Born and raised in Washington, D.C., I couldn't help but develop a keen interest in politics, but music, theater and visual art also proved great attractions. Music became my main focus after high school. I thought about being a cocktail pianist, but I hated taking requests, so I studied music history instead, earning a B.A. in that field from Eisenhower College (Seneca Falls, N.Y.) and an M.A. from Occidental College (Los Angeles). I then landed in journalism. After freelancing for the Washington Post and others, I was classical music critic for the Sun-Sentinel in South Florida, where I also contributed to NPR. I've written for the New York Times, BBC Music Magazine and other publications, and I'm a longtime contributor to Opera News. My book, The NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Classical Music (Perigee, 2002), can be found on the most discerning remainder racks.
I joined the Baltimore Sun as classical music critic in 2000 and, in 2009, also became theater critic, giving me the opportunity to annoy a whole new audience. In 2010, my original Clef Notes blog expanded to encompass a theatrical component -- how could I resist calling it Drama Queens? I hope you'll find both sides of this blog coin worth exploring and reacting to; your own comments are always welcome and valued (well, most of them, at least).
Think of this as your open-all-hours, cyber green room, where there's always a performer or performance to discuss, some news to digest, or maybe just a little good gossip to share.
Note: Tim Smith now writes about the fine arts at
baltimoresun.com/artsmash. This blog will be kept in place as an archive for an indefinite period. Please visit the new location to get the latest Mid-Atlantic arts coverage.
View the Artsmash blog
Comments
Thanks! I also remember that she sang "They're either too young or too old" in one of the WWII canteen movies. She was also in a musical version of the "The Corn is Green" that died before making it to Broadway..go figure! But even in all awfulness, she was great to watch!
I love that "Too Old or Too Young" number, especially when she gets into the wild jitterbug routine. Great fun. She was always worth watching, that's for sure. TIM
Posted by: Louis Bothwell | July 15, 2010 8:38 AM
The Bette Davis musical "Miss Moffatt" didn't make it to Broadway, but (according to advertising material I've seen)it had it's world premere on September 9, 1974 at the Mechanic Theatre in Charles Center. The orchestral seats were a rather step, for the time, $9.50. Interestingly, for a show that closed on the road, there was an original cast album made which is currently available in the UK.
Posted by: Mike | July 20, 2010 2:57 PM