What do David Ives & Michael Eisner Think of the American Theatre? And Do We Care?

CultureBot takes on the Aspen Ideas Festival's planned roundtable session, "Is the Curtain Closing on Live Theatre in America?" With panelists like Anna Deavere Smith, Dana Gioia, Michael Eisner, and David Ives, CultureBot asks: are these the best people to asking this question anyway? Check out this thoughtful piece.

Excerpt:

"whether something is dying or not – the real question is whether it should be allowed to die or not. There is something inherently important in people gathering together, in groups, live, to engage with ideas and issues of consequence. Merely being a member of a throng at a Monster Truck Rally or a Corporate Sporting Event is h ardly sufficient. Live performance is a vital component of civic life and must be maintained. If it is not “theater” that’s not the worst thing in the world. But why start with such a negatively phrased question? And why limit your discussion to the narrowest possible understanding of theater? Even the whole “curtain” metaphor is hoary and creaky and outmoded."