If I were in Paris... April 22, 2011

Good Lord! Sweeney Todd, Demon Barber of Fleet Street --or "le diabolique Barbier"--opens tonight at the Theatre du Chatelet with an English cast. One of my favorite musicals, like Show Boat it would be interesting to see this in Paris, with a French audience.

At the Hotel de Ville is a "major" exhibition of paintings, drawings, and pastels by Impressionist artists, focusing on paintings that show Paris through their eyes. Included are works by Vuillard, Degas, Monet and Caillebotte: "Paris at the Time of the Impressionists." In fact, if one was planning on seeing these major works at the Musee d'Orsay, this is where they are... thru July 30, in fact, so hordes of summer visitors will be redirected--one hopes!--here to see key works painted by these artists which would normally be on view on the Left Bank. Wow!

At the same time (or overlapping until May 28) at the same location is the exhibit of "Il y
a 140 ans, le Commune..."   an exhibition of engravings, photographs, etc., detailing the failed rebellion. Fabulous! These two exhibitions, side-by-side, document the artistic and political restlessness and rebellion of the 3rd quarter of the nineteenth century in this fantastic city.

Take the trip, my friends, and get a context of Paris not only as a city of brilliant artists but a political culture alive and vital.

And after that, walk the very small distance to see Sweeney Todd "le diabolique Barbier" of Fleet Street at the Theatre du Chatelet. In English, with an English cast... and a French audience. One of my favorite musicals--and I'd love to see how the French like it.

Great Fridays ahead!