Entertainment - baltimoresun.com

They conduct classical, but they love pop and rock too

By Rick Schultz, Special to the Los Angeles Times — Sat, 5 Jan 2013 08:00:00 EST

When Gustavo Dudamel, Richard Egarr, Michael Tilson Thomas and other classical conductors let their hair down, it's to the sounds of Aerosmith, Prince, Brian Wilson and more.

Ever wonder what longhairs listen to when they let their hair down? Once upon a time, when conductors were regarded as remote intellectual titans, no one would have thought to ask. Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony, once described the archetypal image of a conductor as "this inaccessible person with an accent and an ascot."

For Midweek Madness, a refresher on how not to conduct an interview

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 15:19:00 EST

Ahead-of-their-time humorists Bob and Ray demonstrate just how badly awry an interview can go.

Agatha Christie's "The Mousetrap" shines at Vagabond Players

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 9 Jan 2013 16:09:00 EST

With "The Mousetrap," the Vagabond Players, has a production running now that finds decent mileage still left in this juicy little murder mystery set in a country guest house where coincidence and cunning collide one snowy night.

Premiere of 'Diner,' the musical, delayed again

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 7 Jan 2013 16:00:00 EST

The musical version of Barry Levinson's "Diner," the much-admired 1982 movie about longtime buddies in Baltimore, is going to take longer to reach Broadway. The previously scheduled April 10 opening has been postponed until the fall, the New York Times reports.

On the Record: Beethoven revitalized by ORR/John Eliot Gardiner

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 4 Jan 2013 16:12:00 EST

In the grand scheme of themes, we have more than enough recordings of Beethoven symphonies. But there always seems to be room for one more.

Center Stage offers pay-what-you-can performance for MLK Day

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:27:00 EST

Center Stage welcomes the New Year with Katori Hall's "The Mountaintop," a play set in the Lorraine Hotel in Memphis on April 3, 1968. The main characters are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and a maid who stops by his room.

Broadway phenom 'Book of Mormon' comes to Baltimore

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Sun, 6 Jan 2013 16:05:00 EST

The Broadway phenomenon known as 'The Book of Mormon,' a musical from the creators of 'South Park' that became a runaway hit two years ago and shows no signs of flagging, will reach Baltimore in 2013.

For New Year's Eve, a musical toast to brotherhood and sisterhood

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:42:00 EST

As 'Downton Abbey' returns, a refresher on British social/gender etiquette

By Tim Smith , The Baltimore Sun — Wed, 2 Jan 2013 09:49:00 EST

With "Downton Abbey" about to start Season 3 on these shores this weekend, taking us once more into the rarefied world of British society and grand meals around elegantly appointed tables, your ever-thoughtful Midweek Madness featurette would like to offer this quick refresher on the rules of social etiquette, especially those pertaining to the gentler sex.

Some music to help prepare for falling off the fiscal cliff

Fri, 28 Dec 2012 11:33:00 EST

As a public service -- because that's the sort of caring, sharing person I am -- I thought I would offer some appropriate music to help you brace yourself for the plunge off the "fiscal cliff."