Posts

Classical Music Album Review: John Corigliano’s “To Music”

August 14, 2022
Posted in , , ,

A serving of the essence of the music of John Corigliano: a blend of old and new, radical and traditional that has made him such a singular force in American music over the last fifty-plus years.

Classical Album Review: Florence Price’s “Scenes in Tin Can Alley”

August 13, 2022
Posted in , , ,

Symphonic music wasn’t composer Florence Price’s strong suit. Rather, she was much more at home working in smaller forms or for her own instrument.

Theater Commentary: Maine’s Hackmatack Playhouse — After 50 Years, a Fond Adieu

August 12, 2022
Posted in , , ,

When Hackmatack Playhouse closes, that will leave, by my count, just one non-equity, professional summer resident theater in Maine: Acadia Rep (founded in 1973) located in Somesville, near Bar Harbor.

Classical Album Review: Conductor Andris Nelsons’s Over-Sweetened “Strauss”

August 12, 2022
Posted in , , ,

This is a release that showcases many of Andris Nelsons’ strengths, including his strong sensitivity for instrumental colors, blends, and balances. At the same time, it also demonstrates the conductor’s hit-or-miss nature with the core repertoire.

Rock Album Review: “Melt Away: A Tribute to Brian Wilson” — A Summery Pleasure

August 11, 2022
Posted in , , ,

I applaud She & Him’s selection of Brian Wilson tunes while at the same time feeling that some are not well-suited to their loungey, languid pop stylings.

Poetry Review: “Whale Fall” — The Dark at the Bottom of the Ocean

August 11, 2022
Posted in , ,

It is dark, so very dark, at the ocean’s bottom. And yet, there is also a disquieting, wonder-filled magic in the child’s moon which hovers over these poems; an incantatory moon echoing like a lullaby, drawing on a time of innocence.

WATCH CLOSELY: “The Sandman” Is Deliriously Beautiful Art

August 10, 2022
Posted in , ,

Creator Neil Gaiman has said for years that he didn’t want an adaptation to be made unless the creative team could do the original justice. Well, justice has been done: this is a seismic cultural event.

Theater Commentary: January 6 — What About the Children?

August 9, 2022
Posted in , ,

Despite a seven-year record of artistic, social, educational, and organizational success, Junior Programs has, until now, been a forgotten chapter in the history of America’s children’s theater. And we desperately need to remember that chapter now. 

Poetry Review: “Island Heart” — The Dance of Passion

August 9, 2022
Posted in , ,

These poems are of their own time and place — written in Haiti and France early in the twentieth century — yet they remain impressively fresh.

Film Review: “Resurrection” — Turning Words into Weapons

August 8, 2022
Posted in , ,

Rebecca Hall gives Resurrection the psychological grounding it needs, as the thriller stretches towards a macabre, fable-like payoff.

Recent Posts

Popular Posts

Categories

Archives