“The first Sunday of 2009 saw the closing of nine Broadway shows. It’s a safe bet that no performance was more raucous than the ‘Hairspray’ finale after 6 1/2 years at the Neil Simon Theatre.”
Tag: 01.05.09
Lamos, Ross To Lead Westport Country Playhouse
“Mark Lamos is back leading a Connecticut theater, this time in Westport. The 62-year-old Lamos, who built Hartford Stage into a Tony Award-winning, internationally known theater from 1980 to 1997, is the new artistic director of the Westport Country Playhouse starting Feb. 1.” Longtime Lamos colleague Michael Ross, formerly of Baltimore’s Center Stage and New Haven’s Long Wharf Theatre, will be managing director.
Morris Dancing Endangered (Who Knew?)
“Morris dancing, one of those ancient traditions that seem to be cherished and derided in equal measure, is apparently on the verge of extinction, we learn today with a plea from the UK Morris Association.”
Juilliard West? LA’s Colburn School Invites Comparisons
“The conservatory and its 105 students occupy a cloister-style campus across the street from Disney Hall. Located here is also the Colburn School of Performing Arts, a community school where more than 1,500 preschoolers to adults study music, dance and drama. This year’s incoming conservatory class of 43 was selected from more than 400 applicants from around the world.”
How Liverpool’s Year Of Culture Changed The City
“There was a staggering amount going on: 7,000 events, involving 10,000 artists and 60 premieres. Sir Paul McCartney paid three visits, Sir Simon Rattle two, while Gustav Klimt’s metallic fantasies caused a stampede to Tate Liverpool.”
Common Ground – Why Classical Music Needs Pop (And Vice Versa)
“Musical training used to fuel the fires of condescension (from both sides) and genre was to be worn like a badge of authenticity; ‘I am rock, you are classical and never the twain shall meet’. Personally, I am looking forward to a future characterised by unclassifiable, adaptable musicians, for whom style and training are mere tools.”
Is Blu-ray Over Before It’s Really Begun?
“The Blu-ray format is in jeopardy simply because the advent of downloadable HD movies is so close. Streaming video from the Internet and other means of direct digital delivery are going to put optical formats out of business entirely over the next few years.”
Magazine Ad Sales Drive Off A Cliff
“Wired, which is usually thick with consumer electronics ads, was the worst hit, down 47 percent from a year ago to 43.6 ad pages. Architectural Digest fell 46 percent, to 63.2, from 116.8. Vogue and Lucky were both down about 44 percent.”
Publishers: The New Austerity
“Amid a relentless string of layoffs and pay-freeze announcements, book publishers are clamping down on some of the business’s most glittery and cozy traditions. Austerity measures are rippling throughout the industry as it confronts the worst retailing landscape in memory.”