November 9, 2004

The woman who has led Mesa’s library system since scandal forced her predecessor out in December will keep the job for at least 18 more months.

When Marshall Mason left Arizona two years ago, retiring from his post in Arizona State University’s theater department and heading for his beautiful seasonal home in Mazatlan, Mexico, few — including Mason himself — expected the acclaimed director to return.

LOS ANGELES - John Schlesinger, director of the Oscar-winning "Midnight Cowboy" and thrillers like "The Falcon and the Snowman" explored lonely underdogs in modern society, died Friday. He was 77.

For all her spunk and legendary grooming, Jennifer Aniston keeps a special place in her heart for deadbeats. Legend has it that she refused to audition for the role of Monica on “Friends” because she felt a much stronger kinship with coffee clerk Rachel — the least upwardly mobile of that Must See sextet.

Jennifer Westfeldt seems interested in exploring the complications that come with pondering parenthood with a mix of candor and heart in "Friends With Kids." She touches on the stages so many of us find ourselves going through in our 30s: steadfast reluctance, vaguely nagging interest, strong yearning and, eventually, the what-the-hell-have-we-done? realism of it all.

Director Phillip Fazio has big ideas for his Mesa Encore Theatre production of the musical “Cabaret.”

Somewhere in the creaky attic of Ian Moses’ house is a photo from 1999.

With the onslaught of Oscar contenders that debuted last November, there’s a good chance that a little-seen indie gem, “Starlet,” managed to fall off your radar during its short, theatrical run. Winner of the Special Jury Prize at the 2011 SXSW film festival, “Starlet” explores the unlikely friendship between a cheerful, aspiring actress (played by the winsome Dree Hemingway) and a cantankerous, elderly widow (the late Besedka Johnson).

Larger-than-life and a true embodiment of New York’s audacious spirit, former NYC mayor Ed Koch lived his life in the public eye. With the bulk of his three-term career encompassing the turbulent 1980s, Koch went head-to-head with issues such as race relations, the AIDS crisis and the crack epidemic – drumming up controversy along the way while still maintaining his likable if outspoken persona.

If ‘‘Tuck Everlasting’’ director Jay Russell knows anything, he knows middle America.

LOS ANGELES - Academy Award-winning director Sydney Pollack, a Hollywood mainstay who achieved commercial success and critical acclaim with the gender-bending comedy "Tootsie" and the period drama "Out of Africa" while often dabbling as a television and movie actor, has died. He was 73.

Up there with “Stoker” and “Like Someone in Love” as one of the best films to hit theaters this spring, “War Witch” is devastating, beautiful and truly not to be missed. An Oscar nominee for Best Foreign Language Film, this gut-wrenching tale of a child soldier has been reeling in the accolades: Best Actress awards for young star Rachel Mwanza at both the Berlin and Tribeca film festivals, along with a whopping 10 honors (including Best Picture) at this year’s Canadian Screen Awards.

NEW YORK - Director Elia Kazan, whose triumphs included the original Broadway productions of "Death of a Salesman" and "A Streetcar Named Desire," and the Academy Award-winning film "On the Waterfront," died Sunday. He was 94.

“We didn’t really want to waste anyone’s time,” Jason Tippet says of his new documentary “Only The Young,” which he co-directed and shot with close friend Elizabeth Mims. Humble and laidback, but always quick to throw in a playful jab at the other, you couldn’t find two better people to capture the throes of 21st century adolescence.

You may better know her sister, Dakota, from box-office smashes like “War of the Worlds” and “The Twilight Saga,” but 14-year-old Elle Fanning has already made quite a name for herself among the arthouse set, appearing in such acclaimed works as “Babel,” “Somewhere” and “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” This month, she takes center stage in a new drama from writer/director Sally Potter entitled “Ginger & Rosa” – a coming-of-age tale set in 1962 London as the threat of the Cuban missile crisis looms overhead.

What do Mesa and South Africa have in common? Plenty, says Johann Zietsman, who three months ago assumed the role of the city’s arts and culture director, overseeing the Mesa Arts Center.

Two feet of water filled the first floor of John Farrell Screen’s New Orleans home.

Two feet of water filled the first floor of John Farrell Screen’s New Orleans home.

Theater Works will present Roald Dahl’s “James And The Giant Peach” Feb. 3 through 20. The play follows the traditional “James and the Giant Peach,” but with some fantastical elements. The play will feature gifted puppeteer, Ruth Sager, who has created exciting shadow puppet sequences for the “shadow world,” and traditional hand puppets will also be used. Another aspect of the production will be the costumes and props, which are inspired by the “steam punk” genre. 

Theater Works will present Roald Dahl’s “James And The Giant Peach” Feb. 3 through 20. The play follows the traditional “James and the Giant Peach,” but with some fantastical elements. The play will feature gifted puppeteer, Ruth Sager, who has created exciting shadow puppet sequences for the “shadow world,” and traditional hand puppets will also be used. Another aspect of the production will be the costumes and props, which are inspired by the “steam punk” genre.