Theater: Playwright Lauren Gunderson wrote the redneck comedy Exit, Pursued by a Bear that Theatre at Arts Garage produced a couple of season ago, but try not to hold that against her. She is back with a much smarter script, I and You, about a couple of high school teens who meet over an English class assignment, and as with many formulaic romantic comedies, they banter and … [Read more...]
Archives for January 2015
PBO’s ‘La Bohème,’ Cast 2: Subtle approach makes ‘Bohème’ memorable
I heard the second cast of Palm Beach Opera’s very fine production of Puccini’s La Bohème on Saturday. The Kravis Center was packed to capacity for this, the first opera of the season. It was good to hear from the government last week that the arts in America now account for 4.3% of our gross domestic product. Palm Beach County’s lively arts programming surely contributes … [Read more...]
PBO’s ‘La Bohème,’ Cast 1: A ‘Bohème’ to cherish
Because of its uninterrupted 119-year streak of popularity, Giacomo Puccini’s La Bohème can come dangerously close to paint-by-numbers opera: Fill in the blanks with some colorful voices, and the work performs itself. Happily for local audiences, the creative staff of Palm Beach Opera’s just-passed revival of the opera were interested in approaching it with fresh eyes, and the … [Read more...]
Aniston’s performance not enough to lift heavy ‘Cake’
As the praise for Jennifer Aniston’s performance in Cake continues to reverberate across awards season, it begs the question: Are voters bestowing these hosannas on the acting, or the makeup? I’ll submit that that the distinction lies with the latter, that it represents another case of misapplied plaudits. Voting blocs love when actors step out of their comfort zones, and this … [Read more...]
Letter from Paris: Après Charlie
By Chloe Elder In the wake of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, the spirit of solidarity pervades Paris, and the evidence is everywhere. Riding the Métro on the day after the magazine attack, I whipped my head around to see “Je Suis Charlie” written in large spray-painted letters on the walls of the Concorde station. And I continue to see the motto across the city, written on the … [Read more...]
Seraphic Fire and chant: The music of faith, hypnotically sung
In its concert Saturday night of Gregorian chant and music associated with it, Seraphic Fire decked out Fort Lauderdale’s All Saints Episcopal Church with all the candlepower typical of a Catholic high Mass. That was entirely appropriate, because if you’re going to sing the music of Ritual, you might as well include the scenic ambience. And in this beautifully sung concert, it … [Read more...]
Master of the bass in spotlight at upcoming Pompano jazz fest
Bassist and New York City resident Tom Kennedy may not be one of the headliners at the upcoming star-studded Sea of JazzFest, but the 54-year-old will be one of the most versatile musicians in a sea of them at Pompano Beach Ampitheatre. The event includes saxophonist Phil Woods, trumpeters Randy Brecker and Terell Stafford, vocalist Tierney Sutton, flutist Hubert Laws, … [Read more...]
Powerful Brahms, Kodaly for ACO’s opener
Celebrating 25 years of music-making, the Atlantic Classical Orchestra, a fine, chamber-sized orchestra of 41 players, came to the Eissey Campus Theatre of Palm Beach Gardens State College from its Fort Pierce headquarters Tuesday to give the first of its four concerts scheduled there. The orchestra’s stated mission is to broaden its outreach, and by using an all purpose name … [Read more...]
ArtPalmBeach brings global focus, and county ties to ArtSynergy
With 65 international galleries from 17 countries and 14 states, this year's ArtPalmBeach features global emerging and contemporary artists with galleries and dealers from Southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe. Opening with a preview Wednesday, the fair runs through Jan. 25 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center in West Palm Beach. Lee Ann Lester, who along with her … [Read more...]
New musical, ‘Song of Solomon,’ to get one-night tryout at Wick
Monday evening, Boca Raton’s Wick Theatre takes its first plunge into the risky waters of new work, putting its usual menu of classic musicals on hold for a one-night concert of a show with aspirations of Broadway, Song of Solomon. If it goes well, look for it to return for a fully staged run this summer, prior to a move to New York. Yes, Solomon is Biblical King Solomon. … [Read more...]