The 1997 musical Side Show, about Daisy and Violet Hilton, real-life conjoined twins who exploited their congenital oddity in circuses of the 1930s, was either ahead of its time or simply too weird for a mainstream Broadway audience. It lasted a mere 91 performances in New York, losing its entire investment. It was nominated for four Tony Awards, including best musical, but … [Read more...]
Almodovar sees the sickness beneath the skin
In order to appreciate the latest triumph by Spanish director Pedro Almodóvar, The Skin I Live In (La Piel que Habito), two things are necessary: eyes and heart. No need for thick skin, unless you are sensitive to surrealism, non-linear plots, sharp razors and the color red -- as in blood. The eyes will follow a brilliant plastic surgeon/scientist (Antonio Banderas) carefully … [Read more...]
Lou Tyrrell sees a great new future for Florida Stage at the Rinker
On Nov. 30, Florida Stage and the Kravis Center announced a partnership agreement in which the Manalapan theater company that specializes in developing new plays would move its operation to the Rinker Playhouse, a flexible “black box” performance space within the West Palm Beach complex, beginning in July 2010. In mid-December, Palm Beach ArtsPaper’s Hap Erstein sat down … [Read more...]