post of note from Grote

http://jasongrote.blogspot.com/2007/06/whither-theatre.html

"Of course, part of the paradox here is that critics
lament the lack of originality among playwrights, but
producers, ever risk-averse, push playwrights to
follow the "rules" more closely, making otherwise
original writers into something more familiar - that,
or they pick up a writer anyway because s/he is "hot,"
and and then screw up somewhere along the line - they
don't prepare their audiences enough, or the fire the
good, smart original casts and replace them with
slumming stars who can't handle the material, then
it's a self-fulfilling flop so they go with something
more traditional, and the cycle continues."

from an email I received from Enrique

So I'm not one for sending mass emails out for
fundraising, but playwright Marisela Orta made me
aware of this teacher in Queens who is trying to build
a theatre library for her students. She teaches in a
low income public school where the arts are severely
neglected and is trying very hard to teach the
importance and relevance of theatre to these kids. I
went online and donated $10. Now, you don't have to
donate anything, but I just did the math:

If every playwright I sent this to donated $3, this
school would meet their funding request for a theatre
library. Many of us piddle $3 on a coffee any given
day. Why not help me help these kids. We're always
complaining that there's no young people in the
theatre. This is a great way to help change that in
such a small way. And how cool would it be for this
school to have a brand new play library because of a
bunch of scrappy playwrights?!

Here's the info:

http://www.donorschoose.org/donors/proposal.html?id=92400&sindex=0

Here's to teachers who care about theatre!

--
Enrique Urueta
Playwright/Dramaturg/Private Dancer
(a dancer for money)

slog

http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/06/re_this_mornings_nyt_headline

h/t daisey

http://www.mikedaisey.com/

"Now, as the article notes, the U.S. is looking to
Saddam's old crew to "bring stability" and perhaps
"consolidate the minority Sunni power" against Shiites
(Iran) … JUST LIKE SADDAM WAS DOING!

I apologize for the krazy all-caps, but oy vey, man.

Indeed, not only was there zero connection between
Sadaam and al Qaeda, but Sadamm was a bulwark against
radical Islamists.

We are now fighting Saddam's war. Hey, George Bush,
Bite me. "

I hope this was cleared with my agent

In any case, go to the Netherlands and see my play

http://www.denhaag.com/default.asp?id=6727&ep=

Ken Levine reviews the Tonys and Sopranos in the same review

http://kenlevine.blogspot.com/2007/06/tonys-sopranos.html

I didn't see either of these.

linking to mike linking to sheila

http://www.mikedaisey.com/2007/06/sheila-callaghan-blog.sht

thoughtful post from Mr. Walsh

http://litdept.blogspot.com/2007/06/relevance-and-innovation-in-theatre.html

tomorrow

hope to see you there!

http://www.broadwayworld.tv/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=18969

The Dream Chain
An adaptation of La Vida es Sueño written by multiple
authors, each writing only one scene from the play.
Contributing playwrights include: Sheila Callaghan,
Marcus Gardley, Amlin Gray, Carmen Rivera, Adam
Szymkowicz and Candido Tirado Director TBD
8pm, Tuesday, June 12, 2007 at the Michael Weller
Theater, 311 W 43rd St, 6th Floor