New York! You’re crazy, demanding, and suffer from bouts of violence, but I have to say, “I love ya!” On the way out from Confession, Bernard at the “meet and greet desk” by the entrance of St. Vincent Ferrer Church on the Upper East Side (a stone’s throw away from Hunter College) told me that there were Stations of the Cross at 6:00 p.m. Turns out two of my classmates from my Thomas More College days were present as well! For those who don’t know, Thomas More had about 80 students total (that means freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior classes combined) when I attended, so when I run into alums it is something of a miracle.
New York City is funny how it churns out these kinds of encounters. About a week or so ago I was walking home on West 10th Street, and intersected with the stage manager for the last show I acted in, Antigone. The photo above is one that I took of Kick Kennedy, who starred as Antigone. The seemingly random encounter on West 10th Street led me to see “The Standbys” at the Quad Cinema that very night. The stage manager, along with the woman who played the Queen in Antigone, and two musical theater people made great company. Slight aside. Have you gone to the Quad? Save for a few exceptions, I am a fan of smaller theaters, and this is on my list of favorites in New York City. Back to “The Standbys.” At the end, one of the stars from the the film came right to the front of the theater and asked if we had any questions. Turns out she was a friend of the stage manager, and we got to talk with her after the Q & A. For any theater people out there this documentary gives an honest and entertaining look at just how hard it is to make it to Broadway. Speaking of theater, a friend and the first person I acted with on stage, is starring in Nothing on Earth which was just reviewed by the New York Times. I saw it on opening night with a friend, and really enjoyed it! Another friend and fellow cast member is also performing in it.
One more thing. About that exception to small theaters. I came across this trailer for Stalingrad via a suggested post on Facebook. I hardly have the time to go to the movies, but if I did make it I would want to see this it at one of the IMAX theatres where it is currently showing. Tomorrow I wake up bright and early for a photo shoot in Brooklyn. I am photographing the paintings of Matthew Kirby who found out about me via a blog post by writer and friend Heather King. Then after the shoot it is off to rehearsals for the next show, “Our God’s Brother” by Karol Wojtyla (better known as Pope John Paul II).
Here is Matthew Kirby’s artist statement:
Mortality represents a form of limitation on life, art, and knowledge. On a personal level, this inherent restriction tends to raise certain questions about the role of art, God, society, and my own function within the status quo. In turn, my paintings become a way for me to attempt an answer or simply meditate on the plight of humankind in light of mortality. At times, I doubt whether art even matters. My work will not inspire world peace, I will not paint my way to a cure for cancer, and the practical function of pigment on canvas hung on a wall is negligible. In fact, the oil paints I use are often toxic so for all intents and purposes, art is shortening my already brief life. However, the mere fact that my work continues to be produced implies that there must be some motive, hope, or faith. I want there to be a sense of the brevity of life and a stillness, like a held breath, to exist in my images. My paintings have become a visual representation of this penultimate thinking without losing a sense of uncanny optimism. Life is cyclical and maintains hope for even those facing the end and it is my challenge to explore how humanity copes with mortality.
Alvederzane until the next post!