The recently opened museum of posters presents Alfonse Mucha: Art Nouveau / Nouvelle Femme, its inaugural exhibition of posters and decorative objects; on view from June 20-October 6, 2019
Alphonse Mucha,Sarah Bernhardt/La Plume [1896] Lithograph / On loan from the Richard Fuxa FoundationBasking in the luxurious decorations, femininity, and beauty of Art Nouveau style of the belle époque Europe, the exhibition of about 80 works by Alphonse Mucha aims to bring back the history and the glory the poster-art. Mucha was a Czech artist who became famous overnight when he designed a poster for Sarah Bernhardt’s play Gismonda in 1894. As the legend goes, on Christmas Day in 1894, Mucha was doing the proofs at the printing house when an urgent request for a poster came from none other than Sarah Bernhardt herself for a reopening of her play on January 1. Because of the holiday downtime, Mucha was the only one available to do the job. Mucha’s innovative design, subtle colors, and new accents impressed Bernhardt and his new poster style captivated Paris for the next two decades. Mucha’s signature halo-over-the-head design, intricate details and adornments, soft colors, and the double-length layout were perfect for storefront and street advertisement.
The exhibition of Mucha’s major works presents his art in two galleries. One gallery is dedicated to the advertising posters, which include designs for theaters, cookie brands, the beer-producing region, and bicycles and spirit companies among others. The second gallery shows the posters made for decorative purposes.
Alphonse Mucha, Bières de la Meuse [1897], LithographThe exhibition curators rightfully credit Mucha with revolutionizing the world of advertising by placing la femme nouvelle, confident and adventurous in her choices, at the center of his compositions. His collaboration with Sarah Bernhardt, the most famous actress of her time, who herself was a strong, independent, and entrepreneurial person, resulted in such celebrated works as Gismonda, La Tosca, Hamlet, Medee, and other posters. Created for theater plays staring Bernhardt, these works demonstrate “le style Mucha” which dominated the art world from the early 1890s to 1910. All the works in the exhibition are on loan from Richard Fuxa Foundation in Prague. Alphonse Mucha: Art Nouveau / Nouvelle Femme is on view until October 6, 2019.
The Russian Arts Theater & Studio’s lively production of Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull retells a timeless story of despair, vanity, and the fleeting power of success; EXTENDED till June 1, 2019 at Pushkin Hall
A scene from The Seagull by Anton Chekhov by The Russian Arts Theater & Studio; Photo by Jared Biunno
The world of Chekov’s contemporaries masterfully recreated in the script by the genius playwright is vividly staged by the esteemed theater director Aleksey Burago of The Russian Arts Theater & Studio. It’s an all too familiar story of the misunderstandings and missed opportunities accentuated by the ultimate insensitivity and selfishness of the characters tied together by circumstances and family connections.
Ranging from the veteran theater actors to those who are just launching their artistic careers, the cast in this enthusiastic and engaging production makes Chekhov’s drama accessible and relatable. And while each of character is thinking of doing good to others, egotism subverts their actions and leads to a disastrous finale.
A play about the life of the beloved author of fairy-tales Hans Christian Andersen opens at The Duke on 42nd Street from May 5 – May 25, 2019
Jimmy Ray Bennett as HANS CHRISTIAN ANDERSEN: TALES REAL & IMAGINED by Ensemble for the Romantic Century; Photo credit: Shirin Tinati
The Ensemble for the Romantic Century tells a story about Andersen’s life by weaving in Andersen’s autobiographical writings, his fairy tales, and the emotionally deep musical scores by Britten, Purcell, Part, Stravinsky, and Barber. The production about the beloved children’s book writer is much more serious and deep than the name suggests. It runs at The Duke on 42nd Street from May 5 – May 25, 2019.
The artistic directors of the Hans Christian Andersen: Tales Real & Imagined use the genre of theatrical concert, combining theater, classical music repertoire, voice, and puppets. Accompanied by highly sensual music, Eve Wolf’s script tells the touching story of Andersen’s life by intertwining biographical details with references to the characters from his famous fairy tales. The scores by Purcell, Britten, Arvo Part, Stravinsky, and Barber organically color the episodes of Andersen’s life in tense, poetic, and desperate hues. Performed by the outstanding pianists Max Barros and Carlos Avila, and a formidable percussionist Shiqi Zhong, the music often takes an upper hand over the rest of the production’s components.
Jimmy Ray Bennet stars as Andersen with countertenors Daniel Moody and Randall Scotting alternating as Andersen’s dearest friend Edvard Collin. They are joined on stage by the familiar puppets from The Ugly Duckling, The Princess and the Pea, The Little Mermaid, and other fairy tales. While giving a nod to Andersen’s childhood interests in the puppet theater, the puppets and the puppeteers are a tenuous addition to the show. The musicians and singers, on the other hand, save the day by making the music tell it all.
Mobile Unit presents a dynamic production of The Tempest by William Shakespeare at The Public Theater from May 3 – May 19, 2019
The Public Theater’s Mobile Unit production of The Tempest. Photo credit: Joan Marcus
Mobile Unit, a touring company that seeks to bring theater and culture to people, is “parking” at The Public Theater at Astor’s Place until May 19, 2019 with William Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The engaging and energetic production has already traveled to 17 diverse communities such as recreational centers, chapels, and correctional facilities. The idea that culture belongs to everyone drives the production creators’ passion and excitement.
Laurie Woolery, production director, reimagines the traditional gender roles in Shakespeare’s play and brings a feminine touch to the characters of Prospero, and others in this fluid and fun take on a theatrical classic. Myra Lucretia Taylor as Prospero softens the spell of dark magic while a rowdy bunch of anti-heroes skillfully keep the audience entertained and amused. The villains and conspirators genuinely played by Christopher Ryan Grant, Reza Salazar, and Dan Domingues are enthralled by the spell of kindness and reconciliation propagated by the spirit Ariel, who is gracefully played by Danaya Esperanza. The talented cast gets a standing ovation for its mastery
and authenticity. Enjoy this fast-paced and fun production and celebrate the love and kindness in the company of like-minded peers.
August Strindberg’s 19th-century drama The Dance of Death opens in repertory at the Classic Stage Company from February 10, 2019 through March 10, 2019
Christopher Innvar, Cassie Beck, Rich Topol in AUGUST STRINDBERG, Dance of Death at Classic Stage Company; photo by Joan Marcus
A discerning examination of a married couple’s bond is observed by August Strindberg in The Dance of Death, which is staged by Classic Stage Company. Strindberg’s play, adapted for this new version by Conor McPherson and directed by Victoria Clark, was written in 1900 when the playwright himself was in the midst of a divorce. The elements of Strindberg’s personal life, the ills of Sweden’s society at the turn of the previous century, the ever-present concerns about complacency, competing intentions, and ubiquitous soul-searching are all interwoven into the story.
Stuck on a remote island at the coastal artillery outpost, the couple’s relationships grew from slight annoyance with each other to open contempt. Haunted by the aversion to their associates and the disdain of their superiors, Edgar, authentically played by Richard Topol, and his wife Alice, accurately portrayed by Cassie Beck, isolate themselves to the company of each other with no discernible way out of the tense situation. The arrival of their old friend and relative Kurt, played with ease by Christopher Innvar, promises a chance of revival and change. Yet, in Strindberg’s keen depiction of reality, the dark forces dominate and the jabs only get more potent furling the couple closer together in their unhappy dance to the end. Get tickets at 56% offwith TodayTIX
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