Blue-chip film restoration guru and exhibition master Robert Harris recently invited HE to visit the Bedford Playhouse. Earlier today Wilton friendo Jodi Jasser and I were given a grand technical tour, and then attended a private, friends-only, run-through screening of West Side Story.
How does Steven Spielberg, Tony Kushner and choreographer Justin Peck‘s film play a second time? No diminishment. Just as vibrant and perfectly tuned, just as occasionally tearful. I still feel that the first four-fifths are better than the final act (i.e., post-rumble) but not to any problematic degree.
I had never visited this absolutely top-of-the-line, technically-awesome theatre (633 Old Post Road, Bedford, NY 10506), which is part of the Clive Davis Art Center. Nor had I visited time-trippy Bedford, which radiates only a few aspects of 21st Century life and consciousness — it’s quite the bucolic little hamlet. You can imagine young Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn walking their pet leopard on these streets back in the late 1930s.
The main BP theatre offers state-of-the-art projection (Christie digital) and sound with Dolby Atmos, luxurious reclining seats, a lobby cafe, a pair of smaller screening rooms, whistle-clean bathrooms. It may be the most technically impressive theatre I’ve ever attended outside of the usual first-rate industry facilities in Los Angeles, New York, London and elsewhere. It’s easily the highest quality theatre experience in a wealthy, super-exclusive New York suburb that I’ve ever tasted in my life.
I hereby resolve to attend the Bedford again and as often as possible. Thanks to Mr. Harris for the invitation, and to the Bedford Playhouse staff for putting on a perfect show.
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