Judy Garland fans will enjoy the new series at the Film Society of Lincoln CenterJudy Garland: All Dancin' All Singin' All Judy! July 26-August 9. We saw The Pirate, 1948, and it is delightful with Judy and her co-star Gene Kelly and wonderful Cole Porter music. Ziegfeld Follies, 1946, with an all star cast, is another splendid MGM entertainment. Probably, her finest film for her singing and acting was A Star is Born, 1954, with James Mason, and it was marvelous to see it again in the newly restored three hour version. Easter Parade, 1948, was her only film with Fred Astaire, and as the ad said at the time it was released, it was "The happiest musical ever made". Quite true. Finally, one of the finest biopics Till the Clouds Roll By, 1946, about the life of Jerome Kern, with an all star cast singing his glorious music and with Judy playing Marilyn Miller. They are five of the most entertaining films of all time.
The Pretty Trap is a one-act version of The Glass Menagerie, and a fine cast headed by Katharine Houghton gave a splendid performance opening night, with Rex Reed reading a hilarious tale of his interview with Tennessee Williams after the curtain call. We then celebrated in the lounge at Theatre Row.
A press conference was held at the Korean Services gallery to introduce the director Ho Jin Yun, and the two cast members Sung Hwa Jeong and Sang Eun Lee, who will star in Hero at the David Koch Theater from August 23 to September 3. After a Q & A, both artists sang a song from the musical, and then we were invited to enjoy a typical Korean lunch. I look forward to seeing this exciting new show.
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I attended the reception following Joel Grey & Jon Robin Baitz/In Conversation at the Museum of the City of New York. Bebe Neuwirth was among the guests.
I attended the reception following Joel Grey & Jon Robin Baitz/In Conversation at the Museum of the City of New York. Bebe Neuwirth was among the guests.
There was a photo op for the new cast of Rent at New World Stages, and I will attend the opening night performance on August 11.
A magnificent NYC Dance Alliance Foundation Gala Bright Lights! Shining Stars! was held at the Skirball Center with a cocktail party, followed by a wonderful program of song and dance, with Roberta Flack receiving the Ambassador of the Arts Award, ending with a desert and champagne party in the Penthouse. Among the performers and guests were Brenda Braxton, Karine Plantadit, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ramona Singer and Miss New York Kaitlin Monte.
Lindsay-Ann Valentine Fernandes and Brittany Montanaro won the Ellen's Stardust Diner's Same Sex Wedding Contest, and celebrated at the restaurant.
I attended the opening reception for Flashback: Street Scenes by Daria Deshuk The Larry Rivers Years at New World Stages. It is an exhibition of 24 oil paintings, and is worth a visit.
One of the pleasures at Lincoln Center during the summer is the Mostly Mozart Festival from August 2-27. The opening night concert was an All-Mozart program beginning with an overture and ending with a symphony. Three artists were featured. Sinfonia concertante in E-flat major for violin and viola, K.364 was the highlight, with Christian Tetzlaff and Antoine Tamestit as the soloists, and after the intermission, Susanna Phillips displayed her powerful high notes in two arias. Louis Langree conducted the orchestra, which played the music beautifully. It was a superb opening night for a wonderful festival.
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08-04-11
(L-R)
Son
Jefferson
Randall.
daughter
Julia
Randall.
mother
Heather
Randall
outside
Thalia
restaurant.
828
Eighth
Ave.
Wednesday
night
08-03-11 |
08-02-11
(L-R)
Cast
members
Sang
Eun
Lee.
Sung
Hwa
Jeong
who
star
in
"Hero".
director
Ho
Jin
Yun.
General
Manager
Leonard
Soloway
at a
press
conference
at
Korean
Services
Gallery.
460
Park
Avenue.
Monday
morning
08-01-11 |