Brian Logan: “[I’ve] often found that the best standup is the most theatrical, finding ways to make us laugh beyond the usual motormouth-at-a-microphone formula. And things are moving in the other direction, too. As a theatregoer … I’ve noticed how much of the best theatre is starting to hijack standup techniques, seeking a more direct engagement with audiences.”
Month: January 2013
Creator Of Rio’s Famous Mosaic Staircase Found Dead
“The ceramic street artist who created one of Rio de Janeiro’s most distinctive landmarks was found dead on Thursday on the spectacular mosaic staircase in Lapa that he decorated with brightly coloured tiles and mirrors over more than two decades.”
Carlos Acosta, Ballet’s Top Sex Symbol, Publishes First Novel
“After enthralling audiences around the world with his dancing, Carlos Acosta is making his entrance on to a different stage with a debut novel, Pig’s Foot, which has been picked as one of the most important literary debuts of the year by Waterstones.”
Paul Taylor Co. Celebrates With $5 Tickets
“The Paul Taylor Dance Company … will commemorate the 25th anniversary of Mr. Taylor’s Brandenburgs and Speaking in Tongues by selling $5 tickets to the March 6 performance of the two dances in four separate pop-up shops across Manhattan.”
Extra Money(!) For Arts In Scotland
“Leading cultural organisations are to share an extra £7 million which has been set aside for major capital projects over the next three years by the Scottish Government.”
How Benh Zeitlin Made Beasts of the Southern Wild
“After one take, Zeitlin sidled up to [his young star, Quvenzhané Wallis] and said, ‘That was good. I just need a little more subtlety.’ Wallis put him in his place. ‘I said, ‘I’m 6 years old!” she recalls. ”Do you really think I know what subtlety means? Come on! Gimme a kid word!'”
Minnesota Orchestra Cancels Yet More Concerts
“The Minnesota Orchestra has canceled one more weekend of concerts, Feb. 14-15, and pushed another event into the 2013-14 season. … If there is a silver lining in Monday’s announcement, it is that the cancellations did not extend through the entire month of February.”
Figuring Out Jodie Foster’s Odd Golden Globes Speech
“In accepting a lifetime achievement award at the awards ceremony, Ms. Foster was eloquent, except when she went wobbly. She was revealing, except when she turned opaque. She’s a fierce nonconformist who nonetheless made herself look starlet-taut and slinky in silver and navy paillettes by Armani, and she delivered a valedictory speech without explaining what it was she is leaving.”
Buffalo’s Albright-Knox Museum Gets New Director
“The Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Buffalo’s modern and contemporary art museum, announced on Monday that Janne Sirén, director of the Helsinki Art Museum in Finland, will become its next director. Dr. Sirén is believed to be the first director from the Nordic region to take the helm of a major American art museum.”
Louisville Orchestra CEO Steps Down After Conflict-Filled Tenure
“After leading the Louisville Orchestra through bankruptcy, a bruising labor battle” – that attempts to hire non-union replacements via Craigslist – “and a return to the stage after a canceled season, chief executive officer Robert Birman is resigning.”