Artists across genres and mediums have, for decades, found great storytelling potential in Baum’s characters and mythology. But the mode that Oz has continued to lend itself to best is musical theater, a genre predicated on suspension of disbelief and thus well suited to conveying Oz’s odd earnestness. - The Atlantic
"Throughout his career, he has struggled with stage fright, he said, especially when dancing in groups. ... But for “Dear Lord, Make Me Beautiful,” a new large-scale, evening-length production that deals with themes of aging, change and vulnerability, he knew he needed to be present onstage." - The New York Times
Says the daughter of actress Ingrid Bergman and filmmaker Roberto Rossellini, "Of course it opens the door, because people are curious to see you. But I don’t know that it was an advantage. The judgment is much more severe, and you don’t have time to grow." - The Guardian
"Silverpoint Holdings, the current owners, are now offering the bronze cast for sale through Art Encounter, a Las Vegas gallery led by father-son duo Rod Maly and Brett Maly, for a price of $100 million — which includes the one-of-a-kind mold used to make it." - Artnet
"With his childhood friends Jerry and David Zucker, Abrahams formed the filmmaking trio, called Zucker, Abrahams and Zucker, and popularized the spoof genre of the 1980s" with Kentucky Fried Movie, the Naked Gun series, Ruthless People, and, most indelibly, Airplane! - Variety
"Capital Public Radio released Thursday its financial statement for a year marked by financial turmoil, providing the first detailed breakdown — since the release of two scathing accounting reviews over the past 14 months — of debts the station accumulated mostly through signing two leases for downtown buildings." - The Sacramento Bee
"The Walt Disney Co. has agreed to pay $43.3 million to resolve a long-running lawsuit brought by a group of female employees who alleged gender pay discrimination at the Burbank entertainment giant." As is frequently the case in such settlements, Disney did not admit fault. - Los Angeles Times (MSN)
The orchestra's 2023-24 annual report shows a sixth consecutive year of a balanced budget as well as endowment growth of 11% to $296 million; audience numbers have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. - Ideastream Public Media (Cleveland)
The two-time Olivier Award winner and Tony nominee will assume the role at the beginning of 2026 after what will have been 12 years directing the Almeida Theatre across the Thames — and joining him will be his associate director, Rebecca Frecknall. Goold succeeds another award-winning director, Matthew Warchus. - The Guardian
"Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum said Monday she has a plan to reduce the popularity of 'narcocorridos.' … (She) vowed to launch a campaign to promote other, less violent musical styles that aren’t as linked to drug traffickers in an effort to stop glorifying them." - AP
The movie is energized by the emotional implications of the gap between her unflagging devotion to music and, essentially, music’s abandonment of her—the loss of many of the best qualities of her voice. - The New Yorker
"Beautiful brick early 20th-century town halls were once venues for council meetings, award nights and country dances. But in recent decades many have been under-used or left entirely empty." Now municipalities are offering them to strapped arts organizations, often without rental fees. - The Guardian
Nostalgia is a universal malady for which there is no effective remedy, and throughout its long history it has served politically diverse ends. - Washington Post
“It’s really good for learning receptive skills: listening, reading, learning about grammar and vocabulary, so it can be a great place to start. But oftentimes people struggle with production: speaking and writing. Studies have shown that again and again." - The Dial
Mohammed Rasoulof had been imprisoned for his work before, and he knew that his The Seed of the Sacred Fig — which ultimately got a 13-minute ovation and a special jury prize at Cannes — would land him there again. Yet he felt compelled to do it. - The New York Times Magazine
