The Scene In and Around Boston . . . Guests of honor at the recent 28th Annual Elliot Norton Awards held at the Paramount Theatre in Boston included actors Tony Shalhoub (Monk) and his wife Brooke Adams "who, separately and together, have brought widespread distinction to our country's stages." They are presently performing on Broadway in "Lend Me a Tenor." Presented by the Boston Theatre Critic's Association, the awards recognize excellence in Greater Boston theater. The Association recognized Karen MacDonald with "The Norton Prize for Sustained Excellence" declaring her an actress "of phenomenal versatility, who for three decades has enriched our stages with indelible characterizations." Members of the Association included Don Aucoin, Jared Bowen, Terry Byrne, Carolyn Clay, Iris Fanger, Louise Kennedy, Joyce Kulhawik, Sandy MacDonald, Robert Nesti, Ed Siegel, and Caldwell Titcomb. For a complete listing of all the winners, visit noted theater critic R.J. Donovan's Web site, www.OnStageBoston.com.
Wendy Shattuck Honored by New England Conservatory Wendy Shattuck, who graduated from the New England Conservatory in 1975 with a degree in vocal performance and went on to become one of NEC's most devoted and energetic patrons, was honored May 6 at the Conservatory's Fifth Annual Leadership Dinner. More than 100 family members, friends, faculty, students, and staff turned out to hear speeches and performances that paid tribute to Shattuck's hard work, generosity, creativity, and advocacy. An active alumna since 1980, Shattuck has been a Trustee of NEC since 2002. She has been a member of the Nominating Committee since 2003, was a Co-Chair of the Feast of Music gala in 2002 and 2004 and remains on the committee to the present day. She is a mentor in the Board's Student Mentor program, a member of the Opera Planning Task Force and a member of the Opera Committee. In 1992, she co-chaired Stars from the Source, celebrating NEC's 125th anniversary. With her husband, Sam Plimpton, a former NEC Overseer himself, Shattuck has endowed both The Wendy Shattuck '75 Presidential Scholarship for Vocal Studies and The Wendy Shattuck Chair in Voice. Their support of past and current NEC projects includes Opera Studies, this year's Jazz40 anniversary celebrations, the 2007 Presidential Inauguration, and the 2009 Piano Challenge through which the Conservatory was able to buy two new Steinway pianos. Performers at the dinner were two NEC students who have benefited from Shattuck's generosity and hospitality. Baritone DongWon Kim, the first Artist Diploma in Opera candidate and recipient of Shattuck's scholarship sang Germont's aria "Di Provenza" from Verdi's La Traviata. Violinist Tessa Lark, who has attended Shattuck's summer chamber music week on Cow Island, Me., played a Heifetz transcription of Manuel Ponce's "Estrellita." Speakers for the evening included NEC President Tony Woodcock who emceed the program; Board Chair Stephen Friedlaender, Trustee Suki de Bragança, Life Trustee David Scudder, violin faculty Miriam Fried, and Shattuck herself. A surprise speaker was Shattuck's husband, who described his wife as "beyond passionate about the arts" and someone who "gives ferocious attention to details" in her work. Shattuck had the last, modest, word: Supporting NEC has "fulfilled my dreams," she said. But "this is a team effort and I'm just part of the crew."
Union Park Press to Sponsor Walking Tours of Boston We are told that three history walks scheduled in June by the Union Park Press will showcase four centuries of Boston's evolving green spaces. Inspired by Muckenhoupt's beautiful new book, the duo will examine how Boston's shifting landscape and coastline have shaped the city's ever-expanding network of public spaces. Each tour is limited to 25 people. Reservations must be made by Friday June 4. Each ticket includes a signed copy of "Boston's Gardens & Green Spaces" and complimentary tea at one of Boston's finest establishments. Taking place from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on three Sundays, the tours include: "The Big Dig: Boston Blasts, Builds, and Reconnects" on June 13; "Evolution of Boston Proper: From Puritan Functionality to Modern Day Leisure" on June 20; and "The Fenway: Land Conflicts, Commitments, and Community Gardens" on June 27. Union Park Press is an independent publisher specializing in books about the arts, history, and culture of Boston and New England. Their goal is to bring these cultural riches to life with sophisticated writing and a fresh, contemporary point of view. For ticket prices and registration information, call 617-423-0840 or visit www.unionparkpress.com. Enjoy! |
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In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..."
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Pictured at the "28th Annual Elliot Norton Awards" held at the Paramount Theatre are noted actors, left to right, Brooke Adams, Cherry Jones, Tony Shalhoub and Karen MacDonald. (Photo by Leo Gozbekian)