2014 THEATRE/FILM/CONCERTS
JAN 1 AMERICAN HUSTLE
At Mission Valley AMC. Worth seeing but not as brilliant
as some reviewers (93 red tomato score) would have it. About Abscam though
apparently somewhat fictionalized and the interaction of aberrant characters
brilliantly acted (kudos to David O Russell, director here) a con pair, an FBI
agent, and the con man's nutsy wife, a fantastic Jennifer Lawrence, all conning
one another to achieve their ends as politicians on the take are exposed. Some
cutting possible (it's 138 minutes long) but a relief from the blow-em-ups.
JAN 3.
JAN 17 BALLROOM WITH A TWIST. 
JANUARY 25. HOW TO MARRY A MILLIONAIRE on Netflix.
Comfort food. Revelation that Marilyn Monroe was an expert comedienne as was Bette Grable.
SUN JAN 26. A WORD OR TWO
AHMANSON. 3PM. Brilliant Christopher Plummer sharing his
love of words, in bio as kid and actor, reciting wonderfully. Great set
too--books levitating toward the ceiling.
SUN. JAN 26. 7 PM. BACH B MINOR MASS.
In 1723 Bach took a musical conductor position in Leiptzig.
Bach, Handel and Scarlotti all born 1685. Wrote for the
glory of God.
1st performance 1840's. Then recognized as one of the
great works of art of western civilization.
"A fugue written 1 by 1 as people walk out 1 by
1."
Counterbalance. Of different elements. 1st few words take
10 minutes. 27 movements. Each individual. Much actually D major. Sprightly.
We have absolutely topmost row seats which are actually fine, affording a birdseye view of this gorgeous space. 2nd part more glorious, especially the choral parts, 111 as I count.
FEBRUARY 9-24 INDONESIA/BALI TOUR. See that blog post for dance performances and museums.
WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 26.
THE WHO AND THE WHAT. LA LOLLA PLAYHOUSE. Disappointing
try by last year's Pulitzer winner--not unique plot involving Indian father and
his 2 daughters, in particular the smart older one he wants to marry his
choice. Some twists strain credulity and push stereotype, especially in the
father. It's only occasionally funny. Well acted though.
SUNDAY, MARCH 9 VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND
SPIKE.
TAPER LA. We thought this was in many ways better than the Broadway version
because the Masha was better than her counterpart. Vanya was more accessible
than David Hyde Pierce (who directed this) although I was less enamored than
Bob with this less quirky take and Spike (the narcissitic boyfriend of aging movie star, Masha, sister of Sonia and Vanya), although gorgeous--and Spikes have
got to be--didn't have the terrific comedic flexibility of his New York
predecessor.
SATURDAY, MARCH 22. MOZART, HAYDN, AND MORE.
San Diego Symphony. . We're early enough to
hear some of the pre-concert lecture. Who knew?
Haydn Symphony #1 in D Major. Lovely. Lots of Presto. Mozart's Oboe Concerto in C Major. Terrific bravura oboe performance from SD Symphony's own chief oboist Sarah Skuster, Underrated Martucco's Notturno, brief and lovely. Then Kodaly's Suite from Jarry Janos. Supposed to be a lighter antidote to fellow Hungarian Bartok's ill-received work. "Everything and the kitchen sink" say I. Features a cimbalom solo. Again, who knew?
Haydn Symphony #1 in D Major. Lovely. Lots of Presto. Mozart's Oboe Concerto in C Major. Terrific bravura oboe performance from SD Symphony's own chief oboist Sarah Skuster, Underrated Martucco's Notturno, brief and lovely. Then Kodaly's Suite from Jarry Janos. Supposed to be a lighter antidote to fellow Hungarian Bartok's ill-received work. "Everything and the kitchen sink" say I. Features a cimbalom solo. Again, who knew?
SUNDAY APRIL 5. THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL. Film. "I enjoyed
most of it," saith Bob. Exactly. Wes Anderson is apparently the darling of
the critics because they salivated all over this one. Somewhat drawn out is this
over-the-top tale of an eccentric hotel manager played with brilliant wit and
brio by Ralf Fiennes and surrounded by a cast of familiars with the exception
of the young man playing the lobby boy, his protege. Played out during the
looming Second World War, an ominous backdrop to the shenanigans. At core is
the manager's purloining of a painting he inherited from an elderly lady lover.
Everyone up to no good. Retrospective and narrative technique gives frame and
context. Worthy.
APRIL 10-27 BOSTON AND NEW YORK. See that blog post for photos and our responses to:
April 10-17 Boston--
Rich Girl at the Lyric stage Co.
Boston Classical Orchestra at Faneuil Hall, Claudi Arimani Conductor
April 17-27 NYC-- (14 plays, 1 concert, 2 museums)
London Wall by John Van Druyten
Act One at Lincoln Center with Tony Shaloub
50 Shades, the Musical
Mothers and Sons by Terence McNaly starring Tyne Daly
The Velocity of Autumn starring Estelle Parsons and Steven Spinella
Casa Valentina by Harvey Fierstein
28th Easter Bonnet Competition Fights AIDS
After Midnight
Ana Purnia starring Megan Mullaly and Bob Offerman
The Bridges of Madison County starring Kelly O'Hara
Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill starring Audra McDonald
All The Way starring Brian Cranston
The Cripple of Inishman by Martin McDonough starring Daniel Radcliff
Violet starring Sutton Foster
New York Philharmonic at Avery Fisher Hall, Sir Andrew Davis, conductor
NY Historical Society
Museum of Art and Design, postdigital exhibit
WEDNESDAY. MAY 14. CHASING THE SONG.
La Jolla Playhouse (LJP). It's unseasonably
hot out and as we drive North to La Jolla in the distance we see smoke from the
inevitable Santa Ana fires. This is a so-called page to stage musical, which
means it's basically a workshop production relying on audience feedback--this
was only the 2nd night. Pretty impressive. The creative team were the creators
of Memphis, directed by Christopher Ashley, the LJP's artistic director. (At
intermission a woman shouts to me Hey Zumba! I don't recognize her but smile
back and pretend I do. Bob admits that I'm famous--an advantage of often being
the only male in Zumba classes.) As to the show, it emphasizes the
relationship between a mother, a song publisher in the Brill building, and her
daughter who despises her for having abandoned her for business yet is a
songwriter who wants to work for her mother. There are complications and other
relationships, including that between one of the songwriters and the daughter.
Some songs that are worthy of this insanely talented cast. Might make it with a
lot of tweaking.
Feedback discussion afterwards worth remaining for.
SUN MAY 24 THE NORMAL HEART. TV special at home. The New
York Times review did not do it justice, this dramatic indictment of governmental
evasion in the face of the AIDS epidemic. So much better than Larry Kramer's
play we saw so many years ago, more up close and personal wrenchingly. Kramer
here is Ned Weeks a warrior for this cause played by Mark Rufallo.
JULY 5. INDEPENDENCE DAY SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY POPS CONCERT.
BY THE BAY. Stars and Stripes Forever and Ever Amen. First of this year's subscription
season. Tonight's guest is Don. Beth absents herself from this one. This is a good concert though we vowed prior to this that this would be the last summer subscription. Bill Conti conductor.
SUN. JULY 6. THE LAST CONFESSION. (Taper LA)
Gives work to a lot of middle aged male actors. Starring the great David Suchet of Poirot fame (we saw him as a brilliant George in a London West End production of Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf). Here he's a principled cardinal who engineers against the corrupt tradition-bound curate the election of Pope John 6, the one who died 33 days in. At intermission having stepped on no open toes on our way to the aisle, interesting first act. It's clear the Pope will be murdered (I've always subscribed to that conspiracy theory). Will pope Francis be like this one? Clearly the parallels are there. And this play doesn't take a generous view of the Catholic Church, the power brokers in the Vatican, the curiae, in particular.
Gives work to a lot of middle aged male actors. Starring the great David Suchet of Poirot fame (we saw him as a brilliant George in a London West End production of Who's Afraid Of Virginia Woolf). Here he's a principled cardinal who engineers against the corrupt tradition-bound curate the election of Pope John 6, the one who died 33 days in. At intermission having stepped on no open toes on our way to the aisle, interesting first act. It's clear the Pope will be murdered (I've always subscribed to that conspiracy theory). Will pope Francis be like this one? Clearly the parallels are there. And this play doesn't take a generous view of the Catholic Church, the power brokers in the Vatican, the curiae, in particular.
After playing bumper cars in the garage, Bob “That play
was well worth seeing.” Yes.
I impart my theory that when women hug men hard in
certain social situations, they do so because they are confident that the men
are gay, referring to a suspect foursome exiting the theatre. B. “Interesting.”
R. “Just throwing it out for your entertainment and delectation. We don't want
too much self-delectation.” B. “Self delectation? Isn't that a sin? Hair on
your palms?”R. “Hair on your brain.”
WED. JULY 9. ORPHAN OF ZHAO. @LJP.
At intermission, the 70 year old nobleman decides to sacrifice himself because he’s old. I say I guess if you're 70 you're expendable in which case this whole audience should be dead. B. This week it's ancient China next week 19th c Boston (referring to the 2 plays in a row we will be seeing here).
At intermission, the 70 year old nobleman decides to sacrifice himself because he’s old. I say I guess if you're 70 you're expendable in which case this whole audience should be dead. B. This week it's ancient China next week 19th c Boston (referring to the 2 plays in a row we will be seeing here).
We have 2nd row center seats--how can we give up this
subscription ever?--but the disadvantage is worrying about stepping on all
those painted toes, as B puts it, when we take to our seats. But why give up
anyway when the LJP produces such consistently edgy work.
Of this, thrilling to be in the presence of this kind of
theatrical adventure.
This is the
Chinese equivalent of a Greek tragedy, and here the 900 year old play is
updated--a story of sacrifice, loyalty, the inevitable triumph of the ethical
over the tyrannical, and self abnegation routing selfishness all embodied in a tale of
the sacrifices made to protect a princely orphan. Brilliantly directed by Carey
Perloff, adapted by James Fenton, and starring B D Wong as the humble doctor
who raises the orphan after sacrificing his own son (you had to be there).
SUN JULY 13. LIFE ITSELF.
At Hillcrest Cinemas before lunch at Au Revoir. At 2 hours a bit long but superb treatment of Roger Ebert's last days. Standing out is his loving relationship with his black wife, his brilliance, his spirit and acceptance of death, love of movies and the philos-aphilos relationship with Gene Siskal, his At The Movies thumbs up or down co-commentator. Unapologetic look at his unpretty struggle with cancer. Good footage well used.
At Hillcrest Cinemas before lunch at Au Revoir. At 2 hours a bit long but superb treatment of Roger Ebert's last days. Standing out is his loving relationship with his black wife, his brilliance, his spirit and acceptance of death, love of movies and the philos-aphilos relationship with Gene Siskal, his At The Movies thumbs up or down co-commentator. Unapologetic look at his unpretty struggle with cancer. Good footage well used.
WED. JULY 16.
ETHER DOME @ LJP. We start with our only knowledge of Ether Dome as
a building we viewed in the distance from the Prudential Tower in
Boston some months ago.
This one is at the Mandel Weiss Forum instead of last
week’s mainstage Mandel Weiss production, Gary knew the ancient philanthropist and
says he was a sweet old man who loved theatre. Bless him.
Let's see what's going on in his littler theatre today.
But first being enormously early of course we sit outside on a parapet
overlooking the theatre complex. We wonder if we will be etherized, that is,
sedated by the play. "Will it be well made or experimental?" Bob
asks.
After reading the play notes, let's see if she can make
this subject fly.
At intermission B. “I don't know where it's going. But
it's taking a long time to get there." Is it the subject matter that's
inherently only modestly interesting, or is it the treatment. Subject. Dentist
who discovers virtues of laughing gas. Debunked. His former assistant steals
the idea. There it is. Bob says she condensed characters. I reply that it's
necessary, alluding to my Stonewall Chorus play in which I represent each kind
of movement type in a character of necessity not several characters.
It's now dramatic, entertaining. It becomes Theatre!
Flawed but worthy. Oh and the playwright’s husband is the set designer. He's
brilliant. Projections, as they often do, save the day. Another interesting eve
of theatre at LJP--and again our subscription seats in the theatres here are
exceptional.
SATURDAY JULY 19. SUMMER POPS.
THE MUSIC OF ABBA. Seen it before but who can resist on a summer's night these tribute performers performing those toe-tapping melodies? Grandnephew Daniel joins us and says he likes this music he'd never heard of before.
SUNDAY APRIL 27. A MOST WANTED MAN at La Jolla's Landmark theatre. 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a La Carre thriller (he's still alive apparently and an executive producer) starring Philip Seymour Hoffman (who isn't-- alive that is) in his last role. Hoffman is magnificent as the dissipated spy seeker of truth and his man. Tautly directed, very nourish, and though two hours long, suspenseful. Will the young Islamist escaping to Germany from Russia claim his undesirable father's inheritance and fund terrorists? Will the beautiful lawyer let her heart betray her? Will Hoffman get his man and escape being betrayed? Will anybody? Not likely.
SUNDAY APRIL 27. A MOST WANTED MAN at La Jolla's Landmark theatre. 90% on Rotten Tomatoes. This is a La Carre thriller (he's still alive apparently and an executive producer) starring Philip Seymour Hoffman (who isn't-- alive that is) in his last role. Hoffman is magnificent as the dissipated spy seeker of truth and his man. Tautly directed, very nourish, and though two hours long, suspenseful. Will the young Islamist escaping to Germany from Russia claim his undesirable father's inheritance and fund terrorists? Will the beautiful lawyer let her heart betray her? Will Hoffman get his man and escape being betrayed? Will anybody? Not likely.
FRI AUG 1. BOYHOOD, Camelot in Palm Springs.
Richard Lunklatter's film with Ethan
Hawk and Patricia Arquette covering years of a boy's life and filmed over the
years (12) as he grows up from grammar school boy to college freshman. This film got 99% on Rotten Tomatoes but It's
long at 2 1/2 hours and, frankly, feels it. Brilliantly acted in a naturalistic
manner, there are no heroes or villains here, except for the drunks that the
boy's mother marries after her divorce from the boy's father.
SUNDAY AUGUST 3. BUYER & CELLAR @ The Taper.
Though
we've seen this one-man play with Michael Urie of Ugly Betty fame a few years
ago in New York off-Broadway, it still seems fresh and delightful. Urie, after
jokingly underscoring that this story of a young actor hired to be Barbra
Streisand's clerk in her basement "mall", is purely fictitious and
has nothing to do with "the highly litigious" Miss Streisand, proceeds to populate the stage with funny and sometimes touching
representations of Barbra, her assistant, the young actor, his bitchy lover,
and even James Brolin. Needless to say a tour de force and worth having seen
again.
SUN EVE AUG 3. NATHAN PECHECO.
San Diego POPS with guests Gary and Don. Nathan Pacheco performing. "That crazy
Von Suppe" says Gary of the opening number. Then it's Pacheco. He's
comfortable in all genres. Gets into Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot.
Danny Boy. Sweet voice. Good company. Unexciting program.
WED AUG 6. INTO THE WOODS. Old Globe.
Disappointing. One
of those collapsed skeleton versions of great musicals where the actors are
also the musicians. Finely tuned rep company but not enough magic. Interesting
that we saw the show when it premiered here at the Globe many years ago. Bernadette Peters played the witch as I recall.
SAT AUG 16. FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT, Hitchcock
"Essential Movie" TCM. On our TV. A delight, lots of famous character
actors. Great supporting cast. Edmund Gwinn,
Lorraine Day. Right script. He's a
foreign correspondent. Very American. Gets the war problem early.
MURDER. Also on TMC. Another early Hitchcock film. We
love it. The noir. The tight script. The underated McRae lead conscripted as a
reporter who finds that there's really a war going on and there's a love
interest. First "thriller" to gain legitimacy.
SUNDAY. AUG. 17. CAVALRY.
Film. Brendan Gleeson brilliant as Irish priest whose life is threatened in the confessional by one of his parishioners. He has a week to deal with the community and his suicidal daughter. Sharply etched characters, some overblown, many typified by mean spiritedness, libididness, greed, the deadly sins in array. Powerful movie. Woman behind us sobbing at the end.
Film. Brendan Gleeson brilliant as Irish priest whose life is threatened in the confessional by one of his parishioners. He has a week to deal with the community and his suicidal daughter. Sharply etched characters, some overblown, many typified by mean spiritedness, libididness, greed, the deadly sins in array. Powerful movie. Woman behind us sobbing at the end.
SUNDAY AUG 31. THE HUNDRED FOOT JOURNEY. At the Palme
D'Or (sounds like a car race in the south of France but it's Palm Desert ). It's been a lovely day by
our lights, touring homes for sale in PA, lunch at Spencer's the classy enclave
of rich people, and now traveling South to see this feel-good movie. Just the
trick. Helen Mirren, nasty doyen of Michelin starred French restaurant
intimidated by Indian restaurant across the street, Pairs of lovers, a
brilliant young (and gorgeous) Indian chef for the Mirren French restaurant and
the two old combatants. As I say, we are all beset by troubles and a genuine
feel good movie is just the thing. After it we visit our former resort and then
pick up vodka at Smart and Final. It's all logical!
SEPT 4 KINGDOM CITY. 
LJP. This is probably the first night of previews. We had to exchange our later tickets because of our impending trip to Northern Europe/Iceland etc. The Potiker theatre. Inside the deliberate chameleon of the LJP group of theatres has again been reconfigured, two phalanxes of tiered seating facing one another over the basketball court length stage. No idea what to expect. That's always fun. The ancient volunteer ticket takers are one step away from doing body searches, protecting the set and God's gifts so I've got to be adroit with my camera.
LJP. This is probably the first night of previews. We had to exchange our later tickets because of our impending trip to Northern Europe/Iceland etc. The Potiker theatre. Inside the deliberate chameleon of the LJP group of theatres has again been reconfigured, two phalanxes of tiered seating facing one another over the basketball court length stage. No idea what to expect. That's always fun. The ancient volunteer ticket takers are one step away from doing body searches, protecting the set and God's gifts so I've got to be adroit with my camera.
SEPT. 10-27 NORTHERN EUROPE, ICELAND TRANSATLANTIC CRUISE.See that blog post for performances and museums.
FRI. OCT 3. LOVE IS STRANGE. CAMELOT THEATRE. PS.
Alfred
Molina and John Lithgow as 2 men who get married after so many years together (sound
familiar?). Consequently one loses job and they move in with others and are
apart. Strange movie. Despite fine performances, the movie seems inauthentic.
Subsidiary characters are sketchy, their motivations unclear. Depressing.
FRI. OCT 3. LOVE IS STRANGE. CAMELOT THEATRE. PS.
SAT. OCT 4 A TRIP TO ITALY.
CAMELOT THEATRE PS. A follow up to their film about Lake
District England (which we saw and enjoyed) with Steve Coogan and Rob W.
Enormously picturesque picaresque, lots of imitations some quite funny
especially the dueling Brandos and Nicholsons. Hard to know how much is
scripted--a layering of male middle aged angst. Rob who has wife and child
shags a girl and feels guilty, Coogan, divorced, wants to spend more time with
his son.
SUN OCT 5. MARJORIE PRIME.
LA TAPER. "I liked the ending when the stage rises." Bob. Actually after the play an old woman turns to us and says "it was a terrible play." I. "Why?" "It was stupid. What do you think?" Bob. “It was interesting." She. “You are a tolerant man. If I write a play I'll invite you to be in the audience.” "I’d give it a standing ovation," he says. Later she stops us. "Maybe it was too close to home." I say to Bob. That's what makes for great theatre when it's too close to home. She went through the seven stages there starting with anger and then to acceptance. I noticed at one point in the play an elderly couple leaving and I saying it was an added drama-- getting too close to home for them was my interpretation-this play about aging, death and remembering.
Premise some time in the future after death there are "primes", robots, of the deceased who given facts , memories, can talk with the living.
LA TAPER. "I liked the ending when the stage rises." Bob. Actually after the play an old woman turns to us and says "it was a terrible play." I. "Why?" "It was stupid. What do you think?" Bob. “It was interesting." She. “You are a tolerant man. If I write a play I'll invite you to be in the audience.” "I’d give it a standing ovation," he says. Later she stops us. "Maybe it was too close to home." I say to Bob. That's what makes for great theatre when it's too close to home. She went through the seven stages there starting with anger and then to acceptance. I noticed at one point in the play an elderly couple leaving and I saying it was an added drama-- getting too close to home for them was my interpretation-this play about aging, death and remembering.
Premise some time in the future after death there are "primes", robots, of the deceased who given facts , memories, can talk with the living.
We did think it was interesting, well acted, good to see
Lois Smith as the first one who dies--her prime is her husband. Finally the
primes are left and relate memories among themselves. Bob believes, I think
rightly, that as a chamber play it would have worked better in a small theatre.
Car says its 100
degrees.
FRI OCT 17. SKELTON TWINS. CAMELOT Palm Springs. It was either going to be a depressing movie
or an uplifting one, so we toss a coin and Skeleton Twins (depressing according
to reviewers and a lady at the gym) wins over Pride (famously upbeat).
Bob. "Now
I'm going to cut my wrists." I'm not big on people trying to kill
themselves either. Premise. Gay brother visits straight sister in small town.
They are both suicidal and self destructive but finally bond through their
misery. Hader, a TV comic actor, is excellent though.
SUNDAY OCTOBER 19. PRIDE.
HILLCREST CINEMAS. The uplifting one. And because
there was no sound during the previews (a blessing) we got comps for another
movie. Yea. As to this film, which got a 93 red apple score, it is long,
"diffuse" as Bob puts it. Based on real events in England, gay
support for the miners’ strike, a rooting interest story that had to be filmed
inevitably. There's the resistance of course and then the success (the miners,
finally appreciative, in reciprocity march in the gay pride parade). Individual
snapshots of coming out, reconciliation, all the paint by numbers
MONDAY OCT 20. SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK. (Netflix) 92%
Rotten Tomatoes. Great film performances, especially Jennifer Lawrence. Respectable
but a fine example of yet another failed attempt to film a book with its
meanderings, subplots and detailed characters. Veering between comedy and drama
in its focus on the growing relationship between two bi-polar personalities,
veers between drama and comedy nervously but it is nevertheless engrossing.
WEDNESDAY OCT 29. HUNCHBACK.
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE.Excitement because this is a premiere musical with high hopes no doubt. And
we're seeing it in its imperfect beginnings. When we arrive the doors are
closed, the audience milling about. I wonder if they're rehearsing new scenes
or fixing the lights.
 |
| PRE-PLAY WARNING THAT IT'S A PREVIEW PERFORMANCE |
My neighbor reading the program "Oh this is a
musical". Well duh.
Seeing who are at the helm, I make fun, singing
Qua-Si-mo-do-o (there will be a number Es-Mir-el-da) and after a few songs it
has a category, "the Little Mermaid meets Victor Hugo" (which sums
much of it up). But-and a big but- the production values are marvelous, set
lighting, the best that (Disney Corp.) money and the tops in their field can command.
Orchestrations lush, lighting, costumes superb. Cast strong though there will be
replacements if this musical reaches the great white way.
The second act redeems it and as Bob notes abounds in
rooting interest. Some of the melodies--abetted by those orchestrations--are
eminently hummable and even quite lovely. Touching rousing finale--all that
great stagecraft and a finally very affecting evening of theatre. Not your
Charles Lauton Hunchback but not your Disney cartoon either--that Hunchback movie also featured the talents of Alan Menkin and Steven Swartz.
SATURDAY NOV 1. GONE GIRL. (Film)
Mary Pickford Theatres,
Cathedral City. Though the theatre is a cathedral (pun intended) to film.
Avoid. It makes me feel bad to be in this nasty town.
As to the film
starring Ben Affick and Rosamond Pike, it's long at 2 hours, 25 minutes. Bob.
"Interesting movie although at the end I began to think is it ever going
to end."
He's accused of killing his wife the Amazing Amy of
storybook fame who turns out to be a psychopath intent on framing him. Lots of
twists and turns. Afflick and Pike fine. Takes on media, it's frenzies,
misinformation, police bias, and the theme of public and private misinterpretation
of events and personalities are worthy.
SAT OCT 9. GORE VIDAL. (Netflix). Brilliant. In his own
words largely. A portrait of this amazing, cantankerous intellectual.
FRI NOV 14. NIGHTCRAWLER at Mission Valley Cineplex.
A
riveting noirish film starring a transformed, spooky Jake Gillenhall as a
sociopathic "nightcrawler", a bottom feeding videographer of crime
scenes. The more intrusive and gruesome his videos the more powerful he
becomes. And this at the behest of an aging (and also excellently acted) Rene
Russo as a TV news producer. Veering on the edge of satire in its depictions of
the culture gap in LA where the people who live in poor neighborhoods, Latinos
and blacks, are considered unworthy of media attention, are indeed disposable,
and are depicted by the media as predators on whites and the affluent.
SUN NOV 16. CAMERON CARPENTER. JACOBS MUSIC CENTER
He's the young organist
sensation playing Bach and Marcel Dupre. A Bach A major fugue. Shastakovitz. 3 Chopin
etudes. C# minor, C major, revolutionary étude. Sustains technical difficulty. 3
improvisations in tribute to Bob Knight, curator of the organ (and impresario
at silent movie nights we've sometime attended) and in his improvs Carpenter
shows off the capacities of this organ which he praises. His encore is Strike Up the Band, a showman
to the end. Oh and we bump into Alan Deroche, an old friend of Bob's from U of Minnesota, who introduces us to some of his
musical friends, including one very pretentious organ diva. Alan is doing volunteer musical work with young students. He
admits it's rewarding.
SAT NOV 22. NATIONAL GALLERY @ CAMELOT IN PALM SPRINGS.
A
Frederick Weisman documentary. At three hours rather long but a fascinating
glimpse of this venerable institution displaying art works through the 19th
century. Behind the scenes in administrators meetings attempting to define the
gallery's mission, brilliant curators revealing the meanings behind the
paintings, the storytelling, process of restoration, hundreds of images of
spectators observing, beautiful images of the paintings, Velasquez's,
DaVinci's, Rubens, Rembrant's, Turners et al of that glorious ilk. Fascinating
sense of the human condition, its aspirations and fears in the mythos of the
paintings, and the true artist's striving to understand the meaning of life and attempting to achieve a personal perfectibility.
NOV, 26-30 WEST COAST GETAWAY CRUISE. Please see that blog post for performances and museums.
SUNDAY DEC 14. 2nd CITY. NUTCRACKING HOLIDAY REVUE.
Most of the troupe's prepared stuff lands well, for
example a skit in a classroom where the one Jewish girl objects to the teacher
referring to Chanukah as "the Jewish Christmas".
Another where Santa Claus is mean to kids requesting
gifts. Punch line: he's their father. An audience member named Roger says he's
sorry he's sitting in the front row when he's made the centerpiece of a parody of A
Christmas Carol. Some of the improv is a little halting but all in all an
enjoyable experience watching clever and talented comic actors.
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