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The Tree An Urbane Opera Will Melt Your Soul
“The Tree” an urbane opera, is the Los Angeles Theatre Center’s last and final production before being transformed into The Latino Museum of History, Art and Culture and The Latino Theatre. We are grateful for this transformation, to see the loss of a theater is a punch in the gut to theater lovers. It is wonderful to know that the Latino Arts Community is stepping forward to offer such a rich history to explore and a renewed arts life shall emerge.
“The Tree” is a fantastically worthy farewell to this glorious but neglected theater house. “The Tree” is overall a magnificent production, with just a couple of suggestions here and there that prevent me from a total gush. Don’t let the word “opera” pigeonhole your thoughts or preconceive your notions to scare you away from a melting pot of creativity that draws you into this poignant, poetic, clever, witty and moving storyline. This production is as contemporary as they come, with bejeweled and eclectic costuming by Karen Kiisel, who adds a nutmeggy kind of visuality that will delight and surprise. Feng Sheuish set design by Tanya Kovaleski, Max Hendler and Claire Keith will tickle your imagination. Extravagant lush libretto written and directed by Peter Wing Healey, is nothing less than stunningly brilliant. Mr. Wing Healey, a world renowned expressive, prophetic, distinctive, ballet/modern dance master, choreographer/librettist/writer/ director/ visionary and founder of “The Mesopotamian Opera Company, whose operas have been performed in such venues as The R.A.P.P. Arts Center and Alice Tully Hall, (to name a few), has gotten much notice in various prestigious theater publications, the dance, theater and opera world worldwide. His operas and plays include “The Mummy” “Jane Heir” “Sunset Salome” “The Ben Franklin Opera “Thyestes’ Feast” and now “The Tree”. Mr. Wing Healey, worked both as primary dancer and rehearsal director for the infamous Mark Morris Dance Group, known for their stunning modern dance works and The White Oak Project with legendary Mikhail Bayshnikov, as balletmaster, and on the John Adams/Peter Sellers opera “Nixon in China” at The Houston Grand Opera. (Need I say more.) His screenplay “Grand Central” was given a rare reading and “Thyestes’ Feast” was published (in part) after winning The Papotage Writer’s Competition.
Of Madmen and Geniuses, the Magic of Light
“Lighting affects everything light falls upon. How you see what you see, how you feel
about it, and how you hear what you are hearing. Replace the ‘a’ with an ‘e’ and you get lighting effects!”-Jean Rosenthal
While the world celebrated choreographer George Balanchine’s 2004 Centennial, the diminutive woman who had illuminated his work for over 20 years remained an ethereal whisper in the wings. Jean Rosenthal lit the American stage with the genius of her craft and the magic of her art. A futurist and innovator, she was my eldest cousin and mentor.
After three years at Yale University School of Drama, Jeannie was about to make history. During the mid-1930s, her apprentice years with John Houseman, Orson Welles and the Mercury Theater, the title ‘Lighting Designer’ did not exist until she invented it. By the early 1950s, she was the most sought after lighting designer in America and Europe. Angela Lansbury said of her, “I remember how I felt each time I moved into the atmosphere of light Jean had created for me…till the last spot irised out on my face, and I was thankful for the cover of darkness to hide my tears.”
By age forty-three Jeannie had hundreds of Broadway shows, operas and New York City Ballet productions to her credit; she’d influenced all forms of theater with her ground-breaking lighting techniques and fresh artistic style. At her most creative when lighting the dancer, Jeannie maintained a joyous lifelong association with Martha Graham. Early on, when her mentor Orson Welles asked her to come with him to Hollywood to produce Citizen Kane, Jeannie had to make the toughest decision of her life. Think Goliath versus the elfin maiden. It became the buzz around the dinner table when I was still peeing in my pants. Years later, at a family gathering at the Rosenthal home in Martha’s Vineyard, Jeannie related how difficult it had been for her to say no to Welles. Memory often eludes me; this remembrance remains clear and distinct.
Let Us Entertain You, Wherever Your Travels Should Find You!
Lights, camera, action! Put yourself front and center for all of the entertainment your travel destination has to offer. Whether it’s enjoying the theater, catching a live concert, checking out local comedy acts or spending an evening at the casino, entertainment is essential to an enjoyable and memorable vacation.
Just about every city has a theater market, traveling to bigger cites you might find impressive Broadway shows featuring an all star award winning cast, while smaller venues will offer local and independent performances. Check out the local newspaper or research online to find local theater calendars with show times and ticket prices. The theater is a great romantic date idea, or a terrific way to bond with family and friends.
If the theater isn’t your scene then check out local music venues for live shows featuring local and national acts. Live music always makes the night life more entertaining and just about every live music location features a bar and restaurant so make a night out of it, have dinner, drinks then grab your partner and hit the dance floor. If you have children in tow you probably aren’t going to be checking out the late night music scene so take advantage of daytime performances at music halls, local orchestras and outdoor music venues, all of which are kid friendly environments. If the weather is nice and you want to take in your entertainment under the sun look up local special events and festivals. Most cities have parades, fairs and gatherings through out the summer months.
