Broadway's Disneyfication and AI's Book-Buying Spree: Arts News Roundup

A recent roundup of arts news highlights a growing trend among major institutions to collaborate on art acquisitions, pooling resources and expertise rather than vying for high-profile pieces. This shift is illustrated by the merger of Pittsburgh's CLO and Public Theater, which aims to reduce competition for subscribers and donations. In Glendale, the Alex Theatre, which had not shown a first-run film in 35 years, has now become the leading venue in the U.S. for Christopher Nolan's 'Odyssey'. Additionally, London's West End is surpassing Broadway, as producing a show in New York is three to five times more expensive, leading director John Caird to describe Broadway as becoming 'Disneyfied'. In a curious twist, large quantities of used books are being bought globally, likely by AI companies for training purposes. Meanwhile, young Ivorians have developed 'biama', a new dance style that merges acrobatics and humor, inspired by TikTok challenges. These developments reflect changes in institutional partnerships, theater economics, and AI's impact on culture.