Reviews

(Movie Review) ‘The Trip’ by Michael Winterbottom

The Trip Directed by Michael Winterbottom Starring Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon Review by Seth Rogovoy Patched together from separate episodes of a British TV series, The Trip is a kind of mockumentary, following the verbal antics of actors Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon as they tour Northern England’s finer restaurants. The setup is merely…

(Dance Review) 3e étage at Jacob’s Pillow

Ludmila Pagliero and Takeru Coste of 3e Étage in 'Processes of Intricacy' (photo Cherylynn Tsushima)

Ludmila Pagliero and Takeru Coste of 3e Étage in ‘Processes of Intricacy’ (photo Cherylynn Tsushima) JACOB’S PILLOW 3e etage (Third Floor) Ted Shawn Theatre August 3-7, 2011 Review by Anna Rogovoy   (BECKET, Mass.) – The concept of 3e étage’s engagement at Jacob’s Pillow, a mixed bill of works which interweave to form a single…

(Movie Review) ‘Beginners’ by Mike Mills

Beginners Written and directed by Mike Mills Starring Ewan McGregor, Christopher Plummer and Mélanie Laurent   Reviewed by Seth Rogovoy   A romantic comedy about commitment phobia, Beginners succeeds winningly owing to sharp writing, self-consciously clever filmic devices (including a talking Jack Russell terrier – something that would ordinarily really bug the crap out of…

(Dance Review) Big Dance Theater at Jacob’s Pillow

Pete Simpson and Tymberly Canale in Big Dance Theater's 'Supernatural Wife' (photo Christopher Duggan)

JACOB’S PILLOW Big Dance Theater Thursday, July 28, 2011 Review by Anna Rogovoy (BECKET, Mass.) – An hour-long work which lies somewhere in a liminal space between dance and theater, Supernatural Wife – enjoying its U.S. premiere in the Doris Duke Theater at Jacob’s Pillow through Sunday, July 31 — is delicately wrought and luminous.…

(Dance Review) Laboratory Dance Project at Jacob’s Pillow

LDP/Laboratory Dance Project in 'Are you happy to see me?' (photo Christopher Duggan)

LDP/Laboratory Dance Project in ‘Are you happy to see me?’ (photo Christopher Duggan) JACOB’S PILLOW Laboratory Dance Project (LDP) Wednesday, July 27, 2011 Review by Anna Rogovoy (BECKET, Mass.) –  In the mixed bill of three works that made up their Jacob’s Pillow debut [running through Sunday, July 31], Laboratory Dance Project (LDP) displayed a…

(Music Review) Steely Dan at Tanglewood

Steely Dan's Donald Fagen and the Embassy Brats

TANGLEWOOD Steely Dan Tuesday, July 26, 2011   Review by Seth Rogovoy   (LENOX, Mass.) – It’s hard to believe we had to wait until the year 2011 to see Steely Dan at Tanglewood, but it was worth it, because it was perfect. Which isn’t any surprise, because Steely Dan is all about perfection. If…

(Music Review) Dr. John at the Mahaiwe

Dr. John at the Mahaiwe (photo Seth Rogovoy)

MAHAIWE PERFORMING ARTS CENTER Dr. John and the Lower 911 Saturday, July 23, 2011 Review by Seth Rogovoy   (GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – Dr. John was smart – or lucky. When he created his sound, his persona, and his approach back about 40 years ago, he did it in such a way as to make…

(Theater Review) ‘The Memory of Water’ at Shakespeare & Company

Elizabeth Aspenlieder and Jason Asprey in 'The Memory of Water'

Corinna May as Mary in ‘Memory of Water’ SHAKESPEARE & COMPANY The Memory of Water by Shelagh Stephenson Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre Runs through Sept 4, 2011   Review by Seth Rogovoy Photos by Kevin Sprague/Courtesy Shakespeare & Company   (LENOX, Mass., July 21, 2011) – Never in memory has such a collective of serio-comic…

(Dance Review) zoe | juniper at Jacob’s Pillow

zoe | juniper in "A Crack in Everything" (photo Christopher Duggan)

JACOB’S PILLOW DANCE FESTIVAL zoe | juniper Doris Duke Theatre July 20, 2011 Review by Anna Rogovoy (BECKET, Mass.) – The Doris Duke Theatre at Jacob’s Pillow has been transformed, by way of white floor paneling, towering screens, powerful sounds, and eerie characters, into another world. Audience members filing in to take their seats are…

A Poetic Pas de Deux from Taylor Mali and Marie-Elizabeth Mali

Taylor Mali (photo by Seth Rogovoy)

TRIPLEX CINEMA/NEW STAGE Taylor Mali Open Heart Perjury Thursday, July 14, 2011 by Seth Rogovoy (GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – At one point during his terrific, aptly titled one-man show, Open Heart Perjury, at the Triplex Cinema, spoken-word artist Taylor Mali riffed on the fact that a namesake of his in the Berkshires performs an annual…