Armonia Nova's "Twelfth Night" concert at the Old Christ Church in Alexandria was one of the two finest and most inspiring concerts of the Christmas season ...along with the Christmas Revels at Lisner.  Both productions were simpler than most competing events and, ultimately, far more beautiful as they cut to the essence of distinctive holiday traditions.    Armonia Nova chose to explore very early English carols and other period music from the British Isles.  With only a harpist, a violinist and an alto and a countertenor, the classical instruments gave divine effect and the distinctive voices of the singers were purity plus.   The lyrics were often difficult although a printed pass-out interpreted in current English.   Artistic director, Constance Whiteside, and violinist, Craig Resta, fully described their classic instruments between their excellent precisioned playing.  Countertenor Jay White fully described the linguistic changes from Celtic, Norman and Old English to the present day.  Jay White was outstanding as a soloist or when dueting with finely ranged alto Marjorie Bunday.  Unlike some countertenors, White did not seem to be forcing his voice into a falsetto range and sang with confident volume.   It was a very appreciative audience who, no doubt, trust that this group will provide similar entertainment during the next holiday season.  (Reviewed by Stephen Neal Dennis)

*****

Soprano Renee Fleming is "Thais".  No question that her voice is a divine fit for the role just as the Christian Lacroix costumes that she wore in the Met's new production fit her quite sensuously.  The story of the 4th century courtesan turned Christian nun is based on the legend of St. Thais who became the model for the Anatole France story and the basis of the Massenet opera.   The John Cox set from the Lyric Opera of Chicago is fantasy of oriental antiquity as might be imagined by pleasure loving 19th century Parisians.  Picture the contrast of men in tuxedos, belly dancers and harem girls with monks in the desert wearing hair shirts which gives the visual contrast of the spiritual contest that is the basis of this opera.  Baritone Thomas Hampson sang the most difficult role of the right wing fundamentalist monk Athanael who sets out to convert the glamorous Thais from her wicked ways but then become enthralled with her.  David Chan presented the stunning "Mediation"  which is a rare moment in opera for a solo instrumental.  Tenor Michael Schade and conductor Jesus Lopez-Cobos were both noteworthy in the performance. The opera was once dismissed as pseudo spiritual so a special soprano is needed to sing the role...Beverly Sills did it in 1978...only Renee Fleming seems capable of doing it today.  Watch for the DVD of this performance for what will be a collector's performance.  (Reviewed by Celia Sharpe)

*****

Toby's Dinner Theatre of Columbia brings us a holiday celebration with the recreation of the famous "Fovever Plaid" (To 1/4) with vocal and musical arrangements by James Raitt, Brad Ellis, Raymond Berg and David Snyder.  This production is a grat holiday gift to the family.  Return to 1958 with familiar songs and familiar tv shows like the Ed Sullivan show, and Perry Como. The Plaids create a nostalgic and memorable evening of fun, laughter, good music and lovely voices.  Remember "Hey There" and "Strangers in Paradise" to which they add holiday treats of "Joy to the World", "Jingle Bells", et al. They get you in the gift giving, egg nog drinking mood.  Happy holidays to all!  This is a short run so be sure to call right away for tickets. 

*****

What became apparent with the Chantry group at St. Mary Mother of God church was that the late 17th century French religious music of Charpentier is far more delightful that the pieces selected from the works of either Mouton or de Manchicourt.  Charpentier assumed the existence of a small  background orchestra and organ and these instruments add greatly to the color and texture of his music.   By contrast, the Mouton pieces are more subtle and vastly more sophisticated.   The Chantry group has gained a well deserved reputation for the careful blending of voices in beautiful and intensely religious choral works.  But for this concert the voices seemed unbalanced as the two soprano voices were insistently dominant.  And unfortunately the organist, without a mike, could not be understood in his tedious remarks.  (Reviewed by Stephen Neal Dennis)

***** 

The Canadian group "Leahy" took the stage at the GMU Center for the Arts like a benevolent storm with flashing fingers and feet.  "A Celtic Christmas" was described as an opportunity for the audience tol ook into the Leahy home to experience their holiday celebration.  A couch gave the feeling of a living room and set the stage for the performances from eight members of this remarkably talented family of 11.  They were joined on stage by three young girls  representing the 23 Leahy offspring.  The older girl sang like an angel and all three danced with technique and authority far beyond their years.  This group has talent to spare .  All played multiple instruments with amazing technique and skill. Their flashy footwork surpasses anything that Riverdance can offer.  Leahy sang familiar and unfamiliar carols beautifully and tenderly so they seemed new works.  The evening ended with a high energy dance that left the audience breathless and screaming for more.  It made one envious of the Christmases spent by this unique family.  It was a pleasure to spend time with them as they conveyed the true meaning of family and Christmas.  We left the Center filled with the spirit of Christmas.  (Reviewed by Beverly Cosham)

*****

The Warehouse, under the auspices of the Polio Society of Washington, is presenting a one hour musical, "The Mall, The Merrier-a holiday cabaret"  (To 12/22).   It is short and sweet and, as the title indicates, it is complete with holiday songs.   Although short on script,  Scott Sedar as the holiday bear presents some soft and mellow songs of Christmas while Barbara Papendorp and Michael Miyazai tear loose respectively about a nasty, perverted Santa Claus and an actor playing Santa who can't get a hold on his life .  Elver Ariza has a fine acting bio but he doesn't seem to develop any character even as an angel who just wanders in and out of the scenes.   Ms. Papendorp has by far the most polished acting and singing and deserves all of her applause.  Jacqua Yeomans finely played the keyboard and followed the singers perfectly.   So do attend the subsequent shows if you need a little more cheering up during the Yule season and contribute at the same time to a most worthy cause. (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

Michael Bennett"s "A Chorus Line" (To 1/4) has been revived after a 16 year hiatus from 15 years of success on Broadway.  Opening night at the Forest Theater in Philadelphia was warmly greeted and the show did not disappoint.  With the same fabulous numbers that we associate with this renown hit show, only minor changes were made to modernize this production.  With a simple set design and fine costumes, this production impresses with the talent of a stong cast ensemble.  It has those jazzy numbers that has even the theatre novice singing along with the chorus.  This show is not to be misses by any theater lover!  (Reviewed by Stefanie Rosinsky)

*****

The Suspicious Cheese Lords is a small "a capella" ensemble but they have obtained a legendary status since 1996.   They built their reputation atop decisive renditions of great polyphonic Renaissance music.   Now they have moved into a modern repertoire.  The concert at St. Paul's Luteran Church had some music for Christmas.  Everything this group does is sung with great precision and a perfect blending of voices. They delightfully surprised the audience with "Gaudete Christus natus est" as the sound grew denser and more complex.  They also delighted with "O magnum mysterium" as they performed it very simplistically.    The most impressive moments came as they sang Rachmaninoff's "Bogorditse Devo".  It is one of the composer's greatest composition.  With this selection, the wonderful basses came through in true Russian fashion.  The group is wonderful in working in all languages as shown in their Nahuatl vocals for the selection "Xicochi,Xicochi".   (Reviewed by Stephen Neal Dennis)

*****

The Strathmore Mansion presented 29 singers with conductor, Eleanor Epstein, who brightened up the holiday season.  "Zemer Chai" ("living song") presented songs in the Jewish choral repertoire about Hanukkah.   They were a tight knit group of singers suggesting much rehearsal and they sang with a passion with some phrases bringing tears to the audience as a few songs talked of the futility of being displaced so often in  history.  The group was well balanced in vocal ranges and they did fine countered singing phrases.  Cantor Elwin Redfern presented plaintive sounds mostly found in Eastern European music.   And 80 year old Joshua Jacobson delightfully soloed with a Yiddish festival drinking song.   The program concluded with the youngest teen member, Matthew Lazar, giving a rock version of "I Have a Little Dreidel" with the background singers swaying in gospel posturing in behind.  It garnered the greatest applause of the evening.    (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

The Kennan Institute (Woodrow Wilson International Center) celebrated the 100th year of David Oistrakh with a lecture and a concert played by Jonathan Carney and Igor Yuzefovich of the Baltimore Symphony. There were early footages of Mr. Oistrakh playing along with reminiscences and anecdotes of his defining subtle wit.   Only three Russian artists were allowed to tour the West during the Cold War: Mr. Oistrakh,  Emil Gilels and Sviatoslav Richter.  In the USSR, Mr. Oistrakh befriended Shastakovich and they were both under extreme duress since Shastakovich was considered to be a "formalist" composer out of sympathy with the needs of the Russian people.  Selections at this concert were from Mozart, Handel and Rozsa.  Mr. Carney played a 1687 Strad violin.  It was a wonderful introspective evening of stories and music. (Reviewed by Stephen Neal Dennis)

*****

The Choral Arts Society's "Christmas Music" concert at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall provided a splendid evening of rousing music...much of it sung in Czech.   Increasingly lovers of choral music believe the heart of the choral music scene in Washington must be centered on the triumphant voices of the Choral Arts Society.  It certainly is more symphonic in nature than other world wide groups and the KC Concert Hall provides a perfect setting with it tiered risers in front of a vast concert organ.  The highlights of this Christmas program was having the audience sing "Silent Night" in Czech and presenting Jakub Jan Ryba's "Czech Christmas Mass" of 1796...a reminder that another composer like Beethoven  was developing dramatic religious music with large intentions.  The principal soloists for the evening were soprano Kelley Nassief and baritone James Shaffran.  Young Elijah Lawrence sang the treble page's part for "Good King Wenceslas".  The orchestra also  performed Dvorak's "Slavonic Dance No. 1".   In conclusion there was a medley of familiar religious carols by the orchestra and chorus and joined in by the audience.  (Reviewed Stephen Neal Dennis)

*****

At the National Gallery of Art,  Austrian pianist Till Fellner performed the first concert in his promised series of seven Washington concerts in presenting the 32 Beethoven piano sonatas.  He started with "all guns blazing".  His playing is muscular yet searingly beautiful with his penetrting musical intelligence that is a guarantee.   But his undoubted charm is not only based on his mere technical bravado but there is a magical component throughout.   Fellner is truly a master of the piano keyboard as he proved playing the first four sonatas.    He has the uncanny ability to create cloudlets of melody of the most challenging metrical difficulty.   This young pianist will have a long and increasingly distinguished concert career before him.   He will next appear at the Austrian Embassy as part of the Embassy Series on March 8th.   It is highly recommended for music lovers who want to hear this triumphant soloist.  (Reviewed by Stephen Neal Dennis)

*****

The Cathedral Choral Society presented nearly two hours of joyful Christmas music "The Joy of Christmas" which had something for everyone except those that wanted a full program of religious music of the High Renaissance.   Yes, the 22 sung numbers included a surprising variety of "new" carols from the 20th century as the religious Christmas tradition continues to grow musically.   Alice Parker's "The Animals' Christmas" was given its world premiere with the composer present.  Five of the modern compositions were written entirely in Latin and one was sung in Old Slavonic.  The Washington National Cathedral certainly wins the competition for concert spaces with its magnificent soaring spaces, the glowing tints of stained glass windows, and the majestic and resonant acoutics.   So the Cathedral Choral Society and its younger companions from the Madrigal Singers of St. Albans and the National Cathedral Schools intensified the aural spectacle.  (Reviewed by Stephen Neal Dennis)

*****

"Les Miserables", the wildly popular musical drama, has been reinvented by Eric Shaeffer to fit a smaller theater space. The musical tells the story of Jean Valjean, a good man, who stole a loaf of bread to feed his hungry nephew and his arch rival, Javert, who spends decades trying to track him down to punish his crime (?).  The direction, the cast, the costumes, the lighting, the sound ...all come together in perfect harmony to create a magnificent production on an intimate level. No seat is more than five rows from the stage so that everyone in the audience can feel part of the fine action.   The cast led by Greg Stone who played the lead in the road show includes Channez McQuay, Russell Sunday, Chris Sizemore (who played the role of Enjoiras and has a beautiful voice), and others...talents we have seen over the years on local stages. The cast brings to life this drama of love, courage, honor, valor and revolution.  The voices are outstanding and they make an incredible chorus that thrills the listener to the core.  This is a perfect holiday show for the whole family.  (Reviewed by Nancy McCord)

*****

The GMU Center for the Arts presented an evening of music that moved our feet and our hearts.  Irvin Mayfield & the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra presented an eclectic 90 minute plus program that demonstrated the unique talents of this amazing group of musicians. Shouts out to all of the players!...with special note to the rhythm section of Victor Atkins (piano), David Pulphus (bass) and Jason Marsalis (drums).  These are the cats laying down the beat on which the others extrapolate.  The evening's program began and ended with footage of the devastation that the hurricane inflicted on New Orleans.  The penultimate song "May He Rest In Peace" was a prayer for all of those who were lost in the storm including Irvin Mayfield Sr.  The traditonal recessional piece as the group marched through the audience ended an exciting evening of jazz played by some of its very best.    This group continues to be a major part of the revitalization of New Orleans Jazz. (Reviewed by Beverly Cosham)

*****

The actor/singer with the unlikely name  of Dito van Reigersberg performs under an  unlikely stage name of "Martha Graham Cracker" (12/13) as he presents a riotous "drag" show at the Gala Hispanic.  From the opening romantic number in his shimmy-threaded outfit, he had the audienced enthralled with his most winning ways as he teased the audience and got their grand participation in his dynamic singing and posing and shaking.  He is truly a "male Tina Turner" as he had the "wheels a-turning" as he pranced around the stage and up and down the aisles of Gala theater.   He was a dynamo thoughout the superb two hour intermissionless show with his excellent three piece band (Victor Florillo, Andrew Nelson, Ned Sonstein).    He performs regularly at a drag theater in Philly but was happy to do a two day show in Washington...his home town.  Yes, he definitely should be called back for an extended run. Cancel all of your tickets for 12/14 to catch this superb star of the cabaret stage.   (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

Christmas snows delayed my trip to the weather cold city of Houston which limited my reviewing to only two museums and three stage shows.  The two most stunning shows this Yuletide were the Divine Performing Arts at the Jones Theater and the Funeral Museum in the northern part of the city.  The "Divine" show was more than divine in its wonderful Chinese costuming and stunning synchronized dancing.   The works were all ethereal except for two selections...the "Persecuted on a Sacred Path" which showed oppression by the political and military systems but fortunately ended on a positive note as the dead father was rewarded in heaven, and the "Dance of the Snow-Capped Mountain" with it militaristic thrusts which seemed imposed from without and denied the romanticism of the Tibetan peoples.    The back of the large stage showed startling pictures of Chinese landscapes...including the Eternal City... in wonderful color on which moving figures were seen flying around from gods to scenic items.  The show should be in DC in February and it is a must-see as it is not only beautiful but it shows the loveliness of China throughout...one reacts comparatively to the fantastic show that preceded the recent Olympics.  The Funeral Museum has a huge display space which is necessary to show the excellent hearses and ambulances from present day to the wheeled ones of previous centuries.  One hearse is totally carved out of wood but with an intact motor so it was driveable.   There were many highly decorated coffins and the most interesting one had a place for a mother, father and dead baby betwixt.  The parents were so distraught at the baby's death that they planned to commit suicide and be placed in the coffin  with the offspring.   Yes, they changed their mind but couldn't get their money back.    Otherwise the exhibits included burial processes throughout the world and a present exhibit is complete involving the death of Pope John Paul II which is very inspirational.   The Houston Museum of Natural Science impresses with two current shows of "The Birth of Christianity" and "Body Worlds 2".  The "Birth of Christianity" show has artifacts mostly from the city of Jerusalem and the two temples.  The most intesting part of the exhibit is the second section in which remnants of gospels and the Dead Sea Scrolls are shown.  And the wall description are superb in pointing out the inconsistencies as well as consistencies surrounding the early development of christianity.  One is impressed with so many false notions that current peoples have regarding the biblical times.   "Body Worlds 2" is similar to a recent show at the Spectrum in Rosslyn but the plastinated bodies are all volunteers of which there are 9 thousand still signed on.  The bodies are postured in different sports and artistic positions so that so much more information of muscular movement can be appreciated.  Some visitors were turned off by the one specimen of a mother who died in childbirth with the baby coming through the uterine passage.  It is an amazing show and not only for medical students as it pinpoints parts of the body that can disturbed by different illnesses.  The Houston Christmas Revels this year took place in the Lowe Theater at St. John's School instead of the much larger symphony hall.  As a result the show of the Elizabeth age seemed so much more intimate.  The costuming of Claremarie Verbheyen was absolutely perfect especially the two flamboyant costumes of Queen Elizabeth I.    Barbara Lasater perfectly portrayed the Virgin Queen with commanding presence and voice.   The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance got the largest applause although the whole show was roundly applauded at the end.    The children's group was again finely and creatively directed by Beth Sanford...and she did well throughout the show.   It is an annual Yule joy!   The Alley Theater presented the Christmas Carol but subtitled it "A Ghost Story of Christmas" as Michael Wilson's adaptation starts with white robed and hand chained ghosts roaming around the stage so the whole story is much more "ghostly".  Jeffrey Bean played the lead and his Ebenezer is firm at the start and almost giddy at the end...a superior transition that got many extraordinary laughs.   Spencer Plachy came off second best with his playing nephew with his gentle teasing of his uncle.  Bettye Fitzpatrick again topped the others secondary actors in  her two roles. But the whole play came off very professionally with no errors noted in the stage work or technicals.  The audience showed outstanding responses to this oft told tale.  (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

Have you ever been on a trip where you don't even want to steal the hotel towels...enough said about San Jose, Costa Rica.   After being most excited by reports about the beauty of Costa Rica...it was hard to find in its capital city of San Jose.  Even in the downtown area one found razor wire on balconies and around businesses.  And the lower class that roamed the streets rarely seemed to be buying in any of the stores which were all in Christmas decor with continuous carols being played.  The only classical respite could be found in the gloriously beautiful Opera house which is done in baroque style with gold leaf throughout.    The program there was for two nights of choral groups (27th Festival de la Musica Coral) in country wide competition.    The first evening had primary school singers who were mostly off key although cute and an older group with "pipes and whistles" in their tones.    The most effectively pleasing the first night was the Coro Del Liceo Samuel Saenz who did wonderful call and response from William Boyce's "Alleluia" to the negro spiritual  "I'm Gonna Sing".  The second evening found the Grupo Musical Experimenta Universitario de las Universidad de Costa Rica who wowed with excellent classical hispanic music and lots of instruments to guide the singers.   However the best of the evening was the Coro de la Escuela de Artes Musicales with a stunning "Salve Regina" and a most exciting song and movement of "Dos Cantos Africanos".   The finest art museum is the Costa Rican Art Museum which is celebrating its 30th anniversary.   It had work of the most celebrated artists...named Group of 8 (Herman Gonzalez, Luis Daeli, Cruz Gonzalez, Cesar Valverde, Guillermo Jimenez, Rafael Angel Garcia, Harold Fonseca and Nestor Zeledon)...who all had out of country art experiences.  One of the most beautiful pieces was Juan Manuel Sanchez's "Lovers"...a wood sculpture.    One of the most fascinating was Fernando Calvo's "Hope" which was again a wooden sculpture of a decrepit woman seated in a rocking chair...the facial lines were totally  stunning not unlike a Michaelangelo.   Of the paintings, Luis Doeli 's huge "Pieta" was again full of character lines throughout.  The National Museum  was in a former military barracks and every visitor should see the collection as it primarily describes the history of the country especially the 1948 revolution which was mesmerizing. The National Center of Art and Culture was a disappointment with only 8 art pieces which were all minimalistic.    The jade and the gold museums have superb collections of their named items.   The Gold museum's entrance are bank vault doors which show how huge the gold collection is.    Jade preceded gold to show social status of the wearers. Currently the Museum of Calderon Guardia has the Marc Chagall touring show which contains his work concerning Greek mythic characters.  It is a delicious show and one hopes it may make it to Washington DC.  (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

On an annual visit to Miami, Bob Anthony this year found an explosion of art venues...mostly in the dozens of new galleries.  Although most of them show hispanic-tinted art appropriate for the area,  the University of Miami  has a larder of great classical art with only 1/10th of its treasures on display.  One finds all of the major artists from El Greco to Frank Stella to Duane Hanson.    They recently added "Taking Form in Glass" in a new gallery with the art pieces from the Palley Collection.   They include works from Chuhuly to Picasso in a glorious display of most enticing and enrapturing glass works.   They currently also have a traveling show "Excavating Egypt" (To 11/2) that brings back fond memories of Egyptian traveling that almost favorably competes with any King Tut exhibit.   But then, there is also art from Africa, Polynesia, Asia and Ancient America that is startling in the well curated displays.   This is definitely the one museum to see in Miami.    Regarding the galleries, the most impressive ones are the Entra Fine Art with its two large canvases by Ricardo Pelaez...the one being a reproduction ("Fritza") of a Klimt with a long robe extending to the bottom right of the picture and flowing onto a side chair covered with the same material;  the Fusion V which is showing Allashka with typical Russian wood chip constructions of realistics scenes and faces...a most endearing technique for russophiles;  and the Britto Gallery in South Beach with wonderfully cheerful  and stark colorations as only this master can create...he is best know for the pyramid construction in Hyde Park in London.   Plus there seem to be a zillion smaller galleries throughout the city from Coconut Grove to 31st Street in upper Miami.   The Actors' Playhouse on the Miracle Mile in Coral Gables is showing a wonderful production of "1776" (To 11/8).   It is so much fun to see how our founding fathers went through so much verbal and physical pain to write the Declaration of Independence when they could suffer hangings for their behavior.  The cast was perfectly selected for this production with the award going to Shane R. Tanner who wowed the audience with his ""Molasses to Rum".   But all of the actors were in good acting style and voice for this drama with music.  The costumes  by Ellis Tillman were excellent but the wigs were quite inadequate.  But the audience was always revited on the stage action.  And here is a recommendation for the most fantastic cruise ship on the seas...the Liberty of the Seas is a newer ship of Royal Caribbean that boasts it is the largest such ship afloat by two inches.   The fifth deck is a ship long Promenade where buying and social activities flourish.   Their newest stage show is "In the Air" which is a smaller version of Cirque du Soleil with the dancers constantly moving around in the air with nary a foot on the stage for the one hour show.  And it is a technical marvel with lights and sounds.  (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

Bob Anthony found that St. Louis was certainly a total delight regarding the arts venues.   First off, the St. Louis Symphony was presenting "The Lord of the Rings" composed by Howard Shore and it was beautifully conducted by Ludwig Wicki with a stage full of orchestra, the St. Louis Symphony Chorus and the St. Louis Children's Choirs.   Although each musical portion was exciting, there was a disconnect between portions so there was an uneasy flow to the music.  Soprano Kaitlyn Lusk had to use a mike to ride over the choral groups even though it seemed inadequately rehearsed since lyrics were not understandable...perhaps surtitles should have been used.  There were nice visuals presented on a large screen upstage but there was no description as to what they represented.    The Orange Girls at the COCA black box theater presented "Scorched" by Lebanese playwright, Wajdi Mouawad that was confusing as actors and actresses played many roles and a few played the same roles at different ages.  The basic Greek-theater plot was predictable although shocking to many in the audience who were less sophisticated in theatricals.  The cast was excellent especially Bruce Longworth and Michelle Hand as Jihane but the story line seemed fractured and would have been helped if the playwright had named the characters more often in the script. The St. Louis Rep did an outstanding performance with Martin McDonagh's "The Lieutenant of Inishmore"...about a terrorist who cared more for his cat than about his committing mayhem and murder. The play has a riotous blood bath in the second act that kept the laughs rollicking throughout the theater.   All the cast was perfect regarding type and talent.  Special kudos go to the tech people especially to Steve Tolin in special effects.   The play has wonderful social and moral messages that one carries away from the theater.   The top museum current show is "Persuasive Politics: Presidential Campaign Memorabilia" at the St. Louis University Museum which can only be exhibited during campaign years as agreed to with the donor.  It is a fabulous collection of buttons, banners and memorabilia going back to Washington's time and up to the present with Obama and McCain materials.  If you have trouble remembering the vice presidential running mates...it is all there for you.  It is a must-see show for all socially and politically minded.  This same museum has one of the finest oriental collection on the top floor with superb jade and ivory carvings...and including a jade burial suit.   Plus the other floors hold excellent paintings and statues including a somewhat shocking nude Black Jesus contemplating his cross.   Also associated with the museum is the Samuel Cupples House which has the finest collection of glass and crystal ware ever seen.    The Washington University has outstanding buildings which reminds one of a British university...and the Kemper Art Museum there has the delightful "Birth of the Cool: California Art, Design and Culture at Midcentury".  The best part of the show is the wonderful "jazz" lounge which has pictures and portraits of jazz artists with background jazz music and also individual headphones to listen to specific jazz artists.  The rest of the show has jazzy types of furniture and abstract paintings.  It is interesting since many painters state that they listen to jazz music as they create their works of arts.  The top floor of the museum has a fine collection of classic and modern paintings and the bottom floor has a "money" museum with a talking mannequin of Ben Franklin talking about money concerns.   The Pulitzer Foundation for the Arts has a Flavin show with his neons neatly filling the long hallways.   One is concerned about the construction of this museum as it only has two large galleries to present paintings although the structure is an award winner regarding startling construction.   The Saint Louis Art Museum is preparing to add an addition but it still shows a healthy permanent collection.  It has  a solid American collection from Colonial times up to George Caleb Bingham...and it continues with recent and current painters. It has fine Asian, African, Islamic, Pre-Columbian, Decorative Arts, and European galleries.  Of course, the most exciting is the comprehensive impressionists and post impressionists presentations.   The Contemporary Art Museum is rather small...three exhibitions areas at present.  The current show is Aida Ruilova "The Singles 1999-Now." and Lutz Bacher "Spill"...both shows are only for the lovers of extreme contemporary video and minimalist art and one stand-up piece is just piled up cases of beer a la Andy Warhol.  The Missouri Historical Museum has two delightful shows ...."Lindbergh" and the "1904 World's Fair"...they are both most exciting in living the past glories of our developing nation.    The Missouri Botanical Gardens is a plant lovers' dream walk-through. Throughout the gardens are the delightful sculptures of Niki (de Saint Phalle) that range from highly painted dogs and cats to clowns and totems.  This is a must-see for families.   The Laumeier Sculpture Park is outside the city limits but worth a visit to walk through verdant lawns and hiking paths to locate exciting modern sculptures all described on a map.   The St. Louis Mercantile Library was donated to the University of Missouri  of Saint Louis and it contains wonderful memorabilia of early Americana.  The largest collection is stacks of railroad routes and maps that describe the birth of railroads until the present.  Additionally at present there is a show provided by the German Republic of the Berlin Air Lift which shows the city in similar total destruction not unlike Dresden.   But it shows the bravery of American fliers to get supplies through to the West Berliners.  Finally, for lovers of church art , there is the magnificent Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis the is stunningly covered by mosaica.  In the basement is a display of the art of composing mosaics that is also fascinating.  And the St. Stanislaus Church is almost the only building standing in the now-slums Polish area of the city.  But upon entering the church one feels a bit of paradise was dropped on earth.   There is renovation going on in that part of the city so it may return to its glory days.  (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

***** 

Celia Sharpe covers the following New York City's 2008 Fringe Shows:

     "Johnny Law Courtroom Crusader" is on the crossroads where our legal inconsistencies meets expected edginess of the NY International Fringe Festival. Tim Ryan Meinischmidt (playing Johnny) and Tom L. Fox (a true private practice lawyer) wrote this mini-masterpiece.  The main character (Johnny)  acts out his resume from law school to the Department of Justice and on to Public Defender then on to criminal work as private practicioner and finally into entertainment law.  All of these professional elements are provide compilations in his handling a teen age drug case.   Throughout his comments on our legal system are incisive as he works through the "dead end alleys" in this typical courtroom case.   It would be a spoiler to say what happens but all who caught this show participated in a spirited piece of intelligent entertainment.  Kudos to the director, Christopher Fessenden, and this company for an excellent production.

     "Ripcords" is a dramatic musical about the silent generation of 1923-33 which proves that the group was not "withdrawn, cautious, unimaginative, indifferent, unadventurous or silent" as commonly believed.  The lead Susan (Emily Skaggs) works at a wartime profiteering company making faulty "ripcords" and she suspects that one was responsible for her brother's death so she symbolically breaks loose of her own ripcord and tries to make a difference and is challenged by friends, employers and politicians.   The musical is a gem with superb jazz music by Andy Cohen and lyrics by Anne Berlin. Ms. Skaggs has a bright future with her charm and talent and that "Jimmy Stewart" spunk.   She will definitely be a top star on the musical stage.

     Chip Deffaa has five plays being produced and luckily the N.Y. Fringe has "The Seven Little Foys".    The legendary showman Eddie Foy was a character both on and off the stage.  This gentle story with dozens of early 20th century songs begins with the death of his wife and ends with the death of Eddie after all of his grown children singly leave the act.   It is not only good family entertainment but also family love and cohesion resonates throughout.

       Movin' Melvin Brown is a one-man entertainment in his internationally acclaimed production of "A Man, A Magic, A Music".  A singer and dancer as well as a comic Mr. Brown brings back the memories of the last 60 years of music.   But mostly Mr. Brown is an inspiration to the spirit of music and humor which never fails as he gets everyone clapping hands and tapping feet.   He brings forth one treasure after another from the bygone golden days of music.  Bottom Line: Great songs, great show, great time for all.

     This "China:The Whole Enchilada" is an irreverent survey of five thousand years of Chinese history running coincidentally with the Chinese Olympics.   It features the Peking man, Genghis Khan, Kublai Khan, Mao, Fu Manchu and they even consider Ricardo Montalban (?).   This is a true vaudeville show where anything goes. Song and dance is interspersed with puns, off stage disaster sounds and sommersaults.  It is cleverly done by actors from the Orlando Shakespeare Festival.   It is one of the nuttiest fringe shows even as it is politically correct.

     "Tiny Feats of Cowardice" is a one woman show by Susan Bernfield.  This actress, with bravery and mucho talent,  shows how cowardice is real and too often ignored as if it were and unspeakable disease.   She provides not platitudes but warms the subject with quaint humor  and sings some great songs along the way.   It makes one "feel good".

     "The Deciders" covers the Cindy Sheehan conflict with President Bush after she lost her son in the war.   It is a rock musical that takes its title from Bush's statement that "...I decide what's best".   With rousing music this musical  fantasizes putting Saddamn back on the Iraqi throne in order to stabilize the country.  It ended with a rousing ovation so the audience truly "decided" what is "best".

     "Revolution on the Roof...a 60's Anti-war Musical" is a true story set to the music of the time.   This wonderful show reminds us that passion and truth do not have to scream to be heard, especially if they are backed up with commitments.   The musical moves from the Vietnam war to the feminist movement being defined as bras are eventually thrown away.

     "The Johnny" might invite comparison with a host of high school musicals.  It has the high school jock who falls for the quiet self-assured girl.    Of course the school nerd beats out the jock in a sports event.  Kudos to the composer, the choreographer, the orchestrator and the whole technical crew.

     "Down Around Brown Town" speaks clearly the bio of James Brown...the great showman.  The show's only fault is that it is too short at 60 minutes even though it is an intense and engerized show.   The audience is left with a "please, please" don't stop feeling.

     "Usher"...as expected...is a musical based on Edgar Allan Poe's "The Fall of the House of Usher.  This effectively staged production features lush music composed by Sarah Hirsh.   So the Poe's talent at describing a "doomed woman" again comes to the fore.   And this was a new interpretation of the classic with music a la Sondheim that intertwines with the poignancy of Phantom of the Opera.  This is a very original and careful re-creation and it is done with great respect for the original detective story writer.

*****

Prescott, Arizona continues to prove itself to be the "cowboy" capital of the country.  It was Cowboy Poet weekend and the air was filled with rhymes about lost or hurt animals, lost or hurt loves, and lost or hurt legendary cowboys and cowgirls.  There was probably more yodeling than found on a mountainside in the Alps.  There were two fine shows presented at the classic Elks Opera House...or is that "Opry"!   The Saturday show was the  Arizona Review which claimed "always fresh, always new, and always something unexpected".   And that was certainly true as only the opening act gave us some cowfolk music.  What followed was jazz, bebop, big band, heart-wrenching solos and the jazz dummer even threw in some rap.  It was overall a "fun" show that was totally family oriented...actually the family members of the troupe ended the evening by packing the stage floor.   It gave one a real good feeling throughout.  Although Janna Bradshaw and April Manchester added top vocal talent and pulchritude, the stars of the evening were trumpeter and vocalist Steve Annibale and drummer Clyde Score.  The weakest talent of the evening...although previously an award winner...was Courtney Wagner who danced finely but her movements didn't seem to correlate to the lyrics of the songs being performed....especially as she moved to "Steam Heat".  Actually the whole show needed a running theme...otherwise it seemed disjointed.   The Sunday show was "Music for Wonder" which was a typical variety show.   The first part had the amazing talents of teenagers (Sedona Jazz On The Rocks) who showed talent far ahead of their years.  The top star of that portion was the expert trumpeting by Cody Rowlands whose flugelhorn blowing was luscious.   Remember this name, jazz fans!   The second part of the show had some quaint Indian pipe music by Michael Goodluck who received the most appreciative applause.   Liz Story took the top spot with her divine piano presentations.  She will only play her original compositions and the "Church in the Trees" had the jazziest flavor throughout.  Her other selections edged on classical soundings and her new  Zodiac presentations are not unlike Chopin in their runs and nuances.      Ian Russell painted the backdrop for this show which was a collage musical scene.  Otherwise he paints some very dramatic canyon scenes which are challenging and most intriguing.   Jim Antonius' superb glass work can now be seen at the Grayleaf Galleria.  He now features glass with copper inlays that is most unique in addition to his stunningly colored vases and art pieces.   (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

Bob Anthony covers museums and the Dallas Aquarium.  First off, the must-see venue is the Dallas World Aquarium.  It is the most exotic place ever experienced as one walks down the three level ramp and moves from a rain forest at the top level with all of the multi-colored birds, animals and flora and into the lowest level where the finest salt water and river waters'  flora and faunas from all over the world are amassed.  The most delightful is walking through the shark tunnel as all of the tame and man- eaters swim around one.    There are two major restaurants and lots of side cafes with plenty of reception rooms for parties which provide unmatched surrounding scenery, of course.   Naturally one would like to buy one of each item in the large gift  and book shops.    Definitely put this one on your travel agenda when in the Big D!   The Dallas Museum of Art has a most varied group of galleries.  Presently the Julian Onderdonk exhibit shows the finest impressionist work of this San Antonio artist.  His "Spring Morning of Blue Bonnets" is an electric look at fields of the Texas blue bonnet flowers.  He does wonderful figuratives as well as seen in his delightful "Blue Bonnets with a Girl".  He was a student of William Merritt Chase and some of the master's works are also displayed for contrast.   Another temporary show is Sara and Gerald Murphy's "Making it New"  which is rather avant garde and not particularly moving artistically.    The huge permanent collection is highlighted by Bouguereau's huge madonna  of Notre Dame and Rousseau's "Charcoal Burner's Hut".    Particulary impressive in the hispanic section is Luiz Alfonso Jiminez's "Southwest Pieta" of a long haired Spanish Indian Mary caressing a long haired dead Jesus.   Its lines are spectacular.  The Southern Methodist U. Meadows Museum has glorious religious paintings throughout.  Presently on loan from the University of Arizona is the Fernando Gallego Workshop's iconic paintings detailing the life and death of the Christus.  The glorius colorations are paradaisal  throughout the collection.  The most impressive Italianate styled one is "Christ and the Samaritan Woman".  The most shocking one is "Acacius and the 10, 000 Martyrs on Mount Ararat"...all hanging from crosses.  The African-American Museum is the newest museum in a most inviting building but rather lacking in a permanent collection.  Most of the space is used to give a history of Blacks in the Dallas area and highlighting the destruction of a Black cemetery when a major expressway was put through the city...a shameful event.  There were furniture and other household items made by Blacks and lots of photos of social and school groups.  A special showing of religious primitives was totally delightful especially the portraits of the different angels all in most of the paintings. 

Fort Worth has the most impressive collections starting with the traveling show at the Kimbell of impressionists' master paintings from the Art Institute of Chicago.   It was wonderful to see Van Gogh's "bedroom" again after many years...what a genius in perspective painting.   The museum was totally packed as it is the most popular show in town and Texas.  The casette recordings were especially well done with environmental sounds in the background....train noises for the "gare" paintings, etc.    The permanent collection was extra fine for the Kimbell with such scuptors and artists as Maillol, Donatello, Matisse, Munch, Boucher, George Stubbs, Poussin and Latour.  The finest was, of course, Borromeo's "terra cotta" of "Madonna and Child".    The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth has the expected masters of modern art but the special current show is causing the most excitement in the art world.  Kara Walker has a series of wall silhouettes that tell the story of the Black experience mostly from slave days to the present.  It is an "angry" show as it tells of the sexual, social and psychological damages suffered by Blacks.   Black leaders have commented that it has reversed the successes of the Black movement of the last 100 years.   The metaphors are riveting as some moving silhouettes range from showing defecation to multiple baby droppings to sexual acts to pinpoint the range of racial discrimination and the subsequent and appropriate reactions of anger.  One would not recommended this show for children unless an adult might be present to give calming interpretations. The Amon Carter Museum had a temporary show of "Marsden Hartley and the West"  which gives a modernist look at the American West.   In typical heavy "desert" paints the show seems more  abstract  than some of this painter's other themes.   There are canyons, clouds and desert horizons and one wonders if occasionally they are not turned upside down in error.   The permanent collection is very figurative with some superb Remingtons ...sculptures and paintings...in the one section.   And the collection runs from Georgia O'Keefe to Thomas Moran and many betwixt.   The finest  "western" collection is found at the Sid Richardson Museum in center town Fort Worth.  Right now it is jammed packed with Frederic Remingtons and Charles Marion Russells.    There are glorious western scenes of both the White Man and the Indians in peace and in wars.  The finest is "Captain William Clark's Meeting with the Indians of the Northwest"  but the dynamic action riding scenes are the most emotionally moving ones.   A nice side trip is to go into old Fort Worth by the stockyards and enjoy the White Elephant... a rousing bar with cabinets full of elephants of all shapes and sizes and a ceiling full of ten gallon hats donated by cowboy westerners.  There is continous entertainment by twanging guitarists and singers. (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****

Bob Anthony covers six museums and one cabaret show in the greater Tampa, Florida area!  No doubt the greatest thill is found in Sarasota with the Ringling Museum, the Circus Museum and the 56 room Ringling Venetian-Gothic mansion...all on a beautifully landscaped multi-acres.   Mrs. Ringling added the 1000 rose bushes that is centrally placed on the estate.   The Art Museum is a wonderment with its 14th through 17th century baroque and gothic paintings.   One is aesthetically startled at the entrance with four huge Rubens that is a prelude to a huge collection of first rate paintings.  They are mostly religious as is seen in the Rubens' "Abraham and Melchizadek"  which depicts that "bread and wine" were the first thanks giving.   So one continues through the collection seeing Granacci, Veronese, Giordano, Rembrant and superior old masters...the favorite was Lodovico David's "Judgement of Paris".  One continues through American artists, Italian painters, Spanish painters...the favorite here being Murillo's "St. Joseph and Child".  A special show is American Jacob Lawrence's "Creation Series"  and "Toussaint". And the museum continues with master drawings of which one recognizes Tiepolo, West, Boucher and Fragonard.  Wonderment continues at the Circus Museum that covers the whole history of the circuses in this country however the grand prize is a panorama...it took 60 years to build... of a miniature three ring circus with all of the animals and circus acts to dazzle the imagination.   There is a separate section of the parade of miniatures...horses, clowns and people that paraded through each town towards the circus tent.   There is enough here to keep both children and adults enthralled for many hours.

St. Petersburg also was amazing that such a moderate sized city could offer three fine museums for art lovers.   It was the last day for the  "Art in Bloom" ...  a yearly feature at the Museum of Fine Arts...every gallery had magnificent floral displays.   This year it seemed to be encouraged by American artist Christopher Still's "Orchids" and Elisabeth-Louise Vigee-Lebrun's "Julie Lebrun as Flora, 1799".   The galleries are  solid with fine selections from all of the art movements plus there was a magnificent pre-Columbian collection,  a Mughal collection,  and a Chinese collection.  Currently they are showing the Hazel Hough collection in the newly named wing.  Rouault's "Master Arthur"  is the center piece of her collection. 

The Salvador Dali collection currently has "Dali and Film" (To 6/1) which confirms that the artist was quite involved with Hitchcock and Disney in some of the dream sequences in their movies.  Of course, we all know that he was involved with Bunuel in film noir.   The museum has a fine collection of the early, middle and old age works by this amazingly creative genius who basically started the surrealism movement.   The melting clocks are everywhere it seems but the most interesting work was his "Portrait of Lawrence Olivier in the role of Richard III."     But for lovers of surrealism...this is a dream museum.

The Florida International Museum has the Vatican Art and History Exhibit (To 5/11) which is showing one of the largest collection of significant objects from the Eternal City ever to tour North America.   The items come from St. Peter's, the Vatican Museum and the Swiss Guard.  There is even a fragment of a bone of St. Peter which shows the in-depth coverage of the long line of popes in the Catholic Church.  One section has the scaffolding in miniature that was used by Michelangelo in painting the Sistine Chapel.  The exhibit is quite honest in telling of the successes and traumas  that has occurred over the centuries ...of how hundreds of workers and Swiss Guards were massacre by King Charles as one pope just managed to use an underground passageway to escape from the bloodshed.   There is a huge gift shop at the end of the tour with every conceivable religious present.   No one will be disappointed with this display.

Tampa was the weakest regarding art museums, however its Museum of Fine Art is being reconstructed and its collection is on tour.    The University of South Florida has a rather small museum and currently has its Annual Juried USF Student Exhibiton.  This year the juror was Anne Pasternak who is the artistic director of Creative Time in New York.  Tops in the show were Elizabeth Valentine's "Flag Labels" and Nancy Maurer's  "Crucifixion".  The main interest here is graphic arts and there is a separate department in the university for that.   One is impressed with the integration of the arts curriculum by all of the related arts departments of the university...not often found in our academia.   There is a program of giving residence grants to current well known contemporary artists (Rauchenberg, etc) to offer inspiration to developing-talent students. 

The Henry B. Plant Museum sits spectacularly on the bay with its silvered minarets and moorish interiors.   It was orginally a hotel built by a railroad baron and it played an important role in the Spanish American War as Clara Barton and even Winston Churchill resided there.  Plus many military rested to and from the war.   Today one half is a museum with room displayed as they were in olden days.  The University of Tampa has taken over the other half of this huge edifice and it is rather sad to see mable columns posted with fraternity and sorority and non-pledgers' social announcements.  There is talk of giving the whole building over to the students and faculty and moving the museum onto another site...pity number 2!

The Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center is presenting "Hats"  (To 4/27) inspiredby the Red Hat Society.  The story is of a young lady about to celebrate her 50th birthday along with the trauma of reaching an "0" age.  The show is done in cabaret style with seven most talented ladies: Eileen Koteles, Carrie SaLoutos, Wendy Starkand, Marguerite Bennett, Lynne Locher, Nadeen Holloway and Jean Vanier.   The songs are both happy and poignant and the audience was enthusiastic in their applause after each show-stopping number...particularly the ending resolution done with fantastic costumes and, of course, huge red hats.   (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****                                                                                                                               

Ever planned a trip and up-until-the-last-minute, you wanted to cancel.  I should have known to cancel since all of the dozens of places for which I requested press packets never responded...except the Archeological Museum in Mexico City.   And every hour after arriving in the hectic airport (three hours to go through passport control)  I wished to get on the next flight back.   This was followed by a failed escort service and being scheduled in a first class hotel for a room being cleaned.   And they never removed me from the first computer listing so I missed wake up calls and outside calls.  And getting into taxis the first response was 100 pesos (ten dollars) before even asking for the target address which meant additional fees.   Ever heard of third world countries...chalk up Mexico City to fourth or fifth world cities!    The pickings were sparce for viewing the art world.   Everywhere one hears Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo ad naseum although one has to admit that the murals at the central presidential palace by Rivera should be considered one of the seven wonders of the art world.   They took 20 years to complete and they are immense as they go through the history of Mexico from the Aztecs to Trotsky with amazing details.   It is the must-see in this capital city.   The Archeological Museum is also wondrous as it shows the same historical and cultural development by regions in the country.   The Mayan exhibit is amazing particularly with the huge palacia wall that is not unlike the huge  pieces at the Pergamon in  East Berlin.  The National Art Museum showed all of the classic paintings which were mostly religous.  The exceptional ones were Jose Juarez's "St. Anne", "St. Laurence (being burned alive)";  Miguel Cabrero "The Virgin at the Apolcalypse";  and Santiago Rebull  "The Flight of Cain".   Some early 20th century pieces were highlighted by Angel Zarrago's "Charles Lindberg".    A trip to the Palacio de Bella Arts again showed tremendous murals by Diego Rivera with the gift shop full of ...yep...Frida Kahlo.   The evening show of the Ballet Folklorica was superb with many of the dances recently reviewed at the GMU Center for the Arts.   A newer one was the meeting and wedding of a young man and woman which was strikingly beautiful.  The costuming again is the finest of any performance group in the world.  The Tiffany front curtain was admirable and the rest of the marbled interior was simply unbelievable.   Yes, it was great art all around but the tourist accommodations are pitiful at times. (Reviewed by Bob Anthony)

*****