New York Film Festival – A bold drama with “Blitz”

No peeking!

Unless you’re wheelchair-bound James Stewart in a Hitchcock classic. In a one-evening event, the Westport Country Playhouse presented “Rear Window” to a captivated audience. Mark Shanahan, art director and Hitchcock expert, spoke briefly to introduce the film and then elaborated on elements that made us want to see it again immediately! Another thrill for Hitchcockians is the stage adaptation of The 39 steps which will take place from October 22nd to November 9th. The 39 steps won the Tony and Drama Desk Awards a few years ago when it was on Broadway. Four actors play over 100 characters – a remarkable tribute to the master of suspense! With easy access by train and taxi and excellent on-site dining, a visit to this Connecticut landmark is a getaway in itself.

b⁷

No, it’s not a new vitamin – just a cryptic abbreviation for Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, performed in the newly renovated David Geffen Hall. If you haven’t yet visited this new jewel in Lincoln Center’s crown, stop by soon to purchase a ticket or simply grab a coffee or drink. There is plenty of seating in the spacious lobby. The hall itself is quite a change from the previous layout. The real thrill lies within – everything is new and a subtle nod to the other gem – the Metropolitan Opera House – as the crystal light begins to rise and then nods playfully to the audience before fading out.

Manfred Honeck, currently 17^Th During my season as music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, I conducted the magnificent New York Philharmonic Orchestra in this masterpiece that made my heart beat faster. Reacquaint yourself with the thrill of live classical music. It’s a gift you should give yourself often!

What a Cahn artist!

Jeff Harnar rightly earned this nickname when he paid homage to master lyricist Sammy Cahn at Birdland. Most would recognize Cahn’s songs – he received 26 Oscar nominations for his work – more than anyone else – and won four. Jeff reminded us that Cahn put more words in Frank Sinatra’s mouth than anyone else. “All the Way” and “Call Me Irresponsible” are examples of songs we are all familiar with, but when Jeff gives them his signature style and grace, they are reborn. If you missed this performance, have no fear! A CD with the title Jeff Harnar sings Sammy Cahn: The Second Time Around is available on Amazon.

Left on the tenth

When was the last time you described a Broadway show as heartwarming? If your answer to this question were a sigh, Left on the tenth will fill this gap. Based on the memoirs of Delia Ephron and beautifully directed by Susan Stroman, this portrait of late-life romance is at times funny, at times emotional. Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher are thoroughly convincing and it’s fun to watch them navigate this story. They are more than ably supported by Peter Francis James and Kate MacCluggage, who play more different characters than I can count, and are a joy to watch. Two other stars of this show are Beowulf Boritt for his beautiful set design and Ken Billington, who added just the right touch with the lighting so that the stunning projections come to life with the change of season and hour.

I like America

So proclaimed Noël Coward when he wrote this hymn to the USA. It was the title of an evening hosted by the York Theater in honor of Master’s 125^Th birthday and in honor of Barry Day OBE. Steve Ross wore Coward’s own green jacket (given to him by the Noël Coward Society) and was not only music director but also took part in the singing.

Photo Genevieve Rafter Keddy

He was joined by Simon Jones, who performed a quintessential version of “A Bar on the Piccola Marina,” and KT Sullivan. Jim Dale presented Day with a plaque from the Noël Coward Foundation in recognition of his tireless efforts to promote Coward and his works. Day also developed this program, which he directed with the assistance of Joseph Hayward.

Before there was Oklahoma!

There was Green makes lilacs grow in 1931 by Lynn Riggs, which was the source material for this groundbreaking Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. And before that there was by the same author. A native of Oklahoma, Riggs wrote nearly 30 plays about popular life in the Southwest. We are fortunate to have Mint Theater Company, whose mission is to present meaningful plays that would otherwise be lost to the passage of time and history. This is this 1925 book that expresses a young woman’s longing for an independent life with very few options. It touched my heart – let it touch yours too.

Photo Genevieve Rafter Keddy

The verse songs

A clever idea from David Alpern became reality on Don’t Tell Mama with the help of Karen Murphy and Steve Ross. How easy! How rewarding! And this evening was like never before. Classics from the American Songbook highlighted the oft-ignored verse, acting like the frame of a beautiful painting. Who had ever heard the verse of one of the great standards “As Time Goes By” by Herman Hupfeld? Very few, and Steve delivered it, it’s like a treasure that it is. Karen’s full rendition of Strangers in Paradise was a revelation. The brilliant people who made up this trio knew that swaying back and forth to this music wasn’t enough and they graciously included a few sing-alongs for the appreciative audience.