E-mail a friendOctober 4, 2005
Author Salman Rushdie critiques the world's ability to process multiculturalism. Cirque du Soleil director Franco Dragone discusses his newest production, Le R've.
Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie
Salman Rushdie is an award-winning British author, known for igniting controversy. His book, The Satanic Verses, resulted in Iran's Ayatollah Khomeini placing Rushdie under a "fatwa" (death sentence). Forced into hiding, he continued to publish books. He was born in India and has worked in TV in Pakistan, as an actor and as a freelance ad copywriter. He's also served as president of PEN American Center, a human rights and international literary organization. Rushdie's latest book is The Enchantress of Florence.
Franco Dragone
Franco Dragone
Skilled at merging theater and circus, Franco Dragone is the mastermind behind the cutting-edge Cirque du Soleil productions, including Mystère and Le Ràve. He also created "A New Day" for Céline Dion at Caesars Palace. As a child, the Italian-born director moved with his parents to Belgium. He studied acting and eventually began working with street performers and the circus arts. An assignment choreographing a performance of Canada's National Circus School led to his first Cirque commission.