Monthly Archives: February 2015

Stage Names: “Whipping” up race, religion and the Civil War at Portland Stage

PORTLAND – The beauty of reviewing the same play two years apart in another state performed by a different Equity company is how the one work can be, well, different — even if its earlier version mirrors it. And so with the 150th anniversary of Lee’s surrender to Grant at Appomattox Courthouse just weeks away, our ongoing American reflection of race, culture, religion, and war can […]

Fifty Shades (of gender differences)

Enough already with the over-analysis. You want to know why Hollywood’s latest abomination, the movie adaptation of the #1 international best seller “Fifty Shades of Grey” is such a critical bust even though it may end up reaping in a bounty? Two reasons: Gender and art, which aren’t necessarily mutually exclusive, either. Simply put, E. […]

Do clothes really make the person?

A half-century ago, President Dwight Eisenhower observed: “When you put on a uniform, there are certain inhibitions you accept.” He should have known something about the subject after four decades as an Army officer. While military uniforms can be an obvious source at which to point in considering occupational attire, commentators have argued the significance […]