If you existed, I’d divorce you
On this day in 1966 Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, film directorial debut of Mike Nichols, is released.
Recent Stories
Die Frau ohne Schatten
Tonight’s chat is late (10:00 PM EDT / 7:00 PM PDT) and based on a pay-per-view event, but….
Returning to the Living World
“I joyfully await the exit—and I hope never to return” were the last words written by the visionary Mexican painter, Magdalena Carmen Frida Kahlo y Calderón (famously known simply as Frida Kahlo), according to her 2002 biography by Hayden Herrera.
“It’s a flaw in the iris”
On this day in 1974 the ultimate film noir, Chinatown, was released.
Babs and the night and the music
On this day in 1967 Barbra Streisand played her “Happening in Central Park” for an audience of 135,000.
Freedom fighter
On this day in 1989 “actress and socialite” Zsa Zsa Gabor was arrested for slapping a Beverly Hills motorcycle patrolman.
Free Byrd
Death of Classical, under the direction of founder Andrew Ousley, is interested in enlivening the classical music genre by organizing events in Green-Wood Cemetery, usually with a focus on food and drink.
“I don’t know who the hell Paul Lynde is”
Born on this day in 1913 comedian and actor Paul Lynde.
Rome wasn’t built in a day
On this day in 1963 the fabulously expensive but less than satisfying film epic Cleopatra premiered in New York City.
Diamonds are forever
According to the MGM press office, today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of Judy Garland.
La bohème
The final Free Live Audio Stream of the Met’s 2022-2023 season.
“It was the drag queens who taught me glamour”
On this day in 1995 Wigstock The Movie premiered in the United States.
Flagellum dei
On this day in 452 AD, Attila the Hun invaded Italy.
Sweeney, supersized
Opera house versions of Sondheim’s Sweeney Todd featuring Bryn Terfel / Judith Christin and Thomas Allen / Felicity Palmer.
Listen to the lullaby
On this day in 1981 42nd Street won the Tony Awards for “Best Musical” and “Best Choreography.”
Standing in the shadows of love
Richard Strauss’ monumental (arguably his magnum opus) Die Frau ohne Schatten made a triumphant return to the War Memorial Opera House last Sunday June 4 after 34 years.
Midwest Side Story
Lyric Opera of Chicago has brought back its wildly successful 2019 production of West Side Story, directed by Francesca Zambello. I thought it was terrific back then and, even with numerous cast changes, it was just as terrific on Sunday afternoon.
Free bird
On this day in 1975 Joan Sutherland sang La traviata during the Metropolitan Opera’s tour in Tokyo.
Getting to be a habit with me
Although somewhat flawed, Days of Wine and Roses draws from the same musical language that made Piazza so instantly distinctive, and it features a specificity that I noticed in Adam Guettel’s earlier breakthrough work, Floyd Collins.
L’amor della diva!
On this day in 1971 Grace Bumbry made her role debut as Tosca as part of the Metropolitan Opera Summer Festival.
Should you decide to accept it
On this day in 1967 Barbara Bain won the Emmy Award for “Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series” for Mission: Impossible.
Die Zauberflöte
“I’ve never laughed so much nor been so moved by a Zauberflöte until Simon McBurney’s where even its Busby Berkeley-flavored finale brought tears to my eyes.”
Seems an awful waste
On this day in 1979 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street won the Tony Award for “Best Musical.”