Here are a few posts from the last two weeks of Greenpage that might be worth your time...
Stephen Sondheim: 'Commercial theatre limits variety of musicals'
Carousel, News | The Stage: Stephen Sondheim has suggested the “financially fragile” nature of commercial theatre is restricting the variety of musicals that get produced.
The celebrated composer and lyricist – known for his work on musicals including Sweeney Todd, Into the Woods and Gypsy – said producers in the UK and the US depend on show templates proven to be bankable, and rarely take risks on other styles or new ideas.
ESPN Asked to Pay More Than $15 Million Annually to License Ambient Stadium Music
Hollywood Reporter: In response to ESPN's demand that a New York federal court determine a reasonable license fee for the performance of songs on its cable sports networks, licensing agency BMI is noting the "vast amounts of music played loudly and prominently in stadiums and arenas," ambient noise that is often picked up by the broadcaster's microphones and heard by its viewers.
Guest Post: Why Are People Concerned Directing Is "Too Much" for Women? We Can Handle It, Thanks
Women and Hollywood: When I was a little girl my mother worked in an unheated factory five days a week and cleaned houses on weekends. Never once did anyone tell her, "Well, that’s too big a job for a woman." Nor was she told, "You need a self-sacrificing partner at home to do that job." She certainly never heard, "Oh, you can’t combine that with raising children."
People are always happy to hand a woman a mop, frying pan or sewing machine for a minimum wage job. They never ask if it'll be "too much" for her to handle.
New Jack City 25th Anniversary Oral History
ambrosiaforheads.com: Twenty five years ago this month, New Jack City opened to the public. The film, starring Wesley Snipes, Allen Payne, Ice-T, and Chris Rock, was Hollywood’s first and arguably its most enduring cinematic glimpse at the crack cocaine epidemic. At a time when Operation Desert Storm dominated the news cycle, mainstream America was blindly stepping over the junkies, and reading past the inner-city murders in the obituaries.
A Career Option for the Theatre Major: Drama Therapy
HowlRound: As my son George graduates this spring from the University of Tampa as a musical theatre major, he dreams about earning a living performing on stage. But statistics show a very small percentage of actors will actually be able to accomplish this. My uncle’s motto in life was “Always have a Plan B, so theatre majors that enjoy working with people might want to consider a career in drama therapy.
Marriott Theatre faces criticism over 'Evita' casting
www.timeout.com: The Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire is facing controversy over the casting of its upcoming production of Evita, which was announced earlier this week.
Chicago actor Bear Bellinger, who has not been shy on social media about discussing issues of race in Chicago theater, published an open letter on Facebook this morning stating that he had seen the casting announcement for Evita and "was shocked to see that only one person of Latin heritage had been cast in it."
Klingon Language, Pointy Ears, 'Mood and Theme' of Star Trek All Copyrighted, Paramount Claims
Hit & Run : Reason.com: Paramount, the studio that owns the Star Trek franchise, is suing the producers of a crowdfunded Star Trek fan film, Axanar, over "thousands" of copyright violations.
At first, Paramount did not specify these, so the producers being sued argued the suit should be dismissed because Paramount failed to list the specific copyright violations. Paramount returned with an amended lawsuit that listed their specific claims, ranging from the use of "phasers" to the appearance of various Star Trek aliens like Vulcans.
ESTA Places Five Documents Into Public Review
Stage Directions: ESTA has made five documents available for public comment. Two of the documents are from the control group (RDM over IP networks, and ACN over TCP/IP networks), two are from the rigging group (manual counterweight rigging best practices, and boom and base assemblies) and one from the electrical working group (mounting devices for hanging fixtures).
USITT Names Gateway 2016 Class
Stage Directions: USITT selected 12 theatre artists from groups underrepresented in live entertainment production for their Gateway mentorship program at USITT 2016 in Salt Lake City. Part of USITT’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion in the backstage arts, the Gateway Program pairs 12 emerging artists with professional mentors from similar backgrounds and career paths to maximize each mentee’s experience at the USITT Conference & Stage Expo and beyond.
Behind the Scenes of Cirque du Soleil's Broadway Debut
Out Magazine: Having dazzled audiences world-wide, Cirque du Soleil now has its sights set on Broadway. The company will make their Broadway debut with Paramour, a new musical that begins previews at The Lyric Theatre (213 West 42nd Street) on April 16. In anticipation of the spectacle in store, we caught up with ensemble member Broadway veteran, former Survivor competitor, and devoted fiancé Reed Kelly to get the inside scoop on the show and how he balances work and his relationship.
