On Shakey Ground

“The Orlando-UCF Shakespeare Festival, which is changing its name June 1 to the Orlando Shakespeare Theater, informs us that we’re supposed to use the nickname Orlando Shakes,” writes criic Elizabeth Maupin. What’s with choosing your own nickname? “Yikes. And I’d like you to call me Queen Elizabeth. Please.”

Remembering Celia Franca

She created Canadian dance, by creating the National Ballet of Canada. “She was complicated, and she had this vision of excellence that she willed us to become and we did. We rose to this demanding, visionary force. Her gift to us was her life and it shaped and transformed generations of us, and it goes beyond dance.”

Celia Franca, 85

She was founder of Canada’s National Ballet. “Franca came to Canada in 1951 and had a classical ballet company running within 10 months, though she had to support herself by working as a file clerk at Eaton’s. She recruited and trained dancers for the first performance of the National Ballet of Canada on Nov. 12, 1951, at Toronto’s Eaton Auditorium.”