The Toronto Theatre Alliance is looking for a leader. The organization is at a crossroads, and its mission, as well as its effectiveness, is a bit murky. “From a clear lack of initial purpose, the problem with the organization continues with its membership policies. They boast that they represent ‘200 professional theatre, dance and opera member companies,’ but a look at those members makes you wonder what they’re using as a definition of professional.”
Tag: 09.29.03
TV Goes Sexy
American TV is showing more and more sex. And it’s not just on cable anymore. “Experts say increased competition from pay cable channels and a general social acceptance of sexual matter has led to a loosening of standards for what gets on the air.”
The Lives Of Elia Kazan
Creatively, Elia Kazan was multi-talented. “His creative life divides neatly into three acts: In 1932, he came to New York to change theater; in 1945, he redefined Broadway and Hollywood; in 1964, he launched a third career as a novelist and memoirist.”
Are The Blues Dead?
“The blues are a bore. Played currently by a well-meaning array of half-talents and schooled fakers, the music has taken on a bland, generic display, performed to audiences of doughy complexion by uninteresting players of minor status. The blues has lost its soul.”
RIAA Settles With 64 Downloaders
“The Recording Industry Association of America says it has reached settlements with 64 people accused of downloading copyrighted music over the Internet as music companies try to combat piracy they say cost them $700 million.” Earlier this month the RIAA sued 261 people for file-trading.
Attack Dog – Why Must Critic Bloom Be So Negative?
Literary critic Harold Bloom has been quick to condemn awarding the National Book Award to Stephen King. While Steve Almond doesn’t necessarily disagree with Bloom about King, he is confused as to Bloom’s purpose in attacking: “What I don’t quite get—and maybe this is because I haven’t spent long enough in academia—is why Bloom feels it necessary to sound off against writers he deems inferior, as opposed to celebrating the writers (and the ideas) he admires. And, furthermore, why he chooses to do so in such a lazy manner.”
The Amazon Factor
Amazon’s book-selling rankings are becoming increasingly influential in promoting a book. “Amazon is an early indicator of consumer enthusiasm. It’s a place where you look to for early signals as to a book’s potential in the marketplace.’ Authors indeed are paying increasing heed to Amazon’s unique and influential role in publicizing and selling books. While the company doesn’t break out its books sales, it sold $1.7 billion worth of books, music, videos and DVDs for the first half of the year.”
Rosie’s “Taboo”
Rosie O’Donnell has always been one of Broadway’s biggest boosters. Now she’s putting her own money behind her words. “Taboo,” a new musical with songs by the 1980’s pop star Boy George, is being backed by O’Donnell, who is putting up $10 million of her fortune to produce it. “While that alone would make her involvement remarkable — most shows on Broadway get their money from dozens of smaller investors — Ms. O’Donnell has also taken the risky step of casting herself as the principal draw for ‘Taboo,’ using her brassy image and her reputation as an arbiter of suburban taste to lure audiences.”
Elia Kazan, 94
Director Elia Kazan’s achievements in theater and cinema “helped define the American experience for more than a generation. For Broadway, his legendary productions included “A Streetcar Named Desire” and “Death of a Salesman.” His movie classics included “On the Waterfront” and “East of Eden.”
Finding Spirituality In Shopping
Where is the new spiritual center of Britain? A shopping complex. “Shopping — in the sense of the ceaseless search for the next object that will thrill for a moment and satisfy for a minute — is the main interest of people without purpose. The problem with the British is that they are not even very good at shopping, just as they are not very good at their other passion, football, to judge by the results. For to be good at shopping requires discrimination, which itself requires some mental cultivation. And it is precisely the lack of this that makes British shops (on the whole — of course, there are exceptions) so deeply dispiriting.”