cast,
headed by the playwright's wife Jill
Eikenberry, with Mark Blum, John
Glover, Mark Linn-Baker, Jodi Long and Ellen Parker, (photo
below) is directed by Nadia Tass.
We had the pleasure of congratulating
the playwright, director and cast at a
opening night party at the Bar Room 117
East 60th, with many of their theatre
colleagues like Dee Hoty, Victoria
Clark, Lee Wilkoff, Lynne Meadow and Michael
Weller.
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