Poiret: King of Fashion

This exhibit celebrates the advancements made in women's fashion by French designer Paul Poiret (1884-19440). After training with legendary designer George Worth, Poiret opened his own couture shop in Paris and gained great success and notoriety.

Shortly after the turn of the century, he was credited with the elimination of the corset and the re-introduction of the empire waist and more fluid lines created by the use and proper application of fabrics with natural drape. His stardom eluded him by 1920 leaving him penniless at the time of his death. The exhibition will be on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from May 9, through August 5, 2007.

New York 31st Annual American Crafts Festival

Drawing a crowd of visitors totaling over 100,000, this is considered to be the best crafts show in New York City. This biannual event takes place in the Josie Robertson Plaza and extends back on either side of the Metropolitan Opera house towards Damrosch Park and the Vivian Beaumont theater.

It is a judged event and participation is limited to 200 artisans who represent the best in their medium. The array of color and artistic form plus the consistent quality of the items makes this show a virtual outdoor museum of bohemian folk art. Exhibited items include oil on canvas, watercolor, sculpture, pottery, jewelry, carpentry and fashion. 400 Juried craft display from throughout the United States. The premier crafts event in the New York Metropolitan area as well as one of the best in the nation.

Lilly Daché: Glamour at the Drop of a Hat

Lilly Daché was born in France and came to the United States in 1924 with a dream of becoming famous. Through her talent for design and desire to succeed, she grew to become the hat designer to celebrities. In the 1930's and 1940s when every well dressed woman wore a hat meticulously matched to her outfit, Lilly Daché's career rose to its height.

Hollywood stars who would come to count on Lilly Daché's creations included Marlene Deitrich, Jean Harlow and Greta Garbo. Ultimately, her collection grew to include clothing, gloves and other de rigueur accessories.

The exhibit is curated by students of the institute's history of fashion graduate program. It will be on view at the Museum of the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) March 13 through April 21, 2007.

Ralph Rucci: The Art of Weightless-ness

Fashion designer Ralph Rucci, himself a graduate of FIT, has spent twenty-five years designing exquisite clothing and textiles, which he claims have been inspired by all forms of art. As an avid painter and collector, the use of color found in visual art has been transferred to his fashion designs.

This exhibit juxtaposes his fashion designs with paintings (some done by him) to show the strong influence of color in art. The Rucci retrospective will be on view until April 14 at The Museum at FIT.

Deuce

Two great stars of stage and screen, Angela Lansbury and Marion Seldes join forces in this two-woman play about two former tennis players now in the twilight of their lives who are coming to terms with life. Play by Terrence McNally.

Tickets for this limited engagement will be hard to come by. Previews begin April 16, 2007; Opens May 6, 2007.

She's Like a Rainbow: Colors in Fashion

This exhibit looks into the history and psychology of color in fashion. Why is blue so popular? Why is black our (okay, not all of us) favorite color? Does red really symbolize passion? Let the experts explain.

The exhibit, which spans 250 years, includes nearly 150 select pieces from the museum's own collection that exemplify the purposeful use of color in fashion to achieve specific moods.

The items on display also depict the evolution of color in fashion and its close association with culture. Apparently red, or any other color for that matter, is in the eye of the beholder.

The exhibit is organized by the museum’s director, Dr. Valerie Steele, and it will be on view through May 5, 2007 at The Museum at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT).

Talk Radio

This 1980's stage drama later brought to the screen by film director Oliver Stone is being recreated on Broadway starring Liev Schreiber (Glengarry Glen Ross) who plays the role of a popular radio personality whose controversial program is intended to go nation wide.

Curtains

So who doesn't like a good musical comedy? Add in a whodunit and what could be better? For laughter and sparkle, try this new production of Curtains, a large cast musical comedy complete with songs and lyrics by Kander and Ebb.

The play presents the story of a Boston theatre troupe that is attempting to stage a play. The leading lady is dead and the cast members are left to solve the mystery and save the show. Cast members include David Hyde Pierce of Spamalot and TV's Frasier, Debra Monk, and Karen Ziemba who received a Tony Award for Contact. Beginning March 22, at Al Hirschfeld Theatre, 302 West 45th Street, New York City

Frost/Nixon

Stage legends Frank Langella and Michael Sheen have teamed up to play Richard Nixon and Sir David Frost, respectively, in the upcoming staging of Frost/Nixon. In this historic drama, these two fine actors will reenact the famous television interview, which aired following Richard Nixon's impeachment. The show opens on April 22, at the Bernard Jacobs Theatre (formerly the Royale).

Saul Steinberg: Illuminations

This brilliant and legendary artist (1914-1999) whose achievements encompass architectural design, illustration, textile design, murals and stage design, is probably best remembered as a cartoonist whose images graced the covers of The New Yorker for nearly 60 years.

Now, for the first time, the Morgan is mounting a retrospective exhibit of his illustrations. More than 100 drawings, some from his private collection, have been assembled for your enjoyment Admission is $12.00. More works by Saul Steinberg can be seen at The Museum of the City of New York where a concurrent exhibit focuses on his depictions of New York.

Times Square Theaters: A New Century, A New Style

This exhibit focuses on the architectural evolution that has taken place in New York from the early 1900's through the present as evidenced by the diverse styles found among Broadway theatres.

This exhibit, in The Theater Museum (currently housed at The Municipal Art Society), is on view through March 7, 2007. Open Mon-Wed & Fri-Sat from 10 am - 5 pm. Admission is free.

The Modern Show

Ninety exhibitors gather at this event to showcase the best of 20th Century furniture, paintings, prints, sculpture, lighting, silver, ceramics, photography and more.

The show is open Friday and Saturday, 11 am - 7 pm and Sunday, 11 am – 5 pm. Admission: $15, Children under 16 free when accompanied by an adult.

Translations

The Manhattan Theater Club presents what is perhaps the most insightful play on Broadway this season. For those who enjoy a solid, well-performed play this is a must see. The cast shines, the writing is compelling and witty and the directing and staging are right on the mark.

Set in 19th Century rural Ireland, the story follows the lives of a group of people who are transitioning from their native Gaelic to the English language, which is being imposed upon them by the British.

Beyond the surface story, however, the play addresses the importance of communication and the effect of culture on language as well as language on culture. Translations is written by Irish playwright Brian Friel, whose plays Dancing at Lughnasa and Faith Healer have also been performed on Broadway. The show runs through April 1, 2007.

Barcelona and Modernity: Gaudi to Dali

Barcelona, capital of Catalonia, was discovered by many tourists after the 1991 Summer Olympics and for others as a result of media coverage of separatist movements. This region of northern Spain, which for centuries has been rich in art, is the subject of this comprehensive exhibit.

This exhibit of 300 works shows the diversity of art during the "Catalan Renaissance" a period that began in the late 1880's and ended after the Spanish Civil war upon the assent to power by Francisco Franco. This groundbreaking exhibition will be on view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art from March 7, through June 3, 2007.

Inherit The Wind

The famous 1925 “Monkey Trial" depicted in the screen version starring Spencer Tracy and Fredric March is being brought to life on stage this spring. This intense drama, which retells the story of a Tennessee science teacher convicted of teaching the theory of evolution in schools, is in many ways as pertinent today as it was then.

Producers have assembled an impressive cast of thirty four led by Christopher Plummer, Brian Dennehy, Denis O'Hare and Byron Jennings, and directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes (Doubt). Costumes and set are being designed by Broadway¹s busiest designer, Santo Loquasto. This is a 16-week limited engagement. Previews begin March 19, 2007 at Lyceum Theatre.