Susan Dormady Eisenberg

Arts writer & novelist

Washington National Opera's Show Boat will depart the Kennedy Center Opera House soon, but if you can scare up a ticket you shouldn't miss this quintessential American musical, lovingly and movingly staged by Francesca Zambello, WNO's artistic director.

Arianna Huffington

In this week's special summer issue, we're putting the spotlight on all the season's diverse offerings, with an emphasis on ways to enjoy the summer with less stress.

Don Bacigalupi

President, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art

Today at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, a new installation in our 20th century galleries is brimming with great works by women. These range from a Miriam Schapiro "femmage" to one of Susan Rothenberg's breakthrough horse paintings of the mid-1970s.

Chris Kompanek

Freelance cultural writer

Soho Rep is the most thrilling theater in New York currently because they manage to consistently transform their cozy Walker Street space into the universe of each play they produce, blurring the line between seats and sets.

Jennifer Platow

Teacher

Like many teachers, I pitch poetry around my classroom precariously, like it's an egg toss at a child's birthday party. I don't want to drop it, turn it, or spend too long holding on to it.

Penelope Andrew

Women Film Critics Circle

Charcot's interventions with Augustine run the gamut -- from gentle, sensuous spoon-feedings to physical torture using a device of his own invention, known as the ovary compressor.

David Galenson

Professor of Economics, University of Chicago

Marie Laurencin's life spanned two world wars and a great economic depression, but these left no trace in her art. For most of her life, her art portrayed an unchanging dream world. The popularity her art enjoyed during her lifetime has now receded.

Tanisha L. Ramirez

Freelance Lifestyle & Pop Culture Journalist

Erykah Badu, in addition to being the reigning Queen of Soul, is a doula herself. And more than that, she's a strong role model for women who want to do it all, and then some.

William Robin

Musicologist and journalist

The Rite of Spring had a very different trajectory in Russia than it did in Western Europe. Though conceived in St. Petersburg by a trio of Russians the famous original ballet was never performed in Russia itself.

Steven Suskin

Drama critic

This is an edgy, gimmicky, nouveau musical wrapped in a gaudily immersive, dinner theater atmosphere; "an electropop opera ripped from a slice of War and Peace," in their own words.

Jenny Block

Columnist and author of 'Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage'

It began with the opening of an exhibit of the works of Georgia O'Keeffe. But it quickly became a pilgrimage to discover the woman behind the work.

Brian Horay

Classical Music Blogger

My apologies in advance for dropping an F-bomb so soon in this review, but there's just one word, and one word only, that can adequately describe this opening number... a word that more conservative and learned reviewers usually avoid: fun.

Annette Insdorf

Director of undergraduate film studies, Columbia University, and author of PHILIP KAUFMAN

The first few days of the Cannes Film Festival have been marked by surprises -- whether in the shifting national identity of movies, or peace-making efforts between towering directors -- and parties that defy the rain.

Susan Eley

Director of the contemporary art gallery Susan Eley Fine Art

Artists enjoy their most private moments in their studios, where the creative energies flow and the demons emerge in full force. Artist studios--backstage to the galleries, museums and other places of public art displays--are sadly, so little explored by the public.

George Heymont

San Francisco-based arts critic

With nice supporting work from Mitchell Lewis and Gustav von Seyffertitz (I just love the sound of that man's name!), The Docks of New York proved to be a highly atmospheric surprise.

Hoyt Hilsman

Journalist, screenwriter, critic and former candidate for Congress

The distinguished Antaeus Company, L.A.'s classic theater ensemble of extraordinarily talented actors, presents Arthur Miller's tale of the Salem witch trials, his parable of mass hysteria and the dangers of theocracy, or any blind ideology, for that matter.

Constance Valis Hill

Author, 'Tap Dancing America, A Cultural History'

Twenty-four years since the passage of the U.S. Joint Resolution declaring May 25 to be "National Tap Dance Day," tap dance is regarded as a national treasure, a veritable American vernacular dance form celebrated annually in big cities and small towns.