Still very much a work in progress. Washington Post 12/30/99
Previously: THAT MISSING FIVE PERCENT: When the musical “Martin Guerre” opened in London in 1996, reviews were mixed, and its creators acknowledged it wasn’t working and went back to their studios. Headed to Broadway next year, the show is about to open in Washington DC, and looking, composer Claude Michel Schonberg says, for that last five percent to make it sing. Washington Post 12/29/99
Tag: 12.01.99
A THEATER ON THE EDGE
In this five-part series, the Chicago Tribune traces the fortunes of the Famous Door Theater, a tiny theater company that finds itself on the brink of extinction when one of its productions bombs at the box office. Part one 11/28/99
Part two 11/29/99
Part three 11/30/99
Part four12/1/99
Part five 12/2/99 – Chicago Tribune
BROADWAY THEATER REDO
Reconstruction of a crucial portion of Broadway has been rumored for two years. But now it looks like changes are afoot. Current tenants of the Judith Anderson, INTAR, Samuel Beckett, and Harold Clurman Theatres, four pillars of West 42nd Street’s Off-Broadway Theatre Row, are on month-to-month leases. The theaters may be virtually demolished in early 2000 to make room for a modern complex containing six new theatres topped by an apartment tower. Backstage
NO SUCH THING AS FREE
Contrary to popular belief, American television has never been free. The question is: when will broadcasters start paying us for the use of public airwaves? *spark-online
STEVE MCQUEEN WINS
Video artist beats out favorite to win this year’s Turner Prize. London Telegraph
- And: Audio and video of the announcement. BBC 12/1/99
NO GOOD/NO BAD
Distinctions between good and bad art have melted away. Arguably there is only interesting art – which grabs our imagination – and uninteresting art – which fails to do so. “The more that art generates thought, the more interesting it becomes. The more it ignites negative feedback and debate, the more notorious and sensational it becomes, the closer it approaches entertainment.” *spark-online
THE RENAISSANCE ON TV
As a subject, the Renaissance should have made great TV. Just point and shoot the art, hire someone who knows about the period to write the script, and you’ve hooked your audience. Yet the BBC’s new six part series views like a “Travel Show” marathon. Yet again, “the BBC has demonstrated that it is incapable of delivering a serious program on the visual arts.” London Telegraph
FROM ARTSPEAK TO NOW
Critic Matthew Collings’ new book pierces the veil of artspeak and looks at the rituals, silliness, gossip and integrity of the art world. Salon
- Laurence Jarvik talks with Collings, who explains why the Young British Artists have caused such a sensation on both sides of the Atlantic. The Idler 12/1/99
HALF-BAKED
Washington Post critic complained in his review that the show he was writing about was too short. No kidding! Don’t leave at intermission then. Here’s the day-after correction. Washington Post
CONGRESSIONAL SCORECARD
A rundown of legislation and funding pertaining to the arts that made it through the final US Congressional session of the century. Backstage