Rocco Landesman, the colorful theatrical producer and race-track aficionado who brought hits like “Big River,” “Angels in America” and “The Producers” to Broadway, has been nominated as the next chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, the White House said on Tuesday.
Cool!
OMG. Seriously? How is having a commercial producer as head of the NEA cool? Please explain, because I just want to kill myself.
ReplyDeleteDid you just type "OMG?"
ReplyDeleteI like the boldness of the choice, I like that the head of the NEA will be from the theater world, and I like some of the productions that he's chosen to champion.
I also like that this guy has moxie. We don't need any more wallflowers heading up the NEA. I want a loud advocate in favor of the arts.
I'm optimistic.
I could see skepticism. I can't imagine why you'd want to... kill yourself.
I've thought it through a bit, and posted to my blog. I am feeling OK about his understanding of what makes the regional theatre different from the commercial theatre, and his willingness to say it out loud (his is an interesting voice in "Act Two," published by TCG). My concern is the NY-centricity of his career. I really feel that the NEA needs to continue to focus across the country, and I hope he won't get so focused on the Usual Artistic Suspects that the rest of the country is ignored.
ReplyDeleteOK, I won't kill myself.