Emily, an Amethyst Remembrance by the Firebone Theatre Company

I held a jewel...I held a jewel in my fingers
And went to sleep
The day was warm, and winds were prosy;
I said: " 'T will keep."
I woke and chid my honest fingers, --
The gem was gone;
And now an amethyst remembrance
Is all I own.
~Emily Dickinson

Recently, I saw Emily, An Amethyst Remembrance presented by the Firebone Theatre Company at the Kirk in Theatre Row. Chris Cragin's play about the reclusive 19th century American poet is interesting, loving and thoughtful, mixing drama with words from Emily's own poems, sometimes recited as dialogue. The play also moves backwards in time. Elizabeth A. Davis portrayed Emily with simple beauty. Elizabeth's ethereal and quiet presence captured my attention and transported me as she lived that poetry. Christopher Bonewitz also gave a noteable performance as Elizabeth's teacher.

Emily Dickinson on 42nd St. from Motion Capture NYC on Vimeo.

Bernadette's a saver too

"I have kept some Playbills of amazing, amazing performances," says actor Bernadette Peters. "Like I just saw 'Mary Stuart', like those actresses were incredible. I'll keep those."

Bernadette Peters at the 125th Anniversary Gala for Playbill, to NY1 (click to watch a video about the making of Playbills and a little coverage of the event)

The Real Helen Mirren Weekend

Have you ever known that you're seeing somebody and hearing somebody but can't quite connect that it's really true that they are there in front of you? It was like that the first time I saw Renée Fleming at Carnegie, Angela Lansbury at Wall to Wall Sondheim, Meryl Streep at the Public...and now Dame Helen Mirren.

She played Phedre at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in DC for a 2 week stint - a transfer from London's National Theatre, and the first leg of an international tour. We were there for the final performance at the gorgeous Sidney Harman Hall. Helen executed the role with such ease and humor that it almost seemed as though it wasn't even a "Greek" tragedy. It was so enjoyable! There was no intermission but the 1 hour 55 minutes flew by. Costumes and lighting enhanced the scene oh so lightly and beautifully. The British cast use no artificial amplification (except for briefly when there were not center stage) and I could hear them clearly and succinctly from our rear mezzanine seats.

We had the best time, thank you Helen Mirren (all friends who met because of La Diva + 1, so thank you also Renée Fleming ) - we drove down to DC in style in a big black caddy, had dinners, drank wines and cocktails, looked at monuments, went to Mount Vernon!, saw Dame Helen and drank more cocktails. We could see the show without all of the condiments, but it completed the recipe for the perfect weekend.

Tonight: Helen Mirren in Phèdre

I'm in Washington D.C. to see Dame Helen Mirren star as Phèdre at the Shakespeare Theatre Company tonight! The production is by Great Britain's National Theatre and is directed by Nicholas Hytner. This version of Jean Racine's Phèdre is by Ted Hughes. The dishy Dominic Cooper (!) and Margaret Tyzack also star.

The synopsis: Believing her husband to be dead, the passionate Queen Phèdre allows her forbidden love for her stepson to blossom. When the King returns from war very much alive, the entire family is catapulted into a desperate, impossible situation.

Tonight: The Royal Family

The Greatest Escape.

Yo, I'm playing hooky from my day job today to be back in the da house - the Metropolitan Opera House! Today, the Met is hosting an open house for the final dress rehearsal of the new production of Tosca, starring Karita Mattila.

Update: Karita was fabulous as Tosca. She looks gorgeous and glamourous as a brunette and especially in Milena Canonero's luscious costumes. It doesn't hurt that she acts with ease and grace, inhabiting the character thoroughly. Her mere presence is dramatic. Marcelo Alvarez was an easy match as her lover. His tenor voice is so beautiful - no high cry here. I don't love the tenor voice in general, but I'd listen to Marcello any time. George Gagnidze was terrific as the menacing Scarpia - he looks the part, a sleazy crime boss ala Tony Soprano in period costume.

This is a new production by Luc Bondy. Act I is fine, even though there is no similarity to Zeffirelli's opulant set, it was fine as my eyes rarely left Karita. The luscious costumes distracted from the lack of set.

It was Act II that was a put off as the curtain opened on a lecherous scene, complete with hookers all set for an orgy. The set leaps ahead in time as well which is a disturbing and curious contrast between costume and scenery furniture. Karita's "vissi d'arte" (although she either threw in a dramatic pause or her voice stopped, not sure which) saved the scene.

Fortunately, there is some recovery with Act III, especially with Marcello's gorgeous "E lucevan le stelle" which deservedly earned loud praise from the audience. The final moment of the drama is a head scratcher but I won't spoil it for you - hopefully they'll fix it by Opening Night.

This year's Open House didn't feature the usual Met department demonstrations, free lunch or a talkback with the cast, nevertheless it was a great escape.

Alec & La Diva Live from Lincoln Center

It's a big night at Lincoln Center tonight and it's all live television on PBS' Live from Lincoln Center. Alan Gilbert premiers as the new music director of the New York Philharmonic. Alec Baldwin premiers as the new host. La Diva Renée Fleming will sing "Poèmes pour Mi" by French composer Olivier Messiaen.

Quote of the Day

"On stage, yes, we were bosom buddies (the title of their famous 'Mame' duet) but it wasn't until years later after we both had successful TV series under our belts that we really got together," Lansbury recalled. "That's when we became ... bosom friends."

Angela Lansbury, about the late Bea Arthur at the memorial celebrating her life, 9/14/09, via the AP

Read The Theatre Aficionado for a beautiful and detailed recount of the celebration.

Queing for Tosca Tickets

This morning we lined up in front of the Metropolitan Opera for free tickets to the open dress rehearsal of Tosca on Thursday, September 17th. The fierce and fabulous Karita Mattila is Tosca in this new production. I arrived shortly after 7:00 am and was in the first 50-75 people, a crowd which eventually grew to around 1,500 ore more (3,000 tickets would be handed out, 2 per). The first two crazies, er devotees, arrived at 2:30 am. Mayor Josephine arrived at 5:30 am and was w/in the first 5. I saw some familiar faces, evidence of that wonderful and crazy community of opera lovers. It was a gorgeous morning at Lincoln Center. Just after noon, with tickets in hand, we retreated to gleefully sip our traditional post opera line Bloody Marys and nosh on turkey burgers.

Donuts for Dinner: Superior Donuts Blogger Event

This evening I'm meeting the cast of the new Broadway play Superior Donuts! This play, by Tony and Pulitzer prize winner Tracy Letts, is a transfer from the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago.

The description is "Arthur Przybyszewski [played by Michael McKean] owns a decrepit donut shop in the uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks [Jon Michael Hill], a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. This comedy-drama, set in the heart of one of Chicago's most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship."

The cast also includes Yasen Peyankov, James Vincent Meredith, Jane Alderman, Kate Buddeke (Mazeppa in the 2003 revival of Gypsy!), Cliff Chamberlain, Michael Garvey, Robert Maffia. Directed by Tina Landau, Superior Donuts begings previews on September 16th at the Music Box Theatre.

Bernadette in Our Own Backyard

Bernadette Peters will be making some appearances right here in our own backyard this fall:

On September 27th, Bernadette will be at the 23rd Annual Broadway Flea Market Autograph Table during the 2:00 hour. For $25 you can get her autograph (along with 14 other celebrities) and for an extra fee, have a picture made with her.

On October 4th, Bernadette will read her book, Broadway Barks, at The New York Times' Great Children's Read. Hosted at Columbia University, Bernadette will be on the Target Stage at 3:45 at Broadway & 116th Street.












And the pièce de résistance, on November 9th, Bernadette is back on Broadway singing a special concert benefitting Broadway Barks and Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids. The Musical Director/Conductor is Marvin Laird and the concert, at the Minskoff Theatre, is directed by Richard Jay-Alexander and will included a 30-piece orchestra. General reserved ticket prices are $75 (rear mezzanine) or $110 (front mezzanine or rear orchestra). Special patron tickets begin at $295 each.

Blessed Mother of Maude Adams, NO, Tilda, NO!

I had to read this Variety article, Swinton feels the love for 'Mame', twice. You can guess what I did. Yes, that's right. I VOMITED IN MY MOUTH. Talk about ghastly. Blessed Mother of Maude Adams, is there nothing sacred anymore? "[Luca]Guadagnino said he and [Tilda] Swinton aspire to remake 'Auntie Mame' as a 'rock-n-roll, super funny, super mainstream movie.'"

Uh, didn't you notice that Auntie Mame is already a "rock-n-roll, supper funny, super mainstream movie." If you think it's not, then I can't help you. Ever.

The Estate of Beverly Sills

On October 7th, the Estate of Beverly Sills (1929-2007) is being auctioned by Doyle New York. The auction description reads, "Beverly Sills’ remarkably diverse collection comprises over 460 lots of fine art, furniture, decorations, jewelry, handbags, photographs, costume designs and opera memorabilia from her home overlooking New York’s Central Park."

The catalogue is searchable. Type in the key words "opera" and "costume" to see original sketches of costumes she wore in many of her opera performances, as well as production posters, playbills and costume items. Search "photograph" to see a number of production photos.

The estate items will on public exhibition from October 2nd through 6th at Doyle New York, on 87th between Lexington and Third Avenue.


Feel free to bid on these opera glasses for me: Sale 09BS01 Lot 449, Koret Minaudiere and Pair of Opera Glasses, The minaudiere of gold metal molded with alligator scales, the conical catch studded with small rhinestones, twisted chain wrist strap, stamped in silver: Koret with leaping gazelle logo, the opera glasses in gold-tone metal and leather, stamped: Mignon Japan. 5 x 4 inches, wrist strap 12 inches.
Estimate $300-500

Let's make Harriet Walter homesick again.

Just as the Summer of Harriet Walter was coming to an end, I had reason to correspond with my friend Darrell who lives in Dorset, England. I was raving about Mary Stuart(as usual) when he shamefully admitted that he didn't know about Mary Stuart, Harriet Walter or even Janet McTeer! Take him to the tower!

But, he learned his lesson quite quickly when Dorset Society magazine arrived in his mailbox and he turned the page to find Harriet Walter staring at him. Serves him right. But he did redeem himself when he posted the magazine to me.

Ah, it's lovely. Sadly, Harriet was homesick for her home in Dorset. I can't blame her - Dorset looks splendid. However, I'm in favor of making her homesick again. Harriet, please come back to Broadway very soon.

Quote of the Day

"Acting is a great craft that I have a lot of respect for. But I don't think it's a greater challenge than teaching 8-year-olds or any other career. I try not to make it more important than it is and I just hope that rubs off on the people around me."

Hugh Jackman, In New York magazine, September, 2009 (read it online or pick it up at the Times Square Alliance)

The Plaza Cast of Orfeo ed Euridice was Heavenly

The Met Opera's first HD Festival has been this week on the Plaza at Lincoln Center. We caught Mark Morris’s production of Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice starring Stephanie Blythe as Orfeo, with Danielle de Niese as Euridice and Heidi Grant Murphy as Amor. I saw it live in the house in January and it was one of my favorite PBS broadcasts of the season. I loved it even more seeing it under the stars in this wonderful almost-fall weather we're having. We gathered about an hour early for the 8:00 screening and even caught a dress rehearsal of the new fountain in progress! Afterward, Sally lined right up to be first in line to buy New York City Opera tickets! Oh, thank goodness summer is over and the great 2009/10 season is almost here!

Celebrating Puccini at the Morgan Library

The Morgan Library is Celebrating Puccini. The exhibition celebrates the 150th anniversary of Giacomo Puccini's birth.

The exhibit includes original manuscripts, first-edition librettos, personal letters, a period poster and playbills, souvenir postcards, and rare material linked to Puccini's relationship with such legends as Enrico Caruso and Arturo Toscanini.

Puccini's operas are Le Villi, Manon Lescaut, La bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, La fanciulla del West, La rondine, Il trittico (Il tabarro, Suor Angelica and Gianni Schicchi), and Turandot. (I've seen all but Le Villi and La fanciulla del West).

The Morgan Library & Museum, which began as the private library of financier Pierpont Morgan, is located at 225 Madison Avenue (at 36th Street). The exhibit runs from September 15, 2009, through January 10, 2010. Admission is $12 for adults, Tuesday through Sunday. Admission is free on Fridays from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m..