The 91st annual Academy Awards Show, also known as the Oscars, took place on February 24, 2019. According to Oscars.org, “The entertainment community and film fans around the world turn their attention to the Academy Awards”. An estimated 26.9 million fans, as reported by the Statistics Portal, gave their undivided attention to watch the awards show and witness who earned the highest award in each section of entertainment.

Many curiosities arose when The Academy announced they would not include a host at the show this year. Originally, actor and comedian Kevin Hart planned to take the role. However, after a controversy developed regarding his career, he stated, “I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists”.

According to Vox media, “Rumors spread that the Academy had approached several other possible candidates only to be turned down, both before and after the controversy surrounding Hart, perhaps due to the intense public scrutiny that accompanies the toughest hosting gig in Hollywood...Eventually, the Academy confirmed that the awards would proceed without a host for the first time since 1989”.

On the night of the show, many unexpected artists won in their categories. For best actor, Rami Malek took the win, for his portrayal of the late Freddie Mercury in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody. NME News reported, “The actor introduced the importance of the film and stated, “That kid was struggling with his identity, trying to figure himself out. To anyone struggling with theirs and trying to discover their voice – listen, we made a film about a gay man, an immigrant who lived his life just unapologetically himself.”

For best actress, Olivia Coleman took the win, for her role as Queen Anne in The Favourite. Many found this a surprising win, beating out the popular singer and actress, Lady Gaga, in one of the top movies of 2018, A Star Is Born. As reported by Forbes, “In her acceptance speech Colman encouraged "any little girl who is practicing their speech on the telly." Addressing fellow nominee Glenn Close, Colman exclaimed, "Glenn Close, you’ve been my idol for so long and this is not how I wanted it to be. And I think you’re amazing and I love you very much."

Ariana Grande releases a new album containing the hardships and mourning of past relationships

On February 8, 2019, Ariana Grande released her fifth studio album, ‘thank u, next’. The album expresses the emotions of mourning of her ex-long-term boyfriend, Mac Miller, to the love lost with SNL comedian, Pete Davidson. The new album expresses the true feelings she kept to herself for years, but most importantly, she described “saved her life” in an interview on the Zach Sang Show.

Ariana Grande experienced traumatic events in the past couple of years, such as the bombing at the Manchester concert in May 2017, to Mac Miller’s accidental overdose September 2018. Both events influenced her writing of ‘thank u, next’, an album which highlights Grande’s emotional stability through these experiences.

Grande explained the new album in an interview on the Zach Sang Show, “...it kind of, like, saved my life. It was just kind of, like, this super challenging chapter that you know sucked, and then my friends made it amazing and special...the music just feels like how it felt making it,” she said.

Some songs on the album represent or connect to some of those by, her ex, Mac Miller. Songs from Miller’s album ‘Cinderella’ connect to songs on Grande’s ‘thank u, next’. For example, in Imagine by Grande sang, “Staying up all night, order me pad thai” echoes Miller’s song ‘Cinderella’ stating, “And when you hungry, I can chef you up some stir fry”(Grande. Lyrics to “thank u,next. Genius, 2019, genius.com/Ariana-grande-imagine-lyrics.). According to genius.com, the song ‘ghostin’ by Grande mourns the loss of Miller and apologizes to Davidson, her ex-fiance, for the things he encountered as Grande mourned. Overall, the songs related to Miller and the past year were turned to music as a way to escape and let go of the negativity that followed.

The therapeutic album for Grande represents the feelings she went through in the past years, and also the new chapter of her life she grows from each day. The album expresses the emotion people go through everyday, making it relatable to everyday people, like ourselves.

A behind the scenes scoop on Pinnacle Theatre Company and the Culinary club’s latest production.

The recipe for a Pinnacle Theatre Company production: lights, detailed costumes, a vivid set and a spectacular cast and crew of hardworking students and amazing young chefs. On January 30 and 31 and February 1 and 2, Pinnacle Theatre Company presented Murder at the Pie Auction, set at a pie contest in a small Alaskan town. After police discover a prospective contestant dead, hilarious chaos and drama ensue.

The students performed in the culinary room, creating a much more intimate venue with the audience and cast together in such close proximity. The show really aims to make the audience feel involved in the show, even keeping actors at the tables eating with the guests. The lively cast’s ability to improvise and enjoy themselves during the production created a fun atmosphere for the audience and wonderfully showcased the chemistry of the cast. Students bounced off each others’ energy, leading to a very comedic performance. The audience also enjoyed a delicious meal of lobster mac and cheese, delicious baked potatoes, and many other delightful seafood dishes. The night ended with the serving of an amazing baked alaska themed to fit the set. The culinary students, with the help of the two culinary teachers, prepared all the food served at intermission by the waitstaff.

Emma Gasior, who played Felicity Hubbard, said about the experience, “[It has been] Amazing! I love everyone in my cast, we all get along very well... I like having small casts. We all work together, we’re all cooperative. .. we all help each other out.”

This production became the fourth instalment of dinner theater since Melissa-Carroll Jackson took control of PTC, each year getting better than the last. Overall, Pinnacle Theatre Company puts a massive amount of heart into their productions and students should look forward to their next production.