By Skip Sheffield
The Boca Raton Museum of Art in Mizner Park has emerged from a two-month hiatus for a renovation and facelift, offering no fewer than five new shows, including one with 21 drawings by Picasso.
“Because of our audience and our position, we are able to get shows other small museums can’t,” said executive director George Bolge. “We strive to have at lease three exhibits every eight weeks. In this case we have five.”
There was no major overhaul at the 10-year-old museum; just general freshening up, security improvement and maintenance, but the 44,000 square-foot facility does seem airier and brighter.
“Romanticism to Modernism: Graphic Masterpieces from Pranesi and Picasso” is not a big show, but for fans of Picasso it is a must-see, as it traces the artist’s evolution from classic representational in the early 20th century to far-out cubist fantasies in his old age.
The brightest, boldest and largest show is the big, colorful, sexy acrylic works by contemporary Italian artist Valerio Adami. The 23 paintings date from the 1960s ‘Nouvelle Figuration” era to the present.
“Robert Cottingham: Twenty Ways to See a Star” is just as advertised: 20 large-scale painted silk screens of a theater marquee that reads “Star,” as well as some of Cottingham’s other signboard themes.
Up through May 1 is a selection of Latin American Art from the Museum’s Collection and “Wyland: Art and Conservation,” which showcases the contemporary California artist and conservationist.
“There are many fine cultural organizations in Boca Raton’” said Mayor Susan Whelchel. “But the Boca Museum is the crown jewel.”
Museum admission is $8 adults, $6 seniors over 65 and $4 students and groups. Call 561-392-2500 or visit www.bocamuseum.org.
Candida at Palm Beach Dramaworks
Palm Beach Dramaworks, 322 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach, has opened its 11th season with a classy, thought-provoking version of GB Shaw’s 1894 classic, “Candida.”
Playing the lead of lovely, headstrong Candida is Kim Cozort. Playing her devoted but somewhat dull and moralistic husband, Rev. James Morell, is John Leonard Thompson in a role that is quite a departure from his raving performance last year in Mamet’s “American Buffalo.”
Eugene Marchbanks, the dashing, idealist young poet who turns Candida’s head and vies for her affection, is played with force and panache by Will Connolly.
Playing the reliable family friend, Mr. Burgess is one of South Florida most reliable actors, John Felix, while Margery Lowe makes the most of her small, comic role of frumpy, officious Miss Prosperine Garnett as does Cliff Burgess as fellow cleric, Rev. Alexander Mill.
“Candida” raised eyebrows in 1894 because it seemed to challenge the very idea of fidelity, but in more than 100 years of retrospect it seems quite conventional regarding the institution of marriage. It is to the credit of Kim Cozort and John Leonard Thompson that we ever doubt for a minute the outcome of Eugene Marchbanks’ rash challenge, and to the credit of director J. Barry Lewis that we are able to revisit this theatrical treasure.
Tickets are $47. Call 561-514-4042.
“Cabaret” at Caldwell Theatre
Caldwell Theatre Company, 7901 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton, plays host to the young and hip Entre’Acte Theatrix for 12 performances of the musical “Cabaret” Oct. 14-24. The ominous emcee is played by Shane Blanford. Leah Sessa is the self-destructive, doomed showgirl Sally Bowles and Ryan Michael Owens is the idealistic, naïve journalist Clifford Bradshaw.
Tickets are $25 and $30. Call 561-241-7432 or visit www.caldwelltheatre.com or www.entreacttheatrix.org.
Cats Invade Delray Beach
Here pretty kitty!
The Cornell Museum of Art of Old School Square is having some fun with “The Cat’s Meow,” and exhibition of feline celebration that opened Oct. 14 and is running through Feb. 27. Also on display is the Bernet Folk Arts and Quilt Collection.
Admission is $6 general, $4 seniors and students 13-21 and $2 ages 2-12. Call 561-243-7922 or visit www.oldschoolsquare.org.
Photography by Michael Gora
at Delray Beach Library
Boca Raton photographic artist and Boca Tribune columnist Michael Gora has a display of his striking black-and-white work, “People, Places and Things,” through Nov. 9 at the Delray Beach Public Library. 100 W. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach. Admission is free. Call 561-266-0194.