“Yidishe Glik” at the Arbeter Ring/Worksmen’s Circle
Aug
11
2012
In “Yidishe Glik”, Shloyme Mikhoels (1890 – 1948), the great Yiddish actor/orator and head of the Moscow Jewish State Theater, is a master of pantomime and “attains the summit of ethnic Jewish dandyism.” (Osip Mandelstam writing in a Leningrad newspaper, 1925 – as quoted in Bridge of Light by J. Hoberman)
California’s designing women unfurled
Aug
9
2012
There’s a wonderful show, “California’s Designing Women, 1896–1986,” just opening at the Autry National Center; a marvelous retrospective of the artistic women who contributed in design fields from the late-19th century through the end of the Twentieth.
Eulogizing Marvin Hamlisch
Aug
7
2012
Barbra Streisand, who worked closely with Mr. Hamlisch throughout his career and performed many of his songs, said in a statement on Tuesday afternoon: “I’m devastated. He was my dear friend. He’s been in my life ever since the first day I met him in 1963, when he was my rehearsal pianist for ‘Funny Girl.’ ...
The great Mitzi Gaynor recalls Jack Cole, courtesy of UCLA Film & Television Archive
After a screening on Saturday August 4, 2012, of THE I DON’T CARE GIRL (Twentieth Century Fox, 1953), we enjoyed a fun panel discussion of the film. It all happened at the Billy Wilder Theater of the Hammer Museum under the auspices of UCLA Film & Television Archives, which had a rare print of the ...
Jack Cole’s 3 dance masterpieces from “The I Don’t Care Girl”
We’re watching a rare 35mm print of the film tonight, courtesy of UCLA Film & Television Archive. Here’s what all the fuss is about, in order of appearance in the film: The Johnson Rag I Don’t Care Beale Street Blues
Mambo!
I enjoyed interviewing Kelly Todd, the choreographer of the vivacious production of West Side Story on now at the Chance Theater in Orange County. Read my piece in the Los Angeles Times. While you are reading … listen up! Like this? Read more … Movie musical talk with George Chakiris Line up the geniuses: West ...
Southwest Chamber Music’s plein air concert at The Huntington
A terrific, even heady, evening of chamber music at the Huntington Gallery in San Marino last night — a neatly tailored program of French composers for a Sunday’s eve by Southwest Chamber Music. After picnicking on the manicured lawn, we repaired to the gallery’s high-ceilinged, red-tiled patio-loggia decorated with doric columns and marble busts. There ...
Bob Fosse’s “From This Moment On” from Kiss Me, Kate 1
Thirty years as a dance critic focused on classical ballet and modern dance has led me to a new fascination: high-impact commercial dance of stage and screen. It fits my mood to see dancers hustle with high energy — and entertain. This number features Carol Haney, a Jack Cole dancer and rehearsal assistant to Gene ...
Southwest Chamber Music’s French Chef-inspired performances @ The Huntington
Jul
25
2012
I’m attending a beautiful chamber music concert in San Marino, just south of Pasadena, this weekend. It’s the Southwest Chamber Music Summer Festival at The Huntington. It’s part of a beautiful themed food & music summer festival celebrating the centenary of the French Chef, Julia Child. Child was born in Pasadena. Her years in post-WWII ...
Death of a writer 1
Jul
23
2012
From the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences: Oscar-winning screenwriter Frank Pierson died today in Los Angeles of natural causes following a short illness. He was 87. A three-time Academy Award® nominee, Pierson won an Oscar for his original screenplay of “Dog Day Afternoon.” He received nominations for “Cat Ballou” and “Cool Hand Luke.” ...