Puritans on the verge of a nervous breakdown (and what they have to tell us): Axis Theatre Co. and Romeo Castellucci

AJBlogs Posted: May 16, 2019 11:55 am

Two recent theater pieces take a hard look at one of the cultural rootstocks of the United States. – David Patrick Stearns

Almanac: Ambrose Bierce on the President of the United States

“PRESIDENT, n. The leading figure in a small group of men of whom—and of whom only—it is positively known that immense numbers of their countrymen did not want any of them for President.” Ambrose Bierce, The Devil’s Dictionary Continue reading Almanac: Ambrose Bierce on the President of the United States at... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-21
Ominous Juxtaposition? Biden Flanked by Duncanson’s “Rainbow” & Statue of a Murdered President

In a jolting inauguration installation, marred by unintentionally dark symbolism that, hopefully, wasn’t discerned by the Bidens, this afternoon’s celebration after the joyful swearing-in of the new President and Vice President included a brief walk through the Capitol rotunda led by Missouri Senator Roy Blunt, chairman of the Senate Republican... Read more

Source: CultureGrrl Published on: 2021-01-20
Snapshot: FDR’s 1933 inauguration

Sound footage of the presidential inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933: (This is the latest in a series of arts- and history-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) Continue reading Snapshot: FDR’s 1933 inauguration at About Last Night.... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-20
Almanac: Ralph Ellison on power

“Power doesn’t have to show off. Power is confident, self-assuring, self-starting and self-stopping, self-warming and self-justifying. When you have it, you know it.” Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man Continue reading Almanac: Ralph Ellison on power at About Last Night.... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-20
Lookback: “Call me Bartleby”

From 2006: I woke up this morning at nine-thirty, an hour later than my normal get-up-and-go time. As I descended from the loft in which I spend my nights, it struck me that I had nothing whatsoever to do today: no deadlines, no shows to see, no meals with friends,... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-19
Almanac: Thomas Fuller on memory

“We have all forgot more than we remember.” Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia Continue reading Almanac: Thomas Fuller on memory at About Last Night.... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-19
Just because: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays Ravel

Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays the slow movement of Ravel’s G Major Piano Concerto, accompanied by Sergiu Celidibache and the London Symphony: (This is the latest in a series of arts- and history-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) Continue reading Just because: Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-18
Almanac: Jean Anouilh on beauty

“Things are beautiful if you love them.” Jean Anouilh, Mademoiselle Colombe (trans. Louis Kronenberger) Continue reading Almanac: Jean Anouilh on beauty at About Last Night.... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-18
Trey Devey share his passion for Arts Education

“If we are empowered with creativity, with collaboration, with all of the skills that come from practicing the arts… that will lead to the breakthrough ideas.” Trey Devey, President of the Interlochen Center for the Arts, speaks to the power of arts education.... Read more

Source: Aaron Dworkin Published on: 2021-01-16
The pandemic process

A new episode of Three on the Aisle, the podcast in which Peter Marks, Elisabeth Vincentelli, and I talk about theater in America, is now available on line for listening or downloading. Here’s American Theatre’s “official” summary of the proceedings: This month, as the scale of the economic devastation facing arts professionals continues to... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-15
Classics for free

In today’s Wall Street Journal drama column, I review two theatrical webcasts drawn from important New York productions of the past by the Hunter Theater Project and Shakespeare in the Park. Here’s an excerpt. * * * Sometimes you have to dig to find the best theatrical webcasts, while others are hiding... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-15
Replay: Laurence Olivier in Uncle Vanya

A scene from the 1963 film of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya,” directed by Laurence Olivier and starring Olivier, Rosemary Harris, and Michael Redgrave: (This is the latest in a series of arts- and history-related videos that appear in this space each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday) Continue reading Replay: Laurence Olivier in... Read more

Source: About Last Night Published on: 2021-01-15
Matthew Loden discusses the mission of orchestras

“There’s a fundamental mission drive and, in many instances, I think a moral imperative to actually do what we’re doing for as many people as possible and to do it intelligently and in a way that is actually going to bring some kind of either musical relief or solace.” Matthew... Read more

Source: Aaron Dworkin Published on: 2021-01-14
Let’s Talk About Literary Exposure

Some would call it visibility. If you’re talking books, how about millions upon millions of Youtube views for a reading from Supervert’s "Necrophilia Variations.' A dozen years ago when that video had two million views, I called it “viral reading.” Three years later, on Dec. 30, 2015, the video had... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-01-14
Connect

The viability of our industry depends upon developing relationships–making connections–with many new communities. The bases for success are respect and humility.... Read more

Source: Engaging Matters Published on: 2021-01-12
Jim Haynes, RIP

Brad Spurgeon memorializes him: "End of an Era, but not of a Philosophy of Life." I never met Jim. But he was extraordinarily welcoming when we corresponded by email about the strange case of Orwell's typewriter.... Read more

Source: Straight|Up Published on: 2021-01-12