Christopher Blank

• Women's Theatre Festival seeks artists Published 02/03/2012 at midnight

  A new, three-day festival this summer will celebrate women's contributions to the performing arts.

• Stage Review: Moments of wit sparkle in pleasing 'Earnest' Published 02/02/2012 at 5:44 p.m. 1 Comment

  To writers, scholars and aficionados of mordant wit, Oscar Wilde bequeathed a quotation for nearly every occasion. For instance: On dating: "The only way to behave to a woman is to make love to her, if she is pretty, and ...

• Submissions sought for new Women's Theatre Festival Published 02/02/2012 at 4:33 p.m.

  A new, three-day festival this summer will celebrate women’s contributions to the performing arts. The inaugural Women’s Theatre Festival of Memphis is now accepting submissions of plays, musicals, operas and other works that may be featured at the event on ...

• Circuit, Hattiloo to stage award-winning play 'Mountaintop' Updated 01/30/2012 at 11:11 p.m.

  Though playwright Katori Hall may be better known to theatergoers on Broadway and London’s West End, the native Memphian will finally see her name on a hometown marquee next year. Her award-winning play, “The Mountaintop,” will be staged as a ...

• Acclaimed pianist back to his roots for fundraiser Published 01/29/2012 at midnight

  In his apartment in New York's famed Chelsea Hotel, pianist Bruce Levingston surrounds himself with mementos of his Southern upbringing.

• Concert Review: Pianist siblings prove 5 more than enough Published 01/29/2012 at midnight

  Remember those kitchen gadget commercials that enticed buyers with the offer of not one, not two, but three of something amazing if you called at that moment?

• Stage Review: 'Next Room' entertains, educates Published 01/19/2012 at 2:52 p.m.

  In 1902, the home gadget maker Hamilton Beach (now known for its commercial ice shavers and fruit juicers) patented what was then only the world's fifth electrical appliance. Behind the sewing machine, fan, tea kettle and toaster, this new electromechanical ...

• Opera director's debut sets stage for his vision Published 01/18/2012 at 5:57 p.m.

  When Ned Canty steps onto the set of Johann Strauss Jr.'s comic operetta "Die Fledermaus," he looks disproportionately small and way overdressed. Four Romantic-era paintings of buxom nude women -- each about 15 feet tall -- tower over him like ...

• Review: Joyce Cobb's Holiday a dramatic loss, but musical salutes jazz great by jazz great Published 01/11/2012 at midnight 4 Comments

  Billie Holiday had one foot in the grave in early 1959 when her doctor told her she had to give up alcohol or die.

• Stage Review: Misogyny is a drag in ‘The Club’ Published 01/10/2012 at 4:35 p.m. 2 Comments

  "Do you believe in clubs for women?" asks one old chap of another. "Sure! If every other form of persuasion fails," comes the reply. Thus goes the sporting persiflage in Eve Merriam's satire, "The Club," set in a posh gentlemen's ...

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