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Yes, you've found Lou Harry's A&E, IBJ's home for opinion, debate and discussion on arts and entertainment matters in Indy and beyond. Thanks for stopping by.
Recent Blog Posts
Rodgers & Hammerstein thoughts
October 10, 2008
Comments(9)The well-sung but nondescript production of "The Sound of Music" currently running at Beef & Boards got
me thinking about the musicals of Rodgers & Hammerstein. Some random thoughts:
--The R&H reputation pretty much rests on "Oklahoma!," "Carousel," "South Pacific," "The King...
MoreReview: IO's "Il Trovatore"
October 8, 2008
Comment(1)"Show, don't tell" is a mantra of dramatic writing. And it's a mantra pretty much ignored by Gueseppi Verdi
in his opera "Il Trovatore."
In its early scenes, exposition nearly overwhelms, and even when it looks like there’s going to be...
MoreSuccess and Malcolm Gladwell
October 7, 2008
Comments(2)One of the biggest sociological buzz books in recent years was Malcolm Gladwell's "The Tipping Point," in
which the journalist looked at the root causes of popularity--what are the circumstances that lead to a sudden
skyrocketing of awareness
His next book,...
MoreYou-review-it Monday
October 5, 2008
Comments(5)For me, the weekend (I'm counting Thursday evening in this) included a stop at "Chocolate: The Exhibition"
at the Indiana State Museum, a visit to Indianapolis Opera's "Il Trovatore" at Clowes Hall and, in between,
a run to Dearborn, Michigan,...
MoreWhat new TV season?
October 3, 2008
Comments(5)The fall TV series is off and running. Well, not running. Stumbling is a better word.
What used to be an exciting time in TV land is now, well, just ask yourself when the last time was that
people in your...
MoreCarnage: Art vs. Art and "Sweeney"
October 1, 2008
Comments(10)As I mentioned Monday, I finally got to Art vs. Art (Sept. 26), the crazed art auction/game show/demolition
derby that uptowned from Fountain Square to the Vogue this year.
I’ll confess to getting caught up in the same blood lust...
MoreBible tour: For better or verse?
October 1, 2008
Comments(4)Zondervan, one of the world's leading publishers of Bibles, announced that it will be printing a hand-written
version, with more than 31,000 Americans performing the penmanship. It's being called Bible Across America
and, yes, there's an RV involved. You can find the...
MoreIn Cleveland, a critical clash
September 30, 2008
Comments(10)Classical music fans, musicians, critics and administrators around the country are taking sides in a battle
that's been raging in Cleveland.
The situtation: After years of blasting Cleveland Orchestra music director Franz Welser-Most, Cleveland Plain
Dealer music critic Donald Rosenberg has...
MoreYou-review-it Monday
September 28, 2008
Comments(10)So how was your weekend?
For me, it included a run to Ball State to visit its art museum and check out the student production of
the music "Violet" (a show I've wanted to see for years that I, unfortunately, missed...
MoreCultural void at the debates
September 26, 2008
Comments(4)Check out this smart Los Angeles Times piece about the "well, duh" observation that culture won't be a subject
for any question during the Presidential debates.
"If I were moderating tonight's TV debate," writes Times art critic Christopher Knight, "...
MoreOn the Pentagon 9/11 memorial
September 25, 2008
Comments(4)A few months back, when blogging about an arts-centric Washington, D.C. visit, I mentioned that one of my
most memorable college moments was a spontanious road trip to the city, including a silent midde-of-the-night
walk through a tourist-free Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
As...
MoreReview: Bill Cosby at IU
September 24, 2008
Comments(3)Singers of a certain age often coast on nostalgia. The primary pleasure of attending one of their concerts
isn't so much the sound of their voice or the wit of their banter. It's being able to say you saw them....
MoreReview: IRT's 'Sherlock Holmes'
September 22, 2008
Comments(6)Neither engagingly mysterious or particularly thrilling, “Sherlock Holmes: The Final Adventure,” the season opener
for the Indiana Repertory Theatre (running through Oct. 11) offers a handsome but passionless production that
lacks either a convincing threat or a committed style.
Despite...
MoreYou-revew-it Monday
September 22, 2008
Comments(8)For me, the very busy weekend included visits to two art shows in Bloomington prior to quality time with
Bill Cosby at IU Auditorium--and the drive-time opportunity to listen to Ricky Ian Gordon's new American opera
"The Grapes of...
MoreThe death of David Foster Wallace
September 19, 2008
Comments(3)A few weeks back, in my A&E Season Preview in the print IBJ, I picked as one of the highlighted events
David Foster Wallace's scheduled talk at Butler University.
That won't be happening. The acclaimed writer, best known for his essays and...
MoreReviews: Phoenix, Civic, ATI
September 18, 2008
Comments(14)Space is limited in this week's print IBJ, so instead of cutting down the week's reviews, I thought I'd
share my thoughts here on three recent theater production openings. (FYI: You can find A&E reviews every
week in IBJ's Not Strictly Business...
MoreLehman's not-for-profit fallout
September 17, 2008
Comments(3)When a major company goes under, it's not just the employees and shareholders who take hits. It's also the
not-for-profits that the company helps support. A Bloomberg story today reports on Lehman Brothers endowment,
which contributes to over 200 causes...
More'Lakeview Terrace': your reviews
September 16, 2008
Comments(7)So, were you among the crowd at the sneak preview of "Lakeview Terrace," the new film directed by former Hoosier Neil LaBute?
What did you think?
Comments encouraged.
MoreThe incredible shrinking diva
September 16, 2008
Comments(7)"Traditionally, it isn't over until the fat lady sings. But it seems it will soon be over for the singing
fat lady."
So opens a piece in The London newspaper The Independent concerning the slimmer and fitter brand of opera...
MoreYou-review-it Monday
September 15, 2008
Comments(5)It seemed like theater was everywhere this weekend--and I caught as much of it as I could, with visits
to the Phoenix Theatre's "November," Indianapolis Civic Theatre's "Little Shop of Horrors," and Actors Theatre
of Indiana's "Perfect Wedding." More on...
MoreIBJ Movie Night: 'Pulp Fiction'
September 11, 2008
Comments(2)As part of its Flashback Feature series of Wednesday night classics, Circle Centre 9 will be screening "Pulp
Fiction" on Sept. 24 at 8.
If you'd you'd like to take advantage of this rare chance to see it on the big screen, e-mail...
MoreMamet to actors: Stay out of school
September 11, 2008
Comments(8)With David Mamet's latest play, "November," opening this week at the Phoenix Theatre, I was interested in
reading the acclaimed playwright's latest words on his art.
What I found in his recent book "True and False: Heresy...
MoreU.S. premiere to launch Heartland
September 10, 2008
Comments(6)Heartland Truly Moving Pictures announced today that its Opening Night Event, Oct. 16, will feature the North
American premiere of the Miramax film "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas."
Actor David Thewlis (best known from the Harry Potter films),...
MoreTharp, true cabaret at ACT, etc.
September 9, 2008
Comment(1)Time to empty the notebook with some quick items.
--It was announced today that Indiana's own Twyla Tharp will be the recipient of a Kennedy Center Honors
this year. She'll be joined by Morgan Freeman, Barbra Streisand, George Jones, Pete Townshend...
MoreYou-review-it Monday
September 8, 2008
Comments(7)From the looks of the crowd at Penrod on Saturday, every single one of you spent time this weekend at
the Indianapolis Museum of Art. So what did you think of this year's fair?
And/or did you get out and sample...
More
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Saw the Indy Men's Chorus "Music of Gilbert & Sullivan" at the Indiana Historical Society on Sunday evening.
Temporary workers are not "tools" they are people and companies that keep large amounts of temp staff are cheating.
I miss having them around. I hope one of their stores is in the general Meridian/86th Street area. I will make good use of it.
The Fringe! Plus, the simple fact that there are so many local faves in such close proximity to each other.
I remenber, watching the toll road, being built, through South Bend, when I was 10 years old. I believe, back then that it was estimated, that the toll road, would be paid for in 20 years and then it would be free. I am now 71, what happened? Since the power is in the people, by that, I mean that, we the people are in total control of everything. I, suggest that no one ever use the toll road again, let it go broke. We the people can control the price of everything, from groceries to gas, if we would just do it. If we don't pay the asking price, the sellers will lower the price and if we wait awhile, they will lower the price to what we accept as reasonable. I would like to know why a highway like interstate 94, is so well maintained, a much better highway, than the toll road, but has no tolls. I would also like to know why, a sitting governor, with a term limit, maximum of eight years, can lease, public property, for 75 years. Even though I have transponders in both of my trucks and will not be affected by the increase, I have been and will contine to avoid using the toll road. I make many trips from northern Indiana to Chicago, every year, and I prefer the better highway, I94!