Category Archives: Art

HANDEL’S MESSIAH: TWO GIFTS THIS YEAR

Experiencing the Apollo’s Fire rendition of Handel’s Messiah brought to mind the title of Rod Dreher’s important new book, Living in Wonder, because that was what was occurring to the audience, whether they realized it or not. During the performance all were living in wonder, as Beauty, a characteristic element of God’s essence, was “calling […]

December 16, 2024 – 7:50 am | By Paul Kuritz | Posted in Acting, Art, Books, from Paul, History, Music, Poetry, Quotations, The Gospel of the Kingdom, Theater, Theology, Uncategorized | Comments Off on HANDEL’S MESSIAH: TWO GIFTS THIS YEAR

ATTENTION CHICAGO THEATER: WHERE IS YOUR PRODUCTION OF WILL ARBERY’S HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING?

 “Mr. Arbery (MFA Northwestern 2015) is a greatly talented writer who has given us a drama as exciting and challenging—nay, daring—as any new play I’ve ever reviewed. I intend to see “Heroes” onstage as soon as the pandemic ends and it starts to be produced by regional theaters. Don’t wait for that, though.”[i] “I think […]

May 19, 2024 – 2:09 pm | By Paul Kuritz | Posted in Art, History, Theater | Comments Off on ATTENTION CHICAGO THEATER: WHERE IS YOUR PRODUCTION OF WILL ARBERY’S HEROES OF THE FOURTH TURNING?

PORCHLIGHT’S SUNDAY IN THE PARK TOPS 23-24 CHICAGO THEATER SEASON

Our arrival at the gorgeous jewel box Studebaker Theater on South Michigan Avenue was a hall of mirrors experience. On the left hand side was the venerable Art Institute, home to George Seurat’s famous painting., the inspiration for the acclaimed musical Sunday in the Park with George we were about to see. The musical ‘s […]

May 13, 2024 – 8:30 am | By Paul Kuritz | Posted in Acting, Art, History, Music, Theater | Comments Off on PORCHLIGHT’S SUNDAY IN THE PARK TOPS 23-24 CHICAGO THEATER SEASON

MET OPERA OFFERS RONDINE, PUCCINI’S FRAGILE BITTERSWEET DELICACY

The invitation from Vienna to create an opera based on a sketch by Alfred Maria Willner, Franz Lehar’s librettist, tested Puccini’s stated dislike of the operettas with spoken dialogue . “It is the usual slipshod, banal operetta, the usual contrast between East and West, ballroom festivities and opportunities for dancing, with no study of character […]

April 22, 2024 – 10:52 am | By Paul Kuritz | Posted in Acting, Art, from Paul, History, Men and Women, Music, Opera, Poetry | Comments Off on MET OPERA OFFERS RONDINE, PUCCINI’S FRAGILE BITTERSWEET DELICACY

The Met’s NABUCCO: Verdi’s Beautiful Prayer for those in Exile

On February 23 of last year, Naomi Wolf,  author, feminist and former advisor to Bill Clinton and Al Gore published a remarkable essay, “Have the Ancient Gods returned?” In it she quotes Jonathan Cahn’s book The Return of The Gods[i]           “Having accurately traced the lineage of pagan worship and pagan forces, Cahn makes the […]

January 11, 2024 – 1:11 pm | By Paul Kuritz | Posted in Acting, Art, Books, from Paul, History, Men and Women, Music, Opera, Poetry, Quotations, Theater, Theology | Comments Off on The Met’s NABUCCO: Verdi’s Beautiful Prayer for those in Exile