Luis Hernandez : I understand you’ve got a couple of theater productions to highlight. James, let’s start with you – what are you looking forward to?
James Baumgartner: There’s a triple shot of Hamlet this spring. First, there’s Shakespeare’s Hamlet at the Gamm in April. The Gamm always knocks it out of the park with Shakespeare, I was totally blown away by their production of “Twelfth Night” last year, so I’m expecting this production to be equally wonderful. Then there’s Fat Ham at the Wilbury Group in March and April. The play by James Ijames won the Pulitzer in 2022. It’s a modern day reinvention of the Hamlet story. Juicy is the protagonist in this case. He’s a young, queer Black man in the South and he is visited by the ghost of his father, who (just like in Hamlet) demands that Juicy avenge his death. But instead, Juicy tries to break the cycle of violence and intergenerational trauma. And it all takes place at a Southern barbecue. And for one more Hamlet variation you can see The Northman, a Robert Eggers film from 2022 that uses the same legends that inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but keeps them in their original Viking-era setting. It’s a brutal and fantastic film that mixes legend, magic and history and the Gamm is screening that on April 21st.
Hernandez: Tracy, how about you – do you have a theater production coming up that you’d like to highlight?
Tracy MacDonald: I’m looking forward to “La Tempestad / The Tempest” at Trinity Rep. I love Shakespeare, and I especially love when his work is performed on stage, as he intended, which is when his words really spring to life. The Tempest is one of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays, but it’s also controversial due its themes of colonialism and enslavement, including the suppression of Indigenous language.
This production is intriguing, because it addresses these themes with a great deal of intention. It’s performed in a combination of English, translated Spanish dialogue, and projected subtitles.
From the Trinity website: “The La Tempestad/The Tempest purposely weaves together two languages to deconstruct the colonialist narratives, all while retaining the shipwreck, romance, magic, and fantasy that make Shakespeare’s final play so beloved.”
La Tempestad/The Tempest runs at Trinity Rep from March 27 to April 27.
Hernandez: James, we go from theater to music. What do you have?
Baumgartner: The Rhode Island Philharmonic has a couple of epic works scheduled this spring. First, Saint-Saens Third Symphony. This features the pipe organ, it is a truly thunderous work. If a late-romantic symphony orchestra doesn’t give you a big enough sound, just add a pipe organ. That’s on April 12th. And along with the Providence Singers, the Philharmonic will perform Brahms’ German Requiem on May 10th. Another overwhelming piece. It uses Christian texts, but Brahms said that he intended it as a humanist work, but no matter how you see it, it is awe-inspiring.
And in dance, coming up in February, Ballet Rhode Island has a show in their very small black box theater on Hope Street in Providence. This year it’s called “Made on Hope.” It features works choreographed by members of the company. Just a wonderful chance to be very close to the dancers and see brand new works by young creators. Seating is very limited, so it often sells out, so get your tickets early. It runs from February 14th through the 23rd.
Hernandez: Tracy, there’s an exhibition you’re looking forward to?
MacDonald: Yes, the Wickford Art Association has an upcoming multimedia exhibition this spring, Color Me Green. The call for artists offers a pretty simple prompt – as they say: Green: both warming and cooling – the color of harmony, balance, and security- the color of hope, peace, and gentleness – green has a calming effect, and great healing power. En Plein Air painter Sam Allerton Greene is the juror for this exhibition. And for those of you who don’t know, “En Plein Air” is just the fancy French way to say “painting outdoors,” so don’t be intimidated. Sam is one of my favorite local artists. His work has lovingly been referred to as “the gateway drug to abstraction.” The way Sam plays with color – all colors, not just green – is what really pulls me into his work. And also, he’s just a really fun and affable guy. I think the Art Association made a great choice in appointing Sam as the juror for this show. I’m curious to see who’s going to submit their work, and where Sam will fall in terms of judging. I’ve seen some really strong shows at the Art Association, so I’m sure he’ll have some tough choices. And sidenote: I grew up in Wickford, so I’ll definitely be there. The exhibition runs from Mar 14 – Apr 13 at the Wickford Art Association.
And in film, the Providence Children’s Film Festival is always a good time. This year, it includes more than 10 days of screenings, filmmaking workshops, and free activities. They’ll be screening about 200 short films and 12 feature length films in a variety of genres – live-action films, documentaries, and animated films. I’ve been to this festival a few times, and I definitely recommend checking it out. It’s a fabulous opportunity to expose kids – and audiences of all ages – to films from around the world, to get them thinking critically about filmmaking, as well as their place in the community and the wide world around them. It takes place at several different venues, and all of them are located within walking distance of downtown Providence which makes it even easier with the kiddos. The Providence Children’s Film Festival takes place February 14 through the 23rd.
Hernandez: James – what can we see right now, and what should we jump on as quickly as possible?
Baumgartner: Yes, there is one thing I’m recommending that you can see right now, but it’s about to end. It’s an exhibit at the RISD Museum called “Listen!” (with an exclamation point). It’s curated by the RISD Art Circle, a group of teens who meet at the museum to talk about art. They had access to RISD’s permanent collection and chose the 30 works for this show, all works on paper. It’s a way to see the museum’s collection through different eyes. Part of going to a museum is reading the text on the wall that goes with the art, often putting it in historical and social context but that text is written in a very neutral voice. This exhibit has a point of view and you get to learn what the young people in the RISD Art Circle think about these works. See it soon because it closes on Sunday Jan. 5.
Hernandez: Tracy MacDonald is the executive producer of arts and culture for Rhode Island PBS, and James Baumgartner is The Public’s Radio Artscape producer. Tracy, James, thanks so much for talking with me.