Photo By: Elena Olivo
Just a few days after the passing of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which calls for $50 million to be distributed through the National Endowment for the Arts, the Brooklyn Academy of Music set about raising its own funds with a gala celebration of “The Bridge Project,” its two-show collaboration with The Old Vic. The night kicked off with a dinner on the stage of the Howard Gilman Opera House—The Old Vic’s Kevin Spacey was in attendance as was Sam Mendes, the director of the Project’s two shows, The Cherry Orchard and The Winter’s Tale—and then moved to the BAM Harvey Theater for a performance of Shakespeare’s romance.
Spacey, who during dinner brushed off the idea of recession-era cuts to the arts saying, “I believe that the arts and culture are good for business,” was less chatty on the walk to the Fulton Street playhouse.
Though he did stop to light cigarettes for other smokers en route to the show, he was not answering questions. In line at the Harvey, Patricia Clarkson was a bit chattier.The self-proclaimed New York Press fan said, “I think it’s always a good time for the arts.We can’t exist without culture or art in our world.”
After the play, which featured Ethan Hawke warbling and playing guitar like Reality Bites was just yesterday, everyone shuffled back across the street to find the stage transformed once again. In place of the dinner tables were couches, chairs and long tables piled with desserts, coffee and hot cocoa.
Spacey had bailed at intermission, but Mendes and the cast stuck around, toasting their success, mingling with Jeremy Irons, who was puffing on an electronic cigarette, and swaying to Vampire Weekend, Dolly Parton and M.I.A. as spun by DJs Andrew Andrew.
For a while it did seem like perhaps things would turn out fine and theatergoers would always be downing Earl Grey and lavender cream teacakes and toasting yet another opening night. Not so sure was Paul Giamatti, even though the actor has no shortage of movies coming out. He said that if work here dries up, he might follow Spacey’s lead and head to London.
Spacey, who during dinner brushed off the idea of recession-era cuts to the arts saying, “I believe that the arts and culture are good for business,” was less chatty on the walk to the Fulton Street playhouse.
Though he did stop to light cigarettes for other smokers en route to the show, he was not answering questions. In line at the Harvey, Patricia Clarkson was a bit chattier.The self-proclaimed New York Press fan said, “I think it’s always a good time for the arts.We can’t exist without culture or art in our world.”
After the play, which featured Ethan Hawke warbling and playing guitar like Reality Bites was just yesterday, everyone shuffled back across the street to find the stage transformed once again. In place of the dinner tables were couches, chairs and long tables piled with desserts, coffee and hot cocoa.
Spacey had bailed at intermission, but Mendes and the cast stuck around, toasting their success, mingling with Jeremy Irons, who was puffing on an electronic cigarette, and swaying to Vampire Weekend, Dolly Parton and M.I.A. as spun by DJs Andrew Andrew.
For a while it did seem like perhaps things would turn out fine and theatergoers would always be downing Earl Grey and lavender cream teacakes and toasting yet another opening night. Not so sure was Paul Giamatti, even though the actor has no shortage of movies coming out. He said that if work here dries up, he might follow Spacey’s lead and head to London.
“That’s not a bad idea, maybe I’ll go over there. I don’t know what I’d do though,” said Giamatti. “They never hire Americans, just him.We’ve got to change that. He can’t be the only American over there.”
