Dance: Miami City Ballet opens its first show of the season this weekend at the Kravis Center with his triptych, Jewels. Divided into Emeralds, Rubies and Diamonds, and set to the music of Fauré, Stravinsky and Tchaikovsky, this three-act ballet evokes French Romanticism, 20th-century modernism and Imperial Russia. While MCB has branched out considerably in its past few years, its core repertoire remains Balanchine and Robbins, and this sumptuous show marks a rare opportunity to see the company pull out all the stops. Two performances Saturday (2 pm and 8 pm), and one Sunday afternoon at 1 pm. Call 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.
Film: Those of you who were viewing films in 1973, or those who have a classic DVD library, may remember The Last Detail, directed by Hal Ashby with a cast that starred a relatively young Jack Nicholson as a Navy recruit escorting petty thief Randy Quaid to the brig, with the specter of Vietnam hanging over them both. Based on a novel by Darryl Ponicsan, it now has a sequel of sorts adapted from his follow-up novel, Last Flag Flying. It takes place 30 years later, Nicholson has morphed into Bryan Cranston, Quaid is now played by Steve Carrell whose son is coming back from Iraq. In a casket. So Carrell rounds up his old buddies – including Laurence Fishburne, now an ordained minister. Anyway, when Carrell learns the real circumstances of his son’s death, he refuses to allow the hero’s funeral at Arlington Cemetery the government has planned. Director Richard Linklater’s screenplay (co-written with Ponicsan) is full of profane, funny, articulate dialogue which adds up to a powerful gut punch. I fully expect this one to lnd on my 10 best list for the year.
Theater: Riddle: What has 10 Tony Awards, was born in Texas and grew up to be – as he puts it – 5 feet, 18 inches tall? It is Tommy Tune, who puts in a one-night appearance this Saturday at the Maltz Jupiter Theatre, a fundraiser for the resident company that is attempting to raise $25 million to expand the theater to a size that would allow it to house national tours and pre-Broadway tryouts. So go, help the Maltz out and enjoy a solo performance – with a 16-piece orchestra – with plenty of Gershwin and other classics from the American Songbook, plus a tap dance and soft shoe or two. Tickets begin at $50. Call 561-575-2223.