Jubilation. Why is this emotion so rare in this country? I imagine it must have felt a little like this to be in Soweto for the fall of apartheid, or in Sao Paolo when the Brazilian team won the World Cup, or perhaps, in biblical times, when the jubilee year brought the forgiveness of old [...] read more »

Most Western observers of the pro-Tibetan protests leading up to the Beijing Olympics, which begin August 8, have concluded that the Chinese are in the midst of a huge public relations failure. But considering that these protests have spurred massive pro-China demonstrations in China and Chinese communities abroad, they may end up playing right [...] read more »

The campy absurdity of the musical only works because our present reality is so bleak. The lyrics of many of these songs could be used by the Bush attachés to promote their next surge in Iraq or an invasion of Iran. Musical theater is disarming and audience friendly, but the message in Walmartopia rings through as serious and urgent. Rohn’s songs have a home-grown sound, true to Walmartopia roots in community theater. Expertly arranged by August Eriksmoen and sung by a skilled cast, the songs are at once exuberant and thought-provoking and overcome their camp. The finale is an almost Brechtian invocation to the audience to get out of their seats and do something, and while doing it, to keep singing. read more »