For four years, ever since his conviction in a case many think was trumped-up, he's been directing theater in Europe via teleconference. Last week he arrived in Hamburg to finish work in person on his staging of Chekhov's Black Monk. (But will Russia let him come home?) - Deutsche Welle
Texts from the Prime Minister's phone indicate that the man paying for renovations to Boris's apartment at 10 Downing Street was pitching him on a new version of the 1851 Crystal Palace Great Exhibition — and getting a favorable hearing. - Artnet
Perhaps best known these days as the mother of Rebecca Hall and the ex-wife of Peter Hall, she had a stellar career in the 1980s and early '90s, admired for singing and acting, and known as the first opera star to finish Salome's Dance of the Seven Veils nude. - BBC
She and husband Alan wrote the words for popular films' songs, including The Way We Were. The New York Times obit adds that "For many years their words were also heard every week over the opening credits to hit television shows like Maude, Good Times and Alice." - Variety
The comedian's deeply raunchy standup was a far cry from his job as "America's dad" on Full House and America's Funniest Home Videos. He did a two-hour show on Saturday night and was found dead in his hotel room on Sunday. - CNN
Julien starred as an ex-convict turned pimp, but he also wrote and co-starred in a feminist western. He didn't like the name "blaxploitation" and wanted every aspect of Black life portrayed on screen. - The New York Times
The star of many films says that she's ashamed she didn't go into poetry, and that she's thinking about retraining to be a caretaker (or carer). - Irish Times
Una Loughran had a strong guiding hand for decades with Oregon Shakespeare Festival/Portland, its successor Portland Center Stage, and BodyVox Dance. One artistic director said, "She was powerfully important to the arts community here, and she was highly regarded around the country." - Oregon ArtsWatch
Mr. Freed was active for six decades, contributing regularly to The Washington Post, the New York Times and the old Washington Star, among many other publications. He had an extended association with Stereo Review. - Washington Post
"(He) overcame an impoverished background in the Bahamas … to rise to the top of his profession at a time when prominent roles for Black actors were rare. … At the same time, as the lone Black leading man in 1960s Hollywood, he came under tremendous scrutiny." - CNN
"(He) was part of the vanguard of New Hollywood filmmakers who helped reinvigorate American cinema, gaining wide popularity with 1970s movies such as The Last Picture Show, What's Up, Doc? and Paper Moon before suffering a string of personal and professional calamities." - MSN (The Washington Post)
The newly opened archives show that, although 1971’s winner Pablo Neruda was praised by the prize-givers for “a poetry that with the action of an elemental force brings alive a continent’s destiny and dreams”, behind the scenes some members of the Swedish Academy were hesitant. - The Guardian
He once wrote in an essay, "Like Proust, I'm fascinated most of all by my perceptions of a world in awesome transition. And my heart has always been divided between the vestals of constancy and the avatars of change." These weren't just idle words. - The Times Literary Supplement
For nearly 40 years at WGMS, and especially as morning host from 1981 to 2002, he attracted a large audience with his humor and un-stuffed-shirt style, his show regularly landing among the top ten in DC market ratings. - MSN (The Washington Post)
From Muppets to major stars, Lawrence composed the music for hundreds of Sesame Street songs. He also served as music director for Free to Be... You and Me, the beloved children's music album conceived and produced by actress Marlo Thomas. - NPR
