Archive for the ‘Art’ Category

‘Sound of Music’ adds shows; performances start March 30

Monday, March 26, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Above: Fourteen area young artists were chosen from 120 auditionees for roles as von Trapp children in Curtain Call’s ‘The Sound of Music.’ It will play March 30 through May 5 at Stamford’s Kweskin Theatre. Two teams of children play the von Trapp children during alternating performances.

Beginning Friday, March 30, Stamford’s Curtain Call theater company will be presenting the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “The Sound of Music,” at its Kweskin Theatre.

The cast, which features actors from across Fairfield and Westchester (N,.Y.)  counties, includes 14 young performers chosen from 120 young people who auditioned for the roles. The little more than a baker’s dozen are split into teams to play the von Trapp brood during alternating performances.

The production, inspired by the story of Maria Rainer and Count Georg von Trapp, has already inspired strong ticket sales, said Lou Ursone, Curtain Call executive director and producer for “The Sound Of Music.” Five additional performances have been tacked on to the original schedule of performances, pushing the production run to Friday, May 5.

The 38-member cast is led by director Karen Randazzo of Trumbull.

The musical, which earned a Tony Award, includes some classic songs, such as “My Favorite Things,” “Climb Every Mountain,” “The Sound of Music” and “Do, Re, Mi. ”

The cast includes Alicia Ditta, Sarah Gold, Morgan Humbert, Alyssa Moorin, Brianna Tarzia, Joe Vitti, Danny Ward and Jamil Zraikat of Stamford; Julia Robertson Barbieri, Liz Harrington, Emily Hull, Emily Katz, Christine Mallardi, Mickey Mallardi, Katie Morris, Tom Petrone and Kat Rosenfield of Norwalk; Tom Butterworth, Claire Leville, Nancy Leville and Whitney Woerz of New Canaan; Michal Barnea, Jack Smalls, Elizabeth Szele and Victoria Szele of Greenwich; Meaghan Elliot, Christian Melhuish and Tyler Jent of from Westport; Abigail Hubbard of Bridgeport; Vickey Gill of Milford; Clara Blackwell of Redding; Terry Le Bel of Shelton; Dan Travers of Stratford; Danny Randazzo of Trumbull; Doreen DeMilo-Ineson of Somers, N.Y.; and Janis Chapin of Tarrytown, N.Y.

“The Sound of Music will play Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m.. There are three Thursday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on April 19, 26 and May 3. Matinee seats still available for April 28 and 29.

Tickets are $28 for adults, $20 for senior citizens and $14 for students/children. Thrifty Thursday price: all seats $18. Call 203-461-6358 or visit www.curtaincallinc.com. The Kweskin Theatre is at the Sterling Farms Theatre Complex, 1349 Newfield Ave., Stamford.

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, March 23, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Music is the predominant diversion this weekend, but there are plenty of other events to enjoy, too, including some special evenings with Hollywood legends, a train ride with a bunny, a night of fashion and three days full of French cinema.

You can check out Eric Hutchinson at Mohegan Sun Casino on Saturday, March 24, or Livingston Taylor at Edmond Town Hall in Newtown on the same night. Taylor’s nephew, Ben Taylor, will be performing at an autism benefit on Saturday, too. The Greenwich Choral Society presents “Alexander’s Feast” this weekend, while Tom Chapin will join with some up-and-coming talent at Newtown High School on Sunday, March 25. Arrival from Sweden, an ABBA tribute band, arrives in Fairfield on Wednesday night, the same evening Snoop Dogg is at Toad’s Place in New Haven.

Perhaps you are a tad star struck with show biz legends. On Saturday, March 24, Shirley MacLaine comes to Torrington to talk about her life and career, while Mickey Rooney does that same, on the same night at Sacred Heart University.

Other events focus on some family friendly fare, such as the Easter Bunny Train in Danbury, the home and outdoor living expo in Stamford, the night of “fun and fashion” in Danbury, a performance by Japanese drumming ensemble Tao (see video below) and a family concert in Greenwich.

French film buffs will be camping out for the weekend at Purchase College’s Performing Arts Center when the Alliance Francaise of Greenwich hosts its annual “Focus on French Cinema” event (see preview above). Fans of the Beatles will want to head over to the Avon Theatre next week for a multimedia presentation about the band’s album “Revolver.” And those who are fans of pianos will want to check out their parts in a new art exhibit that opened in Greenwich this week.

These are just a few of events and activities that are lined up for the next few days. You can check out the full listing of activities in the Go entertainment guide, published every Thursday.

Artists use parts and pieces to create unique compositions

Thursday, March 22, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Above: ‘Trilobite’ is one of the pieces in ‘Piano As Art’ which opens with a reception from 6-8 p.m., at the Flinn Gallery at the Greenwich Library, on Thursday, March 22. Contributed photo/Steven Rossi

For two Greenwich artists, the last couple of years has been all about making their art sing.

“Piano As Art,” an exhibit of art inspired and created by pianos and their parts, will open Thursday, March 22, at the Flinn Gallery at the Greenwich Library, second floor, 101 W. Putnam Ave., Greenwich. The project represents a three-way collaboration that includes artists  Shauna Holiman and Penny Putnam, as well as Faust Harrison Pianos.

The show features about 35 pieces that vary from wall-mounted works to those on pedestals. There also are some tall, freestanding sculptures.

“The fun thing about taking apart a piano is that all these pieces are all very much alike,” Holiman said. “So, you get something very rhythmic … a lot of it looks very musical.”

You can read more about the project and exhibit in my story here.

Buy affordable art at FLA’s ‘Be(come) A Collector’ show

Wednesday, March 21, 2012 by:Scott Gargan
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Have you ever wanted to become an art collector, but didn’t had the dollars to do it?

Now, you’ll have the chance when The Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery in Stamford opens its new exhibition, “Be(come) A Collector: New Works $99-$24,999,” on Friday, March 23.

The contemporary art gallery will sell new works by in-house artists at affordable prices (including Ted Mikulski’s “Blooms #001-#008,” above and Jonathan Prince’s “Disk Fragment 1,” right), while offering credit lines and payment plans for would be collectors.

The opening night of the exhibition, to be held from 6-9 p.m., will feature wine, hors d’oeuvres and music. Gallery staff will be on hand to discuss the principles of collecting.

Contact Rebecca Hansen, communications director, at 888-861-6791, ext. 6.

Artist-videographer team to discuss “Stolen I.D.” documentary

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by:Scott Gargan
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In “Stolen I.D.: Fragmented, Colonized and Lost,” New Haven artist Gordon Skinner and Norwalk videographer Bob Albert take viewers on a journey inside Skinner’s work — large-scale expressionist paintings inspired by the artist’s search for personal identity.

Skinner and Albert will be on hand for a screening and casual discussion of the documentary at Stamford’s Franklin Street Works on Thursday, March 22, 6-8 p.m.

The documentary, which has racked up more than 800 views on YouTube, follows the self-taught artist on the streets of New Haven, Bridgeport and New York City as he relates the spirit and influences behind his art.

Skinner recently showcased his work in a solo exhibition at the New Haven Public Library and a group show, “Converging Paths,” at the City Lights Gallery in Bridgeport. His work also appeared in the Outsider Art Fair in New York City and in a photo shoot by fashion designers and entrepreneur twins Coco and Breezy for Dekit Magazine.

A graduate of Fairfield University and co-founder of Norwalk-based Take Notice Productions, Albert has produced films of stage plays for Stamford’s Palace Theatre and Norwalk Community College, as well as music videos and wedding parties.

Check out the documentary, along with clips from the Coco and Breezy photo shoot, below:

Choirs of St. Matthew’s gather for free performance

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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The full force of Wilton’s St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church choirs, including boys and girls, youth and adult, will be on display Sunday, March 25, when they present a choral and organ concert at the church, 36 New Canaan Road..

The concert, which is titled “Unceasing Love: Music of Transcendence and Praise,” will not only feature the talents of more than 50 voices, but also will feature the distinct sounds of St. Matthew’s Reuter pipe organ, which includes more than 3,000 pipes, according to concert organizers.

The choirs, which are directed by St. Matthew’s music director Rodney Ayers, will be performing a wide variety of songs, from classical to American standards. However, the mystical texts of George Herbert, a 17th century metaphysical poet, priest and theologian, are the centerpiece of the program, according to a recent news release.

The choirs have performed with a number of well-known musicians, including jazz legend and Wilton resident Dave Brubeck, the Paul Winter Consort, Maureen McGovern and others.

The event runs from 4 to 6 p.m., and it is free (though donations are appreciated).

The concert is the fourth performance in the Arts at St. Matthew’s 2011-12 season, which included previous performances by the Brubeck Trio, the Manhattan Choral Ensemble and singer and songwriter Kenny White. The final concert of the season will be Sunday, April 29, at 4 p.m. when the a a cappella group  Sweet Honey In The Rock comes to perform.

For more information, visit St. Matthew’s website or call 203-762-7400.

Out and about: Things to see and places to be this weekend

Friday, March 16, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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With St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Saturday this year, there is a full weekend of activities planned for those who want to celebrate Irish traditions and culture. Those events include stops by Celtic Woman in Wallingford on Saturday, March 17, and Uncasville on Sunday, March 18; the two-man show, “An Irish Tale,” in Bridgeport on Friday, March 16; and the Saw Doctors in Ridgefield on Sunday, March 18. (Above, the band performs the single “Indian Summer,” which was released last year.)

Beyond St. Patrick’s Day, there is a full complement of musical performances, theatrical productions, stand-up comedy and movie events to keep all ages entertained. For instance, the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band comes to Ridgefield on Friday, March 16; violinist Judith Ingolfsson joins the Greenwich Symphony on Saturday and Sunday, March 17 and 18; the Roches: Suzzy & Maggie are  in Mamaroneck, N.Y., on Friday, March 16; and Brian Stokes Mitchell will perform in Westport on Saturday, March 17.

There also will be an organ concert at the Unitarian Universalist Society in Stamford on Sunday, March 18, and a performance by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center in Fairfield on Saturday, March 17. Or, you can check out some of Norwalk’s Crystal Theatre alums, who will return on Friday to help out at a benefit performance.

There are several programs and events planned for children and families, too, from performances of “The Ugly Duckling” and “The Tortoise and the Hare,” at the Westport Country Playhouse on Sunday, March 18, to Tomas Kubinek’s one-man show at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College on Sunday, March 18. The Newtown Historical Society will be hosting an open house on Sunday, March 18. And, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a “Green Animal” scavenger hunt and a chance to save some of the green. Children who don the color green will be admitted free with a paying adult. Over at Audubon Greenwich there will be a woodcock walk.

Those looking for some live theater can make the trek to New Haven where Yale Rep will put on “The Winter’s Tale” and the Long Wharf Theatre is staging “Bell, Book and Candle.” “Jimmy Dean” gets a run in Darien. The “Irish Curse” continues at TheatreWorks New Milford. “Death of a Salesman” also continues at Stamford’s Curtain Call.

Meanwhile, cinema buffs can travel to Hartford for the Jewish Film festival. Or, check out comic Richard Lewis at Mohegan Sun on Saturday, March 17. He also returns at month’s end for a benefit performance for the Boys & Girls Village.

Sports fans also will likely be making a stop to the state when the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport hosts the NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship on Saturday, March 17, and Monday, March 19. Next weekend, it will be the site of the NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey tournament.

So get on out there, I hear it’s supposed to be a rather nice weekend of weather.

Until next time …

Westport Historical Society travels back to the 1950s

Thursday, March 15, 2012 by:Christina Hennessy
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Westport of the 1950s has proven to be an alluring theme for the Westport Historical Society, which has several events lined up this month to celebrate the era — specifically as it was depicted in the television and films created at that time.

On Sunday, March 18, there will be a screening of the award-winning film “The Man in The Gray Flannel Suit,” which was based on Sloan Wilson’s 1955 novel of the same name. Set in Westport, it is the story of a public relations executive grappling with his responsibilities to his family, his job and to himself. The movie, which was partially filmed in Westport, features Gregory Peck, as well as Jennifer Jones and others.

Presented by the Westport Cinema Initiative, the event includes a pre-screening “martinis and light fare” reception from 2 to 3 p.m., at the historical society, 25 Avery Place, followed by the movie at 3:30 p.m., which will actually be shown across the street at the Westport Town Hall. A question-and-answer session follows the film.

Tickets for the event, which are $10 for the movie and reception, can be purchased in advance at the initiative’s website, or on the day of the event at the historical society or at town hall.

During the pre-screening reception, you might also want to take a look at the society’s latest exhibit, “Next Stop: Westport! The Inspiration for 1950’s TV & Film Writers.” As part of that exhibit, the society will be hosting “Lunch with Lucy, Ethel and Rod,” at the its Betty R. and Ralph Sheffer Gallery, Wednesday, March 28, from noon to 1:30 p.m. The event, for which reservations are required, costs $20 for members; $18 for nonmembers. Call 203-222-1424.

In addition to a light lunch, lunch guests will be entertained with several short script readings, as performed by Melody James and Lois Leftwich, from “I Love Lucy,” and “The Twilight Zone.” The final season of “I Love Lucy” took place in Westport and was co-written by former Westport resident Bob Weiskopf. Meanwhile, “Twilight Zone” creator Rod Serling lived in Westport during the 50s, according to the society.

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