In 2016, John Cho “became the unwitting beneficiary of #StarringJohnCho, a social movement that imagined Cho standing in for, say, Tom Cruise in Mission: Impossible and Daniel Craig in Spectre as part of a wider calling for diversity in entertainment, and an Asian-American leading man.” And now, things are definitely starring John Cho. – The New York Times
Tag: 04.19.19
It’s Past Time To Let Go Of Robinson Crusoe
The colonial fairytale doesn’t hold up at all in our contemporary world. Crusoe, to put it bluntly, was a slave trader – but somehow it became a children’s story: “Educationists agreed that the island narrative of Crusoe was an ideal text for teaching the virtues of self-reliance, careful management of resources and trust in the overall – if a little mysterious, but that’s a part of the appeal – wonderfulness of the Christian God. That the novel could be harnessed to the business of empire was a further recommendation.” – The Guardian (UK)
Pop-Up Theatre Can Change Lives
When Fiona Shaw decided to perform excerpts from T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland” in (and near) an empty fountain in Central Park, she didn’t want it announced – and there was only a brief mention on social media. Then word of mouth happened. What’s next? “Taking theatre to the audience in unexpected ways can only serve to evoke interest, and may capture the imagination of those not used to planting themselves in a theatre seat.” – The Stage (UK)
Director John Singleton Is In Intensive Care After A ‘Mild’ Stroke
The director is most known for the 1991 film Boyz N the Hood, but he’s also a producer and screenwriter whose films include 2 Fast 2 Furious, Shaft, and the documentary LA Burning: The Riots 25 Years Later. – Los Angeles Times
The Man In Charge Of The Music Of The Ring
Philippe Jordan, 44, has 15 hours of Wagner’s Ring Cycle to get through – and try to shine through – at the Met. How does he do it? The man who has been in charge of Opéra National de Paris, and who is about to assume the reins as music director of the Vienna State Opera, actually considers it something of a break. – The New York Times
Arbitrator: NY City Ballet’s Firing Of Two Dancers Was “Wrong And Unjust”
The two principals, Amar Ramasar and Zachary Catazaro had been dismissed for sharing graphic text messages. An independent arbitrator determined that “while the company was justified in disciplining the two men, suspension was the appropriate action and termination took it too far.” The two will be reinstated. – Dance Magazine
Police Identify Suspected Cause Of Notre-Dame Fire
“Paris police investigators think an electrical short-circuit most likely caused the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral, … [though they] don’t have a green light to search Notre Dame’s charred interior because of ongoing safety hazards.” – Yahoo! (AP)
Italy’s State Broadcaster Proposes Separate Channels For Men And Women
“A source at RAI said the plan was about repositioning programmes to better target male and female audiences, rather than gender segregation, but the potential move has been lambasted by opposition MPs and women’s groups.” – The Guardian