Weekend - May 21, 2020

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Weekend

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| THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

ERIC CARLE MUSEUM: “Social Distancing in the Studio” exhibit goes online, E6 FILMS: 19 scary movies to take your mind off real-world horrors, E5 WINE: 8 red wines worth splurging on this spring, E8

Tombstones brought to life

Last names act as metaphors in photographer’s project, Page E2

E2 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

WEEKEND

ON THE COVER

Photographer brings

tombstones to life

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He titled the piece “The Death of Color,” and though he had no further plans for tombstone photography, a new body of work was born.

He entered “The Death of Color” in a museum show, and when a review appeared in The New York Times, it included his photos, representing the entire show. “The phone began to ring, and people kept saying ‘Make more!’

Once I saw the possibilities of creating works using any name that functioned as a common English word, I was hooked,” said the New York native who has a degree in physics from Albany State University and studied computer music at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab in Cambridge and the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York.

His tombstone project is first about genealogy – “the process of how a word can be taken from language and used to identify our living selves, then through a process of information loss via tombstones, eventually returned to language.”

“Endgame” from photographer Robert Zott’s book “The Tombstone Photographs.” (ROBERT ZOTT PHOTO)

Last names act as metaphors in photography project

R

By Cori Urban

Special to The Republican

obert Zott began photographing tombstones in 1995 when he was looking for a way to create a work about his colorblindness.

The Hartford photographer knew that people had last names that were colors, and finding color names alone on tombstones would act as the perfect met-

aphor. He found six names rather quickly: White, Green, Gray, Gold, Brown and Black.

He had each image printed with an exposure that matched the color name: The White tombstone appeared white and washed out, the Green tombstone appeared as though the color green had been placed in a photocopier, and the remainder formed a spectrum of progressively darker grays, ending in Black. “The names Green, Gold and Brown evoked the presence of color, but the images rendered in shades of gray appeared like the ghosts of colors that had once been,” he said.

Earlier this year, his photographs appeared in “A Horse Walks Into A Bar” at the Hampden Gallery at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst. Also, his work recently was included in the “Foodie Fever” show at Shiva Gallery in Midtown Manhattan and the “Talk Talk” exhibition at Central Booking on New York City’s Lower East Side.

A singer-songwriter who creates a unique form of conceptual blues, Zott has more than 25 years of experience in the fields of regulatory affairs and quality compliance.

As the number of his tombstone works grew, they began to align into three compositional strategies: 1) Some use SEE TOMBSTONES, PAGE E3

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

“When viewers look at my photos, they don’t see the tombstone of a specific individual; they see a metaphor for the death of whatever is written.”

ROBERT ZOTT

Tombstones

Because he is limited by time and daylight, Zott’s goal is to see as many stones CONTINUED FROM PAGE E2 as possible in a day — usualthe orientation or properties ly across many cemeteries of light (contrast, exposure, — rather than seeing every transparency, etc.) to create stone in any particular one. metaphors for life and death.

“The odds of finding something interesting near the 2) Some use various names perimeter of a given section to create dark comedies or are the same as finding cautionary tales. 3) Some use something interesting deep the names of living persons, in the interior, so driving at fictional characters, places two miles per hour along the or things to create paradoxes pathways became far more between existence and nonexistence. efficient than walking,” he His tombstone project is said. “Searching for names “Rich and Famous” from photographer Robert Zott’s book first about genealogy — “the is like playing hide and seek “The Tombstone Photographs.”(ROBERT ZOTT PHOTO) process of how a word can on a national scale. It’s an important that no extraneous single last names, in a sense, exacting game; there must be taken from language and information appears on the used to identify our living privacy is automatic, he said, be no first names, no dates selves, then through a process stone. “A first name, dates of and they “return their surof birth or death, no epinames to history or common taphs. There are no shortof information loss via tomb- birth and death or epitaphs stones, eventually returned cuts; no directory will tell if language.” all point toward a specific to language,” he said. “When individual,” he explained. the tombstone bears only a His work “Endgame” viewers look at my photos, single last name or whether “Thus, no matter how inter- uses images of tombstones they don’t see the tombstone esting the last name, I must it receives adequate light. bearing the names “King,” keep searching until I find it “Bishop” and “Knight” and of a specific individual; they I must accept what I find; see a metaphor for the death isolated on a tombstone.” their photographic negatives to venture out looking for a Also, by working with of whatever is written.” specific name is madness.” to represent the opposing That is the reason it’s so tombstones that bear only Zott’s first cemetery expesides of a chess game. In rience was when he was 7; the endgame, the outcome his father was buried at West of the contest is apparent, Point Military Academy. and the moves play out in a “Naturally, the ceremony dance of death. The photos with its draped coffin and are arranged according to 21-gun salute instilled in me the rules of chess, and in a great sense of reverence for their displayed positions, the dead,” he said. each piece can capture at Creating the book “Robleast one of the opposing ert Zott — The Tombstone pieces, causing the work to Photographs” during the past self-annihilate. “The only few months has enabled him unknown in this impossible double-checkmate scenario to go back through 25 years of negatives and present a is which side has the next comprehensive look at the move,” Zott said. project.

The tombstones in his “Like using breadcrumbs photographs appear exactly to retrace my steps, I created as he found them; he does not manipulate the photos in six new pieces for the book from negatives that I had long any way. since forgotten,” he said. “So He has visited cemeteries from Manchester, New the project may be complete Hampshire, to Baltimore, for now, but for this — my Maryland, for his photolongest-running series — I’ll graphs. never say never!”

He leaves each site exactly “Robert Zott — The Tombstone Photographs” is availas he found it, and he is respectful of mourners: “I only able as a 50-page hardcover “Fast Food” from photographer Robert Zott’s book “The carry a camera, no flash, no and sells for $50 through Tombstone Photographs.” (ROBERT ZOTT PHOTO) reflectors, no fanfare.” robertzott.com.

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 | E3

4 ways to help with theater deprivation In print and online, dramatic art can still be devoured

By Peter Marks

Washington Post

Theater critics are entertainment first responders: We tend to get to the scene of the art before most other folks.

But having had my access pass nullified these past months, I have had to go on other journeys for diversion. All those destinations, as it happens, under my own roof.

What I share here are a few recommendations for your own arts delectation, all carefully curated at my own desk.

I often pair them with a glass of a crisp white wine or cup of Assam tea. They all go down quite nicely.

Read ‘What Blest Genius’ For a delightful theater read, may I suggest “What Blest Genius: The Jubilee That Made Shakespeare”? Andrew McConnell Stott, an English professor at the University of Southern California, takes us to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon-Avon, in 1769, where the celebrated actor David Garrick staged a lavish multiday publicity event to fete the playwright who made him famous. The whole thing was a bit of debacle, as Stott’s witty account reveals. But it was also the turning point for the world’s wholehearted embrace of theater’s greatest writer.

Watch ‘Call My Agent’ The streaming services provide all sorts of theater-adjacent joys. In the category of utterly irresistible for me are the three seasons of Netflix’s “Call My Agent.” Set in a hard-charging Parisian talent agency— the series is called SEE THEATER, PAGE E12

WEEKEND

E4 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

MUSIC

The Big E adds shows to Court of Honor stage

W

hile questions remain about the viability of The Big E happening this year in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, the fair is forging ahead with plans for the fall festival.

hold on to your tickets as they will be honored for the new dates which we hope to announce very soon.”

Morissette also put a hold on the release of her new recording “Such Pretty Forks in the Road,” which was scheduled to be released May 1.

Donnie Moorhouse LiveWire

iconic guitarists, including Eric Clapton, Jeff Beck, and Jimmy Page.

The Big E has announced Pop band Exile will perform five new shows for the Court of on Sept. 23 and 24 at 3 p.m. The Honor stage. group is best known for its 1978 Jesse McCartney is slated for hit “Kiss You All Over.” opening night (Sept. 18) at 8 Swing revival band Big Bad p.m. The singer-actor transiVoodoo Daddy will take the 8 tioned from boy band Dream p.m. slot on Sept. 23.

Street to a successful solo Court of Honor shows are career that kicked off with the free with admission to the fair.

Top 20 hit “Beautiful Soul.”

The 2020 Big E is scheduled Tribute artist Rainere Martin to take place Sept. 18 to Oct. 4 will bring her Donna Summer at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. Ticket Experience to the fair for two matinee performances. She will information is available at thebige.com. perform at 3 p.m. on Sept. 21 and Sept. 22. Martin’s portrayal of Summer was featured on the Liner notes • The Dropkick Murphys television broadcast of “Showtime at the Apollo.” have a “live” concert planned Classic rock gets a nod over for next week. those two same days (Sept.

The live streaming event, 21, 22) as The Yardbirds will “Streaming Outta Fenway,” perform 8 p.m. sets on both will be aired from an empty days. The band earned its place Fenway Park in Boston at 6 in rock history as the launching p.m. on May 29. pad for some of the genre’s The concert will be streamed

Jesse McCartney will perform on the Court of Honor stage on opening night of The Big E on Sept. 18. (JEFF DALY / INVISION / AP)

on the band’s Facebook, YouTube, Twitter and Twitch pages.

The Dropkick Murphys were one of the first bands to perform via livestream when the coronavirus pandemic hit the U.S. The band streamed its annual “Boston Blowout” in March.

For the May 29 event, the full-electric, fan-less concert has a “double-play” feature with rocker Bruce Springsteen joining the group remotely to sit-in on a Dropkick song and then have the band join in on one of his originals.

The press release announcing the free show suggests it is a historic event, as no band has ever played a full show in an empty sports stadium.

“Streaming Outta Fenway” will raise funds for Boston Resiliency Fund, Habitat For Humanity and Feeding America.

• The Michael Bolton concert scheduled for Mohegan Sun Arena has been postponed.

The show, originally scheduled for June 18, has been moved to April 22, 2021.

Tickets purchased for the original date will be honored.

The Bolton performance is The Dropkick Murphys present a livestreaming event, “Stream- just one of many that have been moved off of the Mohegan Sun ing Outta Fenway,” at 6 p.m. on May 29.

(STEVEN E. NANTON PHOTO) calendar.

• Alanis Morissette’s planned summer tour is the latest concert trek to succumb to the vagaries of COVID-19.

The 1990s rocker has postponed the tour, which was to have made a few New England stops.

Morissette was scheduled for shows in Hartford (Xfinity Theatre, June 27), New Hampshire (Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion, July 6), and the Boston area (Xfinity Centre, July 9).

“My North American tour scheduled to begin in a few weeks is being rescheduled to summer 2021 out of an abundance of caution,” Morissette wrote on her website. “Please

• Country group Sugarland has canceled its 2020 summer tour plans, which has impacted several New England dates.

The group was scheduled to play the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on June 6.

Sugarland was also scheduled to perform at Xfinity Center in Mansfield on July 10, and the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion in Gilford, New Hampshire, on July 19.

The shows were part of the group’s “There Goes the Neighborhood” tour.

• While Foxwoods had previously announced the cancellation of all April and May concerts, and several in June have already been postponed, the COVID-19 pandemic is starting to impact the July schedule at the Connecticut casino as well.

The July 10 performance by the Go-Go’s at the Grand Theater has been postponed.

Tickets for the original date will be honored when a new date is announced.

SEE LIVEWIRE, PAGE E6

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 | E5

FILM

19 scary movies to take mind off real-world horrors

By Bethonie Butler and Travis M. Andrews

A Washington Post

horror film?

In these times? It may seem counterintuitive, but sometimes it’s helpful to channel real-life fears into fictional stories. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best scary movies you can stream right now.

talk about the need to face the darkness in ourselves and in our lives.” Watch it with a Showtime subscription. - B.B. If you live for suspense “The Lodge” (2019) A malevolent presence complicates the already tense relationship between a woman (Riley Keough) and her soon-to-be stepchildren in this slow-burning thriller from Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala.

Watch it on Hulu. - B.B.

“A Quiet Place” (2018) John Krasinski channels the ambient power of silence in this innovative thriller, which follows a couple (played by Krasinski and his real-life wife, Emily Blunt) trying to protect their children in a post-apocalyptic society overrun with extraterrestrial creatures that can hear even the slightest noise.

The tension is elevated by the fact that their daughter Regan was born deaf and is unable to hear the creatures that threaten Logan Browning and Allison Williams in “The Perfection.” (NETFLIX) her family’s existence. Watch it rector Richard Shepard, Allison with an HBO subscription while time to watch the hair-raising “The Invitation” (2015) If you like horror paired Williams (“Get Out”) plays a What makes Karyn Kusama’s movie on Netflix — ahead of Nia you wait for the sequel, currentwith social commentary former cello prodigy who recon- movie about a dinner party DaCosta’s forthcoming reboot, ly slated for a fall release. - B.B. nects with her mentors years “The Platform” (2019) which was co-written and prothrown by recent converts to duced by Peele. - B.B. after abandoning her musical This Spanish sci-fi thriller “The Witch” (2015) a death-worshiping cult so garnered buzz for its timely dreams — only to find her former affecting is that the true horror Before directing “The commentary on inequality. Di- instructors taken with anoth“Night of the Living Dead” Lighthouse,” a delightfully underpinning the story has er star student (“Dear White rector Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia (1968) divisive film about two men nothing to do with the danger SEE HORROR, PAGE E7 People’s” Logan Browning). At sets his allegory in a vertically Long before “The Walking anyone might be in. first, “The Perfection” seems like stacked prison where inmates Dead,” George A. Romero Instead, it’s in the daily, a familiar tale about jealousy and grueling work of dealing with on the lower tiers are starving proved that zombies have a lot obsession, but the controversial the loss of a child — something to tell us about humanity. His and forced to rely on scraps of food from the upper-tier coun- film proves it has much more to gory directorial debut set the Will (Logan Marshall-Green) terparts. - B.B. unpack. Come for the twists; stay and his ex-wife Eden (Tamstandard for zombie flicks while for top-notch acting by Williams my Blanchard) deal with in offering commentary about the “Us” (2019) strikingly different ways after and Browning. Take caution if darker aspects of society. Watch Jordan Peele proved he had you’re squeamish; there are a few losing their daughter. Worse yet it on Amazon Prime. - B.B. $65 Per Week a knack for horror with “Get is the reveal toward the end of unsettlingly gruesome scenes.

If you like horror as a Out,” which earned the writthe movie that they might not - B.B. Unlimited Days metaphor for real-life fears er-director an Oscar for best be the only ones trying to find Mon-Fri. “The Babadook” (2014) screenplay. Peele doubles down peace after experiencing one of “Midsommar” (2019) A sinister presence haunts a on the genre in this thriller, On the heels of a horrific trag- the worst tragedies a parent can grieving woman and her young which finds a family confronted edy, an American couple (Flor- imagine. Watch it on Netflix. son in this Australian horror with doppelgängers. The film is ence Pugh and Jack Reynor) T.M.A. test their flailing relationship film, which critics loved for its filled with thought-provoking abroad, in Sweden, where an emotionally stirring undercursymbolism (you’ll never look “Candyman” (1992) rent, lush visuals and thoughtintriguing midsummer festival at rabbits or scissors the same Few horror movie villains way), and is elevated by Lupita takes truly unexpected turns. linger as long as “Candyman,” ful exploration of a mother-son Nyong’o’s stunning dual perfor- “Midsommar” relies less on the thought of whom resurfaces relationship. “I think where mance. Fans were not pleased horror excels is when it bethe supernatural than director just about anytime we see a comes emotional and visceral,” that she went unrecognized by Ari Aster’s critically acclaimed mirror in a dark room. Writthe major awards shows last feature debut, “Hereditary”; it er-director Bernard Rose exam- writer and director Jennifer In the Mutt Kent explained to the Guardian year. - B.B. also got decidedly more mixed ines race and class through an Rescue Building urban legend that originated in after the film’s release. “It was reviews. Both are on Amazon “The Perfection” (2018) never about, ‘Oh I wanna scare Prime, so go ahead and make it a short story by British scribe 102 Grove Street Chicopee, MA In this Netflix thriller from di- a double feature. - B.B. Clive Barker. Now is the perfect people.’ Not at all. I wanted to 413-331-4083 - Lori

Doggie Daycare

WEEKEND

E6 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

AMHERST

Eric Carle Museum exhibit goes online ‘Social Distancing in the Studio’ features artists’ pandemic work

T

By Anne-Gerard Flynn

Special to The Republican

he social distancing lockdown in response to the coronavirus disease COVID-19 pandemic has had many doing extra cooking, exercising and learning to make face masks.

A group of picture book artists will show work they have created during the pandemic in an exhibit going online Tuesday on the website of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art. The show has been organized

by Mo Willems, the Northampton illustrator and storyteller particularly known for his “Elephant & Piggie” as well as “Knuffle Bunny” series of books, and Ellen Keiter, the museum’s chief curator.

“Mo has been a longtime supporter of the museum, and knew we had to close our doors in March,” said Keiter in a release.

“He approached us with the idea for the exhibition, feeling it was a way he and other artists could support our mission and the many people who are counting on picture books, especially at this time.”

“ART in PLACE: Social Distancing in the Studio” features more than 20 participants, each represented by one artwork, a self-portrait taken in their studio, and a statement about

their selection.

The art ranges from drawings to film to sculptural objects.

Besides Willems, the other award-winning artists include Beatrice Alemagna, Sandra Boynton, Ashley Bryan, Raul Colon, Elisha Cooper, Carson Ellis, Marla Frazee, Michaela Goade, Katie Harnett, Vashti Harrison, Ryan T. Higgins, Will Hillenbrand, Hadley Hooper, Julie Morstad, LeUyen Pham, Amber Ren, Dan Santat, Peter Sis, David Small, and Melissa Sweet.

In the invitation the two organizers sent to participants, Willems said, “This is a terrible time. But we have Science and Art. Science will find the solutions. Art will provide the solace.”

Exhibition viewers will be en-

LiveWire

• The KISS Kruise will not be leaving the dock 2020.

The 10th annual seafaring rock show has been canceled.

Rock cruises planned by Melissa Etheridge, Kesha, and Coheed and Cambria have also been put in dry dock.

“We kind of saw this coming, but we were hoping things would change but they haven’t,” said Paul Stanley of KISS in a video message to fans.

The cruise ship and concert industry started collaborating in the 1990s to create “at-sea” concert experiences for bands and fans.

Ticket-holders for the cruise events have been informed their tickets will honored when rescheduled

(LOGO COURTESY ERIC CARLE MUSEUM)

couraged to share the art that they have been making at home using #CarleArtInPlace.

Dylan was scheduled to play the Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center on July 9.

The cancellations come as Dylan is scheduled to release “Rough and Rowdy Ways,” his first collection of new material since 2012.

He has already released several singles from the project, including the epic, 17-minute long “Murder Most Foul.”

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E4

The July 25 date with The Hollies at the Fox Theater has been canceled.

Foxwoods still has a June 21 date scheduled with Jackson Browne. According to the tour itinerary on Browne’s website, it remains the only date on his 2020 schedule that hasn’t been postponed.

A group of picture book artists will show work they created during the pandemic in an exhibit going online Tuesday on the website of the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art.

• Slipknot put a halt to its “Knotfest Roadshow” tour plans, which was scheduled to come to the Xfinity Centre in play for you is everything to us. Mansfield on May 31.

“The band looks forward to No one has tried harder than performing for its fans again,” my team to make the 2020 read a Twitter statement. “And Chillaxification Tour a reality. will do so when everyone’s ... Sadly, we can’t find a way safety can be assured.” to make it safe, to navigate Slipknot is known for its water that’s just not getting any heavy sound and unique stage clearer.” attire with each member • Bob Dylan’s “Never End- wearing a mask and matching ing Tour” has apparently end- jumpsuit. ed. Citing concerns over the global coronavirus pandemic, • The Black Keys have Dylan has scrapped plans for a canceled its summer tour, planned summer tour. impacting several dates around It will be the first year since the region.

1988 that the rock icon has not The Black Keys were scheduled to play the Saratoga been on the road, a span that Performing Arts Center in accounts for more than 3,000 Saratoga Springs, New York, on shows.

Kenny Chesney has canceled his “Chillaxification” stadium tour. (ALLEN J. SCHABEN / LOS ANGELES TIMES / TNS)

dates are announced.

• Kenny Chesney has canceled his summer tour plans.

The monstrous “Chillaxification” stadium tour, which was scheduled to end at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough on Aug. 28 and Aug. 29, has been shelved.

“We have done everything possible ... and things I’m not even sure we would’ve thought of three months ago,” Chesney wrote in a long Facebook post.

“Myself and my team have talked to medical experts, city commissioners, team owners, building staffs, the NFL, often daily, because coming out to

Aug. 16, Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion in Bangor, Maine, on Aug 18, the Xfinity Theatre in Hartford on Aug. 19, and the Xfinity Center in Mansfield on Aug. 21. The tour also had a planned a stop at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion on Aug. 25.

The tour was supporting the release “Let’s Rock” which came out in 2019.

The Black Keys formed in Ohio on 2001 and broke through in 2010 with the album “Brothers” which garnered three Grammy Awards.

• The national tour of “The Cher Show” has become the latest casualty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Broadway show has postponed its national tour including Boston and Hartford dates.

The Hartford run, scheduled for The Bushnell from Nov. 3 through Nov. 8, has been canceled. It was scheduled to play The Boston Opera House on Jan. 19-31, 2021 “The Cher Show” is a Tony Award-winning musical of Cher’s life story played by three women representing various stages of her life and career.

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WEEKEND

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 | E7

DVD RELEASES

‘Onward’ relies on tired trope but still hits the right notes

By Tribune News Service

This is the story of his younger brother, Ian (Tom Holland), a Metalheads finally get their shy young elf who discovers due in a top DVD release for that he does, indeed, have a this week. little magic in him.

“Onward”: Tribune News Walsh writes that “Onward” Service film critic Katie Walsh contains potentially the most says this animated adventure morbid example of the Disney from Disney/Pixar, finally dead parents trope, which brings mainstream representa- they’ve relied on for decades. tion to a group previously rele- Dead parents have been the gated to the margins of popular easy shortcut right to emotional stakes for the young charculture: the fantasy-obsessed acters. But “Onward” literally metalhead. Chris Pratt voices embodies this ever-present older bro Barley, a burly chap longing for a lost loved one, (or elf, rather) in a battle vest as Ian and Barley drag their with an affinity for all things Dungeons & Dragons and Mag- father’s sentient legs around ic: The Gathering, or rather, the with them on their quest. generically branded versions.

Despite that, Walsh says In his trusty steed Guinevere, “Onward” plucks all the right an old purple van airbrushed heartstrings to produce many with a mighty Pegasus, Barley laughs and many tears. blasts sweet heavy metal tunes “Emma”: Autumn de about wizards and beasts and Wilde, a music video director, magic. Barley is a blast. makes her feature debut with This isn’t Barley’s story, “Emma,” adapted from Jane though he’s an integral part.

Austen’s novel by Eleanor Tribune News Service

Catton. Tribune News Service film critic Katie Walsh says that de Wilde deploys everything at her disposal to execute an expertly choreographed and designed film highlighting the arch artifice of aristocratic culture and behavior in Regency England.

Every cinematic element, including cinematography by Christopher Blauvelt, costumes

by Oscar winner Alexandra Byrne, production design by Kave Quinn and music by David Schweitzer and Isobel WallerBridge, joins in a delicate dance to create a carefully constructed confection as sweet as one of the pastries they devour at tea, Walsh writes.

Also new on DVD “Sonic the Hedgehog”: Jim Carrey stars in movie adaptation of the Sega video game.

“The Way Back”: Ben Affleck in the story of a high

Horror

unnerving as a lonely middle-aged woman who befriends a group of opportunistic teenagCONTINUED FROM PAGE E5 ers in this psychological thriller losing their minds on a small from Tate Taylor. And if that’s island, Robert Eggers told the the only reason you see this story of a Puritan family trying movie, it will still be time well to survive in the New England spent. Watch it with an HBO wilderness. While the overarch- subscription. - B.B. ing story of a potential witch in the woods might feel familiar, “Happy Death Day” (2017) Eggers keeps the audience The pitch seems so obvious, second-guessing their own eyes you can’t help but wonder how up until the final frames. Watch a film that is “Groundhog Day” it on Netflix. - T.M.A. meets slasher movie didn’t already exist. On her birthday, “Jaws” (1975) a supremely selfish college Generations of children have student wakes up in a stranger’s had nightmares induced by bed, only to be murdered by Steven Spielberg’s iconic thriller the end of the night ... at which (based on Peter Benchley’s 1974 point, she wakes up and repeats novel of the same name) about the day, which perpetually ends a great-white shark that terin her death. The movie has rorizes a summer resort town. all the jump scares and deep Watch it (again) with an HBO mystery you might expect from subscription. - B.B. such a premise, but the real draw is the overarching humor If you like your horror and sweetness as she and the with a sense of humor stranger begin navigating this “Ma” (2019) bizarre loop together, and she Octavia Spencer is brilliantly realizes that maybe there’s still

John Krasinski appears in “A Quiet Place.” (PARAMOUNT PICTURES)

time for self-improvement.

(The same premise works again in the sequel “Happy Death Day 2 U”) Watch it with an HBO subscription. - T.M.A. “The Cabin in the Woods”(2011) Perhaps no movie on this list better understands the genre than Drew Goddard’s directorial debut, which begins like any typical B-movie might: A group of college kids heads to a (you guessed it!) cabin in the woods for a weekend of debauchery.

Ian Lightfoot, voiced by Tom Holland, left, and Barley Lightfoot, voiced by Chris Pratt, appear in a scene from “Onward.”

(DISNEY/PIXAR)

school basketball coach who bounces back from addiction.

“Brahms: The Boy II”: Katie Holmes stars in creepy killer doll sequel to 2016’s “The Boy” “Wildlife”: Carey Mulligan and Jake Gyllenhaal star in tale of a fractured marriage. Directed by Paul Dano.

“Behind You”: Horror movie about two sisters running afoul of supernatural in aunt’s creepy house.

“Buffaloed”: Zoey Deutch as a young woman desperate to get out of Buffalo, N.Y. “Call the Midwife: Season Nine”: The latest happenings at Nonnatus House in the be-

Soon enough, they’re being haunted and hunted by any number of strange beings, none of whom seem like they belong in the same film. Once the equally hilarious and terrifying movie, co-penned by Joss Whedon, explains why, it has so turned the conventions of horror inside out you might never see a scary movie the same way again. Watch it with a Hulu subscription. - T.M.A. “Child’s Play” (1988) After debuting atop the box office in the late 1980s, this slasher earned a cult following.

If you’re a fan of the homicidal, red-haired doll known as Chucky, you can watch his origin story (and several sequels) on Netflix. - B.B.

loved PBS drama.

“Creepshow Season 1”: Latest adaptation of Stephen King horror tales on the Shudder streaming service.

“Fear the Walking Dead Season 5”: Another season of the spinoff to “The Walking Dead.”

Out on HD Digital “The Ballad of Esequiel Hernandez”: 2007 documentary about American teenager killed near U.S.-Mexico border.

Narrated by Tommy Lee Jones.

“Tokyo Godfathers”: Restored version of 2003 anime classic.

which launched a popular franchise, isn’t available on any of the major streaming services, but it’s free to watch on Crackle or with a subscription to Shudder. Hockey mask optional.

- B.B. “The Exorcist” (1973) William Peter Blatty’s terrifying tale about a young girl possessed by the devil is a timeless and defining entry in the horror classics genre. The film won two Academy Awards and earned nominations in major categories such as best picture and best director (for William Friedkin). Watch it with a Cinemax subscription. - B.B.

“Rosemary’s Baby”(1968) A newlywed woman (Mia Farrow) is convinced there’s If you appreciate the classics something very wrong with her “Friday the 13th” (1980) unborn child in Roman Polanski’s adaptation of Ira Levin’s This good old-fashioned slasher film plays on our collec- popular novel. Spoiler alert: tive summer camp nostalgia to There is. The horror movie deliver simple (but effective) staple is available to stream on chills and thrills. The movie, CBS All Access. - B.B.

WEEKEND

E8 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

DINE & WINE

8 red wines worth splurging on this spring

M New logos and packaging for an old favorite — Hacker-Pschorr.

(PAULANER USA IMAGE)

New label design retains old-school feel of Hacker-Pschorr

B

EER TRADITIONALists can be some of the most stubborn folks in the world.

That’s not a criticism, really.

It’s always good to have people in any field who are wary about rushing into changes.

Sometimes a lot of people are too anxious to leap into the next new shiny development without taking a beat to consider the possible downside.

I’m glad to have friends who have been slower to jump in the deep end of the hoppy beer pool, preferring to stick with old-school balanced beers that have solid malt backbones. Some also cringe at additives to beer, whether it’s fruit or chocolate or whatever. These people serve as anchors of traditional brewing, and while they don’t begrudge others the right to drink or brew whatever they want, they steadfastly decline to participate themselves.

I’m certainly not a traditionalist with beer, but one area that I can be a tad conservative about at times

George Lenker Beer Nut

is beer labels. While I enjoy some wacky labels and others that are superbly designed artistic efforts, I always enjoy older-style labels that harken back to old-world brews.

These are classic designs that many beer fans know and love: Guinness Stout, Anchor Liberty Ale, Pilsner Urquell, Rochefort 10. You get the idea (I hope): Clean, classic style, absent of any jokes, puns or ribaldry.

So I was a little nervous when I got an email announcing that Hacker-Pschorr had updated its logo and label.

SEE BEER, PAGE E9

ANY OF US SAVE special wines for special occasions.

Birthdays.

Wedding anniversaries.

Thanksgiving.

New Year’s Eve. I know I definitely do this myself. And later this week, I plan to open a nice bottle of wine to celebrate one of the smartest decisions I ever made in my life — to marry my wife.

But sometimes simply opening a great bottle of wine can be an occasion itself.

And during the past two months, about once a week, my wife and I have opened a special wine as a treat.

A special wine can mean many different things.

Some special wines are older wines.

Or they might be more rare wines or wines that I’ve been saving for a while.

Other times, a special wine might be slightly more expensive than I would normally spend on a bottle of wine.

(Let me add that in my mind, slightly more expensive is any wine that costs more than $20 a bottle.)

All I know is these are wines I don’t normally drink every day. So when I do have them, they seem like a real treat.

The eight red wines recommended this week all qualify as special wines in my opinion.

They’re also among the wines I’ve enjoyed the most in the past two months.

I know this because these are bottles I have set aside in a special place (on the floor beside my desk, to my wife’s delight) to remind myself to write about them later.

Some of these wines were new to me. A few are old favorites. Six come from California. One is from Argentina. The other is from France.

And all eight of them are

The eight red wines recommended this week. (KEN ROSS PHOTO)

SRP) • 2016 Chateau Lassegue Saint Emilion Grand Cru ($60 SRP) • 2015 Ruca Malen Terroir Series Lujan De Cuyo Petit Verdot ($23 SRP)

Ken Ross Wine Press

absolutely delicious. I hope you enjoy them as well and find them as special as I have the past few months.

Wines recommended this week • 2017 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($29 Suggested Retail Price) • 2017 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley ($60 SRP) • 2014 Francis Ford Coppola Director’s Cut Dry Creek Valley Sonoma County Zinfandel ($20 SRP) • 2018 Root & Rubble Pinot Noir ($40 SRP) • 2017 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Carneros Pinot Noir ($28 SRP) • 2018 Siduri Pinot Noir Russian River Valley ($29

Tasting notes 2017 Charles Krug Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Region: Napa Valley, California Grapes: Cabernet sauvignon Tasting notes: As Napa Valley’s oldest winery, Charles Krug was originally established in 1861 and later purchased in 1943 by the Cesare Mondavi family. To this day, the Mondavi family (easily the most famous and most recognizable wine family name in California) continues to manage Charles Krug. This bright, lively red wine abounds with ripe fruit flavors, especially cherry.

Smooth finish. Easy drinking.

A real gem.

2017 Ehlers Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Region: Napa Valley, California Grapes: Cabernet sauvignon SEE WINE, PAGE E10

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 | E9

DINE & WINE

Will diners flock back to restaurants when they reopen?

W

ITH THE REopening of restaurant dining rooms ongoing across America, there has been much discussion about the precautions that such moves entail.

Equally important, however, is how customers react to onsite dining during a pandemic, with that response just as critical to future restaurant success as masks and gloves will be.

The popularity of curbside, delivery, and takeout is an indication that not everyone has suddenly become an at-home Julia Child or Guy Fieri. There clearly remains a large part of the population that either can’t, or just isn’t motivated to, cook.

Admittedly, a combination of cabin fever and curiosity is likely to at first fill restaurant seats as they again become available. The great unknown is whether or not the market for dine-in will be sustained at close to pre-pandemic levels once those reopenings have occurred.

Dataessential, a firm that does research in the food industry, is bullish on the viability of reopened dining rooms.

Beer CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8

Fortunately, Hacker-Pschorr’s new logo and label didn’t wade into the wilder waters of design. It “features a contemporary interpretation of traditional design elements and was created to appeal to a broader audience,” according to the press release, and I can report that it looks good to me. good to me. The new packaging follows the company’s successful U.S. Weissbier beer can launch earlier this year. The bottle labels include Münchner Gold, Weissbier and Oktoberfest Märzen.

“The Hacker-Pschorr can launch was one of our most successful to date and made us revisit our current packaging to see how we can continue to enhance and improve our image with a younger audience,” said Steve Hauser,

CEO of Paulaner USA, which imports Hacker-Pschorr.

“The result is a fresh, modern look that uniquely celebrates the brand’s rich heritage and superior taste.”

I have to agree, and since the brewery has been around since 1417 I think we can allow it to shift to a slightly more modern look. The company makes good beer, too, so as long as it doesn’t change that too much, I’m fine with the new labels.

Signature Whiskey Bread Pudding.

Offered in a “cook at home” version, the bread pudding comes in full-sized and halfsized editions, with the half pan serving eight and the full size described as enough for 12.

Advance orders are required, and they can be made by calling Steaming Tender at 413-283-2744.

cials change nightly and are sized to accommodate from four to six, depending on the appetites involved.

Desserts are available as well, with options ranging from lemon meringue and chocolate cream pies to tapioca pudding and baklava.

Both pick-up service and local delivery are available; call 413-562-0335 for more information.

• The Tavern Restaurant in downtown Westfield is offering nightly Family Dinner specials.

Typical selections include Bourbon-brown sugar glazed grilled chicken, shrimp and scrod Francaise, tenderloin tips Marsala, and chicken and sweet sausage cacciatore. Spe-

• One sign of just how much the restaurant industry has changed over the past few weeks was described in an open letter from Jose Cil, the CEO of Restaurant Brands International, Inc. In preparation for fully relaunching the three con-

SEE MENU, PAGE E11

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Again, I have no issue with most modern beer labels; they’re often fun and sometimes ingenious. But I don’t need older beers to jump on this bandwagon. Maybe at some point many will have to in order to attract younger drinkers, but I’d like to see the best of the old labels stick around.

Fortunately, HackerPschorr’s new logo and label didn’t wade into the wilder waters of design. It “features a contemporary interpretation of traditional design elements and was created to appeal to a broader audience,” according to the press release, and I can report that it looks

malcy they crave. Yet a return to pre-pandemic restaurant visit frequency faces significant headwinds. For many, household finances have become problematic thanks to layoffs and loss of income, and future restaurant prices are likely to be significantly higher than pre-COVID. Recent research data Hugh Robert additionally indicates that Off The Menu for those who do anticipate visiting restaurants, drive-thIn research the firm complet- ru and curbside pickup are ed in late April, “dining in my overwhelmingly believed to favorite sit-down restaurant” be the safest options available was the No. 1 activity survey to them. respondents reported as that The actual dining room which they looked forward experience post-lockdown is to once stay-at-home orders also unlikely to fully satisfy were lifted. customer cravings for normalHowever, the same research cy. Fever checks before being seated, limits on party sizes, discovered considerable servers in gloves and masks, mistrust and caution in the mind of consumers, with 72% and socially distanced seating of those queried “not trusting may do little to instill in diners a sense that all is right with others to act responsibly” the world. once lockdowns were lifted.

Embedded in this (and Side dishes other) speculative consumer • One of the options that research is a troubling set of Steaming Tender Restaucontradictions.

Consumers are eager for life rant in Palmer is making to return to “normal,” and be- available as part of its recently ing able to go out for a meal is introduced curbside pickup an important part of the norservice is the operation’s

WEEKEND

E10 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

VIDEO GAME REVIEW

‘Streets of Rage 4’: old-school, beat-’em-up action

By Christopher Byrd

Special to The Washington Post

“Streets of Rage 4” is the video game equivalent of comfort food. The fourth entry in this series of beat ’em up games continues the brawling tradition of its predecessors, which reached the zenith of its popularity following the release of “Streets of Rage 2” in 1992. I have fond memories of playing the initial sequel as a young teen, then, years later, when it was rereleased for the Xbox 360. So, my personal history places me squarely in the target demographic for “Streets of Rage 4.” This nostalgic ode to a time when video games were less sophisticated banks its

Blaze Fielding returns in “Streets of Rage 4.” (DOTEMU)

Wine CONTINUED FROM PAGE E8

Tasting notes: One of my favorite wines of the past two months, this smooth, elegant cabernet sauvignon has a long, subtle finish with hints of roasted almonds, dried blackberries and a hint of dark chocolate. This is a wine made for savoring over several hours or a long, leisurely afternoon — something many of us are having more of the past few months.

Some of these wines were new to me. A few are old favorites. Six come from California. One is from Argentina. The other is from France. And all eight of them are absolutely delicious. I hope you enjoy them as well and find them as special as I have the past few months. understated finish with a mix of earthy flavors, including roasted cherries and smoked meats.

Take Clemenza’s advice, to paraphrase one of the most famous quotes from “The Godfather.” Leave the gun.

Take the zinfandel.

2018 Root & Rubble Pinot Noir 2014 Francis Ford CoppoRegion: Sonoma County, la Director’s Cut Dry Creek California Valley Sonoma County Grapes: Pinot noir Zinfandel Tasting notes: Another Region: Sonoma County, complex pinot noir from California California’s superb Sonoma Grapes: Zinfandel County. While it’s difficult to Tasting notes: Francis make broad generalizations Ford Coppola may be better when talking about two of known for his other job (he’s California’s most famous made a few movies you might wine growing regions, I find have heard of, including “The that many Sonoma County Godfather”) but he’s also an wines often have an earthoutstanding winemaker. And ier, more full-bodied finish compared to wines from for those of you who think California zinfandels are big, neighboring Napa Valley.

But this subtle, silky pinot bold, muscular wines, this defies such expectations. gem will make you rethink Here, the flavors (including the possibilities of one of raspberry) are softer and the most underrated grapes. more understated. I was This zinfandel has a subtle,

especially impressed by how well this light, refreshing red wine tastes at this young age.

A perfect summer afternoon red wine.

2017 Robert Mondavi Napa Valley Carneros Pinot Noir Region: Napa Valley, California Grapes: Pinot noir Tasting notes: One of the best-known wineries in California, Robert Mondavi knows how to make consistently great, affordable wines.

This delightful pinot noir is no exception. Well balanced and crisp, this complex wine has a wide range of flavors, including dried cherries, roasted plums and a hint of roasted walnuts. A real joy to drink now.

2018 Siduri Pinot Noir Russian River Valley Region: Russian River Valley, Sonoma County, California Grapes: Pinot noir Tasting notes: Siduri Win-

ery makes several different powerful pinot noir wines, but I especially enjoyed this earthy yet elegant red wine.

As you might expect from a younger California pinot noir, the fruit flavors (hint of raspberry and blackberry) take center stage at first. But within a few minutes, those flavors become more muted and more complex, intense flavors begin to emerge. It is a truly wonderful wine ready to enjoy now.

2016 Chateau Lassegue Saint Emilion Grand Cru Region: Saint Emilion, Bordeaux, France Grapes: Blend of several grapes Tasting notes: It’s no surprise that France’s Bordeaux region makes outstanding wine. But I was absolutely blown away by this wine’s rich, subtle flavors — which ranged from roasted blackberries and roasted almonds along with a hint of dark chocolate. Let me add that the 2012 vintage is also out-

‘STREETS OF RAGE 4’ Developed by: Dotemu, Lizardcube and Guard Crush Games Published by: Dotemu Available on: Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One

appeal on slick street art/ arcade-style graphics and a catchy soundtrack.

In my experience, beat ’em up games — which amount to little more than walking around and throttling everyone that comes your way — are best enjoyed with other people. Repetitive actions SEE VIDEO GAME, PAGE E11

standing but you’ll likely have an easier time finding the 2016 vintage, which is drinking great right now. Just make sure to give this wonderful wine time to breathe (about 30 minutes to 1 hour) after opening the bottle.

2015 Ruca Malen Terroir Series Lujan De Cuyo Petit Verdot Region: Mendoza, Argentina Grapes: Petit verdot Tasting notes: Argentina’s Mendoza region may be best known for its full-throttled, muscular malbec wines. But this refined, elegant petit verdot from the same region shows just how versatile and outstanding wines can be from this famous wine growing region in South America.

One of my favorite surprises of the past few weeks, this wine didn’t last long during a recent leisurely weekend meal. Hope you enjoy this magnificent wine as much I did.

Cheers!

Wine Press by Ken Ross appears on Masslive.com every Monday and in The Republican’s weekend section every Thursday.

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

WEEKEND

Menu

Video game

CONTINUED FROM PAGE E9

cepts in RBI’s portfolio, Cil revealed that the company is evaluating reusable mask designs that are an integral part of the standard uniform at RBI outlets, which include Burger King restaurants.

Burger King is also working to improve its drive-thru and curbside pick-up options as well as reconfiguring its dining room layouts.

The other giant in the fast food burger world, McDonald’s Corp., is trying to develop a menu strategy for going forward.

When the pandemic-driven shutdown began, McDonald’s switched its operations to a limited menu and discontinued all-day breakfast. Now, with at least partial reopening possible, the fast food giant is contemplating gradual, “staged” reintroduction of its pre-March bill of fare, with the actual menu lineup decisions made on an individual market area basis.

Of particular concern to McDonald’s management is rebuilding the chain’s breakfast business, a part that has been disproportionately impacted by stay-at-home orders and the successful rollout of a breakfast menu by Wendy’s.

The Wendy’s Company recently reported that its breakfast menu, which was launched in early March, now represents 8% of that chain’s total sales, a level the brand had not expected to reach before the end of 2020.

• Though the establishment’s waterside ambiance can’t be enjoyed on a take home basis, Russo’s Lakeside Seafood and Steakhouse in Palmer is putting up its regular menu for takeout.

Russo’s, which is located on Forest Lake, also prepares “Family Style Meals.” Sized to serve up to five, the choices include the likes of a beef taco kit; a 15-piece fried chicken dinner that includes mashed potatoes, mac ’n’ cheese, baked beans, and more; and a fish & chips family pack.

Group-friendly dessert selections like apple or blueberry

THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020 | E11

Recent research data indicates that, for those who do anticipate visiting restaurants, takeout, drive-thru and curbside pickup are overwhelmingly believed to be the safest options available to them. (SUE OGROCKI / ASSOCIATED PRESS)

crisp, a Boston Cream cake, and cannoli are available as well.

Russo’s is currently opening nightly at 4 p.m. with daytime hours Thursday through Sunday.

Orders can be called in to 413-289-2360.

• GianniFig’s Ristorante in South Deerfield has remained open during the “stay-at-home” order, offering takeout and local delivery service nightly, Tuesday through Sunday.

On Wednesday evenings GianniFig’s has been promoting a “Wine and Dine” for couples package. It includes a shared appetizer, salad or soup for two, any dinner on the menu for both, and a shared dessert.

A selected bottle of wine is also factored into the $70 package price.

The restaurant answers at 413-350-5940.

• Preparing three family meal packages daily, Leone’s Restaurant in Springfield also makes most of its regular menu available for curbside pickup or local delivery.

The family meal options are chicken francaise, chicken parmesan, and eggplant parmesan, with each family meal designed to serve from four to six. Salad, bread, homemade dressing, and dipping oil are included, and the core “family meal” selections are typically supplemented by a daily special or two.

Two homemade dessert

options – currently tiramisu and berry peach crisp — can be requested to enhance a family dinner drive-by.

Leone’s, which is located in the Tri-Town Plaza off Cooley Street, answers at 413-7834363.

• “Kits,” to-go food packages with some assembly required, have proven to be an interesting variation on the takeout culture that’s evolved over the past two months.

Dunkin’, the coffee shop giant, has introduced a DIY Donut Kit that features plain donuts along with frostings and sprinkles for home decorating.

The kit is available from participating locations in four – and nine-donut versions.

Taco Bell is promoting an “At Home Taco Bar,” a “serves-six” pick-up package that includes flour tortillas, taco shells, nacho chips, seasoned beef, queso and condiments.

DIY Sundae Kits are available at some Baskin-Robbins locations. In addition to two quarts of ice cream, the kits include a sauce such as butterscotch or hot fudge, sprinkle-on toppings, and an aerosol can of whipped cream.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 45 years of restaurant and educational experience.

Robert can be reached on-line at OffTheMenuGuy@aol.com.

my cousin and I relied mostly on Blaze, Adam and Floyd.

Given that the most recent CONTINUED FROM PAGE E10 “Streets of Rage” game came and cartoonish violence lend out in 1993, the latest game’s themselves to wry commenvisuals make quite the imtary; off-color remarks help pression. Veteran players will recognize familiar enemies fill the vacuum left by the such as the fire-spouting, games’ throwaway stories. suspender-wearing Big With that in mind, I drafted Ben or those 1970s-style my cousin, a gifted trash punks, the Signals. The gulf talker, to enliven my romp through “Streets of Rage 4’s” between their pixelated representations from back dozen stages. in the day and their contemThough its plot details really are superfluous, “Streets porary versions is every bit of Rage 4” follows a handful what you’d expect. “Streets of vigilantes as they try to dis- of Rage 4” looks like an mantle a criminal syndicate animated comic book, an led by the Y twins attribute accentuated by the — the children of the “Streets game’s unvoiced previous game’s arch of Rage 4” cutscenes. villain Mr. X. The nelooks like farious brother and The first of sister have hatched a an animated many little plan to brainwash the comic book, visual flourishes citizens of Wood Oak that caught our an attribute attention was City (whose subways and buildings are accentuated Dylan, a new enwho fights basically a stand-in by the game’s emy bare-chested for New York City) unvoiced with his hands in with mind-altering his pockets like music, which they cutscenes. the world’s most plan to broadcast at a obnoxious bro. Then there concert. were the police officers in the Over the course of their police station that liked to first run through the game, wail on the prisoners, and the players have access to the girls with names like Margaolder characters from the series — Blaze Fielding, Axel ret and Victoria who sport Stone and Adam Hunter — as fringe haircuts that attack you in an art gallery. In other well as two new characters words, plenty of silly bits ripe — Cherry Hunter and Floyd for commentary.

Iraia. Each has a slightly At a certain point my cousin different feel to them. Blaze mentioned liking “Streets and Cherry are faster than of Rage 4” for its animation the others, while Adam and and because it offered us an Floyd are stronger and have greater reach; Axl offers more opportunity to do something together. By those humble of a middle ground between speed and power. For our first metrics, this throwback is a success. run through the story mode,

WEEKEND

E12 | THURSDAY, MAY 21, 2020

THE REPUBLICAN | MASSLIVE.COM

90 William Street, Springfield • 732-5428 159 Shaker Rd, East Longmeadow • 525-9400

Thibault De Montalembert, center, in “Call My Agent.”

(CHRISTOPHE BRACHET / NETFLIX)

Theater CONTINUED FROM PAGE E3

“Dix Pour Cent” (10 percent) in French — it is built around the outfit’s star agents and their tempestuous clients.

Each episode (in French with English subtitles) features an actual, good-sport star, among them, Isabelle Huppert, Juliette Binoche, Jean Dujardin and Audrey Fleurot. I have to mention, too, the superb regulars — Camille Cottin, Liliane Rovère, Grégory Montel, Fanny Sidney, Nicolas Maury, Stéfi Calma, Laure Calamy and Thibault de Montalembert — because they make up the best comedy ensemble on television. Available via Netflix.

Check out Play Per View A new hybrid performance art taking shape on the web, built on the Zoom conferencing platform, is getting more inventive by the week.

It consists of actors in their bedrooms and living rooms and studios, reading from scripts and conjuring the work of a passel of playwrights who are just beginning to make their marks. One of the most intriguing of the start-up groups is Play Per View, which offers live online “theatrical events” with top-flight actors, the proceeds going to arts

One of the most intriguing of the start-up groups is Play Per View, which offers live online “theatrical events” with topflight actors, the proceeds going to arts organizations hobbled by the shutdown. organizations hobbled by the shutdown. Forthcoming performances include Jonathan Spector’s “Eureka Day” tomorrow on play-perview. com.

Visit Colonial Williamsburg - virtually And here’s a tip for lovers of “Hamilton” who’ve had their appetites heightened for history with a dash of theater: Colonial Williamsburg has online video talks — in and out of character — by some of the actor-“interpreters” in the 18th-century village, who embody figures of the colonial past. As with a talk by George Washington (found on Colonial Williamsburg’s Facebook page), you can get the rich flavor of the Williamsburg experience, as the village waits to invite you back. colonial williamsburg.org.

Gift delivery gift packages for the family members we haven’t seen in a while.

Packages start around $60 Checkout our delicious prepared family packages of Lasagna, Chicken, Meatloaf and more.

For full list of mea e ls l see frigofoods.com and register to get daily email specials.

We are also accepting orders for curbside pickup and local delivery.

Credit cards are preferred to minimize cash handling.