For any serious music collector there are certain albums that are necessary to have. During my interview with Bilal I asked him what albums should be considered essentials, below are his top four.
The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest
1991, Jive Records
Here My Dear
Marvin Gaye
1978, Tamla Records
Kind of Blue
Miles Davis
1959, Columbia Records
The Clones of Dr. Funkenstien
Parliament
1976, Casablanca Records
On September 14, vocal virtuoso Bilal released Airtight’s Revenge cementing his return to the mainstream musical radar after a nine year absence. But don’t call it a comeback, Bilal has been here for years. He captivated the music scene in 2001 with his debut album 1st Born Second, which spawned singles “Love It” and “Soul Sista” and instantly placed him in neo-soul box. The album received limited production, but was touted as a critical hit. Although his debut did not garnish crossover success, Bilal acquired a vast following and high attendance of his live shows. Like Ella Fitzgerald, Bilal has the ability to use his voice as like an instrument (a trick he probably learned performing in jazz clubs in Philly) which elevates him to a pantheon of entertainers few artists ever reach. His lyrics convey the emotion and struggles of black people with pinpoint accuracy – women feel as if he is speaking directly to them, men believe he is speaking for them. Well respected amongst his peers, many of whom were categorized in the neo-soul box with him, Bilal has consistently contributed and been featured on numerous projects, remaining a fixture on the modern musical landscape despite only having one album of his own.
A hard lesson learned in the music business is that the business eclipses the music – the dollar is the bottom line, literally. Like most artists whose talent exceeds the box or genre record industry execs have labeled them under, Bilal has struggled to have his music heard. The neo-soul moniker that so conveniently classified the singers and groups that brought a resurgence of soul music in late ‘90s seemed more like a prison, trapping artists to fit a certain criteria as the music scene transitioned to the “Bling, Bling” more flash less substance era. Artists that fell under the genre appeared to get winnowed out or went deeper underground. The digitization of the music industry through downloads and ringtones only presented another conundrum. Bilal’s would be sophomore attempt, Love for Sale, was ultimately shelved by Interscope Records after being leaked online. But true talent can not be silenced, Bilal is constantly touring and in 2009 he signed with Plug Research.
On the surface the album’s title serves as a middle finger to the industry for the suppression of Love for Sale, Airtight is nickname Bilal received long ago, but Airtight’s Revenge also serves as a resurrection – a continuance of his musical journey. “My music has taken legs as far as the different hybrids that are coming out now,” he says while packing a suitcase, “I started out [and] a lot of my music was hip-hop and soul influenced, but now there are a whole lot of other influences such as electronic and punk rock. You could say it’s a rebirth, but I look at it like it’s evolved.” The cover art for Airtight’s Revenge is a dramatic representation of Bilal’s evolution since 1st Born Second. A recreation of the famous 1964 Ebony photo of Malcolm X standing at a window with rifle, Bilal, locks removed, exhibits the same take no prisoners approach with his musical career. “The message I’m sending with this cover is that I’m defending my art,” he says. “I’m really about doing what I do as pure as possible. Just like [Malcolm X] was defending his family, I’m defending my music.”
In a time where it seems like music is a mediocre regurgitation of someone that has come before, Airtight’s Revenge has come right on time. It is a tour de force collective of pensive, sophisticated lyricism and awe-inspiring musicianship. Defying, bending and shattering genres Airtight’s Revenge should be held as a beacon for artists to aspire to – good music that will last through the annals of time. You can listen to this audible collage in doses or take it in all at once, each time you discover something new. Airtight’s Revenge is sure to be a future classic, period and Bilal has exceeded his fans expectations and has probably picked up some new ones. As with Bilal’s first album, Airtight’s Revenge has received several successful reviews. Fans from YouTube, Facebook and Twitter have also expressed their love. Along with the adoration, have come comparisons to Prince, another genre-breaking artist. Bilal takes the talk of similarity in stride. “I don’t have a problem with being compared to Prince,” he responds Years ago I probably would have taken offense to that, like dang I’m trying to do my own thing. I do use my falsetto a lot and I’m a short dude, light-skinned, and I mix a lot of music like Prince does,” Bilal adds as we break into laughter. “I think he is legend and awesome voice to music in general.”
Because Airtight’s Revenge does not follow the formula artists generally use to garner success, there is a chance that this project will not receive the airplay it deserves. Categorizing music has worked for record labels and a radio station for decades, rocking the boat seems to be an asinine, non-profitable notion. But labels do not exist for a person who “lives life as freely as he can,” and those who will most benefit from Airtight’s Revenge are those who approach music with the same attitude. “I’ve been arguing about name calling since I first came out. When I first came out, cats were calling what I did neo-soul and I was like I this has been going since we as black people have been doing music,” Bilal says. “What I think is going on is there is a lot of monopolizing. Black music isn’t really looked at as art anymore,” he continues, “it’s kinda looked at as a vehicle to make money. Everybody in America right now is kinda geared towards making money. It’s terrible to put names on art, market it and profit from it. For what I do, I don’t put names on it. I mix so many different concepts and styles that it really is genre-less.”
After we finished speaking Bilal headed to the airport for a performance in Paris. On September 15 he embarked on his 2010 North American tour. He played two dates in New York, a show at B.B. Kings on the 18th and an acoustic set in Brooklyn on the 20th. The rest of the tour he will be on the west coast playing venues in Portland, Seattle, Sacramento, Oakland, Fullerton, and Los Angeles. When I first sat down to talk with Bilal I thought of the famous quote from Fela Kuti, “Music is the weapon.” But the more I listen to Airtight’s Revenge the more I am reminded of a line from “My Way” (written by Paul Anka and made famous by Frank Sinatra) that says, “The record shows I took the blows and did it my way.” Bilal is an artist that has taken the licks and continues to move forward and captain his musical destiny. Airtight’s Revenge serves as irrefutable proof of the beauty that can be generated when creativity is undefined.
Photos: Topshelf Jr./Danny Williams
The Time of Men: The Forest Glen | pigment print | 45" x 60"
While walking to the opening of Jason Covert’s CARNIVORA at 540 W 28th St, thunder bellowed through the atmosphere and lightening flashed the sky. The charcoal clouds moved ferociously. Suddenly rain fell from all directions, too much for my mini-umbrella to shield. I had no choice but to submit to the elements as I trudged forward. It was almost fitting that such a primitive rainstorm would usher me to this exhibit. I felt as if I had been sucked into the universe and thrown onto an alternative plane. I entered Jason Covert’s world drenched and amazed with works on display.
CARNIVORA is a multi-media extravaganza that fuses mysticism, ancient entities and primordial cultures. Through intricate ink and pencil sketches, eye-popping photography, crafted jewelry, a vibrant chandelier, aboriginal garments resting in ancient soil and headsets to provide the soundtrack, Jason produces a labyrinth of powerful, agathokakological beings and the children they spawned.
The potency of the entire exhibit was undeniable. The raw beauty of the works made me desire a time when nature was not just a program on the Discovery Channel and fire was a treasured commodity. CARNIVORA captivated my vision and absorbed my thoughts. It is a cosmos worth visiting.
Later I had the opportunity to ask Jason a few questions regarding the exhibit and the inspiration behind it.
1. What was the initial inspiration for CARNIVORA?
The imagery that is present throughout much of CARNIVORA, namely the
dueling faces, came about in the early part of 1994, almost 16 years
ago. I was doodling while sitting in a political science class –
working on sketches for a project whose purpose was to show you one
image when you looked at it from the left, and another when you looked
at it from the right, much like the fancy baseball cards from when we
were kids. In those original sketches the male and
female sides were separate, but over time the imagery evolved to
embrace both images as one. Even back then, however, the color schemes
were fairly consistent, with the female portion favoring warm tones,
while the male image contained cooler colors.
2. How did the discovery of “The Sacred Texts of Carnivora”
guide you in shaping the exhibition?
The discovery of “The Sacred Texts of Carnivora” was pivotal in the
genesis of CARNIVORA as it has become today. Quite simply, without it,
the exhibition would not be. As the translations were gradually
offered to me in real time, by the head of the discovering agency, I
was able to let my imagination run wild, pulling out details and
offering them a greater sense of meaning, or alternately suppressing
elements that didn’t appeal to my aesthetic and story-telling
sensibilities. I had long been intrigued by creation myths in general,
and to have access to something that no one else (or very few) had
seen before was almost too much: as though it were fated to be. The
myths informed the imagery by fleshing out the back-story to ideas I
wished to convey graphically, and gave me a general sense of the
overall “story” I was struggling to tell. Shockingly, it fit in
remarkably well with the themes I had already been exploring – the fit
was a near perfect one.
3. Why did you decide to fuse so many mediums in this exhibition?
In creating the world of CARNIVORA I longed to transport the viewer to
a place of elsewhere: I wanted to remove them from the here and now.
Though my intent first and foremost is of an artistic and aesthetic
nature, I also aimed to create a museum-esque atmosphere to help
celebrate this long forgotten world. As the best writers will tell
you, the Devil is in the details, and as such I wanted to offer as
complete a tapestry, woven of as many plausible elements from the
world of CARNIVORA as I could. It was my belief that by showcasing
these various elements that represented the World of CARNIVORA I could
more completely bring it to life for those that cared to view it.
4. Are you a believer in ancient myths? If so, which ones
inspire your art?
I’m a believer in the power that a myth wields regardless of the
religion or belief system it bookends. As to whether I believe in
certain myths, I would beg out of the question by stating that the
truth of a myth is less important than the actions it inspires in
those that do believe it.
As to which myths have inspired me through the years, I can easily
point to the myths of the Greeks and Romans, as well as those of the
Norse, the Egyptians, various African cultures, those of the Indian
subcontinent as well as from the Christian faith, the Native American
peoples, and the South and Central American tribes, and of course, the
first peoples of the far North Americas. I know it sounds as though
I’m pulling from all corners of history and the world, but that is
exactly what I’ve done in bringing CARNIVORA to life. More directly: I
am first and foremost intrigued by creation myths, or those that
explain how the world came to be. Those hold the most power for me
personally.
5. Art like beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But if you
had the power to program the viewers of your art with certain ideas,
how would you like the viewer to perceive this exhibition?
An open mind and a childlike sense of awe for those things that have
come before. It is a pleasure to think of a viewer strolling through
the exhibition and nodding sagely at the work and craftsmanship that
went into creating so many different pieces of art, but if there were
even only one viewer who could remove themselves so completely from
the hustle and bustle of everyday life and view the objects contained
in the exhibition with a sense of historical reverence it would make
the show complete for me. Above all else I seek to create a
transporting experience for my audience.
Photos and slideshow: F.A.M.E NYC Editor
In 1965 a teenage girl and her polio riddled sister entered the Indianapolis home of Gertrude Baniszewski. As the landscape of America radically shifts with the Vietnam War, civil rights movement and the Beatles, the reality of this 16-year-old girl also dramatically changes, she is systematically tortured for three months by the woman who was suppose to take care of her and her sister. Baniszewski also enlists neighborhood kids and her own children to assist in the torture. On October 26, the young girl died of a brain hemorrhage, shock and malnutrition; her name was Sylvia Likens.
Just in time for Halloween, Axis Company resurrects the spirit of Sylvia Likens and the events surrounding her death in Down There. From the moment you receive the program (a blank white sheet with the words “down there” written in lowercase and outlined in red crayon) the awareness that the production will not be a regular night at the theatre becomes heightened. Down There is playwright Randy Sharp’s chilling, dark multimedia showcase of an individual’s spiraling descent into madness and violence. Although the play is based on the torture and murder of Sylvia Likens, the plot mainly centers on Pat Menckl (Gertrude Baniszewski). A sickly, unhappy woman, Pat Menckl and her boyfriend Frank appear to be on the edge of destruction and the hint of abuse is apparent in the opening scene. Her kids Jim and Paula and Rickie and John (the other teenagers entrusted to her care) are the poster children for dysfunction. This thrown-together family unit appears to be experts on the trickle down theory – Frank humiliates Pat who demeans Paula who degrades John. The only time the audience is presented with some modicum of family harmony is when forced smiles are presented as Casey Kindens (Sylvia Likens) and her sister Joyce are dropped off and later when Casey becomes the object of their abuse.
Pat is woman who has clearly grown up and lived “the hard way.” Her frail figure, red lipstick and vacant eyes look more macabre under the naked spotlight and she wears her dysphoria like a church frock. Casey’s bubbly, talkative personality not only clashes with Pat’s “misery loves company” approach, but seems to set Pat on her path of terrorism. She seems hell-bent on breaking Casey’s spirit and showing her the harsh reality of life. The violence Casey endures in the basement of the Menckl home is not graphic, but the suggestions of torture coupled with visions of Casey’s innocent smile on the monitor and her voice as she recites a note she is forced to write her parents explaining her bruises, haunt the audience with the reality of Casey’s demise.
The cast is comprised of Axis Company members; they deliver fright better than any modern horror flick. Laurie Kilmartin portrayal of Pat combines all the elements of a villainess – she is Mrs. Bates, Mrs. Voorhees and Cruella De Vil rolled into one. Lynn Mancinelli gives a convincing depiction of the Casey, her naivety and her eagerness to make the best of her situation is as compelling as her smile. David Crabb and Brian give the scariest performance in this production as Rickie and John. The willingness to participate in Casey’s torture and the fiendish pleasure they take in doing so tingles the skin with itches that cannot be stratched. Britt Genelin and Jim Sterling are equally as troubling as Paula and Frank. They give stark portraits of unbalanced people. The set displays a dreary home and the mute Joyce, played by Regina Betancourt, becomes part of the bleak backdrop. Her somber disposition and unwillingness to speak adds another layer of torture to this production.
Morbid and uncomfortable to witness Down There leaves the audience without a cathartic experience or sense of understanding as they rise from their seats. Other than the fact of pure lunacy, the reason for their heinous acts remains a mystery. But what is clear is that sometimes what lurks below a smile and display of normalcy can be a beehive festering with evil – a thought more disturbing than the boogeyman under the bed but necessary to know. Down There will be playing at Axis Company, located at 1 Sheridan Square, until October 30.
Photos courtesy of Axis Company
Kim Fields comes from an acting/directing /producing dynasty that rivals any in Hollywood. After receiving the acting bug from her mom, seven-year-old Kim and Chip (her mother) ignited a path from their native Harlem to LA determined to find success in show business during a time when black faces on the big and small screen were a virtual paradox. Kim’s luminous smile and personality secured her roles in commercials and eventually landed her the role of Tootie Ramsey on The Facts of Life. Chip built a solid career as an director, consultant and dialogue coach and has appeared in numerous films, TV shows and theatre. After 30 years in the entertainment industry, the course Kim and Chip paved allowed for countless black actors and actresses, including baby sister Alexis, to shadow their footprints. Members of Gen X grew up with Kim, watching her on The Facts of Life. As twenty-something’s, we watched her play bougie Regine Hunter on Living Single. She became a part of our extended family and thanks to syndication, she is becoming known to Gen Y and future generations. As Blondielocks, she has added another notch in her career as a poet and spoken word artist. For the past year and a half, Kim has been the lead director for Tyler Perry’s Meet the Browns and House of Payne. This winter she will embark on the role of supervising producer and director for an upcoming Tyler Perry comedy. Along with juggling a work schedule that must have her calendar bleeding with ink, she also balances the duties of being a wife and mother.
The elevator doors opened to Gary’s Loft, located on 28-30 West 36th Street, to expose a space almost deaf with silence –only the faint voices of Kim and young female documentary filmmaker could be heard from around the corner while the crew meticulously worked to get the interview completed in one take. The footage would be used in an upcoming episode of Lens on Talent: A Johnson & Johnson Filmmaker’s Challenge, BET’s ground-breaking show featuring the best emerging black filmmakers and short films. Besides making sure my platform sandals do not clunk against the wood, I became aware of the love permeating throughout the room. As the crew watched the footage on monitors, whispered and tip-toed about and members of the media quietly waited to meet Kim, the emotion seeped into my pores and left me agog. There were no divas on the set; everyone was devoted to the success of this project. Just as quickly as I noticed the temper of the room, I also realized that Kim was the source behind the affection that had swept the penthouse. She stood in a black blazer and skirt and camouflage heels, a tiny force of nature in a blonde natural updo. She walked over to me and the other members of the press, introduced herself and shook our hands, her 10,000 watt smile beaming even brighter in person. I chuckled inside saying, “Girl, I know who you are.” Or maybe I did not. Suddenly it struck me, Kim Fields is no ordinary mortal –she is a superwoman. Not the facade illustrated in comics, but the kind women aspire to be, a woman in harmony with her feminine, spiritual and professional self.
Most people are familiar with the phrase, “Those who can – do. Those who can’t – teach.” I believe a perfect host straddles that famous sentiment, so when BET went shopping for a new host for its second season of Lens on Talent, television legend Kim Fields was a logical, insightful choice. “I actually was approached over the summer to do some social media hosting and my big brother Blair (Underwood) was supposed to be the host for season two,” Kim reveals, “and we did a panel discussion at NYU that Johnson and Johnson sponsored. And Blair, as you know, is now the face of the president on The Event and wasn’t able to do both schedule wise, and they said, ‘Hey, what about you.’” Kim was familiar with the show’s concept and admired Johnson & Johnson’s eagerness to shine a spotlight on urban talent and realizing that she had time in her schedule before she goes back to work at Tyler Perry Studios, she accepted.
The first season of Lens on Talent was hosted by actress Sanaa Lathan and was a rousing success. Two episodes from this season have aired and featured Precious executive producer Lisa Cortés and filmmaker Nelson George, and is already showing signs that it will be just as popular as its inaugural season. Kim is no novice at hosting. While attending Pepperdine University she co-created, produced and hosted the award-winning Campus Spotlight: Live with Kim Fields and when she agreed to host the BET filmmaker’s showcase, she approached the project with an open mind. “I wasn’t really sure what to expect, so I don’t think I went into it with any expectations,” she admits. “You know you go into something… and I thought I’m going to host. I’m going to have a few conversations and introduce some films. But I should’ve known I that was going to be inspired because I was inspired at the panel discussion at NYU this summer. With each guest I’m speaking to, each filmmaker’s bio that I’m reading, I’m getting reinvigorated as a filmmaker. “
After decades of acting, Kim made the decision to start directing. Kim always had an interest for the behind-the-scenes processes of filmmaking and describes herself as a “crew baby.” Although she admitted that being an actor assisted in her transition, she was determined to become a well-rounded director, able to attend to the needs of the actors and the crew. Therefore, learning the technical and visual aspects of directing was equally important. For the young filmmakers selected to be a part of Lens on Talent, the opportunity to meet and chat with an industry veteran who knows what it is like to be in front of and behind the camera must be thrilling experience. But for the aspiring directors that will be watching the show, Kim has some advice, “You gotta learn the craft, whether you learn it in a film school, read about it online, get a book, intern at some production company or on film sets,” she says, “and then surround yourself with people who know what they are doing. I’m a huge sports fan, and I liken what I do sports. You don’t just have a great star player here or there, you’ve got great coaches and a coaching staff and then you’ve got the front office. It’s really a team effort.” Although Kim has been taking on more projects behind the camera, her love of acting has not diminished. “I’ve not retired by any means as an actor just because I’ve been directing more,” she says. The projects she chooses are determined by scheduling and the figures on the contract.
As the afternoon continued, Kim shared her thoughts about being a black actor in Hollywood and starring in a reality TV show – quick answer no. Still convinced that her golden lasso and bracelets were tucked safely in loft somewhere, I inquired about how she became a flesh and blood superwoman. Superman jumps skyscrapers with a single leap and catches bullets with his teeth, but Kim Fields acts, directs, produces, hosts, writes and performs poetry and publishes short stories all while maintaining the commitments of a family. Kim dispensed a jewel for anyone looking to achieve an order of balance. “Balance does not always mean fifty-fifty,” she quickly points out, “balance is a constant teeter-tottering of the scales. So sometimes it’s a matter of if I know I’m work…work…work…work…work, then there’s time that Sebastian and I specifically have that’s mommy and Sebastian time. Same thing with Chris, you can’t pour so much into your child that you forget you’re still a spouse and a partner and a helpmate. And sometimes you’re gonna get out of rhythm, but what you do about that I think is what’s equally as important.” As our media round table wrapped, Kim thanked all the journalists, gave us one last peek of that effervescent smile and then it was off to do another set of interviews. I may never know if she holds any special powers outside of the gifts she possessed and honed from birth, but after smelling the scent of soul food wafting through the loft, I know Kim does one thing that every mortal does – she eats.
Photos courtesy of bet.com and D. Austin
No one serves sex and the city looks like Joanna Mastroianni; perhaps that is why three of her dresses were featured in Sex and the City 2. For spring 2011 Mastroianni builds on her legacy of creating chic, elegant cocktail dresses and gowns. Using English potter Clarice Cliff as inspiration, Mastroianni constructs a collection rich in colorful geometric patterns and prints. Black wool shift dresses with color blocking not only provided a modern twist to a classic shape, but are looks that can be easily transformed from day to evening. The little black dress is an essential to have in a woman’s closet; the black silk twill décolleté cocktail dress is a perfect choice. My personal favorite is the asymmetrical black matelassé evening gown with draped giraffe print silk overlay. Instead of showing on a runway, Mastroianni had an intimate showroom viewing allowing visitors to get personal with the garments. Seeing the collection up close gave the viewer a greater appreciation of Mastroianni’s superior craftsmanship. Not only does Mastroianni’s collection present sexy looks for the city, she also offers wearable art.
Photos courtesy of Cece Feinberg Public Relations
Or at least that was the title I envisioned in my head as I strolled in the misty rain to catch the Sunday matinee at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. So imagine my surprise when I was told Ms. Sparks would not be playing the role of Nina as I had greatly anticipated. Disappointed, I pouted to my seat, sat down and waited for the curtain to rise.
In the Heights blew onto Broadway in 2008 like a breath of fresh air tempered with a hint of Sazón. Lin-Manuel Miranda, the show’s creator and the first incarnation of Usnavi, shined a spotlight on the Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights and struck gold. The mix of salsa and hip-hop set to an orchestra was a concoction critics ingested well. The show won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical, Original Score, Choreography and Orchestration. The cast recording won a Grammy Award for Best Musical Show Album. In November 2008, Universal Pictures announced plans to make a film adaptation of In the Heights with Kenny Ortega slated to be the director. By January 2009, the musical had recouped its $10 million investment and began a national tour in October. On August 2, 2010, the production marked its 1000th performance. The whirlwind of success of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ground-breaking homage to his childhood community ushered in a new era on Broadway and paved the way for musicals that fused more vibrant genres of music and choreography such as Fela! and Rock of Ages.
Since its debut, several members of the original cast have left the show. Miranda’s last performance on Broadway was in February 2009. Lin-Manuel is the heart and soul of this musical and with the replacement of several cast members I wondered had the show lost its mojo. Jordin Sparks would undoubtedly make a great addition. The “American Idol” winner has great vocal range and is guaranteed to fill seats just from her fan base alone. But with the musical’s newest cast member sitting out this performance, would the show just be a ghost town filled with espiritus of what used to be?
Once the curtain rose, I was pleased to discover that the spirit of In the Heights is still bursting with energy and is as entertaining as the original incarnation that debuted on Broadway over two years ago. The torch was well handed from Lin-Manuel Miranda to Kyle Beltran who now plays Usnavi, the narrator who owns neighborhood bodega. His portrayal of the character is sensitive, funny with a sick flow and cadence that does justice to Miranda’s lyrics and is sure to keep the audience heads’ bopping. Gabrielle Ruiz was an impressive Nina. She was so convincing that I almost forgot that she was the understudy. Clifton Oliver is irresistible as Benny; one can not help but root for him to win Nina’s heart. Olga Merediz is sensational as Abuela Claudia, the neighborhood matriarch. Her performance is both endearing and captivating. And although Merediz is a scene stealer, Andrea Burns commits highway robbery on stage as the vivacious salon owner and barrio gossip Daniela. With a beautiful voice and hilarious one-liners, Burns transforms a busybody into one of the most engaging characters in the show. Rick Negron and Priscilla Lopez shine as Kevin and Camila Rosario, Nina’s parents. Their portrayals exude pride and integrity and are relatable to anyone in the audience that has known hard times or experienced parenthood.
The book by Quiara Alegria Hudes was slightly slammed when In the Heights first debuted. Critics have called the book “overstuffed and oversimplified” and “sentimental and untruthful.” I find these critiques to be inaccurate. In fact, I thought the book to be an authentic portrait of life in an inner-city neighborhood. I know cast In the Heights well. I am familiar with people who dream of scoring a big hit playing the lottery, desire to move somewhere different, gossip at the neighborhood beauty parlor, struggle through hard times while trying to hold a family together and watch their neighborhood change as decades, generations and traditions change. Where I am from there are a mixture of salsa, hip-hop, house, reagge and R&B blasting from the windows of cars rolling down the street, the bodega on the corner services the needs of the residents of the block and around the corner I can get my touch-up, manicure and laundry done. If there is anything to criticize, it would be that book was not a big enough leap for those that may have grown up in a similar environment. People go to Broadway to escape their everyday lives; it is hard break away when your reality is onstage staring back at you.
Essentially it is the music and choreography that draws an audience to a musical; the reality that is woven into the story only adds to a stellar production. At times I wanted to jump on stage, roll my hips and heel, toe right along with them. The songs are memorable; I find myself humming them sporadically. “No Me Diga” and “Carnaval del Barrio” are audience pleasers and “Paciencia y Fe” (Patience and Faith) is a showstopper. I wish I could provide 96,000 reasons to go see this musical, but I can only offer three – great music and lyrics, likable characters and high-powered dance moves. After two years and counting, In the Heights is still a winner.
Photos: Joan Marcus
When attending the theatre, the audience expects to be entertained and enlightened. Whether it is a musical, comedy or drama, patrons want to see a fresh, live perspective of the human experience. Freud’s Last Session is the epitome of entertainment and enlightenment keeping the audience firmly glued to the edge of their seats. It is sophisticated fiction at its finest, a production worthy to be seen again and again.
Based on a suggestion proposed by Harvard’s Dr. Armand M. Nicholi, Jr. in The Question of God, Freud’s Last Session turns a simple query into an engaging theatrical sensation. Playwright Mark St. Germain probes one of the greatest “what if” questions of the 20th century and tackles some of the most debated questions in human history with immense insight and savoir vivre. The “what if” is whether or not Dr. Sigmund Freud or C.S. Lewis ever met. Dr. Nicholi points out in The Question of God that a young Oxford professor visited Dr. Freud after he arrived in England, although it was unclear if the professor was C.S. Lewis. But the speculation of such an event is of no consequence, Freud’s Last Session will satisfy any curiosity one might have when wondering how an epic encounter of two of the most intelligent minds to ever set footprints on this earth would go.
The play is set in Dr. Freud’s home office in London on September 3, 1939, the day England enters World War II. C.S. Lewis arrives at Freud’s home believing their meeting is to be a chiding by Freud about Lewis’ depiction of him in a book, but what really intrigues Freud is C.S. Lewis’ transformation from an atheist to a Christian. Their meeting evolves into an awesome intellectual standoff that would have Clint Eastwood and Lee Van Cleef shaking in their boots. As the threat of annihilation looms like plumes of smoke from a newly shot cannon, these men go back and forth on the subjects of sex, love, and most importantly, does God truly exist. As Freud and Lewis introspectively grapple, both revealing details about their childhood and experiences, they gain greater insight about one another and develop a profound bond. Evidence of the intimacy of their new and brief relationship is displayed when Lewis is allowed the sacred task of removing Freud’s prosthetic jaw as he begins to choke, a duty that is only performed by Freud’s daughter Anna.
Everything about this production is limited – limited characters, limited set and limited theatre seating, but the constraints serve as advantages in this production. The Marjorie S. Deane Little Theater adds another intimate layer to this meeting of the minds. Instead of feeling like an audience member viewing a conversation, one feels more like a fly on the wall privy to an exclusive event. The set is a beautifully decorated replica of Freud’s office in Austria complete with an assortment of books, couch, and various deities, which could reveal some contradictions in Freud’s belief structure as Lewis cleverly points out. The set inserts a material richness that compliments the dialogue and compelling portrayals of C.S Lewis and Dr. Freud by Mark H. Dold and Martin Rayner. Portraying a historic figure can be a difficult endeavor for an actor; especially individuals that are considered demigods, Dold and Rayner are so believable that I left the theatre feeling as if I had personally met Dr. Freud and C.S. Lewis. These two men played off of each other extremely well; together they gave a performance so concentrated an addition of another character would have weakened the harmony of the show. In a nutshell, the components of this play have all the classic quality of a Channel suit and exemplify the theory that less is more.
What I enjoyed most about the production was that Freud’s Last Session left my mind swirling with all the right questions, but none of the answers. It challenged me to seek them out and discover my own conclusions. In the wake the 9th anniversary of September 11 and the controversy surrounding the “ground zero” mosque, I realized the questions Freud and Lewis toil over during the play are more relevant than ever. We may never find the answers, just as Freud’s and Lewis’ deliberation ends in a stalemate, but the fact that we still seek the answers means that as a society we are still able to grow past our current understanding of the world, a notion that I believe would please both Dr. Freud and C.S. Lewis very much.
Photos: Kevin Sprague
FAMERS, I hope you have enjoyed the slide shows of some of my favorite collections and designers from New York Fashion Week. Fashion Week is one of my favorite times of year; each season I am swept in a cyclone of myriad prints, fabrics, color palettes, flashing lights, celebrities, red carpets, cocktails and beautiful people on parade. The tornado that descended upon the Big Apple on the final day was beyond poetic and gave a dramatic closing to a week filled with spectacular moments.
The electricity surrounding the spring 2011 shows created stimulating currents that were sparking the atmosphere well before the start of Fashion Week and added to the heat of an already humid New York City summer. The unveiling of Fashion Week’s new venue at the iconic Lincoln Center only heightened the anticipation. I was a mix of nostalgia and great expectation. I love Bryant Park, my first behind-the-scenes fashion experience happened there, but Lincoln Center is a magnificent venue and a staple in New York City arts and culture and no event synthesizes all the elements of New York City art and culture like Fashion Week. Somehow I always feel like Dorothy skipping through the Fabulous Land of Oz in four inch heels. Only here, there are multiple wizards dictating what is hot to all its inhabitants from the elite down to the munchkins.
The debut of Fashion Week at Lincoln Center marked the ushering of this event into the new millennium. Courtesy of Fashion GPS, invitations were sent electronically. After setting up an account, one could RSVP for a show and receive an email with a confirmation number. Instead of crossing over the threshold to the tents and treading through the cobblestoned spectacle of Bryant Park, I sauntered through the doors of Fashion Week at Lincoln Center to find a chic, two-tiered lounge, a gateway complete with a modern self check-in stations waiting to take the privileged to a stylish stop. Destination Fashion should be the name of this locale change. Lincoln Center proved to be the perfect venue to house Fashion Week and provided an air of sophistication that was missing from the tent shows at Bryant Park. The lounge was surprisingly spacious with lots of seating room and a sunken in media lounge provided by AOL. The 16.3 acre performing arts complex complimented the shows and offered on-lookers a wonderful backdrop to gather and gawk at celebrities, dandies, hipsters, fashionistas and the truly bizarre.
This season Fashion’s Night Out felt like New Year’s Eve, the streets were percolating with people as the boutiques and flagship stores held events throughout the city. As hordes of people packed retail locations, I chilled at Caravan’s event at the SkyRoom Times Square. As the DJ mixed an eclectic blend of old school hip-hop, pop and house that was reminiscent of the Paradise Garage and Nell’s, guests mingled on the rooftop overlooking Gotham and sipped tasty coffee flavored Bailey’s cocktails, kudos to Caravan girl Claudine DeSola for providing cool way to celebrate a hot night.
The events, parties and celebrity watching that surrounds Fashion Week are always fun, but the real stars of New York Fashion Week are the shows. Perry Ellis’s John Crocco offers a blend of preppy snob and So Cal chill. “Westward the women” had to be the battle cry of Ralph Lauren’s homage to frontier chic, never to be outdone with imaginative to present American fashion, his spring 2011 collection would make any woman feel homey, sexy and stylish on the range. “Urban Forest” was the theme of Toni Francesc spring show complete with intricate wood pieces that adorned the neckline and wrists. Any urban woman would feel like Diana the huntress conquering the skyscraper jungle of Manhattan in his fashions. If Toni Francesc took women into the woods, then Gwen Stefani took us on an urban safari. L.A.M.B offered bright Kente cloth prints and tie-dye outfits that would make any woman skip to the Afrobeat. Vivienne Tam’s eastern influences created hodgepodge elegance. Gottex’s Molly Grad sent some of the blingiest fashions down the runway. Don’t be surprised if you see swimwear becoming the hot outfit to wear outside of the beach. From diamond encrusted busts to minimalist structure, Calvin Klein’s Francisco Costa proved why simplicity will always be in style. Donna Karan celebrated 25 years in fashion with “Raw Romance,” a collection of ripply sandy pieces that proved crinkles are chic. Oscar de la Renta always offers upscale extravagance and this season did not disappoint. Meanwhile, at the STYLE360 Lounge WALTER showed mysterious clouds of grey, charcoal, military green and ocean blue coupled with understated elegance. Caravan/Bobi/Boy Meets Girl offered charming street wear and flirty dresses and Bebe served boho beauty down the runway.
New York Fashion Week spring 2011 has been the most electric season I have witnessed in a long time. Maybe it was the inaugural season of Lincoln Center that supplied the jolt or maybe people just wanted to focus on something other than our never-ending economy woes, but hopefully this dynamism will be present in February as the eye of fashion’s whirlwind focuses on the Big Apple once again.
Photos: Jerritt Clark/Getty Images, www.mbfashionweek.com
Slideshow: F.A.M.E NYC Editor
Photos: Imaxtree
F.A.M.E NYC Magazine 