Monster Mash: Kennedy Center to merge with Washington National Opera; Jeff Koons’ balloon dog

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Merger: The Kennedy Center has agreed to take over the financially struggling Washington National Opera. (Washington Post)

Frivolous lawsuit?: Jeff Koons has taken legal action against businesses that have produced bookends that resemble the artist’s ‘Balloon Dog’ sculpture. (New York Times)

Behind the camera: Dustin Hoffman is expected to make his movie directorial debut with ‘Quartet,’ a stage-to-screen adaptation about retired opera singers, that is set to begin shooting in the fall. (Indiewire)

The sun will come out: Will Smith is exploring a remake of the movie musical ‘Annie’ as a star vehicle for his daughter. (Variety)

Talking again: Musicians and management of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra are heading back to the bargaining table Thursday in an effort to end a 16-week player’s strike. (Detroit Free Press)

New leadership: The Brooklyn Philharmonic has named Alan Pierson as its new music director. (WNYC)

Branching out: San Francisco’s Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra is starting its own record label. (San Francisco Chronicle)

Setting the stage: The Canadian Opera Company has announced its 2011-2012 season, which will include Kaija Saariaho’s 2000 opera ‘L’Amour de Loin.’ (Globe and Mail)

Guilty: Peter Martins, the director of the New York City Ballet who was arrested on Jan. 1, has pleaded guilty to driving while his ability was impaired. (WNYC)

Also in the L.A. Times: a protest over art censorship will greet Smithsonian chief before L.A. talk Thursday; Times theater critic Charles McNulty on the media battles of ‘Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark’ on Broadway.

-- David Ng