An American Hellenic group in Connecticut plans to build a replica of the classic theater, “modeled after the theater of ancient Epidauros, where an actor can whisper at center stage and be heard in the last row without a microphone. The first load of black-veined white marble for the new theater has already been shipped from Greece. But residents near the site have taken the decision to court, arguing that the 500-seat theater, to be built into a hillside on Dog Lane, will be too big and noisy and create parking problems. They also believe that the theater will have about twice the seating capacity the society is claiming.”
Tag: 07.02.03
Authentic Theatre Vs. Authentic Zoning Codes
“A Hellenic group plans to build a solid marble, open air amphitheater modeled after a 2,400-year-old theater in Greece. The group planning the theater says it would be unique in the United States, and expects it to become a cultural and educational landmark.” But this is in Connecticut, where homeowners are proprietary sorts, and the neighbors of the proposed amphitheater are taking a not-in-our-backyard approach to the whole thing. The usual concerns apply here – the size of the theatre, lack of available parking space, and excessive noise. So far, plans are going ahead, but residents are determined to shoot down the project.
Cleveland’s Hard Times
“Things are about as bad as they’ve ever been for the arts in Cleveland. Three of the region’s most important theatres (Ensemble, Dobama and Cleveland Public Theatre) cancelled the tail end of their 02/03 seasons earlier this year, mainly in an effort to stop the red ink. The Cleveland Film Society laid off half its staff after trying to compete with a made-for-TV “reality” series set in Iraq. Meanwhile, the majors are nervously raising and spending millions for huge capital projects…”
Can’t Dance, Don’t Ask Me
If you get up to dance in a New York City bar, you’re breaking the law. “Call it whatever you like—writhing, shimmying, bumping, grinding, ‘the white-man’s overbite’ — but if three or more people are executing it in a bar, nightclub or music hall that does not have a valid New York City ‘cabaret’ license, the establishment will be fined. If such “violations” occur again, they can be padlocked.” Now the city is thinking about revising the 77-year-old law…
BBC’s New Arts Show: All About Yentob
BBC1 has a new arts show. It’s not very good, writes Patrick Wright. Perhaps it’s because Alan Yentob the BBC exec is also Alan Yentob the producer and Alan Yentob the presenter. Is this too much Yentob around which to build an arts franchise?
The Ladies Of City Ballet
“All in all, things are looking up at New York City Ballet. Despite the erosion of detail evident throughout the Balanchine repertory (due, needless to say, to lack of appropriate coaching), there are at last enough strong ballerinas in place so that a number of Mr. B’s ballets are looking better than they were. And that’s what City Ballet is all about, pace Martins’ often-stated dictum that the company mustn’t become a museum. City Ballet is a museum, the central Balanchine museum, as the Prado is for Goya.”
Pay For Coming Attractions?
Are some movie studios paying theatres to run trailers of their movies? “Studios historically have been adamant in refusing to pay for trailer placement, arguing that the previews are as beneficial to theaters as they are to distributors. But exhibitors are on the hunt for new revenue streams as they regain their financial footing following the massive screen build-outs of the past few years — and the large cash outlays that made such expansion possible. While no studio would go on record as admitting to attempts at trailer placement, the subject has generated enough buzz around town to indicate that it is worth examining.”
Art Lives In New Jersey
New Jersey’s state budget is now official, and the arts have survived. “The budget calls for $19 million in funding for arts and cultural programs. That’s a drop from the $31.7 million the state gave to arts groups last year but a far cry from McGreevey’s original budget proposal, which called for eliminating arts funding entirely.”
Cleveland Orch Goes In-House For Top Hiring
“Gary Hanson, who was responsible for the restoration of Severance Hall as associate executive director of the Cleveland Orchestra, will become executive director when Thomas Morris retires from the position on March 1… Hanson’s biggest project – and triumph – was the $36.7 million Severance Hall restoration, which both improved existing areas of the orchestra’s home in University Circle and added needed administrative and public spaces. Hanson managed the $17 million renovation of Blossom, which opens Saturday with a gala concert conducted by Music Director Franz Welser-Möst.”
SAG/AFTRA Merger Fails By Slimmest of Margins
The proposed merger of the Screen Actor’s Guild and the American Federation of Television & Radio Artists has crumbled, after proponents of the plan failed to reach the 60% approval threshold necessary from the membership of both unions. AFTRA approved the merger by a wide margin, but only 58% of SAG members voted yes, scuttling the deal. The merger has been the source of much controversy among actors and TV/radio personalities, with several high-profile individuals all but staking their careers as union activists on its success.