“[He] saw himself as the ‘anti-establishment rock’n’roller of Russian film’ with an aim to make ‘scandalous, harsh cinema’. Many of Balabanov’s films are metaphorical black comedies that gaze unflinchingly at the bleakness and violence of the last days of communism and post-Soviet society.”
Tag: 05.19.13
On Richard Wagner’s 200th Birthday, His Great-Grandson Slams Him Again
“The 66-year-old musicologist, writer and lecturer [Gottfried Wagner] sets himself apart from the other members of the sprawling Wagner clan by refusing, as he sees it, to sweep under the carpet the darker side of one of history’s most controversial composers.
Wagner’s Hitler Correspondence Will Not Be Published, Says Great-Granddaughter
Katharina Wagner: “It’s very difficult to make all the widely dispersed documents available to the public, because they are owned in part by all four branches [of the family] … If even just one says ‘No’, then I can’t do anything about it, no matter how outrageous I might find it.”
The Rise Of Streaming TV, Er, ‘Cheating’
“How many of us haven’t lied about our catch-up addiction and had to sit through the same episode of Mad Men or Breaking Bad twice so our spouse doesn’t catch us out?”
Wait, Why Are Latino Playwrights Writing Asian-American Characters? (Um, Why Not?)
“Latino writers are asked to write ‘rice and beans’ plays about immigration, drug cartels, and the working class. That expectation assumes we’re all the same, and–most problematically for me–it creates a theatrical culture of inauthenticity. There are amazing Latino playwrights writing about these subjects; they’re true and important to them. But when you force me to do that, you’re perpetuating a lie.”
Bring Your Own Canoe To the Theatre In Minnesota
“Eighteen voyageur canoes, each holding nine audience members and a guide, paddled the 13-mile theater route.”
The (Relative) Youth Wave Continues
“American orchestras are in an uncertain place, threatened with labor unrest and declining subscriber rolls. A fresh-faced youngster bounding onstage inspires excitement and gets whatever dregs remain of media attention.”
Man Falls From Broadway Window To Marquee
“The victim was leaning against a window about 2:50 p.m. when he tumbled out onto the ornate limestone marquee just before the start of the matinee performance of ‘The Nance,’ starring Nathan Lane, officials said.”
Organizing Books (It’s Not As Easy As Non-Bibliophiles Might Think)
“The most valuable books also have to be kept away from direct sunlight, which means not-so- valuable books that were once alphabetically ordered then have to go near the window.”
A Triumphant Return (From The Wheelchair) For James Levine
“His entrance was choreographed so that after facing the audience, blowing kisses and waving his hands, Mr. Levine was able to turn his chair around and get to work in just over a minute.”