Renowned Dancer Chosen as Eastern Connecticut Ballet Executive Director

Posted on August 18, 2025 by Elizabeth Regan

Ashley Bouder in New York City Ballet’s 2007 production of “Four Seasons.”
Photo by Paul Kolnik courtesy of Eastern Connecticut Ballet.

Ashley Bouder. Photo by Erin Baiano courtesy of Eastern Connecticut Ballet.

EAST LYME—Eastern Connecticut Ballet (ECB), one of Connecticut’s premier ballet schools drawing from towns including both Lyme and Old Lyme, has selected a renowned, decades-long principal dancer as its new executive director.

The school in a press release welcomed Ashley Bouder, a former principal ballerina of the New York City Ballet for 20 years.

Eastern Connecticut Ballet founder Lise Reardon touted Bouder’s success on the world stage and her personal achievements.

“Ashley possesses a generous, creative and entrepreneurial spirit,” Reardon said. “She will bring fresh eyes and energy to an organization that is committed to developing young dancers and the future of ballet. Her commitment to building upon ECB’s legacy of excellence will continue to help the school flourish and propel it into the future.”

Bouder replaces Krystin Dixon, who will remain with the school as its director of management.

Bouder on social media said she looks forward to working closely with Dixon and legendary Balanchine ballerina Gloria Govrin, who serves as the school’s artistic director, “to form a fierce female leadership team” to guide the school into a new era.

“This school already has so much prestige and accolades, it is truly thrilling to be able to take the reins and fly higher,” she wrote.

Bouder’s biography on the school website identifies her as the founder and artistic director of the Ashley Bouder Project, where she works to promote gender equality, diversity and inclusion in creative leadership roles within the dance world.

Ashley Bouder in New York City Ballet’s 2007 production of Stars and Stripes. Photo by Paul Kolnik courtesy of Eastern Connecticut Ballet.

Trained in the Balanchine, neo-classical style of ballet at the School of American Ballet and Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, she has also performed with Bayerisches Staats Ballet, Mariinsky Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, and Rome Opera Ballet, and distinguished ballet galas around the world.

Awards include the Benois de la Dance, often referred to as the Oscars of ballet, for best female dancer in 2019; the Mae L. Wien Award for Outstanding Promise in 2000; and Janice Levin Dancer Honoree from 2002-2003.

Bouder has produced and choreographed 15 productions and recently served as the training program director for Regional Dance America, where she developed and designed training sessions for pre-professional dancers.

The new executive director on social media expressed gratitude for the opportunity.

“I also owe a huge thank you to ECB founder Lise Reardon for our years long conversations that ended in this happy moment. And to our board chair Kevin Buchanan for his insight and acceptance of my proposals and ‘style,'” Bouder said. “We are all a big positive community. It is something to treasure.”

The Movie Man: Although a Marvel Movie, ‘The Fantastic Four: First Steps’ is Dotted with Disappointments

Posted on August 17, 2025 by Kevin Ganey

Unless you are a devoted fan of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), The Fantastic Four: First Steps is not worth seeing.

Recruiting the latest phenomenon of actors (Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, and Joseph Quinn) and maintaining their distinguished action-packed sequences will not make up for the empty writing. At multiple points during the screening, I felt like leaving.

While I managed to convince myself to stay for the sake of this review, I wasn’t interested in sticking around for the two signature credit scenes that preview the next installments in the Marvel movies.

Superhero movies always require a suspension of disbelief. The viewer knows anything in these movies is possible if there is room plausible deniability.

But even after years of watching Tony Stark and Peter Parker assemble new suits out of thin air, I had a hard time “believing” the scientific research of Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic.

While I am aware that the MCU has extensively developed their multiverse-setting, I went into this movie expecting a proper origin story for the Fantastic Four and the beginning of the MCU. It is totally reasonable when the costumes, set design, and titles are imitating the aesthetics of the 1960s. It turns out this is just another earth set in the future that appears to be our past.

Another disappointment came through the humor.

Marvel movies have made an impression on the world that wasn’t solely the result of top-notch special effects and marketing, but through relatable and likable characters. That is mostly the result of great chemistry between the performers and a sense of humor.

But I didn’t find myself laughing in this Marvel movie. In fact, the jokes were predictable and hackneyed. It’s more than the jokes; it’s the entire story. There also came a moment when Sue Storm/Invisible Woman attempted to rally and inspire everyone, and it made no sense. When it came to the consequential moment that resolved the conflict, I found it to be along the lines of a Deus ex machina.

But, since it’s a Marvel movie, it does deliver with action sequences that are captivating enough to believe that our heroes are exploiting the gravity of a neutron star to propel themselves back home. And the music certainly amplifies those entertaining sequences.

But I can’t praise it entirely, especially with the antagonist, the Silver Surfer. The effects aren’t bad, they’re good — they’re too good. But this isn’t something to praise, it felt like a trip into the Uncanny Valley (when fake human appearances end up more disturbing than endearing). Devoted MCU fans will find a way to see this.

But for the rest of us movie-goers? We’re not missing anything if we decide to do something else. I would not place The Fantastic Four high on a list of prioritized movies of 2025.

About the Author: Having lived in Old Lyme and Lyme since the age of three, Kevin Ganey has always had a passion for movies that is beyond simply watching, but understanding the craft of cinema and and experiencing films as if they were a musical album. Kevin also has his own website devoted to movie analysis, CityOfCinema.com, and also co-hosts a podcast, Moviehouse Mystics, with Koda Uhl (available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube.)

The Movie Man: ‘The Naked Gun’ Returns in its ‘Full Absurdist Glory’

Posted on August 7, 2025 by Kevin Ganey

It seems every classic movie gets a sequel or a reboot nowadays. The Naked Gun was bound to step up to the plate.

Thankfully, this new installment to the franchise returns with its full absurdist glory.

This installment in the franchise casts Liam Neeson as Detective Frank Drebin Junior, son of the iconic character created by comedy legend Leslie Nielsen, who- appropriately, spends part of the film seeking signs from his father.

While investigating a suspicious death, Drebin crosses paths with Beth Davenport—a glamorous mystery novelist and the sister of the deceased—whose clues lead straight to a shady tech billionaire.

I never thought I’d be writing this, but Pamela Anderson rocks this role. She proves that her standout performance in The Last Showgirl was no fluke, and we should expect more from her moving forward.

But absurd humor isn’t for everyone. Some argue that comedy should be clever and concise- not cheap, literal, or slapstick.

I’d argue that when it lands, absurd humor doesn’t just hold its own- it steals the show. Look to the original Naked Gun movies- or Airplane!, another Nielsen classic- where the most unrealistic scenarios unfold, and everyone plays it straight. That spirit guides this movie, directed by Akiva Schaffer (The Lonely Island), and produced by Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy, American Dad, Ted)- two proven masters of absurd comedy.

In this hybrid era of moviegoing, the constant question is “Where can I stream it?” Paramount is taking the old-fashioned approach by releasing through the theaters first.

I laud this decision. We need as many opportunities as possible to sustain the magic of going to the movies.

A good old comedy can always rally a crowd for such an occasion.

This will likely land best with longtime fans of the misadventures of the Police Squad. Viewers will find countless Easter Eggs paying tribute to the original trilogy- I particularly loved the stuffed beaver’s cameo and the blunt shade thrown at Detective Nordberg (his own son won’t even pay tribute to him- for obvious reasons).

This is a chance to introduce a new generation of comedy fans to a goldmine of laughter. The Naked Gun isn’t just a long-awaited sequel- it’s a revival of a comedic style that embraces in the absurd and doesn’t care if it makes sense.

Whether you are in it for the nostalgia or curious for old-school humor, The Naked Gun delivers- and it’s well-worth a trip to the theaters.

Three New Shows on View at Lyme Art Association

Posted on August 2, 2025 by Admin

‘*Prague Morning Light* ‘(oil, 33×27, $7,900) is one of the signature paintings in the *104th Elected Artist Show* on view at the Lyme Art Association.

OLD LYME — On Saturday, Aug. 2, from 5 to 7 pm., an Opening Reception and awards presentation will be held for the104th Elected Artist Show and a new show titled, Red Hot. All are welcome and there is no charge for admission.

The Lyme Art Association’s Elected Artists are torch-bearers for the American representational tradition. They follow in the footsteps of the Lyme Art Colony artists who hung their Tonalist and Impressionist works on the walls of the Old Lyme library in 1902 before building their own gallery where the LAA now has its home today.

The LAA once again showcases the very best work of this accomplished group.

‘Desert Bloom’ by Liz Monahan is one of the signature paintings of the Red Hot show currently on view at Lyme Art Association.

Red Hot celebrates the power, passion, and moving nature of the color red. Long associated with love, intense emotion, heat, and revolution, the color red holds an emotional and cultural charge that artists have used to command attention and make bold statements. Whether used subtly or in full saturation, this exhibition invited artists to explore the many shades of red and to embrace the color red as a central element of expression.

Our guest exhibition is the New Haven Paint & Clay Club Select Members Exhibit. A juror selected five of its members, who exhibited in the New Haven Paint & Clay Club’s 2024 Members Exhibit to participate in the show.

The artists chosen for this year’s Select Members Show are Aspasia Anos, Jill Abele Butcher, William Butcher, Frank Bruckmann and Heidi Harrington.

The 104th Elected Artist Show and Red Hot are on view through September 11.

The New Haven Paint & Clay Club Select Members Exhibit is on view July 25 – August 16.

Founded in 1914 by the American Impressionists, the Lyme Art Association continues the tradition of exhibiting and selling representational artwork by its members and invited artists, as well as offering art instruction, lectures, and other public programs to the community.

The LAA is located at 90 Lyme St. in Old Lyme, CT, in a building designed by Lyme colony artist and architect, Charles Adams Platt, and located within the national historic district. Admission is free with contributions appreciated. Gallery hours are Wednesday through Sunday, 10 to 5 p.m., or by appointment.

For more information on exhibits, purchase of art, art classes, or becoming a member, visit the LAA website at www.lymeartassociation.org or call (860) 434-7802.

TOP STORY: Artistic Spotlight Shines on Old Lyme’s Marvelous Midsummer Festival

Posted on July 28, 2025 by Elizabeth Regan and Olwen Logan

Old Lyme’s Midsummer Festival saw thousands of visitors exploring arts and crafts galore at a variety of locations. The photo above features the lawn at the side of the Old Lyme Inn.

OLD LYME—UPDATED WITH MORE PHOTOS 7/28: The Old Lyme Midsummer Festival on Saturday turned part of the town’s historic district into a vibrant celebration of the arts. Visitors enjoyed a view of Americana set in the same estuarine light that lured Impressionist painters more than a century ago.

Visitors of all ages enjoyed viewing the artwork on display.

Tents featuring individual artists with works in a vast range of media, local non-profits explaining their mission, culinary delights from nearby farms, and refreshments for immediate consumption were spread across five locations.

These latter comprised the Lyme Art Association, FloGris Museum, Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, Old Lyme Inn and Lyme Academy of Fine Arts..

The Lyme-Old Lyme Lions hosted their 20th Annual Classic Car Show at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.

On the shaded grounds of the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, George Willauer took home a first place trophy for the Packard convertible his father bought new for $3,400 back in 1935. He attributed the vehicle’s pristine condition to Vintage Motorcars of Westbrook, the local shop with an international reputation that undertook a partial restoration after the car was damaged in a crash several years ago.

The 90-year-old Packard came into the world the same year Willauer did. He learned to drive on the three-speed manual transmission he still shifts today.

“It’s a part of me,” he said.

George Willauer, of Lyme, drove his 1935 Packard convertible to victory in Class B (1930- 1942) of the 20th Annual Lyme-Old Lyme Lions Club Classic Car Show.

Inside the Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation Discovery Center at the Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center, conservation and education coordinator Joe Attwater helped 6-year-old Nova Berman examine a feather through a digital microscope. As Attwater described the “incredible” properties that make feathers such ideal insulation for comforters and coats, Nova magnified the fluffy down beneath her scope.

“There’s nothing warmer in the world than a feather,” Attwater said.

Nova Berman, 6, uses a digital microscope in the Kelsey Family Children’s Innovation Discovery Center at Roger Tory Peterson Estuary Center.

The festival is a destination not only for locals, but for visitors. This year marked the first Midsummer outing for Christine Mestler of Cincinnati, Ohio, who was in town to visit her sister, Ross Higgins. The women both went home with prints from the “Fence Artists” displayed on the grounds of the Old Lyme Inn.

Ross Higgins, of Old Lyme, and her sister Christine Mestler of Cincinnati, Ohio, survey the artwork outside the Old Lyme Inn.

The Lyme Artisans Guild began in 2023 when Carol Hunts Stanland, a textile artist, forged the crafts collective of jewelry makers, potters, sculptors, weavers and woodturners. Stanland said shoppers can also find their wares at the Guilford Art Center Holiday Expo and Light Up Old Lyme later this year.

Paul Maulucci, a woodturner from Coventry who belongs to the Lyme Artisans Guild, shows his wares at the Midsummer Festival.

Starting off with a 5K race to benefit the Lymes’ Youth Service Bureau and ending with fireworks set off from behind the Lyme-Old Lyme High School, each year brings enough active artistry to keep attendees coming back for more.