Alice and Frank OTR LAB Workshop
Acclaimed American painter Alice Neel was the first woman to have a solo exhibition at the Whitney, and the first woman to have her work featured on a Time Magazine cover. But in 1960, at the age of 60, she was still anonymous and broke, newly abandoned by her lover of 18 years and toiling away in near-obscurity in a tenement on the edge of Harlem. But when poet (and MoMa curator) Frank O’Hara walked into her apartment to sit for her, everything began to change. This play is a meditation on how we see fame and see each other, the toll of ambition, and the personalities of two polarizing figures in American art. This play is definitely still under construction, so bring your hard hats, and feel free to see the work multiple times — it’s sure to change between viewings!
Chance Members, Subscribers, Advocate Level Donors and above can make reservations by calling (714) 970-0592.
Articles & Reviews
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Audience Buzz
Venue Bette Aitken theater arts Center
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See the show? Share your experience with us...
“I never heard about these two artists. I was very taken by the story… how they knew each other and their interaction together. I went home and “”googled”” them. I love the idea that they are real people. And the story line that helps each of them along in life. “”How many more stories are out there like this one””?
I truly think the idea of “”blank”” art canvas is great – it makes you use your own thoughts of what her art work is like…. use your own imagination to fill in the picture. Mine was way off, but that was still fine with me. It got me to look at her art and think about her view of people. I loved it! I could see a room with a huge curtain across it, and she then “”pulls”” back the curtain to reveal all of these paintings !! …. Wonderful play!!! Thank you for a wonderful night of theater!
3 cheers to the play writer!!! “
I grew up knowing a bit in real life about these two — Alice and Frank — and felt so enriched after seeing how Jenny Connell Davis’s imaginative gifts added to her research about these icons of American art and letters in creating this totally engrossing, delightful play. The post-performance conversation was great — a key reason why I keep coming back to the OTR opportunities.
I thought the juxtaposition of gay poet v liberated female portraitist was complex and fascinating. I found myself liking and disliking each of them at different times.
The quality of the actors at the chance is excellent.After the performance, listening to the audience’s thoughts as well as those involved in the production is insightful and adds a deeper level of appreciation and understanding.
The feedback of the attending audience was more supportive than I’ve every seen. My guest and I were thoroughly engrossed in this work as if it were fully staged and wanting to attend another OTR event. We were surprised that the playwright was looking for improvement – thinking it close to where it would be ready to produce.
Ms. Davis is a very talented playwright, and this is a thought-provoking presentation. I’m sure most of us Googled both characters afterward, and it was fascinating research. In many ways, both were “misfits” in society (especially in 1960) and suffered for it but maintained a laser focus on creating their own art styles. I’m interested to see where she takes this play from the feedback received.
Wonderful character portrayal by both actors