Rachmaninoff Without Drama
When one thinks of Rachmaninoff, ‘drama’ is a typical word association. In his very first symphony, however, we see a mellower side of the great Russian composer. Interpreting Piano Concerto…
Tommy the Musical, in Austin
The Who’s Tommy has been with us since 1969. First as an album, then a movie (1975) starring Elton John as the Pinball Wizard, and finally the stage musical (1993).…
Immigration Spotlight: A New Play in Austin + Star Trek
A world premiere play on immigration is currently showing in Austin at the Ground Floor Theatre. I interviewed playwright Raul Garza, whom told me he was motivated to write it…
The Threat of Radicalism
This book, which has a message for society today, focuses on the political culture of England in the 1790s, particularly as it pertains to popular radicalism. Born to a great…
National Geographic Symphony: Giving Creatures the Respect They Deserve
Gustav Holst is most famous for his symphony The Planets, composed just over a century ago. Notably absent from that symphony was the Earth! Holst wrote extraordinary music for seven…
Acting for the Silent Screen
“Stars cannot act. It has never been required of them.” That blunt and pithy statement was made by the great movie expert Iris Barry in a book she wrote in…
Symphony for Our World in Austin
The Long Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the Austin premiere of National Geographic: Symphony for Our World, a new partnership between National Geographic Partners and Jason…
Playhouse Creatures
“It was as if the men and women gathered there had witnessed a miracle.” So says the character Mrs. Betterton in Playhouse Creatures, currently being performed at The City Theatre…
Beauty and the Beast in Austin
Disney’s animated movie of Beauty and the Beast was transferred to the stage as a musical in 1994. Its debut on Broadway got a tepid review in the New York…
Shār Snacks Debuts in Austin
A new kind of organic trail mix was debuted in Austin a few days ago at the Epoch Coffee shop on the ground floor of Gables Park Tower. The brainchild…