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Calgary Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
Library officials, education minister meet over book controversy
A delegation from the Library Association of Alberta met Tuesday morning with provincial Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, warning that the government is moving into dangerous territory if it dictates what books should be weeded out of school libraries. Article content 'Our key message was that we feel that decisions about what belongs in school libraries and learning commons are best made by trained educators and librarians,' said Laura Winton, past president of the Library Association of Alberta and the organization's lead on this issue. 'Obviously, he's not in agreement with our viewpoint.' Article content Article content Article content In May Nicolaides said the government would be consulting the public about possible standards that could be implemented when it came to books that are available in school libraries. Four books were used as examples of materials that the ministry found objectionable due to their sexually explicit content: Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, Craig Thompson's Blankets, and Flamer by Mike Curato. The four books that were highlighted by Nicolaides deal with 2SLGBTQIA+ themes. Article content Article content After the education minister made the announcement, conservative Christian Canadian lobby group Action4Canada said that members of its Calgary chapter had met with Nicolaides and had highlighted the four books in question. Nicolaides confirmed he had met with Action4Canada, but said his decision to look at placing standards on what can and can't go in school libraries was based on wider feedback he received from parents. Article content Article content Winton said that if Nicolaides goes through with a ministerial order, which she said was discussed in their meeting, Alberta would be the only province where the government set limits on what goes in school libraries. Article content Article content She said if school libraries are asked to do collection reviews, it will tax a system that is already short-staffed. Article content 'It's really intensive to do a collection review. Weeding is time-intensive and requires trained staff.' Article content Nicolaides said he and the librarians disagreed on many points. Article content 'School boards and parents have been clear, they do not want these types of books on a library shelf where a young student could access them, full stop,' he said in a statement issued Wednesday. 'I'm disappointed the Library Association is advocating against the involvement of parents. Article content 'During my meeting with the Library Association of Alberta, I asked them if they could provide me with evidence-based, peer-reviewed research and literature that defends exposing young students to oral sex, pedophilia, child molestation, self harm and other extremely sexually explicit material. They had no answer and no evidence to back their claims.'
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Chicago Tribune
Column: ‘Kids get to be the heroes' in Paramount School of the Arts musical in Aurora
After seven years in the role with the Paramount Theatre as its young performer supervisor, Bailey O'Neil certainly could be described as the 'kid whisperer' of the downtown Aurora venue. She was, after all, in charge of all those youngsters in 'The Sound of Music' and 'School of Rock,' as well as in 'Frozen' and the Bold Series production, 'Fun Home.' In addition to teaching at Paramount School of the Arts, which attracts students from beyond the Fox Valley, O'Neil also directed its previous camp performances 'Matilda Jr.' and 'Mean Girls Jr.' And next week, under her leadership, more than 50 kids will again take to the summer stage in 'The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical,' where they will, as the press release put it, 'play gods, battle monsters and save the world' in this action-packed fantasy based on Greek mythology. Props to this talented young Aurora native, who is working with more than twice as many performers as the typical number in a professional Paramount musical. But O'Neil relishes this role because she gets to see the beginning stages of so many, well, 'stage journeys' – including those who love theater but start off shy and unsure, then gradually 'begin to warm up every day and come out of their shell.' As someone who truly enjoys working with kids, that's got to be a big payoff, as is watching the students in their third year of camp take on leadership roles, she noted. Still, it's a lot of young people who are on a quick turnaround for these shows that are put on by the school. So yes, O'Neil also notices 'jaws drop,' and even witnesses 'a little panic in their eyes' when she tells them they only have a week to memorize the scripts. 'They have so much less time to prepare,' O'Neil pointed out, adding that the 30 hours of rehearsal also include a scavenger hunt at the beginning of the process, which she considers an important way for the young performers to bond. 'But the sooner the script is out of their hands,' O'Neil insisted, 'the better the work becomes.' And the kids, she told me, 'really lock in. … They get so focused' and are 'down for anything' because they 'love theater and are invested in it.' Adding to the excitement: these youngsters are supported by the Paramount's professional design and technical staff, and will perform in full custom on its historic stage. 'The Lightning Thief,' which centers around 12-year-old demigod Percy Jackson and the demigods of Camp Half-Blood, has been especially fun for the young performers – and seven technical theater students – O'Neil told me, because it is full of action and surprises, including fight choreography, puppetry and plenty of sound effects. 'They are so talented … their dancing is off the charts,' O'Neil said. 'When you put them on the stage and in costume and give them a mic, there is always a big shift as they become their character. 'Sometimes it happens overnight when those neurons connect and it all falls into place.' The stars also seem to be aligning for this talented young Aurora native who grew up in theater camps, and when old enough became a camp counselor. So it's what O'Neil described as a 'natural progression' she will be taking on an important new role later this year as an assistant director for Stephen Schellhardt in the Paramount's iconic holiday spectacle 'White Christmas.' No surprise, she's 'thrilled' to be working on this beloved and nostalgic blockbuster musical. But for now, O'Neil just wants to showcase the talents of 50-plus hard-working kids who are on an epic adventure of their own. Performances for 'The Lightning Thief' are at 7:30 p.m. June 27 and at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. June 28. To purchase the $15 tickets for the show go to call 630-896-6666 or stop by the Paramount box office. 'I love shows where kids get to be the heroes,' said O'Neil. 'It's just so fun to see where they are on the first day (of camp) and where they end.'
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Announces 'Criminally Great' Cast!
Press Release – Sandra Roberts The razzle dazzle is back—and bolder than ever. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical today announces its 'criminally great' cast ahead of its strictly limited season touring Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin starting next month. Taking centre stage in this bold new production is a stellar line-up of Aotearoa talent, led by entertainment icon Jackie Clarke as the indomitable Mamma Morton, alongside musical theatre powerhouse Nomi Cohen (Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You) as the sly and ambitious Roxie Hart, and Lily Bourne (Shortland Street, Fun Home) as the sharp and sizzling Velma Kelly. They're joined by screen and stage favourite Joel Tobeck (Shortland Street, One Lane Bridge, Avatar: The Way of Water) as the slick, silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, seasoned actor Andy Grainger (Jersey Boys, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Roxie's loyal husband Amos Hart, burlesque star Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz, and veteran performer Stephen Butterworth (Pop-up Globe, Lord of the Rings) as the stern but theatrical Judge. Helmed by acclaimed Kiwi theatre director Michael Hurst ONZM, this striking new staging of Chicago promises to deliver all the scandal, sass and showstopping musical numbers that have made it a global sensation—including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle. Joining him in sculpting the show's dynamic visual world is celebrated choreographer Shona McCullagh MNZM while the elaborate set is being created by award-winning designer Chris Reddington. Premiering at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre from 31 July, then heading to Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal from 17 August, and finally Dunedin's Regent Theatre from 29 August, this is a strictly limited run of one of the most popular musical theatre shows in history. Featuring a cast of top-tier singers, dancers, and actors, this is a full-scale professional production set to light up the stage with its intoxicating mix of 1920s glamour, Prohibition-era grit, and dazzling choreography. 'Chicago the Musical is one of the world's most iconic stage shows. It's a delicious blend of showbiz, crime, and satire—with a dream cast to match. We can't wait to share this knockout production with audiences across the country,' says producer Ben McDonald. Based on real events and created by the legendary Broadway trio John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a searing satire on celebrity and justice, set in a world where fame is the ultimate currency and murder is just the opening act. Chicago centres on Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who dreams of being a vaudeville star. She's cheating on her sweet but dim-witted husband named Amos — and when her lover tries to end their affair, she kills him in a fit of rage. Getting thrown in the Cook County Jail seems like a surefire end to Roxie's dreams of stardom, but her sentence ends up being her ticket to fame. Her lawyer, the smooth-talking Billy Flynn, helps her concoct a defence that earns the press' sympathy and gets her face on the cover of every newspaper in Chicago. And while in jail, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, an established vaudeville star who murdered her husband and sister. The women begin as rivals, as Roxie seeks to steal Velma's lawyer (Billy) and her spotlight, but they come around to an unlikely alliance. Chicago is a spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart's world moves from prison to the courtroom to the stage. With a trophy shelf that includes six Tonys, two Oliviers, a Grammy, and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Scoop
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Announces 'Criminally Great' Cast!
The razzle dazzle is back—and bolder than ever. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical today announces its 'criminally great' cast ahead of its strictly limited season touring Auckland, Christchurch and Dunedin starting next month. Taking centre stage in this bold new production is a stellar line-up of Aotearoa talent, led by entertainment icon Jackie Clarke as the indomitable Mamma Morton, alongside musical theatre powerhouse Nomi Cohen (Kinky Boots, We Will Rock You) as the sly and ambitious Roxie Hart, and Lily Bourne (Shortland Street, Fun Home) as the sharp and sizzling Velma Kelly. They're joined by screen and stage favourite Joel Tobeck (Shortland Street, One Lane Bridge, Avatar: The Way of Water) as the slick, silver-tongued lawyer Billy Flynn, seasoned actor Andy Grainger (Jersey Boys, The Brokenwood Mysteries) as Roxie's loyal husband Amos Hart, burlesque star Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz, and veteran performer Stephen Butterworth (Pop-up Globe, Lord of the Rings) as the stern but theatrical Judge. Helmed by acclaimed Kiwi theatre director Michael Hurst ONZM, this striking new staging of Chicago promises to deliver all the scandal, sass and showstopping musical numbers that have made it a global sensation—including All That Jazz, Cell Block Tango, and Razzle Dazzle. Joining him in sculpting the show's dynamic visual world is celebrated choreographer Shona McCullagh MNZM while the elaborate set is being created by award-winning designer Chris Reddington. Premiering at Auckland's Bruce Mason Centre from 31 July, then heading to Christchurch's Isaac Theatre Royal from 17 August, and finally Dunedin's Regent Theatre from 29 August, this is a strictly limited run of one of the most popular musical theatre shows in history. Featuring a cast of top-tier singers, dancers, and actors, this is a full-scale professional production set to light up the stage with its intoxicating mix of 1920s glamour, Prohibition-era grit, and dazzling choreography. 'Chicago the Musical is one of the world's most iconic stage shows. It's a delicious blend of showbiz, crime, and satire—with a dream cast to match. We can't wait to share this knockout production with audiences across the country,' says producer Ben McDonald. Based on real events and created by the legendary Broadway trio John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse, Chicago is a searing satire on celebrity and justice, set in a world where fame is the ultimate currency and murder is just the opening act. Chicago centres on Roxie Hart, a chorus girl who dreams of being a vaudeville star. She's cheating on her sweet but dim-witted husband named Amos — and when her lover tries to end their affair, she kills him in a fit of rage. Getting thrown in the Cook County Jail seems like a surefire end to Roxie's dreams of stardom, but her sentence ends up being her ticket to fame. Her lawyer, the smooth-talking Billy Flynn, helps her concoct a defence that earns the press' sympathy and gets her face on the cover of every newspaper in Chicago. And while in jail, Roxie meets Velma Kelly, an established vaudeville star who murdered her husband and sister. The women begin as rivals, as Roxie seeks to steal Velma's lawyer (Billy) and her spotlight, but they come around to an unlikely alliance. Chicago is a spectacle full of social satire, intrigue, love, betrayal, rivalry and friendship, a pageant of music and dance that adroitly shifts between reality and fantasy, as Roxie Hart's world moves from prison to the courtroom to the stage. With a trophy shelf that includes six Tonys, two Oliviers, a Grammy, and six Academy Awards, Chicago is the longest-running musical revival in Broadway history and continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Edmonton Journal
07-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Edmonton Journal
Lorne Gunter: Schools have a duty to remove, or strictly control, sexually graphic content in books
Article content The four in question are Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, Blankets by Craig Thompson, Fun Home by Alison Bechdel and Flamer by Mike Curato. Before you make up you mind about whether these are appropriate for school kids, check out their contents on the website set up by the Alberta government. (
