So: Vanya is a virgin. Of course! It’s everywhere! The confusion of infatuation and love (“You are my joy, my life and my youth!”); the ridiculous superlatives (“I’ve never seen a more beautiful woman in my entire life.”). The childish ideal of feminine purity (“a noble, gentle creature, pure as that blue sky above”); the false, showy cynicism (“Is she faithful to the Professor?” Astrov asks. “Unfortunately yes.”). The bumbling assertiveness when he lunges for a kiss (“First let me make peace with myself! My darling…”); the simpering fear when a woman takes offense (“Wait, wait, my joy, my ecstasy, forgive me. I apologize.”). It’s everywhere, and we missed it ― until Denis O’Hare showed us.
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Books: Will A-Rod’s roid scandal encourage Joe Torre’s book sales?
Dance/Opera: Salvaging NYC’s opera scene
Design: Chip Kidd dubs Tony Stark design’s super hero.
Film: Michael Cera Bale’s out on the set of Youth In Revolt.
Music: Chris Brown surrenders to the fuzz.
Television: The first 10 minutes of Joss Whedon’s Dollhouse revealed — in case you can’t wait for Friday.
Theatre: Maggie Gyllenhaal and Peter Sarsgaard are so freaking cute.
Visual Arts: Shepard Fairey arrested on the way to his own opening.
Web: “I’m on a boat.”
Broadway might need a bailout: The Daily Telegraph reports that only two shows made money this difficult season — The Seagull and All My Sons. Sorry, Harry. So what can we expect Broadway producers to do with this new information? 1. Opt for more limited runs. 2. Cast shows with big name stars. 3. Choose only established classics. The good news: At least this should rule out more dreck like Shrek. [Telegraph]
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