A: Is for art that begs us to heed its words

Arthur Miller is one of the worlds greatest playwrights and in seeing The Actors Company's (TACT) Production of Incident at Vichy, it is easy to see why. Miller uses time periods in history to make us see what is relevant today. To open our eyes to the horror which is humanity and to offer hope. As the play starts we are lead into flashbacks like a nightmare coming to life. First one man appears, then three, until nine men from different backgrounds are on a bench in a holding room in Vichy, France. It is 1942. As they talk, Miller examines ordinary men, who become victims, immobilized with fear when faced with a truth that is inconceivable. Refusing to believe that such behavior can possibly exist in a civilized world, they question everything but what the reality in front of them. The Nazi captain who serves an ideology, lives with an abstract concept of "there are no persons anymore." He begins to question his own role as he learns what is expected. As the truth comes out, about what is awaiting them denial sets in. We've all wondered how this could of happened, and this is how. And it is how it will happen again. In The TACT production the acting is consistent, however Mark Alhadeff as the painter, Lebeau and Jeffery C Hawkins as Professor Hoffman fail to illicit an emotional sympathetic responses. Standouts include Ron MaClary as Baynard, Jack Koenig as Major and Todd Gearhart as Von Burg. The scene between the Major and The Professor is breathtakingly honest, chillingly illuminating the mindset that was happening. The set by Scott Bradley and lights by Mary Louise Gieiger set the terror history revealed. The direction by Scott Allan Evans is honest and lets Millers words do what they do best sink into our skins like shards of glass. Miller write this play (1964) not about the holocaust trying to understand the McCarthy era which had just happened. Miller understood that it was just the tip of the iceberg. Incident at Vichy is playing at The Beckett 410 West 42nd Street  Monday and Wednesday-Friday at 7:30 PM; Saturday at 2 PM & 8 PM; Sunday at 3 PM. Tickets are $26.25-$56.25 and are available through Ticket Central at www.ticketcentral.com. This is a play that is relevant to today and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Fashion off the Richter Scale

During Fashion Week a renegade fashion show happens, hosted by designer Andres Aquino. Welcome, Couture Fashion Week, held at the Waldorf Astoria. I have attended a variety of these shows for the past 3 years and they are a breath of fresh air from the tents. Though not always professional they can be a lot of fun. Mostly over the top, you come away with a couple of designers that are a find. The production values are also a hit or miss crap shoot but again you can come away with seeing something fresh and exciting. This year was no different. I started with Soucha Couture from Egypt. This show was highly entertaining as it seemed that Soucha was designing for brothels and their inhabitants. From the lowest of hookers to the courtesan being presented to a king, Soucha showed every kind of garment this girl would wear. Some of the garments, leaving nothing to the imagination with clothes so sheer, the models were basically naked. Next up Dany Atrache from Lebanon presented a feminine, sophisticated palate for a women with taste. Bright colors blended with beaded creme bodices made this a designer to watch. The next day Andres presented his designs. Though I liked pieces of this collection, it was in-cohesive. There were too many themes. I did like the African pieces and the red dress where he used a necklace as a back ornament. That was sheer genius. Vocce Couture, just made me cringe, while Jorge Diep Couture a native of the Dominican Republic, had me in awe. He took the ideas of Soucha Couture but made it wearable. Sheer netting was beaded, all done in all the right places. The effect was a body ornamented to perfection. Just the right amount of flash without being trash. It was a seductive play on is she or isn't she and it was compelling. Last up was the most wearable and I wanted the whole collection. Linda Ellis from Australia captured my heart. Caftans, Kimonos and Tunics were paired with pencil thin pants with wide belts. The fabrics were all hand tie dyed and inspired by the West Australian land, sea and skyscapes. They were breathtaking and that is a F.A.C.T.

S: Is for sounding off.

We are ungrateful as a nation. Recently I was sent an e-mail that talked about a Russian Artist donating a beautiful sculpture to America because of the 911 tragedy. Russia wanted the US to know they felt for us and wanted to give us something in tribute. The US newspapers shun this and it was poorly reported. The president of Russia cames to visit a blue collar New Jersey town. Vladimir Putin, came to speak of Russia's "unity" with the United States. The reason? A "groundbreaking" memorial from Russia commemorating the attack of Sept. 11, 2001 that initially had been offered to, and then rejected by, Jersey City. "This monument will always give vivid embodiment to our unity," Mr. Putin said through an interpreter. "Certainly, this is going to be a splendid memorial." How splendid remains a matter of debate. Zurab Tsereteli, 71, the artist who designed the memorial, a massive 106-foot bronze-plated slab featuring a cracked fissure and a 40-foot tall nickel teardrop, called it "To the Struggle Against World Terrorism," and intended it as a gift to the United States. His 9/11 memorial circulates cooled water that will condense and then drip, as if the tear itself is weeping. The names of everyone killed in the attacks in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania on Sept. 11 are inscribed at the base, along with the names of those who died in the attack on the World Trade Center in 1993. The monument sparked an outcry in Jersey City when it won approval from the Council in 2003. Many residents complained that local artists should have been considered in designing a memorial, while others questioned its aesthetic appeal. The statue lives in Bayonne after Jersey City complained it was an eye sore. I think Jersey City's residents should open their eyes. I've been to Jersey City and anything is an improvement. Personally, I think this is not only beautiful, but moving and a step towards friendship. The artist was not miffed he stated, "You're going to see this statue first," he said, "then the Statue of Liberty." They say art is in the eye of the beholder, now you too can decide and that is a F.A.C.T.

T: Is for Trust Issues

As most of know by know President Obama has passed a Billion dollar stimulus but what does that mean for us? It is suppose to to jump-start the economy. Tragically, no one from either party objected to the health provisions slipped in without discussion. These provisions reflect the handiwork of Tom Daschle, until recently the nominee to head the Health and Human Services Department. Senators should read these provisions and vote against them because they are dangerous to our health. (Page numbers refer to H.R. 1 EH, pdf version). The bill’s health rules will affect “every individual in the United States” (445, 454, 479). Your medical treatments will be tracked electronically by a federal system. Having electronic medical records at your fingertips, easily transferred to a hospital, is beneficial. It will help avoid duplicate tests and errors.But the bill goes further. One new bureaucracy, the National Coordinator of Health Information Technology, will monitor treatments to make sure your doctor is doing what the federal government deems appropriate and cost effective. The goal is to reduce costs and “guide” your doctor’s decisions (442, 446). These provisions in the stimulus bill are virtually identical to what Daschle prescribed in his 2008 book, “Critical: What We Can Do About the Health-Care Crisis.” According to Daschle, doctors have to give up autonomy and “learn to operate less like solo practitioners.” Keeping doctors informed of the newest medical findings is important, but enforcing uniformity goes too far. Hospitals and doctors that are not using the new system will face penalties. How that happens is not by any set of guidelines but to the HHS secretary, who will be empowered to take what ever means necessary. (511, 518, 540-541). The goal, Daschle’s book explained, is to slow the development and use of new medications and technologies because they are driving up costs. He praises Europeans for being more willing to accept “hopeless diagnoses” and “forgo experimental treatments,” and he chastises Americans for expecting too much from the health-care system. The elderly will be the hardest hit, Daschle says health-care reform “will not be pain free.” Seniors should be more accepting of the conditions that come with age instead of treating them. That means the elderly will bear the brunt. Medicare now pays for treatments deemed safe and effective. The stimulus bill would change that and apply a cost-effectiveness standard set by the Federal Council (464). But wait weren't these the people who paid into medicare? Treatments for younger patients are more often approved than treatments for diseases that affect the elderly, such as osteoporosis. In 2006, a U.K. health board decreed that elderly patients with macular degeneration had to wait until they went blind in one eye before they could get a costly new drug to save the other eye. It took almost three years of public protests before the board reversed its decision. Yet President Obama just set aside an exorbitant amount for stem cell research. Hidden Provisions As the economic stimulus bill passes the Senate, seniors are sacrificed. The stimulus bill will affect every part of health care, from medical and nursing education, to how patients are treated and how much hospitals get paid. The bill allocates more funding for this bureaucracy than for the Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force combined (90-92, 174-177, 181). Hiding health legislation in a stimulus bill is intentional. Daschle supported the Clinton administration’s health-care overhaul in 1994, and attributed its failure to debate and delay. A year ago, Daschle wrote that the next president should act quickly before critics mount an opposition. “If that means attaching a health-care plan to the federal budget, so be it,” he said. “The issue is too important to be stalled by Senate protocol.” President Obama called it “inexcusable and irresponsible” for senators to delay passing the stimulus bill. In truth, this bill needed more scrutiny. The health-care industry is the largest employer in the U.S. It produces almost 17 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. This stimulus is dangerous to your health and the economy and that is a dangerous F.A.C.T.

C: Is for Clothes for all occasions

Fashion Week had more designer than I had time to write about. So this column is dedicated to the male variety. First Up Georges Chakra: This Lebanese designer is a frequent red carpet dresser and is favored by celebs like Queen Latifah, Fergie, Carrie Underwood, Mischa Barton, Beyonce and Helen Mirren. At the tents, Jennifer Love Hewitt and American Idol favorite Kellie Pickler sat front and center. Though there were a few numbers that looked like Judy Jetson, for the most part Chakra's lines are elegant, with exquisite details like Swarski crystal backs. If you are looking to stand out at an Award Show this is a designer you should consider. This gold gown looks Oscar or Tony ready.

Carlos Miele collection drew Debra Messing sitting at the corner seat. It was no wonder she was there, as these outfits looked made for her. Carlos's show is a delight to sit through as he uses live Brazilian music. As the models waltzed down the runway so did the musicians, much to the rude paparazzi's dismay. Furs, lush colors, iridescent fabrics were paired with long gowns and cigarette pants. The cropped fur jackets made everything look rich and complete, though I am sure PETA was ragging. Chakra also used furs in his collection. Fur is here to stay. Miele played with architecture and caught our eye.

Last but not least is Nicholas K had something for the boys as well as the girls. Bringing a tough 90s vibe to the runway with loose fitting plaid and leather jackets. The show was all about attitude and what any recession weary human needs, easy style that look and feel good to wear. Radiant colors popped with cinnabar, mint and cobalt blue snuggled against tones of smoke, indigo and charcoal. Silhouettes strategically layered under casual looking jackets and heavy knitted sweaters, the women’s line looked so luscious and wearable that anticipating its fall arrival in stores seems like too long a wait. This line is for someone who doesn't take themselves too serious but is confident in their sensuality. Clothes make the man or women but need to allow the real person to shine and that is a F.A.C.T.

A: Is for Art soon to be gone

The Ohio Theatre is one of New York's oldest downtown theaters. Founded in 1984 they nurtured the works of Tony Kushner, and became a launching pad for this generation's most talented artists. They are like most staples of the art scene, sadly about to become extinct. Before they do, you can experience this wonderful theater and become immersed in Soho's Think Tank's newest political satire, Red-Haired Thomas. As the show opens a sickly Thomas Jefferson states he is the father of "The Pursuit of Happiness" by the end he is healthy and has us questioning what is that, and do we, as humans deserve it. As the drama unfolds and our American values are put under a microscope I realized the set was a giant abstract American flag. Made up of past president, blue runners, red columns and stacks of newspapers that has are our history chronicled. By the end, it is stripped down and we are left like the newspaper torn, tattered, confused, trapped in thought and slightly blowing, trying to meekly escape. Jefferson (Alan Benditt) is reminiscent of Jonathan Pryce. As we leave the past we meet Cliff (Peter Sprague), professional gambler and his redheaded daughter Abby (Nicole Raphel). Due to a governmental blip Abby now has to pay 8 quarters a day to take the bus. Cliff who's days as a successful gambler are gone, is outraged. Is it over his failure at life or because he's broke and this is yet another expense. Abby wiser than her years is seeing past his facade and wants to grow up. He uses his fatherly love against her, making her repeat their ritual in public. Needing quarters he goes to Iftikhar (Danny Beiruti), an Arab immigrant who he buys his daily newspaper from, another ritual and differences cumulate into something unstoppable. Jefferson comes out of the past to announce their brothers, a Cain and Abel, the prodigal and dutiful son. Jefferson throws out the line "I curse human will." Is who we are, how we think some course of fate spiraling out of control? Have we already gone too far to stop this tornado of indifference? Cliff's wife, Marissa (Danielle Skraastad), adds to the questions, she represents corporate America, the banking and financial seductive power of the world. As the play progresses, time lines and worlds blur into one until Jefferson leaves with Marissa hand and hand. Has America gotten into bed with someone elses wife? Abby leaves us with the thought of is "I love U 2 X infinity" putting to much pressure on us? Infinity itself is a long time, let alone to the 2nd power, no matter who this is to. This is a play that you must think. As my friend Maria put it
you have to be intelligent to like this play and like it I do. The direction by Oliver Butler is interesting. The words by Robert Lyons need some fine honing. The cast is talented, thought it was hard to hear Peter Sprauge and Daniel Beiruti. You can catch this interesting piece until the 28th at 66 Wooster. http://www.sohothinktank.org/icefactory.html

Its time to question what is going on and that is a F.A.C.T.

F: Is for Food that draws you in

I was on the Lower East Side, on my way to a show. I ran across a place, I am dying to try. A new "American food" restaurant on 71 Clinton caught my eye. For those of you who read me, you know I love Mac and Cheese. Hell, if it puts weight on and is good old fashion home cooking, I'm all for it, even if my waist is not. The menu, currently posted outside, included such appetizers as Chili & Chocolate Glazed Spare Ribs, $8, Pan Fried Mozzarella Balls herb roasted tomatoes and baby arugula, $6, Beet And Olive Tart crumbled goat cheese and beet jam $7. Oh, if only I had time. I was already starting to drool. Entree's came next: a Fat Hippo Burger Or Veggie Burger on a homemade rosemary bun, lettuce, tomato, and french fries, $8, Trailer Park Chicken Sampler: beer can roasted chicken breast, southern fried drumstick, smoked thigh meat, sautéed collard greens, raisin sauce and corn bread, $15 and Grilled Marinated Pork Chop pulled pork stuffing, bacon, sautéed brussels sprouts and maple-jalapeno mustard sauce, $13. Where was a napkin? Then the sides called to me: Pulled Pork Stuffing, $3, Mac N’ Cheese, $4. The establishment is run by Chris Scott (a producer-director who runs Great Scott Films), Jordan Solomon (formerly of Meet and Yucca Bar), and chef Ten Vong, who was the chef at Mercer Kitchen and Guastivino’s. The décor is chic and minimal the atmosphere relaxed. All I know is I gained 5 pounds just reading the menu and that's a F.A.C.T.