Monster Mash: Breaking news and headlines

-- The perils of breaking tradition: Chicago director Mary Zimmerman is greeted with boos at the Metropolitan Opera. Of course, many also hiss at Achim Fryer and his Los Angeles Opera "Das Rheingold" vision (see comments).

-- The show will go on: Despite universally bad reviews, "Guys and Dolls" will keep running.

-- Listen up: Why the arts are needed in these times of economic depression.

-- It took a study to figure this out?: Arts groups take the biggest hit as corporations and the rich individuals donate less to nonprofits.

-- Never again: Juliette Binoche, on tour with "In-I," her dance collaboration with Akram Khan, says she'll never do another show like this.

-- Rumor has it: Yet another new Cirque du Soleil show? Maybe. This one reportedly starting in Chicago.

-- Do you like Terrence McNally?: Washington's Kennedy Center announces a new season of the familiar and the new.

-- Shuffle for space: Prado Museum reorganizes it permanent collection and is able to expand.

-- Show me the money: NEA releases guidelines for stimulus grants.

-- Big bucks, big sculpture: At $25 million, Jeff Koons' "Train" for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art sets a record.

-- Survival guide: How are architects dealing with the recession?

-- Lisa Fung

Photo: Soprano Natalie Dessay and tenor Juan Diego Florez in Vincenzo Bellini's "La Sonnambula" at the Metropolitan Opera in New York. Credit: Stephen Chernin / Associated Press