A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE A REVIEW

Except for Death Of A Salesman, I have always thought that A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is Arthur Miller's best play. This great American tragedy about a Brooklyn longshoreman's unatural attraction to his 17 year old neice and the shattering effect it has on his wife was first presented in 1955 as part of a double bill of one acts, and was a moderate success at that time[ 149 performances] with Van Heflin in the leading role. I thought that it was wonderful then[I was only 12 years old at the time] and I thought it was still wonderful in it's two major Broadway revivals, and in a brilliant Off-Broadway one in 1965.
Now this great play takes on a new life in director Gregory Mosher's remarkably effective staging. It is also blessed by an outstanding acting company with Liev Schreiber,Scarlett Johansson, and Jessica Hecht powerfully effective in the three central rolls. Ms. Johansson is especially notable as the neice who has the guts to stand up to her overprotective uncle.
The settings by John Lee Beatty and the lighting by Peter Kaczorowski catch the mood of the play brilliantly and Jane Greenwood's costumes are right on the mark.
This A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE is a memorable revival of a classic play.
At THE CORT THEATRE 138 WEST 48th STREET N.Y.C.

PRESENT LAUGHTER A REVIEW

The plays of Noel Coward can be tricky to pull off. They require the lightest touch in the acting and staging departments,and this touch is very much in evidence in Nicholas Martin's bright, lively staging of PRESENT LAUGHTER.
This is Mr Coward's light comedy about getting old while trying to stay young. It is about an aging, self-absorbed,and self pitying actor trying to stay young at any cost. Written in 1939 and first done on Broadway in 1946[with Clifton Webb in the leading role] , this has become one of Mr. Coward's most durable plays. It is full of wit and sophistication,and if it is done right can be quite touching as well.
This production is almost always on the right track. As the aging actor trying to challange Father Time, Victor Garber could not be improved upon. He has the wit and skill to make what could have become an annoying egnomaniac into a likeable and engaging person. He is backed up by a strong supporting cast, and Mr. Martin's staging is full of zip and zing.
The scenery and costumes by Alexander Dodge and Jane Greenwood respectivly are first rate, and Rui Rita's lighting sets them off superbly.
While it is not a classic, or even first rate Coward, this production of PRESENT LAUGHTER is bright, witty, and very satisfying.
At THE AMERICAN AIRLINES THEATRE 227 WEST 42nd STREET N.Y.C.

CARMEN A THOUGHT

The amazing Metropolitan Opera has done it again. Using a brilliant new concept by Richard Eyre [the talented theatre director making his Met debut] the Met has come up with a magnificent new take on everyone's favorite opera CARMEN.
Mr.Eyre has taken this old favorite and made it into a sexy, action filled masterpiece, and in the title role Elina Garanca generates so much erotic heat that she almost sears the paint off Rob Howell's brilliantly inventive scenery, and his costumes are attractive, colorful and serve the
production well.
This is a CARMEN for the 21st century. It is beautifully sung,very well conducted by Yannick Nezet-Seguin, and has a sexiness and inventiveness rarely found in other productions of this old favorite.
All in all, another memorable afternoon at the opera.
At THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE LINCOLN CENTER N.Y.C.

STIFFELIO A THOUGHT

STIFFELIO is not one of Verdi's better known operas, but the Met Opera has[for the first time since 1998] revived it in a superb production that should make it better known.
It deals with seduction, lust, and forgivness and i.s blessed by some incredibly beautiful and romantic music. It needs a conductor who understands Verdi's concept and it has the perfect man in Placido Domingo who is as expert in the pit as he is onstage.
Expertly staged and designed, this STIFFELIO is a gem, and it's good to have it back.
At THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE LINCOLN CENTER N.Y.C

BRIEF ENCOUNTER EXTENDS RUN

Responding to rave reviews and strong ticket sales, Brief Encounter has extended it's run at St. Ann's Warehouse[38 Water Street dumbo Brooklyn] thru Jan 17th.
This is a magical stage adaptation of Noel Coward's 1945 classic film employing live action with classic film footage, and should be at the top of everyone's must see list.
Theatre magic like this happens all too rarely,and is worth anyone's time,so a word to the wise.DON'T MISS IT.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL. I WILL BE BACK ON JAN.11th.

ELEKTRA A THOUGHT

There is some powerful music by Richard Strauss, and some fabulous performances in Elektra[last night's opera at the Met] but I found this adaptation of a Greek myth a distant and uninvolving work.
The stage direction by David Kneuss is remarkably able, and sets by Jurgen Rose are wonderfully effective, but even with all that is good in this production, I found Elektra to be a remote and unsatisfying work.
At THE METROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE LINCOLN CENTER N. Y.

THE TALES OF HOFFMANN A THOUGHT

It was snowing outside but inside the Met Opera House the mood was sunny and magical. The Tales Of Hoffmann was the attraction and it was wonderful.
It has some of Jaques Offenbach's best music [and that's saying alot] and is beautifully presented.
Bartlett Sher has directed this fairy tale for grownups splendedly,and the performances are all top notch.
The weather may have been stormy, but The Tales Of Hoffmann provided an afternoon of pure sunshine.
at THE METRTROPOLITAN OPERA HOUSE LINCOLN CENTER N.Y.C.