Matthew Westphal – Page 2082 – ArtsJournal Wayback

TV Industry’s New Hot Property; Audience Warm-Up Artists

“For a long spell, [many Hollywood] comedies … were taped without a live audience as laugh tracks fell out of fashion. But with the re-emergence of the traditional sitcom – comedies staged on a familiar set – living, breathing warm-up performers like Mr. Lundblade are suddenly in vogue. Producers fight for the best and virtuosos can command anywhere from $4,000 to $6,000 a day.”

UK’s National Theatre Can’t Call The Shed ‘The Shed’ Anymore

The bright red 220-seat pop-up space outside the dull grey Southbank Centre was planned as a one-year project, but it’s been so popular that they’re keeping it until 2017. But the National only licensed the name “The Shed” (which belongs to a small venue in Yorkshire) through last month. What’ll they call it now?

Competitive Punning Is Now A Spectator Sport

At poetry slam-like events with names such as Pundemonium and Punderdome, contestants lob word-play back and forth before (and often at) a cheering/groaning audience.

Anonymous 4: We’re Breaking Up For Real This Time

Their 2004 break-up announcement “was sort of half-hearted”, says Marsha Genensky of medieval music’s superstar girl group. “Really what we were doing was going from over-frenetic to reasonable.” But after another decade – and what will total 30 years together when they disband for good in 2016 – the four women are ready for other things. (includes preview of new album)

Could Philly’s LGBT Bookstore Have Been Saved? There Was A Buyer

“Makella Craelius and her business partner, the filmmaker Puppett, founded Queer Books LLC in February of this year with an eye to buying the store. They hired on two other employees and Craelius began working full time at Giovanni’s Room. They’d been in contract talks with [store owner Ed] Hermance up until the week” he announced the closing – without Informing Craelius first.

Seattle’s Whim W’Him Moves From Pick-Up Group To Full-Fledged Dance Company

Now the company, founded by former Pacific Northwest Ballet principal dancer Olivier Wevers, has given a 24-week contract for 2014-15 and hired its first full-time executive director.

Met Orchestra Authorizes Strike Vote If Talks Fail

“The orchestra’s contract, along with those of 15 other unions representing workers at the end of July, and the company’s management is trying to reduce labor costs at a time when ticket sales have fallen and its endowment has dwindled. The vote by the orchestra’s union would authorize a strike ‘should management’s intransigence warrant such an action’.”

A New Multimedia Anne Frank Play – Could It Become A Cash Cow?

“With its copyright on the diaries of Anne Frank approaching expiration in many countries by 2016, the [Anne Frank Foundation] commissioned what it hopes will be a permanent production that can travel to other countries.” Controversy has ensued, of course – including rivalry between the Swiss-based Foundation and the Anne Frank House museum in Amsterdam, where the play has premiered.

PBS Will Offer Video On Demand – But Only If You Pledge

“As television viewers increasingly turn to video on demand to watch shows when they want, PBS and its local stations plan to follow them, but with a twist: They are creating a streaming video service that will be available only to members of local PBS stations.”

Author: Matthew Westphal