Roving Pittsburgher Report, Still Humming from The Gershwin's at PSO

The Gershwin’s - Here to Stay

Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra

JoAnn R. Forrester

Empress of Biz Re-invent in Rugged Times

Saturday, June 23, 2012,  I experienced the  Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra  led by Marvin Hamlisch bring the music of Ira and George Gershwin ALIVE and transport me to their era where music was being created that spoke of the American energy, longings, struggles, dreams and achievement s of the  1920’s and 30’s   

What an exciting night with pianist and performer Kevin Copeland.  He weaves the story of the Gershwin’s and their era in pictures, song, dance and music. His piano playing and singing is magical and channels the Gershwin’s into life.  His performance of Rhapsody in Blue was so exhilarating it brought a standing ovation at intermission.

Ira and George Gerschwin, compliments
Pittsburgh Symphony orchestra web

Sylvia McNair, Granny Award winning songstress voice is superb and thrilled me as she sang the songs of the  brothers. One word…magnificent! 

Ryan Van Den Boom dancer extraordinaire reminded me of Fred Astaire and there is nothing better.

As usual Marvin Hamlisch added his shining touch to the evening and the musicians of the PSO responded with joy and excellence.

An unique touch was the exclusive home videos from the Gershwin family which gave insight to their era and lives.    Rhapsody in Blue. A night of pure Gershwin, who could ask for anything more?

What a wonderful treat. was the music of the Gershwin’s, with the artistry of Hamlisch, Cole, McNair and Van Den Boom.  We are so blessed to have this world class organization in Pittsburgh. I left the performance humming and filled with musical good spirits that still lingers on and keeps on dancing around in my head. Amazing what good music does for your soul!

“There was a plea that was sent out to match a challenge of $250,000.  I invite all of you who love good music to rise to the occasion and make sure the challenge grant is met and exceeded. 

What an exciting night with pianist and superb musician Kevin Copeland as he weaves the story of the Gershwin’s and their era in pictures, song dance and music. His piano playing and singing is magical and channels the Gershwin’s into life.  His performance of Rhapsody in Blue was so exhilarating it brought a standing ovation at intermission.

Sylvia McNair, Granny Award winning songstress voice is superb and thrilled me as she sang the songs of the Gershwin brothers. One word…magnificent! 

JoAnn Forrester is the Host of Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times, a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn at Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com 

Held Captive by the "Pitmen Painters"

Review:  The Pitmen Painters

Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater

Professional Theater in Residence at the University of Pittsburgh

by Good News Reporter,  JoAnn R. Forrester, Empress of biz

J F Harrison

The Pony Putter

From:  http://www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/home.html

I have four words for the Pitmen Painters:  Riveting, Irreverent, Insightful and Amazing.  I thoroughly enjoyed the play “The Pitmen Painters” presented by the Pittsburgh Irish Classical Theater.  This is a play based on a true story of Robert Lyon, Master of Painting at Armstrong College, Newcastle and his relationship with the miners who desired to know more about the world through their organization, The Workers Education Association.

The play presents a series of classes spanning the 13 years from 1934 to 1947.  During that time the world was convulsed in a major depression, a horrific war and post war recovery.  The original members of the class, thirty of them, are depicted amazingly by five actors.  From the first class, I was captured by their interaction and how they fought with one another and the instructor to understand a world that was beyond their experience.  We forget how rigid the class system was in England, and how little they really interacted or understood one another.  The world was defined in a certain way, and, as Americans, it is difficult for us to really understand such a rigid system.  The play gives an insightful look into that world.  One technique used to draw one into their time, work and life circumstances was to portray scenes on a screen with a projector that was behind the actors. Through those pictures, and the actor’s dialogue in front, one gets immersed in their world

Harry Wilson

Ashington Colliery

From:  http://www.ashingtongroup.co.uk/exhibition.html 

Lyon quickly realizes that he cannot just lecture to the miners.  He must find a way to communicate and break down the class barriers.  He decides to teach the men to paint.  He challenges them to explain their world.  He asks them to paint men, women and children involved in hard, backbreaking, dangerous work and to explain their everyday lives through the pictures they paint of life above and below the ground.  And paint they did, marvelously!  Each scene one sees the men grow, open up and demonstrate their artistic gifts, become knowledgeable in art and be able to speak elegantly and insightfully about pieces of art.

The acting was superb.  I was entranced and felt I was a cat sitting in the corner, watching it all.  When the intermission came, I was surprised.  It took me a few seconds to bring myself back from the mid 1930’s in England.   When it ended I wanted to say, “Wait!  There’s more!  Tell me more.”

I invite you to go and see “The Pitmen Painters” and be captured as I was by the play.  It is a wonderful way to spend an evening!

JoAnn Forrester is the Host of Empress of Biz, Reinvent in Rugged Times, a business Talkcast syndicated on PPLMag, Pittsburgh's First Internet Radio and TV Network.  You can hear JoAnn at Business friends every Thursday at 9 AM on the TalkShoe network or archived later at:  http://pplmag.com 

"Private Lives" Wows the Pittsburgh Public Theatre

Private Lives – by Noel Coward

Pittsburgh Public Theatre – O’Reilly Theatre

Review by RovingPittsburgher Reproter, Tamar Cerafici

There’s a lot of fun in a Noël Coward play, even before the lights dim. My companion for the evening searched the program in vain for a synopsis of the play and was a bit frustrated. I looked through as well, and then explained the plot:

Two couples are on their honeymoon at the same hotel. Wife (Amanda) of one couple was married to husband (Ellyot) of other couple. They bump nto each other on their adjoining balconies. Hilarity ensues.  Roughly, that’s the plot of nearly every Noel Coward comedy.

 

Victoria Mack as Amanda and 
Michael Brusasco as Elyot

            That’s the short version of this review. PPT’s Private Lives is a delightful study in contrasts, from the silky, sinuous lines of the lead couple, to the frumpy gowns and “scratchy” suits of their new mates. Scenery, costuming, and direction all convince us that these supersized, extravagant characters were made to live life together. Who else would have them?

            The PPT’s ensemble performance captured the elegant, if strained, tone of the English upper class, still reeling from the emotional and economic toll of World War I. The Stodgy Victor (played to the hilt by Laird Mackintosh) and the Sensible Sibyl (Amanda Leigh Cobb’s absolutely serious take on the poor jilted girl is sensational) represent the part of society that responded by returning to Victorian England. Amanda and Ellyot are having none of that, and neither is the playwright.

Michael Brusasco as Elyot and
Victoria Mack as Amanda

            The cast is remarkably good at dispensing Coward’s lightning-quick dialogue. It’s accompanied with passionate fights and raw physical comedy that would look rather silly if not played by really skilled actors. Michael Brusasco, as Ellyot, and Victoria Mack, as Amanda, are fleet of tongue and foot. Every invective is sharp; every caress carries the potential of a left hook. (I must add here that much of the humor of this play stems from the fact that Amanda and Ellyot would have at least 10 restraining orders apiece in this century. Private Lives could be a pretty heavy play if it wanted to be.)

Mr. Mackintosh and Ms. Cobb are perfect foils to the passionate leads. If anything, they keep the play from bobbing away like a beach ball on the waves. They absolutely don’t weight the play down, they just do what their character types are supposed to do: be the sea anchor to keep the boat from going completely off course. And they do it so well that the entire ensemble is perfectly balanced, like a well-made champagne cocktail.

Laird Mackintosh (Victor),
Victoria Mack (Amanda),
Michael Brusasco (Elyot),
 Amanda Leigh Cobb (Sibyl)

I must mention the fifth wheel, Louise the maid. Louise’s role is short, and spoken entirely in French. Elena Alexandratos is simply delightful as the French peasant serving the silly English. I was glad I understood what she said. She brings humor into the third act, which could have devolved into Greek tragedy in lesser hands.

The production continues through June 24, and is the perfect early summer entertainment. Get your tickets. Live it up for a change. The stock market and the presidential campaigns will take care of themselves.

Tamar Cerafici is an environmental lawyer whose national practice includes nuclear power and sustainable development consulting. She is the author of “Dominate: How Lawyers Crush Their Competition (with these 4 Powerhouse Marketing Techniques),” and the founder of The-Barefoot-Barrister.com as well as LegalShoe, and The Lawyer’s New Clothes, new media channels on PositivelyPittsburghlivemagazine.com that teach lawyers how to build enterprises and find balance in their practices without selling their souls