Based on the classic play by Arthur Miller, The Crucible: An Opera takes the tale of Puritan paranoia to artistic heights through affecting performances and supremely talented voices. Directed by Professor Laurel Goetzinger, the show is an interesting blend of the tragic drama of Miller and the inspired music of composer Robert Ward. In Salem, Mass., during the seventeenth century, Abigail Williams, the niece of Reverend Parris, has blamed the sickness of two local girls on an act of … [Read more...]

Roll out the red carpet and prepare those acceptance speeches because the Academy Awards are finally here on Feb. 26. The races for best actor and best actress are heating up as the season culminates in this exciting production-filled showdown for a few little golden men. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has brought in producer Brian Grazer and perennial comedian Billy Crystal to host. Since last year’s hosting duo of Anne Hathaway and James Franco came off as … [Read more...]

o you know what today is? It is Ash Wednesday, the day that starts Lent. Some of you will be giving up something for Lent, whether it be chocolate, meat on Fridays, some other food or an activity you like to do. We’ve heard of Facebook fasting before. The season of Lent is a time of soul-searching, inner reflection and fasting, all leading up to Easter—the day of Christ’s resurrection. Predominately a Catholic tradition, the 40 days of Lent, according to catholic.com, “is based on … [Read more...]

No matter where you fall on the creationism issue, you should be worried about the education bill that is now heading to the Indiana House of Representatives. The Senate recently approved the bill, which would allow science teachers to teach origin theories based on the creation stories of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Islam and other religions. The problem here isn’t that this curriculum would be taught in public schools. High school students could benefit greatly from learning about … [Read more...]

I get it. Between all the pink lace, Cupid’s arrows, mushiness and paper hearts, people just want to have a good time on Valentine’s Day. And yes, it can be achieved even if you have no significant other. The classic “go to dinner and watch a movie” standard can be used if you’re in a long-term relationship, recently dating or just hanging out with your friends. (This is the time when you get out your pen and paper, gentlemen.) Ladies, make sure your guy follows this … [Read more...]

With the Super Bowl in Indianapolis this year, AU students were presented with opportunities to help out with the game. Some of these opportunities manifested themselves in the form of production assistants for various productions related to the Super Bowl. Recent graduate Josh Blankenship and senior Andrew Stuart were production assistants for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, which taped three shows in Indianapolis and performed a live show shortly after the game. Stuart, an AVC/production … [Read more...]

I miss Lost. I was one of those people who had a hundred theories to explain the Numbers, who wouldn’t allow anyone in the room to make noise while the new episode was on, who endlessly debated whether a dead character was really dead this time. And even though I’ve stopped trying to tell myself that the series finale was everything I had hoped, I still found myself looking to fill the void when the show was over. I wasn’t the only one searching for something to ease my Lost-withdrawal. … [Read more...]

“How can you not get romantic about baseball?” said Brad Pitt’s character Billy Beane in the Oscar-nominated film Moneyball, a look at the Oakland Athletic’s game-changing 2002 season. Based on the book by Michael Lewis, Moneyball examines the backroom business side of the national pastime, focusing on Billy Beane (Pitt), a former major leaguer who never lived up to his potential as a star player. Now the general manager for the 2002 Oakland A’s, Beane starts the film losing his … [Read more...]

For those of you faced with the task of writing an editorial, we offer you this: our manual for creating an opinion column. First off, make sure that you’re passionate about something, anything—reptiles, laminate flooring, librarians. Really, folks, passion makes writing interesting. So consider what you love to talk about, and then write it down. And don’t worry if it makes you angry; sometimes anger is easier to write and read about. Look at it this way: Write about a topic which … [Read more...]

Seen The Lion King or Beauty and the Beast recently? Was it because it was in theaters in 3-D? The answer is most likely yes, because the trend of re-releasing movies in 3-D is growing. While this trend is new, 3-D movies have actually been around for a long time. If the 2003 release of Spy Kids 3-D is a definition of a long time, think further back. Way back. The first 3-D movie was actually released in 1922. It was called Power of Love and was probably the biggest thing to hit audiences … [Read more...]