Art: Those of us who have lived in South Florida a long time know the power of the Everglades, a mysterious savanna that can instantly take you away from the life of the built urban environment and even today, provide some sense of raw origins in a state seemingly determined to destroy every last acre of its irreplaceable natural heritage. Photographers have been bewitched by this extraordinary place for most of the past century, and through July 12, the Norton Museum of Art presents Imaging Eden: Photographers Discover the Everglades, an exhibit that includes not only familiar artists such as Clyde Butcher, but adds new Everglades images by five photographers commissioned by the Norton to add new views of the River of Grass. This exhibit is receiving lavish praise from out-of-town press, and the months ahead will give you ample time to find out why. Call 832-5196 or visit www.norton.org.
Film: It has been a while since Al Pacino has given a restrained screen performance, but if you enjoy his scenery chewing, check out Danny Collins. In it he plays an aging rock singer/songwriter, who gives in to his fans’ demands to hear his old hits, in part because he hasn’t written anything new in years. From his opening concert sequence, strutting like Mick Jagger, you will probably be disarmed by his character. That would be in distinct contrast to his grown son (Bobby Cannavale), who still seethes with anger over being abandoned by his father years ago. Danny’s manager (a crafty Christopher Plummer) gives him a letter of encouragement penned to Danny by John Lennon that went astray long ago, and it prompts Danny to live up to the promise the former Beatle once saw, and to attempt a reconciliation with his son. Screenwriter Dan Fogelman makes his feature directing debut with affection and assurance.
Theater: More than 40 years ago, composer-lyricist Stephen Schwartz wrote an unconventional musical called Pippin, ostensibly about the son of the ruler of the Holy Roman Empire and his search for his “corner of the sky.” Fortunately, it was transformed then by director-choreographer Bob Fosse with his signature sensuality and cynicism. Two years ago, Pippin returned to Broadway for the first time, reconceived by visionary stager Diane Paulus, who placed the action inside a circus big top, with the band of roving players turned into a troupe of circus performers. Typical of the gain is the number “No Time At All,” sung by Pippin’s grandmother, now a showstopper because she sings it while suspended high above the stage on a trapeze. Now at the Broward Center through April 12, then at the Kravis Center, April 28-May 3.
Music: With religious holidays upon us today and through the weekend, musical events have quieted down for now, but things will pick up again Tuesday when the Atlantic Classical Orchestra holds its last concert of the season at the Eissey Campus Theatre in Palm Beach Gardens. On the bill is a world premiere, a Violin Concerto by the Chinese-American composer Zhou Tian, a professor of composition at Colgate. In the solo spotlight is the splendid young violinist Caroline Goulding, currently studying at Germany’s Kronberg Academy and busily playing with orchestras and in solo recitals across the United States and Europe. These will be the last concerts for the ACO under Stewart Robertson, who has developed Parkinson’s disease and will be retiring from the podium this week. Robertson has done yeoman work in South Florida, for years at Florida Grand Opera, and then at ACO, where in the past two years he’s won Rappaport Foundation support for new American music, and just for those new pieces, we owe him a lot. Here’s your chance to hear good new music, see a fine young rising star, and bid an old friend farewell. Tuesday’s concert at 3 p.m,; tickets start at $50. Call 772-460-0850.