Even as the natural world fades away during the fall, the cultural world springs to life. Every autumn Rochester's arts organizations emerge from their lazy summer cocoons for a new season full of exciting concerts, recitals, exhibitions, and performances designed to excite, entertain, and inspire.
Simply put, come September there's a lot going on in this town. And sometimes it can be difficult to pick out the best bets. Below some of City Newspaper's critics have sorted through the seemingly endless schedules and selected their most anticipated shows of the 2007-08 season. But these picks are only a starting point. For a more comprehensive schedule of upcoming events consult the various listings in this publication, and make sure to check City Newspaper every Wednesday. It's the fall and new cultural opportunities are popping up all over.
[ THEATER ] BY MICHAEL LASSER
"Doubt," Geva, October
John Michael Shanley's language is rough and his themes are often rougher, but at his best, he'll take you with him to the heart of things, even if he makes you squirm along the way. "Doubt" won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. Even though it's set in 1964, Shanley obviously has the Roman Catholic sex scandals of recent years in mind in this confrontation in a parochial high school between friendly Father Flynn and stern Sister Aloysius. Shanley has said that he's interested in our current need for certainty. He told an interviewer: "In days gone by, doubt was the province of the wise. Now it's perceived to be a sign of weakness....I'd like to see a more spacious conversation."
"Grapes of Wrath," Blackfriars, October 5-27
"Pride and Prejudice," Geva, May-June 2008
Stage adaptations of large novels are tricky, especially if the novel is set in a period we think we know: the Great Depression of the 1930s, for instance, or the early 19th century as defined by Jane Austen. In addition to getting the language, the dress, and -- most important and most difficult -- the manner right, you have to compress hundreds of pages into an hour and a half without losing what matters. Blackfriars takes on "Grapes of Wrath," John Steinbeck's epic novel about the Joad family's struggle for survival as it flees Oklahoma for California in the 1930s. Meanwhile, Geva, by its own admission, will be transforming Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" into a "romantic comedy." The daunting challenge here is to give dramatic life to the characters while retaining the wit without ever becoming arch. Austen lovers are sure to be on their guard.
"The Magic Fire," Shipping Dock Theatre, November 30-December 23
Shipping Dock Theatre, which continues to mount plays other companies are unlikely to tackle, has come up with a new take on the Holocaust -- or at least on its aftermath -- in Lillian Garrett-Groag's "The Magic Fire." In the case of the Berg family, Jewish survivors living in Peron's Argentina, the most chilling irony comes, as it often does, in their inability to learn from experience. Once again, the family seeks refuge from a government's fascistic politics by turning to art and music, and, once again, it won't work as events force them to confront both politics and their own moral obligations.
"Cabaret," Geva, January-February 2008
By the 1960s, after several decades of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein, the American musical (along with nearly everything else) was changing rapidly. Subjects were darker and realistic plots were breaking down as directors began to work with a defining theme or image. For "Cabaret," a 1966 musical set in Berlin in the late ‘20s and early ‘30s, that meant two parallel worlds, one of which eventually devours the other. The decadent but alluring demi-monde of the cabaret is a grotesque but true mirror of the "real" world as Hitler's "brown shirts" begin to swagger and maraud while amoral Sally Bowles entices innocent Clifford Bradshaw. Their affair moves to John Kander and Fred Ebb's powerful score rooted in the German cabaret music of the time.
[ ART ] BY LUKE STROSNIDER
"Male & Female: Gender Performed in Photographs from the George Eastman House Collection"/"Lucha Libre! Masked Mexican Wrestlers," through January 2008
"The Tease: Burlesque Performers from the ‘50s & '60s," October 13-November 25
George Eastman House
The George Eastman House serves up three separate exhibitions this fall dedicated representations of gender through photographs -- an excellent idea considering the complexity of such an issue. Two are now on view: "Lucha Libre!" brings together portraits, photojournalism work, and other images from the zany yet narrative-rich world of Mexican wrestling, while "Male & Female" has a more "fine art" feel and features work by big names like Edward Steichen, Mary Ellen Mark, and Danny Lyon. Coming soon is "The Tease," featuring hundreds of publicity stills of burlesque performers of the 1950s and '60s. These shows are a strange mix and perhaps not an obvious trio, but together they posses a great potential to inspire thought and discussion on the use of photographs to both strengthen and question gender stereotypes.
"Mapping the University,"University of Rochester Rare Books, Special Collections & Preservation, through July 2008
Maps have much the same allure as printed artworks. They provide us with a two-dimensional, visually palatable (and, in this case, foldable) version of an often deeply complicated space or concept. In this exhibition, the space in question is the University of Rochester campus and the surrounding city it calls home. Since its founding in 1850, U of R has not only been an educational presence, but has contributed to the shape of the city, first through the construction of campus buildings downtown and then with the move to the current River Campus in 1927. On display will be a variety of documents showing the university's relationship with the city space, ranging from architects' plans to artist renderings.
"Michael Bosworth," Rochester Contemporary Art Center, October 26-November 25
Buffalo multi-media artist Michael Bosworth will fill the recently renamed Rochester Contemporary Art Center with interactive imagery for his solo exhibition this fall. Bosworth's installation will have visitors simultaneously seeing and being the show -- cameras and projectors will record, process, and display video from within both the gallery and remote locations. The artist also plans to build a camera obscura wall specifically for the space. Featuring a bank of lenses on one side and screen material on the other, this wall will use vision's most basic unit -- the optical phenomenon of the camera obscura -- to create interactivity usually conjured by complex contemporary electronic technology.
"American Impressionism: Paintings from the Phillips Collection," Memorial Art Gallery, April 13-June 15, 2008
Despite its distinctly French origins, the Impressionist style that graces the famed canvases of Renoir, Degas, and Monet had many American devotees. For the first time in nearly three decades, gems from the wondrous Philips Collection will travel outside Washington, D.C., with a scheduled stop at the Memorial Art Gallery. Like their Gallic counterparts, the American impressionists sought to capture the luminosity of their landscapes; but it is in the landscape that the key differences lie. Unmistakably American subject matter, like the flag-waving parade seen in Gifford Beals' 1918 "On the Hudson at Newburgh," replaces the weekend outings in the park or the graceful ballerinas that so often signal the European impressionist canon.
[ DANCE ] BY CASEY CARLSEN
Danscore, SUNY Brockport, November 14-16
SUNY Brockport's Department of Dance is known for its talented and diverse faculty; Garth Fagan himself taught there for 30 years. The department's annual Danscore performance is the public's chance to view work choreographed by the faculty and danced by the department's top students -- or, in some cases, by the faculty themselves. Darwin Prioleau, chair of the department, will perform a piece she created after an intense few weeks spent in small African villages this summer learning the dances and culture of the Gambian people. Tap artist Bill Evans will share the stage with acclaimed Irish dancer Eddie Murphy in a duet intriguingly dubbed "Craps."
Garth Fagan Dance, Nazareth Arts Center, November 27-December 2
Garth Fagan's masterful choreography put into motion by his uniquely trained company is always a focal point on the Rochester dance and cultural calendar. And, since Garth Fagan Dance has been based in Rochester since its conception in 1970, we're given the added privilege of getting to see his new pieces directly after they premiere in New York City each autumn. This year Fagan's latest features the music of another Rochesterian, Eastman School faculty member and Mexican-born composer Ricardo Zohn-Muldoon. The program will also feature a full revival of "Earth Eagle First Circle."
Ballet Hispanico, Nazareth College Arts Center, January 11
Ballet Hispanico regularly ignites the enthusiasm of audiences around the world with its innovative fusion of Latin dance with elements of classical and modern. Artistic Director Tina Ramirez established both the company and its school (Jennifer Lopez is an alum) on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in 1970. Commissioning work from choreographers as talented and diverse as Alberto Alonso and Susan Marshall, Ramirez amassed a dynamic repertoire. The Rochester performance will feature the popular piece "Club Havana, choreographed by Pedro Ruiz, in which dancers Cha Cha, rumba, and flirt to the fiery rhythms of Latin music.
Rochester City Ballet, Nazareth Arts Center, February 1-2, 2008
Dance aficionados will gain insight into the creative process of choreographing a new piece of work during Rochester City Ballet's "Raw, Real and Revealed" at the Nazareth College Arts Center this February. The lecture/performance will be based on the company's new and contemporary works. Artistic Director Jamie Leverett will speak about the conception of each dance piece before her company performs it. Leverett was named Outstanding Choreographer last spring at a prestigious competition that involved more than 40 ballet schools from the U.S. and Japan. Five of her dancers took top honors as well.
The Parsons Dance Company, Nazareth College Arts Center, February 9, 2008
David Parsons is one of today's most influential working choreographers. His work was seen by billions of people on international television when The Parsons Dance Company performed the dance elements he created for the millennium's New Year's Eve celebration in Times Square. Touring widely since 1985, Parsons Dance consistently draws full houses around the world with its winning combination of dance prowess, humor, and charged emotion. Searing sensuality and technological eye candy both manifest themselves in Parsons' signature works.
[ CLASSICAL MUSIC ] BY BRENDA TREMBLAY
David Russell, Kilbourn Hall, October 2
A man with a golden guitar appears just as the leaves flame out. David Russell's guitar isn't literally made of gold, but his burnished technique and thoughtful programming have earned him high praise and a gold-plated Grammy. Russell will play a wide range of pieces, including a Bach sonata, a fantasy on themes from "La Traviata," and music by Barrios. Kilbourn Hall, Tuesday, October 2, 8:00 p.m. ($18-8. esm.rochester.edu)
Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Eastman Theatre, October 6
The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra combines sex with the Brits in a gala celebrating Christopher Seaman's 10-year anniversary as the orchestra's music director. If you go, you'll hear the British conductor interpret Britten's "Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," and Vaughan William's "Serenade to Music," a British choral work featuring 16 singers from the Eastman School's opera department. Then comes the sexy bit: "The Rite of Spring" by Igor Stravinsky. A shocking, arousing, and cathartic work, "The Rite" is as wild today as it was in 1913 at its Paris premiere. Take someone who'll get excited with you. Dress accordingly; after the concert, the party will spill out onto Gibbs Street.
Pegasus String Band, Rochester Academy of Medicine, October 26-27
European countries and an old-time string band mix it up at the end of October. The Pegasus string band, (including Julie Andrijeski, Rachel Evans, Boel Gidholm playing violins and violas, cellist Lisa Terry, and lutenists Deborah Fox and Richard Kolb) promises a voyage through Europe, with lively dance music and suites from England, Austria, France, Germany, and Italy. Rochester Academy of Medicine, 1441 East Avenue, Friday, October 26 and Saturday, October 27 at 8:00 p.m.; Sunday, October 28 at 4:00 p.m. ($20-10. pegasusearlymusic.org)
Society of Chamber Music, Memorial Art Gallery, November 11
In November, the Society of Chamber Music in Rochester offers big canvases in miniature forms -- that is, the art of transcriptions. If you go, you'll hear pieces written for orchestra such as "Wine, Women and Song" by Johann Strauss stripped down to bare essentials, like Rothko paintings on post-it notes. Performers include clarinetist Kenneth Grant, principle horn W. Peter Kurau, bassoonist Abraham Weiss, violinists Juliana Athayde and Shannon Nance, violist Marc Anderson, cellist Kathleen Murphy Kemp, bass player Robert Zimmerman, and pianist Joseph Werner playing transcriptions by Georges Enesco, Igor Stravinsky, and selections from Gerswin's "Porgy and Bess."
[ MUSIC ] BY FRANK DE BLASE
Southern Culture On The Skids, Bug Jar, September 27
Twangin' surf guitar, Southern swamp boogie, flying fried chicken (spicy extra-crispy or original), limbo, Mexican wrestlers... pure white trash Americana .Yessir, a Southern Culture On The Skids show is about as much fun as you can have with your pants on. The lyrical self-deprecation in this band's tunes and its unabashed hillbilly pride adds hysterics to each member's incredible musicianship. Guitarist Rick Miller is clearly a disciple of our beloved, late Link; the bump 'n' grind of Dave Hartman's drums will have you shaking tail feathers you didn't know you had; and my God, when that Mary Huff sings all countrypolitan like, it makes the angels cry... when they're not crashing into her mile-high beehive. We're all gonna get laid.
Elvis Costello w/Bob Dylan and Amos Lee, RIT's Gordon Field House, October 9
When I first heard Elvis Costello, probably around 1979, I was told he was punk. The frenetic geekiness, his oddball angst, and a rather vicious stab at (my theory here) pub rock or Mersey beat attested to all that. However, at 11 years old, I wasn't al that critical, or versed in music. I just thought he was really cool. Thirty years later he's still cool. Costello is even re-releaseing a deluxe version of his 1977 debut "My Aim Is True." He's a prolific songwriter and musician, working well within the confines of his politics and vocal limitations. He's written classical pieces, collaborated with pop maestro Burt Bacharach, and he's beaten out Billy Joel hand's down in the homely-rocker-bags-a-babe department.
Wanda Jackson w/The Lustre Kings, German House, October 25
It's rock 'n' roll legend Wanda Jackson's coquettish purr that'll send ya. Or maybe her throaty snarl. Either way, you're a goner. Born in Maud, Oklahoma, in 1937, Jackson got her start in the early 1950s. Like many country artists (mostly men), she felt the urge to goose rural sounds with a little rhythm and blues. She cut the rockabilly scorcher "Fujiyama Mama" in 1958 and had a Top 40 hit with "Let's Have A Party," a tune Elvis had recorded earlier. She shared the bill with the King and even dated him briefly. She was one of the first female rockabilly artists to spice up her outfits (incidentally, she had a frame that would make a bishop kick out a stained glass window) with fringe, high heels, and long earrings. Wanda Jackson -- Ms. Jackson if you're nasty -- will still knock you out, Jack
Nathaniel Mayer, Bug Jar, November 3
This cat cut some soulful wax for the Fortune label starting in 1962 with "Village of Love" (later covered by Motor City r&b saviors The Detroit Cobras). Nathaniel Mayer has one of those voices that embodies both eminent heartbreak and eminent threat. It's rough and raw with plenty of sex and danger. Mayer's music is badass, and features a backing band of unbelievable pedigree (Black Keys, Dirtbombs, Outrageous Cherry, The Sights, SSM). The rough blues Mayer lays down is more rock 'n' roll than practically anything you hear from the youngsters today. It bops, it strolls, it leers.
Gym Class Heroes, Fall Out Boy, Plain White T's, Cute Is What We Aim For, Blue Cross Arena, November 18
While Tommy Lee and Kid Rock duked it out in what will probably be looked back upon as their twilight years, Rochester area hip hopsters Gym Class Heroes walked away with a Moonman in the Best New Artist Award category at this year's MTV Video Music Awards. Jennifer Garner's introduction of the band as "Gym Class Fall Out" couldn't contain the Heroes' obvious thrill. If you can get past the band's choice of samples (C'mon, Supertramp??!!) you'll see a band that brings rock energy and a helluva lot more substance to its shows than those that simply bring the bling and greed. The other reason this show is worth checking into is the Plain White T's song "Hey There Delilah," which is absolutely one of the best songs I've heard out of this generation of bands so far.