"What is Art? Nature concentrated..."- Come see for yourself on June 7.

"Let It Be Art" is the title of Ronald Rand's internationally acclaimed play that is part of the Second Stage program coming to Cape May Stage on June 7, 2010. Ronald Rand portrays Harold Clurman, the great critic, director and acting teacher. The play was chosen because of the thematic link to Charles Evered’s play "Class" that is currently on stage. Directed by Roy Steinberg, "Class" stars Heather Matarazzo and Thaao Penghlis and is the story of an acting student seeking instruction from a master acting teacher and how both learn lessons far beyond acting. Clurman was concerned with elevating theatre to an art - he examined the difference between the poetic and prosaic in theatre. Artists and philosophers have pondered the meaning of art for centuries.

Balzac said "What is art? Nature concentrated…" while Beethoven mused "Art? Who comprehends her? With whom can one consult concerning this great goddess?" Modern playwrights like Brecht have exclaimed, "Art is not a mirror held up to reality, but a hammer with which to shape it." Philosophers have had widely differing thoughts about art starting with Aristotle who wrote, "All art is concerned with coming into being...." through Goethe who famously intoned "Art is long, life is short, judgment difficult, opportunity transient..." and finally Malraux who penned, "All art is a revolt against man's fate."

Audiences in Cape May are invited to come up with their own opinions after viewing "Let It Be Art" on June 7. Like the character of Elliot in "Class", Ronald Rand is a master acting teacher and will be leading a workshop called "The Art of Transformation" on June 8. The workshop costs $35 for adults and $25 for students with a special $5 savings for those who see the show and take the workshop. All of these tickets are available at capemaystage.com.



There are only two weeks left to see the world premiere of "Class" with Heather Matarazzo (from "Welcome to the Dollhouse" and "The Women on Broadway) and Thaao Penghlis (the Emmy nominated actor from "Days of Our Lives" and "Mission Impossible”). Come see what the whole town is talking about!