contrapositive

THEATRE PICK Don't miss Michael Feingold's excellent profile of actor Alvin Epstein, an incomparable theatre artist and a true American treasure.

At 81, Epstein is still a mesmerizing performer who does excellent work. And so it's pure scandal that--fifty years after the American premieres of WAITING FOR GODOT and ENDGAME--the man who originated the roles of Lucky and Clov continues to toil away in relative obscurity. Epstein should be a household name among even casual theatregoers.

That he isn't speaks volumes about our debased celebrity culture, the enfeebled role of theatre in our national dialogue and--probably--a pervasive misunderstanding among the American public about what constitutes good acting.

But that's a post for another time.

In any event, Epstein is currently appearing in the title role in KING LEAR at the La Mama Annex, for a short run that ends on July 2. I haven't yet seen the production, but it promises to be memorable.

If you can get your hands on a ticket, I'd recommend it.