By Barbara McGuire Daily Bruin Senior Staff College is all about
growing up and finding that inner-adult. The transition from high
school to college is somewhat paralleled to a transition from the
cinemas to the theatre. As one gets older, it seems as if suddenly
there is this unwarranted and shocking appreciation for things like
the theatre and arts, that only meant boring with a capital B in
younger years. This summer is full of fun things to do to refine
and cultivate the growing adult in all of us.
The Getty Center
The Getty Center, for instance, which has free parking for
college students with a student ID, offers many intriguing artistic
ventures for those who embrace their new found love of the arts.
Running through October 8 is a collection of photos taken by
Eugène Atget titled, “The Man in the Street: Eugène
Atget in Paris.” These photos were taken by Atget in 1890 as
a way to document the endangered aspects of Parisian life and
history and now act as a picture guide to the city of romance. Also
at the Getty, opening August 15 and showing through November 5, is
the exhibition, “The Queen of Angels.” This exhibit
centers on the depiction of the Virgin Mary in the Middle Ages and
the Renaissance. The work of many different artists, such as
Gentile de Fabriano and Simon Bening, will be shown in 18
illuminated manuscript books and leaves. Another interesting
exhibit at the Getty is “Making a Prince’s Museum:
Drawings for the Late-18th-Century Redecoration of the Villa
Borghese in Rome.” This exhibit runs through September 17 and
features 34 original drawings by Antonio Asprucci, an architect who
helped to renovate the 200-year-old Villa Borghese in Rome. The
drawings are set up in a fashion that resembles the way the villa
and its rooms actually exist in Italy.
Shakespearian Theatre
This summer, Shakespeare seems to be quite popular.
“Shakespeare Festival/LA” is having its 17th season
from June 29 through July 30 and will be showing its production of
“Much Ado About Nothing.” This version has taken the
timeless piece up to modern day, while at the same time giving it a
“˜30s and “˜40s comical twist. Another Shakespeare piece
being performed this summer is “The Taming of the
Shrew,” showing through September 24 at the Theatricum
Bontanicum Summer Repertory in Topanga. The play is being reenacted
in the outdoor amphitheater on Sunday nights at 4 p.m. ““ a
great idea for a beautiful summer evening.
Ahmanson
At the Ahmanson Theatre the final production of the season will
be showing this summer, through September 3. “The Dead”
is a musical play written by James Joyce and is the winner of a
Lucille Lortel Award for Best New Musical. It is based on a classic
Irish short story that Joyce wrote about a family Christmas
celebration with some music-loving aunts.
Mark Taper Forum
The Mark Taper Forum will be showing “King Hedley
II” by August Wilson this summer, from September 14 through
October 22. August is a Pulitzer Prize as well as Tony Award
winning playwright. The play takes place in 1985, in the backyards
of two homes located in the Hill District of Pittsburgh. Presented
in the play are the successes and failures a community experiences
when dealing with issues of family, unemployment and crime.
Shubert Theatre
The Shubert Theatre will also be busy this summer, hosting
“Fosse,” a Tony Award winner for Best Musical.
“Fosse,” choreographed and directed by Bob Fosse, comes
to California from Broadway and will be showing through July 9.
Dancers in “Fosse” are well-experienced and the show is
of much acclaim, promising a spectacular and exciting night.
Comedy
The Groundlings (located on Melrose Avenue) is releasing its new
main stage show, “Groundlings vs. The State of
California,” for their 25th year. Presented will be talented
and up-and-coming comedians from around Los Angeles. Somewhat like
a theatrical Saturday Night Live, the Groundlings will be featuring
all-new, original collections of sketches and improv skits.
“Growing-up” may actually entail much more than just
going to see and appreciate things like art and the theatre, but
who cares, one can pretend. It’s important to realize,
however, no matter how you choose to interpret them, the arts are
readily available and enjoyable. So get out there and take in some
of the finer things in life. ART: For information on art exhibits
at the Getty Center call (310) 440-7300 or visit the Getty online
at www.getty.edu. To get tickets to the Shakespeare Festival/LA
call (310) 377-4316. To check out the Theatricum Botanicum call
(310) 455-3723. For Groundlings Info and show times, call (323)
934-9700. The Ahmanson Theatre and its shows can be accessed at
www.TaperAhmanson.com or by calling (213) 628-2772. Tickets can be
purchased for the musical “Fosse” by calling
Tele-Charge at (800) 447-7400 or at www.telecharge.com.