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Scoop
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Chicago – The Musical Opens This Week
Directed by Michael Hurst AUCKLAND THIS THURSDAY 31 JULY | BRUCE MASON CENTRE | TICKETMASTER CHRISTCHURCH 17 – 24 AUGUST | ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL | TICKETEK Get ready, Auckland—the razzle dazzle is about to begin. The global smash-hit Chicago the Musical opens on Thursday night, bringing all the scandal, sass, and show-stopping glamour of the roaring '20s with it. This explosive new production lights up the stage at the Bruce Mason Centre before sashaying its way to Christchurch and Dunedin for strictly limited seasons. 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 Mama 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, and multi-discipline artist Hannah Tasker-Poland (Legend of the Seeker, Ash vs Evil Dead) as the fiery inmate Liz. 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. These showstopping performances are supercharged by some of New Zealand's finest musicians, with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra and Dunedin Symphony Orchestra bringing the heat live on stage in their home cities. 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. Don't miss your chance to experience the scandal, seduction and showbiz of Chicago the Musical—live on stage this winter. It would be a crime to miss it.
Hamilton Spectator
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Pornography is a problem': Smith defends new rules for Alberta school libraries
Alberta's premier says 'pornography is a problem for young adults' in remarks defending her government's move to remove sexually explicit content from school library shelves this fall. Danielle Smith was responding to criticism received via text on her provincewide phone-in radio program on Saturday that a lack of education funding and overcrowded classrooms were more important issues than library content. Smith replied it's important the province make sure young children are exposed to age-appropriate material, and that they're 'not exposed to pornographic images early.' On Thursday, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but noted the move is not about book banning. The new policy stems from an announcement Nicolaides made in May after he said four inappropriate coming-of-age graphic novels were found in school libraries in Edmonton and Calgary. Smith encouraged people to go online themselves and view explicit images from the books, telling listeners they'll be scratching their heads wondering how they got into elementary schools in the first place. 'If I am not permitted to describe to you the kind of images that seven-year-olds are seeing because it would offend your audience, then we shouldn't be showing them to seven-year-olds,' Smith said. 'So yeah, I think it's important that we make sure that young children are exposed to age-appropriate material only and that they're not exposed to pornographic images early.' On the question of priorities, Smith said her government is holding consultations with the public and teachers about other issues in schools, such as violence in the classroom. 'That is the biggest issue that we've been hearing from teachers, that in some situations, violent students are making life unsafe for our teachers,' Smith said. The novels in question are written by American authors: 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe, 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel, 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson and 'Flamer' by Mike Curato. When Nicolaides announced plans for new rules back in May, Smith posted on social media that 'parents are right to be upset.' As part of the announcement Thursday, Nicolaides issued a list of specific sex acts that can't be explicitly described in library books alongside new rules for what students can read. No students will be allowed to access what the government calls explicit sexual content, including detailed depictions of masturbation, sexual penetration or sexual physical contact. By Jan. 1, new school board policies must be in place dictating how books are selected and reviewed. An online government survey before Thursday's announcement found that the majority of respondents across demographics don't support the government setting new standards for school library books. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling said in a statement the new rules will add to teachers' workload, politicize a 'non-issue' and target vulnerable students. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
‘Pornography is a problem': Smith defends new rules for Alberta school libraries
Alberta's premier says 'pornography is a problem for young adults' in remarks defending her government's move to remove sexually explicit content from school library shelves this fall. Danielle Smith was responding to criticism received via text on her provincewide phone-in radio program on Saturday that a lack of education funding and overcrowded classrooms were more important issues than library content. Smith replied it's important the province make sure young children are exposed to age-appropriate material, and that they're 'not exposed to pornographic images early.' On Thursday, Education Minister Demetrios Nicolaides said sexually explicit content must be gone from school library shelves as of Oct. 1, but noted the move is not about book banning. The new policy stems from an announcement Nicolaides made in May after he said four inappropriate coming-of-age graphic novels were found in school libraries in Edmonton and Calgary. Smith encouraged people to go online themselves and view explicit images from the books, telling listeners they'll be scratching their heads wondering how they got into elementary schools in the first place. 'If I am not permitted to describe to you the kind of images that seven-year-olds are seeing because it would offend your audience, then we shouldn't be showing them to seven-year-olds,' Smith said. 'So yeah, I think it's important that we make sure that young children are exposed to age-appropriate material only and that they're not exposed to pornographic images early.' On the question of priorities, Smith said her government is holding consultations with the public and teachers about other issues in schools, such as violence in the classroom. 'That is the biggest issue that we've been hearing from teachers, that in some situations, violent students are making life unsafe for our teachers,' Smith said. The novels in question are written by American authors: 'Gender Queer' by Maia Kobabe, 'Fun Home' by Alison Bechdel, 'Blankets' by Craig Thompson and 'Flamer' by Mike Curato. When Nicolaides announced plans for new rules back in May, Smith posted on social media that 'parents are right to be upset.' As part of the announcement Thursday, Nicolaides issued a list of specific sex acts that can't be explicitly described in library books alongside new rules for what students can read. Weekly A weekly look at what's happening in Winnipeg's arts and entertainment scene. No students will be allowed to access what the government calls explicit sexual content, including detailed depictions of masturbation, sexual penetration or sexual physical contact. By Jan. 1, new school board policies must be in place dictating how books are selected and reviewed. An online government survey before Thursday's announcement found that the majority of respondents across demographics don't support the government setting new standards for school library books. Alberta Teachers' Association president Jason Schilling said in a statement the new rules will add to teachers' workload, politicize a 'non-issue' and target vulnerable students. This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2025.
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Alberta government orders removal of sexually explicit books from school libraries
Alberta's government has introduced new province-wide standards for school libraries , mandating the removal of books containing explicit sexual content from K-12 schools by October 1. The move, announced through a ministerial order by Education and Childcare Minister Demetrios Nicolaides, comes after months of growing debate over certain graphic novels available in public school libraries. 'This is not about banning books,' Nicolaides said. 'Our actions to ensure that materials in school libraries don't expose children to sexual content were never about banning books. These new standards are to ensure school boards have clear guidance to ensure age-appropriate access while reflecting the values and priorities of Albertans.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo The order prohibits materials with 'a detailed and clear depiction of a sexual act,' including masturbation, genital contact, and penetration. Non-explicit sexual content will only be available to students in Grades 10-12 if deemed developmentally appropriate. Students in Grade 9 and below are not allowed access to such materials. Books specifically named by the province as inappropriate include: Live Events Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe Fun Home by Alison Bechdel Blankets by Craig Thompson Flamer by Mike Curato These books were found in both elementary and high schools under the Calgary Board of Education and the Edmonton Public School Board. The government says materials about puberty, menstruation, and breastfeeding are not restricted at any grade level. Religious books, such as the Bible, are exempt from the new order. School boards must now: Remove all books with explicit sexual content by October 1, 2025 Publicly post their library catalogues Ensure staff supervise students' access to library resources Align their policies with the new standards by January 1, 2026 No additional funding has been allocated to support schools in implementing these changes. The Calgary Board of Education responded, saying it 'already has rigorous processes' for evaluating library materials. The Calgary Catholic School District also stated it 'will align with the new mandated standards.' Critics, including public librarians and teacher unions, argue this is a political move targeting LGBTQ+ content. 'This is a ban in all but name,' said Peter Bailey, CEO of St. Albert Public Library. An online government survey that received over 77,000 valid responses showed 42 percent of Albertans supported banning sexually explicit content outright, while 22 percent favored limiting it based on grade level. The policy does not apply to classroom materials selected by teachers or municipal libraries located within school buildings.
Edmonton Journal
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Alberta announces ban on explicit sexual content in school libraries
Article content There is no additional government funding for school boards alongside the new policy. Article content The new standards will apply to public, separate, francophone, charter, and independent schools, but not to municipal libraries located within schools or to materials chosen by teachers as learning resources. Article content 'Our primary concern from the very beginning has been around material that's really graphic and around sexual content, and making sure that it's age appropriate,' Nicolaides told Postmedia in an interview last month. Article content More than 77,000 Albertans submitted responses to the province's survey on establishing provincewide standards, with a majority saying they were not supportive of that move. Article content The survey cited four books as examples of materials that the ministry found objectionable for children: Maia Kobabe's Gender Queer, Alison Bechdel's Fun Home, Craig Thompson's Blankets, and Mike Curato's Flamer, all of which deal with 2SLGBTQIA+ themes, and have sexual imagery and language. Article content Article content Responses from parents of school-aged children made up just under half of all responses to the survey with 'interested Albertans' representing the next biggest cohort at one-third of replies. Article content Nicolaides has said the policy is in reaction concerns he had heard from parents 'for quite some time.' Article content A freedom of information request from Postmedia seeking correspondence from Albertans objecting to certain books in schools produced fewer than five emails going back to the spring of 2023. Article content The Christian lobby group Action4Canada has claimed credit for 'behind-the-scenes' lobbying of the Alberta government. Article content Nicolaides confirmed ministry officials met with the group last fall, but downplayed the impact of those meetings. Article content 'They had brought some materials to our attention so that helped to get a better understanding of the nature of materials that was available in schools. But, you know, this is a topic that I've talked with many Albertans about.' Article content Article content — With files from Cindy Tran and Steve Sandor Article content Article content
