Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, and a wonderful New Year!
And enjoy whatever else you'll celebrate these coming days.
A heartfelt Thank You to all those named and un-named who again helped me this year to keep this site the way it is.
Oh - and special thanks to Michael T. Weiss!

The rental version is out on Dec. 4, 2009. The sales version will released on Jan. 29, 2010.
I had a chance to see Iowa last summer, and eventhough I kind of liked it, and Michael is brilliant in it, the movie isn't in heavy rotation in my DVD player.
The US DVD was released in February 2009 through Koch Entertainment.

Die Leihversion erscheint am 4. Dezember 2009, und die Verkaufsversion dann am 29. Januar 2010.
Iowa (2005) - Mit Matt Farnsworth, John Savage (Die durch die Hölle gehen), Rosanna Arquette (Pulp Fiction) und Fernseh-Star Michael T. Weiss (Pretender)
Ein mehrfach ausgezeichnetes Drogendrama mit beschaulichen Bildern und surrealistischen Szenen!
Regisseur und Hauptdarsteller Matt Farnsworth verpflichtet ein wahres Star- Aufgebot für seine ganz persönliche Vision von Himmel und Hölle!
Die Suche nach der Identität der Protagonisten gipfelt in einem Showdown voller Gewalt! Das mehrfach ausgezeichnete Drogen-Drama macht dort weiter, wo "Trainspotting" und "Requiem for a Dream" aufhören. Beschauliche Bilder aus dem amerikanischen Bundesstaat Iowa wechseln sich ab mit surrealistischen Szenen. Die Suche nach der Identität der Protagonisten gipfelt in einem Showdown voller Gewalt. Neben frischen Gesichtern verpflichtet Regisseur und Hauptdarsteller Matt Farnsworth mit John Savage, Rosanna Arquette und Michael T. Weiss ein wahres Star-Aufgebot für seine ganz persönliche Vision von Himmel und Hölle.
Nach dem Tod seines Vaters beschließt Esper ins Drogengeschäft einzusteigen. Zusammen mit seiner Freundin Donna braut er Methamphetamin mit Zutaten aus dem Supermarkt und zieht einen florierenden Handel auf. Allerdings nicht ohne die Folgen des Missbrauchs am eigenen Leib zu spüren. Zu allem Übel will seine Mutter auch noch die Lebensversicherung ihres verstorbenen Mannes kassieren. Da gibt es nur ein Problem: Die Police läuft auf ihren Sohn. Und der ist noch am Leben...
FSK: k.J. bzw. ab 18
Gesamtlaufzeit: 95 Min.
Bildformat: 16x9 anamorph (2,35:1)
Tonspur 1: Deutsch / Dolby Digital 5.1
Tonspur 2: Englisch / Dolby Digital 5.1
Untertitel: keine
Ländercode: 2
Screenmenüs: Deutsch
DVD-Features:
- Dying for Meth (Dokumentation)
- Poor Man´s Dop (Dokumentation)

Welcome to the new home of Ask Dr. Mike.
Over the last weeks I have moved all contents and photos to this domain, and slightly modifyed the design.

In addition, I have also moved contents and photos of my site Road Trip, a travel report about a 5-week long vacation trip through parts of Canada and the US in 2000, to the new server and to its own domain at http://efi-de.com/roadtrip/roadtrip.htm or http://www.efi-de.com/roadtrip/roadtrip.htm.

The links within this site and its pages should all work. If not, will you please let me know about them? I haven't checked those to external websites though.

The *old* URL of Ask Dr. Mike will stay alive as long as geocities lets it, but please don't forget to change your bookmarks, and will you please notify forums, fanboards and other websites, etc. where you had posted it, of the change? Thanks.
EFi, webmiss

I surmise you have already read that Geocities will close its free of charge services at the end of October.
As I don't want to loose what was collected over the past 9 (nine!) years here at Ask Dr. Mike, I'm currently moving all contents and photos to a new server and its own domain, and slightly modify the design.

You might want to make a note of the new URL http://efi-de.com/askdrmike or http://www.efi-de.com/askdrmike. Way more easy to remember and type, huh?

In addition, I will also move contents and photos of my site Road Trip, a report about a 5-week long road trip through parts of Canada and the US in 2000, to the new server and to its own domain at http://efi-de.com/roadtrip/roadtrip.htm or http://www.efi-de.com/roadtrip/roadtrip.htm.

The *old* URLs will stay alive as long as possible, but I do my very best to have finished the transition long before October 26, 2009.
Please bear with me. EFi

Seems like Michael T. Weiss is either enjoying his well earned and highly overdue off-time and keeping a low profile, or he is creating new artwork or is secretly preparing a new project.
Whatever he does, I wish him luck and Happy Summer!

At least he is no longer listed on the website of WordTheatre.
Instead now Xander Berkley (24, Taken) and Jackson Rathbone (Twilight; The Twilight Saga: New Moon) are listed.
Better call WordTheatre's box office to make sure who will be reading: (310)915-5150.

Pushcart Prize Benefit
WordTheatre June 27, 2009, 8pm @ Guild Hall, East Hampton, NY
James Franco (Board Member), Amanda Seyfried (Honorary Board Member), Heide Banks, Kieran Beer, Melissa Benson, Joan Caspi, Alana Frankfort, Valerie Heller, Gabriella Hersham, Nancy Moonves, Michelle Murphy Strada, Jane Oster, Stella Schnabel, Robert Strada, Hans Van de Bovenkamp, Mary Ann Zacharia and Bill Henderson (Editor of the Pushcart Prize)
invite you to be there as
WordTheatre once again honors the Pushcart Prize, considered "one of the most important publishing projects in American history" (Publishers Weekly), with a benefit at the newly renovated Guild Hall in East Hampton, New York.
This year marks the 33rd anniversary of the Pushcart Prize, and WordTheatre's fifth year working with them. Their "yearly volumes of stories, poems and essays feature much of the best writing available in this country." (New York Times Book Review).
This year's celebration will feature performances of Pushcart Prize winning stories from:
- Nicole Ansari (Rock n' Roll on Broadway, As Good as Dead)
- Brian Cox (The Bourne Supremacy, The Escapist)
- Edi Gathegi (Twilight; Gone, Baby, Gone)
- John Heard (Home Alone, The Sopranos)
- Samantha Mathis (Broadway's 33 Variations; American Psycho)
- Linus Roache (Law and Order, The Wings of the Dove)
- Michael T. Weiss (Broadway's Impressionism, The Pretender)
- Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story, Head of State)
- Sean Young (Bladerunner)
With After Party musical performances by 100 Monkeys
Note: Authors and actors scheduled for events are subject to change without notice.
Produced and Directed by Cedering Fox
Ticket Details:
$25/$45 General Admission and $100 Premium (including After party with the cast) tickets are available at https://www.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/659655
Tickets sold on WordTheatre's website are $250 Patron tickets and include an exclusive catered pre-show reception with the cast.
Tickest sold at Guild Hall: VIP Orchestra Seating includes post-show reception with the stars featuring a performance by the band 100 Monkeys (Jackson Rathbone and Ben Graupner) $100 /$95 members ; Orchestra $45/$43 members ; Balcony $25/$23 members ; Box Office: (631) 324-4050
Location: Guild Hall, 158 Main Street, East Hampton, NY 11937

9 Read 9 on June 7, 2009 @ Soho House
WordTheatre is bringing our favorite east coast authors and actors to Soho House in New York with a series of three events in the luxurious fifth floor library. We'll be selling books, talking to the authors (all of whom will be present) and enjoying the silky syllables of great short stories on Sunday afternoons from 3 - 5 PM.
The third installment is set for Sunday June 7th, 2009 and will feature:
Carla Gugino (Broadway: Desire Under the Elms, Watchmen) hosting and reading "Such Fun" by James Salter
Sarah Paulson (The Spirit, Down with Love, Serenity) and Ben Foster (3:10 to Yuma, X-Men: The Last Stand) reading "Modern Lovers" by Rick Moody
Michael T. Weiss (Broadway's Impressionism, The Pretender) reading "Brother on Sunday" by A.M. Homes
Produced and Directed by Cedering Fox
Tickets allow access to this private club for Lunch or Dinner on the day of the event.
For Meal Reservations call 212 627 9800
Note: Authors and actors scheduled for events are subject to change without notice.
Location: Soho House, The 5th Floor Library, 29-35 Ninth Avenue New York, NY 10014
Tickets are $25.00 in advance and $35.00 at the door

You can read the full short story "Brother on Sunday" (6 pages) about 'a fight between two adult brothers on a Sunday' in The New Yorker, section Fiction & Poetry, March 2, 2009.

Press releases announced that Michael T. Weiss and other members of the cast of "Impressionism" would be presenters at the 2009 Lucille Lortel Awards for Outstanding Achivement Off-Broadway on May 3, at the Mariott Marquis Hotel in New York. But no word afterwards about which award he did present.
So I contacted their administration offices about that, and they kindly answered:
Hey Evi:
Thank you for reaching out about Michael T Weiss with regard to the Lortel Awards.
He presented the Outstanding Director award with Margarita Levieva, both from the cast of Impressionism on Broadway. David Cromer, the director of the Barrow Street Theatre's prodcution of Othello was the recipient.
Jeremy Irons and Marsha Mason also presented from Impressionism and they presented Outstanding Revival [to Our Town].
Hope this helps! I've also attached a photo for your use.
M. Wixom, Partner
OW!, Onorato Wixom

Enjoy the mentioned photo of Michael and Margarita.

Vanity Fair celebrates Broadway in their June 2009 issue ; Issue hits US news stands May 6th
For the June 2009 issue, Vanity Fair gathered 25 acclaimed Broadway stars of stage and screen for an original portrait taken by famed photographer Mark Seliger. The actors featured are now appearing on the New York stage in some of the hottest Broadway plays of the spring season.
For the shoot in late February, the actors arrived at Seliger Studios early in the morning for a light breakfast and a chance to catch-up with old friends, new friends and long-time colleagues. As they all started to fill the small studio space, their connection to each other was undeniable. Some had appeared together on stage or screen, some had passing social connections, and some met colleagues they long-admired for the first time.
Vanity Fair - Broadway photo : The actors featured in the portrait include: Andre De Shields, Impressionism; Geoffrey Rush, Exit the King; Joan Allen, Impressionism; Colin Hanks, 33 Variations; Janet McTeer, Mary Stuart; John Glover, Waiting for Godot; Lauren Ambrose, Exit the King; Marcia Gay Harden, God of Carnage; Jeremy Irons, Impressionism; Hope Davis, God of Carnage; James Gandolfini, God of Carnage; Andrea Martin, Exit the King; Steven Weber, The Philanthropist; Marsha Mason, Impressionism; Matthew Broderick, The Philanthropist; Jeff Daniels, God of Carnage; Nathan Lane, Waiting for Godot; Michael T. Weiss, Impressionism; Harriet Walter, Mary Stuart; Susan Sarandon, Exit the King; Jane Fonda, 33 Variations; Tovah Feldshuh, Irena's Vow; David Hyde Pierce, Accent on Youth; Samantha Mathis, 33 Variations; Bill Irwin, Waiting for Godot. Photograph by Mark Seliger; styled by Christine Hahn
View also the Video interviews from the photo shoot. None with Michael, though.

New York, April 27 (UPI) -- "Impressionism," a new American play by Michael Jacobs, is set to close at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre Sunday May 10 after the matinee performance, show representatives said.
Starring Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons, it will have played 23 previews and 56 regular performances.
Directed by Jack O'Brien, the play's cast features Marsha Mason, Andre De Shields, Michael T. Weiss, Aaron Lazar, Margarita Levieva and Hadley Delany.
Previews began Feb. 28 and the play opened March 24.

Since I was off on vacation till yesterday, these News are obviously old:

Like in previous years, Michael T. Weiss has again donated a piece of his artwork for the 'Spotlight Spectacular! 2009' auction of Boston's Huntington Theatre, held on May 1.
No idea how much money his artwork made, but the overall amount of the auction was $650,000 to support the Huntington's programs.

Eden
Click on image for larger size.

Item Information:
Estimated Value: Priceless
Item Description:
You've seen Michael T. Weiss' talent on stage, now appreciate his artistry through another medium. Own this unique piece of provocative artwork entitled "Eden," created by the actor/artist himself. The piece is an original one-of-a-kind Giclee print composed with original photography, digital manipulation, and colored pencil on Bamboo paper.
The celebrated actor was last seen at the Huntington as Le Vicomte de Valmont in Les Liaisons Dangereuses. Weiss also starred in the Huntington's 2005 production of Lanford Wilson's Burn This. Best known for the lead role as Jarod on the hit NBC television series The Pretender, Weiss is a playwright, artist, environmental activist, and friend of the Huntington.
The artwork is framed and measures 16"x 20" (with frame).
This is a Live Event Only item.

It is the 39th Earth Day celebration.

I will *celebrate* it by burning a lot of cerosine as I'm going off on vacation. If interesting news about Michael come to your attention during this time, please send them to my email address. I'll take care of them after my return. See you next month!
EFi

German TV network Tele 5 - Wir lieben Kino has began re-airing the whole series, dubbed in German of course. The 1st episode of the 1st season aired on Monday, April 6. The episodes will air weekdays at 15:20 Uhr (3:20pm) in the afternoon, with a repeat in the night, round 4am. No information about the moives yet.

Doreen, who saw the play after it was reworked, kindly gave permission to repost her impression. Thanks!
I didn't go the first night but I did get to see it. Good seats in the entire theatre. I was up top first row. MTW is only in it for about 10-15 minutes. The second half sort of explains the first half. No intermission. It is about a woman who is an art dealer but finds it hard to give up the paintings she's supposed to be selling. It was almost 100% packed. Only seats empty that I saw were 4 in front of me. Doreen K.

Michael in costume as Douglas Finch at the curtain call on opening night, March 24: Photos of Michael.

Theater Review: 'Impressionism'
by Judd Hollander
Mar 28, 2009
New York - Impressionism is more than a style of painting. It can also explain how different people differently perceive the world around them, as well as how they view each other. This is a point explored in "Impressionism," Michael Jacobs' rather sweet new play that is currently making its New York bow at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theater.
Katharine (Joan Allen) owns a small New York art gallery with numerous works for sale, despite the fact she seems to have a hard time letting any of the paintings go. This almost pathological refusal to bargain with potential buyers happens almost continually, to the great consternation of Thomas (Jeremy Irons). Thomas is a world-traveled photographer who has been working at the gallery for the past two years, while taking a self-enforced break from his profession.
Katharine's actions stem from past experiences, such as her parents' separation when she was a child. Later on, when she took a job as an artist's model, she found herself in love with her teacher only to find he was not only married, but that he already had a mistress. As for Thomas, he took himself out of the lineup, so to speak, after a shattering personal experience while on an overseas assignment.
In addition to various flashbacks of the incidents described above, Thomas and Katharine's days are punctuated by dealing with various potential customers who drop by the gallery. These include Julia (Marsha Mason), a woman who wants to purchase a painting in celebration of her becoming a grandmother; and Douglas (Michael T. Weiss), a potential suitor of Katharine's, who is in actuality more enamored with a painting than he is with her.
Both Thomas and Katharine are, to different degrees, emotionally broken middle-aged people. By the time the story starts, though, Thomas has worked through much of his pain, while Katharine still carries her hurt from long ago. It falls to the owner of the bakery (André De Shields) where Katharine gets her cranberry muffins every Tuesday, and a young couple, (Margarita Levieva, Aaron Lazar) about to be married and who want to buy a very special painting, to show Katharine just how beautiful love can be.
An interesting story to be sure, made more so by the wonderful acting all around. The play is undone at points, though, by its heavy reliance on flashbacks. The snapshots of the past aren't nearly as interesting or emotionally involving as what's happening in the here and now. This adds to a somewhat disjoined feeling, which is exacerbated by Irons and Allen playing different roles in the flashbacks. Setting the show in the present with the characters explaining what happened before might have worked better.
Tying this piece together, on the thinnest whisper of a storyline, are the excellent performances of Irons and Allen, both making their first returns to Broadway in over 20 years. Irons, in particular, is a joy to watch on stage. There is a fluidity in his movements and confidence in his voice as he tosses off one coffee story after another (his favorite preoccupation of late), or a quip, or one-liner. (Irons can also make the simple gesture of placing a napkin over a cup of coffee speaks volumes).
Allen makes a strong impression (no pun intended) in the more closed-off role of Katharine, a woman throwing herself into her work so deeply, and so longing for someone to sweep her off her feet that she doesn't notice Thomas, who has long had feelings for her, right in front of her eyes.
De Shields works well in the role of Chiambuane, a sort of wise old sage, looking at the paintings through the eyes of wisdom and experience; a sharp counterpoint to the love and infatuation of the youngsters, while showing Katherine how a life without love is no life at all. Levieva and Lazar work well as the young couple; Mason is good in her role of a doting mother seeing her child growing up and moving on; and Weiss adds some unexpected passion as a man in love with a particular piece of art, even though he is a bit of a cad where Katharine is concerned.
Jack O'Brien's direction is okay, but it's hamstrung, like the play itself, by the off-kilter way the information is presented. The set by Scott Pask is nice and the lighting design by Natasha Katz, which includes images of many of the paintings used in the show, is excellent.
"Impressionism" is not a perfect play by any means, but it has some interesting things to say and ends up offering a rather lovely look at love, buttressed by several absolutely beautiful stage performances.
Also in the cast is Hadley Delany.

Impressionism
Gerald Schoenfeld Theater
236 West 45th Street
Tickets: 212-239-6200 or telecharge.com
Information: ImpressionismThePlay.com
Open Run
Running time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
Judd Hollander is the London correspondent for the New York publication The Stage.
Last Updated: Mar 28, 2009

The party was held at "Sardi's Restaurant" on March 24, but I could only found a few photos of Michael.
See photos of the other cast members, and from the curtain call (none of Michael though).

Video from the show with bits from various scenes, but Michael is only shown briefly at the beginning and without sound: BWW TV Show Preview: Impressionism

Playbill on Opening Night: Impressionism - The Arty and the Smarty
by Harry Haun
25 Mar 2009
... The two other customers of the gallery are in a considerably higher tax bracket and are played by Michael T. Weiss, in his Broadway bow, and by Marsha Mason.
Weiss already likes the sound of "Broadway actor," he admitted. "I kinda love that. It has been a long time. I started out in theatre here and then got sucked into the Los Angeles film-and-television world. I'm so happy to be doing this now. It's my favorite thing to do. I just needed a role in New York that I really adored."
The role in question is a ridiculously rich art collector, and Weiss plays the part in a rather lighthearted vein. "He's a very wealthy guy, but he has a good time with his money. Why not? Right? If I were worth $100 million, I'd be in a good mood." ...
Read the full article about the events on opening night (rather a story than a review) at Playbill.

An awkward romance sinks B'way's 'Impressionism'
by Michael Kuchwara, AP Drama Critic
Mar 24, 7:00pm EDT
New York (AP) -- "Impressionism" is an elaborate if awkward romance - positively brimming with self-importance - and showcased in a setting that includes a parade of gorgeous photographic reproductions of famous paintings.
As a play, it never reaches the lofty level of its ambition despite a starry cast that includes Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen as a pair of wounded artistic types who are attracted to each other. Eventually.
The talky, lifeless production, which opened Tuesday at Broadway's Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, has been directed by Jack O'Brien, who apparently has worked with playwright Michael Jacobs to winnow down its two-act length to 100 intermissionless minutes.
Their condensation and clarifying result in some bald, easily identifiable statement of themes, the most obvious of which involves the two leads. Allen portrays Katharine, an unhappy art gallery owner, given to such ponderous statements as, "I've lived long enough now to understand that I have been issued one standard life. I am trapped in a place where I thought something was going to happen and nothing did."
Don't worry. Into her life has come Thomas, a photographer whose specialty seems to be studies for National Geographic, including one in Africa, which becomes the setting for one of the play's more bewildering scenes. The photog, played by Irons, chucks it all to work in the gallery, and the two lost souls forge an uneasy relationship.
As the playwright tells it, their different approach to life experiences can be seen in artistic terms. Katharine favors the impressionistic journey. "You don't get it when it's right in front of you. You have to step back," she says. "If you give what's in front of you a little distance, you might understand what you're looking at." Which is what happens in this "Impressionism." Bits and pieces of her past float by in flashbacks that are identified with titles to make sure the audience is not confused. From them, we are to piece together what makes this woman tick.
The photographer, of course, is more of a realist. But will people respond the same way he does to a certain picture, particularly the gallery owner?
Several fine actors seem to have been stranded by the play's shrinkage. The most prominent victims are Marsha Mason and Michael T. Weiss, who are largely wasted in roles that have a minimal impact.
That's not the case with scene-stealing Andre De Shields, who does delightful double duty in "Impressionism," first as an African tribesman and then as the elderly owner of a bakery where the two would-be lovers purchase their morning pastries. Even there, the two can't agree. A big deal is made over the fact she loves cranberry muffins, he favors coffee cake. It's that kind of play.
Still, there are those lovely projection designs, courtesy of Elaine J. McCarthy, at which to look. There's a grace and style to their vividness that makes "Impressionism" seem even more washed out than it actually is.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

Impressionism
by David Rooney, Variety
Posted: Tue., Mar. 24, 2009, 4:00pm PT
(Gerald Schoenfeld Theater; 1,071 seats; $116.50 top)
An Ostar Prods., Roy Furman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Chase Mishkin, Jamie deRoy, Thomas Murphy, Broadway Across America, Michael Filerman, Eric Falkenstein, Morris Berchard, Matt Murphy/Suisman-Gasparian, Philip Geier/ Donald R. Keough, Jennifer Manocherian/ Wendy Federman, Randall L. Wreghitt, Barbara Freitag/Ergo Entertainment, Max Onstage/Hugh Hysell/Richard Jordan presentation of a play in one act by Michael Jacobs. Directed by Jack O'Brien.
Thomas Buckle - Jeremy Irons
Katharine Keenan - Joan Allen
Julia Davidson - Marsha Mason
Chiambuane - Andre De Shields
Douglas Finch - Michael T. Weiss
Ben Joplin - Aaron Lazar
Nicole Halladay - Margarita Levieva
Young Katharine - Hadley Delany

In that jewel among teen movies, "Clueless," Alicia Silverstone's character uses the term "a full-on Monet" to describe an overstyled classmate. 6quot;It's like a painting, see?" she explains. "From far away, it's OK, but up close, it's a big old mess." From a distance, "Impressionism" must have looked pretty good to its platoon of producers, with a top director, two distinguished lead actors long absent from the New York stage and a plot about mid-life love to speak directly to the prime Broadway play demographic. But did no one get up close enough to read Michael Jacobs' pretentious bore of a script?
The central lesson imparted in this highfalutin schmaltz -- earnestly spelled out onstage and in an educational program note -- is the reverse of the full-on Monet. Like the late-19th century art movement that supplies the play's title, life can distract us with momentary impressions, but it's necessary to step back and absorb the big picture to appreciate the nuance and possibility of what's before us.
That perspective is lacking in New York art gallery owner Katharine (Joan Allen), who works alongside world-weary British photojournalist Thomas (Jeremy Irons), their days largely undisturbed by customers. Verbose Katharine rants about oafish subway passengers, cranberry muffins, packages tied up with string and whether God is paying attention to her. Punctilious, more taciturn Thomas lectures on coffee, interjecting mildly sardonic remarks that either puzzle or irritate prickly Katharine. It's all terribly strained in its cleverness and terribly dull.
Jacobs' "Cheaters" had a brief Broadway run in 1978, and he moved soon thereafter into film production ("Quiz Show") and television ("Charles in Charge," among other series). His overly precious new play smacks of sitcom in its articulate characters, who don't so much speak dialogue as deliver lines that overlap but rarely flow organically. However, the writing aims higher than sitcom. It's Hallmark sentiment masquerading as intellectual sophistication, with every one of its characters' stories and memories contorted into a laborious metaphor for love and life.
That might be palatable if we had some investment in seeing the central couple hook up. But Katharine and Thomas are a bloodless pair without an ounce of body fat between them; one worries they might snap something should they ever get physical.
It's hard to imagine what drew Irons -- last on Broadway in "The Real Thing" in 1984 -- to this starchy role. Thomas is clearly meant to be droll, enigmatic and soulfully scarred, but he gets little help from the playwright in setting himself up as Katharine's emotional rescuer. Allen is adrift as well, playing a character with no defining stamp. She's sometimes brittle, sometimes breathy and frail, and often whiny, her defenses formed by the rejection of her father and more than one potential lover.
Director Jack O'Brien fills in both characters' backgrounds via visual segues from Elaine J. McCarthy's projections of art works on a downstage scrim, accompanied by Bob James' doodling piano. The transitions could hardly be more literal: "La Toilette" by Mary Cassatt ushers in a memory of young Katharine (Hadley Delany) being bathed by her mother (Allen) with a ceramic pitcher and bowl (was there no plumbing in 1966?) as her frosty father (Irons, doing a lousy American accent that comes and goes) abandons them. Only Allen's tears indicate that any feeling is involved.
Images of maternity, childhood and budding sensuality cue their dramatic correlations in Katharine's life. (The less said the better about an atrocious scene in which Irons doubles as a bohemian artist who almost becomes her lover.) Thomas' photos of African wildlife or a doomed Tanzanian child set the scene for a recap of his harrowing experiences abroad. Their emotional and psychological states are also onerously mirrored in the art works for sale in Katharine's gallery.
The overwritten play's most engaging moments come when two minor figures are onstage. Marsha Mason has a semi-satisfying dramatic arc, playing a woman swathed in flashy furs and haggling over the price of the Cassatt aquatint while rankling at becoming a grandmother. And Andre De Shields adds warmth as the baker of the aforementioned muffins, who turns out to be a more sensitive interpreter of art than Katharine, for all her training. These characters at least bring some life to what's otherwise a dead zone.
Others, like a wealthy art buyer (Michael T. Weiss) who stirs Katharine's romantic hopes and a young couple (Margarita Levieva, Aaron Lazar) bursting with happiness and optimism, are just mechanisms to shake the central duo out of their inaction.
O'Brien has assembled a slick team of craft collaborators who give the pretty production a veneer of class. Distress signals went out when the original opening date was pushed back by 12 days after preview audiences proved unresponsive. The creative team used that time to condense the show from two acts into one, presumably to stanch the intermission exodus. But there's not much here worth saving; the play is a dud, as thin on humor as it is on emotional rewards.
Sets, Scott Pask; costumes, Catherine Zuber; lighting, Natasha Katz; original music, Bob James; sound, Leon Rothenberg; projections, Elaine J. McCarthy; hair and wigs, Tom Watson; production stage manager, Michael J. Passaro.
Opened March 24, 2009. Reviewed March 20. Running time: 1 hour, 35 min.
Date in print: Wed., Mar. 25, 2009, Gotham

From 'The Past Comes Alive, Frozen in a Frame' by Ben Brantley at The New York Times: The impressive supporting cast members, who play a variety of roles, include Marsha Mason and Michael T. Weiss.

Other reviews - but no mention of Michael - by David Finkle at TheaterMania, and by Elysa Gardner at USA Today.

Tonight's the night - finally!
Good Day New York will air a story on the show today. GDNY airs on Channel 5 in New York between 7-9am.
Playbill has a new article about the production, with two photos from the play. None with Michael though, but good enough to give a first impression of the production.

Short clip of Michael signing autographs at Impressionism's stage door of the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre from earlier this month.
It might only be wishful thinking on my side, but it looks like the greyish color in his hair has gone.

TheaterMania now also features a clip from that event: The Art of Impressionism.

In this week's episode airing on Cartoon Network at 8:00pm, Aquaman joins Batman in a thrilling space adventure on Adam Strange's home planet of Rann. There our heroes join forces to battle Gordanian General Kreegaar and his reptilian horde. It's the power of justice and a good old fashioned fight that resurrects Aquaman's heroism as he leads the team to on a mission to destroy the Eye of Zared!
This clip features the voices of John DiMaggio as Aquaman, Michael T. Weiss as Adam Strange and Diedrich Bader as Batman: "Mystery in Space"

Impressionism opening date moved to March 24
by Andrew Gans
March 6, 2009
The opening night of the new Broadway play Impressionism, which had been scheduled for March 12, has been adjusted by nearly two weeks. The new work, which co-stars Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen, will now officially open March 24 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.
In a statement producer Bill Haber said, "We did not give Jack O'Brien and our extraordinary creative team and company enough time to fully prepare Michael Jacobs's new play for Broadway. Impressionism is a world premiere on Broadway, which has not been work-shopped or played out of town. We are working hard in previews and we need more time to get the show finished for the official opening."
The March 9 performance has been canceled to allow more rehearsal time. The rest of the performance schedule remains unchanged.
Directed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia), Impressionism - the story of an international photojournalist and a New York gallery owner "who discover each other and also that there might be an art to repairing broken lives" - began previews Feb. 28.
The cast also features four-time Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason (Steel Magnolias, Night of the Iguana), Hadley Delany, Tony nominee Andre De Shields (The Full Monty, Play On!), Michael T. Weiss (TV's "The Pretender"), Aaron Lazar (Les Miserables, Tale of Two Cities) and Margarita Levieva.
The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is located at 236 West 45th Street. Tickets are available by visiting www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
For more information visit www.impressionismtheplay.com.

"Batman" Guest Stars: Adam Strange, Equinox And The Question
Batman: The Brave and the Bold takes the Caped Crusader to outer space as Aquaman joins him for an adventure on the planet of Rann, home to galactic defender Adam Strange. In "Mystery in Space!", our heroes must embark on a deadly quest to destroy the fabled Eye of Zared! Viewers will also get their first peeks at a new villain Equinox, and mysterious hero The Question.
Special guest voices included Michael T. Weiss (The Pretender) and Oded Fehr (The Mummy).
Voice actors starring in "Mystery in Space!" include:
Diedrich Bader - Batman
John DiMaggio - Aquaman / Gorilla Grodd
Richard McGonagle - Saradath
Michael T. Weiss - Adam Strange
Catherine Cavadini - Alanna
Oded Fehr - Equinox
Nicholas Guest - The Question
This episode will air on Friday, March 13 at 8pm and will re-air on Saturday, March 14 at 10:30am.
Batman: The Brave and the Bold airs 8pm ET Fridays on Cartoon Network.
According to the official website the series air on 8:30pm E/P, so check your local listings.

Miracle House has a special block of orchestra tickets reserved for the new play, Impressionism, by Michael Jacobs, featuring Tony winners Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons. Following the performance, an After-Theatre Reception will be held at the legendary Sardi's with stars Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons.
The After-Theatre Reception will celebrate Ms. Allen's continued commitment to Miracle House. Jeremy Irons, Marsha Mason and other cast members [**] will join us in honoring Ms. Allen for her longstanding support and generosity to Miracle House.
Miracle House provides temporary housing, meals, and advocacy to caregivers and patients coming to New York City for critical medical treatment.
"I feel blessed to be a part of this compassionate organization. I have been privileged to witness first hand how Miracle House saves lives." - Joan Allen on Miracle House
The After-Theatre Reception will feature a silent auction with exciting NYC packages.

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009 - 8:00PM Curtain - Gerald Shoenfeld Theatre - 236 West 45th Street
After-Theatre Meet & Greet with Joan Allen @ Sardi's - 234 West 44th Street (between Broadway & 8th)
Sponsorship Levels:
- Producer - Six Prime Orchestra Tickets: Meet & Greet Reception, one autographed show poster and your photograph taken with Ms. Allen ; Price: $3,000
- Co-Producer - Four Prime Orchestra Tickets: Meet & Greet Reception, one autographed show poster and your photograph taken with Ms. Allen ; Price $2,000
- Patron - Orchestra Ticket: Meet & Greet Reception with Joan Allen (Limited Availability) ; Price $250
- Angel - Orchestra Ticket: Does Not Include Reception (Limited Availability) ; Price $125
Tickets are available through the Miracle House website at miraclehouse.org or by calling 212-989-7790 ext. 12

[**] No idea if Michael T. Weiss will be one of the 'other cast members' attending.

Allen, Irons, Mason, De Shields Begin Impressionism Run on Broadway
by Kenneth Jones
February 28, 2009
Tony Award winners Joan Allen and Jeremy Irons return to Broadway Feb. 28 with the 8 PM first preview of the new American play, Impressionism, by Michael Jacobs, at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre.
Directed by Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (Hairspray, The Coast of Utopia), Impressionism - the story of an international photojournalist and a New York gallery owner "who discover each other and also that there might be an art to repairing broken lives" - will open on March 12. This is an 18-week limited engagement.
The cast also features four-time Academy Award nominee Marsha Mason (Steel Magnolias, Night of the Iguana), Hadley Delany, Tony nominee Andre De Shields (The Full Monty, Play On!), Michael T. Weiss (TV's "The Pretender"), Aaron Lazar (Les Miserables, Tale of Two Cities) and Margarita Levieva.
The production marks Allen's first return to Broadway since The Heidi Chronicles in 1989, and Irons' first time on Broadway since The Real Thing in 1984.
Playwright Jacobs is also the author of the Carbonell Award-winning Cheaters, which was produced on Broadway in 1978 at the Biltmore Theatre; and Getting Along Famously, which was produced Off-Broadway at the Hudson Guild Theatre. For film, he produced "Quiz Show" (1994, nominated for Academy Award) and "As Seen Through These Eyes," a 2007 documentary. For TV he created, produced or developed 15 series including "Boy Meets World," "Dinosaurs," "My Two Dads," "The Torkelsons" and "Charles in Charge." His television shows have won the Emmy, People's Choice, Parents Choice, Environmental Media Awards and more.
The creative team includes Tony winner Scott Pask (scenic design), Tony winner Catherine Zuber (costume design), Tony winner Natasha Katz (lighting design), Elaine McCarthy (projection design), Leon Rothenberg (sound design), Tom Watson (hair and wig design). Original music is by Bob James. Michael J. Passaro is production stage manager.
The play is produced by Ostar Productions, Roy Furman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Chase Mishkin, Thomas Murphy, Jamie deRoy, Broadway Across America, Michael Filerman, Eric Falkenstein, Morris Berchard, Randall L.Wreghitt, Matt Murphy, Philip Geier/Donald R. Keough, Jennifer Manocherian/Wendy Federman, Max OnStage/Hugh Hysell/Richard Jordan.
The understudies include Neal Bledsoe, Stevie Ray Dallimore, Elizabeth Olsen, Caroline Roseblum, Henny Russell and Harold Surratt.
The Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre is located at 236 West 45th Street. Tickets are available by visiting www.telecharge.com or by calling (212) 239-6200.
For more information visit www.impressionismtheplay.com.

An interview with Michael about his role and about working with the other actors and this particular director, from the 'Meet & Greet' for "Impressionism" at the New 42nd Street Studios on February 17, 2009 in New York City:
Meet Michael T. Weiss

'Meet & Greet' with the cast and the director of "Impressionism" at the New 42nd Street Studios on February 17, 2009 in New York City: BroadwaySpace Feature: Meet the Cast of Impressionism

Enjoy also the publicity stills from the event.

Check out the Official website of Impressionism and Impressionism's Blog for more information on the production.

IOWA (NR, 2005, Koch Vision)
Describing "Iowa" in any sort of meaningful detail presents a bit of a conundrum: How do you explain that it's a completely messed-up message movie and discuss that message without somewhat spoiling where the story, about a young dead-ender (Matt Farnsworth) who come into an unexpected family inheritance, eventually leads? You can't. So if you don't wish to know anything more about "Iowa" but can satisfactorily be blindly intrigued by the notion of a film that completely, absolutely loses its mind but still quite resoundingly manages to make its point, you're better off not reading any further.
If you need more information or simply don't care, here's the scoop:
"Iowa" does for methamphetamine what "Requiem for a Dream" does for heroin, and it throws in a bloody, nasty story of greed, love, familial betrayal and revenge for good measure. It isn't pretty, not even close, and it probably won't teach you anything you already didn't know or at least assume. But if you like your entertainment dark to the point of well done, "Iowa's" tastefully graphic storytelling methodology makes it awfully hard to look away. Diane Foster, Rosanna Arquette, John Savage, David Backus, Amanda Tepe and a completely unrecognizable Michael T. Weiss also star.
Extras: Two Farnsworth-produced documentaries about methamphetamine.

Dear Michael:
I wish you all the best for this special day and the year to follow, with lots of fun and happiness, health and good luck!
Instead of a *real* present, I made this little slide show for you:

Birthday Show 2009

Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 18): Don't jump to conclusions or make a hasty decision. Be sure before you make a move that will alter your lifestyle or confine you in any way. Rely on past experience to lead you in the right direction.
Today's Birthday: Don't take life so seriously and things will flow better for you this year. There will be support and help from those who care about you and want to see you do well. Relax and refuse to get wrapped up in the melodrama. Bide your time, listen to good advice and work on the relationships that are worth keeping.
Taken from the Duluth News Tribune.

Not all features are already active, but the site looks interesting so far:
Impressionism, limited engagement: 18 Weeks only. So the last performance will be on Sunday July 5!

Tony Award winners Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen return to Broadway in Impressionism, a love story - no matter how you look at it.
Set in Manhattan, Impressionism is the story of an international photojournalist and a New York gallery owner whose unexpected brush with intimacy leads them to realize that there is quite an art to repairing broken lives.
Written by Michael Jacobs and directed by three-time Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, this remarkable portrait of human nature marks Mr. Irons first Broadway appearance since his 1984 Tony-winning turn in The Real Thing, and Ms. Allen's first since her Tony-nominated performance in The Heidi Chronicles in 1989.
Cast Members: Jeremy Irons, Joan Allen, Marsha Mason, Andre DeShields, Michael T. Weiss, Aaron Lazar, Margarita Levieva, Hadley Delany

To Purchase Single Tickets:
For information about individual ticket sales call (212) 239-6200; Outside the NY metro area (800) 432-7250.
Or oder online at TeleCharge
Group Sales:
For information about group sales for groups of 10 or more, please visit TeleCharge Group Sales or call (212) 239-6262; Outside the NY metro area (800) 432-7780.
Tickets on sale thru July 5
For pricing infos, performance schedule, mail ordering and more see: Behind The Curtain

Tickets:
Individual tickets on sale January 24.
Pricing: $66.50 - $116.50
Box Office: Tele-charge: (212) 239-6200, outside the NY metro area (800) 432-7250.
Show Dates:
Performances from 28 Feb 2009
Opening 12 Mar 2009
Closing 05 Jul 2009
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday - Saturday @8pm
Wednesday and Saturday @2pm
Sunday @3pm

Rehearsals for the new American play "Impressionism" starring Tony Award winners Jeremy Irons and Joan Allen will begin on Tuesday January 20 in New York.
The production, which will be directed by Tony Award-winner Jack O'Brien, will begin preview performances on February 28 and open on March 12 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre (236 West 45 Street).
The cast features Marsha Mason, Andre DeShields, Michael T. Weiss, Aaron Lazar, and Margarita Levieva.
Impressionism's creative team is Scott Pask (scenic design), Catherine Zuber (costume design), Natasha Katz (lighting design), Elaine McCarthy (projection design) and Leon Rothenberg (sound design). Original music is by Bob James.
The production will mark Ms. Allen's first return to Broadway since The Heidi Chronicles in 1989, and Mr. Irons' first time on Broadway since The Real Thing in 1984.
Impressionism will be produced by Ostar Productions.
Impressionism is the story of a world traveling photojournalist and a New York gallery owner who discover each other and also that there might be an art to repairing broken lives.
Jeremy Irons is appearing with the permission of Actors' Equity Association.

Impressionism
Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre - 236 West 45th Street - New York, NY 10036
Cast Members: Jeremy Irons, Joan Allen, Marsha Mason, Andre DeShields, Michael T. Weiss, Aaron Lazar, and Margarita Levieva

Previews Start: February 28, 2009 @ 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Show Opens: March 12, 2009 @ 6:30pm
Open Run - Tickets on sale thru July 5
Detailed Pricing Information:
Orchestra: $116.50
Mezzanine (Rows A-F): $116.50
Mezzanine (Rows G-K): $66.50
Premium Seat Price: $251.50
Friday & Saturday evenings: $301.50
Tickets by Phone: 212-239-6262; outside the NY metro area 800-432-7780. (Orders are now being taken for groups of 20 or more)
Running Time: tba

Performance times: Tuesday 8:00pm ; Wednesday 2:00pm & 8:00pm ; Thursday 8:00pm ; Friday 8:00pm ; Saturday 2:00pm & 8:00pm ; Sunday 3:00pm
Added Performances: Monday - March 2 @ 8pm, Monday - March 9 @ 8pm
Time Change: Thursday - March 12 @ 6:30pm (opening night)
No Performances: Sunday - March 1 @ 3pm, Sunday - March 8 @ 3pm

So far, the schedule covers the perfomances till end of April.

Good news to start the new year with:
Do your remember the film Marmalade, directed by Kim Dempster and written by/starring Jill Sorensen, that premiered at the 2004 CineVegas Filmfestival, and went on to win multiple awards at the CIFF 2005, and then vanished?

Dear Evi,
Thank You so much for your interest in Marmalade. I'm sorry to say due to various reasons it never got a big screen release. It's also not available in stores. We still get lots of requests and inquiries about the movie so we might start selling the DVD on my website in the near future. It seems to have meant a lot to many people -- sorry we weren't able to share it with everybody.
Thanks again for you interest.
Sincerely,
Jill Sorensen