'Arcadia' at Chautauqua: The desire to know and to love
CHAUTAUQUA — What would happen if all the world’s complex riddles were finally sorted out? For one thing, should the mysteries of quantum physics, cold fusion or peace in the Middle East reveal themselves, the planet would be free of suffering. For another, we’d probably all be bored to death. (Updated: 07/07/09 8:53 AM )
Theater / Capsule reviews
Theater capsule reviews, by The News critics, are based on a four-star rating system, and are as follows: (Updated: 07/05/09 7:21 AM )
Travalena left lasting impression
NEW YORK—In 1971, Fred Travalena packed his bags and headed west for Las Vegas to launch an enormously successful career doing impressions. (Updated: 07/01/09 7:05 AM )
Cattaraugus County Arts Council takes a stand by making artistic seats
When Gov. David A. Paterson announced widespread state budget cuts in December, many New Yorkers had their mind on the potential taxing of water bottles. But for a group of dedicated artists, teachers and mentors from the Southern Tier, the cuts meant much more. (Updated: 06/30/09 8:44 AM )
Theater / Capsule reviews
Theater capsule reviews, by The News critics, are based on a four-star rating system, and are as follows:★★★★ Excellent / ★★★ Good / ★★ Fair / ★ Poor (Updated: 06/28/09 7:20 AM )
Canadian stages
SHAW FESTIVAL. Niagara-on-the- Lake, Ont. (800) 511-SHAW. www.shawfest.com. Tickets are $30 to $110 (Canadian funds). In the Royal George Theatre: “Sunday in the Park with George.” Through Nov. 1. Also, “In Good King Charles’s Golden Days.” Through Oct. 9.★★½ (Colin Dabkowski) Also, “Play, Orchestra, Play.” In previews; opens July 11. Also, “Star Chamber.” In previews; opens July 11. In the Festival Theatre: “Brief Encounters.” Through Oct. 24. Also, “Born Yesterday.” Through Nov. 1.★★★★(Colin Dabkowski) Also, “The Devil’s Disciple.” In previews; opens July 9. In the Court House Theatre: “A Moon for the Misbegotten.” Through Oct. 9. Also, “Albertine in Five Times.” In previews; opens July 10. (Updated: 06/28/09 7:20 AM )
Chautauqua Institution's dance program is a global movements
It won’t actually reduce anyone’s carbon footprint, but the Chautauqua Institution’s resident ballet company is jumping on the popular environmentally conscious wave of “thinking green” for its 2009 dance season. Along with the usual mix of new works, classical masterworks and a few recycled favorites from seasons past, there will be a taste of programs addressing issues of environmental concern, improving at least the entertainment environment of audiences this summer. (Updated: 06/30/09 8:59 AM )
Time to clue public in on conceptual, academic art
On a cool April evening in 2007, the balcony at The Church (now Babeville) was packed with riveted onlookers staring with a mix of horror and awe at a gruesome scene unfolding on the floor below. (Updated: 06/28/09 7:56 AM )
Valerian Ruminski is the booming voice behind Buffalo's Nickel City Opera
Valerian Ruminski is the kind of rough, rakish guy who can call you “baby” and get away with it. And he does not care how his voice booms. (Updated: 06/25/09 9:07 AM )
Absurd drama erupts over staging of ‘Polish Joke’
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. A small theater company decides to mount a play containing ethnic stereotypes. Members of an ethnic community, enraged at the prospect, begin a campaign to shut down the theater company’s production. Many letters and irate phone calls later, the theater company’s collegiate landlord tells it to finish out the production and then hit the road for good. (Updated: 06/21/09 7:06 AM )
Fine cast makes the most of ‘The Tempest’
“No reservations, no admission charge, just a beautiful park and a night under the stars.” Not a bad deal, you have to agree. The above is Saul Elkin’s annual welcome to another outdoor tandem of plays by William Shakespeare in Buffalo’s Delaware Park, the first being the Bard of Avon’s last, perhaps shortest and most retrospective work, “The Tempest,” now 400 years old and as popular as it is puzzling. (Updated: 06/21/09 7:06 AM )
Ashanti stays cool as she prepares for stage debut in ‘Wiz’
NEW YORK — For someone about to make her stage debut, Ashanti appears eerily relaxed. (Updated: 06/18/09 6:52 AM )
‘Polish Joke’ from Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions: Play stays within lines of fun
(Updated: 06/17/09 12:57 AM )
‘Intimate Exchanges’ fun, despite rough spots
There’s a cute game of dress-up transpiring at the Irish Classical Theatre Company, which has dredged up an intermittently charming pair of comedies by Alan Ayckbourn for its traditionally lighthearted season-closer. (Updated: 06/07/09 6:44 AM )
‘Stories’ is a thought-provoking play
“Writing is easy,” once said author Gene Fowler, “all you do is stare at a blank piece of paper until drops of blood form on your forehead.” (Updated: 05/30/09 6:51 AM )
