“This spring there’s an unusually rich crop of [Broadway] entries from American Theater 101. Opening in a span of less than two months are three of the American theater’s best-known and best-loved classics: Tennessee Williams’s Glass Menagerie and A Streetcar Named Desire, and Edward Albee’s Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? This is noteworthy in itself – producers tend to get out of each other’s way when it comes to name-brand, star-spangled revivals – but another phenomenon is even more intriguing: all three plays have been placed in the hands of British directors. Conspiracy? Certainly not. Coincidence? Not exactly.”
Tag: 02.27.05
Sideways Cleans Up At Indie Awards
“The comedy Sideways has dominated this year’s Independent Spirit Awards, winning all six of the awards for which it was nominated. It was named best film while Alexander Payne won best director and best screenplay, along with writing partner Jim Taylor. It also won acting awards for stars Paul Giamatti, Thomas Haden Church and Virginia Madsen… The awards, now in their 20th year, are given to films made outside the traditional studio system, and are traditionally held the day before the Oscars.”
Brits Love Their Digital Radios
For the first time, sales of digital radio receivers have outpaced traditional analog sets in the UK, where the technology has taken firm hold and a complete changeover to digital broadcasting is expected to occur by the end of the decade. By contrast, digital radio receivers are nearly unheard of in the US.
Wexford Festival Outsources Its Orchestra
Ireland’s Wexford Opera Festival has anounced that it will contract with a low-cost Eastern European orchestra to play in its pit this year, snubbing the country’s own National Symphony Orchestra, but saving €150,000. “Irish musicians have accused Wexford of using cheap labour, and will picket the festival again this October in protest. The Arts Council has expressed its ‘serious concern’ at the festival’s failure to nurture Irish artists, and has made it a condition of future funding that the festival ‘respond with vigour to its concerns’.”
Adopting The Cuban Librarians
“Almost two years ago, about 11 independent librarians in Cuba were among 75 dissidents, journalists and others arrested and given prison sentences of up to 28 years for essentially collaborating with enemies of the state. Most are still in jail, despite an international outcry. Although New York is home to magnificent libraries, world-class publishers and fierce champions of free expression, the Cuban Cultural Center is the only group in the city so far to adopt an independent library. They hope their action will send a dual message. ‘It’s not just about sending whatever books we can, but we want the people in Cuba to know they are not alone and that someone here recognizes what they are going through’.”
America’s Invisible Composers
America’s classical music tradition might not stack up to Europe’s centuries of acheivement, but in the oft-overlooked area of film scoring, American composers have carved out an impressive niche. “When the film and the music are great, the results can be stunning – with a score that plays almost continuously for longer than most great symphonies. Picture Psycho without Bernard Herrmann’s electrified, staccato strings, or “The Third Man” without Anton Karas’ burbling zither… For nearly a century, movie scores have helped to propel a popular medium, and at the same time have surreptitiously exposed audiences of millions to the joys of the orchestra without requiring them to buy a ticket to the local symphony hall.”
Chicago Takes Its Time
The Chicago Symphony doesn’t seem to be in any big hurry to choose a successor to outgoing music director Daniel Barenboim, but John van Rhein says that the orchestra can afford to take its time. “It seems that the more people who are heard from, the lengthier the job description for CSO music director becomes. Beyond being a superior conductor, a fine musician and a strong leader who’s respected by the orchestra, he or she should be thoroughly familiar with how American orchestras function in a changing social and economic landscape. And the next music director should be willing to help the organization stump for funds, a role Barenboim has declined to play but one that has become essential.”
Eastwood’s Second Act
Ask anyone in the movie business, and they’ll tell you that there is nothing worse for your career than getting old. And with a few notable exceptions – actors and actresses who are allowed to pop up in the occasional film past the age of 60 – most aging Hollywood legends are more or less expected to just fade away gracefully. “[Clint] Eastwood, though, has joined a highly selective group: long-successful artists who continuously tinker with their careers, who make changes in the fundamental nature of their work even at a time when they could safely kick back and relax, endlessly repeating past themes and proven methods.”
David – A Question Of Anatomy?
Are “David’s” physical proportions correct? Michelangelo’s “towering sculpture acclaimed for its depiction of male physical perfection, has always been the subject of jokes among Florentines and tourists for the modest dimensions of his “pisello.” But according to a study to be published at the end of this month by the Dutch Institute for Art History, in Florence, David’s genitals are anatomically correct for a male body in a “pre-fight tension.”
Kurtz – Artist Or Bio-Terrorist?
Artist Steven Kurtz faces 20 years in jail, accused of charges related to bio-terrorism. “Most scientists considered the accusations nonsense. It is common practice to exchange material on a casual basis. Vials and test-tubes are carried in pockets and briefcases and swapped at conferences or in pubs. Kurtz believes he is a victim of a political persecution. ‘I have been vocal about the way the state is using research in germ warfare. That is why they want to get me’.”