“An actor and humorist, [he] was a core figure in two of the quirkiest television shows of the 1970s, The Great American Dream Machine and the children’s program Marshall Efron’s Illustrated, Simplified and Painless Sunday School.” – The New York Times
Tag: 10.08.19
A Black, Queer Kentuckian Returns Home To Take The Helm At Actors Theatre Of Louisville
After decades living and working all over the U.S., actor-director-choreographer Robert Barry Fleming is now in his first season as artistic director of one of the country’s most important regional theatres. He tells Diep Tran, “It’s taken me 50 years to be afforded my ‘Jackie Robinson moment’: the chance to lead a large, multi-million dollar institution, and I believe that may have less to do with my ability or readiness to do the job, and more about the dominant culture demonstrating readiness.” – American Theatre
Does George W. Bush’s Art Deserve A Show At The Kennedy Center?
“By giving these paintings the endorsement of a professional exhibition, in the nation’s capital, with the imprimatur of a major arts center and by extension the federal government (which supports the center’s budget), the art has been put into a different context, where it does not belong.” – Washington Post
Paris Opera Director Stéphane Lissner Named Superintendent Of Teatro San Carlo In Naples
Lissner, who ran La Scala in Milan (2005-2012) before taking charge of the Opéra national de Paris, reaches France’s mandatory retirement age of 67 next year, so his contract there won’t be renewed past its expiration in August 2021. He begins his five-year term in Naples as both superintendent and artistic director that fall. (in French; for Google Translate version, click here) – Le Monde (France)
Mayhem At New York’s WBAI: Network Fires Staff And Locks Offices As Staffers Go To Court
The city’s Pacifica Radio station, which for six decades has aired leftist-leaning news coverage and alternative programming, has been in chronic turmoil for the past several years, with constant financial crises, heavy employee layoffs, frequent management turnover, and vicious battles over governance. (Not to mention shrinking listenership.) Things came to a head early Monday morning, when, without warning, Pacifica changed the locks, fired the staff and volunteers by email, and started broadcasting a feed from its California stations. Staffers got a judge to block the shutdown and reopen the station, but Pacifica did not comply. (So staffers broke the new locks.) – Gothamist
Looking Hopeful, Long-Troubled English National Opera Appoints New Artistic Director
“Annilese Miskimmon, the Belfast-born opera director who has drawn influence from Sondheim, Shakespeare and the Muppets [and is currently director of opera at Norwegian National Opera and Ballet], has been named as the new artistic director of English National Opera, after a search to replace Daniel Kramer, who announced in April that he would step down in July.” – The Guardian
For First Time, Stirling Prize For Architecture Goes To Public Housing Project
“Goldsmith Street in Norwich represents what has become a rare breed: streets of terraced homes built directly by the council, rented with secure tenancies at fixed social rents. And it’s an architectural marvel, too.” – The Guardian
Mr. Armstrong, meet Mr. Shaw
A friend of mine sent me this color photograph the other day, remarking that he suspected it was the only time that Louis Armstrong and George Bernard Shaw appeared in the same painting. – Terry Teachout