The Cornell Daily Sun (https://cornellsun.com/author/vlh7cornell-edu/)
Directed by Emily Ranii ’07, the play is inspired by a book by Prof. Emeritus Joan Jacobs Brumberg, human development, of the same name. With humor and incredible poignancy, The Body Project initiates a much needed dialogue on body image issues by exploring how contemporary women’s negative views of their bodies can have an increasingly toxic effect on their relationships with other people.
From the moment I entered Dijon, a French bistro located in downtown Ithaca, I was greeted by the gracious hostess and warmly welcomed to the restaurant. Immediately, I was struck by the intimate atmosphere and classic French décor of the interior. Softly lit, Dijon transports the diners as close to the real Parisian experience as possible.
Although a bit on the pricey side, Dijon’s ambiance makes it the perfect destination for a more formal dinner date or occasion. Despite not being very well known or frequented by most Cornell students, Dijon boasts the work of some of its own. The Executive Chef Mark Papera and his wife Courtnay are Cornell School graduates and the owners of Dijon.
The Department of Theatre, Film and Dance has audiences alternately rolling in their seats with laughter and cringing in fear with its production of Bob Hall and David Richmond’s The Passion of Dracula at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by David Feldshuh, this adaptation of Bram Stoker’s Dracula injects a welcome dose of hilarity into the gothic novel. The play’s magic lies in its wonderful ability to dance along the thin line between horror and humor. Following the lives of the inhabitants of a small town in the English countryside, the audience watches enthralled as they battle against the menacing forces of not only Count Dracula, but also the less tangible threats of darkness, evil and madness.
With Fashion Week coming to a close in New York, Milan, and Paris, the major powerhouses of fashion, such as Lanvin, Yves Saint Laurent, and Alexander McQueen to name a few, have presented their spring lines to those privileged enough to get a seat at their shows. The heel-less shoes in Marc Jacobs’ collection to the strikingly floral silk dresses of Balenciaga capture the innovative nature of fashion, with its drive to continually push the envelope and redefine the aesthetic drama of the clothes. Although the odd quirks of haute couture is usually deemed to be the exclusive realm of fashion editors and other devotees, Cornell students are not wholly removed from the influence of high fashion.
The Department of Theatre, Film & Dance is currently intriguing audiences this September with its production of C.P. Taylor’s Good at the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts. Directed by Bruce Levitt, this thought-provoking play introduces the terrifying notion that despite personal assertions to the contrary, larger situational forces can drive supposedly “good” people to commit heinous and depraved acts, which can be no better exemplified than by the atrocities of the Nazi regime in the early 20th century. Good not only pushes the envelope on defining the tenuous boundary between good and evil but also evokes contemplation about how easily one can be led into allowing horrible acts to occur.
Although the rapper/producer has been producing number one hits since the late 90s, Timbaland has recently exploded in popularity with such hugely successful songs as “Promiscuous,” and “SexyBack,” to name a few. Working closely with popular artists like Nelly Furtado, Justin Timberlake, the Pussycat Dolls, Timbaland has carved a name for himself with his original and highly unusual beats.
The Risley Theatre is currently wowing audiences with its production of Leonard Nimoy’s Vincent, a one-person play about the life and times of Vincent Van Gogh. Directed by Ed Schiff, this extraordinary play gives us a glimpse into the tumultuous life of one of the world’s greatest artistic geniuses. As narrated by Van Gogh’s brother Theo, the story of the painter’s eventful life is slowly unfolded through a series of letters exchanged between the two brothers. Vincent stars Brendan Ryan, who adroitly takes on the role of both brothers.
The Department of Theatre, Film and Dance is currently delighting audiences with its production of Wendy Wasserstein’s Uncommon Women and Others at the Schwartz Center. Directed by Megan Shea, this lighthearted portrayal of the lives of five graduates of Mount Holyoke College finds more than one sympathetic ear within the audience. Stuck at the point of transition between their senior year and the unknown ‘real’ world after graduation, the exceptionally bright and ambitious students face uncertain choices and deal with self-doubt.