Tag: 09.03.00

STOMACHING GOOD THEATRE

“Theaters talk a great deal about how they want to keep their patrons happy, how they want to attract younger audiences and how they want to stir discussion. But too often they ignore the obvious fact that along with first-rate fare on the stage, a good cup of coffee, a calming glass of wine, some simple but appealing food and a few cafe tables might do the trick, making the theatergoing experience something more than a park-the car, sit-through-the play, run-for-the-garage kind of night.” – Chicago Sun-Times

SING-ALONG SOUND OF MUSIC COMES TO BROADWAY

“Ever had a craving to croon along with Julie Andrews as she celebrates a few of her favourite things? Like to pretend you’re Mother Superior figuring out how to solve a problem like Maria? Wonder what it’s like to be 16, going on 17? Singalong, which has a splashy red-carpet opening Wednesday night at the Ziegfeld Theatre, gives you the chance to find out.” – The Globe and Mail (Canada)

SHOWING NON-WESTERN ART

For the first time, the Louvre has opened a gallery of African and Asian art. “Some have criticized the exhibit for being merely a political maneuver; others are skeptical that it truly will help the public understand African art. What’s interesting is that the controversy highlights the ambivalence with which the art world regards African and other non-Western art forms.” – Baltimore Sun

DAMAGED INSTRUMENTS

The Dallas Symphony got a rude surprise when they got off their plane for a European tour. Several of the orchestra’s instruments had been damaged in the cargo hold of the plane. “The basses had literally come unglued, apparently while stored in the un-air-conditioned cargo hold of an American Airlines Boeing 767 jet during a 3½ hour on-the-ground delay Wednesday night at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.” – Dallas Morning News

BASTARDIZING BEETHOVEN

Gustav Mahler was always after the bigger better thing. So when he rewrote Beethoven’s symphonies, he really believed he was making them better. “In the years since Mahler’s death in 1911, the ‘painted-over’ Beethoven editions have been largely ignored and so, for the most part, his acts of barbarism could only be read about and imagined. Starting Thursday, though, audiences at the Kennedy Center will have a rare opportunity to hear for themselves what all the fuss once was about.” – Baltimore Sun 09/03/00 

BASIC SERVICES

“Whether in the complexes built by labor unions, radical fellowships or the city’s Housing Authority, New York – uniquely among American cities – has for more than 80 years insisted upon culture as a part of the social compact, something as essential to the working class as affordable rent and medical care. Such ventures have proved essential to New York’s prominence as a cultural capital, while remaining oddly invisible – because few New Yorkers realize the vast extent of union developments or recognize that public housing here defies the stereotype of fetid, crime-ridden projects.” – New York Times 09/03/00 

ARTIVISTS IN SF

“The Bay Area – indeed, all of California – is under siege by nouveau- riche pilgrims who apparently have little use for indie rock, dance clubs, dance studios, alternative art galleries, underground theater or one-screen repertory movie houses. But San Francisco’s arts community isn’t taking this invasion lying down – unless one counts going limp during arrest.” – San Francisco Chronicle 09/03/00

RENOS THAT THREATEN

London’s Sadler’s Wells Theatre is in dire straits. A £48 million refurbishment in 1998 is at the heart of the problem. The theatre in central London underwent a  in a project designed to create ‘Britain’s leading theatre for presenting dance’. But problems associated with the project not endanger the theatre. – The Independent