The hottest Theater Substack posts right now

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'Ordinary People' Screening Sunday, Jan 29

Disaffected Newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 29 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Film Theater Literature Art Media
  1. There is a screening of the movie 'Ordinary People' on January 29 at 2:30 pm Eastern Time on Zoom. It's a good idea to check your local time zone for the correct time.
  2. The film is praised for its strong portrayal of parental narcissism, with Mary Tyler Moore giving a standout performance as a cold and repressed mother.
  3. Paid subscribers can access the link for the screening, and there's an option for a 7-day free trial for new subscribers.

On Ibsen's Enemy of the People—Or How to Face Public Outrage

Vremya • 179 implied HN points • 09 Apr 22
🎭️ Culture Theater Literature Art History Philosophy
  1. Public outrage has always existed, but it’s more concentrated now on social media. It’s common for people with new or uncomfortable ideas to be met with resistance.
  2. Ibsen's play 'An Enemy of the People' shows the struggle of speaking uncomfortable truths. The main character faces anger and backlash when he reveals that the town's spa is contaminated.
  3. The play highlights the challenges of changing people's minds about moral beliefs. It can be tough to share important ideas, especially when they go against what many believe to be true.

G is for Gionfriddo

Castalia • 79 implied HN points • 28 Jan 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Feminism Artistic expression American Literature
  1. Gina Gionfriddo is a talented playwright whose works explore complex themes like sexuality and female behavior. Her writing is known for being funny yet dark, tackling subjects that many shy away from.
  2. Despite her early success and critical acclaim, Gionfriddo's career faced challenges, leading to fewer productions in later years. This raises questions about the support and opportunities available for playwrights in today's theater scene.
  3. Her plays often reflect the tensions and anxieties of modern society. Gionfriddo's characters navigate a world filled with both humor and harsh realities, making her work both engaging and thought-provoking.

Would you go to the movies to watch Youtube?

Cosmos • 19 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Movies Creators Music Theater Entertainment
  1. Tom Cruise's incredible work ethic earned him the title of biggest movie star in the world and led to huge box office successes
  2. Top music artists like Taylor Swift and Beyoncé are bypassing traditional distributors and striking direct deals with movie theaters, signaling a shift in the industry
  3. The creator economy is booming, with platforms like Stripe paying out billions to creators and top YouTubers like MrBeast earning millions while negotiating directly with platforms

The Americans at La MaMa

Castalia • 59 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Theater Visual Arts Performance art Art history Cultural Commentary
  1. Dimitry Krymov's theater focuses on visual storytelling and is quite different from traditional American theater. It values the scenographer's role, where images and visual elements carry deep meanings instead of just following the playwright's script.
  2. Krymov's productions are relaxed and often humorous, allowing actors to interact and improvise freely. This creates a fun atmosphere where the audience can enjoy the art of performance without feeling the pressure of a typical dramatic narrative.
  3. The concept of 'chillness' in Krymov’s theater encourages audiences to appreciate the present moment rather than getting caught up in dramatic tension. This invites viewers to engage with the play in a more open and less stressful way.
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Trunk Songs

Grist Potentia • 19 implied HN points • 05 Jun 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Songwriting
  1. Trunk songs are pieces written for a show but set aside for later use.
  2. Songwriters often save trunk songs for future projects.
  3. Subscription to Grist Potentia gives access to full post archives.

Clifford Odets

Castalia • 19 implied HN points • 06 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Social Commentary
  1. Clifford Odets played a key role in American drama during the 1930s, focusing on realistic stories about people living close together in tough times. His plays reflect the struggles of everyday life and the importance of community.
  2. His most famous work, 'Waiting for Lefty,' was a groundbreaking play that combined elements of theatre and social commentary, making a powerful connection with its audience during the Great Depression.
  3. Although Odets faced challenges later in his career, like moving to Hollywood and dealing with political scrutiny, many believe his work can still resonate today because of its themes of struggle, hope, and human connection.

Straight Line Crazy

Castalia • 19 implied HN points • 24 Dec 22
🎭️ Culture Theater Art Performance Literature
  1. The play 'Straight Line Crazy' talks about Robert Moses and his work but feels more like a history lesson than a dramatic performance. The characters mostly explain things to each other rather than have real conversations.
  2. Ralph Fiennes plays Robert Moses, and while the acting is good, the story seems to stick to familiar ideas and avoids taking big risks. It makes you wonder if there could be a more exciting way to tell this story.
  3. The ending gives Moses the final word, showing how he believed he was a great builder who operated outside the normal rules. His character illustrates the complex nature of vision and power in city planning.

The Fall of the House of Yes

Gideon's Substack • 14 implied HN points • 01 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Literature Performance Adaptation Drama
  1. The play Richard II is a tricky one to stage due to its political and poetical language.
  2. The current production of Richard II at Stratford Festival portrays the title character as the king of Studio 54, engaging with a contemporary interpretation.
  3. The adaptation of the play attempts to revalue Richard as queer, Black, and fabulous, but the original flaws in the character as a king remain evident.

Burn Down the House?

Gideon's Substack • 9 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Artists Funding Community Challenges
  1. The traditional not-for-profit regional theater model is facing challenges due to rising costs and falling revenue.
  2. One proposed solution is to have artists create their own work independently, forming partnerships and renting spaces.
  3. Direct funding of artists by foundations or government may face challenges, and alternative funding models like crowdfunding require exceptional marketing skills.

Two Tales of the Green-Eyed Monster

Gideon's Substack • 7 implied HN points • 12 Sep 23
🎭️ Culture Theater Literature Drama Arts Entertainment
  1. The article discusses two plays, Much Ado About Nothing and Grand Magic, both dealing with the theme of jealousy.
  2. In Much Ado About Nothing, the director added a dialogue to address the problem of male jealousy and mistrust within the story.
  3. Grand Magic presents a unique take on the theme of jealousy, exploring the idea of illusion, faith, and the consequences of mistrust in relationships.

The city is your oyster

Splattern • 0 implied HN points • 14 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Arts Film Theater Comedy Food
  1. Oysters were once abundant in New York City, but pollution wiped them out. Now, projects are working to restore oyster reefs, which help prevent erosion and clean the water.
  2. Attending a script reading can be a fun and inspiring experience. Being in a room with talented actors makes you feel the magic of storytelling and the desire for connection.
  3. Spending time with friends and being open to spontaneous events, like a comedy show, can lead to memorable experiences and connections with others.

In The Bedroom

Castalia • 0 implied HN points • 13 Feb 23
🎭️ Culture Film Art Literature Theater Music
  1. The movie 'In The Bedroom' deeply explores the pain and complexity of grief, especially for parents who have lost a child. It highlights how grief can affect relationships, making communication very difficult.
  2. The film suggests that sometimes, revenge can be seen as a way to cope with unbearable loss, contrasting with usual ideas of forgiveness and moving on.
  3. Every scene in the movie is meticulously crafted, with strong emotional depth, showcasing the characters' struggles and the lasting impact of youth and loss.

For the Love of the Theater

startupdreams • 0 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Theater Movies Technology Experience
  1. Finding activities that clear your mind can bring real joy and peace.
  2. Creating a home theater setup can offer an immersive movie-watching experience in the comfort of your home.
  3. Investing in high-end AV equipment for a home theater can greatly enhance the sound and picture quality, providing a cinematic experience that streaming services may not match.