Marina Abramović Abandons Plan For Performance Art Institute

The superstar performance artist had hired starchitect Rem Koolhaas to convert a former theater she had bought in Hudson, NY into the Marina Abramović Institute for the Preservation of Performance Art. But Koolhaas’s design would cost an estimated $31 million to realize, and Abramović has determined that she can’t raise that much money. (Ah, well – at least she has a new sideline in patisserie.)

A “Phantom Of The Opera Sequel – But It’s On A Tour That Critics Aren’t Supposed To Review?

“This is a new wrinkle in the very old book of showdowns between producers and critics. It’s one thing to have a preview period for performers and stagehands to settle in; previews even used to be significantly discounted, a good-faith concession from producers to fans as shows found their footing. But using an entire tour stop as a critic-free preview zone? That’s not how out-of-town tryouts or tours run. Eventually reviewers  report.”

Wall Street Firm That Paid To Erect “Fearless Girl” Sculpture Is Fined For Underpaying Women Employees

Ironic? The company had called on Wall Street companies to put more women in leadership roles when it erected the sculpture. After complaints about underpaying women, the company will pay $5 million to more than 300 women, following a U.S. Department of Labor audit that uncovered the alleged discrepancies, according to a settlement agreement.

Tom Alter, Bollywood’s Favorite White Actor, Dead At 67

“With light skin, blue eyes and blond hair, which later turned bright white, Mr. Alter was an incongruous figure in Bollywood. But he spoke Hindi and Urdu fluently” – the child and grandchild of Presbyterian missionaries from Ohio, he was born and raised in India – “making him a natural fit for roles like slick diplomats, British colonials, priests and police officers.” He appeared in more than 300 films in Hindi, Urdu, and other languages, and had a notable career as a stage and television actor as well.

Many News Sites Have Shut Off Reader Comments. That Might Be A Mistake

Abuse, trolling, harassment, racism, misogyny—these are all real problems down in the comments, and they’re a symptom of wider problems: societal, yes, but also strategic. The current process goes like this: Journalist writes an article. Article is published. People write comments. Journalist peeks at the comments, and sees a lot of meanness and abuse (especially if they’re a woman, a person of color, or especially a woman of color). Journalist vows not to engage with such horrid readers. The organization listens to its journalists when they say that comments are worthless and puts fewer resources into them. The comments then get worse due to lack of engagement and strategy, leaving the space to a small number of argumentative types corralled by a tiny battled-hardened community team.