Theater http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1144&ft=1&f=1144 Theater en Copyright 2013 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.94 Tue, 07 May 2013 17:01:00 -0400 http://media.npr.org/images/npr_news_123x20.gif Theater http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1144&ft=1&f=1144 '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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/05/07/181901827/show-boat-steams-on-eternally-american?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/29/179829145/behind-the-curtain-of-disgraced?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/27/179032070/when-tonys-tap-faves-look-for-these-names?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/26/178841563/guilt-trip-streisand-on-songs-film-and-family?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2012/05/25/153613391/david-hyde-pierce-on-song-travels?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/178886306/on-broadway-one-runt-to-rule-them-all?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/25/178795989/pippin-revival-is-a-circus-of-a-show?ft=1&f=1144 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=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/21/177825372/l-a-on-bway-midler-mengers-take-manhattan?ft=1&f=1144 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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]]> A 'Caesar' With An African Accent The plays of William Shakespeare are known for their enduring universality, so the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of <em>Julius Caesar --</em> set in a chaotic African dictatorship, with an all-black cast — makes a certain sense. Fri, 12 Apr 2013 13:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/13/177048980/a-caesar-with-an-african-accent?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/13/177048980/a-caesar-with-an-african-accent?ft=1&f=1144 The plays of William Shakespeare are known for their enduring universality, so the Royal Shakespeare Company's new production of Julius Caesar -- set in a chaotic African dictatorship, with an all-black cast — makes a certain sense.

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]]> 'Matilda' Brings Beloved Book To Broadway Roald Dahl's beloved children's novel is set to hit the stage as a Broadway musical. The musical's creators say the show skews closer to the beloved book than to Danny DeVito's 1996 movie, leaning more on the original's naughty charm. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:40:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/11/176704420/matilda-brings-beloved-book-to-broadway?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/11/176704420/matilda-brings-beloved-book-to-broadway?ft=1&f=1144 Roald Dahl's beloved children's novel is set to hit the stage as a Broadway musical. The musical's creators say the show skews closer to the beloved book than to Danny DeVito's 1996 movie, leaning more on the original's naughty charm.

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]]> 'American Utopias': From Disney World To Zuccotti Park In his new one-man show, <em>American Utopias,</em> award-winning monologist Mike Daisey ties together three unlikely places: Disney World, Zuccotti Park — the home base of the Occupy Wall Street movement — and the annual arts event Burning Man. He talks the production and his search for his own utopia. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 13:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/11/176930958/american-utopias-disney-world-burning-man-and-zuccotti-park?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/11/176930958/american-utopias-disney-world-burning-man-and-zuccotti-park?ft=1&f=1144 In his new one-man show, American Utopias, award-winning monologist Mike Daisey ties together three unlikely places: Disney World, Zuccotti Park — the home base of the Occupy Wall Street movement — and the annual arts event Burning Man. He talks the production and his search for his own utopia.

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]]> Was Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. An Ordinary Guy? <em>The Mountaintop</em> is an award-winning play about the night Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died. But some critics don't love playwright Katori Hall's portrayal of the civil rights icon as a regular guy. Hall tells host Michel Martin why she found it important to focus on the man, not the myth. Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/11/176913067/was-rev-martin-luther-king-jr-an-ordinary-guy?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/11/176913067/was-rev-martin-luther-king-jr-an-ordinary-guy?ft=1&f=1144 The Mountaintop is an award-winning play about the night Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. died. But some critics don't love playwright Katori Hall's portrayal of the civil rights icon as a regular guy. Hall tells host Michel Martin why she found it important to focus on the man, not the myth.

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]]> On Broadway, Old Shows And New Tricks These days, a hit show can run not just for years but for decades. So how do you keep it fresh for new audiences? Reporter Jeff Lunden talks to people who work on three of Broadway's biggest hits to find out. Sat, 06 Apr 2013 04:31:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/06/175954357/on-broadway-old-shows-and-new-tricks?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/06/175954357/on-broadway-old-shows-and-new-tricks?ft=1&f=1144 These days, a hit show can run not just for years but for decades. So how do you keep it fresh for new audiences? Reporter Jeff Lunden talks to people who work on three of Broadway's biggest hits to find out.

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]]> 'Sleep Rock Thy Brain' Play Uses Science As Inspiration The Humana Festival of New American Plays is a major event in the theater world. More than 400 plays by some of the world's top playwrights have made their world premieres there since Actors Theatre of Louisville founded it in 1976. And every year Actors Theatre commissions a play specifically for the company's apprentice actors. This year's apprentice show, <em>Sleep Rock Thy Brain</em>, is a suite of three one-acts that all use brain research and stage flying effects to explore the experience of sleep and dreams. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/04/176267994/sleep-rock-thy-brain-play-uses-science-as-inspiration?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/04/176267994/sleep-rock-thy-brain-play-uses-science-as-inspiration?ft=1&f=1144 The Humana Festival of New American Plays is a major event in the theater world. More than 400 plays by some of the world's top playwrights have made their world premieres there since Actors Theatre of Louisville founded it in 1976. And every year Actors Theatre commissions a play specifically for the company's apprentice actors. This year's apprentice show, Sleep Rock Thy Brain, is a suite of three one-acts that all use brain research and stage flying effects to explore the experience of sleep and dreams.

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]]> 'Kinky Boots' Walk Cyndi Lauper To Broadway <em>Kinky Boots,</em> the quirky independent British film, has been turned into a splashy Broadway musical with a score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Reporter Jeff Lunden takes look. Thu, 04 Apr 2013 03:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/04/176136297/kinky-boots-walk-cyndi-lauper-to-broadway?ft=1&f=1144 http://www.npr.org/2013/04/04/176136297/kinky-boots-walk-cyndi-lauper-to-broadway?ft=1&f=1144 Kinky Boots, the quirky independent British film, has been turned into a splashy Broadway musical with a score by pop icon Cyndi Lauper. Reporter Jeff Lunden takes look.

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