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| Illustration by Nathan Gelgud |
Anna Nicole runs at the BAM Howard Gilman Opera House from September 17—28. Context is everything, so get even closer to big, brash, blond spectacle with this curated selection of articles, videos, and original blog pieces related to the show. For those of you who've already seen it, help us keep the conversation going by telling us what you thought below.
From BAM
Animation
16 Ways to Annamate Your Life (BAM Blog)
How to Anna-Nicole your life in 16 animated gifs.
Article
The Executive Files: Casting Pole Dancers for Anna Nicole(BAM Blog)
BAM Executive VP Alice Bernstein was on the front row for the ultimate Anna Nicole audition.
Article
“Tragedy in Blonde” (BAM Blog)
Eternal themes of love, sex, and death meet Jimmy Choo shoes and boob jobs in this racy opera.
Video
Behind the Scenes: Anna Nicole(BAM.org)
Librettist Richard Thomas and soprano Saraha Joy Miller talk about what makes Anna Nicole Smith a great opera character.
Around the Web
Review
A Bittersweet Opening for Anna Nicole and City Opera (The New York Times)
Says Anthony Tommasini: "New York City Opera is again presenting a production that should not be missed."
Article
“So Outrageous” (New York Magazine)
Critic Justin Davidson relishes the unlikely subject matter and “manic highbrow burlesque” of Anna Nicole.
Article
“Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage: A Life in Music” (The Guardian)
Turnage discusses the origins of Anna Nicole, his working-class upbringing, and the shortcomings of X Factor.
Photos
Anna Nicole at the New York City Pride Parade (Facebook)
Check out photos of BAM's glammed-up coup de parade.
Interview
Librettist Richard Thomas Brings Anna Nicole Back To Life On Stage (Theatermania)
"She's got a pure talent for pure fame, says Thomas of Anna Nicole Smith. "That's what was fascinating."
Interview
Interview with Richard Thomas (TheArtsDesk.com)
The Anna Nicole librettist discusses making a career out of scandal, his dance review Shoes, and more.
Interview
Mark-Anthony Turnage on Anna Nicole (Boosey.com)
“It was all so over the top it was perfect for an opera,” says Turnage. “You wouldn’t have believed it if you didn’t know it was true.”
Video
Sarah Joy Miller Performs Verdi’s “E Strano…Sempre Libera” (YouTube)
The soprano, who’ll be performing the role of Anna Nicole Smith, sings an aria from La Traviata.
Video Interview
Interview with Mark-Anthony Turnage (YouTube)
Turnage discusses his love of Stravinsky, being obsessed with the “visceral power” of Led Zepplin, and more.
Worthwhile Words
Mark-Anthony Turnage on opera:
I think opera will survive if it connects to “now”. I don’t mean it has to always be a CNN-opera but it has to engage with issues of contemporary relevance. Operas that don’t work for me are when they are reversioned from a great book or film with no life of their own – it is what Richard Jones describes as “classy snooze”. Audiences may find Anna Nicole provocative but they will certainly have an opinion about it. What I hope is that they’ll come to the opera with a preconceived view about who she was, and they may be surprised to leave with a different view. (read more)
Now Your Turn . . .
So what's your verdict? Any feelings on the sets? The score? The cleavage? Have a favorite line from the raunchy libretto? Once you've seen the show, tell us what you thought in the comments below.