“Much like awesome once served a greater purpose, the exclamation point has been downgraded from a shout of alarm or intensity to a symbol that indicates politeness and friendliness.” As email etiquette mavens David Shipley and Will Schwalbe put it, “The exclamation point is a lazy but effective way to combat email’s essential lack of tone.”
Author: Matthew Westphal
The Untold History Of Sven, The Puppet Reindeer In Broadway’s ‘Frozen’
“[Disney Theatrical Productions] invited its longtime puppetry collaborator, Michael Curry (The Lion King), to experiment with ways the shaggy creature might be represented onstage. He tested two-performer pantomime before deciding to fashion a full-scale figure that could wordlessly engage with the unfolding plot — that could act — when brought to life by a single actor within. The resulting reindeer has become one of the most popular characters in the show, getting entrance applause and even a cameo on the Tonys.”
Should Freelance Dancers Unionize?
“Union representation has traditionally been the purview of established companies, but many dancers working today are freelancers. As dance employment shifts away from the company model, how can independent artists advocate for themselves? Could unionizing ensure them fair treatment? Is a union for freelance dancers even feasible?” Evvie Allison considers the issues involved.
The Biggest Mistakes New Choreographers Make
“We caught up with eight established choreographers, artistic directors, and instructors who mentored at this year’s Young Choreographer’s Festival to find out what mistakes new choreographers should be aware of — and how to avoid them.” (Our favorite: “You need dancers with the skill and ability to magnify your intention, and that group might not include your friends.”)
The 25 Best British Plays Of The Past (Almost) Decade (Per The Guardian’s Chief Critic)
Using a revival of Jez Butterworth’s Jerusalem as a hook, Michael Billington offers his choice of the best stage dramas written and produced in the UK since that play’s 2009 premiere. (He includes a couple that didn’t go down nearly as well when they made it to the States.) Let the arguing begin!
Zachary De Pue Unexpectedly Resigns As Indianapolis Symphony Concertmaster
“De Pue, 38, resigned after 11 years as the orchestra’s principal violinist and concert coordinator. No reason was given for his departure,” which is effective immediately. “De Pue became one of the youngest concertmasters in the country when he was appointed in 2007.”
A Purge At Tanglewood Festival Chorus, The Boston Symphony’s Choir
“For decades, the Tanglewood Festival Chorus, the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s all-volunteer group of singers, dazzled audiences with its performances, delivering masterful renditions of intricate scores in German, Czech, Latin, and French — almost always from memory. But discordant notes are being struck after the chorus’s new conductor, James Burton, has unceremoniously decimated its ranks, forcing out a large swath of singers, including many of the group’s most senior members.”
Joseph Jackson, Angry Patriarch Of Pop’s Royal Family, Dead At 89
“Mr. Jackson was an unlikely starmaker who demanded nothing less than perfection as he drove his children toward stardom. To a remarkable degree, he succeeded … Collectively, the Jacksons may have been the most prominent family in pop-music history, but their fame came at the cost of family feuds, lurid accusations and an unending stream of tabloid headlines. Over time, nearly all of the children rebelled against the brutal manner of their father, who was known to some as Joe but preferred to be called Joseph, even by his children.”
U.S. Justice Dept. Approves Disney Purchase Of 21st Century Fox (With One String Attached)
“Disney has moved one step closer to purchasing a big chunk of 21st Century Fox. On Wednesday, the Justice Department announced it had approved the proposed deal, valued at a total $71.3 billion … with one caveat: Disney, the owner of ESPN, must sell off 22 regional sports networks that were originally a part of the purchase, to avoid undue dominance in sports broadcasting.”
Philadelphia’s History Museum Shuttered Indefinitely After Partnership Plans Collapse
“The Philadelphia History Museum, [known until 2010 as the Atwater Kent and] mandated by the City Charter as Philadelphia’s official attic for things made and owned here — whether President George Washington’s desk or Mike Schmidt’s batting helmet — will close to the public Monday for an undetermined period of time, museum officials said Tuesday evening. The closing comes as Temple University has withdrawn from talks about a possible partnership with the museum, surprising city officials who had expressed optimism about such an alliance as recently as April.”