Culture
“Israel in Egypt”: A Handel oratorio propagandizes for colonialism and war
February 15, 2018The context for this problematic work, subject to pointed discussion on musical, historical, political, theological and territorial grounds, has to be more transparent. Vague references to the generalized global exile and refugee experience simply looks like...
Read more“Water by the Spoonful”: Play overruns with compassion
February 15, 2018Quiara Alegría Hudes is a multi-talented creative force: a pianist and composer, lyricist and playwright. Knowing music as well as she does, she chose a particular musical form or genre for each of the "Elliot Trilogy"...
Read more“Dessa Rose”: A musical about slavery by the creators of “Ragtime”
February 14, 2018If you’re in or around L.A. and you like musical theatre and you appreciate some social messaging in it, then see this one.
Read more“Ironbound”: A gritty immigrant woman’s survival story
February 13, 2018Martyna Majok is an up-and-coming playwright whose work has already been seen at numerous theaters around the country.
Read moreFor Black History Month: Recalling poet Paul Laurence Dunbar
February 13, 2018He wrote poetry, short stories, five novels, and a play. He also wrote lyrics for the first musical written and performed entirely by African-Americans to appear on Broadway.
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