2:30 pm
Pearl Theater “The Bald Soprano” by Eugene Ionesco (1951)

This was a real treat. I have not seen his work before so now feel slightly more “cultured.” I loved the theater and we were welcomed by the Artistic Director, J. R. Sullivan. To say that the audience was older is an understatement. I guess that’s to be expected at afternoon performances. I saw four young guys who loved the production and laughed throughout. I loved it too. I thought the acting was great and the dialogue made no sense, hence the wikipedia link below. It was funny and sad. The program notes say “Words get in our way: language is tragic,” and asks “is it an Anti-Play or the grandaddy of the absurdist movement?” Whatever. I thought it brilliant and thought provoking. Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Bald_Soprano

4:30 pm
MoMA to see Willem de Kooning’s exhibit

I will go back to see this more than once. It is an extensive exhibit covering his work from 1940’s through the 1980’s. His painting, the use of color and the sweep of paint strokes are breath-taking. Much of his focus was on the female figure. I heard briefly that he was not the easiest of people but, like Picasso, he did create some awe-inspiring work. We also visited the Sculpture Garden.

http://moma.org/visit/calendar/exhibitions/1149

8 pm
The Irish Repertory Theater
Noctu Eriu Dance Company

After seeing River Dance years ago, I never thought I would see more, but this was
a great surprise. The big River Dance deal was too slick for my taste. My friend got tickets to the Irish Rep not really knowing what was there but liking what they usually present. The notes say that “Noctu is a new departure for the Irish dance show genre. It strives to tell the story of Irish dance from the viewpoint of the dancer.” And it sure was new for me. The theater and the stage are small and I’ll bet they are used to a bigger space but they made it work. There were 17 different scenes including the music of Kate Bush, Bjork, Cake, Leonard Cohen, Igor Stravinsky among others. The dancers, of course, performed familiar Irish dancing - arms to their sides and those cool black clog-like shoes, but they also did other dancing with bare feet and more gesturing. They really were incredible dancers, performers, actors. It was highly vigorous, especially “Underworld” by Joe Csibi, which knocked ones socks off. The dancers were also gorgeous looking and never have I seen bodies which did not ever jiggle. Talk about fit! It was a upbeat (without being corny) show and I am so pleased to have seen it.