HAMLET – Awesome at GableStage
Posted on 14. Jan, 2013 by Howard Salus in Education, Entertainment, featured, Florida News, The Arts Reviews
YOUTHFUL VIGOR DOES HAMLET WELL AS IT STIRS GABLESTAGE ENROUTE TO SCHOOLS
Ron Levitt, ENV Magazine, Florida Media News
CORAL GABLES, FL – I have never enjoyed a production of Hamlet more than the tightened, 90-minute one put together by the brilliant director /adapter Tarrel Alvin McCraney and his editing cohort ( Bijan Sheibani), currently holding court at GableStage. And that includes my own high school reading presentation (in which I played Hamlet’s best buddy (Horatio), several 224 minute professional presentations – even the visionary movies starring Sir Laurence Olivier (1948),a full length version featuring Kenneth Branagh ( 1996), even the 2000 modernized adaptation produced for Ethan Hawke (2000). In fact, there have been some 50 film versions and dozens of stage productions made since 1900, ranging from a five hour stage version to movies starring the astonishing Richard Burton to the ridiculous action-hero Mel Gibson.
But, what makes the GableStage version so enjoyable is that it has a youthful vigor, perefect for showing to high school students (which it will do in Miami area schools following its commercial run here). It isn’t just the superiority of the shorter version — envisioned by McCraney — that makes it so student-proof but it will give everyone a new appreciation of Shakespearian theatre. In the retelling of The Bard’s most famous play, it introduces students perfectly to the most powerful and influential tragedies in all of English literature.
Another reason to adore this Hamlet is the casting – an arrray of youthful talent one might expect from a more experienced company.
Edgar Miguel Sanchez, who-like many in the cast grew up in South Florida – is an intense Hamlet. His performance is outstanding. In taking on one of the most difficult roles in theatre and risking comparison with so much talent in the play’s history, Sanchez could easily have failed. It is a difficult role, which he admirably enthrones. He is a memorable Prince of Denmark!
The rest of the cast, as well, is perfect and will be a guide (whether they realize I or not) towards a learning tool as they perform Hamlet free for the Miami-Dade school children.
In addition to the noteworthy Sanchez, the rest of the impressive cast shimmers. Among those remarkable performers are Dylan Kammerer (Horatio), James Samuel Randolph (King Claudius/Ghost), Alana Arenas (Queen Gertrude), Ryan George (Laeretes/Rosencrantz), a lovely Mimi Davila (Ophelia), veteran actor Peter Haig (Polonius), Arielle Hofman (Guildenstern/Orsic)and the others in this ideal ensmble – Laura DiLorenzo, Michael Napoles and Alfie Ramirez.
Despite is cutting edge shortened 90 minutes, this play (and thus McCraney) is able to explore the varous themes which Shakespeare built into this masterpiece — treachery, revenge, incest, moral corruption and family. The main themes and language sustains in this version,
Set in the Kingdom of Denmark (yet modernized with current dress codes) , the play dramatizes the revenge Prince Hamlet exacts on his uncle Claudius for murdering the king — Claudius’s brother and Prince Hamlet’s father, and then succeeding to the throne and taking as his wife Gertrude, the old king’s widow — Prince Hamlet’s mother (a noteworthy performance, we must add, by Alana Arenas).
The final fight scene, complete with swords, will keep one on the edge or his or her seats. It is choreographed with dynamic realism by Bruce Lecure.
Hamlet runs though Feb. 10. For ticket information, contact 305 445-1119.
Join in Now – Tropical Cornucopia Tours
Posted on 10. Dec, 2012 by Howard Salus in Eco Tourism, Education, Environment, Everglades, featured, Florida News, Green Events
Redland Tropical Gardens “Seeds” Community-Based Tourism in South Dade
Homestead, Fl-On Wednesday, November 15, 2012, at 6:00 PM, the first community-based tourism workforce educational program awarded “Certificates of Completion” signed by both Redland Tropical Gardens and partner Miami-Dade College Homestead’s School of Continuing Education and Professional Development during a reception hosted by Mr. Mark Bell owner of Hotel Redland to seed South Dade, as a natural and cultural heritage tourism destination. These uniquely educated tour guides were trained in nature based tourism covering agriculture in our most diverse Redland ( our cultivated area) as well as both national parks (our wilderness with their unique ecosystems), while being polished to Host International Visitors through cooperation of the Greater Miami Host Committee.
ENTIRE CLASS
This is Phase One of a two year South Dade Smart Growth/Sustainable Communities Project, established by Redland Tropical Gardens (DBA) a State of Florida nonprofit 501(c)(3) listed as Redland Tropical Gardens & Botanical Foundation, Inc. These initiatives will serve as a vision to bridge man and nature by connecting yesterday, today and tomorrow (at the same time embrassing multicultural indigenous individuals seeking harmony, economic and social vitality, with long term sustainability). This project will enhance the quality of life for residents in all CRA areas where poverty rates are a staggering 44% well above the county’s 14% average. While assisting to promote the 2013 City of Homestead Centennial, and 2014 Florida City Centennial while prparing for tourism by green restoration, a plan for a green economic generator.
Please join us by reserving your seats for Redland Tropical Gardens, Tropical Cornucopia Tours, presenting a special “Home for the Holidays Historic Tour” in cooperation with the “Historic Homestead Town Hall Museum” on Saturday, December 15th for $10.00 each. You will meet our charming Certified Tour Guides and spend one hour on a bus tour, where you will receive a booklet celebrating Homesteads Centennial, “Homestead Then and Now”.
On your return to the museum you will be provided with Holiday Refreshments and a walking tour inside the museum guided by Director Ruth Campbell. Tours depart 10:00AM, 11:00AM, 12:00PM, 1:00PM, 2:00PM, 3:00PM, 4:00PM (final tour). Please call Redland Tropical Gardens 305-247-2016 for reservations or pay on line at paypal.com you may view our website, theredland.org
SAVE THE WOLVES – A MUST-READ
Posted on 13. Nov, 2012 by Howard Salus in Education, featured, Florida News, Opinions
Moments ago the Center for Biological Diversity and allies filed a federal suit against Wyoming’s disastrous policies promoting unlimited killing of wolves across most of the state.
Since wolves in Wyoming lost their Endangered Species Act protection last month, 49 wolves have been killed in state-sanctioned
49 Wolves Already Dead in Wyoming.
Help Save Wolves Today.
hunts and unregulated killing in “predator” zones. In the three Rocky Mountain states where wolves have been delisted — Idaho, Montana and Wyoming — 177 wolves have been killed after just one month of hunting and trapping. Many of these wolves are part of highly social groups simply looking for a safe place to raise their families.
Left unchecked, these state policies will result in hundreds more wolf deaths that will damage the species’ recovery.
While we fight these policies on the ground in Wyoming with our allies, we know we need to gear up fast to safeguard wolves throughout the West. That’s why the Center is launching a bold campaign to protect Pacific Coast wolves — and we need your help.
Please make a gift today to the Wolf Defense Fund and help us hire a full-time staffer to organize in defense of wolves along the Pacific Coast.
It’s going to take an all-out, boots-on-the-ground effort through California, Oregon and Washington to ensure state and federal policies put the recovery of wolves first. A passionate defender of wolves is offering a special challenge grant so we can afford to hire for this essential position. He will match every gift between now and Thanksgiving.
Our Pacific Coast organizer will work with other environmental groups, the public, hunting organizations, community leaders and elected officials in defense of strong wolf protections. The Center’s organizer will be at the forefront of a multi-state effort to educate decision-makers, bring wolf advocates and citizens together, and generate positive media about wolves.
The Center has already had some key victories on the West Coast, including getting California wolves a step closer to state protection and saving one of Oregon’s wolf packs from government sharpshooters. But that’s not enough. Wolves on the Pacific Coast deserve a safe future, free from persecution, so that their families can thrive and grow.
We need to raise funds right now to hire our new wolf organizer, and we need your help to do it. As part of this special challenge grant, your gift by Thanksgiving will go twice as far. Please consider giving as generously as you can today to the Wolf Defense Fund, and then share this with your family and friends.
We need to stop the massacre in Wyoming and make sure it never happens on the Pacific Coast. Help us make the most of this generous challenge grant and hit the ground running to save wolves.
Thank you in advance for your support.
For the wolves,
 |
|
GableStage Announces International Collaboration
Posted on 12. Nov, 2012 by Howard Salus in Education, Entertainment, featured, Florida News, The Arts Advances
GABLESTAGE in MIAMI,
THE PUBLIC THEATER in NEW YORK
and LONDON’S ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
JOIN IN STAGING A RADICAL NEW EDIT OF
SHAKESPEARE’S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA
Directed and Edited by Tarell Alvin McCraney,
This International Collaboration will Premiere at Stratford-Upon-Avon in November 2013 before engagements in Miami and New York in 2014
Joseph Adler, GableStage Producing Artistic Director, announced an international collaboration today between the Royal Shakespeare Company in London and The Public Theatre in New York to present Tarell Alvin McCraney’s radical new staging of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, to be directed and edited by McCraney. ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA will premiere at The Royal Shakespeare Company’s Stratford-Upon-Avon in November 2013, before touring to the United States. GableStage will then be presenting the production in Miami at the Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in January 2014, where it will be presented for subscribers and single-tickets buyers, with an additional 10 Special Morning Performances which will be free to Miami-Dade County Public Schools. From Miami, the production will move to New York to play The Public Theater’s Anspacher Theater in late January 2014.
McCraney was born and raised in Miami, where he attended Miami-Dade County Public Schools. He graduated from New World School of the Arts High School, went on to DePaul University and received his Master’s Degree at Yale School of Drama. He premiered his critically acclaimed plays The Brothers Size and The Brother/Sister Plays at The Public Theater in 2007 and 2009. The Brothers Size, was presented by GableStage in the summer of 2011, with McCraney directing.
GableStage will also be presenting McCraney’s 90 minute adaptation of Hamlet in January of this year, with him at the helm. After a 5-week run at GableStage at the Biltmore in Coral Gables, there will be free performances for many thousands of South Miami-Dade County Public School students at two other venues–the Joseph Caleb Auditorium in Liberty City and the South Miami-Dade Arts & Cultural Center in Cutler Bay.
McCraney is currently an artistic associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company and it was during his residency that he was asked to create a radical new edit of Shakespeare’s ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. He responded to the challenge by stripping down the text, reordering the scene structure and relocating the play. It will be set in the late 1700s against the backdrop of Saint-Domingue, on the eve of the Haitian Revolution against the French, bringing to light vivid historical parallels with the story of Antony and Cleopatra.
Casting for this new production of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA will take place in London, New York and Miami, with a mix of actors from the UK and the US. (The actors will be appearing with the permission of Actors’ Equity Association pursuant to an exchange program between American Equity and UK Equity.)
“Taking this equal parts tragedy equal parts history and setting it in the budding racial politics of the New World, a history ripe with pirating and battles over loyalty, we heighten the forbidden and passionate love affair between the conqueror, Antony, and colonized, Cleopatra,” said Tarell Alvin McCraney.
GableStage Producing Artistic Director Joseph Adler stressed that “the initial impetus for our involvement in this project came from a generous $125,000 Arts Challenge Grant from the John S. & John L. Knight Foundation and the support and guidance of our incredible Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs (Executive Director, Michael Spring).” He went on to say that “GableStage is genuinely thrilled to be involved in a collaboration with two of the leading presenters of Shakespeare’s plays in the world. With Miami’s own Tarell Alvin McCraney at the helm, providing an innovative and exciting adaptation of ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, we believe this project will be a transformative event for South Florida Theatre.”
GableStage Board President Steven M. Weinger, Esq. said “Our Board has risen to the challenge and is committed to raising the funds necessary for GableStage to meet its obligations to create and present this remarkable production.”
“This is a thrilling partnership of theaters, who have come together to support one of America’s most exciting young artists as he takes on one of Shakespeare’s most powerful plays,” said Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis. “We know we will be working with Tarell for many years to come and we hope to continue to collaborate with our British colleagues in the RSC deep into the future; and we are delighted to welcome GableStage and Miami into our artistic lives. This is a partnership created for all the right reasons, and we expect wonderful results.”
“I am delighted that we are able to continue our collaborations with some of the most exciting theatre makers in the U.S. and follow the U.S. openings of Julius Caesar and Matilda The Musical in spring 2013 with this new co-production of Tarell’s ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA with GableStage and The Public Theater,” said RSC Artistic Director Gregory Doran. “Tarell was an inspirational writer in residence with us and I’m so pleased that we are able to work with him and such great American theatre companies on a new project, presented in collaboration with The Ohio State University, who’ve recently become our presenting partner in the US. I hope audiences on both sides of the Atlantic will enjoy this radical relook at a familiar story.”
TARELL ALVIN MCCRANEY’s play The Brothers Size first premiered at The Public’s Under the Radar Festival in 2006 and was followed by a Public Lab production in 2007. His complete trilogy, The Brother/Sister Plays (comprised of: In the Red and Brown Water, The Brothers Size and Marcus; Or the Secret of Sweet), was produced at The Public in 2009. For the Royal Shakespeare Company, he was the RSC/ CAPITAL CENTRE Warwick International Playwright in Residence in 2009-2011 and is now an artistic associate. Born and raised in Miami, FL Tarell is an ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theater Company and in residence at New Dramatist Center in New York. For the RSC he co-edited/directed the Young People’s Shakespeare production of Hamlet, and wrote a new full-length play for the RSC’s acting ensemble, American Trade. His other plays include Choir Boy, Wig Out, and Head of Passes, which will receive its world premiere in 2013 in Chicago. McCraney was the recipient of London’s Evening Standard Award for Most Promising Playwright 2008, the inaugural New York Times Outstanding Playwright Award 2009 and the 2009 Steinberg Award.
GABLESTAGE, located in the historic Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables since 1999, is South Florida’s leading theater company for daring contemporary work and innovative staging of classics. The company has presented Shakespeare’s plays for over 1 million Miami-Dade County Public School students since their inception as Florida Shakespeare Theatre in 1979. GableStage is a non-for-profit organization committed to maintaining a leading voice for theater in the community and proactively providing opportunities for South Florida’s most gifted actors, directors, designers and technicians to develop their craft at the highest level. Producing Artistic Director, Joseph Adler, is now in his fifteenth season. Under his leadership, GableStage has been the recipient of 51 Carbonell Awards (South Florida’s annual theater awards) and 175 Carbonell Nominations. He has been nominated 23 times (16 at GableStage) and 9 times won the Carbonell Award for Best Director and twice for Best Director of a Musical. Adler was awarded the prestigious George Abbott Award for “significant contributions to the artistic life and cultural development of greater Miami, Fort Lauderdale and the Palm Beaches.” He has received many Best Director awards (CurtainUp, SunPost, NewTimes) and a Remy Award from the Theatre League of South Florida, as well as The Heart of the Arts Award presented by New World School of the Arts. He was awarded the 2008 Arts and Entertainment Community Service Award presented by the South Florida International Press Club, and the Truth Award from the Human Services Coalition. He received a Silver Palm Award for his “Outstanding Support of the South Florida Theatre Community, and his Commitment to an Educational Outreach Program in Miami-Dade County”. www.gablestage.org
ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY is one of the best known theatre companies in the world, the RSC connects people with Shakespeare and aims to produce bold, ambitious work. As well as Shakespeare, its repertoire includes classical plays and new work by contemporary writers. It is an ensemble company, with everyone from directors, writers and actors to production, technical and administrative staff playing their part in creating distinctive theatre. The RSC’s home is in Stratford-upon-Avon and in 2010 the Company reopened the Royal Shakespeare and Swan Theatres after a £112.8m transformation to bring actors and audiences closer together. The RSC also plays regularly in London, Newcastle upon Tyne and on tour across the UK and the world. The RSC has a deeply held commitment to the development of theatre artists. It also runs a major education programme, working with schools and teachers to inspire a life-long love of Shakespeare in young people, and devising events and exhibitions for everyone to explore and participate in its work. The RSC celebrated its 50th birthday in 2011 and, in 2012, produced the biggest celebration of Shakespeare ever staged, the World Shakespeare Festival, as part of the London 2012 Festival for the Cultural Olympiad. www.rsc.org.uk
THE PUBLIC THEATER
Completed in October 2012, the revitalization of The Public Theater’s downtown home at Astor Place physically manifests the Company’s core mission of sparking new dialogues and increasing accessibility for artists and audiences by dramatically opening up its landmark building to the street and community, and transforming the lobby into a public piazza for artists, students, and audiences. Designed by Ennead Architects and constructed by Westerman Construction, the project encompasses enhancements to the building’s interior and exterior while preserving the historic structure. Key elements of the design include infrastructure updates to the 158-year old building, as well as construction of new exterior entry stair and glass canopy; installation of ramps for improved accessibility; an expanded and refurbished lobby; the addition of a mezzanine level with a new lounge, The Library, designed by the Rockwell Group; expansion and remodeling of restroom facilities; and comprehensive exterior restoration, ensuring stability of the landmark façade.
THE PUBLIC THEATER AT ASTOR PLACE
Under the leadership of Artistic Director Oskar Eustis and Executive Director Patrick Willingham, The Public Theater is the only theater in New York that produces Shakespeare and the classics, musicals, contemporary and experimental pieces in equal measure. The Public continues the work of its visionary founder, Joe Papp, by acting as an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force, and leading and framing dialogue on some of the most important issues of our day. Creating theater for one of the largest and most diverse audience bases in New York City for nearly 60 years, today the Company engages audiences in a variety of venues—including its landmark downtown home at Astor Place, which houses five theaters and Joe’s Pub; the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, home to its beloved, free Shakespeare in the Park; and the Mobile Unit, which tours Shakespearean productions for underserved audiences throughout New York City’s five boroughs. The Public’s wide range of programming includes free Shakespeare in the Park, the bedrock of the Company’s dedication to making theater accessible to all, new and experimental stagings at The Public at Astor Place, and a range of artist and audience development initiatives including its Public Forum series, which brings together theater artists and professionals from a variety of disciplines for discussions that shed light on social issues explored in Public productions. The Public Theater is located on property owned by the City of New York and receives annual support from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. www.publictheater.org
Bill McKibben and 350.org are on a DO THE MATH Tour.
Posted on 11. Nov, 2012 by Howard Salus in Education, Environment, featured, Florida News, Green Business
Dear friends,
The election is over, so now it’s time to really get to work.
Right now I’m in Seattle, where tonight I’ll be getting up in front of a sold-out crowd to kick off the Do the Math tour. We’re not going to sit back this time and wait for politicians, even the ones we like, to get things done — if we want change it comes from us. And it’s coming! I’ve been doing this work for a long time, but tonight feels like something new.
We’re still up against the most powerful industry in the history of the world, but we’re playing to win. After over a year of fighting big oil to a near standstill over Keystone XL and seeing the fossil fuel industry pour hundreds of millions of dollars into this election, we know what we have to do to win — we have to get more creative, braver, and bolder than ever before.
So let’s get started. Here’s what’s happening right away:
Do the Math:
Starting tonight, the 350.org crew and I are on the road for the Do the Math tour. It’s going to be something special, and we hope you can join us. We’ve already sold out 6 shows, and over 15,000 people have bought tickets from coast-to-coast, so get your tickets now if you haven’t already. I recorded a little preview of the tour so you can get a taste of what’s in store: math.350.org
Divestment:
At the same time, on campuses all across the country, students are calling for their colleges and universities to divest from the industry that’s endangering our future. Dozens of campuses already have campaigns underway, and two – Unity College and Hampshire College – have already convinced their schools to divest.
This kind of principled stand by students played a key role in taking down the Apartheid regime in South Africa, and with your help students will once again be a crucial part of ending a great injustice. We’ve launched a special site for students to start divestment campaigns, where you can launch petitions to University presidents, download campaign toolkits, and connect with other students. Click here to get started: gofossilfree.org
Keystone XL:
It’s time to stop the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline once and for all.
Our newly re-elected President has the opportunity to deny the permit for Keystone XL, and should do so right away. We’re not waiting to put the pressure on either — on Nov. 18th, just as we wrap our Do the Math event, we’re hitting the streets of Washington DC with thousands of our friends to show Obama that we expect him to stop the pipeline. We know it’s short notice, but the sooner we make an impression on the President, the sooner we’ll wrap this fight — if you’re nearby, can you join us? 350.org/Nov18
So here goes something. We’re all going to have to dig deep into our reserves of energy and optimism, but we have the power to turn this thing around. Sandy showed us one vision of the future, but not the only one, and it’s on all of us to work for that other future that is still open to us, even when the odds of reaching it feel small.
Let’s get to work.
Thank you,
Bill & the 350.org team
ENV Magazine is a proud partner & a voice for:
