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PHSECTION 2 IX'Nixon In China' Plans A Stop At The BrooklynAcademy O f Music For Director's N .Y . DebutBY ARTHUR KROEBERAn unusual new opera on former President Richard Nixon%u2019s pathbreaking visit to the People%u2019s Republic of China in 1972 will close out the Next Wave Festival at the Brooklyn Academy of Music next year.The opera, by California composer John Adams with a libretto by Alice Goodman, will play at BAM in December 1987 under the direction of controversial director Peter Sellars. The world premiere will be in Houston two months earlier, in a performance by the Houston Grand Opera, which commissioned the work in collaboration with BAM.The production will mark Sellars%u2019 New York debut. The 28-year-old director, who has run both the Boston Shakespeare Company and the American National Theater at Washington%u2019s Kennedy Center in his brief professional career, has directed several productions at the Pepsico Summerfare festival in Westchester County (most recently Mozart%u2019s %u201cCosi fan tutte%u201d in 1986), but none of his shows has appeared in New York. He was the original director of the George and Ira Gershwin musical %u201cMy One and Only,%u201d revived in 1983 on Broadway, but left the show in a dispute with cast members before previews.%u201cNixon in China%u201d is reportedly Sellars%u2019 brainchild; he then convinced Adams and Goodman to produce the score and libretto for it.A preliminary synopsis by Goodman reveals the opera to be a blend of humor and fantasy with a very loosely structured plot.The central scene is a production of the revolutionary ballet, %u201cThe Red Detachment of Women,%u201d which Nixon actually did see in 1972.But the libretto takes some liberties with history: the Nixons are so overcome by the fervor of the production that they join in, the President leading an attack of rebellious peasants against an evil landlord and Mrs. Nixon acting as companion to the heroine. The ballet ends with a curious fusion of ideals: %u201cThe chorus sings that the People%u2019s Revolution cannot be stemmed. The Nixons sing that the Silent Majority has found a voice.%u201dOther scenes depict Nixon%u2019s meeting with Chinese leader Mao Zedong (%u201cThe effect should be reminiscent of one of Plato%u2019smore emotional dialogues touched up by Gertrude Stein%u201d ) and banquets hosted by the Chinese and Americans.Although Adams and Goodman were not available for comment, they have made clear in previous interviewsThat the opera is not intended to be a political attack on either side; but rather is an exploitation of the operatic potential of grandiosely staged political events like the Nixon trip.It also, according to Adams, will deal with the conflicts between American and Chinese culture.%u201cNixon in China%u201d is the first opera for Adams, a post-minimalist composer. In addition to the production%u2019s stops in Houston and Brooklyn it is tentatively scheduled for performance at the Washington Opera in Washington, D.C.'Tribute' Is A BenefitPaul Robeson may be best remembered for his deep, soulful singing and powerful film acting, and not as a blacklisted scholar and former lawyer travelling the world working on peace and civil rights issues. To help further the memory and work of Robeson, the Pratt Area Community Council will hold a %u201cTribute to Paul Robeson%u201d benefit on May 20, at 7:30pm, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music Opera House.This salute to Robeson will feature a screening of %u201cPaul Robeson: A Closer Look,%u201d a documentary film by acclaimed journalist and producer Gil Noble, who will be on hand to introduce the film. Honorary cochairpersons of the event, producer Joseph Papp and Dance Theater of Harlem Director Arthur Mitchell, are inviting several acclaimed performing artists to join the celebration.The proceeds from this gala event will go to PACC and the Paul Robeson Archives. PACC Chairperson Howard Weiss says, %u201cthrough the united actions of residents and organizations, we have effectively raised the standards of housing and education, developed more and better cultural and recreational facilities and improved personal safety and sanitation services in the area. This benefit will enable us to continue that vital work.%u201dTickets for the benefit show are $25, $50, $100 and $200. For information, call 522-2613.A rt TakesWRITERS ORGANIZE: The Brooklyn Writers Network will hold its next meeting on December 27, at 2:30pm, hosted by Ruth Schwartz. %u201cThis is a perfect time for area writers to come together,%u201d Schwartz says. %u201cWe%u2019re going to being planning the Network%u2019s upcoming organizing conference, and setting up and electing various committees within the group.%u201d The meeting will be at 2509 Avenue K. For more information, call (212) 714-2880.BACA SEEKS SMALL ART: Visual artists are invited to submit entries for BACA Downtown%u2019s Small Works Show, on February 6-8. Works must be no larger than 12 inches by 12 inches in any dimension. Curator Valerie Smith and editor, critic and curator Peter Frank will select over 100 works in all media, except crafts and jewelry. The exhibit, which includes a wide variety of art, from painting, sculpture and photography to collage and children%u2019s drawings, will be shown March 6-28. There is a maximum of three works per artist, and a $5 fee for each work. For more information, call 596-2222.CLASSIC NEW YEAR: The contemporary ensemble First Avenue will perform in a New Year%u2019s Eve gala concert and champagne party in the First Unitarian Chapel Concert Scries. First Avenue is a trio of classically-trained musicians who Derform on acoustic and electric instruments, who will be joined by several special guest musicians. Their repertoire combines works by Bach, music of the middle ages and modem pieces. Tickets are $15. The church is at Monroe and Pierrepont Streets. For reservations and information,call (212) 222-5736.FRIENDS DANCE: Dancer, writer and performance artist Joelle Ballonzoli brings her %u201cFriends of the Gretsch Building Newsletter%u201d to Long Island University%u2019s Triangle Theater on January 4,11, and 18, at 2pm. The piece, which refers to the Wilhamsburgh building she lives in, includes conversations in English, French, Spanish and Yiddish and such music as Ravel%u2019s %u201cBolero%u201d and French popular songs of the 1920s while exploring her life and relationships in Brooklyn. The theater is at Flatbush Avenue and DeKalb Avenue Extension. Tickets are $5. For reservations and more information, call 693-2740.PARK SEEKS PHOTOGRAPHERS: The Prospect Park Administrator%u2019s Office is seeking photographers to participate in an exhibit devoted to the theme of Prospect Park through the seasons, portraying both the natural beauty and the people who use the park, scheduled for October, 1987. Photographers can receive more information by sending a stamped, self-addressed envelope to Phyliss Wynn, Prospect Park Administrator%u2019s Office, 95 Prospect Park West, Brooklyn 11215.MURAL ARTISTS WANTED: The Flatbush Development Corporation is seeking artists proposals for four mural sites, to be submitted January 5 for completion in the spring. The major theme of the proposed work should reflect the diverse ethnicities of the Flatbush community. Each chosen artist will receive an $800 honorarium and some materials for the project. For more information on submitting an application, call Albert Martin at 462-5300.YourV/iuiauuaaGold PalaceJewelryA Complete Selection ofDiamonds and Gold JewelryImported G ifts From Around the WorldWe Have Something for EveryoneGifts Starting from $5 & UpHoliday Hours Mon., 'lu es., Wed. 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FUNERALECONOMY RESTAURANTENCORE BOUTIQUEFABRIC ALTERNATIVEFAITH'S BAKERYFUJI SAN RESTAURANT INC.BRYAN P, GAY REAL ESTATE GNYSGRACE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH THE GIFTED CHILDHAGENDAZ ICE CREAM DANISH DELIGHT HEINZERLING (7TH AVENUE FOODS) HERZOG BROS. DELIHOUSE OF GIFTS | & R TV AND AIR CONDITIONING KAZEROID & ARBERMANN REALTY LAURIE LANE GIFT SHOP LITTLE THINGSL.|. ROOST, LTD. #LAUNDRY CENTER LOPEZ GROCERY STORE LA BAGEL MINERVA FUELOIL MEAT SUPREME MR. HARDWARE MHTCNEW PROSPECT AT HOMEPHYSICIANS PRIVATE PRACTICEPLANATORIUMPOSITIVELY 4TH STREETPHOTOFACTIONPARK WEST REALTYPL AZA CLEANERSPARK SLOPE BARBERSHOPPARK SLOPE CHIROPRACTIC ASSOCPINOS' PIZZAPALMA CHEMISTSPARK CANDLES & FLOWERSPROSPECT PRESSP. EARRAN & SON REAL ESTATELISA POLANSKYRANGE OF MOTIONRONNIE T. SHIRTSNOOKY'S PUBSLOPE REALTYSCOUTING PARTY PRESSSANTE EE GRILLS & H SPANISH AMERICAN SUPERETTE SAN ART FRAMING AND SUPPLY ST. GEORGE HEALTH S. RACQUET SMILING PIZZA CORP.7TH AVENUE GROCERY SOUNDTRACK 71-7TH RESTAURANT SLOPE CUTTERS SCRIBBLES, INC.SUZY S CIRCUSTAX WORLD/ODYSSEY TVOUR SERVICE IS NEIGHBORLYBECAUSE WE ARE YOUR NEIGHBORSW E GUARANTEE QUALITYBECAUSE WE RESPECT YOUR TASTEc u n n r t u A v e n. c a v cSupport Those Who Support Your CommunityDecember 25, 1986, THE PHOENIX, Page 31