On the Town: Can you hear me now?

April 4, 2013

Become a member to meet other people interested in the arts, connect  with events, and more... Join us

Hold the phones—literally! This week, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the cellular telephone! The ubiquitous little instrument that we severely take for granted and protect as if it were a newborn has certainly been through many metamorphoses over the past four decades. From the comical, bulky first generation of phones to today's Internet-enabled, voice-activated devices from science fiction; the cell phone has stood the test of time and made itself ubiquitous and indispensable in our lives.

Tweet me (from your phone) at @khemingway or leave a comment below on where you and your cell phone will be this weekend!

BARBARA COOK AND JOHN PIZZARELLI @ CELEBRITY SERIES

Talk about standing the test of time—living legend and Kennedy Center honoree Barbara Cook made her Broadway debut over 60 years ago and practically invented the canonical "Glitter and be Gay" from Candide (I'm mainly obsessed with her for originating the role of Margaret White in the original 1988 Stratford production of the notorious Broadway flop musical Carrie). Taking the stage at Symphony Hall in true diva fashion, Ms. Cook will be joined by none other than John Pizzarelli—the bucket of talent responsible for that damn Foxwoods commercial jingle. Their set list has yet to be announced, but with two legendary performers like this, you don't need to know what they're performing to know you're going to have a killer time!

Barbara Cook and John Pizzarelli: At Symphony Hall; 301 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston; celebrityseries.org. April 6 only. @celebrityseries

THE PRODIGAL SON @ INTERMEZZO OPERA

Someone else who knows how to stand the test of time is composer Benjamin Britten—the entire world is currently celebrating his centennial. Among his many varied compositions, Britten penned three "parables for church performance," The Prodigal Son being one of them. Based on the Biblical tale of the same name, this operatic piece features intimate scoring for both instruments and voices. Intermezzo Opera, now in its tenth season, has assembled a first-rate (and not hard on the eyes) cast for two performances only! This not-often-performed work is definitely worth your attention.

The Prodigal Son: Music by Benjamin Britten; Libretto by William Plomer; Conducted by Edward Jones; Stage direction by Kirsten Z. Cairns. At First Church, Cambridge; 11 Garden Street, Cambridge; intermezzo-opera.org. Through April 6.

IF MUSIC BE THE FOOD OF LOVE @ THE SHAKESPEARE CONCERTS

Who knows more about timelessness and ubiquity than the Bard himself? So many plays, movies, songs, and television series can be directly traced back to Billy Shakes' immortal words. This concert at Jordan Hall celebrates some of these works by Beethoven, Morley, and others with a quartet of singers, the QX String Quartet, and the Arcadia Players under the direction of the fiercely entertaining Ian Watson. Oh, and did I mention it's free?

If Music be the Food of Love: Conducted by Ian Watson. At Jordan Hall; 30 Gainsborough Street, Boston; shakespeareconcerts.com. April 6 only.

Comments