Film: You may remember Swedish director Jan Troell, who made two linked Oscar-nominated films, The Emigrants and The New Land, in the early ’70s. Now 83, he has crafted a stunning, downbeat, history-based film, The Last Sentence, but since the story it relates is Swedish history, it is likely to be unfamiliar to most American viewers. It focuses on a crusading newspaper editor, Torgny Segerstedt, whose blistering editorials in opposition to the rise of Adolf Hitler almost single-handedly brought Sweden into World War II. In addition to the political, The Last Sentence has a personal side — his unhappy marriage and his open affair with his publisher’s wife, no less. Troell films in a stark, powerful black-and-white, rendering a tough-to-watch, but compelling film.
Theater: Manalapan’s Plaza Theatre has been showcasing some of South Florida’s best talent in solo cabarets, like area veteran Wayne LeGette, who premieres a show he created with the cheesy title, Oy Vey … It’s Broadvay (yes, with a “V”). He’s not exactly sure why so many theater composers and lyricists are Jewish, but it gave him a rich pool of material from which to craft his one-hour program, opening tonight and continuing through to Aug. 18. Of course he has a medley from Fiddler on the Roof, but also plenty of secular music from such Jewish composers as Sondheim, Hamlisch and Kander. Paul Reekie musical directs and accompanies on piano. Oy, what’s not to like? Call 561-588-1820 for tickets.
Music: The Cruzan Amphitheatre usually has a decent summer lineup of returning big-name regulars like Dave Matthews and Brad Paisley, but this Sunday the suburban West Palm Beach venue has picked up a gathering of two grunge/metal legends who first made it big in the 1990s: Soundgarden and Nine Inch Nails. Trent Reznor’s NIN was heard everywhere with the single Hurt in those days (and that great Johnny Cash cover of it can’t be forgotten), and Soundgarden’s lead vocalist and songwriter, Chris Cornell, boasts one of the most indelible rock voices of his generation. Reviews have been good for this tour, and if you’ve missed this kind of music in your regular Spotify diet, here’s your chance to make up for that. Tickets for the 7 p.m. show start at $60; visit cruzanamphitheatre.net.
Dance: If last weekend was the weekend of classical ballet, local-style, this one is for modern dance (and some ballet, too), as presented by Maria Konrad and Jerry Opdenaker, two stalwarts of Terpsichore that have welcomed young dancers to their joint dance intensive in Palm Beach Gardens for several summers. Tonight, the students show what they’ve learned in a show called Heat Wave at the Eissey Campus Theatre at Palm Beach State College in Palm Beach Gardens. The 8 p.m. show will feature a mixed program that includes new dances by Konrad and Opdenaker. Tickets are $15-$20; visit reachdancecompany.com or call 561-339-6360.