By ALLAN KOZINN [NY Times, 15 September 2008]

In his 11 years at the Miller Theater, George R. Steel has made creative programming an art form in itself and has constantly raised the bar. When he planned this season, his goal was to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the renovation of Columbia University’s old McMillan Theater and its reopening as the Miller Theater. As it turns out, it is also Mr. Steel’s valedictory season, though most of it will be in absentia.