Best Bets LETTERS FROM MOZART Comprised of soloists from the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Rotterdam Philharmonic, the radio orchestras and the Residentie Orchestra of The Hague, the 13 mem- bers of the Netherlands Wind Ensemble present a rare performance of perhaps the most beautiful work ever written for wind instruments, Mozart's Serenade No. 10 in B-flat major, also known as the "Gran Partita," 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 10, at Rackham Auditorium in Ann Arbor. Between the seven movements of the piece, nar- rator Bart Schneemann will read from self-revela- tory letters written by the composer to his father and sister during his travels and sojourns at vari- ous European courts. Just prior to the concert, University Musical Society Director of Programming Michael Kondziolka will give a free lecture on Mozart's "Gran Partita"; it runs 7-7:30 p.m. in the Michigan League's Hussey Room. Concert tickets are $20-$42. (734) 764-2538 or www.ums.org . ISN'T IT ROMANTIC? If you want to get in the mood for a romantic Valentine's Day with your significant other — even if it's only "Puppy Love" — you can hear singer/songwriter Paul Anka perform that song Far left: Peabo Bryson Left: Paul Anka Celebrity Jews NATE BLOOM Special to the Jewish News Old-Fashioned Girl Former Friends. star LISA KUDROW, now filming her new HBO series sitcom Comeback (about a washed-up comedy star desperate to reclaim her throne as TV's "It Girl"), co-stars in the indie film Happy-Endings, which had its premiere at the recent Sundance Film Festival. Happy Endings is made up of three separate but interrelated story lines. In the film's opening scene, Kudrow is being massaged and turns over to reveal a breast. However, the nice Jewish actress told reporter Ruthe Stein: "It wasn't me. I don't do nude scenes." Stein responded, "Movie audiences won't know it 2/10 2005 44 and other hits 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11, at Music Hall's Fifth Annual Valentine's Day Concert. Anka will perform with a 27-piece orchestra, and proceeds from the concert will go to Music Hall's pro- gramming and educational outreach efforts. $55-$125. (248) 645-6666. Then, at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, Peabo Bryson joins the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in "Straight From the Heart," a special concert of the per- former's romantic chart-topping tunes. $29-$110. (313) 576-5111 or www.detroitsymphony.com . are similar to today yet still set apart from modern circumstance," he says. $15-$20/$9 with student ID. (734) 764-2538 or w-ww. up ro d. music. umich. edu . CELEBRATING DANCE In observance of Black History Month, the Detroit Opera House pres- Arts Editor ents three contemporary ballet compa- nies, in two performances each, spot- lighting works by renowned black choreogra- phers. The Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, which holds the largest and most comprehensive LOVE) SHAKESPEARE STYLE collection of classic works by African-American choreographers, performs a four-part program Featuring some of Shakespeare s most vivid 7:30 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 15-16, poetry and quoted lines, Romeo and Juliet, a cele- featuring works by Sir Warren Spears, Bebe bration of pure and romantic love tragically cut Miller, Asadata Dafora and Ronald K. Brown and short by the rashness and folly of youth, has fasci- Donald McKayle. nated audiences for more than 400 years. The Philadelphia Dance Company presents A true theater classic, it has inspired directors Philadanco, a program highlighting African- and designers to repeatedly find truths in its text American men in dance through the work of Eleo for contemporary audiences. The play also has Pomare and Christopher Higgins, 7:30 p.m. inspired more than 20 film adaptations, two Thursday and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17-18. $23-$66 operas, a Broadway musical and countless dance The San Francisco-based Alonzo King's LINES interpretations. Ballet present a two-part program, Who Dressed Romeo and Juliet will be performed in a You Like a Foreigner? and Before the Blues, featur- University of Michigan Department of Theatre ing music by composer/musician Pharaoh Sanders and Drama production 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 8 and narration by actor Danny Glover, 8 p.m. p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19-20. Feb. 10-13, at the Lydia Mendelssohn Theatre in Tickets for all performances run $23-W and Ann Arbor. Director Philip Kerr sets this telling are sold individually, but patrons purchasing tick- in 1930s Italy, emphasizing the time period ets for two of the ballet companies will receive the through costume design and references in the third at no additional cost. Specially priced student scenery. tickets also are available. For tickets, call (313) "By choosing the 1930s, we refer to an era 237-7464 or go to ww.michiganopera.com. where conflict and the elements of social change GAIL ZIMMERMAN isn't you." But that wasn't the point, said Kudrow "My hus- band and my child will know." Kudrow added that she got to pick her stand-in. "I wanted it to be someone I wouldn't mind people thinkinc, was me,"' she said. Another segment of Happy Endings stars "indie film queen" MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL as a fortune hunter after millionaire TOM ARNOLD's money. Yes, Arnold is Jewish. He converted to Judaism when he married ROSEANNE BARR and remained a prac- ticing Jew even after their divorce. He discovered, after he began studying to convert, that his late paternal grandmother was Jewish. Bye, Johnny It's been a few weeks, but I didn't want the death of an amazing cultural figure to pass without saying a word about Johnny Carson's Jewish connections. As many noted, Carson projected the image of the Midwestern all-American boy whom everyone liked. In turn, if Johnny liked a performer, he could usually transfer some of his popularity; the TV audience would laugh or cheer along with Carson. In some sense, Johnny acted as a conduit to America for an astonishing number of Jewish comedians. If they learned how to make Johnny laugh, their material was universal enough for most of the heartland. It's worth noting that Carson's idol was JACK BENNY, a Jewish comedian who was closer in style to Carson than to many of the brash "Borscht Belt" comics. Like Carson, Benny was a fairly laidback guy from the Midwest. He pioneered the type of comedian — the Johnny Carson-type — who could get laughs by reacting to the funny things happening to him. Reportedly, one of the few times Carson wept as an adult was when Benny died. FYI: For Arts and Life related events that you wish to have considered for Out & About, please send the item, with a detailed description of the event, times, dates, place, ticket prices and publishable phone number, to: Gail Zimmerman, JN Out & About, The Jewish News, 29200 Northwestern Highway, Suite 110, Southfield, MI 48034; fax us at (248) 304-8885; or e-mail to gzimmerman@thejewishnews.com Notice must be received at least three weeks before the scheduled event. Photos are appreciated but cannot be returned. All events and dates listed in the Out & About column are subject to change.