“Neil MacGregor is far more than just the highly successful administrator of an iconic national establishment. He is a committed idealist who, in a world in which culture is increasingly presented as the acceptable face of politics, has pioneered a broader, more open, more peaceable way forward.”
Tag: 12.27.08
Cuckoo’s Nest Playwright Dale Wasserman Dies At 94
“Dale Wasserman, an autodidact who became the playwright responsible for two Broadway hits of the 1960s, ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ and ‘Man of La Mancha,’ died on Sunday at his home in Paradise Valley, Ariz., near Phoenix.”
What Canadian Literature Really Needs
“Much of Canada’s finest literature is in the short-story form, and publication of a first-rate anthology of short fiction would be like the appearance of a new literary classic on the Canadian landscape. It would solidify our sense of possessing a vital literature.”
Much-Hated Ticketmaster Gets Some Competition And Promises Changes (Maybe)
“Ticketmaster just moved the fees within the ticket price. All they really said was rather than stand outside, the fees are now going to stand inside the ticket price.”
Teachout – America’s Best Theatre Is Outside New York
“Though Broadway had much to offer in 2008 — it usually does — most of the best shows that I saw in the year just past were far from Times Square.”
Why Does Zukerman Stay In Ottawa?
When the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Canada’s small-ish capital signed such a big star as music director, some observers were more than a little puzzled. “Pinchas Zukerman in Ottawa? Had the great violinist lost his bow arm? Were the tax people pursuing him south of the 49th parallel?” William Littler suggests another reason: the band itself. “‘Just wait until you hear them tonight,’ says the maestro. ‘Listen to their Tchaikovsky!'”
Hillary Waugh, 88, Pioneer Of Police Procedural Novel
“Mr. Waugh started out writing private-detective mysteries before he tried his hand at writing a novel that focused on the details of an unfolding police investigation.” Among his novels were Last Seen Wearing, The Night It Rained, The Con Game, 30 Manhattan East and Finish Me Off.