What is it, upon hearing of the City Council’s latest contortion on the proposed rail tax-surcharge extension, that brings to mind Shakespeare?

Oh right, it’s this, from “Macbeth”: “It is a tale, Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing.”

The Council will take its final vote Jan. 27 on extending the 0.5 percent general excise tax surcharge for rail by five years, through 2027, due to hefty overruns on the now-$6.57 billion project. But the Council’s painful process has been filled with vows to “cap” the surcharge reaped at about $1 billion, with much talk about any overage to go for non-rail uses. This week’s version at least now aligns the uses with rail, a good thing in order to pass legal muster.

After months of trying to buck the Legislature’s lead on the extension, the Council looks poised to pass it. It should, quickly.

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Ward Village going upscale

The Ward area has been transforming from a retail zone with a “Ward Center” and a “Ward Warehouse” into an upscale development called “Ward Village.”

Is it any surprise that popcorn and hot dogs don’t cut it any more?

The Consolidated Theatres at Ward Village announced this week that it’s moving on up to a bigger screen, better sound and wider seats.

An actual chef is retooling the menu, and soon moviegoers will get better food, and beer and wine as well.

For the price of a movie ticket (surely, that will be going up, too), the cinematic experience of the beautiful people can be enjoyed by all.