Out Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, profiled in today’s NYT for his friendly arm-twisting tactics in support of New York’s bill to legalize same-sex marriage, is not only the brother of Rosie O’Donnell, but also the partner of John Banta, who has probably the most festive title of anyone who doesn’t work directly with Issac Mizrahi. Banta is Director of Special Events for the Metropolitan Opera.
New York’s Legislature is expected to take up the marriage equality bill today.
Cher public, it took you 105 tries, but finally Hans Lick came up with the answer to our most recent Regie puzzler: Mitridate, Re di Ponto.
More gritty realism, or at least more grit, infuses our next mystery production. Read more »
Reflecting on NYCO’s recent raid on its endowment, blogger David Curry writes about “what we might term ‘reasonable transparency’ when Board actions potentially compromise a nonprofit’s operating viability. Of particular interest (to La Cieca anyway) is Curry’s account of his communication (if that is not too strong a word) with Pascal Nadon, the NYCO’s Director of Media Relations & Strategic Partnerships.
La Cieca (through her lovely surrogates Jeanette MacDonald and Jane Powell) wish all her cher public and all their dear mothers the joy (?) of this day!
“Local favourite, bass Robert Pomakov was an energetic Bottom…” [via Toronto Star]
Twice the negativity from La Cieca apparently works out to something positive, or at least an affirmation of the status quo. Which is to say, according to a source fairly close to the Met, the Robert Lepage production of the Ring is still on. The less than rapturous reception last week at the presentation to the left coast Wagnerians is (probably) nothing to worry about. Apparently the designs were “too early to show,” giving an inaccurate impression that the production is going to be spare or (shudder!) minimalist; on the contrary (says La Cieca’s source) there’s going to be a [...]
Those of you who have been following the AGMA/NYCO rowdydow may be interested to hear that the labor union is also in touch with its members in regard to attempts at cost-cutting at the Met. La Cieca has learned from an AGMA member that Peter Gelb has recently written a letter to Met artists asking for a “contribution” of 10% of contracted fees. According to an email from AGMA honcho Alan S. Gordon, this appeal follows a previous more direct request to all Met unions for a 10% reduction in wages. The email urges AGMA members to “refrain from responding” [...]
Cher Public