It seems there is still much to be said about the Bard. “A typical year now sees around 1,500 new articles, 650 new books, 200 new editions, and 100 new doctoral dissertations devoted to Shakespeare. By rough estimate, that translates into 30 new pages published per hour, around the clock, year-round.”
Tag: 08.25.07
Remembering Max Roach
“Roach didn’t invent bebop, but he showed a whole new way for drummers to play a role in the new music–to do something besides just keeping time. (It would be a while longer before a bass player came along to do the same.)”
Dance As Therapy
“Exercise has long been considered beneficial for those with Parkinson’s, which is medically defined as a movement disorder caused at least in part by a loss of brain cells that release the nerve-to-nerve signaling chemical dopamine.” So dance classes have a therapeutic effect.
Couple Sues Nobel Author Over Book
A Canadian couple is suing 2003 Nobel Peace Prize winner Shirin Ebadi for pulling out of a commitment to collaborate on a book. “The suit is seeking $1.3 million US to cover the cost of writing the book which remains unpublished.”
Ebert Says Thumbs Okay
Film critic Roger Ebert he never told producers they couldn’t use his trademark Thumbs up/down on the movie show. “They made a first offer on Friday which I considered offensively low. I responded with a counteroffer. They did not reply to this, and on Monday ordered the Thumbs removed from the show. This is not something I expected after an association of over 22 years.”
Ebert: No Thumbs!
Film critic Roger Ebert has nixed use of his TV show’s thumbs until he gets a new contract. “Ebert, who is negotiating a new contract with the syndicated TV show’s distributor, Disney-ABC Domestic Television, is a copyright holder on the signature “thumbs up-thumbs down” judgment that’s part of each film review.”
Pavarotti Leaves Hospital
Italian opera tenor Luciano Pavarotti returned home from the hospital, more than two weeks after checking in with a high fever linked to his treatment for pancreatic cancer.
First Review Of Mel Brooks’ “Young Frankenstein”
“Staged by Susan Stroman with impressive fluidity, given its heft, “Young Frankenstein” has a cast of expert merrymakers; shtick galore; winning dance numbers; elaborate sets by Robin Wagner that are marvels of seamless stage technology; and all the explosions, fog and wowie lighting effects (by Peter Kaczorowski) a rumored $20 million budget can buy. But the humor is choppy, and the one-liners repeated from the film script (by Brooks and Gene Wilder) can fall flat.”
“High Anxiety” Next Musical For Mel Brooks?
“Young Frankenstein” is still in tryouts in Seattle. But already Mel Brooks and his collaborators are looking at their next project. “It could be ‘High Anxiety’,” Brooks collaborator Thomas Meehan said of the 1977 Hitchcock parody at the ‘Young Frankenstein’ opening-night party. “That’s the leading candidate. We have such a great time. We don’t play golf. We like to work.”