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Howard Sherman

@hesherman.bsky.social
3.6K followers 309 following 2.4K posts

Arts admin, writer & advocate. Author, "Another Day’s Begun.” Enthusiast, not critic. Anti-censorship. Ayckbourniac. Lifelong theatre kid.

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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 2h
Katie Zacharia lasts less than half a Scaramucci.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 4h
The latest from Texas: The Grand Prairie ISD school board says anti-DEI SB12 from 2025, not anti-drag SB12 from 2023, is what led to the cancelation of “Little Shop of Horrors.” And the school has announced that they're swapping a flesh-hungry plant for a snow...person. My report.
hesherman1.substack.com
“Little Shop” Gets “Frozen” Out at South Grand Prairie High in Texas
School board cites 2025’s Anti-DEI Senate Bill 12, Not 2023’s Anti-Drag SB12
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 19h
I believe this is the first time I've ever been cited as a source in Spanish, thanks to Univision's coverage of Ana Mota, the South Grand Prairie High student in Texas who was denied the role of Seymour in "Little Shop of Horrors," after which the school canceled the entire show.
univision.com
Una alumna hispana ganó un papel masculino y Grand Prairie canceló el musical: conoce qué ocurrió
Ana Mota consiguió el papel que quería para su último año de secundaria, pero su escuela canceló todo el musical. Grand Prairie confirmó a N+ Univision 23 DFW qué ley invocó para justificar la decisió...
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
Nah, the machinations of award has lost its luster. Que sera sera.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
I got cured of it some years ago after being close to one process. And with TV, I just don't watch enough to have an informed opinion.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
This isn't a review, but I have some thoughts about Caryl Churchill's "Triumph," just extended at The Public. As it turned out, I picked an alarmingly apt day to see the play.
hesherman1.substack.com
Resemblances to Any Emperors in “Triumph” are Purely Coincidental
Caryl Churchill's brief play debuts simultaneously in New York and London during election season
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/10/2026
I am not given to awards prognostication, but: the Emmy goes to Hoon Lee, Best Actor in a Featured Role, Limited Series, for "East of Eden."
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 14/10/2026
Tonight's show: from Caryl Churchill, at The Public. A particularly apt day to see this 20 minute play.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Citing a law twice ruled unconstitutional, leadership at South Grand Prairie High and the school district have shut down a production of "Little Shop of Horrors." But the student cast as Seymour says she's not giving up without a fight. My newest post.
hesherman1.substack.com
“Little Shop of Horrors” Closed for Business at South Grand Prairie High in Texas
Suddenly, Seymour is Silenced by an Unconstitutional Law
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 13/10/2026
Thank you so much for sharing this, Catherine!
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Which I've also never seen, but have never been much interested in.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 11/10/2026
Just watched "Boorman and the Devil." Good documentary about the making of "The Exorcist II: The Heretic," a major flop. Almost makes me want to see the movie. Almost.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
In case you missed the original story of what led to this hesherman1.substack.com/p/game-over-...
hesherman1.substack.com
Game Over for “She Kills Monsters” at Copley High in Ohio
“It’s School Theatre Censorship Season,” Part 1
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 10/10/2026
Ohio high schoolers sought $800 to put on canceled show "She Kills Monsters" off campus. They raised $8,800 and the show will go on.
kentucky.com
Copley students beat funding goal to put on nixed 'She Kills Monsters'
The show will go on for Copley Thespian Society's "She Kills Monsters: Young Adventurer's Edition," even after the school district's superintendent canceled Copley High School's production of the popu...
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 09/10/2026
Due to poor planning and looming commitments, I am not at NY ComicCon this year. Acutely aware of missing out. *sigh*
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Farewell to Eva Marie Saint, unforgettable in "On The Waterfront" and "North By Northwest," just two highlights of a sparkling career.
hollywoodreporter.com
Eva Marie Saint, Graceful Star of the Silver Screen, Dies at 102
She won an Oscar for her first film, ‘On the Waterfront,’ and sparkled opposite Cary Grant in ‘North by Northwest.’
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
"The Wave" play, that warns about how easily people can slip into Fascism, based on a high school project from 1967, was in rehearsals at OCVTS's performing arts academy in New Jersey, when it was suddenly shut down. The final post in my series, "It's School Theatre Censorship Season."
hesherman1.substack.com
Fascism Warning Play “The Wave” Silenced at Ocean County Vocational in New Jersey
“It’s School Theatre Censorship Season,” Part 3
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Edited for high school, approved by the principal, but still the superintendent shut down "Flashdance" at Watertown High in Wisconsin. Part 2 (of 3) in my series "It's School Theatre Censorship Season." Please read and share.
hesherman1.substack.com
Music Stops for “Flashdance” at Watertown High in Wisconsin
“It’s School Theatre Censorship Season,” Part 2
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
School theatre censorship is in full swing right now; Part 1 of my series, "It's School Theatre Censorship Season" looks at "She Kills Monsters" at Copley High in Ohio. I hope you'll read and share. Students deserve better than this.
hesherman1.substack.com
Game Over for “She Kills Monsters” at Copley High in Ohio
“It’s School Theatre Censorship Season,” Part 1
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
Hocus pocus, I sit on his knee, Presto change-o, now he is me...
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Today's matinee, at St. Ann's Warehouse. Ripped from the transcripts.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Tonight's show, at Roundabout: "The Imaginary Invalid," adapted by and starring the incomparable Bill Irwin!
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
“The president has a pattern of moving so fast that it’s difficult to catch up.”
nytimes.com
Can Trump Legally Demolish the Kennedy Center? Experts Say Not Easily. (Gift Article)
The president has entertained the idea of tearing down the performing arts venue. Analysts say any plan would face multiple daunting challenges.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
The Kennedy Center decline, by the numbers
wapo.st
The Kennedy Center was solvent when Trump took over. Then its finances collapsed.
The Post examined 15 years of the institution’s financial records to see why it went south after the president took over.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Curious story out of Barnard College: student groups can't use their theatre this fall unless they want to do so without sets or tech equipment (such as lights), apparently due to a vacancy in the staff position that supervises the theatre. The college can't find interim tech advisor in NYC?
columbiaspectator.com
Barnard limits use of Glicker-Milstein Theatre, raising alarm for student theater groups
Barnard restricted the use of technical equipment and sets in the Glicker-Milstein Theatre this semester following the June 10 resignation of the theater’s director, leaving theater groups without a f...
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
"Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Oregon), who led the effort with fellow Democrats and Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), sought to pass the bill by unanimous consent, a procedure that allows a motion or action unless a single senator objects."
wapo.st
GOP senator blocks bill to stop Trump from demolishing Kennedy Center
The bipartisan effort to ban the demolition of presidential memorials was thwarted in the Senate by an objection from Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
Reading about today's Judiciary hearing in which Rep. Eric Schmitt beclowned himself by confusing the Hawks with the Hawkeyes, I am reminded of this quote from "Hamlet," suggesting that a gale is blowing north-north-west for Schmitt, for "When the wind is southerly, I know a hawk from a handsaw."
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
I got to visit the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in LA on the fourth day it was open to the public. I have thoughts.
hesherman1.substack.com
A short time ago, in a museum far, far away
LA’s Lucas Museum of Narrative Art has a few stories to tell while letting patrons make up their own, too
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Next stop: LAX!
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
NYT reports the Paramount-Warner Brothers deal has been settled with CA Attorney General David Bonta, concentrating enormous media power with David Ellison. No official word; Times citing sources close to the negotiations. I am wary of what this means for democracy. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/21/b...
nytimes.com
Paramount to Resolve Antitrust Lawsuit, Clearing the Way for Warner Bros. Acquisition (Gift Article)
The deal would remove the last significant hurdle the media mogul David Ellison faced to create a news and entertainment empire, home to movie studios, HBO, CBS and CNN.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Final show of my London trip: "Thelma and Louise" (the musical) at Young Vic Theatre
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Sorry to read about the passing of "Spring Awakening" composer Duncan Sheik. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/18/a...
nytimes.com
Duncan Sheik, Who Traded Pop Stardom for Broadway, Dies at 56 (Gift Article)
Weary of the heartthrob label after his 1996 hit “Barely Breathing,” he pivoted to musical theater and won two Tonys for composing “Spring Awakening.”
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
I've seen about 40 of his 92 plays. I've read many more. HTOHL was only his ninth. I'm seeing play 92 tonight. He's really a theatrical genius, and still writing (and directing) away at age 87.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Yes indeed. He's an old Ayckbourn hand himself, having done the premiere of "Henceforward" back in the 80s.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Ian McKellen was there too. Clearly it was the place to be!
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
First show of the London trip: Ayckbourn's "How The Other Half Loves" at The Old Vic Theatre. Can't say "curtain going up" as it's in the round. No curtain.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Farewell to costume designer Bob Mackie, a designer of spectacular gowns for great divas, but also the creator of perhaps the greatest costume sight gag in history.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
News to me, but clearly they're not taking any chances.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Mary. Mom. Hell's Angels.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
I'm afraid you've lost me there. Think Broadway song lyric (if that's in your wheelhouse).
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Happy Frank Mills Day, to those who celebrate.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"It seems to me that once in your life before you die you ought to see a country where they don't talk in English and don't even want to."
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
A very thorough audience advisory from @oldvictheatre.bsky.social. Makes me hungry and I don't see the show until Monday.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Audience development philosophy for the arts emerged from an unexpected source last week. Let me guide you through it. My newest "Downstage Center" post.
hesherman1.substack.com
Connection Seems to be the Hardest Word
Audience development philosophy emerges from an unexpected source
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
This is going to be a hot ticket, even though it's free event.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
"Even though the business of Broadway has been shaky since the pandemic, in many years there still are more shows looking to open than there are theaters to hold them."
curbed.com
What Will Become of the Ed Sullivan Theater?
There’s an opportunity, post-Colbert, for it to become a Broadway house once again.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
"Coyote vs. Acme" struck me as being aligned with the work of Samuel Beckett. Now that I've seen the connection, I can't unsee it.
hesherman1.substack.com
Samuel Beckett, Wile E. Coyote and I Walk Into a Movie Theatre
An afternoon epiphany links two very different works of stage and screen
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Good.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
"Theater games may help us see reality as malleable. But at their best, they remind us to look at reality in the first place."
nytimes.com
Opinion | How a ’70s Improv Book Became Silicon Valley’s Required Reading (Gift Article)
It can be useful to see reality as malleable.
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Howard Sherman @hesherman.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
It seems we've reached the "rabid baby goats" stage of civilization.
abcnews.com
Rabid baby goats prompt North Carolina mobile petting zoo scare
At least four baby goats belonging to a North Carolina petting zoo have tested positive for rabies.
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