Photo of the Day

Thank you, Jake Chessum and New York Magazine for this glorious photo of Marian Seldes and Lily Rabe.  It's in the September 26th edition of New York Magazine.

Renée Fleming and Lang Lang at the Kennedy Center

Sally, Kari, Roxie and I fancypantsed ourselves south to Washington, D.C. on Saturday for the National Symphony Orchestra's (NSO) season opener at the Kennedy Center.  The guest artists were Renée Fleming and Lang Lang - obviously our reason for the journey.  It was also Maestro Christoph Eschenbach's first concert as the new director of the NSO. 

It was the best concert in recent memory for many of us.  Besides being our first classical evening of the 2010/11 season, I don't think we could have had a better program.

What a treat it was to hear Renée sing Strauss' Cacilie and Morgen, on top of Strauss' Four Last Songs .  It is my opinion, that nobody sings Strauss better than her and I have heard others try.   Maestro Eschenbach provided piano accompaniment for Renée's Morgen.  Lang Lang sat behind the orchestra for this and seemed to be just as transported by this gorgeous piece as the rest of the audience. I first became a fan of Renée's because of concert at the Chatelet du Paris that was broadcast on the Ovation TV over and over - Maestro Eschenbach was the conductor. I felt very moved by seeing them perform together on Saturday night. I think he will have to whip the NSO into better shape, but he's definitely in the lead by bringing Renée and Lang Lang to get the party started.


Renée's gowns were sensational, as usual.  It was great fun to see her mock a diva tantrum when she saw that concert master Nurit Bar-Josef also wore green.   Her bling was especially BLING for the evening, particularly after she changed into her black gown for her encore of Morgen.  Oh my God, my cones and rods are still burned from a sort of diamond ball of a ring.  It caught the light when she walked out on stage and I swear if it had been an open roof, it would have been like the Batman Signal. I tried to get a closer look at it backstage, but it might have been awkward to actually grab her hand and drool over it.


Wow! Lang Lang!  Live!  My friend Dustin turned to me after he finished and said, "He makes playing the piano look orgasmic."   His playing is completely consuming and exciting.   I usually love sitting ont he opposite side of the house so I can see the pianist's hands at work on the keys, but in this case, his face was just as expressive as his hands as he is performing.  He played the Liszt: Piano Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major.   After many bows, a second bench was added and Maestro Eschenbach joined him in a duet of Debussy's Petite Suite .   It was such fun to watch these two masters play this beautiful piece which was at once gorgeous and playful.  

It was a gala evening for the NSO and they were throwing a ball after the concert.   How fun it was to look down into the audience - a sea of gorgeous gowns and tuxes.  Among the glittery people, we saw Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg!  Wouldn't it be wonderful if more of our government leaders  attended classical concerts?   Wouldn't it provide them with a sense of peace they could pass on?   If only. 
It's always exciting being at the Kennedy Center where there is so much going on.  There was a lot of traffic going in and the parking garage was full.  The halls were teeming with excited people going to the many theatres for performances at the Washington National Opera and Cirko de Mente in the Terrace Theatre.  

In addition to our usual posse, we welcomed a newcomer to our backstage visit with Renée . It was our dear Roxie - she had only been a fan of Renée for five weeks and 7 hours by the end of the concert and it was fun hearing her tell her so. Chelsea and I, and others, have been yelling at her about what she's been missing for years - right when we were about to give up, she went and watched Armida  all on her own and that's the one that did it. Huh! Okay then!   How fun it was to see her meet La Diva, even though she nearly crushed my hand when I pulled her over for the introduction.   I particularly enjoyed Roxie telling Renée that she loves the Counting Song like no other.

We had the bonus of cheering for Lang Lang as he went through our group.   What a delight he was he thanked us and bowed to us.   We also shook hands with Maestro Eschenbach on our way out. 

As usual, being a fan of Renée's means that there will be lots of socializing in connection with her performances. We made a weekend of it - lots of adult refreshment, delicious dining and so much laughter that my voice is practically gone today. She is the tie that binds us and we are all grateful. Roxie said, "Renée's voice filled a void that I didn't know needed filling." Indeed, her voice gets us through tough times, cures loneliness, and above all brings joy. It's very special to be able to share this feeling with like minded friends.



My dear friend Wanda took these photos from her first row center seat. Had she been any closer, she would have been on the podium. She's a gem to share them with us. Thanks, Wanda!

Mingle with the Met Opera

Finally, it's opening night at the Met Opera!  There will be a live broadcast of Das Rheingold tonight on the Plaza at Lincoln Center as well as in Times Square.  It promises to be the very definition of a night at the opera  - a fabulous gala evening of fancy opera goers dressed in couture.  I doubt today's rain can dampen the festivities on the red carpet or in the house.

Although the rain will keep me from my planned viewing in Times Square, I'm sure there will be many tough New Yorkers willing to be wet for this broadcast.   This production of Wagner's Das Rheingold, part of the "Ring", is a highly anticipated new production by the innovative director Robert Lepage, is sold out except for Varis Rush Tickets.  

Fortunately, I have my ticket to be in the house on Thursday.  This will be only my second Wagner opera and first "Ring." Technically it's only a partial ring this season - I will see Die Walküre this spring and then “Siegfried” and “Götterdämmerung” will be next season.  All four operas - a complete cycle - will be in the spring, 2012.   I can't wait to see Bryn Terfel, whose face is plastered on buses, subway walls and phone booths all over New York City as this year's Met Opera Poster Child.   I'm also excited to see one of my favorite mezzo sopranos, Stephanie Blythe, and the very exciting bass Eric Owens.  Also, in the cast are Wendy Bryn Harmer, Patricia Bardon, Richard Croft, Gerhard Siegel, Franz-Josef Selig,  and Hans-Peter König who are all new to me. 

The audio of tonight's performance will also be streamed live on the Met's website and on Sirius Radio.  The Met has also created a handy page of tips, clips and production photos for this Ring.
 
Let the 2010/11 season begin!

Contest: Lang Lang's Live in Vienna CD!

I posted a few days ago about the brilliant pianist Lang Lang's new 2 disc recording, Live in Vienna.  It was recorded live at the Musikverein Concert Hall.  Live in Vienna hit top chart positions in all major countries around the world including the German, US, French & UK classical charts.  Live in Vienna also entered at the highest ever position in the POP charts in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Spain and France!  If you haven't already purchased this fabulous recording for your collection, now's your chance to get one for free provided by Sony Classical!  

In the comment section below, tell me about your own experience with Lang Lang or a particular piano recital - either your own or some other professional performer.   A random winner will be picked from those who commented on October 1st. 

October 1st Update:  Erin is our winner!  Congrats Erin!

Happy 36 to the First Broadway Revival of Gypsy

36 years ago today, Angela Lansbury opened in the first revival of Gypsy on Broadway.   It was a limited run of 120 performances.   Prior and post the run, she toured with it for years.  She also opened it in London's West End at the Picadilly Theatre in 1973.   In London, she won the Olivier and on Broadway she won the Tony.   All productions of Gypsy are similar, but Angela's "Rose" may be the only one with a high kick.

DiVaR Alert for Angela Lansbury!

On November 14, 2007, I spent an entire evening with Angela Lansbury.  At the Paley Center for Media in New York City, that is.   My friend Denise and I waited in line early and sat very near the front for the lovely evening of interview and television clips from Angela's career.   Marian Seldes and Brian Murray were seated on the row in front of us.  The whole evening was fabulous and fun.  Read my entire account here.

Now that evening is being condensed into a tight 30 minutes for PBS.  On Friday, October 8th, at 7:00 pm PBS local station WLIW 21 will present "At The Paley Center."    Check your local listings for broadcast to other cities.

Want to see more of the interview?  You can always go to the Paley Center (in New York, 50th Street between 6th & 5th Ave).  Visitors can watch an hour and members can watch up to 3 hours of programs at a time - almost everything that has been on television is archived and available for viewing on semi-private viewing screens.  There are also several viewing rooms  - check the schedule to see what's on these screens.  I highly recommend their upcoming "Musicals on Television" series. 

(television set image borrowed from the fabulous Intermezzo; lovingly edited by yours truly)

Update:  You can watch the Paley Center interviews online on Thirteen's site or here:

Watch the full episode. See more THIRTEEN Series.

Lang Lang Live!

Even though I took piano lessons and enjoy piano accompaniment, I had not really wandered into the territory of classical piano performers until Lang Lang.  I am completely enthralled by his rock star style - he's hot, hip and plays the piano like nobody's business.   I started following him on Twitter - I love that he's excited about sharing his success, sharing news about the world and connecting with his fans.   He's a dynamic young performer and is using his success as a commitment to world change - he's a Goodwill Ambassador for Unicef and often tweets about Unicef news.  Although he's brilliant at classical music, he obviously can get away with playing almost anything - I'm still loving that performance he gave at the Capital Fourth on PBS where he just kept going faster and faster on the "Stars and Stripes Forever" (I love a show off!) and of course, I was one of over 5,000,000 who saw him perform at the Beijing Olympics. 

Recently I received a review copy of Lang Lang's newest album, Live in Vienna,  from Sony Classical and I'm loving it!  It's a two cd set and was recorded live at the Musikverein Concert Hall in Vienna.   They sound so amazing on my iPod that it's almost unbelievable that it's recorded live.  It includes some amazing pieces by Beethoven, Albéniz, Prokofiev and Chopin.  I was unfamiliar with any of these pieces and find them consuming and exhilerating.  

The first CD is entirely Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 3 in C Major, Op. 2 and Piano Sonata No. 23 in F Minor, Op. 57 "Appassionata."  It's Lang Lang's first recording of these sonatas. 

The second CD is of the composers Albéniz, Prokofiev and Chopin: Albeniz's Iberia, Book I; Prokofiev's Piano Sonata No. 7 in B Flat Major, Op. 83; and three from Chopin - Etude Op. 25, No. 1 in A-Flat Major, Pononaise No. 6 in A-Flat Major, Op. 53 "Heroic" and Grande Valse Brillante No. 2 in A-Flat Major, Op. 34 No. 1. 

To listen to these pieces is a simple joy.  It's like taking refreshing and cool drink, yet, at times, the intensity is transportive and melting.  All of them sparkle under Lang Lang's fingers.  His touch of the keys is so light that my sense of hearing feels caressed.   My favorite track is the Beethoven Allegro con brio - it sounds like fairy angels dancing across the keys of the pianos.  I also love the Prokofiev - he flies on these pieces!

The concert was also visually recorded live for DVD and Blueray - I haven't seen it yet, but I can imagine that it would absolutely fly me straight into the Musikverein on that thrilling night.  The Blueray even includes 3-D footage! 

Lang Lang is on a U.S. tour right now: September 22 – Newark, NJ – Prudential Hall; September 25 – Washington D.C. – John F. Kennedy Center Concert Hall; September 29 – NYC – Carnegie Hall;
December 31 – NYC – Avery Fisher Hall.     December 31st will be the New York Philharmonic's traditional New Year's Eve Concert broadcast on Live from Lincoln Center on PBS.
 
I'll be one of the lucky audience members this Saturday the 25th when Lang Lang and Renée Fleming are under the direction of Maestro Christoph Eschenbach opening the National Symphony Orchestra's season at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.  
 

Revelation Readings at Red Bull Theater

Last night, I attended Red Bull Theater's special benefit evening on its annual Revelation Readings.  The presentation was a reading of Our Betters, by W. Somerset Maugham directed by Stuart Howard and assistant directed by Noah Himmelstein.   The cast included Julia Coffey, Miriam Silverman, Tovah Feldshuh, Joanna Gleason, George Akram, Michael Urie, Davis Hall, Christian Conn, Justin Blanchard, Tony Roach, and Gerry Bamman.  

Maugham's play Our Betters is rarely seen, perhaps for good reason.  During World War I, the British Foregn Affairs Office "feared it as 'Anti-Amerian' and didn't want to risk losing American support."  Maugham wrote it in 1917, but it wasn't published until 1921 or produced until 1923.  It tells the story of a group of Americans who have taken residence in England.  The women have done so via marrying English nobility in need of money - marriages for convenience and status.   It specially tells the story of a group of American women who seem to care only about status and a carefree life of wealth and are willing to gain this lifestyle through the manipulation of even their own family members and closest friends.    Conversely, those manipulated seem to know it's happening but accept their assignation.  

While its a bit long and repetitive, it's not entirely humorless.  It's full of delicious sarcasm.   Even though this was just a reading, director Stuart Howard staged it nicely with groups of chairs and cast members dressed appropriately to what their station in life might be, even if in contemporary clothes (Tovah wore a diamond necklace to die for).   It's fun to see what actors can do with just a reading, giving you a glimpse of what it might be like if they were off book - all of the facial expressions and gestures are there, especially by Tovah Feldshuh, Michael Urie, Julia Coffey and of course, Joanna Gleason.   In fact, the best moment of the evening came with a flub by Joanna - she had the audience in stitches with just the smallest wave of her hand.   Tovah was riot as an insecure older woman with a very young lover.  Michael Urie was delightfully droll as he delivered as the unattached entertainer of the group, so wealthy that he had nothing else to do.   

Seeing Julia Coffee  in a production again was a treat.  I loved her in last year's The Widowing of Mrs. Holroyd, also directed by Stuart Howard.   I don't know if its just that she's an amazing actor, full of poise and grace or it's that Stuart brings it out in her.  I have a feeling that it's both.   Julia might be one of those actresses who can bring it in any occasion. 

In a fun turn of casting, George Akram was cast as the gigolo dance instructor "Ernesto."  "Ernesto" was talked about with much swooning by Tovah's character "Duchesse Minnie."  He makes his entrance at the very end and wins her over.  George plays "Bernardo" in the current Broadway production of West Side Story.  Prior to making his Broadway debut, he was a dancer in Las Vegas.  On top of his devatasting good looks, he's one of the nicest young men on Broadway and hasn't missed a performance of West Side Story except for planned vacation.  Bravo George!

The Red Bull Theater stages their productions in the Theater @ St. Clement's.  It features around 150 raised seats in a charming setting - brick walls with stained glass window surround.  It's located on 46th Street, between 9th and 10th Avenues.   Ticket prices range from $17 for students/industry to $33 for regular seating.   Most of the readings take place on Monday evenings and draw A-list actors to their casts (F. Murray Abraham, Jan Maxwell, Maria Dizzia, Jessica Hecht, and more).  In addition, they will premier a new adaptation of The Witch of Edmonton from January 25 through February 13, 2011.

Morning Edition Patti

Patti LuPone has published her memoirs:  Patti LuPone: A Memoir.   Catchy title, Patti. 

This morning, Patti talked to NPR's Susan Stamberg on Morning Edition.  Patti has the tendency to complain and point fingers, but as usual, Susan finds the positive, including recounting a fabulous story about the power Patti can have over her audience:  "A friend of mine, radio producer Neva Grant, took her 12-year-old daughter to see LuPone. You know, at 12 or 13, you don't want to be anywhere near your own mother — don't want to touch your mother and don't want her to touch you. But then LuPone began to sing "Rose's Turn." At the absolute climax of the song, this happens: 'And suddenly, just instinctively, my daughter reaches out and she just grabs my hand as if we're on a roller coaster," Grant says. "She's grabbing my wrist like, 'Oh, my God!' '"    That, my friends, is the Power of Patti.   She'll do it to you every time.

St. Bridget, Deliver Us to Beekman Place

Today, I saw a very enjoyable staged reading of the York Theatre's Mufti of the 1969 musical Coco which starred Katharine Hepburn about Coco Chanel with Chris Caggiano and Kevin Daly.   Andrea Marcovicci starred as Coco.  Even if she wasn't the best voice (come on, neither was Hepburn),  she was perfectly costumed, although "Mufti" translates to street clothes and we were told that the actors used their own wardrobe. I loved her clothes and sparkly accessories - very Coco Chanel!  I enjoyed her witty delivery very much.   Andre Previn's score is lovely as well, even just on piano accompaniment.  It was a bonus that the delightful Lewis Cleale and Charles Kimbrough were members of the company.

After dinner, Kevin and I went in search of Beekman Place, which is off 51st and 1st Avenue.   It's a swanky little street tucked just above the FDR and north of the Union.  Best of all, Beekman Place is where Auntie Mame "lived!"   I could fairly here the strains of a bugle. I've been meaning to pilgrimage there for years and today was finally the right day to do it.   Katharine Cornell lived on Beekman Place too.   The Grand Duchy of Luxembourg's travel office is at 17 Beekman Place, and although we didn't see the sign about it, Irving Berlin once lived there!

After, we stepped across the street and up a block to 49th Street, between 2nd & 3rd Avenue, aka Katharine Hepburn Place. Her town home - 244 East 49th Street - is available for rent for only $27,500 per month.    Kevin and I passed on filling out the lease for at least now.

The Stephen Sondheim Theatre, New Marquees, Plus a Couple of Load Ins

I moseyed down to Times Square after work today to see the new sign on the Stephen Sondheim Theatre plus a few of the  marquees for the 2010/11 Broadway season.  I gave up on seeing more when I realized that I had lost my brand new monthly metro card.   I said a curse word and proceeded to buy a single ride home, but not before I checked out the view inside the stage door of the Jacobs.  I'm starting to feel excited about seeing a few new Broadway shows.