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Tuesday, November 20, 2018

In Context: The White Album

Lars Jan’s multi-layered vision of Joan Didion’s essay juxtaposes the author’s searing text—performed in its entirety—with a glassed-in microcosm of social unraveling. Context is everything, so get even closer to the production with this curated selection of related articles and videos. After you've attended the show, let us know what you thought by posting in the comments below and on social media using #BAMNextWave.


Program Notes

The White Album (PDF)

Read

Article
The White Album Comes Alive (BAMblog)
For artist Lars Jan, The White Album remains “one of the great pieces of literature of our time” and one that begged for theatricalization.

Article
From Watching to Participating: Kate Bredeson and Lars Jan Discuss 1968 and Jan’s Stage Production of Joan Didion’s “The White Album” (LA Review of Books)
Jan spoke with theater historian Kate Bredeson about the theater and protest of 1968, and how both are approaching this topic in 2018.

Article
Joan Didion: Staking Out California (The New York Times)
Joan Didion's California is a place defined not so much by what her unwavering eye observes, but by what her memory cannot let go.


Watch & Listen

Video
Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold (Netflix)
Director Griffin Dunne unearths a treasure trove of archival footage and talks at length to his “Aunt Joan” about the eras she covered.


Now your turn...

How did you enjoy the show? Likes? Dislikes? Surprises? Tell us what’s on your mind in the comments below and on social media using #BAMNextWave.

© 2018 Brooklyn Academy of Music, Inc. All rights reserved.

4 comments:

  1. The White Album was a very welcoming surprise. The acting, the stage design and the directing is very well done. I highly recommend it!

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  2. The singer was quite good, but using the actual music from the period would have been much more evocative due to the unique late 60s “wall of sound” style. Though that might be prohibitively expensive. The main narrator was OUTSTANDING. All in all, enjoyable and thoughtful.

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  3. Spectacular production. Incredibly well staged and directed. Flawless performance by Mia Barron...all those lines she memorized and delivered with brilliance and soul!!! And the Q and A after was a crowning touch. A perfect evening at the theatre!

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  4. Visually interesting effort. Actress playing narrator was excellent.

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