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Welcome to a Parisian salon. This staged dramatic reading brings to life a collection of stories from Paris Portraits: Stories of Picasso, Matisse, Gertrude Stein, and Their Circle, by Harriet Lane Levy (1867–1950), a celebrated San Francisco writer and theater critic.
Actress Laura Sheppard portrays the stories of Harriet Lane Levy, who moved to Paris in 1907 with her friend and neighbor Alice B. Toklas and suddenly found herself immersed in a strange and vibrant world. Levy tells of her initiation into the Parisian lifestyle and salons of the Steins (Gertrude and brother Leo, and brother Michael and his wife Sarah), the rivalry between Picasso and Matisse, wild nights in Montmartre, and her own discoveries as a single woman abroad, painting a picture of Paris that is simultaneously grand and intimate.
This staged dramatic reading was originally developed for the exhibition, Seeing Gertrude Stein, featured at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Created and performed by Laura Sheppard and directed by Suzanne Stassevitch. Accompanied on piano by Dale Tsang.
Co-presented with The Mechanics’ Institute.
Laura Sheppard is artistic director of Yiddish Theatre Ensemble (YTE), a producer, and a professionally trained actor. She was producer for YTE’s productions including Di Megileh of Itzik Manger, God of Vengeance, and Between Worlds. She served as a cultural consultant for productions of Indecent at San Francisco Playhouse, which received six Bay Area Critics Circle Awards; Indecent at Center Rep, Walnut Creek; and Fiddler on the Roof at Contra Costa Civic Theatre. Laura’s solo theatrical work includes Still Life with (Gertrude) Stein which toured to the Edinburgh Fringe and international festivals. Paris Portraits was featured at the Contemporary Jewish Museum and the Marines’ Memorial Theatre for Humanities West. She is senior producer at San Francisco’s historic Mechanics’ Institute where she presents literary events and celebrations. She continues to create theatre and dramatic readings inspired by great writers.
Dale Tsang earned her bachelor’s degree in music in piano performance from the University of Southern California, her master’s degree in music from the University of Michigan, and her doctoral degree in musical arts from Rice University. Dale is a faculty member at Laney College and teaches aspiring adult students.
A winner of numerous competitions and an active solo and chamber musician, Dale frequently performs locally and internationally, including in France, Spain, Germany, Hungary, Poland, the Netherlands, China, and Japan. As a core member of the Ensemble for These Times, she championed twentieth and twenty-first century music and collaborated in many commissions, premieres, and international performances. Her collaborative work on E4TT recordings resulted in a 2016 Silver Medal and a 2018 Gold Medal from the Global Music Awards. She enthusiastically continues to disseminate the music of living composers including that of her husband, composer David Garner.
Suzanne Stassevitch (Director) has had a lifelong passion for theater arts, especially Readers Theater. George Orwell’s Animal Farm, was her directorial debut. She worked with the San Francisco Opera for over two decades as head of wardrobe. She continues to contribute her talents to various theater productions including costuming a COVID-era Zoom production of God of Vengence with the Yiddish Theater Ensemble. Paris Portraits continues a journey with Laura about the lively art and intellectual world of Paris in the early twentieth century.
Myles Cooper (Technical Director) is the library manager and archivist at the Mechanics’ Institute in San Francisco, where he oversees special collections, archives, and preservation efforts alongside colleague Laura Sheppard, senior producer. For Paris Portraits, he provides technical support, drawing on his experience in live sound, hosting, and performance production.
Accessible seating is available at this event. Accessibility accommodations such as American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation and assisted listening devices are available upon request ten business days in advance.
Please email publicengagement@sfmoma.org, and we will do our best to fulfill your request.
Presenting Sponsor of Thursday Night Live is Zoox.
Meaningful support is provided by Diana Nelson and John Atwater.
Additional support is provided by the Yerba Buena Partnership.