I have loved the sound of the cello since I heard a broadcast of Pablo Casals playing from the festival he founded in Puerto Rico. Subsequently I heard Sir John Barbirolli practicing the cello through an open window: we were neighbors in Manchester, England. At London’s Royal Festival Hall I was close enough to see every gesture of Jacqueline Du Pré, the day she rocketed to … [Read more...]
Weekend arts picks: June 12-14
Theater: Slow Burn Theatre goes less edgy for the summertime, with more popular fare to mark its final production in West Boca before moving its operations permanently to the Broward Center. Aiming at the entire family, the company serves up Little Shop of Horrors, the Howard Ashman-Alan Menken musical about a nerdy florist, his self-esteem-challenged girlfriend and an alien … [Read more...]
Our Ultimate Sondheim Quiz returns
All too rarely do area theaters tackle the musicals of Broadway’s pre-eminent composer-lyricist, Stephen Sondheim. But this summer Florida Atlantic University is producing the revue Side by Side by Sondheim as well as A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum in its 2013 Festival Rep (now through July 21.) In addition, Palm Beach Dramaworks has selected Sondheim’s … [Read more...]
‘Social Network’ talky, but a must-see morality tale
The central irony of The Social Network is that while the website Facebook was devised to bring friends together, it split longtime friends among its creators apart. Populated with hyper-smart, glibly articulate characters based on real people, this is that rare studio release that allows itself to wallow in dialogue and gives moviegoers credit for being willing to listen. … [Read more...]