Culture
Theater Review - Wade in the Water Article
The symbolism falls like a torrential downpour in The Diviners, Theatre in the Square’s Depression-era religious allegory. Director Alan Kilpatrick slogs through the script’s heavy-handed, manipulative moments to find some genuinely affecting grace notes, but playwright Jim Leonard proves a little too in love with the work of John Steinbeck, especially Of Mice and Men.
The Diviners tracks an...
| more...Shelf Space - Heartbreaking Origami Article
I’ve been trained to expect an ironic hoax or a clever spoof behind anything from the McSweeney’s collective. The typical McSweeney’s release has its tongue poked so ruthlessly into its cheek that it busts a hole, leaving the reader laughing but perhaps wondering what exactly is the point of all that Staggering Genius.
But Salvador Plascencia’s The People of Paper won me over.
And yes, it has...
| more...Object of My Perception Article
Theater Review - His Cheatin’ Heart Article
Theater Review - That’s Mr. Fag To You! Article
With character names like “Lydia Languish” and “Fag,” Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s The Rivals doesn’t exactly demand subtle, quiet acting. For better and worse, the Shakespeare Tavern’s production of the 18th-century comedy plays it big, presenting some hilarious, broadly comic performances.
The story of multiple mistaken identities centers on dashing Jack Absolute (David Weber), who pretends...
| more...Dance - Rebel Alliance Article
Dance choreographer Christine Suarez is a bit of a rebel. But she often feels guilty about it. “Authority or rules make me angry, but then I’m also afraid,” says Suarez, who studied dance at Emory University before moving to New York 11 years ago. “I want to, of course, fulfill my vision, but on the other hand I want to belong and I want approval.”
Atlanta’s Nerve Series was created to answer...
| more...Dance - By the Book Article
Theater Review - Under The Rainbow Article
Theater Review - Fit as a Fiddle Article
Offscript - Split Decision Article
Shelf Space - Divine Intentions Article
I See, Therefore I Am Article
Dance - Piece of Cake Article
Plan to skip dessert before attending Zoetic Dance Ensemble’s current show. The show is called CAKE, and yes, dancers serve cake from an EZ-Bake Oven and dance with it in short transition pieces between the evening’s major works.
If that’s not enough of a glucose spike, they’ll also be selling gobs of frosting on a spoon. “Anything to get people happy before they watch modern dance,” says...
| more...Theater Review - Sheer Badness Article
Arts Agenda - Family Affair Article
When I arrive, MC Scott Summers is hopped up on cherry Coke, with a half-dozen maraschinos floating in his glass. He’s bouncing, laughing, dancing in place. Summers passes out little slips of paper, each with a letter printed on it. (I get the letter M.) Later, Summers asks each of us to write a poetic phrase to match that letter.??
This is Poetic Martini Wednesday, an open-mic poetry event...
Shelf Space - Southern Goddess Article
I must confess. When I first read the press materials for Joshilyn Jackson’s gods in Alabama, I thought it was going to be yet another derivative of Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, featuring a cast of naughty-but-not-too-naughty Southern belles who solve each other’s problems with spunky Southern pluck.
I was wrong. This novel has deep shadows and sharp edges. And if you’re not...
| more...For Art’s Sake - Blossoming Blogs Article
Art Gone Wild Article
Design Intentions Article
Theater Review - Springtime for Macbeth Article
Theater Review - Hot August Nights - Miss Julie Article
Offscript - Sam’s Club Article
Shelf Space - Life’s a Beach Article
With the spring weather all sweet and syrupy, I thought I’d find an easy read to while away the days when the pollen count keeps us indoors with a big box of tissue conveniently close to hand.
Atlanta author Patti Callahan Henry’s Where the River Runs is the story of a middle-aged Buckhead woman who suddenly realizes that she’s faking her way through life and rushes off to find her true...
| more...Dance - Dance Good Article
Maybe it’s the cold medicine I’m on, but Carolyn McLaughlin isn’t sounding to me like your typical high-minded, movement theory-spinning dance director. “Dance good,” she says. “Dance is good for you.” Then she laughs.
OK, so she’s just joking around with me. The associate director of Good Moves Consort knows her Ninjinsky from her Balanchine as well as anyone. But she also has a knack for...
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