“As the term has gained greater currency – even the White House is using it – a belated spotlight has fallen on one of the key contributors to mass incarceration in this country.” In her latest documentary theater piece, “Smith transforms herself into the experts and witnesses she has consulted, including the late educational philosopher Maxine Greene, Councilman Michael Tubbs from Stockton, Taos Proctor, [and] a Yurok fisherman and former inmate.”
Category: theatre
‘An Evening in the Theater (Patti LuPone Just Stole My F@#king Cell Phone)’
That’s the title of a song – written from the point of view of that unwise woman in the audience – recently posted to YouTube by composer Robert Maggio and lyricist Matthew Hardy. “I hope she doesn’t open my iTunes / My recording of Gypsy is Bernadette / And my Evita is Madonna / If she sees it, she’ll be really upset.”
How ‘Hamilton’ Found Its Groove
“A lot of times in the past when you’ve seen hip-hop used in musical theatre, it has quotes around it. ‘How crazy! We’re making hip-hop musical theatre!’ We don’t comment on it. We just take as a given that it’s the best way to tell Hamilton’s story, but like any other musical score, Hamilton has his own themes that he uses. It’s Peter and the Wolf; it’s what Sondheim does. When you hear this music, you know Burr’s coming onstage; when you hear that music, you know King George is coming onstage.”
Is It Time For Great Britain To Embrace Outdoor Theatre?
“It is the most democratic of art forms, generally free at the point of delivery and with an audience who can walk away at any time.”
There Is No ‘Correct Actor’s Body,’ Despite Years Of Theatre Mythos
“The actor’s body, or rather its ideal form, is a lie. It is an imaginary by-product of a culture that tries to value certain bodies over others.”
Why The Push To Require Paying Actors In Fringe And Showcase Productions Is A Terrible Idea
“It’s been horrible to watch our otherwise splendid union’s desperate attempt to boost membership by pretending there was enough money to be made in 50-seat fringe venues to convert [unpaid] productions into paying jobs. And so many of us swallowed it, seduced by the absurd idea that closing down voluntary fringe collaborations in tiny makeshift theatres would lead to paid employment.”
Why Does The Theatre Keep Cranking Out Tribute Musicals?
“Whether or not this boom is directly due to the rise of jukebox musicals is uncertain. What is certain, though, is the relative security of jukebox musicals in the industry.”
Is Live Theatre At Odds With Our Immersive Always-Connected Culture?
As Broadway faces off against pocket-size sound-and-light shows, performers and some patrons say a hyper-connected culture are shredding the immersive experience of live theatre.
The Problem With Children’s Theatre
The most progressive theatres are not for children. They are for people. The most anti-oppressive theatre methodologies (benefitting children, youth, AND adults), will, quite simply, consider and include children as “persons;” members of civic society.
One-On-One Theatre (And Clean Dishes Too)
The premise for Brian Feldman’s show, “Dishwasher,” is this: He will come to a person’s house, wash all of the dirty dishes, perform a monologue of the audience’s choosing and then conclude with a single question: “Am I a better actor or dishwasher?”