Monster Mash: Cirque founder gets spacey, makeover for Esa-Pekka, ‘Valley Girl,’ the musical

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-- High-flying Guy: Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberte to become Canada’s first space tourist.

-- Like, totally: ‘Shrek: The Musical’ director Jason Moore signed on to helm a film remake of ‘Valley Girl’ as a musical.

-- NEH nominee: Former Iowa Congressman Jim Leach is tapped to head the National Endowment for Humanities.

-- New job, new look: Esa-Pekka Salonen gets a makeover.

-- Reviewing the reviewer: Should critics divulge their political leanings when writing reviews?

-- Star power: Annette Bening takes on ‘Medea’ in UCLA Live season opener.

-- If I were a rich man: French billionaire Francois Pinault opens a new contemporary art museum in Venice.

-- Reality bites: Recession forces cancellation of major art exhibitions around the world.

-- Tracking audiences: LaJolla Playhouse and other theaters take social networking to a new level.

-- Investing in its future: Detroit Symphony Orchestra receives $1 million to be used to raise more money.

-- Copyright suit: Artist Chapman Kelley launches federal appeal over Chicago wildflower artwork.

-- More tragic news: Two more artists among the passengers feared dead in Air France jetliner crash.

-- Puppets make appeal: City Council grants landmark status to Bob Baker Marionette Theater.

-- Beauty in bathrooms: Shoji Tabuchi Theatre in Branson, Mo., Radio City Music Hall in New York and Tampa Theatre in Florida among contenders for best restroom.

-- Lisa Fung