OK, so there are a few cringe-worthy moments in The Theory of Everything, a muted and respectful biopic about an intellectually towering icon. The real Stephen Hawking, who is played in the film in a career-defining embodiment by Eddie Redmayne, would not stand for the sentimental score that attends the aftermath his on-screen diagnosis of ALS — the sweeping sadness that … [Read more...]
‘The How and the Why’: Powerful ideas, stronger emotions
The theater sells ideas, and television sells soap. At least that used to be the case. But TV seems to be enjoying a new golden age, as exemplified by playwright Sarah Treem’s chief writing credits for the small screen – HBO’s psychoanalysis series, In Treatment, and Netflix’s acclaimed look at politics, House of Cards. “I always wanted to be a playwright,” Treem said by … [Read more...]
Tonys question: Why not celebrate theater community, as is?
Since the Tony Awards telecast is more about marketing Broadway than it is about handing out statuettes for excellence, it is only fitting that awards were spread out to 13 different shows, each of which can hang out the Tonys shingle for whatever box office boost that is worth. As expected, there was no dominant winner Sunday night, with the revival of Hedwig and the Angry … [Read more...]
Sundays: Grow some foot of your own
By Myles Ludwig A chameleon can re-grow a lost arm, so why can’t you? Maybe you can. That’s the premise and the promise of regenerative medicine being explored with academic enthusiasm in the Wake Forest University’s Medical School lab in North Carolina by the pioneering surgeon and researcher Dr. Antony Atala. Rhode-Island based artist Kelly Milukas was commissioned to … [Read more...]
Sunday Comment: Why I’ll be following the Sandusky trial
As a longtime music journalist who needed extra income in 2006, I turned toward another passion -- sports. Since then, I’ve covered high school football, basketball, volleyball, tennis and soccer – as well as music -- for area print and online outlets. Yet most of my sports writing has involved stories about youth athletes of high school age or younger. Since many of my … [Read more...]
‘Pina’ a masterpiece about why we make art
I hate that perennial disclaimer, “It’s not for everyone.” Because after all, few great works of art really are. To criticize an artwork solely because it doesn’t satisfy some litmus test of all-encompassing accessibility is fallacious. A lot of people – a number surpassing its admirers – won’t be able to sit through Wim Wenders’ Pina, a 3D movie for patient grown-ups about … [Read more...]
Sunday Comment: Why we (Americans) can’t get enough of ‘Downton Abbey’
By Tom Tracy Last year, a parody film short appeared on YouTube offering a send-up of the hit TV period drama Downton Abbey, with mock scenes of the show, faux-interviews with the cast and writers, and a scene recalling the ironing of morning newspapers. The latter was a reference to a brief scene in the opening episode of Season One of Downton Abbey (apparently newspapers … [Read more...]