Quote of the Day

"Hey, that's the Murder, She Wrote lady!"

~ My nephew Cody, age 10, when reading the Science section of the New York Times over breakfast at the Worthington Hotel in Ft. Worth, Texas on January 29, 2009

I'll be home for Christmas.

I've gone to Texas to spend two luxurious weeks with my Little Loves. I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Here's to many fabulous adventures together in 2010! Xoxo, SarahB

Remember 2009; Get Ready for 2010

Lincoln Center Theatre's In the Next Room (or the vibrator play)

Sarah Ruhl's In the Next Room or the vibrator play was first commissioned for Berkeley Rep. Sarah based her play on the book "The Technology of Orgasm". It is set during the 1880s, just the time when the age of electricity has dawned.

Laura Benanti plays Mrs. Givings, an eager yet naive young wife with an infant. Michael Cerveris, plays her husband Dr. Givings, a medical doctor more interested in electricity than her. More or a less a therapist, he sees patients suffering from "hysteria". He invents an electrical stimulator, basically a vibrator, that will cure them, particularly women and sometimes men, of their hysteria. This was the Victoria era when female pleasure was not discussed openly but became a medical cure.

Beginning as a ridiculous and somewhat awkward premise, the play weaves into an honest and beautiful story about enlightenment in several relationships in the story. At times it's very funny, thanks to great execution by Laura Benanti. By the end, it has evolved into a thing of beauty (and I don't just mean a complete strip by Michael Cerveris).

There are a number subplots that interweave with Mrs. Givings' story as the characters become intimate with each other. The doctor's surgery is in their home, yet he attempts to keep his wife isolated from his work, further sheltering her. First, she innocently meets Mrs. Daldry, played by Maria Dizzia, a female patient and her husband played by Thomas Jay Ryan. Second, though she is a new mother, she is unable to adequately nurse her baby. Mrs. Daldry just happens to have a black servant, Annie played by Quincy Tyler Bernstine, who has recently lost her own baby and is available as a wet nurse. A male patient, Chandler Williams, comes into their lives complicating things further both for Mrs. Givings and Annie. Finalizing the cast is lovely Wendy Rich Stetson, as Dr. Givings' assistant, who has her own sad journey to travel.

Mrs. Givings befriends Mrs. Daldry. As she recognizes that Mrs. Daldry's "treatments" are succeeding, she conspires with her to learn just exactly what the treatment is. She attempts self-treatment, but it's not just physical stimulation she longs for. She wants love and attention from her husband.

At the climax of the play, the transformation of the set is breathtaking. Up until that point, the set, by Annie Smart, is just two rooms of a comfortable house, complete with electrical lights. David Zinn has designed pretty period costumes, appropriately complicated at times. Les Water, making his Lincoln Center Debut, directs the play at a nice pace.

In the Next Room is playing at the Lyceum Theatre on West 45th Street through January 10th. While there isn't a rating, it is best suited for a sophisticated or mature audience. Discounts are available via Broadwaybox.com.

Tonight: Michael Feinstein and David Hyde Pierce

We're going to Feinstein's tonight. This time, it's to see its namesake Michael Feinstein! Michael Feinstein LIVE! The bonus of the evening is that the delightfully droll and ever so charming David Hyde Pierce will be performing side by side Mr. Feinstein.

DiVaR Alert: Renée Fleming

Tomorrow (Friday), Renée Fleming appears on The Martha Stewart Show - watch her kickit with rapper Snoop Dogg and bake spritz sugar cookies with Martha (11am onNBC in NYC).

For a second dose of holiday sweetness, tune in to hear Renée sing "Nel suoamore rianimata" accompanied by Gerald Martin Moore on The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson this Monday, December 21 (12:35am on CBS in NYC).

We waited a long time for this Elektra at the Met

Elektra:
Cast
Conductor: Fabio Luisi
Elektra: Susan Bullock
Chrysothemis: Deborah Voigt
Klytemnestra: Felicity Palmer Aegisthus: Wolfgang Schmidt
Orestes: Evgeny Nikitin

There's nothing like going to the Metropolitan Opera during the holidays! But, Elektra is no holiday show. And even though it's about a family gathering, this one's a little more dysfunctional than the proverbial holiday gathering. Oh the pathos, the angst, mistaken identity, the murder and mayhem! Unfortunately, there's no happy ending either.

But with this opera by Richard Strauss, you get some of the most beautiful and powerful music ever written. On top of this, add some of the biggest, most beautiful voices in the world. And it's all packed tightly into just around 120 minutes with no intermission.

In this production by Otto Schenk, there's only one set that looks like the outside of a ruined temple. Scene changes are only achieved by lighting. The orchestra pit was overflowing with string, and brass and percussion. They sounded glorious, even if they dragged a bit under Maestro Fabio Luisi's baton (Sally says most productions are about 1 hr, 45 mins - last night was just about 2 hours).

Orest was played by bass-baritone Evgeny Nikitin finely with a very rich voice. And although Oreste returns to save the day, this show is about the ladies.

Felicity Palmer was delightful as the evil mother Klytamnestra. She played her slitheringly and ghoulishly. And while this mother is quite detestable, I couldn't help but chuckle at Felicity's characterization.

Elektra, played by Susan Bullock (who we also saw in the very weird WNO production in May, 2008) is terrific. She understands the anguish of Elektra and plays her fearlessly. Her only drawback last night was that her voice seemed smaller than the rest of the cast and with an orchestra that big, she didn't quite have the power that seems necessary for this size of a production. She was outrageous at the WNO, but that's a smaller house. (Having heard the inimitable Deborah Polaski sing the role, I believe she is the definitive Elektra at least in voice - Sally has just about every recording of Elektra ever made, both professional and otherwise and I believe she agrees with me.)

But stealing this show was Deborah Voigt as Chrysothemis. She sounded in better voice than I have ever heard her live. I was absolutely moved to chills by her longing for her family. Her voice was so clear, strong, controlled, loud and beautiful last night, we wondered if she should haven't changed roles with Susan Bullock.

I always love seeing Maria Zifchak and Jennifer Check as unnamed cast members - it's always so fun to pick them out and of course, they stand out from the crowd with their gorgeous voices and acting. I have already seen each of them several times this season.

Felicity, Susan and Deborah all received bouquets of flowers, thrown on to the stage by appreciative audience members...but delighting the crowd was Deborah, who caught hers like it was a game winning pass. We waited a long time to see Elektra at the Met, for Sally's sake. It was almost just as fun watching her on the edge of her seat as it was the action on stage. And afterward, we celebrated with martinis.

Tonight: ELEKTRA at the Met

Sally declares: "Elektra is The Greatest Opera Ever Written." It's certainly one of the most intense and crazy.

Cast
Conductor: Fabio Luisi
Elektra: Susan Bullock
Chrysothemis: Deborah Voigt
Klytemnestra: Felicity Palmer (!!!)
Aegisthus: Wolfgang Schmidt
Orestes: Evgeny Nikitin

Cara reviews Susan Graham

My niece Cara, a kindergartner, attended Susan Graham's recital at Midland Lee High School this evening. This was Cara's first classical music recital and she lasted almost to the end. She said, "That girl sang real good and that boy played piano good."

Susan Graham returned to the stage of Midland Lee High School last night, where she made her debut as a 17 year old in The Sound of Music when she sang the role of Maria. The song sets included "Non so piu cosa son" from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro,
"Voi che sapete" from Mozart’s Le nozze di Figaro,
"Va, laisse couler mes larmes" from Massenet’s Werther, "Liebst du um Schönheit" by Gustav Mahler, "Habanera" from Bizet’s Carmen, "Seguidilla" from Bizet’s Carmen, "The Sound of Music" from Rodgers & Hammerstein, "Fascinating Rhythm" by George Gershwin, "Someone to Watch Over Me" by George Gershwin, "Summertime" by George Gershwin, and "A Christmas Medley" (the audience joined in on "White Christmas").

Doug Montgomery also performed a number a pieces alone. At the end of the recital, Susan continued with her diva bow long after Doug had left the stage. He returned and dragged her off, bringing down the house.

My mother and sister also attended and met Susan at the reception in the cafeteria after the recital. They were pleased to meet Susan, who knew they were coming (or else face my wrath) as she had seen my earlier blog post about her recital. They called me on their way from the high school, full of praise and excitement. It sounds divine to me.

Mom and I will be seeing Susan perform in Der Rosenkvalier at the Met on January 15th - its just one of my favorite roles that Susan performs. This will be Mom's second Strauss opera - the first was Salome, which she said was "interesting"...I think she'll have a little more liking for this one. She has also seen Renée Fleming perform once at Carnegie. So now she's all set with sopranos, mezzos and who's who among my faves.

REQUIRED READING: Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury on a lifetime in theater

This is required reading - New York Magazine's Jesse Green 's mesmerizing conversation with Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury:

Actors are often slaves to authors, or at any rate authors are often dictatorial toward actors, but Angela Lansbury, 84, and Stephen Sondheim, 79, have had a rare theatrical relationship, in a way helping each other create, or reimagine, some of the landmark musicals of the past 45 years: the 1964 cult flop Anyone Can Whistle; the great revival of Gypsy in the seventies; Sweeney Todd in 1979; and the just-opened revival of A Little Night Music, directed by Trevor Nunn and co-starring Catherine Zeta-Jones. On the morning after the first preview, Sondheim and Lansbury—he weary from the previous night, she chipper and ready for rehearsal—sat down at Sardi’s to discuss their collaboration. It began when Arthur Laurents, who was directing Anyone Can Whistle, as well as writing its book, suggested casting Lansbury in a leading role, despite not knowing if she could sing.

Read more: Side by Side - Stephen Sondheim and Angela Lansbury on a lifetime of theater.

A Little Night Music: Opening Night Party

I'm pinching myself this morning. First on the bill last night was seeing my favorite young star Kate Baldwin at my favorite venue Feinstein's with some of my favorite people.

THEN I went to the Opening Night Party for A Little Night Music at Tavern on the Green, courtesy of an invitation from my delightful new friend Alan, who is involved as an investor with the show. He's a Broadway lover going all the way back to seeing the a replacement cast of the first run of South Pacific as a four year old.

Decked out in my sparkly party dress, I arrived at the front door where I had to show proof of my ticket several times. Then I floated into an odyssey of a party. If you've been to Tavern on the Green, you know it's HUGE and this crowd took advantage. There were many rooms full of elegant party goers. There was a buffet dinner and many open bars. I had a piece of delicious white cake. I started out with a glass of red wine, but it was so crowded, I ditched it for clear liquid - water - as I wouldn't dare be responsible for sloshing red wine on some fancy party-goer.

The stars were in the main room and fortunately, we were free to roam about after dinner. Before I even saw members of the cast, I saw Michael Douglas, Kathleen Turner, Pat Riley (yes, the basketball coach!), Lauren Bacall, Wallace and Simpson, Judy Kuhn, and lots of Broadway producers and industry types.

I patiently waited in a very crowded line to congratulate Angela Lansbury. Of course, she was as gracious as always and looked gorgeous (84? I think there's a painting in an attic somewhere...). While I was waiting, I was happy to greet Aaron Lazar, who plays the Dragoon. I love his performance - he's always solid in everything.

Then after greeting Angela, in came Catherine Zeta-Jones. The room erupted in applause and a 1,000 flashes when off. I never saw so many people congregate at once - she was a like a magnet and the room seemed to whoosh to her. She finally made her way over to Michael Douglas, who was waiting for her with a very large bouquet of white roses. It was fun seeing them kiss and looking so happy to see each other. He seemed to be beaming with pride. Since I was sort of swept in to the crowd and unable to move, I got pretty close. She is unbelievable to look at - you daren't look to long, for fear of ruining your eyesight.

The place became almost like a mosh pit and finally was able to escape to go in search of my friend Hunter Ryan Herlicka, who plays Henrick. I saw the very handsome Alexander Hanson, who plays Fredrik, but I never did run into any of the rest of the cast. Finally, I got a text message from my friend Alan that Hunter was spotted. I got a huge hug from him. I'm so happy for him!

Around 12:30 am, my carriage was threatening to turn into a pumpkin so I joined the long taxi line. Even though I live only less than a mile from the Tavern, my party feet couldn't wait a minute more. Inside, the party was still very full at that point and no doubt celebrated until the wee hours. And that's another opening night for me.

Kate Baldwin's First Cabaret

FINIAN'S RAINBOW: NEW BROADWAY CAST RECORDING/CDIt was another dream evening at Feinstein's last night when Kate Baldwin performed her first cabaret. If she hadn't have prefaced the evening with that fact, we would have never known it.

Kate performed Yip Harburg and Burton Lane songs from her debut solo about, Let's See What Happens, plus some. This album is my favorite new cd of the year, perhaps of the decade.

Dressed in a strapless black evening gown, it was as if Kate stepped out of Big Band 1940 just like I imagined when I first gave the album a listen. If possible, she looked more glamorous and beautiful to ever, right down to her sparkling Jimmy Choo's.

Seeming perfectly at ease in the full room, Kate brought her gorgeous voice, capable of evoking a tear one moment and provoking a grin the next, to the evening. She mixed in a dose of her down to earth personality and quirky sense of humor. Performing all Lane and Harburg tunes meant also throwing in a delightful cover of the Merry Old Land of Oz that had us rolling in the aisles. She encored the evening with How Are Things in Glocca Morra, a song she was born to sing.

For years I pined for Kate to have a leading lady role on Broadway. Much to my delight, between her lead in Finian's Rainbow, the only show so far this season to garner raves across the board, her fabulous album and this cabaret, it's finally, the Season of Kate Baldwin. She's a dream come true and Broadway finally has the first star in a very, very long time, worthy of outshining the Great White Way.

Tonight: Kate Baldwin at Feinstein's!

Last August, I wished out loud to Kate Baldwin that I would love for her to play Feinstein's and that I would come and bring 2 or 3 friends. Well, my wish is coming true tonight! Kate will perform songs from her enchanting album, Let's See What Happens, at Feinstein's at the Regency. I can't wait to hear one of my favorite performers - and favorite people - in my favorite room in New York City!

Happy Opening Night to A Little Night Music!

I'm not going to the performance, but I will be at the party tonight! Stay tuned for a full report!

Kerry Washington about Mamet's Race

Kerry Washington is making her Broadway debut in the premier of David Mamet's new play Race. Yesterday, she appeared on Live with Regis and Kelly:

Jeff (Probst, guest hosting): As far as playwrights go, David Mamet, one of the greatest and you're originating this role.
Kerry: [Somebody] called me up at one point and said, 'So like to the end of the time, when people buy this script your name is going to be in this David Mamet play.' And I said, 'Yeah, it's like kind of amazing because he's this Pulitzer prize-winning, prolific person.'
Kelly: But he writes so many of words. I mean, it's a lot of dialogue. Did you have an anxiety attack when you read the script?
Kerry: No, you know, I was so excited about this character and about this piece and I just dove right in and thought the better I learn them, the better off I'll be.
Kelly: Tell us the premise of the play.
Kerry: The play is about lawyers at a law firm who get approached to represent a Caucasian gentleman in a case, he's been arrested and is being accused of raping a black woman.
Kelly: So it brings up all kinds of uncomfortable race issues that nobody ever wants to talk about.
Kerry: Yeah, but you know these issues are issues that uncomfortable but also everybody gets it. You know, we all deal with racism and sexism and classicism. So this show is accessible and funny and uncomfortable and scary and all of those things.

Known as a movie star ( "Ray" and "The Last King of Scotland"), she grew up in the Bronx and was a member of Tada! Youth Theatre as a teenager. Recently, President Obama appointed Kerry to the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

In November, shortly before the show began previews, I had the opportunity to attend an All Blogger Media Event with the cast of Race. The case also includes Richard Thomas, James Spader and David Alan Grier. A podcast was created - click here to listen.

Race is playing an open ended run at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on West 47th Street. Discount tickets are available via Broadwaybox.

The Harriet Walter Society is Hereby Called to Order

We were indelibly changed over the summer: we saw Mary Stuart on Broadway, numerous times, but not nearly enough. We loved it for its sheer poetry, its ferocity, its beauty, its simplicty and most of all its actors - especially Harriet Walter who so subtly and smartly played Queen Elizabeth.

We swooned like fan girls at the stage door.

We made up games about her, thanks to a camera mishap at the Tony Awards (both she and her co-star the inimitable Janet McTeer were nominated for Best Actress in a Play).

It became the Summer of Harriet Walter.

Then it happened. Our leader Karigee revisited a Dorothy L. Sayers book. Turns out, since Karigee is no dum dum, she also knew that Harriet Walter had starred with Edward Petherbridge in series of television movies based on the Sayers books. At this point, Karigee really fell hard, taking Roxie and me with her.

Thus was born the Dorothy L. Sayers Traveling Book Club and the Harriet Walter Society. On Saturday, we devoted our weekend to Harriet Walter, and thereby Dorothy L. Sayers and Jane Austen too and even another favorite mystery writer of mine, Dame Agatha Christie.

We began our day at The Morgan Library and Museum where we saw their Jane Austen exhibition. We then shared 24 hours of viewing of various Harriet Walter: Dorothy L. Sayers Mysteries (The Lord Peter Wimsey-Harriet Vane Collection - Strong Poison / Have His Carcass / Gaudy Night), the Poirot mystery Cat Among the Pigeons, and Sense and Sensibility (twice!) We supplemented the evening (and morning and afternoon) with reading favorite passages from the books and youtube clips .

And though all of it may sound like fan girl love, it's so much deeper. This love of Harriet Walter and Dorothy L. Sayers is a manifistation of like minds searching for inspiration through literature and performance. These Dorothy L. Sayers books are not mere cozy mystery novels, they are laced with beauty, brilliance, poetry and above all, true love.

This society we have created glows with respect for these heroins (and our hero Lord Peter Wimsey) but also overflows from laughter and a sense of adventure. And while there are at least two who should be included and would be admitted to the society if they would only read Dorothy's masterpieces as we demand, it is small and cloistered and practically perfect as it is.

(All photos by leader and official picture taker Karigee!)

(Thoroughly artsy craftsy swag by official crafter RoxieZ!)

Hey New Jerseyans (and those who just want to pretend) Support ArtPride NJ

If you don't know my darling friend Roxie, you should. She is a freelance costume designer for numerous New Jersey theatres and works at The Community Theatre at Mayo Center for the Performing Arts and The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey. She told me today that the State of New Jersey announced that it was freezing the 10 million dollars that it promised to arts organizations for this fiscal year. This includes at least two of her many employers, both of whom are now short over $150,000 – money that is needed to literally just keep the lights on (well, and to pay her…). This money comes from the hotel tax which was set up specifically to provide arts grants and which has been used illegally for other state projects for some time now (so imagine her surprise when it was announced that there is no more money for the arts).

Now, NJ Art Pride has set up a quick form letter to send to state officials asking to reconsider the freeze. The dearth of money may mean the end of these organizations, which would be financially devastating to my whole community. So, if you have a moment today, as somebody who has attended performances in New Jersey and as a favor to my dear friend Roxie, I would so very much appreciate if you wanted to pretend to be a New Jerseyan and help all of us bury our officials in letters.

Thanks, thanks, and ever thanks (hey! That’s from a play!) from the bottom of Roxie's poor, non-profit heart!

Here's what you need to do as a member or supporter of any arts organization effected by this freeze:

1) Visit www.artpridenj.com

2) When the homepage comes up, please click on the flashing box on the left top that says Action Alert and has stars on it (red, white and blue).

3) It will prompt you for a zip code, so please enter your home zip code (here's one if you need a Jersey zip - 07042).

4) Then you will select the top item called, "state funding freeze impact on cultural community."

This will automatically create several emails that will be written on your behalf to state officials.

5) All you need to do is to enter your name after the word Sincerely and then enter your address (if you need a Jersey address, email me and I'll give you one) and email address and then click on the box that has an automatic check mark that would put you on their mailing list and this will remove the check mark so that you are not signing up for anything at all and simply sending emails to the state officials.

6) Then click send.

Your message will be sent to Governor Corzine AND your local legislative district.

Susan Graham to perform at Midland Lee High School!

What: Mezzo soprano Susan Graham and pianist Doug Montgomery

When: 7 p.m. Monday

Where: Lee High School Auditorium

Tickets: Free!

Info: On Tuesday, Susan Graham will visit with students in Paula Edwards choir classes at Lee High School. Sept. 5 is Susan Graham day here.

Read more in the Midland Reporter-Telegram

Ack! I'm missing this by one lousy week as I don't arrive in Midland until the 21st. Nevertheless, I have implored my sister and my mother to attend. My sister lives mere blocks from Lee High School. (PS now my niece Cara also has something in common with Suzy and me - we have all performed on the stage of Lee High School Auditorium!)

My new love: The Morgan Library and Museum

On Saturday, Kari, Roxie and I visited The Morgan Library & Museum to kick off our Harriet Walter Weekend. (More on that later.) The point is that I am now completely in love with The Morgan.















We specifically went to indulge in a little Jane Austen love. A Woman's Wit: Jane Austen's Life and Legacy is currently running through March 14, 2010. This exhibition explores the life, work, and legacy of Jane Austen. There are a number of her letters to her sister, as well as some of her original manuscripts and of those who influenced her. There's also short documentary film in which Harriet Walter has a say. Ah ha!

We also visited the small gallery Celebrating Puccini . The exhibit features original playbills, production posters, letters, librettos, and manuscripts from Giacomo Puccini's lifetime of work. There are two listening stations featuring vintage recordings of his opera. I got lost listening to Renata Tebaldi sing Un Bel Di, recording in the 1950s. It was heavenly.

We paused in the Morgan Cafe for cappucinos and tea and then wandered around J.P. Morgan's study and browsed the volumes of European literature from the 16th through 20th century the in his majestic library. We saw a Gutenberg Bible too. The Morgan is a stunning mix of Morgan's original mansion built at the end of the 19th century and a 21st century modern facility, both majestic and bright.

The Divine Jane: Reflections on Austen from The Morgan Library & Museum on Vimeo.

Angela & Catherine: Star Power on Broadway

Missed Angela Lansbury and Catherine Zeta-Jones on Good Morning America this morning? Click here: Star Power on Broadway. They are even gorgeous at the crack of dawn.

Renée Fleming, Bart Sher on the Metropolitan Opera at PBS' Art Beat

PBS' Jeffrey Brown talks to Renée Fleming and Bart Sher: Monday on the NewsHour: The Metropolitan Opera's Grand Revitalization Act

This Friday: TIPA Celebrates Edgar Allan Poe

This Friday, December 12th, the TIPA Project presents Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of The Birth of An American Literary Giant: Edgar Allan Poe. A number of Poe's works, including "The Raven" and "The Tell-Tale Heart", will be read by Tony winners Fritz Weaver and Tammy Grimes, as well as Larry Pine ("Royal Family") and Betsy Von Furstenberg.

The TIPA Project, or Toward International Peace Through the Arts, was founded by Stanley Tannen. Mr. Tannen began organizing readings in 1972. In 2006, the president of the United Nations Society of Writers nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize. 2009 marks Mr. Tannen's 38th year as a peace advocate and activist dedicated to promoting the Humanities as an instrument for peace.

The reading begins at 12:30 pm in the sanctuary at Saint Peter's Church, 619 Lexington Avenue at 54th Street. It is free and open to the public.

Front Page Stars!

My Little Loves Cody, Cara & Camilla were on the front page of the Midland Reporter-Telegram!

A Town & Country Christmas with Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch

Tomorrow night, there are two more chances to catch the annual A Town & Country Christmas with Christine Ebersole & Billy Stritch at Birdland. It's a grin inducing, toe tapping mix of seasonal and holiday songs. Billy's arrangements swing and Christine lends clarion vocals to the classic "I'll Be Home for Christmas" but throws it down Pearl Bailey style with "5 Pound Box of Money." It's not all jazz - Christine's rendition of Joni Mitchell's "River" is fairly heart-wrenching and worth the price of the ticket in itself.