Stories

If theater matters differently than television and film it’s not just because you have to leave your home to be part of it, but also because you have to enter someone else’s. - The New York Times

The NFT confers public proof of ownership and authenticity of an item, which may or may not include copyright — just as in the physical world an artist may sell a work but retain the intellectual property. - The New York Times

“Opera’s superpower is subtext,” says composer Missy Mazzoli, “and being able to say more than one thing at once.” - Van

As in: What is Europe? Cue faintly hand-wavey snow, hunting lodges, Christmassy scenes, maybe cheese and art themes ... but no actual Europe. - The Guardian (UK)

At least, some of the Democratic members aren't into it. "In a letter Monday to U.S. Atty. Gen. Merrick Garland and Assistant Atty. Gen. Jonathan Kanter, the lawmakers said the proposed consolidation 'raises significant antitrust concerns.'" - Los Angeles Times

Yvonne Orji, who played Molly: "I want to believe that there are now more Black creators and creatives in spaces of power to greenlight shows, to work behind the scenes and in front of the scenes to create the same environment ... but what we had was special." - FastCompany

The previous occupant had skipped the ceremony and held no reception while in office. President Biden, who did hold a White House reception, said to honoree Lorne Michaels, "You make me laugh at myself a lot." - Seattle Times (AP)

One trial lawyer said, "There’s no reason you should ever give an interview like that. It can only backfire." - Los Angeles Times

Myth is everywhere on Broadway and in opera right now, including a collaboration between 88-year-old composer Wayne Shorter and the younger composer/performer/lyricist Esmerelda Spalding. Why now? "In uncertain times, myths give us something sturdy to lean on, a narrative handrail to grip." - Washington Post

After Love won six awards, including actress, director, film, and screenplay. - The Guardian (UK)

Toek Tik, the Cambodian man known as "The Lion," helped plunder ancient sites - then, recently, spent years telling police and cultural workers about the thefts. He has died, after contracting COVID-19, at 62. He said, "I want the gods to come home." - The New York Times

But the musicians have to earn a living wage too, he insists. - Baltimore Sun

It's perhaps a cliché now to have the cast dance in some fashion, even when they're not in a dance movie like Black Swan or Dirty Dancing - but some movies and stars perform better than others. - The Collider

Last month, a TikTok user picked up a copy of Cain's Jawbone and made a TikTok, wherein she said, "I’ve decided to take this nearly impossible task as an opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream and turn my entire bedroom into a murder board," - LitHub

"Artists are taught to see each other as competition ... and to believe that failure to achieve status in their chosen field is solely due to a lack of individual talent." The pandemic, Black Lives Matter protests, and social media changed all that. - Los Angeles Review of Books