dutch cotter pin
The Met seeks to correct a historic mistake
In early 1969, the Metropolitan Museum caused a stir with an exhibition called “Harlem on My Mind: Cultural Capital of Black America, 1900-1968.” Although conceived as the museum’s first major recognition of African-American creativity, it did not include visual art beyond documentary photomurals. Black artists, many of whom work in Harlem, a few blocks north of the museum, angrily protested the exhibition, denouncing it as evidence of racism in the art world at large.
As a student visiting New York in 1969, I saw that exhibition and was taken aback, so I am eager to see a new one that can only be seen as a correction of it: the marquee-scale study of paintings, sculptures, photographs and movies titled “The Harlem Renaissance and Transatlantic Modernism” It is scheduled to open in February at the Met. The announced inclusion of a large amount of African-American art deemed inadmissible at the Met a half-century ago—some represented by rarely seen loans from the collections of some of the country’s historically black colleges and universities—is, in itself, an exciting prospect. . And so is the exhibition’s broader promise to fully position modern African American art not just as a local phenomenon, but as a generator of international modernism itself.
Alicia Wilkinson
Furiosa gets an origin story
Next year brings many sequels: “Inside Out 2”, “Beetlejuice 2”, “Joker: Folie à Deux”, “Gladiator 2”, “Dune: Part Two”, plus new films in “Quiet Place” and “ Venom” and “Paddington” and “Godzilla” and even “Despicable Me” cinematic universes. I rarely get excited about non-original films, as most of them turn out to be cash grabs that take advantage of existing intellectual property and risk-averse audiences. But I’m always curious to see if a sequel (or prequel, or sequel, or whatever) will manage to be any good, and the one I’m excited about is “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.” George Miller returns to direct the origin story of the character Charlize Theron played in 2015’s “Mad Max: Fury Road,” with Anya Taylor-Joy starring as Furiosa. I love dystopias and few have surpassed the pure adrenaline and terror of “Fury Road.” I’m reviewing all the “Mad Max” movies in preparation.
mike hale
Tom Hollander approaches Truman Capote
Clive Owen as an aging Sam Spade in AMC’s “”Mr. Spade(January 14), Helena Bonham Carter as 1970s soap opera star Noele Gordon (“nolly”, PBS), Ben Mendelsohn and Juliette Binoche as Christian Dior and Coco Chanel (“The new look“ Apple TV+, February 14) — There may never have been a new TV year with so many intriguing bits of casting. But the one I’m most curious about is the wonderfully acidic British actor Tom Hollander playing Truman Capote in the FX movie. “Fight: Capote against the swans“ (January 31). Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Chloë Sevigny and Calista Flockhart play some of the society women Capote befriended and later used as material for his unflattering coded book “Answered Prayers”; If you’re turned on by the idea of Hollander channeling Capote while he calls Happy Rockefeller “that fat-ankled bitch,” then you need to tune in.
Salamishah Tillet
‘The Wizard’ returns to Broadway
I tell everyone that my son Sidney is a musical theater kid. Naturally, his favorite movie is “The Wiz.” And, of course, for his eighth birthday, we went to Baltimore, where the musical version first debuted in 1975, and his current tour began last October. My parents even saw one of the 1,672 performances of it during its original four-year run on Broadway, when it won seven Tony Awards, including best musical. Because I come from a family of avid “Wiz” fans, I anticipate his return to Broadway this April at the Marquis Theater with more enthusiasm than usual.
Based on L. Frank Baum’s children’s book “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” and featuring an all-black cast, “The magician“ is a cultural classic, so its revivals should come with some powerful updates. Directed by Schele Williams with additional scripts by Amber Ruffin, it now features Nichelle Lewis, whose TikTok audition landed her the role of Dorothy; a touching Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene; Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tin Man; Avery Wilson as Scarecrow; and Deborah Cox as Glinda, with Wayne Brady returning to Broadway to play Oz. My preview already has me excited about this dynamic cast, Hannah Beachler’s (“Black Panther”) kaleidoscopic set, and former Beyoncé choreographer JaQuel Knight’s dance moves, especially when Dorothy and her squad of outsiders head to Emerald City.
jesse green
A double dose of Itamar Moisés
Talk about variety: February brings to the New York stage two highly contrasting works by Itamar Moses, who previously wrote the book “The Band’s Visit.” From February 15 to March 10, the Public Theater presents the staging of Lila Neugebauer “Ally“ stars Josh Radnor as a Jewish college professor caught in the crossfire between wokeness and free speech when he is asked to sign a social justice manifesto. The news is off the charts.
Then, from February 28 to April 7 at the Minetta Lane Theatre, Audible reunites Moses with some of his “Band’s Visit” collaborators for “Dead outlaw.“ The musical, directed by David Cromer, with a book by Moses and songs by David Yazbek and Erik Della Penna, is about… a mummy. Specifically, the mummy of a failed Old West gunslinger, used as a sideshow attraction for decades before the truth is revealed in a super-gross way. Spoiler alert, I guess literally.
Maya Phillips
Stylish spy moves, stacked cast (and a cat)
The concept at the center of “argylle“ —a best-selling author discovers that what she writes comes true—immediately reminds me of one of my favorite movies, “Stranger Than Fiction.” (I’m just a fan of meta stories about the power of storytelling.) Starring Bryce Dallas Howard as a meek spy novelist whose words drag her into the dangerous world of espionage, “Argylle” (out Feb. 2) is directed by Matthew Vaughn, whose devilishly stylish “Kingsman” franchise suggests he’ll know how to play and satirize the spy movie genre. The cast is full of actors who have taken on action roles but also shown impressive comedic chops (Henry Cavill, Sam Rockwell, John Cena and Samuel L. Jackson among them), while the cinematography seems to share the same elegant style that has created Vaughn. his signature. And an uncomfortable, exhausted cat in a backpack? The icing on the cake.
Jason Zinoman
Larry David makes another ending
How the hell did Larry David do it? It’s a question I’ve heard a lot lately. How did he make one of the funniest TV episodes ever about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? How did you address race, the Holocaust, and Trump without getting into trouble? How did he make us care so much about these insufferable rich Hollywood guys who were complaining during their golf game? How did you accomplish the impossible feat of putting together 11 seasons of a show dominated by impromptu small talk? The questions are rhetorical, of course, but everyone knows the answer. Larry David is really good (dare I say “pretty nice”) at what he does. So, his last season of “Curb your enthusiasm“ which opens on February 4, is a sad occasion. But it’s also one of the few things on television that I won’t record but instead watch exactly when it airs. I don’t know what the next season’s stories will be, but here’s an idea to consider: David has already written a long-awaited finale, the one for “Seinfeld.” I thought it was excellent. Many disagreed. Jerry Seinfeld has said on stage that he will revisit this finale in some form. Food for thought.
Margaret Lyons
‘Girls5eva’ hits the road
When season 2 of “Girls5eva” finished in 2022, my hopes for a renewal were slim; No Peacock original show has made it to a third season. But now it’s no longer a Peacock show: There’s a third season premiering March 14, but it will be on Netflix. In season 1, the ’90s girl group reunited and in season 2 they released their album. This season they go on tour, an experience for which they are not prepared. Of course, I look forward to the spicy jokes and twisted nostalgia, but even more looking forward to another absolute hit that will join “Four Stars,” “BPE,” and “I’m Afraid” on my playlists.
Zachary Woolfe
Christmas in Spring at the Met
The first is the first: “The boy“ It is not an opera about weather patterns. In fact, while John Adams’ energetic and eclectic two-hour score is operatic in length, it’s not exactly an opera at all. It is an oratorio, in the tradition of Handel’s “Messiah,” which tells the story of the Nativity without naturalistic characters or scenes. It is more of a reflection on the story; The choral numbers and solos have texts taken from the Bible and Latin American poetry, all prepared by Adams and Peter Sellars.
Premiered in 2000, the piece is not always performed on stage, but for its premiere at the Metropolitan Opera (April 23-May 17), the company is giving it a big treatment. The production, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, features conductor Marin Alsop, soprano Julia Bullock, bass-baritone Davóne Tines and mezzo-soprano J’Nai Bridges, inspired musical forces. Although there are a few months until Christmas, “El Niño” will be welcome.
Jon Pareles
Brittany Howard presents surprising new songs
Unbridled emotions, sonic ambitions, and bold singing have been the ingredients of Brittany Howard’s songs since she joined Alabama Shakes in 2012. She’s steeped in soul and southern rock, and her voice has a power rooted in gospel. But with Alabama Shakes and then his 2019 solo album, “Jaime,” Howard went far beyond revivalism and into surprising new hybrids; her co-producer, Shawn Everett, also worked with SZA and Kacey Musgraves. Howard’s second solo album, “Now what,” is out February 2, and its anticipated singles have sunk into the turbulence of a failed relationship, jumping between the percussive and the ethereal. The full album promises even more innovative highs and lows. Howard begins a North American tour on February 6, with shows in New York City on February 16 and 17 at Webster Hall.
