People Are Talking: UMS presents Ryoji Ikeda’s...
Posted: 10/31/14
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PERFORMANCES & EVENTS
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All comments by James Ferrara
People Are Talking: UMS presents Blind Summit at Performance Network:
This was AWESOME. My wife and I thought it woudl be an interesting evening, but we didn;t expect to laugh until we were ready to burst. They were SO touching and the improv was breathtaking. UMS, you have done it again!
People Are Talking: UMS presents Apollo’s Fire at Hill Auditorium:
it amde me want to dance!
People Are Talking: UMS presents Alison Balsom & The Scottish Ensemble at Hill Auditorium:
Fantastic. She played like an angel – and looked like one, too!
People Are Talking: UMS presents Bobby McFerrin at Hill Auditorium:
Awesome. It was so wonderful to feel inspired and connected while our brothers and sisters in Boston are so traumatized. It really restores your faith – in music, in goodness and each other.
People Are Talking: UMS presents Propeller at Power Center:
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!! What a night to remember – this production really got under my skin. A dark Illyria, to be sure, and the mirror motif ensured we felt ourselves being reflected. Malvolio as hostage was unsettling and moving, throwing the luminous portrayal of Viola into even starker relief. Bravo Propeller, Bravo UMS! Thanks and ever thanks for lighting the dull skies of our February with your quicksilver artistry.
People Are Talking: UMS presents New Century Chamber Orchestra at Rackham Auditorium:
A fabulous concert. I had never heard the Strauss before, and it was glorious – all those layered emotions. And the Bolcom was terrific – I was a bit worried that it would be too avant garde, but it was just right and so lovingly brought to life that one felt privileged to be in the room. Can’t wait for them to come back!!
People are Talking About…Uncle Vanya:
I thought the set was one of the best thins about the play – it was so beautiful in its minimalist way – just the empty chairs on the floor at one moment was a piece of art in itself. And the rain outside. One thing I didn't understand was a clacking noise – was this someone outside? or the sound of fate? it seemed a bit random. But this was a truly marvelous performance.
The entire production reminded me of the famous painting of "The Gleaners" by Jean-François Millet . The haystakes, the lighting, the costume designs and color choices really seemed to have been inspired by this painting.
As a director I found it interesting how the production was a mixture of realism and suggestive realism throughout. The rain on the window, very real, the limited use of 6 chairs, 1 table and random doorways was not pure realism. I was intrigued by these choices.
I brought 10 acting students who have read the play and have performed scenes from it as a class project. We were all excited by the acting and the quality of the actors. We also loved the humor that was displayed.
All in all a very enjoyable night of top-notch theatre.
"by JWR