The move to the arena, for one night only (Feb. 26), is meant to give a more diverse audience a chance to see the show; 18,000 tickets will be given for free to New York City public school students. – Variety
Category: AUDIENCE
China Closes Down All Its Movie Theatres In Coronavirus Scare
In the wake of a coronavirus outbreak that has infected thousands and claimed more than 100 lives in China, the movie industry is grappling with the unthinkable: Nearly every cinema in the country, totaling about 70,000 screens, has shut down. – The Hollywood Reporter
Another Thing We Can Blame On Algorithms: Cancel Culture
“Outrage is the perfect negative emotion to attract attention and engagement – and algorithms are primed to pounce.” Worse, “misleading content on social media tends to lead to even more engagement than verified information.” On the other hand, once you’ve been cancelled, algorithms can help you (to overextend the metaphor) get revived on another network, as in the case of Kevin Hart. – The Conversation
It’s True: ‘Cats’ Is Becoming The Next ‘Rocky Horror Picture Show’
The movie was set to be one of Hollywood’s epic disasters, on track to lose $100 million. “But a funny thing happened on the way to the cinematic scratching post. Word-of-mouth buzz began to build that Cats‘ numerous and not-inconsiderable quirks were, in fact, more fun than the sum of its filmmaker- and studio-intended entertainment value.” Viewers, many assisted by cannabis, “seemed to relish the collective joy of discovering a movie this bizarre in an era when Hollywood has never been more allergic to creative risk-taking. Repeat viewings became de rigueur.” – Vulture
Why We Should End Tourism. But We Won’t
A 2018 study published in the journal Nature Climate Change announced tourism alone—that’s nonessential pleasure travel—is responsible for 8 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. The traveling public is freaking out. It knows about flight shaming; it loves Greta Thunberg; and it’s ready to bid au revoir to Volvic, Dasani, and plastic straws. But it still wants to sit on a beach in Aruba. – The New Republic
Where Broadway’s Super-Fans Are: BroadwayCon
Some arrived in full character for the event, where attendees can meet and take photos with the stars of their favorite shows. Passes range from $80 for one day to $1,000 for a full weekend platinum pass with extra perks. – The New York Times
The Best Opera For Newbies, And Other Opera Questions
Tom Huizenga explains opera to NPR listeners: “It’s one of the most complicated art forms because, if you think about it: you’ve got drama, you’ve got music, you’ve got singing, you’ve got costumes, you’ve got lighting, you’ve got ballet sometimes. You’ve got all kinds of stagecraft. When all the cylinders are firing, it can be mind-blowing. But for me, it ends up being all about the voice. They’ve got to do it without a microphone, over the top of an orchestra, and they’ve got to project that voice, even if it’s soft, way up to the nose-bleed seats.” – NPR
Netflix Holds Its First Fan Screening At The Theatre It Bought In New York
Of course, it was for the sequel to the young adult rom-com To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, and of course, the place was packed with superfans who could answer obscure trivia questions and cheer when the film’s stars made a surprise guest appearance. One woman said, “I love sitting at home on my couch and being warm and cozy. … But there’s just something a little bit more magical about seeing it on a big screen with a bunch of other people, too.” – The New York Times
Smart Caption Glasses, A New Way To Make Theatre Accessible To Hearing-Impaired Audiences
“Worn by audience members during a performance, the glasses project dialogue directly onto the lens, allowing the wearer to follow the action without having to glance toward the sides of the stage, where caption screens are usually placed.” – American Theatre
Could The Dirt-Poor Alabama Hamlet Famous For Its Quilts Become An Art Destination Like Marfa?
“The thinking goes: If Marfa, the pint-size Texas town located a three-hour’s drive from the nearest airport, can become a site for pilgrims seeking to commune with Donald Judd’s Minimalist art, why can’t Gee’s Bend become a magnet for art historians, craft enthusiasts, and American history buffs who want to know more about the source of the world’s most acclaimed quilts?” – artnet