Arts & Entertainment

Interview By Narbeh Minassian

Within these colourful pages of our Resident magazine, you will be accustomed to reading about sunnier climates, hotspot restaurants, and culture in Manhattan and the Hamptons. And we pride ourselves on escorting you to a world of luxury. Today, I must temporarily buck this trend and present to you the grave and largely unheard of subject at the heart of Chris Bohjalian’s latest novel, The Sandcastle Girls. This is the subject of the Armenian Genocide.

By Barry Bassis

It’s always a privilege to encounter Hallie Foote acting in the plays of her late father, Horton Foote (1916-2009). “Harrison, TX” is a trio of one-act plays, written at different times but coalescing into a satisfying evening of theater. The setting of the three works is Harrison, a fictitious stand-in for the playwright’s home town, Wharton. The first, “Blind Date,” is set in 1928 and deals with a woman named Delores, a former beauty queen now married with two children, who attempts to fix up her unsociable niece, Sarah Nancy (the hilarious Andrea Lynn Green) with a suitor. Delores’ husband Robert (played by Devon Abner, Hallie’s real life spouse) is tolerant of his wife’s quirks but is more interested in her preparing his dinner than in her romantic scheming. Before the clueless Felix (Evan Jonigkeit) arrives, Dolores comes up with a script for her niece to follow (questions about sports, cars, etc.). The second play, “The One-Armed Man,” is a complete change of pace. A cotton mill worker whose arm was severed in a workplace accident (Alexander Cendese) confronts his former boss (Jeremy Bobb). The distraught young man demands the return of his arm. The suspenseful encounter is more violent than most of Foote’s plays. The last work, “The Midnight Caller” is the most Chekhovian of the three. Cendese is again a disturbed character but this time, he plays an alcoholic who tries to rekindle a lost love. She had rejected him because of his alcoholism and the interference of their mothers. The setting is a boarding home with mostly women tenants: “Cutie” Spencer (the talented Green, again convincing, but this time as a more sociable character), the irritable Alma Jean (Mary Bacon) and the compassionate retired schoolteacher, Rowena (played by the always delightful Jayne Houdyshell). Bobb portrays Ralph, the only male to move into the establishment. He falls in love with Helen (Jenny Dare Paulin), the woman who has broken off with the midnight caller. Hallie Foote is the landlady, who tries to maintain peace in the household. Pam McKinnon’s direction flawlessly captures the mood of each piece. “Harrison, TX” is running at Primary Stages at 59 E59 Theaters until September 15th.

By Barry Bassis

The Lincoln Center Festival presented “Here But I’m Gone: A 70th Birthday Tribute to Curtis Mayfield” (1942-1999). He was an extraordinary singer-songwriter (of “People Get Ready,” “Keep on Pushin’” and the songs from the “Superfly” movie). Mayfield was tragically injured at an outdoor concert in 1990 when a lighting rig fell on him, leaving the artist paralyzed from the neck down. The concert began with the surviving members of the Impressions. The great Mavis Staples sang “This is my Country,” updating the message to the current presidential campaign. Bilal’s falsetto was reminiscent of Mayfield’s feathery vocals. Sinead O’Connor delivered impassioned renditions of “Billy Jack” and “Jesus” and Meshell Ndgeocello sang a seductive “Pusherman.”

By Christopher A. Pape

Melissa Francis of Fox Business Network fame is a beauty. Well, obviously she is more than just good looking, with a degree in economics from Harvard and an ultra-popular show on the aforementioned channel, she is a genius too! All this adds up to produce a woman that is stunningly elegant and impeccably graceful. It is no wonder than that Melissa Francis is smoking hot. Beauty and brains – she’s got it all.

By Christopher A. Pape

In the mind of New Yorkers, there are few institutions that have as much gravitas and dignitas as WNET Channel 13. Even for this curmudgeon, I remember, with fondness, watching Sesame Street and Nature (which is actually produced by Channel 13). The station only brings fond memories. But the truth of the matter is that it had become staid - as up-to-date as a typewriter.

By Christopher A. Pape

To be a professional football player takes skill, grit, determination and an unbridled love for the game - all of which Henry Hynoski, the starting fullback for the NY Giants, has in spades. Having grown up in small town Pennsylvania and making his way through high school and college, he was injured just as he was about to enter the NFL. Yet, Henry wouldn’t have it any other way – it gave him a drive and an awareness of what he wanted most – to play professionally.

By Christopher A. Pape

Resident (R): How did you get into the business?

Anna Bergman (AB): I was born in Paris and my Dad was a diplomat; he was a big influence on me. I studied with the Vienna State Opera Ballet School; I was the little girl in the front row. They gave me a choice at 12 if I wanted to be a professional dancer, but I loved singing and I loved acting and all the things you can’t do as a ballerina, so I decided not to focus on that. I majored in drama at Vasser College in addition to the fellowship to study Opera. Following, I went to Aspen Music School to continue my studies.

By Christopher A. Pape

Our readers know that we are admirers of Fox 5, our local Fox news affiliate. From Rosanna Scotto to Julie Chang, we love all of their staff. This also includes Antwan Lewis, one of the newer members of their team. Originally from Virginia, Antwan has been with the station for almost three years.

By Christopher A. Pape

Sheldon and Margery Gray Harnick are New Yorkers, through and through. In appreciation of this fact, they have created a testament to their love affair. With poetry by Sheldon and pictures from Margery - The Outdoor Museum – is their passion personified.

I’ve been a New Yorker for over twenty years and am constantly discovering new experiences and places that land a spot on my internal “favorite things” list. How does your list compare?