Coward on the Coast: eNewsletter                         February 24, 2010

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In This Issue
A Song at Twilight
Pasadena Playhouse Closes
Star Quality at the Academy Gallery
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Mr. Ken Starrett
North American Director
The Noel Coward Society
49 W 68th St, Apt 1-R
New York, NY 10023
(212) 877-4259

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Orson Bean as Hugo Latymer in A Song at Twilight at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles; Star Quality: The World of Noël Coward continues at the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences Fourth Floor Gallery; and sad news: hit by economic woes, a "fallen angel" - - the Pasadena Playhouse closed on February 7.
 
Coming in March: news of special events related to Star Quality.


A Song at Twilight - West Coast Première

You have two more weekends to enjoy the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble's production of A Song at Twilight, the first of the trilogy  "Suite in Three Keys" -- the last plays written by Coward.  Notes the Theatrical Companion to Coward (Second Edition, updated in 2000 by Barry Day and Sheridan Morley): "This trilogy was begun by Coward in 1965 as a personal vehicle for his farewell to the London stage...."


 

Song at Twilight1


Photo: Laurie O'Brien, left; Alley Mills, center; and Orson Bean, right.   Photo Credit: Ron Sossi.


Favorable reviews from L.A. critics toast Coward and the Odyssey Theatre's West Coast Première, starring Orson Bean, Alley Mills, Laurie O'Brien and David Rogge.

"Is it too late to nominate Coward for some kind of a "best new writer" award? Some have theorized that the show's explicit homosexuality-related themes were Coward's attempt at "coming out" - but even if one doesn't totally agree with the idea, the show still appears to be years ahead of its time - and this partially explains why it's so ripe for rediscovery."  (Paul Birchall, LA Weekly, January 28, 2010.)


For cast photos and reviews, see:
 
Odyssey Theatre gallery
 
L.A. Times review
 
LA Weekly review


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Fallen Angel: Pasadena Playhouse Closes

At the age of 93, the Pasadena Playhouse has closed its doors, sunk by economic problems.  Its next production (scheduled to open at the end of February) was going to be Coward's Fallen Angels.

Twice before, the Pasadena Playhouse has shut down for financial reasons: let's hope they are successful in their fundraising efforts and are able to re-open, bringing us many more years of fine theatre ... including this planned revival.
 
For more details and videos of closing night news, broadcast by L.A.  television stations KTLA and FOX News, see:
 
Pasadena Playhouse web site
 
L.A. Times blog


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Star Quality at the AMPAS® Fourth Floor Gallery

Enthusiastic crowds have been enjoying this wonderful exhibition in Beverly Hills.  A feature article by James King in the Los Angeles Times  reports on Star Quality and provides an overview of Coward's life: 

LA Times article 


Note: The Academy galleries will be closed Thursday, March 4 through Sunday, March 7 because of Academy Awards-related activities.



Star Quality: The World of Noël Coward

January 23 - April 18, 2010

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Fourth Floor Gallery

8949 Wilshire Boulevard

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Public Hours:

Tuesday - Friday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday - Sunday: Noon to 6 p.m.

Closed Mondays.

 

Admission is free.

 

www.oscars.org            310-247-3600



Noel painting




























Photo credit: From the Collection of Geoffrey Johnson


Coward painting at Firefly, Jamaica, 1961. He wore gloves because of an allergy to turpentine. Noël said of his favorite hobby, "I am happy while I am painting and just occasionally I get some happiness from looking at the result."

Star Quality: The World of Noël Coward is presented in association with the Noël Coward Foundation and the Museum of Performance & Design (MPD) in San Francisco.


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Cheers,
 
Kathy Williams
U.S. West Coast Liaison
The Noel Coward Society