November 5, 2022

Thinking of something else, I suddenly beheld the answer to SS’s implied question of what I want in a theater. Its physical plan would be like that of the National in London. The Main Stage would have a five production season, three of which would be new plays or premieres, two of which would be great honking classics such as Schiller or Marlowe or Chikamatsu or Moliere or, moving forward, O’Neill and Stoppard. We would procure a gigantic grant and every other year would produce a new opera.  Two or three little theaters or black boxes would expand the offerings into what delights the community at that time. And Pluto himself would fund it from his vast stores underground. 

Watched the rededication of Geffen Hall on TV last night. Liked the commissioned piece– lovely details but lacking in structure. The Beethoven 9th was fully itself and needs no commentary. The bass soloist was magnificent, and wore a sort of black dashiki with gold medallions. The conductor was very strange, with a concealed personality and the tendency to draw quite precise geometric shapes in the air with his hands.