MuseFlashes

Compiled by BONNIE WELLS

Published on July 03, 2009

"Piping Plovers" is included in an exhibit of photographs of Massachusetts shore birds by nature and wildlife photographer John Van de Graaff, opening with a reception July 9, from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m., at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Hadley.

Former Amherst resident lands ballet position

A former Amherst resident has used her ballet skills to land a position in Seattle with the Pacific Northwest Ballet. The New York Times published a glowing, half-page review June 2 of that company and a beautiful color photograph that included Sarah Ricard in fine form.

The talented high school sophomore left the Amherst school system in 1997 to enter the School of American Ballet in New York City. She now goes by her married name, Sarah Ricard Orza. She began her ballet training at age 6 in New Hampshire. She studied at both the Amherst Ballet Theater and Pioneer Valley Ballet and appeared in the Pioneer Valley Ballet "Nutcracker," including performing at age 9 as Clara. She is the daughter of Robert and Laura Ricard.

Amherst Cinema Ctr. screens UK stage plays

A new initiative that will present live screenings of stage plays at Britain's National Theatre at 230 cinemas and performing arts centers around the world will bring films to Amherst Cinema and Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls this year and next.

Called "NT LIVE" - short for "National Theatre LIVE" - the screenings are part of a pilot season that will offer live broadcasts of four plays over the next year, performed and filmed in high definition at the National Theatre in London. The theater is the first venue to host live broadcasts of its performances for worldwide screenings.

The season launched last week at Shelburne Falls' Memorial Hall and begins this month at the Amherst Cinema with screenings of National Theatre Director Nicholas Hytner's new production of "Phèdre," written by Jean Racine and based on the Greek myth about the fatal love of Theseus' wife for her stepson.

The cast of "Phèdre" includes award-winning British actress Helen Mirren, Dominic Cooper of the 2008 movie "Mamma Mia!", and Margaret Tyzack, who starred in 2007's "The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones."

"This broadcasting from the National Theatre is a perfect fit for the Amherst Cinema," said Carol Johnson, executive director of the Amherst Cinema Arts Center. "We are excited to be one of the first independent cinemas to take part in the new theater initiative."

The play was performed last week on the National Theatre stage and will show at Amherst Cinema, 28 Amity St., Amherst, on July 22 at 7 p.m. and July 25 at 1 p.m.

Tickets are $20. Tickets are on sale now at the Amherst Cinema box office or online at www.amherstcinema.org.

Information on future performances and the live broadcasts is available at www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/ntlive.

- AMANDA AULTMAN