Boston Herald - Boston Herald

‘Pirates’ not afraid to rock the boat at ART

Jill Radsken, Theater — Thu, 23 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

“Comfortable clothing” is not the usual dress code for attending the theater.

But then most adaptations of “Pirates of Penzance,” at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, don’t involve tossing beach balls, getting a drink at a bar inside the theater or even walking around the stage with the cast during the performance.

First lady lauds effort to preserve DC slave house

Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:13:23 -0400

WASHINGTON — Michelle Obama said Wednesday that stories of toil and sweat by slaves once held at a historic home within sight of the White House are an important part of U.S. history, including her own personal story, and are "as vital to our national memory as any other."

Beatles' lyrics headed for British Library

Associated Press — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:22:40 -0400

LONDON — Shakespeare, the Magna Carta — and now some of John Lennon's finest lyrics.

The British Library on Wednesday added substantially to its already formidable collection with handwritten lyrics to Beatles' classics "Strawberry Fields Forever", "She Said She Said" and "In My Life."

Gilberto Santa Rosa leads 'Forever Tango' to B'way

Associated Press — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:55:00 -0400

NEW YORK — The singer known as the Gentleman of Salsa is temporarily turning to tango: Gilberto Santa Rosa will make his Broadway debut in the musical "Forever Tango," which returns to New York in July for a 10-week stand featuring some of the Puerto Rican singer's hits.

"I haven't stopped jumping, screaming and pinching myself because I still don't believe it," five-time Grammy Award winner Santa Rosa told The Associated Press on Monday. "I am as anxious as one can be ahead of a project like this one: super-astonished, super-surprised and all the supers you can imagine."

Date Night Pick from Mara’s Playlist: From Denmark with Love

maralittman — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

By Vaquero Playground
Through June 1, 2013
Boston Playwrights' Theatre in Kenmore Square
Tickets: $5- $10
Click here for more info

Today’s Orchestra Concerts: Spark And Scandal by Cambridge Symphony Orchestra

Cambridge Symphony Orchestra — Tue, 21 May 2013 07:00:00 -0400

Cambridge Symphony Orchestra investigates: Today’s orchestra concerts--where’s the spark and where’s the scandal?
By Cynthia Woods, Music Director

Lease to Broadway's biggest theater sold

Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:31:38 -0400

NEW YORK — Britain's biggest theater group has reached across the Atlantic Ocean and bought the lease to Broadway's largest theater from Live Nation Entertainment for about $60 million.

Ambassador Theatre Group said Monday it has acquired rights to The Foxwoods Theatre, the 2,000-seat current home of "Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark." The New 42nd Street, a nonprofit organization, approved the switch and remains the theater's landlord.

Archie Comics' gay kiss a poke at real controversy

Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:51:58 -0400

It's just a quick kiss, but it's a long step forward for Archie Comics' only openly gay character Kevin Keller.

The Riverdale teen finds his life turned upside down after locking lips with his boyfriend, Devon, in Pop Tate's diner, drawing the ire of at least one disapproving Riverdale mom.

The woman "gets very offended and kind of pitches a bit of a fit," said Dan Parent, who writes and draws the issue, "Kevin Keller" No. 10 that is released Aug. 7.

'Chuck' and 'Smash' stars head to Broadway

Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 11:53:41 -0400

NEW YORK — A couple of stars from TV's "Chuck" and "Smash" will soon be dating on Broadway.

Producers said Monday that Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez will headline the new romantic musical comedy "First Date" by "Gossip Girl" writer Austin Winsberg.

The music and lyrics are by Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner.

"First Date" centers on an uptight young investment banker who meets a serial-dater at a local bistro. A chorus of diners become various characters — family members, clergy and old lovers.

Dress like Bob Dylan and get in free, says museum

Associated Press — Mon, 20 May 2013 04:54:40 -0400

WORCESTER — The Worcester Art Museum is offering free admission to anyone who dresses up like Bob Dylan on May 24, which will be the musician's 72nd birthday.

Museum officials say images of Dylan are included in its photography exhibit, "Kennedy to Kent State: Images of a Generation," which closes in June.

They say fans are also welcome to bring harmonicas with them that day.

The images in the exhibit date from 1958 to 1975.

Maine comic festival features writers, artists

Associated Press — Sun, 19 May 2013 09:14:16 -0400

PORTLAND, Maine — Comic books are being celebrated in Maine's largest city.

More than 100 comic book writers, artists, publishers and cartoonists will be on hand at the fifth annual Maine Comics Arts Festival. The event is from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday at Ocean Gateway on the Portland waterfront.

The festival was started in 2009 to promote comic books and give the public an opportunity to meet the creative talent behind them. Many of the artists will have their original work on display and available for sale.

Largest Spoleto season to unfold next week in SC

Associated Press — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:38:49 -0400

CHARLESTON, S.C. — The Spoleto Festival USA this season will be the largest ever, offering 160 performances by 45 artists and ensembles.

The internationally known arts festival founded in Charleston by the composer Gian Carlo Menotti begins Friday and runs through June 9.

Some of the performances will be staged at a venue that is new to Spoleto, the College of Charleston's TD Arena.

Every bullet counts  in ‘Metro: Last Light’

Garrett Martin — Sat, 18 May 2013 00:00:00 -0400

A little personality goes a long way in the world of first-person shooters. 2010’s “Metro 2033” grew into a cult hit because it was slower, darker and more realistic than the modern military shooters that dominate the genre. Its new sequel, “Metro: Last Light,” keeps most of what set “2033” apart while sanding down a few of its rougher edges. The result is one of the most intriguing shooters of this generation.

NYers furious over photos taken through windows

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:13:35 -0400

NEW YORK — In one photo, a woman is on all fours, presumably picking something up, her posterior pressed against a glass window. Another photo shows a couple in bathrobes, their feet touching beneath a table. And there is one of a man, in jeans and a T-shirt, lying on his side as he takes a nap.

In all the photos, taken by New York City artist Arne Svenson from his second-floor apartment, the faces are obscured or not shown. The people are unidentifiable.

'Mad Men' Vincent Kartheiser finds a new role

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 13:28:29 -0400

NEW YORK — To find their Mr. Darcy, the Guthrie Theater in Minnesota has turned to a Mad Man.

Vincent Kartheiser, who plays the malcontent Pete Campbell on AMC's "Mad Men," will star this summer in a new Guthrie production of "Pride and Prejudice" as the brooding hero of Jane Austen's most famous novel.

Bea Arthur topless painting fetches $1.9M in NYC

Associated Press — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:53:04 -0400

NEW YORK — A painting of actress Bea Arthur topless has sold for $1.9 million at a New York City auction.

The painting is by artist John Currin and is titled "Bea Arthur Naked." It sold at Christie's auction of postwar and contemporary art on Wednesday. It had been expected to bring in between $1.8 million and $2.5 million.

Christie's hasn't said who bought it.

The 1991 oil painting depicts the late television actress nude from the waist up. Christie's said Thursday the image was based on a photograph of her with her clothes on.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater by Celebrity Series of Boston

Celebrity Series Of Boston — Thu, 16 May 2013 17:30:00 -0400

The Celebrity Series of Boston will conclude the 74^th season with one of the greatest dance companies in the world, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, whose annual trips to Boston are always a highlight of the performing season. They will perform five shows from May 16^th - 19^th at the Citi Wang Theatre.

Basquiat painting fetches record $48.8M in NY

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 08:37:01 -0400

NEW YORK — A Jean-Michel Basquiat (zhahn mee-SHEHL' BAH'-skee-aht) painting has set a new auction record for the graffiti artist at a sale of postwar and contemporary art in New York.

Christie's says "Dustheads" sold for $48.8 million on Wednesday.

His "Untitled," a painting of a black fisherman, held the previous record when it sold for $26.4 million last November.

Also breaking world auction prices for artists were works by Roy Lichtenstein and Jackson Pollock.

Romanian artist takes his art on the street

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:58:47 -0400

BUCHAREST, Romania — Romanian artist Vasile Muresan, known as Murivale, thinks art belongs on the street. The white-bearded painter can often be seen sitting on the colorful canvases that he displays in the street, while he is followed by the street dogs who are his companions and also inspire his work.

Broadway's 'Pippin' to go on national tour

Associated Press — Thu, 16 May 2013 04:57:05 -0400

NEW YORK — The thrilling Broadway revival of "Pippin" will be taking its magic on the road.

Producers of the Tony Award-nominated show said Wednesday that a national tour will kick off in September 2014 at the Buell Theatre in Denver. No other cities were immediately announced.