“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…
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,…
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,…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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, “…
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…
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….
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…
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…
Columbus philanthropist J. Irwin Miller’s family is poised to donate his majestic home to the Indianapolis Museum of Art,
provided it can raise millions of dollars to maintain the sprawling Bartholomew County property. IMA board members have given
CEO Maxwell Anderson the go-ahead to seek funding for an endowment to care for the home.
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…
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…
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…
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.
“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…
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…
