Extra, Extra: The Artsy Edition

• Ms. Oprah’s homegrown musical, The Color Purple, won a Tony Award for Leading Actress. Bad news: it failed to win in nine other nominated categories.
• Departing Chicago Symphony Orchestra Music Director Daniel Barenboim takes a parting shot at his audiences: “The fact remains that a great majority of the intellectuals in this world are totally oblivious to the existence of music.”
• League of Chicago Theatres Executive Director & CEO Deanna Shoss is resigning her position after only a year on the job. Managing Director Lyle Allen will be named interim director at the end of the month. The League will also stop publishing Chicago Plays, so expect your show program to look different next season.
• As Chicago prepares for Movin' Out, here’s news that a dancer with the touring production is suing for wrongful termination, contending she was fired because her breasts grew too large.
• Thursday is opening night for SummerDance 2006, featuring salsa dancing lessons and live music by Ralph Irizarry & SonCafé.
• And a sign of hope in America: A Barbara’s Bookstore appearance by muckraking journalist Greg Palast Sunday afternoon outdrew CNN anchor Anderson Cooper’s Friday night reading at Borders (We were there.).

Photo by the author: Northside Mural in Churchill Park