I have a few things on my mind this weekend, all arts-related, and all of a local nature, so I gathered them all together in this week's column to clear the decks for a new month now underway and Easter just around the corner.
I attended a Media Day preview of Lyndesfarne Theatre Projects latest production on Friday afternoon, Thornton Wilder's Our Town, at the Sullivan Mahoney Courthouse Theatre in downtown St. Catharines. This is an opportunity for the working press to see how the production rehearsals are going and if desired, interview some of the cast members. I always find this an enlightening experience, as you see a work in progress and get a sense of what is to come in a very short period of time.
Lyndesfarne's Young Company are presenting the work, directed by Artistic Director Kelly Daniels, and it opens April 11th with a preview performance on the 10, and it closes on the 21st. The play chronicles the simple, rather pleasant lives of the Gibbs family, the Webb family and their neighbours in Grover's Corners, New Hampshire in the early years of the 20th century.
The one scene I saw, at the close of Act 1, shows an accomplished group of young actors ready to tackle a classic piece of theatre. But I couldn't help but think, watching this young actors in period costume from over 100 years ago, how far they are removed from the people of that era thanks to technology today. Think about it. In the scene I saw, one of the characters refers to something he read in the "newspaper." Remember them? If you are of a certain age, of course you do! But one wonders with today's youth if they will refer to the newspaper to get their news at all in the future. Here they are, acting on stage, in roles that would not have a clue what to do with the internet, would never have a smart phone and have no idea what Wikipedia is. The mind boggles. This isn't that far back, folks, but it shows you how things have changed in the last couple of generations at least.
Anyway, Our Town looks promising and I am looking forward to reporting on the show following the opening later this month. For tickets, call the box office at 905-938-1222 or go to www.lyndesfarnetheatreprojects.com.
Friday evening, I attended a performance by the Juilliard String Quartet at the Centre for the Arts at Brock University, and despite the inclement weather I was glad to see a respectable-sized house for the performance. Not full, mind you, but about two-thirds full, so that isn't bad. The performance was simply amazing, as the sound these four musicians achieve is so smooth, refined and beautiful you can't help but admire the talent and dedication these four gentlemen bring to the stage. I had the pleasure to interview cellist Joel Krosnick in January about the Quartet, in order to write an article in Centre Stage magazine, and he indicated his time with the Quartet dates from 1974. He is clearly one of the senior members of the group now, but even those who are relatively new are a huge part of what makes this group so special.
Opening with Haydn, continuing with a contemporary work by Martino and concluding with the massive Beethoven Quartet in B-Flat Major, Op. 130, the programme was well balanced and a pleasure to hear. Even the Martino work, certainly edgier than the other two works, was still lyrical and an interesting listen.
One thing I would like to mention though, after attending the performance Friday night...audience members please take note: it is not necessary to applaud after every movement of a work. It is not expected by the musicians, and takes away from the performance as a whole. Save your applause until the end, please, and everyone will enjoy the performance more, I can assure you.
Finally, I received word last week Artpark in Lewiston, New York, is planning an even better Summer Tuesday concert experience this season. Responding to patron comments things were getting a tad overcrowded for the popular events in recent years, Artpark has upgraded the amphitheatre, as well as concession, washroom and sponsor areas this year. They will also be fencing off the concert area for the Tuesday events, and charging a small admission charge to help control crowds. This has been a real bone of contention with the locals the last few years; just too many people in too small a space, thereby disrupting the small-town atmosphere so many have come to enjoy while visiting both Lewiston and Artpark.
I look forward to seeing some of the changes myself this summer, and hopefully catching a performance or two. Artpark has always presented great value for money, and being so close to the border it is always tempting to head over the river for a performance or two. Maybe this year more will plan to do the same.
Have a great week and Happy Easter!
April 1st, 2012.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment