Giacomo Puccini, the composer of “La Bohème,” “Tosca” and “Madama Butterfly,” has been called the world’s most popular songwriter, and with good reason.
Ideas
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
A.I., C.S. Lewis and the dangers of artificial prophets
There have always been false prophets, but now we have something else: artificial ones.
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
Comedian Matt Rife’s crowd work depends on marginalized people in the audience in ‘Walking Red Flag’
Rife’s humor of the quick, off-the cuff variety is best suited to these more conversational modes of presentation. He is lucky that he has a gift for improvisation and interacting with crowds, because his straight up standup is pedestrian.
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
Batman, Bruce Wayne and the complexity of the superhero’s psyche
In “Batman: The Caped Crusader,” we explore the mystery of heroism.
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
Fathers and Sons Contemplating ‘Field of Dreams’
The relationship between Ray and his father is the part of ‘Field of Dreams’ that has the most meaning to me. The film expertly takes the audience on the journey of getting in a fight with your dad and its aftermath.
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The true story of the Christian teen behind ‘The Paradoxical Commandments’ for effective protest
“The Paradoxical Commandments” peal out a truth that no one wants to hear: Doing right is its own reward. And it was formulated by, of all people, a teenager.
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The lie that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute persisted for centuries. A new play reclaims her story.
“Magdalene: I am the utterance of my name” is advocating for setting the record straight on one of Christianity’s most vital disciples.
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What Pope Francis and Stephen Colbert know: Comedy is essential to a life of faith
The easiest way through the recognition of our sinfulness is through humor.
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‘Challengers’ has made tennis cool again. Can today’s players live up to the hype?
Professional tennis in the real world—as opposed to the reel world—is not quite as cool or sexy.
Posted inArts & Culture, Ideas
Review: Beth Gibbons makes a triumphant return to music with ‘Lives Outgrown’
Beth Gibbons is singular in many ways, and “Lives Outgrown” is a singular contemplation of the countless changes we experience throughout our lives and the ultimate change to come after we pass away.