Playwright David Hare pens a journal critical of theater critics, producers, patrons, audiences, (and himself). – New York Times
Blog
THE QUEEN, THE POPE, THE PYRAMIDS OR BILL CLINTON
Thirteen-year-old Charlotte Church has too many invitations to sing on New Year’s Eve. – BBC
POKEMANIA
Pokemon movie racks up biggest opening-week box office ever for movie released outside of summer. Variety
MILLIONAIRE FEVER
For the first time since 1983, the NBC Thursday-night lock on TV ratings was broken. “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” is hot. Variety
PEDAL TO THE METAL
PE Detroit arts economy is booming along with the local economy. New concert hall, theaters, museums, rejuvenating downtown. Next up: an arts tax to generate $24 million/year for the arts. Detroit News
THE END OF THE BLOCKBUSTER
Or is it “The Blockbuster Lives?” Recent events on Broadway give conflicting clues to the future of the American musical. Hartford Courant
GET A LIFE
TV addict spent years of commercial breaks drawing intricate, architecturally accurate blueprints of TV sitcom buildings. Discovered by LA art dealer, he became toast of West Coast art scene. National Post (Canada)
THE INEVITABLE FUTURE OF THE BOOK BUSINESS
International panel at Frankfurt Fair discusses the future of publishing. A bookless book industry? E-books, publishing on demand and book chips. – Publisher’s Weekly
A THOUSAND LINES OF POETRY
Simon Armitage has been appointed official “Poet of the Millennium Dome.” He’ll compose a 1000-word poem for England’s millennial project. – London Times
PERLMAN ON THE PODIUM
First half of concert conductor Itzhak Perlman had the Detroit Symphony sounding “like a mediocre college orchestra.” But the second produced “one of the finest performances of Dvorak” this Detroit critic ever heard. – Detroit News