The ambitious intentions of a playwright resulted in the impressive, and enjoyable, “August Wilson Century Cycle” box set.It consists of a play for every decade of the 20th century that would chronicle some part of the black experience in America.
Through the use of his great ear for dialogue, Wilson (4/45 – 10/05) was able to give us some insight into the daily life – both struggles and triumphs – of an assortment of universal characters that his audience could easily recognize.
An amazing undertaking, but, his huge vision was realized and it resulted in 2 Pulitzer Prizes, a Tony award and many other accolades. He accomplished a lot doing what he loved to do and perhaps more importantly, August Wilson left a powerful body of work that will be read and performed for years to come. Dreaming big has rewards of all kinds.
All 10 of August Wilson’s plays are collected in hard cover with a nice presentation box. Each has an introduction by an actor, director or writer familiar with his work
In 2005, August Wilson completed the ten-play cycle:
Picky, Picky, Picky is how I describe much of the conversation surrounding the 2012 release of Les Misérables. The noise is that the movie is not the (Musical) play and that of the director’s choice to shoot and record the actors singing live on camera, (no lip syncing) making some viewers uncomfortable. Too bad.
There have been over ten theatrical or movie interpretations of Les Miserables and not one of them was the original story. Critics and some viewers wasted their time in not seeing this movie production as something new vs. comparing it to what they had already seen and knew. It’s OK not to like this film, but dislike it because it’s a movie you don’t like and not because it is not the play.
Les Miserables 2012 is an original piece of art, a spectacular movie, beautifully staged, acted and in most cases well sung. If your thought is that the Broadway musical is the only experience you want to remember or have then don’t see this film. It is different and special in its own way.
The music for ” West Side Story” works so well and it is the reason for me to want to see this new revival. The story everyone will admit is an old story. The dancing is wonderful and the staging magnificent, but it is the music and score that stays with you. I hope the current production has not gotten caught in using special effects to tell this story.
Stephen Sondheim
You should be able to love this play with your eyes shut. Also
Somebody has to figure out a way to make “Broadway” affordable again.
Sonny Rollins A Remarkable Jazz Musician, whose music sounds as fresh to me as it did in 1955 celebrates his 80th birthday at the Beacon Theater in New York. Some things are the way they are supposed to be-Sonny Rollins still going strong at 80. Blessed.
Le pont / Bamako / Mali / 2008 by Joel Andrianomearisoa
The Herzliya Museum of Contemporary Art opening reception January 9th of “A Collective Diary:
An African Contemporary Journey”, featuring the work of 12 African contemporary artists.
Art always captures the truth, as it is witnessed by the artist. There is no attempt to conceal. This exhibit is a part of a group show that has been traveling the world and displays Africa’s cultural diversity in its art and thinking.
This quote, attributed to Tennessee Williams is said differently in the 2008 film Transsiberian (“Kill off my demons and My angels might die too”) can be said about all of us. The heroine Jessie, played by Emily Mortimer who’s beauty is hidden by the innocent gangling lumber of her walk and a face that says there should be freckles here and a cow nearby. For all its plainess, the visuals are spectacular, there is a sense of nowhere and dread in this thriller. If you have ever traveled somewhere not knowing the customs or language you will revisit your fears of that time in watching this movies. Good fun.
Cate Blanchette in Streetcar Named Desire
Keeping in touch with Tennessee Williams and quoting him through Blanche DuBois “I don’t want realism. I want magic!” Yes, yes, magic. I try to give that to people. I do misrepresent things. I don’t tell truths. I tell what ought to be truth.” Magic is where the Poetry is. The truth is never as much fun. Cate Blanchett who is starring in Liv Ullmann‘s “Streetcar Named Desire” is a magical actor and perfect fit for what I hear is a transformational point of view for this Tennessee Williams play.
Picky, Picky, Picky is how I describe much of the conversation surrounding the 2012 release of 
