“. . .Dr. Jenkins, who has taught in Wesleyan’s theater department for 11 years, introduced prison outreach into the curriculum in 2007, bringing students to the York Correctional Institution, a women’s prison in Niantic, to work with inmates on literary classics. In 2009 and 2010, they began concentrating on ‘Inferno’; this year, because of construction at York, the class took place at the men’s facility in Niantic, the J.B. Gates Correctional Institution. . .
The semester culminated with performances. The Gates inmates presented their work to their peers, and at Wesleyan, the students performed the writings of the inmates for the college community. In the classroom at Sing Sing, the inmates performed for the Wesleyan students, and then the students presented the Gates men’s words, for which they received a standing ovation from the inmates. All of the performances ended with the same line, the last of the poem: ‘E quindi uscimmo a riveder le stelle.’ “And then we emerged to look again at the stars.” [. . .] –Susan Hodara, The New York Times, December 24, 2010
Seymour Chwast’s Adaptation of Dante’s Divine Comedy (2010)
“‘I, Dante, will tell you the story of my trip to the after world… but will I come back?’ So begins Seymour Chwast’s noirish graphic adaptation of what is perhaps the world’s most famous tale of spiritual tourism, the Divine Comedy. The list of artists who have tried their hand at visually interpreting Dante’s epic is both long and distinguished, but it would be safe to say that Chwast, a co-founder of Push Pin Studios and a longtime contributor to The New Yorker, may have had the most fun with the subject since Dante himself. . .
The book is more than an original take on Dante, though. It also represents Chwast’s fresh take on the graphic novel. Chwast eschews the expected rhythm of comic panels in favor of stunning drawings that leap and tumble all over the page. One of my favorite moments is a glorious two-page spread depicting the Emperor Justinian and a chorus line of flappers and vaudeville performers as they dance a welcome to Dante (and us) across a divine expanse. Justinian, of course, is dressed to the heavenly nines in a nineteen-thirties-style pinstripe suit, vest, and bow tie, and is sporting what one can only assume is his trademark pencil mustache.” –Jordan Awan, The New Yorker, November 15, 2010
A Christmas Present for Virgil
(source unknown – retrieved on December 5, 2010)
Wilet Miller, “Non Sequitur”
Contributed by Leslie Morgan (Loyola University)
“O.N.C.E. in Hell: Dante’s Inferno in Ten Courses”
“After a smashing success in December of 2009, O.N.C.E. in Hell returns to OBERON for one night only and features ten courses of locally sourced food and a theatrical journey through the rings of hell of Dante’s Inferno. Food is by Cuisine en Locale, who offer O.N.C.E (One Night Culinary Events) throughout the city, highlighting seasonally appropriate local food. Allegra Libonati, Artistic Associate at the A.R.T, and Steven Mitchell Wright, Movement Director for Cabaret, create the performance and the cast will be filled with familiar faces from the A.R.T. and OBERON.
Virgil, your Maitre D’, will lead you through the nine circles of hell in search of the love of your life, Beatrice, who has summoned you from beyond the grave. Meet furies, a three-headed dog and a cast of wild characters as they serve you not only your meal but also a night of devilish entertainment.” —American Repertory Theater (retrieved on November 21, 2010)
“…a 10-course, three-hour meal designed to reflect the famous Italian poet’s uniquely described ‘circles of hell.’ (In its first, sell-out staging last year, plates included ‘Beelzebub’s Burgers’ and ‘Tofu Wellington’ – the tofu being used in place of beef for the fraud circle…” –Scott Kearnan, Stuff Boston, October 4, 2010
Contributed by Patrick Molloy
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