Monster Mash: Discord erupts over L.A.’s ‘Ring’; Tony nomination withdrawn; ‘Carmen’ goes 3-D

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--Dark notes: The two leading singers in the Los Angeles Opera’s ‘Ring’ cycle are openly criticizing director Achim Freyer, saying the production is artistically flawed and dangerous for performers. (Los Angeles Times)

--Deja vu: Santo Loquasto’s Tony nomination for costume design has been withdrawn by Tony officials, who say his creations for the recent revival of ‘Ragtime’ are too similar to the ones he did for the original 1998 production. (Playbill)

--Entering the fray: Aaron Sorkin joins in the debate over the Newsweek essay that said gay actors shouldn’t play straight characters. (Huffington Post)

--‘Aida,’ meet ‘Avatar’: The Royal Opera House in London says it will start to film productions in 3-D for distribution to mass-market audiences, starting with Bizet’s ‘Carmen.’ (Telegraph)

--Color-coordinated: Will ‘Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark’ open in the fall? Patrick Page, who played Dr. Seuss’ grumpy green Grinch on Broadway, reportedly has been offered the role of the Green Goblin in the musical that will feature songs by U2’s Bono and The Edge. (New York Post)

--Grunge hero: A new exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum looks at Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain’s life and death and his influence on contemporary art and music. (Art Daily)

--Bitter battle: The Czech Philharmonic Orchestra has sued the country’s culture minister, accusing him of financial mismanagement when he ran the orchestra, and may continue a boycott that could ruin Prague’s spring music festival. (Prague Post via ArtsJournal)

Also in the Los Angeles Times: Chinese art star Zhang Huan, known for his intense performance works, has brought a huge sculpture to San Francisco; theater critic Charles McNulty reviews the Reprise Theatre Company’s ‘How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying’; music critic Mark Swed reviews the music/mixed-media collaboration ‘Under Glass’ at the Silent Movie Theatre.

-- Karen Wada