Composer John Duffy and New York Times sports columnist Robert Lipsyte have written an opera about Muhammed Ali. “Ali was poetic and prophetic,” said Duffy, who before becoming an acclaimed composer was an amateur boxer. – Sonicnet
Tag: 07.07.00
STARVATION SUIT
Just days after a 15-year British study and a controversial new book were released both alleging that young ballet dancers’ training promotes eating disorders, the mother of former Boston Ballet dancer Heidi Guenther has filed a lawsuit against the company and its artistic director for being “recklessly and grossly negligent” in asking Guenther to lose weight to join the corps de ballet. Guenther died of anorexia nervosa in 1997 at age 22, weighing just 93 pounds. – National Post (Canada)
JEDI DANCER
Filmmaker George Lucas has hired San Francisco choreographer Michael Smuin to choreograph scenes for the next “Star Wars” movie. “George envisioned the saber fight to be more dancelike this time,” said Smuin. “It took three people to accomplish this: a sword master, a Cirque du Soleil acrobat and a dancer with the Australia Ballet.” – San Francisco Chronicle
STRATEGIC PLANNING
Organizers of Britain’s top film awards, the BAFTAs, rescheduled the annual ceremony for a month before the Academy Awards – an unabashed attempt to upstage (and hopefully influence) the Oscar outcomes. – Sydney Morning Herald 07/07/00
END OF THE OSCAR CAPER
A truck driver in Los Angeles has been sentenced to six months in jail and ordered to pay $50,000 for stealing 55 Oscar statuettes shortly before this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. – BBC 07/07/00
JEDI DANCER
Filmmaker George Lucas has hired San Francisco choreographer Michael Smuin to choreograph scenes for the next “Star Wars” movie. “George envisioned the saber fight to be more dancelike this time,” said Smuin. “It took three people to accomplish this: a sword master, a Cirque du Soleil acrobat and a dancer with the Australia Ballet.” – San Francisco Chronicle 07/07/00
MONEY WOES SQUEEZE TWO BROADWAY SHOWS
Two high-profile shows scheduled for Broadway have been scrambling for money this week. “The Visit,” a new musical starring Angela Lansbury and Philip Bosco set to open in the spring after an out-of-town tryout in Boston this fall had one of its main investors reduce their stake. Meanwhile, “Little Women,” which was to have opened in the fall at the Ambassador Theater, has been pushed back to the spring, while producers try to raise more money. – New York Post