The Buffalo News: Art & Theater Stories and Reviews

Art & Theater Stories and Reviews

Kidman drama continues: By Colin Dabkowski NEWS ARTS WRITER
Updated: 08/27/08 6:51 AM; Why someone planted a false story on a Web site linking Nicole Kidman to Buffalo’s Studio Arena Theatre campaign for survival, and who that person is, remains a mystery today — a day after Kidman denied making the comments.

Marc Burgess Mannequin Project on display at College Street Gallery: Updated: 08/01/08 9:36 AM; Marc Burgess has gone from being a mannequin, as the French would call a model, to photographing mannequins, the stylized forms designed to wear products and clothing. Burgess’ fascination with the enigmatic facial expressions and idealized, elongated bodies of mannequins has resulted in “The Mannequin Project,” a series of photos that will be displayed at the College Street Gallery, 244 Allen St., from Saturday until Aug. 30. Burgess, who lives in New York City, will be present at the free opening of his show from 8 to 10 p. m. Saturday at the gallery. The show is part of this year’s Infringement Festival, which ends Sunday. The haunting photos in “The Mannequin Project” include close-ups, montages and some photos that hint at a story, which Burgess’ artist’s statement says involves “a love child and vices which keep one from social domestication.” The exact nature of the vices is “left open to interpretation,” he says, but include addictions and simple pleasures. “I am photographing mannequins for my love of their ever-changing worlds,” his statement says. Burgess says he admires mannequins for “their ability to adapt to extreme changes in urban trends and fashion, as well as endure constant face lifts — they are able to influence society without taking a breath.” “The Mannequin Series” debuted in the spring of 2007. — Anne Neville

Slumping economy blamed for cancellation of ‘Godspell’ revival: By Michael Kuchwara - ASSOCIATED PRESS
Updated: 08/21/08 6:37 AM; NEW YORK — Now it’s “Godspell” that is saying “no go” on Broadway.

Gypsy sounds and clever performances from Casperous Vine: By Colin Dabkowski NEWS STAFF REPORTER
Updated: 08/18/08 6:56 AM; Move over, Babik. There’s a new gypsy sound in town, and it blew through the New Phoenix Theatre on Friday night like a cold wind, accompanied by a trio of happily bizarre performance pieces.

Too much time in the ‘Bathhouse’: By Jana Eisenberg NEWS CONTRIBUTING REVIEWER
Updated: 08/16/08 7:30 AM; A concept musical needs to be tightly written, consistently in on the joke and crisply directed. “Bathhouse: The Musical!” has some of this going for it.

Studio Arena joins Curtain Up! activities: By Colin Dabkowski NEWS ARTS WRITER
Updated: 08/16/08 7:30 AM; When the Buffalo Theatre Alliance released its joint season announcement in June, Studio Arena Theatre was conspicuously absent from the lineup. But Kathleen Gaffney, the beleaguered theater’s CEO and artistic director, promised there would soon be signs of life.

‘Beauty and the Beast:’ Awkward effort at Artpark: BY COLIN DABKOWSKINews Staff Reviewer
Updated: 08/15/08 1:09 PM; With another two weeks of rehearsals, Artpark’s slipshod production of “Beauty and the Beast,” which opened Thursday night, might just struggle to its feet.

Talented young cast performs ‘Midsummer’ like a dream: By Colin Dabkowski NEWS STAFF REVIEWER
Updated: 08/11/08 7:11 AM; CHAUTAUQUA — A sublime sense of mischief, mystery and foreboding was on display Saturday night during the Chautauqua Theater Company’s pitch-perfect production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

Pandora’s Box shaken open: By Joseph Popiolkowski NEWS CONTRIBUTING REVIEWER
Updated: 08/10/08 6:59 AM; NIAGARA FALLS — Comedian Kathy Griffin took Hollywood to the woodshed Saturday night in the Seneca Niagara Events Center by taking aim at pop culture celebrities including Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, Pamela Anderson, Paula Abdul and Oprah.

A.R. Gurney's 'Buffalo Gal' gives regional struggles an off-Broadway stage: By Colin Dabkowski
Updated: 08/09/08 11:34 AM; Studio Arena Theatre, the launching pad for many New York City-bound productions, has scored another success in the Big Apple. But this time, the troubles of the foundering regional theater itself are playing the starring role.

Tango program makes all the right moves: By Garaud MacTaggart CONTRIBUTING REVIEWER
Updated: 08/02/08 6:54 AM; LEWISTON — In many ways tango, like flamenco, is a multimedia event, meshing music, dance and storytelling into a whole. The rhythms of the music establish an ebb and flow reflected by the muscular coordination and sheer physicality of the dancers, whose movements deliver a plot line of courtship, uncertainty and — sometimes — near consummation.

Caliendo packs the stage with targets of his sharp wit: By Stephanie Schomer - NEWS REVIEWER
Updated: 08/02/08 7:14 AM; NIAGARA FALLS — Comedian Frank Caliendo performed Friday night in the Seneca Niagara Events Center, but as the famed impressionist moved from character to character, appearances by Caliendo himself were few and far between.

A devious plot collapses in laughter: By Jana Eisenberg NEWS CONTRIBUTING REVIEWER
Updated: 07/29/08 6:39 AM; Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” has a lot going for it.

Overloaded characters, complex story become tedious: By Colin Dabkowski NEWS STAFF REVIEWER
Updated: 07/23/08 6:49 AM; NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — “Belle Moral,” which opened at the Shaw Festival on Saturday, seemed to have all the makings of a fine play.

The show goes on: By Colin Dabkowski / NEWS ARTS WRITER
Updated: 07/23/08 6:49 AM; Studio Arena Theatre is beginning to show signs of life. Its stage, empty since the lights went down on its co-production of “To Kill a Mockingbird” in February, is finally feeling the patter of new feet. Despite all the troubles of the woebegone institution, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this year, the Studio Arena Theatre School’s 81st season is in full swing.