Periscope

FLAGS
Color Clash

Chad and Romania are at war--over their flag. Ever since Romania dropped the communist insignia from its blue, yellow and red tricolor in 1989--thereby replicating Chad's post-1959 flag almost identically (the shades of blue are unnoticeably different)--both sides have refused to budge. The issue has now been handed over to the United Nations, which may soon find itself dealing with another flag debate. The new design for Iraq's flag, unveiled last Tuesday, used a blue similar to Israel's, angering many Iraqis. But mostly they were annoyed at having been left out of the decision-making process. Late in the week a darker tone of blue was inserted. This should at least cool the debate--until yet another new flag is chosen in the summer by the new government.
--Andrew Ehrenkranz

THEATER
Rockin' the Playhouse

Elvis Presley's swaggering on-screen charisma made "Jailhouse Rock" a sizzling, if cheesy, film, and inspired legions of impersonators. Now there's a new Elvis onstage, in "Jailhouse Rock: The Musical," which recently debuted in London. Although the musical doesn't really stray from the film's somewhat formulaic plot (white boy from wrong side of the tracks kills fiance of his love interest, a rich young socialite, and winds up in jail), it has earned decent reviews. And night after night, it's had audiences dancing in the aisles with electric renditions of classics like "Blue Suede Shoes," "Suspicious Minds" and "Tutti Frutti." (The show doesn't include its title track, as the production couldn't obtain the rights.) But amid all the rockin' and rollin', there's one crucial thing missing: the King himself. Mario Kombou does his best to capture the demi-god, but appears apprehensive of re-creating Elvis's raunchy sexuality--there's just no oomph in his hips, thrusts or grunts. Perhaps it's too much to ask of any actor to portray one of the greatest performers who ever lived.

Thankfully, though, Kombou does find his voice, allowing the music to speak for itself and become the musical's saving grace. A musical lives and dies by its songs; so does a legend. Elvis has long left the building, but he still shakes, rattles and rolls.
--Tara Pepper

CLONING
Copycats, Soon Dogs