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President-elect Obama and the Arts

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Friday January 16, 2009, 10:48 AM

When he is sworn-in next week, Barack Obama will be the first President to take office with a carefully considered Arts Platform. Many artists and arts advocates are enthusiastic about what his administration will mean for culture in this country, and are gearing up to push for advances, changes and -- naturally -- money.

Several online reports shed light on Obama's ideas about strengthening American arts and supporting the country's artists, including his propsed Artists Corps, a Secretary of the Arts, and including money for struggling arts organizations in federal stimulus legislation.

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Edward Villella brings his Miami troupe back to the hall where it all began

by Robert Johnson/The Star-Ledger

Thursday January 15, 2009, 3:30 PM

JOE GATOThe Miami City Ballet will make its New York debut at City Center, where the troupe's artistic director, Edward Villella, started his career.

Miami City Ballet. Where: New York City Center, 55th Street between Sixth and Seventh avenues, New York. When: 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, with matinees at 2 p.m. Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday; Wednesday-Jan. 25. How much: $25-$110. Call (212) 581-1212 or go to nycitycenter.org.

NEW YORK -- When Miami City Ballet makes its long-awaited debut at New York City Center next week, a new generation of dancers will become acquainted with the theater where the late choreographer George Balanchine and his New York City Ballet made history from 1948-1964.

For the Miami troupe's artistic director, Edward Villella, however, the surroundings will seem hauntingly familiar. Villella scored a number of personal triumphs dancing with Balanchine's company in the Moorish-style auditorium on 55th Street. He became a star there, making his debut as the lead in Balanchine's "Prodigal Son" and creating the role of Oberon in "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

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Redgrave relishes chance to go Wilde

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Thursday January 15, 2009, 1:44 PM

WILLIAM PERLMAN/THE STAR-LEDGER"They are still surprised, still delighted," says Lynn Redgrave, referring to how audiences react to Oscar Wilde's classic play "The Importance of Being Earnest," in which she is starring at the Paper Mill Playhouse.

The Importance of Being Earnest with Lynn Redgrave. Where: Paper Mill Playhouse, Brookside Drive, Millburn. When: Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m., Thursdays at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 and 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2 and 7:30 p.m. through Feb. 15. How much: $25-92. Call (973) 376-4343 or go to papermill.org.

It's not even three years since Lynn Redgrave -- of the famous acting Redgraves -- starred as the outrageous Lady Bracknell in a five-month tour of "The Importance of Being Earnest."

But Redgrave jumped at the chance to return to the role, especially in the slightly eccentric version of the Oscar Wilde comedy classic opening Sunday at the Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn. Directed by David Schweizer, the show runs through Feb. 15.

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Jersey arts favorites

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday January 14, 2009, 4:32 PM

George Street Playhouse, the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, the American Repertory Ballet and the Newark Museum are among the 15 winners of the JerseyArts.com 2008 People's Choice Awards. More than 2,300 people voted in the online poll, which ran for a month before closing Dec. 30. New Brunswick and Newark took multiple honors, although Appel Farm Arts & Music Center in Elmer was the only organization that won in two categories. Voting closed Dec. 30 and the winners were announced Tuesday. Visit the Jerseyarts website (Jerseyarts.com) to see a tally of the votes in each category.

Here are all the winners:
* Favorite professional theater: George Street Playhouse in New Brunswick
* Favorite Performing Arts Center: New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark
* Favorite Art Museum: The Newark Museum
* Favorite Symphony/Orchestra: New Jersey Symphony in Newark
* Favorite dance company: American Repertory Ballet, New Brunswick
* Favorite Opera Company: New Jersey State Opera in Newark
* Favorite Choral Group: Westminster Choir in Princeton
* Favorite Art Gallery: Grounds for Sculpture in Hamilton
* Favorite Theater (community): Livingston Theatre Company, New Brunswick
* Favorite Music Festival: Cape May Jazz
* Favorite Film Festival: Cape May NJ State Film Festival
* Favorite Place to Take a class (adults): Wheaton Arts
* Favorite Place to Take a class (kids): Appel Farm
* Favorite Art/Theatre Camp: Appel Farm
* Favorite Downtown Arts District: New Brunswick

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What is it with artists and audiences?

by Peggy McGlone/The Star-Ledger

Wednesday January 14, 2009, 12:06 PM

A few web articles bring up an evergreen argument in the arts world: the etiquette of audiences and the role of the artist in shaping their behavior.

Itzhak Perlman

According to Greg Stepanich, blogging at the South Florida Classical Review, violinist Itzhak Perlman interrupted his recital Monday night to scold the audience for not applauding enthusiastically enough.

The sold-out crowd at the Kravis Center was lukewarm after he completed French composer Messiaen's,Theme and Variations. Reports Stepanich, Perlman asked, "Tell me something: Was it really that bad that half of you didn't want to clap?"

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