Stuff that's happened in the last few days

Happy Thursday to you.

• You guys, I totally got a response to my email about Juno! Apparently the publicist at Fox Searchlight got an even longer holiday vacation than I did, which seems interesting what with this being the middle of awards season and all. Of course with the writers' strike reducing the Golden Globes broadcast to a press conference, maybe that's not such a big deal. Still no explanation of Fox Searchlight's definition of "everywhere," but I did get an offer of Juno t-shirts and promo schwag for my parents and sister. What do you say, family? Do you want a cookie?
• August: Osage County: The There Will Be Blood of Broadway. No shit? (h/t Mirror Up to Nature)
• You guys (crap, I'm using this construction twice), I'm surprised there wasn't more reaction to my post about imported actors. I know I don't have nearly the audience that Isaac does (there's further discussion of the issue at his site), but I'm really stymied by this thing. At Isaac's blog, people from other climes seem to be lumping Chicago together with NYC as places from which actors are imported for their regional theaters, so my question is: if Chicago actors are good enough to make us a well for other regional theaters, why the hell are we importing New York actors for our own plays?
• Last night I saw Canada's Shaw Festival's production of Saint Joan at Chicago Shakes (link over there in the sidebar). I'm not reviewing it, I just saw it for funsies (because who doesn't see Shaw for funsies?). Since Christopher's review won't show up until Monday online and next Wednesday in print, and the show's only here through the 20th, I don't mind putting up this nuanced review (and hoping it's not too far removed from the official TOC opinion): It's good. Go see it. Shaw can be so dry in the reading, but this production reminded me of how moving—and how funny—Shaw can be, and Tara Rosling in the title role is a freakin' spitfire.
• I don't quite understand how Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert are back on the air without writers, or with writers, or what, but thank goodness. I was really dreading having a primary season without them. Speaking of which, I'm watching Mike Huckabee as a guest on Colbert right now, and while I'll reiterate how much he sucks in the real world, man, the jerk sure is a good sport.

Comments

[Julie]

Hey, I'm always up for free stuff.

[Rob Kozlowski]

I've dropped the ball when it comes to the whole "importing actors" discussion, my apologies. I haven't quite figured out what to say about it. I can certainly understand the Goodman and Chicago Shakes casting "name" actors in shows to increase ticket sales, but non-"name" New York actors? That I just don't get. It's a peculiar choice. I mean, sure, if you import "I Am My Own Wife" and "The Trip to Bountiful" you'll import their actors too, but...I don't know. I can't think of a good reason. Unless it's someone the director knows already and trusts, I guess.

[Kerry Reid]

On the other hand, having seen Falls' production of "Shining City" in New York, I'm slightly -- but only slightly -- sad that no one in that cast (particularly Oliver Platt) is going to be in the Goodman production.

But yeah, importing actors without a name makes no sense to me. Case in point: I don't remember who played Nora in that Rebecca Gilman update of "Doll House," but she wasn't any better than a lot of locally based actors.

[Dan]

Trust me, I've not let that post slide - I'm in the same place as Rob. I don't understand why no-name actors seemingly trump local heroes. I've actually resolved to try and get some insight from some folks. I'm hoping my below the radar status as a nobody actor will garner me some candor. We'll see ...

[Rob Kozlowski]

Kerry, I don't remember the name of the actress who played Nora in Dollhouse either, but I've always just called her "She Who Makes Rob Leave the Theater During Intermission."

[Mark Jeffries]

That actress just happens to do a great job as Rachel on "Mad Men." She's Maggie Siff. (And if you had stayed, Rob, you would've loved her "Flashdance" bit.)