BAM Scene: Carrie Cracknell talks to Friends of BAM Members

(Photo: Beowulf Sheehan)

Sunday afternoon, Friends of BAM sat down for an exclusive talk with hot young director Carrie Cracknell, of this season’s acclaimed production of A Doll’s House, and moderator Michael Cadden, Ibsen scholar and chair of the Peter B. Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton.

Keep reading for highlights from the event and check out the full photo album.

Chairman's Circle Dinner

Alan Fishman, Chairman of the Board and guests

BAM hosted the Chairman's Circle Dinner on Tuesday Evening, in honor of our loyal Chairman's Circle members. Guests attended an exclusive cocktail reception and dinner held in BAM's gorgeous Lepercq Space, followed by a performance of The Caretaker, starring Jonathan Pryce at the Harvey Theater.

Jump ahead to learn more about this exciting event!

DanceAfrica 35th Anniversary Celebration

BAM toasted 35 extraordinary years of DanceAfrica this past Sunday night at the DanceAfrica 35th Anniversary Celebration. Over 400 guests celebrated in the Lepercq Space following the afternoon's performance, including DanceAfrica founder and artistic director Baba Chuck Davis, the evening's performing companies and past alumni companies, New York State and City government officials, and BAM donors. 

Click below for more highlights and photos from this historic event!
For a full Event Album, click here.

Being Shakespeare Opening Night Reception

Simon Callow at the Opening Night Reception of Being Shakespeare now playing at the BAM Harvey Theater (Photo: Elena Olivo)

Wednesday night, the singular Simon Callow opened the one-man play Being Shakespeare at the BAM Harvey Theater. Written by Jonathan Bate and directed by Tom Cairns, the piece employs the fantastically dexterous Mr.Callow to explore the Bard's life and work through his many characters from Jacques to Henry V to King Lear.

Read on for more highlights from the event and for a full Event Album click here.

Next Wave Gala Producers Council Celebration

From left: BAM Executive Producer, Joseph V. Melillo, Krapp's Last Tape Actor, John Hurt, and BAM President, Karen Brooks Hopkins

Last week, BAM celebrated the 2011 Next Wave Festival with its' annual Next Wave Gala honoring our loyal BAM donors, the Producers Council.

Jump ahead to read more about this exciting, festive evening!
And check out all the photographs from the event here and here.

Serial Party - Infernal Comedy Opening Night

Mr. Malkovich is congratulated by a guest on his performance in
The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a serial killer (Photo: Elena Olivo)

Last week the inimitable John Malkovich graced the BAM Opera House stage as an operatic murderer in Michael Sturminger and Martin Haselbock's The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a serial killer. BAM celebrated the opening night last Thursday with members of the cast and BAM Producers Council members at the Benefactor level and above. It was a charmingly eerie evening with decor by Fleurs Bella, hours devours by Great Performances, cocktails by Brooklyn Gin, and wine generously provided by Brotherhood Winery.

The Next Wave Festival continues after Thanksgiving with Big Dance Theater's Supernatural Wife, followed by Tudo Isto E Fado which is accompanied by two receptions for Generation Advance members on December 2nd. And on December 6th we have our 2011 Next Wave Gala celebrating all of our Producers Council members and the opening of Samuel Beckett's Krapp's Last Tape starring John Hurt.

More pictures and information about the Opening Night Party for The Infernal Comedy: Confessions of a serial killer below:

BAMboozle Arrives in Brooklyn Babylon

Glasses of BAMboozle standing at the ready moments before being sipped up by BAMfans

Brooklyn Babylon premiered last night at the BAM Harvey Theater and shared their opening night reception with the highly anticipated launch of BAMboozle, Brooklyn Brewery's fantastic ale designed just for BAM's 150th Anniversary! There was much love for Brooklyn among the party's guests, who included artists of Brooklyn Babylon, Brooklyn Brewery's co-founder Steve Hindy and BAMfans. The beer flowed late into the night and happy guests left with bellies full of beer and Danijel Zezelj's visions of a future Brooklyn dancing in their heads, scored by Darcy James Argue's Secret Society.

If you missed the BAMboozle launch never fear, BAMcafe will start serving it up starting this weekend, our neighbors at Greene Grape will start selling bottles in the next week and more will be hitting the shelves of your local supermarket come December. More below.

Check out the full album from the event here.

La Magia de la Danza Opening Night Party

BAM welcomed Ballet Nacional de Cuba with open arms Wednesday night at the Opening Night Party for La Magia de la Danza. BAM members joined the company in BAM's Lepercq Space to celebrate the arrival of our Cuban friends. Read on for more highlights!

Following an enthralling performance featuring scenes from seven classical works - choreographed by legendary General Director Alicia Alonso, guests nibbled on vegetable mofongo and Cuban sandwich bites while sipping the ever popular Cuba Libre.

La Magia de la Danza marks the final mainstage performance of the 2011 BAM Spring Season and last dance piece of the citywide festival, Si Cuba. It has been a blast hosting all of our Cuban visitors and experiencing the art and culture of such a dynamic country.

Check back in later this week for scenes from the BAMcinemaFest Opening Night Party. If you haven't gotten your tickets yet, be sure to do so now. A ticket to the movie gets you into the party!

Principal Dancer, Viengsay Valdez, with Ballet Nacional de Cuba Tour Organizer, Jane Hermann

Viengsay Valdez with guests

BAM members enjoying a glass of wine

BAM Lepercq Space

Viengsay Valdez giving remarks

BAM Member with BAM bag

King Lear Opening Night Party



Derek Jacobi (center) with guests at the Opening Night Party.

Wednesday night at the King Lear Opening Night Party at the Harvey Theater, BAM members toasted the company from Donmar Warehouse for an outstanding performance and an already sold-out run! Sir Derek Jacobi and the cast mingled with the crowd in the Campbell Lobby and celebrated long into the night. Click the link below to read on and check out pictures from the evening's festivities...
BAM Producer Council members and above celebrated Donmar Warehouse and their triumphant sold-out* return to the Harvey Theater stage Wednesday night, enjoying delicious bites from caterer Great Performances and beverages from hometown vendors Brooklyn Gin and Brooklyn Brewery.  New Donmar Warehouse Executive Producer Nick Giles joined BAM President Karen Hopkins and BAM Executive Producer Joe Melillo for remarks at the party and the guests had a terrific time throughout the evening.  

Brooklyn Gin provided another fantastic cocktail for the party, this time created by Adam Schuman at Fatty Cue in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.  Possessing an inviting yellow hue and named after one of protagonist Lear's not so flattering characteristics, the "Fool's Gold" cocktail was the evening's beverage of choice.  Guests also enjoyed Brooklyn Brewery pilsner and event decor from the always exquisite Fleurs Bella.

It was a fabulous way to close what has been a fantastic Spring Theater Season here at BAM!

Tickets to King Lear are currently unavailable to the general public due to popular demand.*

A limited number of front orchestra seats are available to Friends of BAM at the Benefactor level ($1000) and above for select performances. To become a Benefactor, call Patron Services at 718.636.4182.

*A limited number of partial view seats are available by calling BAM Ticket Services at 718.636.4100


Diane Max, wife of the BAM Board Vice Chairnan Adam Max and guests at the King Lear Opening Night Party

Takis and Rina Anoussis chatting with Sir Derek Jacobi

Party goers enjoying the "Fool's Gold" cocktial from Spring Theater Gin Sponsor, Brooklyn Gin



Ashley Zhanghaza, Ron Cook, and Pippa Bennett-Warner from the King Lear cast



Cast member Stephano Theodoli-Braschi and friends

Pippa Bennett-Warner with Stephanie Dittmer and Executive Producer Nick Giles of Donmar Warehouse



Brooklyn Gin provided the "Fool's Gold" cocktail, a gin and tonic cocktail with Cocchi Americano fashioned by Adam Schuman at Fatty Cue in Brooklyn.