Terrence McNally’s Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune begins with noisy sex in the dark, then the lights come up on the actors getting out of bed naked. It’s always been a delicate scene to stage, and the current New York revival is the first Broadway production of any kind to use a professional intimacy coordinator. Laura Collins-Hughes talks with her — Claire Warden — and stars Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon about how they make it work. – The New York Times
Tag: 06.26.19
William F. Brown, Tony-Nominated Playwright Of ‘The Wiz,’ Dead At 91
“Mr. Brown began his career producing advertising for television before branching out as a freelance writer, playwright and, for several years, the co-creator of a syndicated comic strip. A versatile and all-purpose writer, Mr. Brown published humor books, wrote for musical revues and contributed jokes and skits to television shows.” – The Washington Post
Actors’ Unions Push IMDb Not To Publish Birth Names Of Trans Actors
The online database says that it’s not outing anyone; it’s simply listing the names of actors as they were at the time they appeared in a given production. SAG-AFTRA, joined by a number of LGBTQ advocacy organizations, calls the practice an invasion of privacy that can put the named actor at risk. – The New York Times
Director Who Transformed California Symphony Resigning
In five years as executive director of the Walnut Creek-based orchestra, Aubrey Bergauer used a data- and diversity-driven approach to turn a languishing institution around, with ticket sales, donor base, budget, and number of performances all more than doubling. – The Mercury News (San Jose)
Rem Koolhaas’s OMA To Create Annex For New York’s New Museum
“The new structure, which will add 60,000 square feet of space, reflects how much New York’s small, scrappy New Museum has changed since it opened on the Bowery in 2007, increasing its annual attendance to more than 400,000 from 60,000 and staff to 150 from 30.” – The New York Times
Large Study: Students Who Study Music Do Better In Other Subjects
“It is believed that students who spend school time in music classes, rather than further developing their skills in math, science, and English classes, will underperform in those disciplines. Our research suggests that, in fact, the more they study music, the better they do in those subjects.” – Pacific Standard
The Grace of Uzbek Dance
What struck me watching Zamira Aminova in Bukhara was that, although her movements were not as complex as others I’ve seen, she never stopped seeming to float like a leaf on the wind. That takes strength. – Michal Shapiro
What Happened to Nelson Algren?
The New York Times Book Review has finally covered Never a Lovely So Real, Colin Asher’s Algren biography, and Susan Jacoby’s honest, well-reported review sets a judicious standard. – Jan Herman
Greta Matassa In L.A.
Following the recent Rifftides review of her new album, we thought you’d enjoy Ms. Matassa and friends in a Gershwin medley. – Doug Ramsey
Opponents Of LACMA’s Design For A New Campus Start To Organize
The group is primarily concerned about the latest design’s 10% reduction in size and museum director Michael Govan’s plan to disburse objects from the permanent collection to future satellite exhibition spaces in South Los Angeles and elsewhere. – Los Angeles Times