2008.11.13. New Century Theatre presents The Adding Machine by Elmer Rice at ACT. Very simple stage. All actors wear a grey clay on their faces. Two acts (no intermission), one real, one after life. Interesting ideas, but too many to be exploited in two hours.

SAF celebrates Seattle's birthday with model exhibits, food and drink. On November 13, 1851, Denny Party landed near Alki Point.

2008.11.12. 7:30pm Seattle Arts and Lecture series presents John Updike at Benaroya Hall. Interviewed by local novelist David Guterson and curator of American art at SAM Patricia Junker. Coincidentally I just went to an overview talk by Junker on the upcoming exhibition of Edward Hopper's Women at SAM. Updike's take on the 3 paintings is interesting to hear. Apparently he had quite a lot of training in painting, and kept up being an art critics. Updike didn't prepare anything. The program was barely one hour, plus about 15 minutes Q&A from the audience. Even though his answers are witty and well versed, it's still far short of an expectation that comes with a $30 admission charge (which only allows a general seating behind row R). More questions were submitted, but the organizer cut it short. Plus the books being on sale in the lobby, the whole experience left an unpleasant money making after-taste.

3:30 Seattle Art Museum annual members meeting, followed by an overview lecture of the new exhibition on Edward Hopper's Women, followed by an inadequate reception.

Another painting study after 2 years' recess. Jean-honoré Fragonard : A Young Girl Reading. I saw the original at SAM's last exhibition on impressionists this summer. 81.1 × 64.8 cm or 31 15/16 × 25½ in. Mine is a bit different, and about a quarter of this size. Took me 3 settings, plus a couple of retouch. Almost done. I'm not satisfied with the hand nor the hair. But I cut the mat yesterday, so ready to be framed.

2008.10.31. Elektra at Seattle Opera. Single act, a little over 100 minutes. Nice stage set (if a little too metallic in appearance in strong light). Big orchestra, too many sopranos. Dramatic ending. I like the music for the orchestra much better than for the voice, even though all 3 leading actresses sang beautifully. Since the performance ends before 9:30, I went to the Q&A session with Speight Jenkins, quite informative. Should go to those more often. Quite a few in the audience came in Halloween costumes, which made the theatre-going more fun.

Elektra: Janice Baird
Chrysothemis: Carolyn Betty
Klytämnestra: Luretta Bybee
Orest: Alfred Walker
Conductor: Lawrence Renes