Monster Mash: Breaking news and headlines

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

--And the winner is: ‘Black Watch,’ ‘God of Carnage,’ ‘Jersey Boys’ and ‘La Cage Aux Folles’ are among the shows honored with 2009 Olivier Awards.

--Hitting a low note: Opera companies are especially hard hit during the economic recession.

--Cue ‘Unchained Melody’: The musical version of the 1990 film ‘Ghost,’ with music and lyrics by former Eurythmics member Dave Stewart, is planned for London in 2010.

--Better late than never: Dutch police recover paintings by Pissaro and Renoir 22 years after they were stolen.

--Case closed: No retrial is planned for the artist whose inflatable artwork killed two people and injured 27.

--Case not yet closed: The German government will appeal a ruling on the return of posters seized by the Nazis.

--Whoops: The stunt bidder who won disputed Chinese bronzes at auction thwarted another who had planned to return the items to China.

--Secrets of the Bard: A newly discovered portrait of Shakespeare? And ... the remains of what may have been the playwright’s ‘lost’ theater are uncovered.

--Drama over comedy: A writer has claimed that Alan Ackybourn stole his play.

--Love for Leonardo: Museums nationwide get in Da Vinci mode.

--Lisa Fung