“The mostly sold out production of Rob Ford the Musical: Birth of a Ford Nation will open as planned Thursday night, regardless of Wednesday’s health update” that the embattled Toronto mayor has cancer. (They’ve changed the ending, though.)
Author: Matthew Westphal
ABT Launches YouTube Channel
“The current videos show interviews with dancers as well as discussions about preperformance rituals, competition in the ballet world and the need for perseverance in a dancer’s career. There are also behind-the-scenes glimpses of company classes and rehearsals.”
Museums Should Have A One-Hour Daily Ban On Selfies, Says Arts Council England Chair
Peter Bazalgette: “I’m completely in favour [of allowing photography in museums]. … Let’s allow it, but let’s have each gallery have an hour a day where it’s like the quiet carriage on the train.”
Edinburgh Int’l Film Fest Suddenly Needs A New Artistic Director
“The departure of Chris Fujiwara has left the event facing a race against time to find a replacement after the Japanese-American author and critic decided to leave with another year left on his contract.”
Future Ennui: Technology Advances Aren’t Exciting Anymore, They’re Just …
“Change is exciting, but it can also be exhausting. And for the first time in a long time, reactions to the Apple Watch reveal seem to underscore exhaustion as much as excitement. But even these skeptical replies question the watch’s implementation, rather than express lethargy at the prospect of living in the world it might bestow on us.”
Alison Bechdel’s Excellent, Wonderful Year
She got a fellowship to an artists’ retreat in Italy; the play based on her memoir Fun Home won rafts of award nominations, was a Pulitzer finalist, and became a minor cause célèbre in South Carolina; the “Bechdel test” became common currency in movie circles – and then she got a MacArthur award. (includes video)
Why You Should Read Alison Bechdel’s Old Comic Strip
“Just as Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series wended its leisurely, funny and warm way through the evolving gay and transgender communities in San Francisco, Dykes to Watch Out For dives deep into a fictional lesbian community, considering the impact of transgender politics, marriage and even the death of independent bookstores on her characters. … Did I mention that the strip is fabulous, funny reading?”
There’s One Place Where They’re Still Buying CDs
“Around the world, the music business has shifted toward downloads and streaming. But in Japan, the compact disc is still king” – and Tower Records still has 85 stores.
Finally, Playwriting Awards Are Going To People Who Want To Write Plays (And Not Hollywood Scripts)
Charles McNulty: “Don’t look now, but a positive trend seems to be developing: A bumper crop of talented American playwrights more interested in artistic expression than commercial validation is being recognized with the most prestigious awards and lucrative fellowships available.” Exhibit A: the MacArthur Fellowship that just went to Samuel D. Hunter.
Decision On Gehry’s Eisenhower Memorial Design Put Off Again (They Couldn’t Get A Quorum)
“With only five of its 12 members in attendance, the Eisenhower Memorial Commission could not resolve a major design decision Wednesday, forcing another delay in the controversial project.”