NEW YORK — Like bookends, Elsa Schiaparelli and Miuccia Prada sit at opposite ends of a long, elegant table for their chat. There are crystal wineglasses and an ornate chandelier. They cover fashion, of course, but get into broader topics of politics and exotic places, feminism and popular culture.

The banter is lively, thoughtful and friendly, although sometimes they have very different opinions and aren’t afraid to voice them. Schiaparelli says the top of an outfit is the most important because in her day (the 1930s-’40s), when Cafe Society was all the rage, women were seen only from the waist up, sitting at a restaurant table. More than 50 years later, Prada put the emphasis on what’s below the belt because that’s what she found more dynamic and exciting.

“The skirt has always been one of my primary focuses. Everyone knows that you have to be very beautiful from the waist up, and less sophisticated from the waist down. But to me the waist up is more spiritual, more intellectual, while the waist down is more basic, more grounded. It’s about sex. It’s about making love. It’s about life,” says Prada. “It’s about giving birth.”

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NEW YORK — Too few people were willing to consider taking a Leap of Faith.

Producers of the Broadway musical based on the 1992 film starring Steve Martin said Tuesday the show will close Sunday. It will have played 24 previews and 20 regular performances.

The musical had new songs by Alan Menken and stars Raul Esparza as a devious faith healer who is ready to scam residents of a down-and-out Kansas town. It got a Tony Award nomination for best musical but no other nods and some poor reviews.

Last week, it earned just $171,381 at the box office from a potential of $1,315,655.

Other shows stung by the lack of Tony attention have also announced they will close, including the now-shuttered Seminar and Magic/Bird, which closes this week.

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Online:

http://www.leapoffaithbroadway.com

Maurice Sendak (AP photo)

NEW YORK — Maurice Sendak, the children’s book author and illustrator who saw the sometimes-dark side of childhood in books like Where the Wild Things Are and In the Night Kitchen, died early Tuesday. He was 83.

Longtime friend and caretaker Lynn Caponera said she was with him when Sendak died at a hospital in Danbury, Conn. She said he had a stroke on Friday.

Where the Wild Things Are earned Sendak a prestigious Caldecott Medal for the best children’s book of 1964 and became a hit movie in 2009. President Bill Clinton awarded Sendak a National Medal of the Arts in 1996 for his vast portfolio of work.

Sign online guestbook | Photos: 2012 notable deaths

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For me, Giotto was the first real artist. Considering that he lived nearly 800 years ago, that’s saying something.

It wasn’t his figure modeling, which was often as stiff as other figures in what was, after all, the Middle Ages. It was a combination of his colors, his perspectives, and an emotional intensity that was unparalleled for the period.

Abbeville has published Giotto, a second edition of Francesca Flores d’Arcais’s definitive book on the artist, which is accompanied by 300 sumptuous color photographs of his finest work.

I’ve never been to Assisi, so haven’t seen the Franciscan chapel that is said to contain some of his best art. But I have gazed in wonder at his frescoes in Santa Croce and other places in Florence, where he died in 1337, as well as at various museums.

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The Armory Art Center Partners with Art Rock for a One Day Art Show + Indie Marketplace Event

Art Rock, a cash-and-carry art show + indie marketplace will feature pop-surrealist, outsider, lowbrow, and street art alongside D.I.Y fashion, funky jewelry and home deco items located at the Armory Art Center.

This will be art you will want to buy made by accomplished and up-and-coming South Florida artists.

The event will showcase over 60 artist’s booths packed full of affordable art you can hang on your walls, wear, eat, admire or even sip your coffee from. Showcasing art in all mediums including painting, sculpture, ceramics, printmaking, photography, fabric, edible art and more! Live artist demonstrations, complimentary swag bags are available for the first 100 people. Armory faculty will be doing demonstrations in wheel throwing, drawing and painting and will be conducting a free kids activity. Door prizes, food and drinks will add to the excitement of the day.

Here are some examples:

Fused glass bowl by Camille Perrin

Fused glass by Camille Perrin

Camille Perrin has been a multi-media artist for over 35 years and began working with kiln formed glass in 1989. She holds a BA from the University of South Carolina, and attended the Appalachian School of Craft for advanced kiln formed work. She has had numerous private exhibitions and her work has been acquired for private and corporate collections in the US, the UK and in Europe. Perrin is currently the fused glass instructor at The Armory Art Center.

"Video Poker Smoker" by Dave Berns

"NOFX Gig Poster" by Dave Berns

David Berns is a Cartoonist, Illustrator and Art Director whose latest creative endeavors in Rock Poster Art (hotdamnarts.com) and Sketchbooking (sketchhunter.com). Hot Damn Arts his art publishing imprint, focusing on Gig Posters, Pin-Up Art, Comics and other creative vulgarities. Sketch Hunter is a creative exploration featuring live drawings of people in-the-act of living their lives.

Art Rock Creator, Amanda Linton’s reason for bringing the event to the Armory was inspired by the Armory’s strong connection to the art community. “We wanted to create a venue for artists to sell their work, network and meet other artists, galleries and collectors face to face.” Amanda said. “My husband and I are artists and with the success of our sister show STITCH ROCK, we thought a similar marketplace with a focus on fine art was needed. There are plenty of annual art shows with the same art year after year, but we wanted a place to showcase art we would be happy to hang on our own walls.”

Art Rock is on Saturday, May 12, from 12 to 6 p.m. The cost is $5 and free for children 12 and under, accompanied with and adult). Visit www.artrockrocks.com for a complete list of participating artists. The Armory Art Center is at 1700 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach.

The Armory’s mission is to provide high-quality visual art school and art gallery services that stimulate personal self-discovery and generate knowledge and awareness of art as part of life. For more information on the Armory Art Center, or to sign up for classes, visit www.ArmoryArt.org or call (561) 832-1776.

ON THE HORIZON

‘A DAY IN HOLLYWOOD, A NIGHT IN THE UKRAINE’: May 11-12, Bak Theatre, 1725 Echo Lake Drive, West Palm Beach. A Tony Award-winning Broadway musical comedy double feature: first, a musical tribute to the heyday of Hollywood, then a fast-paced Marx Brothers comedy with tap-dancing and rubber chickens! Tickets: $15 (561) 882-3864; www.BakMSOA.com

‘LES MISERABLES’: Opens May 16 and runs through May 26, Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach. Cameron Mackintosh presents a brand-new 25th-anniversary production of Boublil & Schönberg’s legendary musical with new staging and reimagined scenery inspired by the paintings of Victor Hugo. The score of Les Miserables includes the classic songs I Dreamed a Dream, On My Own, Do You Hear the People Sing? and One Day More. Tickets start at $27. (561) 832-7469.

NOW PLAYING

‘THE COUNTRY BOY’: Runs through Saturday, Crest Theatre, Old School Square, 51 N. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. An intimate portrait of the cost of country life vs. city living, particularly New York. The play examines the dilemma of emigration in rural Ireland in the 1950s. Tickets: $20. (561) 243-7922, Ext. 1.

‘CATCH ME IF YOU CAN’: Runs through Sunday, The Barn Theatre, 2400 S.E. Ocean Blvd., Stuart. A gleeful murder mystery set in a Catskills cottage during a newly married couple’s honeymoon. Tickets: $20. (772) 287-4884.

‘INTO THE WOODS’: Runs through Sunday, Santaluces High School, 6880 Lawrence Road, Lantana. The Santaluces High School Acting Chiefs present the Pulitzer Prize-winning show, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. Tickets: $10 for adults and $5 for students. (561) 642-6245; www.seatyourself.biz/santaluces.

Art After Dark features An Evening for Mom from 5-9 p.m. Thursday, featuring live jazz and complimentary makeup, hair and spa treatments.

From 6-8 p.m., pamper mom in a mini-spa provided by Eau Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Beach.

The pbpulse.com tour at 5:30 p.m. will highlight Women in Art – as subjects, muses and artists.

While Mom’s being lavished, dads and families can take part in the Curator’s Conversation: Decoding Messages in Chinese Art, led by Laurie Barnes, the Elizabeth B. McGraw curator of Chinese art.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

CLAY GLASS METAL STONE COOPERATIVE GALLERY’S THIRD ANNIVERSARY – 6 p.m. today at the gallery, 605 Lake Ave., Lake Worth. Features a Monarch butterfly release, anniversary cake and mimosas. Info: (561) 588-8344; clayglassmetalstone.com.

GALLERY TALKS – 10:30 a.m. and noon Saturday ; 2:30 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, Society of the Four Arts, 2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach. Members of the William I. Koch Curatorial Team will speak about the exhibit "Recapturing the Real West: The Collections of William I. Koch." $5, includes exhibit admission, gallery talk and catalog (while supplies last). Children younger than 15 are free. Reservations required. Info: (561) 655-7226.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Palm Beach Photographic Centre, 415 Clematis St., West Palm Beach, has volunteer opportunities for museum greeters, FOTOcamp, exhibitions, receptions and clerical. Info: (561) 253-2600.

ARTISTS’ DEMONSTRATIONS And DRUM PERFORMANCE: 7-9 p.m. May 14, The Beat Cup Café, 660 W. Linton Blvd., Delray Beach. The Artists of Palm Beach County hold their monthly artists’ sharing gathering. Norman Berman, John Vincent Palozzi, Jean Hutchison, and Eric Perna will share. Free for members, $5 guests. Info: (561) 278-4479.

LAST CHANCE

THE BEADED CARDS OF JENNIFER ATTIGLIATO: Through Sunday, Kenneth Plasket Gallery, 330 Clematis St., Suite 118, West Palm Beach. Each of these handpainted and beaded cards is one of a kind. Info: (561) 601-6136.

OLD TECHNIQUES, NEW INTERPRETATIONS: JAPANESE PRINTS FROM THE PAUL AND CHRISTINE MEEHAN COLLECTION: Through Sunday, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. Japanese woodblock printmaking. Info: (561) 495-0233; morikami.org

OPENING:

‘POP! MOVABLE BOOKS FROM THE ARTHUR J. WILLIAMS POP-UP COLLECTION: Through Aug. 12, The Jaffe Center for Book Arts at FAU Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. Wildly colorful and interactive books that open to elements that pop up, slide and twirl. Info: (561) 297-3770; www.library.fau.edu/geninfo/hours.htm.

FIELD OF COLORS: AN EXHIBITION BY ZIVI AVIRAZ: Through May 31, PBSC Eissey Campus Theatre Lobby Gallery, 3160 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. Mixed media-acrylic paintings. Info:(561) 207-5905.

IMPORTANT CERAMIC WORKS: Opening reception 2-5 p.m. Saturday, Elaine Baker Gallery, Gallery Center, 608 Banyan Trail, Boca Raton. Works by Jun Kaneko, Peter Voulkos, Ken Price, Don Reitz, Toshiko Takaezu, Pablo Picasso, Michael Lucero, Tony Marsh, Rick Dillingham, Christine Federighi, Richard DeVore and Betty Woodman. Info: (561) 241-3050.

ON DISPLAY

HISTORY OF FLORIDA SURFING EXHIBITION: Through May 12, University Galleries at FAU’s Boca Raton campus, 777 Glades Road. Presents the 80-year history of Florida surfing through contributions from more than 50 photographers including such Florida standouts as Tom Dugan and Richard Meserrol and internationally known photographers Jeff Divine and Steve Wilkings. Several programs are planned for the closing from 3 to 8 p.m. May 12: John Tate and Nic Lugo present a slide show; FAU associate professor and ethnomusicologist James E. Cunningham will lecture on "Surf Rock and the Music of the ‘Right’ Coast;" a screening of Will Lucas’ film "Surfing at Summers End," music from 6 to 8 p.m. includes spinning reggae and surf tunes. A cash bar Info: (561) 297-2966 or visit www.fau.edu/galleries

PACKAGING NATURE: Through May 17, ActivistArtistA Gallery, 422 W. Industrial Ave., Boynton Beach. Ten artists in a conceptual exhibition that questions the precepts of nature. Human nature and the environment is revealed through installations, assemblages, photography and sound. Curated by Rolando Chang Barrero. Free. Info: (786) 521-1199; activistartista.com

FORT MOSE: COLONIAL AMERICA’S BLACK FORTRESS OF FREEDOM: Through July 29, The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum, 170 N.W. Fifth Ave., Delray Beach. This exhibit from the Florida Museum of Natural History explores the history of Fort Mose, America’s first legally sanctioned free black community. Info: (561) 279-8883; www.spadymuseum.org.

RECAPTURING THE REAL WEST: THE COLLECTIONS OF WILLIAM I. KOCH: Through May 13, Society of the Four Arts, 2 Four Arts Plaza, Palm Beach. Rare items from Bill Koch’s comprehensive private collection, most of which have never been displayed to the public. Info: (561) 655-7226.

THE RITE OF SPRING: Lighthouse ArtCenter Gallery at Midtown, 4759 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. Features new work from the ArtCenter’s Artists’ Guild with a focus on spring. Info: (561) 746-3101; LighthouseArts.org.

PAINTINGS IN THE AFTERMATH: Through May 31, Morikami Museum and Japanese Gardens, 4000 Morikami Park Road, Delray Beach. Japanese students painted in the aftermath of the tsunami of March 2011. Compiled from six schools in Japan’s Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, the paintings are based on three themes: Appreciation of World Friendship, My Life 10 Years from Now and What I Want to Do in the Future. Info: (561) 495-0233; www.morikami.org

PAINTINGS & SCULPTURE IN TRANSITION: ORIGINAL WORKS BY CLARENCE ‘SKIP’ MEASELLE: Bruce Webber Gallery, 705 Lucerne Ave., Lake Worth. Lake Worth resident Measelle is best known for his work in photorealism and abstract illusionism. Info: (561) 582-1045; www.webbergallery.com

ANNABELLE MCBRIDE: Kenneth Plasket Gallery, 330 Clematis St., Suite 118, West Palm Beach. McBride, a Standard Oil heiress, died in 2005. Her paintings have been in storage for more than 30 years. Info: (561) 601-6136.

AN ARTISTIC DISCOVERY: THE CONGRESSIONAL STUDENT ART SHOW: Through May 20, Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Features entries from Florida’s 19th Congressional District in the nationwide high school arts competition sponsored by the U.S. House of Representatives. Info: (561)392-2500; bocamuseum.org.

NEW EXHIBITS AT BOCA MUSEUM OF ART: Through May 20, Boca Raton Museum of Art, 501 Plaza Real, Boca Raton. Info: (561)392-2500; bocamuseum.org.

• Will Barnet at 100: To mark the 100th birthday of pioneering painter, printmaker and educator Will Barnet (born May 25, 1911), this exhibition of nearly 50 works explores the evolution of Barnet’s art from realism to abstraction.
• Muted Imprints: An Installation by Misako Inaoka: Inaoka’s kinetic sculpture and site-specific installations evoke wilderness, but are grounded in technology.
• Glass Act: The Contemporary studio art glass movement turns 50 and this survey of contemporary studio glass celebrates one-of-a-kind fine art glass pieces made in individual studios rather than glass factories.

WYNN BULLOCK: INSIGHTS & SURPRISES: Through June 9, Palm Beach Photographic Centre, 415 Clematis St., West Palm Beach. The mid-20th century master photographer is best known for his evocative black and white images, but he also created a significant body of color work he called Color Light Abstractions. Info: (561) 253-2600; www.workshop.org or www.fotofusion.org.

OUTSIDE/ FLORIDA PHOTOGRAPHERS FACE-TO-FACE WITH THE MUSEUM COLLECTION: Through June 10, Norton Museum, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. These photographers’ work, juxtaposed with works from the Norton’s Photography Collection. Featured photographers: Maria Martinez-Cañas of Miami; Alexander Diaz of St. Augustine; Valerie George of Pensacola, Christopher Morris of Tampa; and the team of Eduardo del Valle and Mirta Gómez of Miami. Christopher Morris will present an Artist Lecture at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 24. Info: (561) 832-5196; norton.org

DECODING MESSAGES IN CHINESE ART: Through June 24, Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. A special installation of seven Chinese works of art features the newly acquired 13th century painting, Five Quail. Info: (561) 832-5196; norton.org

NEW EYES SHOW: FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHER BARRY SEIDMAN: Through Oct. 31, Harris Private Bank, Phillips Point, 777 S. Flagler Drive, Suite 140E, West Palm Beach. Seidman exhibits 85 pieces from various photographic series. Presented by the Lighthouse ArtCenter. Available by appointment through Christi Thompson at (561) 366-4218. www.BarrySeidman.com

PARADISE IN PERIL: WORLD WAR II IN PALM BEACH COUNTY: Through Aug. 18, Richard and Pat Johnson Palm Beach County History Museum, 300 N. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach. Archival photographs of Palm Beach County citizens, maps of historically significant areas and artifacts. Free. Info: (561) 832-4164; www.historicalsocietypbc.org.

AMERICAN MASTERS AT THE NORTON: Through Fall, Norton Museum of Art, 1451 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach. Features the work of Clyfford Still and Joan Mitchell, masters of late 20th-century American painting. Still is credited with laying the groundwork for the Abstract Expressionism movement. Mitchell used paint directly from tubes, applying it with her hands and conceiving of compositions that worked from the center out, rather than over the entire surface of her canvas. Info: (561) 832-5196; norton.org

CHICAGO — The lure of Eugene O’Neill strikes Chicago again, as actors Brian Dennehy and Nathan Lane partner with the Goodman Theatre for the playwright’s epic, nearly five-hour drama The Iceman Cometh.

Dennehy and Goodman artistic director Robert Falls — famous for their O’Neill collaborations — are revisiting the piece more than two decades after they first embarked on it. This time Dennehy switches roles, playing anarchist Larry Slade and Lane takes on salesman Theodore “Hickey” Hickman.

Opening night is Thursday and the show runs through June 17.

The piece may seem atypical for Lane, known for bright musicals and comedic roles, like The Producers or this spring’s Mirror Mirror. But the actor said he was looking for a challenge and found it in a play he’s loved since he first read it as a young man.

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