Get ready for Carnaval Nordestino!

I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m cold. I’m cold outdoors and I’m cold indoors. This morning, fingers freezing, I could barely click my mouse to read my email. And then? Such warmth! Our own Frank London sends word that we’re all invited to “New York’s only Northeastern Brazilian Carnival Party!” It warms you just to look at the invite, doesn’t it?

So here’s all you need to know. Frank will be blowing the roof off the joint as part of Frank London’s Frevo Bambastico. (They’re not the only act on the bill — but they’re admittedly the house favorite.) Thursday, February 11th. We may be in the grips of winter, but it’s going to be hot at M1-5 in Tribeca. The party starts at 8:30pm.

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Are you a current or former LCI repertory artist? What are you up to? We’d love to know. Email me at pschuler at lincolncenter dot org!

Daedalus Quartet at Alice Tully Hall: February 7, 2010

As I write this post, it is dark and dreary outside, which is why this photo is all the more wonderful:

Lincoln Center Institute was fortunate enough to feature the Daedalus Quartet in its 2005 – 2006 music repertory. In just the few short seasons since that appearance they’ve gone on to great heights and accolades, and are not always easy to catch locally. On February 7 at 5:00pm, you can hear Daedalus play an all-Beethoven program at Lincoln Center’s very own Alice Tully Hall.

Let me say that again:

Daedalus.
Is playing an all-Beethoven program.
In Alice Tully Hall.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to hear a concert in the new Alice Tully Hall, I would strongly recommend you take this opportunity. There’s not a bad seat in the house, and I know that’s a cliche, but that’s my story and I’m sticking to it. What a lovely way to spend a February evening. Thank you, Chamber Music Society, for this opportunity!

Order your tickets online by visiting the Chamber Music Society web site (that link takes you directly to the event). Daedalus’ performance is just one of a whole host of concerts in the Beethoven Cycles series. For more information visit the Chamber Music Society’s web site.

Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center
Daedalus Quartet
Ludwig van Beethoven Wikipedia entry

Today’s special guest blogger: Mr. Scratch

(Photo by Richard Termine.)

Dear People:

Pleased to meet you; hope you guessed my name. My friend and yours, Ping Chong, of the illustrious Ping Chong & Company, suggested I write to you in this fashion.

I am informed that you are well aware of Ping Chong & Company’s top-notch work, from having seen Secret History at Lincoln Center Institute in 2005 and 2006. (I was not asked to participate in that particular production.) I am, however, appearing in the critically-acclaimed production “The Devil You Know,” at LaMaMa E.T.C.

With the merest amount of… soul-searching… you, too, will come to the conclusion that so many critics and fans alike already have: our show is a must-see. I admit that most of the praise belongs to co-producers Ping Chong & Company and Phantom Limb… but let’s be honest. If I were not so stellar in this role, where would the rest of those mere mortals be?

Hmm. Don’t answer that. I will see you at LaMaMa E.T.C.

Very Truly Yours,
The Devil (aka Mr. Scratch)

(Peg here, again. “The Devil You Know,” based on the classic story “The Devil and Daniel Webster,” is running through January 24 at LaMaMa E.T.C. For tickets, call 212-475-7710 or visit the LaMaMa web site.)

Ping Chong & Company web site (contains a link to a preview video — worth the click!)
Phantom Limb web site
LaMaMa web site
‘The Devil and Daniel Webster’ Wikipedia entry

How The Klezmatics Rocked Lake Wobegon

Did you hear Frank London and his bandmates, the Klezmatics, tear it up for Hanukkah on Garrison Keillor’s radio show A Prairie Home Companion back on December 5 & 6? Folks are still raving about it at the Chatterbox Cafe and in Ralph’s Pretty Good Grocery. We’ve said farewell to the Festival of Lights for another year, but you can keep the spirit a little longer. How, Peg, you ask? Just go here to listen to all or a portion of the broadcast. But first make sure you push all the furniture to the outsides of the room, cause you’re gonna dance. (No, really, you are.) Enjoy!

The Klezmatics web site
A Prairie Home Companion web site

Breithe Mhaith Agat, Dear Cathie Ryan!

Lincoln Center Institute is shuttered for the day — we’re all with friends and loved ones in honor of the holiday — but thanks to the magic of internet, I am able to wish our friend Cathie Ryan a happy birthday today. Enjoy your special day wherever you are!

Emily Post-Blackman, of “It’s All True,” in today’s New York Times

Pick up a copy of the New York Times today and you’ll see an interesting article on actor Gregg Mozgala, who lives and works with cerebral palsy. He is featured in a dance piece choreographed by Tamar Rogoff. Dancing with him (and featured nicely in a photograph) is Emily Post-Blackman, who you will remember from “It’s All True,” Hilary Easton + Company’s 2008 – 2009 LCI Dance Repertory program.

Click the handy link below — oh, heck, here’s another one – to see what the HE+C has coming up on their calendar.

New York Times article about Mr. Mozgala
Hilary Easton + Company web site

Letters, we get letters…

So in a show of support, I had sent Guy Davis a link to the previous post about himself and Finian’s Rainbow. He very thoughtfully wrote back to say thanks for the coverage. He also pointed out, very tactfully, that the picture I used of him isn’t actually a picture of him at all. The gentleman on the right is the also-very-handsome, also-very-talented (-and-not-properly-credited) Broadway veteran Devin Richards.

One would think that after all these years, I’d know a photo of Guy Davis when I saw it. Wouldn’t one?

And here’s where I say, “Oh, wow… you know, I thought you looked different, Guy, but it’s been a while since I’ve seen you, and uh, the photo is from kind of far away…[clearing throat awkwardly]…” I wouldn’t feel so bad if, in a previous life, I hadn’t actually worked with Devin when he was in Smokey Joe’s Cafe on Broadway.

So! Lest there be further confusion:

Guy Davis’ web site
Devin Richards’ web site

Guy Davis whoops it up as “Sunny” in Finian’s Rainbow on Broadway

The CityCenter Encores! production of Finian’s Rainbow (which was mentioned previously here) opened on Broadway on October 29 to wonderful reviews. Lincoln Center Institute’s very own Guy Davis is reprising his role as Sunny in the Broadway production, now playing at the St. James Theatre.

Left to right: James Stovall, Chuck Cooper, Bernard Dotson, and Guy Davis. Photo copyright Joan Marcus, courtesy of Kornberg & Associates.

You can see more photos of Guy (and the rest of the company) in this link to Playbill.com’s photo gallery. And while you’re wandering through that photo gallery, take time to notice the terrific costume design. It’s the work of none other than Toni-Leslie James, who also designed LCI’s production of FLY.

Set in the mythical southern state of Missitucky, Finian’s Rainbow pits a charming Irish dreamer and his headstrong daughter against the host of complications that await them in their newly adopted land: a bigoted southern Senator, a credit crisis, a pesky leprechaun, and, of course, a complicated love affair that gives birth to some of the most witty, charming and heartfelt songs ever written for the stage. The musical’s score features such classic songs as “Old Devil Moon,” “How Are Things in Glocca Morra?,” “When I’m Not Near the Girl I Love (I Love the Girl I’m Near),” Look to the Rainbow,” and “If This Isn’t Love.” This production marks the first major revival in more than 50 years.

Congratulations, Guy and Toni-Leslie, and best wishes for a long run in this wonderful musical!

To purchase tickets to Finian’s Rainbow, click here to visit Telecharge.com.
New York Times review of Finian’s Rainbow
Finian’s Rainbow production photos at Playbill.com
Finian’s Rainbow Opening Night coverage at Playbill.com (including a Guy mention on p.2)
Guy Davis’ web site
Finian’s Rainbow Broadway production web site

New Jersey Ballet premieres “The Three Riddles of Turandot,” a new dance by Nai-Ni Chen

On Saturday, November 7, 2009, the New Jersey Ballet will premiere a new dance by Nai-Ni Chen, based on the story of Puccini’s opera Turandot. The dance is part of a full-length evening honoring the late Eric Munoz, assemblyman and former NJ Ballet Board member. Also on the program are works by choreographers Pedro Ruiz and James Kinney.

For tickets (which are $42, $32, or $22), please call the Mayo Center Box Office at 973-539-8008 or New Jersey Ballet at 973-597-9600.

For more information or to buy tickets online, visit the Mayo Center.

Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company web site
NJ Ballet web site
Mayo Center web site

Eli Yamin and LaFrae Sci in “A Wail of Two Cities”

The Eli Yamin Trio, two-thirds of which is composed of former and current Lincoln Center Institute Music Repertory artists (quick: in which programs did they appear?*), is appearing in a special program entitled “A Wail of Two Cities,” on Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at University Club here in NYC (located at One West 54th Street at 5th Avenue).

The program, curated by clarinetist Evan Christopher, postulates that while Jazz was born in New Orleans, it came first to New York City before spreading across the country and around the world. Bassist Ari Roland rounds out the Eli Yamin Trio. This varied program will celebrate jazz pioneers including Jelly Roll Morton, Sidney Bechet, Louis Armstrong, and Duke Ellington.

Advance purchase tickets (by mail only for non-members) are available for $45, and include cocktails (open bar) from 6:15 to 7:00 p.m. and the special concert from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Seating is limited. Non-members, please mail payment to Corinne Shane, 35 E. 85th St., New York, NY 10028. For more information, please call 212-247-2100.

If you do attend, please take note the following house rules: male guests must wear jacket and tie and jeans are not permitted.

* Yamin and Sci appeared together in the Eli Yamin Quartet in our 04/05 season; and Sci is currently featured in this season’s Black Rock Coalition program, Nina Simone: American girl, World Citizen.

Eli Yamin web site
The University Club web site