Performing Arts http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1046&ft=1&f=1046 News, interviews, and commentary on theater, the arts, music, and dance. en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Mon, 20 May 2013 17:28:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Performing Arts http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1046&ft=1&f=1046 At L.A.'s UnCabaret, 25 Years Of Letting It All Hang Out Launched as an alternative to the stale stylings of the '80s stand-up circuit, Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy." It's helped establish careers for performers from Kathy Griffin to Randy and Jason Sklar. Mon, 20 May 2013 17:28:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185533378/at-l-a-s-uncabaret-25-years-of-letting-it-all-hang-out?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/20/185533378/at-l-a-s-uncabaret-25-years-of-letting-it-all-hang-out?ft=1&f=1046 Launched as an alternative to the stale stylings of the '80s stand-up circuit, Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy." It's helped establish careers for performers from Kathy Griffin to Randy and Jason Sklar.

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]]> Michigan LGBT Youth Center Does Outreach With A Dance 'Hook' The Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park, Mich., is making an effort to meet its clients where they are — on the dance floor, specifically with the dance form known as "vogue." From there, the center can connect them with counseling, health services, tutoring and clean clothes. Fri, 17 May 2013 17:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/180326971/michigan-lgbt-youth-center-does-outreach-with-a-dance-hook?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/180326971/michigan-lgbt-youth-center-does-outreach-with-a-dance-hook?ft=1&f=1046 The Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park, Mich., is making an effort to meet its clients where they are — on the dance floor, specifically with the dance form known as "vogue." From there, the center can connect them with counseling, health services, tutoring and clean clothes.

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]]> Giving It Away You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:56:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181684003/giving-it-away?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/06/181684003/giving-it-away?ft=1&f=1046 You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return.

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]]> How Do You Get People To Pay For Music? Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan. Fri, 17 May 2013 09:55:47 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181868750/how-do-you-get-people-to-pay-for-music?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/17/181868750/how-do-you-get-people-to-pay-for-music?ft=1&f=1046 Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan.

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]]> From The Heart Of Egypt's Revolt, The Pulse Of Artistic Life Egypt's capital has been associated with protest and political upheaval. But an arts festival attempts to clear away the dust and revitalize a once-glorious cultural hub. Thu, 16 May 2013 15:39:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/16/184511494/From-The-Heart-Of-Egypts-Revolt-The-Pulse-Of-Artistic-Life?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2013/05/16/184511494/From-The-Heart-Of-Egypts-Revolt-The-Pulse-Of-Artistic-Life?ft=1&f=1046 Egypt's capital has been associated with protest and political upheaval. But an arts festival attempts to clear away the dust and revitalize a once-glorious cultural hub.

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]]> 'Show Boat' Steams On, Eternally American A revival of the Hammerstein-Kern classic showcases once again the rich tapestry and timeless themes of an American saga that changed the course of musical theater — and confronted audiences with painful truths about our history. Tue, 07 May 2013 17:01:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181901827/show-boat-steams-on-eternally-american?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181901827/show-boat-steams-on-eternally-american?ft=1&f=1046 A revival of the Hammerstein-Kern classic showcases once again the rich tapestry and timeless themes of an American saga that changed the course of musical theater — and confronted audiences with painful truths about our history.

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]]> Behind The Curtain Of 'Disgraced' A play that tackles Islamophobia and questions of Muslim-American identity recently won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. The play is <em>Disgraced</em>, by first-time playwright Ayad Akhtar. He talks with guest host Celeste Headlee about his play and the significance of the award. Mon, 29 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/179829145/behind-the-curtain-of-disgraced?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/179829145/behind-the-curtain-of-disgraced?ft=1&f=1046 A play that tackles Islamophobia and questions of Muslim-American identity recently won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. The play is Disgraced, by first-time playwright Ayad Akhtar. He talks with guest host Celeste Headlee about his play and the significance of the award.

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]]> When Tonys Tap Faves, Look For These Names The nominations for the 67th Tony Awards are due April 30, and Barbara Chai of <em>The Wall Street Journal</em> has seen pretty much every show on Broadway this season. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Chai about what she loved, what she hated and what's likely to make the Tony cut. Sat, 27 Apr 2013 06:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/27/179032070/when-tonys-tap-faves-look-for-these-names?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/27/179032070/when-tonys-tap-faves-look-for-these-names?ft=1&f=1046 The nominations for the 67th Tony Awards are due April 30, and Barbara Chai of The Wall Street Journal has seen pretty much every show on Broadway this season. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Chai about what she loved, what she hated and what's likely to make the Tony cut.

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]]> 'Guilt Trip': Streisand On Songs, Film And Family Singer, actor, writer, director and producer Barbra Streisand plays a well-meaning if overbearing Jewish mom in <em>The Guilt Trip.</em> The star says her own mother both encouraged her talents and was jealous of them. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:10:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/26/178841563/guilt-trip-streisand-on-songs-film-and-family?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/26/178841563/guilt-trip-streisand-on-songs-film-and-family?ft=1&f=1046 Singer, actor, writer, director and producer Barbra Streisand plays a well-meaning if overbearing Jewish mom in The Guilt Trip. The star says her own mother both encouraged her talents and was jealous of them.

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]]> David Hyde Pierce On 'Song Travels' The TV and Broadway star performs his favorite standards and talks Beethoven, rap and <em>Spamalot</em>. Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2012/05/25/153613391/david-hyde-pierce-on-song-travels?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2012/05/25/153613391/david-hyde-pierce-on-song-travels?ft=1&f=1046 The TV and Broadway star performs his favorite standards and talks Beethoven, rap and Spamalot.

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]]> On Broadway, One Runt To Rule Them All Bob Mondello looks at Broadway's new child-friendly musical <em>Matilda</em> through the prism of his very first commentary for NPR 29 years ago today — a piece about how<em> Annie</em> was really <em>Oliver!</em> in drag. Wed, 24 Apr 2013 19:12:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/178886306/on-broadway-one-runt-to-rule-them-all?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/178886306/on-broadway-one-runt-to-rule-them-all?ft=1&f=1046 Bob Mondello looks at Broadway's new child-friendly musical Matilda through the prism of his very first commentary for NPR 29 years ago today — a piece about how Annie was really Oliver! in drag.

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]]> 'Pippin' Revival Is A Circus Of A Show The smash-hit '70s musical, which made a name for <em>Wicked</em> composer Stephen Schwartz, gets a shiny new production set at the circus — with real-life acrobats and Broadway pros alike in the center ring. Thu, 25 Apr 2013 03:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/178795989/pippin-revival-is-a-circus-of-a-show?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/178795989/pippin-revival-is-a-circus-of-a-show?ft=1&f=1046 The smash-hit '70s musical, which made a name for Wicked composer Stephen Schwartz, gets a shiny new production set at the circus — with real-life acrobats and Broadway pros alike in the center ring.

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]]> L.A. On B'way: Midler, Mengers Take Manhattan The Divine Miss M has had a colorful career, but even she's not as outsize a personality as larger-than-life Hollywood superagent Sue Mengers, whom she portrays in the new solo show <em>I'll Eat You Last.</em> Midler spoke with NPR's Rachel Martin about the role, her career and her love of classic Hollywood. Sun, 21 Apr 2013 05:23:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/21/177825372/l-a-on-bway-midler-mengers-take-manhattan?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/21/177825372/l-a-on-bway-midler-mengers-take-manhattan?ft=1&f=1046 The Divine Miss M has had a colorful career, but even she's not as outsize a personality as larger-than-life Hollywood superagent Sue Mengers, whom she portrays in the new solo show I'll Eat You Last. Midler spoke with NPR's Rachel Martin about the role, her career and her love of classic Hollywood.

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]]> What Is Beauty? Beauty surrounds us, draws us in, gives joy and creates conflict. In this hour, TED speakers conjure up beauty both ancient and modern, and suggest reasons why humans are hardwired to crave and respond to beauty. Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:59:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/174724704/what-is-beauty?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/174724704/what-is-beauty?ft=1&f=1046 Beauty surrounds us, draws us in, gives joy and creates conflict. In this hour, TED speakers conjure up beauty both ancient and modern, and suggest reasons why humans are hardwired to crave and respond to beauty.

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]]> How Does Beauty Feel? Designer Richard Seymour says material things like cars and cassette decks can be beautiful. In fact, they should be. He says within microseconds, people fall in love with a well-designed object, and they "feel" the beauty before they think about it. Tue, 19 Mar 2013 14:38:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/174756128/how-does-beauty-feel?ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/19/174756128/how-does-beauty-feel?ft=1&f=1046 Designer Richard Seymour says material things like cars and cassette decks can be beautiful. In fact, they should be. He says within microseconds, people fall in love with a well-designed object, and they "feel" the beauty before they think about it.

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