Vicente Wolf

I went to see The Philanthropist last week Thursday with my friend Jason Sheftell from the Daily News.

Though it had a wonderful set and the costumes were interesting (it takes place in the ‘70s), the play had very little purpose. Matthew Broderick plays the same wimpy guy we’ve seen him play before in The Producers and in play after play. It made me think that he must really be a strange individual to be able to play that bland part so well.

I did enjoy the set – it was truly striking – but would I recommend you go see it? No. Have you seen it? Let me know what you thought.

In contrast to that play is a new exhibition at the Gagosian Gallery on 21st Street between 10th & 11th Avenues in Manhattan. Mosqueteros is a retrospective exhibition on Picasso’s late years (1962 – 1972) and the show is extraordinary. A lot of it was inspired by tertulia – an Iberian tradition of gregarious social gatherings with literary or artistic overtones, it was a truly extraordinary show. With about 50 or 60 pieces on display, I believe this to be the strongest retrospective of this particular period in Picasso’s career. If you’re in the New York area before June 6th, be sure to add this to your list of things to see.