One of the thousand women said to have fought in the Civil War, Loreta Janeta Velazquez altered her sex, ethnicity, and identity in order to become a Confederate soldier spy and double agent for the Union, only to be dismissed as a hoax after revealing her story in her scandalous 1876 memoir, The Woman in Battle. REBEL is a detective story about a woman, a myth, and the politics of national memory.
Exhibition extended thorough August 18. Michael Malpass’s (1946-1991) artistic legacy consists of sculpture, drawings , collage, paintings, and assemblages. He is best known for his spheres, which revitalize found industrial objects using bandsaw and traditional blacksmithing techniques. He described his sculpture, overall, as “a blend of artistry, collage, craftsmanship and movement,” terms that could be applied to his work in other media, as well. His vast, stimulating and powerful body of work has established him as one of the most respected sculptors of the 20th century. There will be a documentary screening “Michael Malpass – A Great Circle” created by Monmouth University Communication students under the direction of Erin Fleming, May 18 at 10 AM in Wilson Hall.
Aphra Behn shares her experiences as a feminist activist and artist for almost 20 years as a member of Guerrilla Girls (1997-2001) and Guerrilla Girl On Tour! (2001 – present). Revealing the inside workings of the grassroots groups, she discusses the successes (protests; fax blitzes; speak-outs and street theatre); the struggles (hate mail; death threats; backlash) and the downright defeats (sabotage; infighting). Act Like a Feminist Artist is a 60 to 90 minute interactive talk, audience members will be challenged to rethink the concepts of what it means to be an “activist,” “artist,” and “feminist.” The talk is framed with readings from Aphra’s upcoming memoir, “UN/MASKED, My Secret Identity Revealed” (Skyhorse Publications, October 2016.) A lively Q and A will follow the talk.
University Closed
Distinguished NJ Songwriters Joe Rapolla and Joe D’Urso are back this year hosting the celebrated Songwriters by the Sea series at the Lauren K. Woods Theatre. What once started in a small coffee shop as an area for local songwriters has now grown into a series that features some of the top songwriters in the country.
This year, the show features a twist of rock music and country music. The rock music is courtesy of Eric Bazilian, founding member of the rock band Hooters. Bazilian is also known internationally for his efforts as a Grammy nominated songwriter, as well as being an arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer.
Singing-songwriting duo Williams Honor will bring a bit of the country to Woods Theatre. The duo have exploded in Asbury Park’s music scene, and features producer and multi-instrumentalist Gordon Brown and performer powerhouse Reagan Richards. The two previously have worked and toured with many national acts before coming together to form the Jersey Shore’s first ever country duo. They’re about to release their first single to country radio “Send It To Me” from their debut album. Opening the show will be Monmouth University students Daniel Amato and Brittany Cannarozzi. There will be a pre-show hospitality reception at 7:00pm and post show reception (included with ticket price)!
The Met stage ignites when soprano Kristine Opolais and tenor Roberto Alagna join forces in Puccini’s obsessive love story. Opolais sings the title role of the country girl who transforms herself into a Parisian temptress, while Roberto Alagna is the dashing student who desperately woos her. Director Richard Eyre places the action in occupied France in a film noir setting. “Desperate passion” is the phrase Puccini himself used to describe the opera that confirmed his position as the preeminent Italian opera composer of his day. Met Principal Conductor Fabio Luisi leads the stirring score.
Tickets on sale Friday, July 24
SOLD OUT– New show added at 12:15 pm. Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman — she will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship.
Theatreworks’ production of Charlotte’s Web is based on E.B. White’s loving story of the friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a little gray spider named Charlotte. Wilbur has a problem: how to avoid winding up as pork chops! Charlotte, a fine writer and true friend, hits on a plan to fool Farmer Zuckerman — she will create a “miracle.” Spinning the words “Some Pig” in her web, Charlotte weaves a solution which not only makes Wilbur a prize pig, but ensures his place on the farm forever. This treasured tale, featuring mad-cap and endearing farm animals, explores bravery, selfless love, and the true meaning of friendship.
Jane Hirshfield’s poetry speaks to the central issues of human existence—desire and loss, impermanence and beauty, the many dimensions of our connection with others and the wider community of creatures and objects with which we share our lives. Demonstrating with quiet authority what it means to awaken into the full capacities of attention, her work sets forth a hard-won affirmation of our human fate. Described by The New York Times as “radiant and passionate” and by other reviewers as “ethically aware,” “insightful and eloquent,” and as conveying “succinct wisdom,” her subjects range from the metaphysical and passionate to the political, ecological, and scientific to subtle unfoldings of daily life and experience. Her book of essays on the “mind of poetry” and her several collections presenting and co-translating the work of poets from the past have become classics in their fields. An intimate, profound, and generous master of her art, Hirshfield has taught at UC Berkeley, Duke University, Bennington College, and elsewhere, and her many appearances at writers’ conferences and literary festivals in this country and abroad have been highly acclaimed.
Philippe Falardeau’s “Monsieur Lazhar” (2011) (PG-13). At a Montréal public grade school, an Algerian immigrant is hired to replace a popular teacher who committed suicide in her classroom. While helping his students deal with their grief, his own recent loss is revealed.
