THIRTEEN Archive » arts & culture

Interview: Artists Den producer Mark Lieberman

Brian Lee — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 15:32:27 +0000

Lieberman tells how the Artists Den got its start, and waxes fondly about one of his favorite shows from the recent season. Artists Den runs on Thirteen and WLIW through mid-march. Read more….

Watch Little Dorrit online through May 3

Brian Lee — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 16:38:03 +0000

Masterpiece will be making Dickens’ Little Dorrit (all 5 parts) available, streaming online for a short period of time. Parts will be added the day after air (mondays) through April. Watch now.

Watch King Lear with Ian McKellen in full, online

Brian Lee — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 22:33:16 +0000

Great Performances has made this well-received production by Trevor Nunn of King Lear available online…watch it here.

Sunni Patterson: New Orleans Poet, Singer, and Activist

Brian Lee — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 18:28:50 +0000

There are few people in the world like Sunni Patterson, the visionary poet, singer, and activist. A voice for those who struggle daily, Patterson offers hope and calls for change. The power in her words lies not only in their meaning, but in their delivery. Read more about Patterson and watch her perform her poetry.

Patterson, as a poet, holds oratorical skills akin to those of Martin Luther King, Jr., and her speech seems to flow through her form. Patterson’s most gripping works are “We Made It” and “We Know This Place,” (below) which unveil racism word-by-word until its roots are exposed. I am always inspired when I hear her speak, and think the world would be a more beautiful place if we would all listen. -Jennifer Panicali

Video of Patterson performing/reading “We Know This Place”:

Video of Patterson performing/reading “We Made It”:

Patterson hails from New Orleans, and draws upon her local origins, as well as her holistic view on life, to shape her art. She has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry Jam, performed at major spoken word venues throughout the country, and is a certified instructor of Tai Chi and Qi Gong. Her site, www.sunnipatterson.com, features video, music clips, and a brief bio on the poet.

The Art of the Watchmen Exhibit

Brian Lee — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:50:17 +0000

The Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art currently has an exhibit of the original artwork from the graphic novel co-created and illustrated by Dave Gibbons. Co-curators Ellen S. Abramowitz and Peter Sanderson guide you through the show, for SundayArts. Watch now.

How Star Wars influenced Iraq’s Hussein Regime

Brian Lee — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:19:23 +0000

Artist Michael Rakowitz reveals how Saddam Hussein was influenced by the movie Star Wars in a new exhibition at Lombard-Freid Projects in Chelsea. Read more…

Actress Natasha Richardson, 1963-2009

Brian Lee — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:03:03 +0000

Richardson, part of an acting dynasty that went back generations, recently passed away after a tragic skiing accident. She is survived by her husband, actor Liam Neeson, and two children. She was a frequent guest on Charlie Rose (who will do a tribute on his show March 20) and appeared on other PBS programs. Read more.

Richardson performed in more than one project for Great Performances in the last two decades.

Richardson was one of a few actors who made comments for the American Experience documentary by Ric Burns about playwright Eugene O’Neill (re-airing on Thirteen Sunday, March 22, 2009 at noon):
See video.

Her most recent appearance on Charlie Rose was in support of her film ‘Asylum’, in 2005:

In 1998, she was interviewed by Rose about her role in Cabaret, for which she won a Tony Award:

See all of Richardson’s appearances on Charlie Rose.

‘Sita’ Creator Nina Paley’s Copyright Song

Brian Lee — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 16:35:36 +0000

Nina Paley’s critically-acclaimed film, Sita Sings the Blues (watch it online) recently plunged her into the tangled web of copyright law. Her travails in getting the film out to the world inspired her next project, a series of short films about copyright law. Watch an interview and hear her copyright song.

Interview: Peter Gelb of the Metropolitan Opera

Brian Lee — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 14:45:00 +0000

Philippe de Montebello interviews Metropolitan Opera director Peter Gelb for SundayArts: Learn about the Young Opera Initiative to engage new singers with the classic medium, and what the Met has in store for opera-goers in the future.

John Williams Composes New Theme for GP

Brian Lee — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 17:53:07 +0000

First Obama, then GP: with next week’s March 25 broadcast (8:00 pm) of King Lear starring Ian McKellen, Great Performances will roll out new audio theme music by famed film music composer and conductor John Williams. Read more…

from the press release:

This is the first time Williams has created a composition for a THIRTEEN production. David Horn, executive producer of THIRTEEN’s Great Performances, approached Williams about composing a new theme as the crowning element for the series’ new on-air look. “After 36 years of showcasing the best in the performing arts for American audiences, we wanted to reinvigorate our Great Performances broadcast identity for today’s digital HD generation,” said executive producer David Horn. “As one of America’s master composers with an unmistakable musical signature, John Williams is his own brand name for excellence and innovation. When the opportunity came up to create a new opening to the series, John was automatically our first choice – we didn’t think twice.”

Hear the new theme: