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Film and the Arts

An Evening with Glenda Jackson at the 92nd Street Y

Details: Parent Category: Film and the Arts; Category: Events; Published on Thursday, 02 May 2019 15:08; Written by Jack Angstreich

Surely one of the most enjoyable and engaging onstage interviews of the current season was that with the celebrated actress Glenda Jackson—now appearing on Broadway in the title role of Sam Gold’s production of King Lear—at the the 92nd Street Y on the evening of Monday, April 29th, conducted by the alluring author and film professor from Columbia University, Annette Insdorf. (The actress received a Tony award last year for her appearance in Edward Albee’s Three Tall Women.)

The program began with a screening of clips from films and television featuring Jackson, beginning with Peter Brook’s adaptation of his Royal Shakespeare Company stage version of Peter Weiss’s Marat/Sade,in which the actress portrayed the assassin of the French revolutionary, Jean Marat. Jackson’s important collaborations with the undervalued Ken Russell were represented by two remarkable excerpts from his first D.H. Lawrence adaptation, Women in Love, for which she won her first Academy Award for the role of Gudrun. (Insdorf was unfortunately unable to obtain a clip from Russell’s extraordinary biography of Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, The Music Lovers, in which the actress was memorable as the composer’s wife.) Jackson later played Gudrun’s mother in Russell’s adaptation of The Rainbow.

Jackson’s relatively unsung comic talents were on display in a clip from British television’s The Morecambe & Wise Show,which led to her casting opposite George Segal by director Melvin Frank—best remembered for the classic Danny Kaye vehicle, The Court Jester—in the film comedy, A Touch of Class—for which she secured her second Oscar—seen here in two amusing excerpts.

The 82-year-old actress said that “quite a bit” of her characterization in Women in Love came from the novel, noting that the script was written by two Americans, including Larry Kramer. About her stage performance in Marat/Sade, she said that British “audiences sat in total silence” while New York audiences laughed, commenting that “you want us to know you’re there.”

She added interestingly that “the really bad directors always know what they want” while “the really good directors always know what they don’t want and tell you in no uncertain terms.” Praising Segal in A Touch of Class, she noted that he was the first American actor with whom she had worked.

More clips followed beginning with her turn as Queen Elizabeth in Mary, Queen of Scots, directed by Charles Jarrott, who has attracted some interest from auteurists. (She had also portrayed the monarch in the BBC television serial, Elizabeth R, for which she received two Emmy awards.) Also on view were scenes from Sunday, Bloody Sunday by John Schlesinger, Hopscotch by Ronald Neame—opposite Walter Matthau—and The Return of the Soldier by Alan Bridges. She averred that comic roles are harder than dramatic ones and remarked about Walter Matthau—with whom she also appeared in Howard Zieff’s House Calls—“what a joy it was to work with him.”

Insdorf then screened a final set of clips, including Jackson’s hilarious turn in Robert Altman’s adaptation of Christopher Durang’s Beyond Therapy, Gavin Millar’s John Le Carré adaptation, A Murder of Quality, and a scene from the 1988 Business as Usual. In response to a question from the audience, the actress said that her appearance onThe Muppet Show“was one of the most fascinating experiences” she’s ever had, highlighting the immense skill of the puppeteers.

She spoke about her twenty-three years as a Member of Parliament for the Labour Party as prompted by her intense hostility toward the government of Margaret Thatcher. Asked if she would talk about current American politics, she replied,

“Well, I would but I’m a guest in your country.” After an enthusiastic ovation, Jackson said that Americans are “the most generous, friendly, kindly, giving people in the world.”

An Idle Evening with Eric

Details: Parent Category: Film and the Arts; Category: Events; Published on Thursday, 04 October 2018 13:19; Written by Jack Angstreich

The brilliant comedian, Eric Idle, of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, appeared—with the superb comic actor, David Hyde Pierce—on the evening of Wednesday, October 3rd, at Symphony Space, to discuss his new memoir, Always Look on the Bright Side of Life: A Sortabiography. (Pierce commented that the book, like Eric Idle, came out the day before, to the latter’s amusement.) Pierce had played Idle’s character of Brave Sir Robin (“he bravely ran away”) from Monty Python and the Holy Grail in the hit Broadway adaptation, Spamalot, and Idle had appeared once in the enormously popular television series, Frasier, which co-starred Pierce and secured his fame.

Idle began by singing a song condemning “selfies” and then read the chapter, “Crucifixion”, from his book, in which we learned that in the celebrated final scene of The Life of Brian, when Idle and Graham Chapman were hanging from crosses, they had their pants around their ankles. Idle commented that coincidentally, he was born on his birthday and complained about ten years at an English public school, remarking “you get less time for murder.”

At Cambridge University in 1963, Idle acted in a comic sketch written by John Cleese. He talked about the liberating effect of seeing Beyond the Fringe in London’s West End and then sang “The Philosophers Song” from Monty Python at the Hollywood Bowl.

He explained that Holy Grail was largely financed by rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, who were Python fans. George Harrison mortgaged his home to fund the production of Brian—Idle later sang a pirate song that he wrote with the ex-Beatle—and Elvis Presley was also an ardent admirer of the troupe. For Monty Python and the Meaning of Life, the artists didn’t show the studio a script but only a bawdy poem describing the film.

Michael Palin told Idle’s second wife to act surprised on his wedding night, which he said was the best piece of advice he’d ever received. He then sang “Sit on My Face and Tell Me That You Love Me” which he said he wanted sung at his funeral. He also said he devoted a chapter to Robin Williams with whom he was close friends since the 1980s. The program concluded with Idle performing “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life”, the closing song from Brian; he received a standing ovation.

A Great Cinema Center Reopens with Revitalized Programming

Details: Parent Category: Film and the Arts; Category: Events; Published on Wednesday, 01 August 2018 18:30; Written by Brad Balfour

"NICO, 1988 A Tribute"

Film Forum Re-opening
Wednesday, August 1, 2018
209 W Houston St
New York, NY 10014

When one of New York City’s most venerable film institutions ceases operations — if only temporarily — it feels like a loss. So the limited closure of the Film Forum was painful in light of the recent shuttering of the great upper west side arthouse center, Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, and the death of its founder Dan Talbot. But good news arrived with the announcement that on Wednesday, August 1st, 2018, the Film Forum, such a major cinema center for both independent premieres and classic repertory revivals, reopens with an exciting raft of new films, conceptual programs, and various series.

Last spring, the Soho-based building had its doors closed so that longtime Film Forum Director Karen Cooper and of Film Forum’s Board Chairman Alan Klein could initiate construction of a new fourth screen and fully renovate the entire theater which had been originally built in 1990. These new four cinemas are outfitted with nearly 500 seats, all made by Spain’s Figueras company. There will be greater leg room and better sight lines due to seat reconfiguration and stadium-style steps. A 10’ x 5’ digital screen above the corridor leading to the theaters will be both used for graphic displays and specially commissioned “lobby movies” — silent or two to four-minute shorts by selected filmmakers.

Film Forum will maintain its two distinct programming profiles, with premieres selected by Cooper and Mike Maggiore and classics selected by veteran Repertory Programming Director Bruce Goldstein (assisted by Elspeth Carroll). With the increased screens, Film Forum expands its selections by one-third. and its popular Film Forum Jr. series — classics for kids and families — will double, playing both Saturday and Sunday matinees beginning on September 8 and 9 with Walt Disney’s 1940 animated classic, “Pinocchio.”

As the press release notes, "The programmers will continue to produce detailed calendars to announce limited engagements, but the remaining two screens will make possible a greater number of commitments to longer running engagements and for hold-overs of more popular titles already on screen."

Opening on the four screens beginning Wednesday, August 1st, will be:

“NICO, 1988 A Tribute”
Directed by Susanna Nicchiarelli
This much anticipated biopic covers the tumultuous last years in the life and career of this titular Velvet Underground singer and Warhol muse with a critically acclaimed performance by Danish actress Trine Dyrholm, who does her own singing in the film.
“No Date, No Signature”
Directed by Vahid Jalilvand
This psychological thriller set in modern Iran won two prizes at the 2017 Venice Film Festival.
“The Atomic Cafe”
Directed by Kevin Rafferty, Jane Loader & Pierce Rafferty
The cult classic documentary is a masterful collage of period footage from the new atomic age, which originally premiered at Film Forum in 1982, in a new 4K restoration.
“The Smallest Show On Earth”
Directed by Basil Dearden
Starring Peter Sellers and Margaret Rutherford, this special screening offers a viewing of this rare 1957 British comedy about a young couple who inherits a flea-pit of a cinema.
“Show People”
Directed by King Vidor
This unique film is the great director’s 1928 paean to Hollywood moviemaking, starring Marion Davies; the screening will have live piano accompaniment by Steve Sterner.

There will also be the first complete retrospective of French master Jacques Becker. This will include his “Casque D’or,” “Le Trou” and the US theatrical premiere of "Rendezvous In July" — a new 4K restoration, as well as many others imported from Europe for the festival.

As Cooper has said in their official announcement, “We are thrilled to re-open our cinema to audiences with movies both new and old: a terrific selection drawn from around the world (Iran, Italy, England, France), plus a seminal American independent documentary. We will continue to do what we’ve done best for nearly 50 years: premiering ground-breaking titles and uncovering the best in classic cinema.”

First Annual Chita Rivera Awards Honoring Dance and Dancers

Details: Parent Category: Film and the Arts; Category: Events; Published on Friday, 15 September 2017 15:05; Written by Ellis Nassour

Photographs by: Christopher Duggan

The first annual Chita Rivera Awards, named in honor of 10-time Tony nominee and two-time winner Chita Rivera, who rose from the gypsy ensemble to stardom and one of theater’s most loved personalties, celebrated dance and choreographic excellence. They were hosted by Tony Award winner Bebe Neuwirth at the Hirschfeld Theatre.

ChitasCRivTTBNeww
Tommy Tune was presented with the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award; Diane Paulus with the Award for Outstanding Contribution to Musical Theater as Director; and entrepreneur Antonio Vendome with the award for Outstanding Contribution to the Arts and Humanity.

Among theater notables making appearances were tony nominee Melissa Errico, Nikki M. James, Tony honoree Baayork Lee, veteran dancer Carmen de Lavaliade, Tony nominee Robert Fairchild, Tony winner and A Chorus Line nominee Priscilla Lopez, Tony winner Donna McKechnie, Chris Noth, Tony honoree and two-time nominee David Hyde Pierce, Tony nominee Lee Roy Reams, Tony nominee Sergio Trujillo, Tony-nominee Tony Yazback, four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks, and four-time Tony nominee and Tony winner Karen Ziemba.

There were dance tributes to Rivera from the New York City Ballet, performing “America” from 1957’s West Side Story, her third original Broadway role and the one that first put her on the map, as the fiery Anita; American Dance Machine for the 21^st Centrury; the Teen Company; and performances by the casts of A Bronx Tale, Tony-nominated Come from Away, and the recent Sweet Charity revival.

ChitasRFairchildMMooreLaLaLand Nominators considered outstanding choreography, featured dancers and ensemble in shows on Broadway and Off Broadway, as well as, outstanding choreography in film, that opened in the 2016-2017 season. Nominations were determined by the designated nominating committees.

The Chitas were directed by four-time Tony- nominee Randy Skinner and produced by American Dance Machine for the 21^st Century (ADM21), producing artistic director, Nikki Feirt Atkins, in association with Patricia Watt. For more information, visit www.ChitaRiveraAwards.com.

The Chita Rivera Awards/Nominations and Winners

Outstanding Choreography in a Broadway Show
* Andy Blankenbuehler, Bandstand
Josh Bergasse, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Warren Carlyle, Hello Dolly!
Peter Darling and Ellen Kane, Groundhog Day
Kelly Devine, Come from Away
Denis Jones, Holiday Inn
Sergio Trujillo, A Bronx Tale

ChitasDPaulus Ensemble, Broadway Show
A Bronx Tale
Bandstand
Cats
Come from Away
Hello Dolly!
Holiday Inn
* Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812

Male Dancer, Broadway Show
* Corbin Bleu, Holiday Inn
John Bolton, Anastasia
Max Clayton, Bandstand
Tyler Hanes, Cats
Ryan Kasprzak, Bandstand
Ricky Ubeda, Cats

Female Dancer, Broadway Show
Andrea Dotto, Bandstand
Lora Lee Gayer, Holiday Inn
Eloise Kropp, Cats
Georgina Pazcoguin, Cats
Emma Pfaeffle, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
* Megan Sikora, Holiday Inn
Christine Cornish Smith, Cats
Jaime Verazin, Bandstand

ChitasComeAway

Choreography, Off-Broadway Show
* Joshua Bergasse, Sweet Charity
David Dorfman, Indecent
Merete Muenter, The Golden Bride
David Neumann, The Total Bent
Misha Shields, Baghdaddy

Female Dancer, Off-Broadway Show
Yesenia Ayala, Sweet Charity
Asmeret Ghebremichael, Sweet Charity
Nikka Graff Lanzarone, Sweet Charity
Emily Padgett, Sweet Charity
* Lyrica Woodruff, Finian's Rainbow

Male Dancer, Off-Broadway Show
Ato Blankson-Wood, The Total Bent
* Brandon Espinoza, Baghdaddy
Curtis Wiley, The Total Bent
Cody Williams, Sweet Charity
Blake Zolfo, Kid Victory
ChitasTYazbeckMWinslowTakeGlassGrandHot

Choreography in Film

Theatrical
Anthony Van Laast, Beauty and the Beast
Mandy Moore, La La Land
* Javier de Frutos, London Road
Danielle Flora, Tian Wang, Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping

Documentary
Susan Glatzer, director, Alive and Kicking
Steven Cantor, director, Dancer
Tomer Heymann, director, Mr. Gaga
*Linda Saffire, Adam Schlesinger, directors, Restless Creature

Subcategories

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