Spotlight: Spokane native gets Razzed
Spokane product Neil LaBute was honored, if that’s the word, by the Golden Raspberry Awards last week.
“Wicker Man,” which LaBute wrote and directed, was nominated for Worst Picture, Worst Screenplay, Worst Remake, Worst Actor (Nicolas Cage), and Worst Screen Couple (Cage “and his bear suit”).
The Razzies, as they are called, are like the anti-Academy Awards, dedicated to honoring Hollywood’s mistakes.
“Wicker Man” was by no means the year’s biggest punching bag. “Basic Instinct II” and “Little Man” each received seven nominations, followed by “Bloodrayne” with six.
“Basic Instinct II” – which the Golden Raspberry people insist on calling “Basically It Stinks, Too” – is widely considered the front-runner for the Worst Picture award, which will be announced Feb. 24, the day before the Oscars. “Wicker Man” is a longshot.
However, if LaBute receives that Worst Screenplay award he might stand a slight chance of becoming the first writer ever to receive a Razzie and a Pulitzer Prize in the same year. His acclaimed off-Broadway play “Wrecks,” starring Ed Harris, could well be in the Pulitzer running.
LaBute is a 1979 Central Valley High School graduate who shuttles between homes in Chicago and Los Angeles.
To be fair, I should point out that he already has the Filmmakers Trophy from Sundance on his mantle.
Symphony changes
The Spokane Symphony is already making plans for the Big Shuffle: the move to the Fox Theater.
The move will take place after the first two concerts of the 2007-08 Classics season – sometime in late fall, approximately on schedule, according to a letter sent last week to subscribers.
Subscribers will be asked to make a key change. After the move, there will be two performances of each Classics concert: Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. Subscribers will be asked to choose their preference.
The Classics series now runs on Friday nights. One reason for the schedule change is that the Fox has 1,725 seats, compared to about 2,600 at the symphony’s longtime home, the INB Performing Arts Center (formerly the Opera House).
By the way, the first two concerts of the season will remain on Friday night at the INB.
The three-concert Casual Classics series – formerly known as the Symphony at The Met – will move to the Fox on Friday nights.
As for the SuperPops series, it’s mostly staying put at the INB Performing Arts Center. That’s because Pops concerts with name guest artists often need the larger hall. These concerts are usually amplified, so acoustics are not as critical, said the symphony’s Annie Matlow.
The only exception: The Holiday Pops concert, which will be at the Fox in three performances.
Symphony on the Edge will stay at the Big Easy; the Symphony Soirees will stay at the Davenport Hotel; and “The Nutcracker” will stay at the INB Performing Arts Center.
Current subscribers will get priority in seat selection. Season renewal forms will be sent out in March or April.
Matlow said it’s not too late to become a 2006-07 season subscriber. Five-concert packages are still available, which will give you priority over new subscribers for the 2007-08 season. Call (509) 624-1200.
Riding with the Buffs
The Opera Buffs of Spokane are planning a motorcoach trip to the Seattle Opera for Handel’s “Julius Caesar” on March 3 and 4.
If you want to go, don’t delay: Call John Bouchard at (509) 624-6230 or Barbara Haynes at (509) 535-4777.
Cantabile at Panida
Cantabile, the internationally known vocal quartet from London, will perform Friday at 8 p.m. at the Panida Theater in Sandpoint.
This a cappella group performs music ranging from sacred music to classical parodies. They are also known for their unique sense of humor.
Tickets are available at a number of Sandpoint retail outlets, by calling the Pend Oreille Arts Council office at (208) 263-6139 or online at www.artinsandpoint.org.