September 2012 EVENTS the national arts club

The Board of Governors Presents The Theatre Arts Committee and The Literary Committee Presents The Roundtable Present

A Performance by Noël And Company: Terence Rattigan’s After the Dance Monday, September 10 The Lifeboat by Charlotte Rogan 8:00 PM Tuesday, September 11 “Few dramatists of this century have written 8:00 PM with more understanding of the human heart than Rattigan.” In a feature article in The New York Times, - Michael Billington it was revealed that Charlotte Rogan’s debut novel, The Lifeboat, was not typical of a 2012-13 GRAND OPENING Originally penned as a satirical attack on first time author. Princeton educated in with Jennifer Sheehan the Bright Young Things of the 1920s,After architecture and the mother of triplets, she the Dance truly reveals a study of our own Tuesday, September 4 wrote in secret for twenty-five years. humanity and the depths of the human The Lifeboat is a masterful story of hard 6:00 PM Reception heart. The play takes place in chic Mayfair 8:00 PM Performance choices, ambition, and endurance narrated and revolves around Joan and David, the by a woman as complex and unforgettable The 2012-13 season at The National Arts Club frivolous, party-going Bright Young Things as the events she describes. A twenty-two opens in high style with an evening of cabaret in question. However, now in their forties, year old widow tells how she is on trial for from the Mad Men era. Following her stellar the veneer is wearing thin. An affair is her life for an event that unfolded during 21 debut at Feinstein’s last May, Jennifer Sheehan followed by tragedy which in turn leads to days on a lifeboat full of castaways stranded returns to the NAC with her latest show, “I further devastation. Brimming with richly after the sinking of a luxury liner in the Know a Place,” an ebullient anthology of songs drawn characters, immense wit and the Atlantic in 1914. from the ‘60s. Hearing Jennifer Sheehan, very best of dramatic writing, After the “I can’t imagine any reader who looks Stephen Holden wrote in The New York Dance offers a thought provoking, moving, at the opening pages wanting to put the Times, “The beauty of Ms. Sheehan’s voice is and hilarious night of exemplary theatre. book down... It’s so refreshing to read a refreshingly unvarnished and devoid of circus Directed by Keith Merrill. book that is ambitious and yet not tricksy, tricks…drawing from a deep well of feeling, Noël and Company celebrates the legacy where the author seems to be in command she interprets lyrics from the point of view of of Sir Noël Coward and devotes itself to the of her material and really on top of her someone who knows who she is and conveys best of UK theatre over the last century, game. It’s beautifully controlled and totally empathy in a voice that glows with insight.” while fostering the talent of young British Our dining room will be open with an updated believable.” - Hilary Mantel, author of Wolf playwrights. Under Artistic Director Keith Hall menu, and the bar offers special concoctions Merrill, the company was commissioned to celebrate the new season. We invite you to to create original works for this summer’s mingle with your fellow members as music Noël Coward Festival at Lincoln Center. and good company fill the parlors and galleries Still in its infancy, Noël and Company has of the Tilden Mansion! already made its mark on the New York theatre community. Their production of The Mousetrap at the NAC this past spring was met with great enthusiasm. The Board of Governors Presents The Culinary Committee Presents September Salon

A Hundred Years of Julia: Julia Child’s 100th Birthday Party The National Arts Club Thursday, September 13 A Thought-Provoking Exchange Lifetime Achievement Award: 6:00 PM Buffet Sunday, September 16 Byron Janis 8:00 PM Panel Discussion 4:00 PM Wednesday, September 12 Julia Child, born on August 15, 1912, was neither French nor a chef, but she did more 6:30 PM Champagne Reception Calling all philosophers and than anyone to popularize French cooking in 8:00 PM Program independent thinkers! America. A hundred years after her birth and Luminaries of the classical music world eight years after her death, Julia Child remains The NAC Sunday Salon series continues and stars of Broadway convene to honor a cultural icon, the embodiment of French Byron Janis as The National Arts Club offers cooking, and one of the most significant with an exchange of viewpoints, beliefs, its Lifetime Achievement Award to this culinary figures of the twentieth century. and opinions about the state of art in legendary pianist. From his earliest days as After she was portrayed by Meryl Streep in today’s society. Featuring acknowledged a Juilliard prodigy to his performing career the film Julie and Julia in 2008, Child’s 1961 professionals leading thought-provoking with some of the world’s top orchestras, his classic, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, discussions, this month’s Salon will provide publication of a special Chopin edition and rose to number one on The New York Times members with the chance to share their his travels as an American artistic diplomat, bestseller list for the first time. thoughts on topics ranging from the ongoing Byron Janis’ contributions to the arts as a To celebrate Julia’s 100th birthday, we struggle between art and commerce to the pianist, composer, writer and teacher have are holding a panel discussion moderated ever-changing debate about the definition of touched countless listeners and changed lives. by Andrew F. Smith to talk about Julia’s life, art in the 21st century. Join us for a festive evening of music and work, and impact on the American food Bring your open mind, passionate heart, reflection as we explore a variety of facets of world. Panelists include David Strauss, author and kindred spirit for all things artistic and this compelling artistic personality. Pianists of Setting the Table for Julia Child: Gourmet join us for two hours of thought-provoking Inna Faliks and Nimrod David Pfeffer Dining in America, 1934-1961; Priscilla exchange. commemorate Mr. Janis’ career as one of Parkhurst Ferguson, author of Accounting the great pianists of our time. Broadway star for Taste; the Triumph of French Cuisine; and Robert Cuccioli takes a night off from Spider Dana B. Polan, author of Julia Child’s The Man to join Colleen Fitzpatrick in music from French Chef. The discussion will be preceded Mr. Janis’ musical, The Hunchback of Notre by an optional buffet prepared entirely from Dame. With music by Chopin and the Gospel Julia Child’s recipes. for Teens Choir also in the mix, this eclectic musical evening promises a fascinating look The panel discussion is free. into an important musical mind. To enjoy the buffet, please RSVP by September 11th to 212-477-2389. $48 per person Formal attire required. plus taxes and administrative fee. The Theatre Arts Committee The Architectural Committee The Film Committee Presents Presents Presents

Caroline Rob Zaleski Speaking of Shakespeare with Long Island Modernism, The New Yorker Drama Critic 1930-1980 and Novelist John Lahr Tuesday, September 18 The Love We Make Monday, September 17 8:00 PM Illustrated Lecture Wednesday, September 19 8:00 PM Celebrating the publication of her new 8:00 PM A “Barnum of barbarity.” That was John book, Caroline Rob Zaleski, historian, The Love We Make, a film directed by Albert preservationist, and former director of the Maysles (Gimme Shelter, Salesman, Grey Lahr’s appraisal of Kevin Spacey’s portrayal Preservation League of New York State, of Richard III at the Brooklyn Academy of will discuss the incredible trove of modern Gardens) and Bradley Kaplan (Muhammad Music earlier this year. As senior drama architecture on Long Island, buildings and Larry, Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out!, Sand and critic of The New Yorker where he has toiled designed by such renowned architects as Sorrow), follows Paul McCartney as he since 1992, Mr. Lahr’s pungent reviews have Frank Lloyd Wright, Marcel Breuer, Mies van journeys through the streets of New York City covered many of the Bard’s productions. He der Rohe, Edward Durrell Stone, William in the aftermath of the World Trade Center’s is also the only reviewer to have garnered a Lescaze and Philip Johnson. Ms. Zaleski destruction. It also chronicles the planning shows us Long Island as a frontier through and performance of the benefit concert that Tony Award for his co-authorship of Elaine which modernism entered the American Stritch at Liberty. A two-time recipient of took place less than six weeks after the attacks. context and explores the astonishing body “The Concert for New York City.” the George Nathan Award for Dramatic of architecture that has been, until now, On the morning of September 11, 2001, Criticism, Mr. Lahr has earned praise from shockingly overlooked. McCartney was on a plane on the tarmac in Mike Nichols as a “master” with a “unique Her book, a unique resource that provides the first illustrated history of Long New York City, scheduled for a flight when understanding of those who labor in the the attacks took place. He returned to the city corners of show business.” Island’s modern architecture, explores the work of twenty-five internationally and witnessed first-hand the devastation that Among the dozens of stage and screen renowned architects. Her research on the overtook the country. artists he has profiled are Dame Judi work of key figures in twentieth-century “I started thinking, ‘What can I do?’” Dench, Nicholas Hynter, Tony Kushner, Sir architecture; the relatively unknown aspects McCartney explains in the film. Albert Ian McKellen, Helen Mirren and Harold of their production; and their associations Maysles also wanted to do something so Pinter. He has written two plays (Diary of a with clients, artists, and politicians reveals McCartney organized a concert and wrote a Somebody and The Manchurian Candidate) a rich world of modernist design. Zaleski new song, “Freedom,” and Maysles, then 74, and two novels (The Autograph Hound documents the development of exurbia and followed McCartney as he rehearsed with the rise of visionary structures: residences for his band and walked the streets of New York. and Hot to Trot). He has also penned five commuters and weekenders, public housing, biographies, including Notes on a Cowardly houses of worship, universities, shopping Maysles shot the film in 16 mm, black-and- Lion, a memoir of his famous father, Bert centers, and office complexes. In this part- white film. Lahr. architectural-part-social-history discourse, Albert Maysles will be with us to During what promises to be a most Ms. Zaleski explains why modernism was introduce the film and will answer questions stimulating evening, Mr. Lahr will talk with embraced by Long Island’s civic, cultural, and after the screening. Mr. Maysles is revered as the Shakespeare Guild’s John Andrews not business leaders during an epoch when open the godfather of documentaries and has won space was prime for development. only about his favorite interpretations of the hundreds of awards for his work. Bard’s work, but about a number of equally If you would like to dine with fascinating subjects. the Film Committee, please call 212-477-2389 to make a reservation. Le Cocktail Français Presents The Theatre Arts Committee The Young Members Committee Presents Presents

Strolling through the Salons of Paris: Exploring the Homes of French Celebrities How To Marry a Divorced Man Thursday, September 20 Monday, September 24 6:00 PM Illustrated Lecture 8:00 PM Home decorating was a major pastime in nineteenth-century France, yet private homes How To Marry a Divorced Man is a new were displayed only to friends and family. musical comedy based on the bestselling book Such exclusivity generated tremendous by Cosmopolitan editor Leslie Fram. It tells By Invitation Only the story of Layla Diamond, an unmarried public curiosity, thus inspiring investigative Wednesday, September 26 journalists to learn more, particularly about rock and roll reporter in her late 30s, who, 6:30 PM celebrity homes. Following these intrepid in following the advice of her daffy celebrity journalists, this liberally-illustrated talk will mom, seeks out a divorced man to marry. She The National Arts Club Young Members expose the secrets of Belle Epoque Parisian sets her sights on Bo, a handsome sports agent present the book By Invitation Only. Meet salons. Drawing upon little-known photo- with a needy ex and two ornery kids. Trying the authors Alexis Maybank and Alexandra interviews published in the Parisian press to fit into his life, Layla makes one madcap Wilkis Wilson, founders of Gilt Group. of the 1880s and 1890s, Elizabeth Emery mistake after another, adopting false identities, Alexis Maybank and Alexandra Wilkis Wilson met while obtaining MBAs from will give voice to French celebrities of this causing multiple mix-ups, and turning her time, including Emile Zola, Jules Massenet, Harvard. They founded Gilt in 2007 and are marital quest hilariously topsy-turvy. often featured in The Wall Street Journal, Alexandre Dumas fils, Jules Ferry, Camille The book and lyrics are by Bryan D. Flammarion, and Jules Verne. All of these Forbes, Fortune, Financial Times, In Style, Leys, who has written libretto and lyrics for Vogue and The New York Times. A&A’s well-known French figures confided in Off-Broadway’s Hell’s Belles. New works entrepreneurial story of success has been told reporters, discussed the importance they on ABC News, CBS Sunday Morning, Inside attributed to home decorating, and gossiped include Argentina Rumpus and La Ribalta (The Spotlight). The composer is singer/ Edition, and many others. about their rivals, all while allowing Their riveting tale includes the frantic first photographers to document the rooms of songwriter/keyboardist Clare Cooper, winner 24 hours and details Gilt’s explosive growth their homes. An early print-based version of the Songwriters’ Guild President’s Award, and rise to prominence while providing of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, these the Abe Olman Scholarship, and is currently advice on how aspiring entrepreneurs can do photo-interviews reveal a great deal about the the musical director for JAWS, The Musical! the same. material culture of turn-of-the-century Paris, Starring cross-over artist Christine Marie By Invitation Only provides straight talk while disclosing surprising information Heath, acclaimed by the press as a “show on how to build a start-up and negotiate the about well-known public figures. stopper,” and actor/tenor Richard Binder they many conundrums that still face women in business such as balancing family life and Elizabeth Emery is Professor of French are accompanied by a stellar cast of musical work responsibilities. The book provides and Graduate Coordinator at Montclair State comedy pros who round out this fabulous an insightful view into the fashion industry University. She has written extensively on entertainment. by providing a revealing portrait of key nineteenth and twentieth-century culture players like Zac Posen, Christian Louboutin, and is the author of Photojournalism and Seating is limited. Valentino, and many others. the Origins of the French Writer House Please RSVP by September 18th to Museum (1881-1914): Privacy, Publicity, and [email protected] Please RSVP to [email protected] Personality. or call 212-759-0004

As you may know, our dear friend Constance Brock, founder and Chairperson of Le Cocktail Français passed away on July 20, 2012. We dedicate this evening to her memory. The Archaeology Committee Presents

The Ancient Olympic Games Thursday, September 27 6:00 PM Illustrated Lecture 7:30 PM Reception Opera Box 19 Returns for Another Season! The Archaeology Committee is delighted to present Dr. Paul Anthony Cartledge, A.G. Leventis Professor of Greek Culture The eighty-year history of The National Arts Club’s subscription to The Metropolitan at Cambridge University, in his second Opera continues! This season is a fun and exciting one for sure, as it includes two new National Arts Club lecture. productions and The Barber of Seville, abridged to two hours and sung in English - a great Olympic Games, begun traditionally way to introduce opera to a young person or other first-timer. in 776 BCE in honour of Zeus, were reorganized in the aftermath of the The National Arts Club is proud to offer its members and their guests some of the best seats in the house at cost for performances in the Thursday 2 subscription series: Persian Wars and celebrated until 394 CE when suppressed by Theodosius I. They were usually held every four years IL TROVATORE (Verdi) THE BARBER OF SEVILLE (Rossini) at the relatively insignificant, inaccessible October 4, 2012 7:30 PM Abridged for the Holidays Olympia under the presidency of local city- January 3, 2013 7:30 PM state Elis. There were nine main athletic UN BALLO IN MASCHERA (Verdi) RIGOLETTO (Verdi) events for male competitors (excepting New Production Premier New Production women competing as owners of horse/ November 8, 2012 7:30 PM January 31, 2013 7:30 PM chariot teams): the stadion; diaulos; DON GIOVANNI (Mozart) FAUST (Gounod) dolichos; pentathlon; boxing; four-horse December 20, 2012 7:30 PM March 21, 2013 7:30 PM chariot race; pankration; horse race; and race-in-armour. Sport components were not the most important part of the five- One of the best things about securing your tickets through the National Arts Club is the day festival. Held at the second full moon very special location of our seats - we continue to occupy the full center parterre box after the summer solstice, it began with number 19. Tickets are sold to members at cost to the Club. This season, the Met has priced our seats at $347.50 per seat, for seats 4-8 and $417.50 for seats 1-3 (front row of swearing-in and oath-taking punctuated by the box)*. religious rituals and communal singing of victory hymns. A procession to the Temple Secure your seats today for this season by emailing [email protected] or of Olympian Zeus concluded with victors phoning the Box 19 Administrator at 212-838-0737. Charge your purchase to your Club crowned, followed by the sacrifice of many account, write a check, or charge your Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover. animals, feasting, and celebrations. This See you at the Opera! illustrated talk additionally explores the role played by Sparta and Spartans in ancient Games and those enjoyed (or not) *The Barber of Seville, abridged for the holidays, is priced at $162.50 (seats 4-8) and $217.50 (seats 1-3) by women. News from Your Dining Room Executive Chef Robert Ahle has been preparing the food we have enjoyed for almost twenty years. During the summer he has been working hard to make your dining experience memorable each and every time. Come in and enjoy Chef Robert’s new specialties in September and check back each month to see what else he has in store for you.

SUNDAY PROSECCO & MUSIC LOBSTER NIGHT NEW WINES Brunch at the NAC Every Friday in September. Only $50* Expanded wine list with an internation- September 16, 2012 at Noon. $32* Mouthwatering steamed or broiled al flavor, an extensive choice of wines by the glass from the Old and New New York is about brunch and what lobster delivered fresh from the chill Worlds, featuring top choices by Wine better place than the warm surround- waters of the Atlantic. Enjoy it with Spectator Magazine and some of our ings of the NAC. Buffet with fresh your choice of soup or salad, corn on prestigious local Gramercy Park mer- salads, breakfast specialties, entrees the cob, potato to your liking and, of chants. such as salmon, chicken, pasta; des- course, your choice of Chef Robert’s serts and coffee. Served with compli- famous desserts and coffee. mentary prosecco, mimosas or belli- NEW HOURS nis. Live music arranged by the NAC’s The Dining Room will remain open very own Music Committee. until 9:00 pm Monday through Friday and our bartenders will serve you until 11:00 pm.

To make a reservation, please call 212-477-2389

*All NAC menu prices are subject to tax and a standard administrative charge of 18%.

From the Desk of the Curator Images of mothers and children proliferated in American art of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, due in part to the example of Mary Cassatt, whose depictions of upper-class women and their offspring un- derscored the emotional bonds between her subjects. Otto Walter Beck (1864 - 1954) ex- plores this motif in Day Dreams, given to the NAC in 1911 on the occasion of his election as an Artist Life Member. This work is unique in the Club’s col- lection of diploma presentations in that it was executed in pastel, a medium that enjoyed a surge of popularity in American art circles of the late nineteenth century. Admired for their rich hues, painterly qualities, and easy portability, pastels were especially attractive to Impressionists, who used them to record their spontaneous observations of nature. Interest in pastel continued into the In Day Dreams, Beck investigates the subject of mother- early 1900s, as artists - ranging from Ashcan School painters to hood within a traditional representational style, but his use of exponents of early Modernism - continued to explore the aes- vivid blue, green and gold pastels - deftly blended to create lush thetic possibilities of these colorful crayons. Beck was likewise atmospheric effects - demonstrates, as one reviewer put it, that enticed, for in the catalogue published on the occasion of his Beck was “an artist of ideas and [had the] technical vigor to one-man show at the NAC in 1912, it was observed, although carry them out.” he had previously worked in oil and tempera, “for several years - Carol Lowrey, Ph.D., Curator of the Permanent Collection the pastel medium has occupied him exclusively.” the national arts club September 2012 CALENDAR Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 2012-13 Lobster Night GRAND OPENING 6:00 PM RE 8:00 PM P

9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Terence Rattigan’s The Lifeboat by Lifetime A Hundred Years Lobster Night After the Dance Charlotte Rogan Achievement of Julia 8:00 PM P 8:00 PM BK/DI Award: Byron Janis 6:00 PM D 6:30 PM RE 8:00 PM PD 8:00 PM Program

16 17 18 19 20 21 22 Sunday Brunch Speaking of Caroline Rob Zaleski, The Love We Make Exploring the Lobster Night 12:00 PM Shakespeare Long Island 8:00 PM F Homes of French with John Lahr Modernism Celebrities Sunday Salon 8:00 PM DI 8:00 PM BK/IL 6:00 PM IL 4:00 PM

23 24 25 26 27 28 29 How To Marry a By Invitation Only The Ancient Lobster Night Divorced Man 6:30 PM BK/DI Olympic Games 8:00 PM P 6:00 PM IL 7:30 PM RE

30 1 2 3 BK Book Signing L Lecture D Dinner OR Opening Reception DI Discussion P Performance F Film PD Panel Discussion FD Festive Dress RE Reception ID Illustrated Discussion R Reading IL Illustrated Lecture GALLERIES Grand Gregg Trask Marquis M, W-F: 10AM - 12PM M-F: 10AM - 5PM* M-F: 10AM - 5PM* M-F: 10AM - 5PM* T: 2-5PM* Pastel Society Jeffrey M. Levine M.D.: Pastel Society Annual Member Exhibition The Changing Face of Aging Across Annual Student Show August 29 - September 29 America September 17 - 29 September 10 - 21

*All gallery hours are subject to change. Before you arrive, please call 212-475-3424. 15 Gramercy Park South New York, New York 10003

September 2012 Events Calendar

NEWS & NOTES

SKETCH CLASS Every Monday. $10 For details contact [email protected]

GUEST ROOMS AVAILABLE AT THE NAC The Club is pleased to offer ten furnished guest rooms for rent by the night to members and friends of members. We have one single room, and nine double rooms, five of which have baths Stay up to Date! en suite. Most rooms have enchanting views of Gramercy Park. Receive all the NAC’s latest news in your inbox. Prices start at $100 plus occupancy Please log on to www.nationalartsclub.org and sales taxes. Incomparable NAC to make sure we have your atmosphere at no extra charge. most up-to-date email address. To make a reservation, please call 212-475-3424 Questions? Comments? Write us at: [email protected]