Archives for April 2017

George Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco, set to Bach’s Two-Violin Concerto. This 1966 performance, originally telecast by the CBC, features Suzanne Farrell, Marnee Morris, and Conrad Ludlow:

(This is the latest in a series of arts-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)

The snows are fled away, leaves on the shaws
And grasses in the mead renew their birth,
The river to the river-bed withdraws,
And altered is the fashion of the earth.

Horace, “Diffugere nives” (Odes, IV.vii, trans. A.E. Housman)

Albert Ammons and Pete Johnson perform “Boogie-Woogie Dream” in the 1944 film short of the same name, directed by Hanus Burger. This is thought to be the only film appearance of the two pianists. The woman in the clip is Lena Horne:

(This is the latest in a series of arts-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)

“ Critics generally come to be critics by reason not of their fitness for this but of their unfitness for anything else.”

Samuel Butler, The Note-Books of Samuel Butler

Here’s my list of recommended Broadway, off-Broadway, and out-of-town shows, updated weekly. In all cases, I gave these shows favorable reviews (if sometimes qualifiedly so) in The Wall Street Journal when they opened. For more information, click on the title.

BROADWAY:
• Dear Evan Hansen (musical, PG-13, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• Hamilton (musical, PG-13, Broadway transfer of off-Broadway production, all shows sold out last week, reviewed here)
• On Your Feet! (jukebox musical, G, reviewed here)
• Present Laughter (comedy, PG-13, closes July 2, reviewed here)
• The Price (drama, G, too long and serious for children, virtually all shows sold out last week, extended through May 14, reviewed here)
• Sweat (drama, PG-13, Broadway transfer of off-Broadway production, most shows sold out last week, original production reviewed here)

OFF BROADWAY:
• The Fantasticks (musical, G, suitable for children capable of enjoying a love story, closes June 4, reviewed
• Vanity Fair (serious comedy, PG-13, closes May 14, reviewed here)

CLOSING NEXT WEEK OFF BROADWAY:
• Come Back, Little Sheba/Picnic (dramas, PG-13, playing in rotating repertory, closes April 23, reviewed here)

CLOSING SATURDAY IN SARASOTA, FLA.:
• Born Yesterday (comedy, PG-13, closes April 15, reviewed here)

“All animals, except man, know that the principal business of life is to enjoy it.”

Samuel Butler, The Way of All Flesh

George Balanchine’s Apollo, originally telecast by the CBC in 1968. The score is by Igor Stravinsky. The dancers are Peter Martins, Suzanne Farrell, Marnee Morris, Karin von Aroldingen, and Linda Merrill:

(This is the latest in a series of arts-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday)

“To do great work a man must be very idle as well as very industrious.”

Samuel Butler, Further Extracts from the Note-Books of Samuel Butler