UA students thrive in production of ‘A Chorus Line’

Tuscaloosa News – April 17

To the acting-singing-dancing students in “A Chorus Line,” this is not just another kick line, not just another show. “These kids love it,” said Stacy Alley, associate professor of musical theater and dance at the University of Alabama, who’s directing this week’s production. “They. Love. This. Show. “It’s their life.” Almost literally, though the two dozen of the cast are closer to the opening than the middle or end of performing careers. Aside from master of fine arts graduate acting student Billy Green, who plays director Zach, it’s populated by undergrads, including a number of freshmen and sophomores. But seniors such as Daniel Hulsizer, Craig First, Bailey Blaise Mariea, Victor Castro III and Sandra Gates will soon move on, some to New York to try for lives like those of the characters they’re playing.

The Duke Lacrosse Scandal and the Birth of the Alt-Right

New York Magazine – April 14

After work one day in January 2007, Scott McConnell left his office at the magazine The American Conservative in Arlington, Virginia, and walked to a nearby Thai restaurant that was hosting a panel discussion about the Duke lacrosse scandal … The case was less meaningful to many of the younger people who seem to make up the alt-right — “I think you have to be at least 30 for Duke lacrosse to affect your consciousness,” Richard Spencer said — but it remains powerful as a moment that justifies the far right’s narrative of modern American society. “It was like a preview of the more dramatic racially charged cases of the last couple of years — how those clear battle lines would get drawn and that the key things were not the facts of the case,” George Hawley, a University of Alabama professor who is writing a book on the alt-right, said.

7 overlooked women writers you should be reading now

PBS Newshour – April 19

When author Paula Fox died in March, we wondered why we hadn’t heard more about her. Fox wrote dark, brilliant novels for adults, and Newbery Medal and National Book Award-winning books for children, but her work was largely forgotten for many years — in part because it had gone out of print. Eventually, Fox’s books experienced a resurgence, thanks in part to other novelists’ praise of her work … From Heather Cass White, a professor of English at the University of Alabama who’s spent the last decade editing the poetry of Marianne Moore.

Retiring UA history professor reflects on long career

Crimson White – April 20

Last night, Lawrence Kohl reflected on his 30-year professorship at The University of Alabama before his retirement in a lecture entitled, “On Life, History, and Teaching.” Kohl focused on what he has learned about life, history, and teaching in his 30 years at the University. Kohl spoke of the value of history on a personal sense, noting that, “above all, history compels us to get outside of ourselves. It asks us to see the world from the vantage point of others, a trait that is the foundation of understanding and compassion.”

Also making headlines

Alabama GOP left to regroup after Gov. Bentley debacle – April 18 – Bill Stewart
Students may forget relevant information in order to protect their own psyches – April 20 – Ian McDonough
Why Some Narcissists Want to Make Their Partners Jealous – April 15 – Gregory Tortoriello