Sunday, January 17, 2016

Say "Hello!" to The Book of Mormon

I'd heard only great things about "The Book of Mormon" before I saw it at the Fox Theatre this past week. I'd been told that I would laugh from start to finish. I'd been told that if I like "South Park" that I would find "Mormon" funny. I was told "You're going to love it!"

Evidently my friends know me well. I did indeed laugh from start to finish. And it's no wonder..."The Book of Mormon" garnered 9 Tony Awards, including "Best Musical" when it opened on Broadway in 2011, and today it continues to sell out, as has its two national tours!



Those same friends, and many of the journalists whose reviews of the show I've since read, have demonstrated respect for The Book of Mormon first-timers by not sharing the jokes, by not spoiling the fun they're going to have at the show. I too will not spoil your fun by telling you what's going to happen, but I'll attempt to set the stage.


To give you an idea of the humor you'll experience all you need to know is who brought this side-splitting show to Broadway. Imagine the combined talents of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, both of South Park, with Robert Lopez, of Avenue Q, and perhaps you fathom the fun of what's been called by some as "the best musical of the century!".

As of the Atlanta 2016 run of "The Book of Mormon", Ryan Bondy is now full-time in the role of Elder Price—one of the two young Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda on a two-year recruiting mission. Ryan had been an understudy for some time, but his performance is so superb that you'd never know that he hadn't been originally cast from the beginning. 




There are so many stars in this show! I originally wanted to point out two who "stole the show", but that would be an inaccuracy. Each actor brought something unique to the performance, each in a different, but equally brilliant and hilarious way. I have my favorites, though, and you will too.

Elder McKinley, portrayed by Daxton Bloomquist, performs the often-misunderstood inner struggle with one's true self vs. the expectations of family, society and church. His antics garnered some of the more uproarious laughs from the audience. I found him talented and delightfully hilarious!



There's so much to say about Candace Quarrels, who performs the role of Nabulungi, the daughter of a Ugandan village chief. Succinctly, let me just say, "Wow!" This actress is remarkable in her talent, her range, her technical execution...she's amazing! Hers is a career to watch with great anticipation. The character is naive, hopeful and full of energy and gumption. 





Pay attention. You will learn a lot about Elder Cunningham, played brilliantly by Cody Jamison Strand, early on. But I want you to play close attention to the names he's calling certain characters in the show. This is a fast-paced show, but one that keeps your attention and keeps audiences seeing it again and again! 




Beyond its potty humor, exaggeration of stereotypes and religious jokes, The Book of Mormon is a sophisticated musical and in many ways profound. It invites theatre-goers to look at their unquestioned beliefs through a different lens. 

While the theatre was bellowing with laughter, I'm certain that Mormon may well serve as a catalyst for the opening of minds and expanding of awareness of certain social issue and prejudices. That's quite a wonderful testament if you ask me.




I'd like to offer a huge wanderlust ATLANTA "Thank you!" to BRAVE Public Relations and Broadway in Atlanta for the tickets...for this hilarious, totally awesome musical experience!


"The Book of Mormon" is onstage at the iconic Fox Theatre through Sunday, January 24, 2016. Get your tickets here. Then leave your sensibilities at the door and prepare to laugh until it hurts!

Saturday, January 16, 2016

Habsburg Splendor is Beyond Splendid!

I almost missed one of the most magnificent museum exhibitions I've ever seen. "Habsburg Splendor: Masterpieces from Vienna's Imperial Collections" is, by far, beyond splendid!


Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art
Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art

This Hight Museum of Art exhibition had been on my "must-see" list well before it opened in October 2015. But it wasn't until last night, during Friday Night Jazz, that I saw this mind-blowing, opulent history-come-to-life display of the Habsburg dynasty's opulence. We actually went through it a second time immediately after the first, in-depth, viewing.



Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art
Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art

The exhibition is comprised of magnificent Habsburg dynasty artifacts housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna. Within the exhibition are classical Greek and Roman works, medieval arms and armor, tapestries, early modern painting and craftwork, ornate costumes, a ceremonial gilded carriage and—my personal favorite—a horse-drawn, hand-carved, beyond opulent sleigh!

The artisan behind the sleigh was the Habsburg's court artist, Giuseppe Arcimboldo! Perhaps you saw the 15-foot tall sculptures at the Garden in 2014 of faces made with vegetables, flowers, fruits and plants? Those were inspired by Arcimboldo paintings. Another of his paintings is in the exhibition—Fire (1566)—that's literally composed of fiery objects, including candles, cannons and fire!


Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art
Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art

I've loved armor since I was a young child. Not because of their use in warfare, but for the artistry I've seen in so many suits...and the ones in Habsburg Splendor do not disappoint! In fact, you're welcomed to the exhibition by two horse-mounted knights engaged in a bout of jousting. And it just gets better and better from there! 


Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art
Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art

Tapestry has long been another favorite art form. The tapestry pictured above depicts the Coat of Arms of Emperor Charles V and it takes up nearly a full wall in the exhibition. I was absolutely impressed with how extensive and magnificent this exhibition is...highly impressed!


Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art
Habsburg Splendor | High Museum of Art

The gift shop had sold out of the exhibition catalog a few hours earlier, but they're available from Yale University Press here.

To make sure you don't miss an exhibition that you really want to see, I highly recommend exploring the "upcoming exhibitions" section of the museums and attractions that interest you and put reminders on your calendars. 

I have few regrets when it comes to sightseeing, largely because I've had the benefit and pleasure of seeing so much, but I do wish I had seen Habsburg Splendor at the High Museum of Art when it first opened. I'd have seen it again and again! Lesson learned. 

This magnificent exhibition closes on Sunday, January 17, 2016. Remember to check out the High's upcoming exhibitions here. Have fun wanderlusting!

Thursday, January 7, 2016

Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours

Late last year I had the wonderful opportunity to tour The Temple.

"The Breman's goal for these tours, and the app for that matter, is to make Atlanta's Jewish history as accessible as possible to a broad and diverse audience. These tours provide an opportunity for people from a variety of backgrounds to gain a new perspective to Atlanta's history; and we hope they appeal to a lifetime Atlantan, a newcomer, or a tourist," said Aaron Berger, Executive Director, The William Breman Jewish Heritage Museum. 


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

I was very excited to see the 2016 Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours announcement! The tours are a program of The Breman Museum and I had the great pleasure of going on one of the first in this wonderful series. We toured The Temple on Peachtree street and the photos in this post are from that experience.

It'd been many, many years since I'd been inside The Temple—founded in 1867—so long, in fact, that I'd forgotten just how incredibly beautiful it is and I was grateful to be reminded of its rich history. 


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

Some of you may know The Temple from personal memory, the news or the blockbuster film Driving Miss DaisyThe Temple's civil rights advocacy of their senior rabbi during the 1950s and 1960s led to the infamous bombing of the building in 1958. That horrid event did not stop The Temple's work toward bringing about social justice.

There's so much more to learn about The Temple and you're in luck...they're on the 2016 Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours lineup, as are many other alluring sites of interest.


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

The Temple's main sanctuary was constructed in 1931 and is on the National Register of Historic Places. And in addition to the magnificent chandelier pictured above, they have a Fifty Rank Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ!


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

The first of the 2016 Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours launches in just a couple of weeks. Some of the tours are free, and the others are free for Breman members with a nominal fee for non-members.



Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

At the time of my Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours visit to The Temple, the series did not not have a sponsor, but it was conceived to complement the Historic Jewish Atlanta App, launched by The Breman Museum in 2015. It was provided at the bequeath of the Weiller Family in memory of Margaret Strauss Weiller

This free App is the first of its kind in the United States and when I first learned about it featured 13 Jewish sites around Atlanta. Additional historic sites will continually be added to the App so there will always be something new to see or visit. And there are plans in the works to feature an online exhibition on the App in the future. In the meantime, you can find more info about it here.


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

Perhaps my favorite part of the tour—aside from the pure beauty of the building's interior—was learning about the symbolism incorporated into the architecture and decor. I encourage you to go on any of the tours in this series and be as mesmerized as I was. 



Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

I particularly enjoyed the symbolism of the pomegranate! I'm not an expert, but what I recall is that each pomegranate fruit was said to have 613 seeds just as there are 613 good deeds, mitzvot, in the Torah. Pomegranates are eaten on the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashana, to wish for good deeds and a year as plentiful with goodness as the seeds of the pomegranate. With all due respect to my Jewish friends, I find this to be a wonderful tradition.


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

The Temple was recently named by Newsweek Magazine as "one of the most vibrant and dynamic Jewish congregations in the country". 


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our wonderful hosts and tour guide. Our hosts that day were Joyce Shlesinger, former board president of The Breman Museum, and Spring Asher, member of the Board of Trustees of The Temple, and our tour guide was Barbara Seligman...each of them absolutely welcoming and delightful. "Thank you!", ladies, for such a magnificent tour!


Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple
Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours | The Temple

We've all heard a lot of "small world" stories, of course, but I was still surprised that in a tour group of only 20-25 guests that I ran into an old friend, another friend who works at the Atlanta History Center, and my lovely friend Sally who has for years led the "Jewish Grounds of Oakland" tour at Oakland Cemetery

And the other tour guests were delightful...it felt almost like a social event, with all the perks of a guided tour!

I highly recommend taking advantage of The Breman's Historic Jewish Atlanta Tours and be sure to make your reservations early...these tours will fill up! And remember to download the App. Enjoy!