“In general, the “neural” explanation has become a gold standard of non-fiction exegesis, adding its own brand of computer-assisted lab-coat bling to a whole new industry of intellectual quackery that affects to elucidate even complex sociocultural phenomena.”
Tag: 09.13.12
Jet-Setting Violin Dealer On Trial For (A Lot Of) Fraud
“On Wednesday, Dietmar Machold, 63, comes up for trial in Vienna, Austria. It is the largest fraud case in the history of a trade that goes back to at least the middle of the 18th century: Apart from criminal charges, Machold faces civil claims estimated at $200 million.”
New Guy (Who’s Not At All New) Starts In At The Royal Ballet
As Kevin O’Hare moves from administrative work into the directorship of the UK’s Royal Ballet, he’s thinking about money, sports science, and how much of an advantage it is not to be a choreographer.
UK’s National Theatre To Open US Office
“Following the financial and critical success of their London-to-Broadway productions of War Horse and One Man, Two Guvnors, executives at the National Theater of Great Britain announced on Thursday that they are opening their first office in New York next month to oversee future shows and deepen relationships with theaters and donors in the United States.”
What Janet Malcolm Got Completely Wrong In The Journalist And The Murderer
Errol Morris: “Janet Malcolm says that trying to discern MacDonald’s guilt or innocence from the evidence he sent her is like trying to prove the existence of God by looking at a flower. But the existence of God is taken on faith. The innocence or guilt of a criminal defendant is not. Period.”
Revived Pasadena Playhouse Keeps Artistic Director, Names New CEO
“Sheldon Epps has renewed his contract as artistic director of the Pasadena Playhouse, and Elizabeth Doran will join him as its new executive director … Epps has led the company since 1997 and helped see it through the 2010 financial crisis in which the playhouse closed for eight months, then emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy.”
Royal Opera House, Despite Closing Its New Works Program, Insists Its Commitment To New Works Is Intact
“New Royal Ballet director Kevin O’Hare has spoken publicly for the first time about the closure of ROH2, insisting that the move would not affect the amount of new work produced by the company.”
Putting Stage Musicals On Screen Is A Risky Enterprise
Charles Isherwood: “[Rock of Ages and Bachelorette] both had me wincing more often than I laughed. The dispiriting part is trying to keep intact in your memory file the delight you took in the material onstage when it has been so thoroughly flattened onscreen – to say nothing of trying to explain its allure to people who saw only the movie version. How many ways can you say, ‘You kind of had to be there’?”
Canadian Mint Relents, Won’t Charge Musician Royalty On Picture Of Pennies
“The Royal Canadian Mint has had a change of heart over charging Nova Scotia musician Dave Gunning for using an image of the penny on his album cover. Mint spokeswoman Christine Aquino says it will no longer be charging Gunning a fee for every album he issues of his soon-to-be-released recording No More Pennies.”
What Motivated Garth Drabinsky (And Brought Him Down)
A new documentary suggests: “If it was greed. It was greed for legitimacy and power, perhaps driven by his childhood bout with polio. I do think he cared about the art.