NPR Topics: Performing Arts

NPR Topics: 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. Copyright 2009 NPR - For Personal Use Only NPR API RSS Generator 0.93 Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://media.npr.org/images/podcasts/thumbnail/npr_generic_image_75.jpg Performing Arts http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1046&ft=1&f=1046 yes A Caribbean Take On Shakespeare's 'Much Ado' Director Timothy Douglas looked to his Caribbean roots for inspiration for his staging of <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em>. The familiar characters in Douglas's latest production exchange barbs, rumors and lies with island accents in a vibrant alley in modern-day Washington D.C. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120833744&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120833744&ft=1&f=1046 Director Timothy Douglas looked to his Caribbean roots for inspiration for his staging of <em>Much Ado About Nothing</em>. The familiar characters in Douglas's latest production exchange barbs, rumors and lies with island accents in a vibrant alley in modern-day Washington D.C. 1033 no Director Timothy Douglas looked to his Caribbean roots for inspiration for his staging of Much Ado About Nothing. The familiar characters in Douglas's latest production exchange barbs, rumors and lies with island accents in a vibrant alley in modern-day Washington D.C.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> In China, Creating A Menagerie Through Mimicry Professional mimics in China used to imitate sounds as a form of entertainment. Not many practitioners are left, but one family is trying to preserve the art. Cheng Jiaqiang, who learned his skills from his grandfather, has a barnyard repertoire but specializes in bird songs. Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:50:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120760741&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120760741&ft=1&f=1046 Professional mimics in China used to imitate sounds as a form of entertainment. Not many practitioners are left, but one family is trying to preserve the art. Cheng Jiaqiang, who learned his skills from his grandfather, has a barnyard repertoire but specializes in bird songs. 252 no Professional mimics in China used to imitate sounds as a form of entertainment. Not many practitioners are left, but one family is trying to preserve the art. Cheng Jiaqiang, who learned his skills from his grandfather, has a barnyard repertoire but specializes in bird songs.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Turan's Book Spotlights Theater Producer Joe Papp There's a new book out about legendary theater producer Joseph Papp. Kenneth Turan's book is called <em>Free for All: Joe Papp, the Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told.</em> Papp founded the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Public Theater. He also produced works like <em>Hair</em> and <em>A Chorus Line.</em> Mon, 23 Nov 2009 06:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676350&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120676350&ft=1&f=1046 There's a new book out about legendary theater producer Joseph Papp. Kenneth Turan's book is called <em>Free for All: Joe Papp, the Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told.</em> Papp founded the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Public Theater. He also produced works like <em>Hair</em> and <em>A Chorus Line.</em> 439 no There's a new book out about legendary theater producer Joseph Papp. Kenneth Turan's book is called Free for All: Joe Papp, the Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told. Papp founded the New York Shakespeare Festival and the Public Theater. He also produced works like Hair and A Chorus Line.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> 'The Vibrator Play': Why Yes, It Is About Exactly That Any short list of important young American playwrights would have to include Sarah Ruhl, who at age 35 has had work performed at major theaters around the country. She made her Broadway debut Nov. 19, with a period drama called <em>In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play.</em> But as Jeff Lunden reports, it's as much about intimacy and honesty as about sexuality. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120463597&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120463597&ft=1&f=1046 Any short list of important young American playwrights would have to include Sarah Ruhl, who at age 35 has had work performed at major theaters around the country. She made her Broadway debut Nov. 19, with a period drama called <em>In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play.</em> But as Jeff Lunden reports, it's as much about intimacy and honesty as about sexuality. 296 no Any short list of important young American playwrights would have to include Sarah Ruhl, who at age 35 has had work performed at major theaters around the country. She made her Broadway debut Nov. 19, with a period drama called In the Next Room, or The Vibrator Play. But as Jeff Lunden reports, it's as much about intimacy and honesty as about sexuality.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> One-Woman Show Explores Human Side Of Health Care Actress Anna Deavere Smith traveled across the country interviewing people about their thoughts on health care. From an injured bull rider to a medical school dean, she recounts what she heard through monologues in her latest documentary-style theater production, <em>Let Me Down Easy.</em> Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120387137&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120387137&ft=1&f=1046 Actress Anna Deavere Smith traveled across the country interviewing people about their thoughts on health care. From an injured bull rider to a medical school dean, she recounts what she heard through monologues in her latest documentary-style theater production, <em>Let Me Down Easy.</em> 1719 no Actress Anna Deavere Smith traveled across the country interviewing people about their thoughts on health care. From an injured bull rider to a medical school dean, she recounts what she heard through monologues in her latest documentary-style theater production, Let Me Down Easy.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Theater Producer Takes The Stage As New NEA Chair Former Broadway producer Rocco Landesman is about to embark on a journey that will take him way off-Broadway: Peoria, Ill. is his first stop on "Art Works," a six-month tour of arts organizations around the country. Thu, 05 Nov 2009 05:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114044365&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114044365&ft=1&f=1046 Former Broadway producer Rocco Landesman is about to embark on a journey that will take him way off-Broadway: Peoria, Ill. is his first stop on "Art Works," a six-month tour of arts organizations around the country. 316 no Former Broadway producer Rocco Landesman is about to embark on a journey that will take him way off-Broadway: Peoria, Ill. is his first stop on "Art Works," a six-month tour of arts organizations around the country.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Lead Of Closed Broadway Revival On Experience <em>Brighton Beach Memoirs</em> opened on Broadway to generally positive reviews on Oct. 25. A week later, the revival of Neil Simon's hit closed due to poor ticket sales. Lead actor Noah Robbins says the cast was told about the closure half an hour before a performance. Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:00:00 -0500 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120065995&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=120065995&ft=1&f=1046 <em>Brighton Beach Memoirs</em> opened on Broadway to generally positive reviews on Oct. 25. A week later, the revival of Neil Simon's hit closed due to poor ticket sales. Lead actor Noah Robbins says the cast was told about the closure half an hour before a performance. 248 no Brighton Beach Memoirs opened on Broadway to generally positive reviews on Oct. 25. A week later, the revival of Neil Simon's hit closed due to poor ticket sales. Lead actor Noah Robbins says the cast was told about the closure half an hour before a performance.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> 'Finian's Rainbow' Arcs Over Broadway Again The 1947 musical gets its first full-scale Broadway revival starting Oct. 29. The production took 10 years to assemble, but producers say the timing is great: Yip Harburg's witty lyrics and the show's pointed political satire make it the perfect musical for a country still reeling from a major economic recession. Thu, 29 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114294754&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114294754&ft=1&f=1046 The 1947 musical gets its first full-scale Broadway revival starting Oct. 29. The production took 10 years to assemble, but producers say the timing is great: Yip Harburg's witty lyrics and the show's pointed political satire make it the perfect musical for a country still reeling from a major economic recession. 306 no The 1947 musical gets its first full-scale Broadway revival starting Oct. 29. The production took 10 years to assemble, but producers say the timing is great: Yip Harburg's witty lyrics and the show's pointed political satire make it the perfect musical for a country still reeling from a major economic recession.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Jackson's New Career: Permanent, Posthumous Brand The Michael Jackson concert film <em>This Is It</em> — cut together from rehearsals filmed in the months before the pop star's death — is just the latest venture to highlight how valuable the coin of celebrity can remain even after a star's life is over. Nate DiMeo looks at the big business of posthumous brand management. Wed, 28 Oct 2009 05:10:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114168764&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114168764&ft=1&f=1046 The Michael Jackson concert film <em>This Is It</em> — cut together from rehearsals filmed in the months before the pop star's death — is just the latest venture to highlight how valuable the coin of celebrity can remain even after a star's life is over. Nate DiMeo looks at the big business of posthumous brand management. 238 no The Michael Jackson concert film This Is It — cut together from rehearsals filmed in the months before the pop star's death — is just the latest venture to highlight how valuable the coin of celebrity can remain even after a star's life is over. Nate DiMeo looks at the big business of posthumous brand management.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> NBC News Anchor Brian Williams Plays 'Not My Job' Williams joins <em>Wait Wait</em> at New York City's Carnegie Hall to play a game called "You are the very worst act ever to play this stage": three questions about music legend(?) Florence Foster Jenkins. Sat, 24 Oct 2009 13:17:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114075281&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114075281&ft=1&f=1046 Williams joins <em>Wait Wait</em> at New York City's Carnegie Hall to play a game called "You are the very worst act ever to play this stage": three questions about music legend(?) Florence Foster Jenkins. 1050 no Williams joins Wait Wait at New York City's Carnegie Hall to play a game called "You are the very worst act ever to play this stage": three questions about music legend(?) Florence Foster Jenkins.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> A Murder Mystery Musical Targets China's Yuppies Meng Jinghui is China's most avant-garde theater director: One of his plays focuses on the obsessive love of a rhino keeper. Now, he takes a stab at reinventing the musical with a story that deals with murder, death and "people collapsing in this ridiculous society." Wed, 21 Oct 2009 15:51:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114008271&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=114008271&ft=1&f=1046 Meng Jinghui is China's most avant-garde theater director: One of his plays focuses on the obsessive love of a rhino keeper. Now, he takes a stab at reinventing the musical with a story that deals with murder, death and "people collapsing in this ridiculous society." 304 no Meng Jinghui is China's most avant-garde theater director: One of his plays focuses on the obsessive love of a rhino keeper. Now, he takes a stab at reinventing the musical with a story that deals with murder, death and "people collapsing in this ridiculous society."

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Tales Of Suffering And Succor, Written On The Body As the health care debate rages on, solo theater artist Anna Deavere Smith brings her own singular perspective to the table. For her new documentary play, <em>Let Me Down Easy</em>, she talked to more than 300 people on three continents. Their stories became a show about "the power of the body, the cost of care and the resilience of the spirit." Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113771426&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113771426&ft=1&f=1046 As the health care debate rages on, solo theater artist Anna Deavere Smith brings her own singular perspective to the table. For her new documentary play, <em>Let Me Down Easy</em>, she talked to more than 300 people on three continents. Their stories became a show about "the power of the body, the cost of care and the resilience of the spirit." 307 no As the health care debate rages on, solo theater artist Anna Deavere Smith brings her own singular perspective to the table. For her new documentary play, Let Me Down Easy, she talked to more than 300 people on three continents. Their stories became a show about "the power of the body, the cost of care and the resilience of the spirit."

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> 'Ten Years Later,' The Matthew Shepard Story Retold The 1999 play <em>The Laramie Project</em> explores the true story surrounding the death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998. The case, which became a landmark symbol for hate crimes, still elicits varied reactions — which is why on Oct. 12, hundreds of other theaters around the world will perform <em>The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, an Epilogue.</em> Mon, 12 Oct 2009 16:00:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113663235&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113663235&ft=1&f=1046 The 1999 play <em>The Laramie Project</em> explores the true story surrounding the death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998. The case, which became a landmark symbol for hate crimes, still elicits varied reactions — which is why on Oct. 12, hundreds of other theaters around the world will perform <em>The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, an Epilogue.</em> 345 no The 1999 play The Laramie Project explores the true story surrounding the death of Matthew Shepard, a young gay man who was beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyo., in 1998. The case, which became a landmark symbol for hate crimes, still elicits varied reactions — which is why on Oct. 12, hundreds of other theaters around the world will perform The Laramie Project: Ten Years Later, an Epilogue.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Firesign Theater Reignites For 40th Birthday During the mid-1960s, the Firesign Theatre started on radio in Los Angeles and produced a series of records that became cult classics — with detective "Nick Danger: Third Eye" becoming one of their most famous characters. Now the troupe gathers to celebrate Danger's 40th birthday. Mon, 12 Oct 2009 14:26:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113733752&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113733752&ft=1&f=1046 During the mid-1960s, the Firesign Theatre started on radio in Los Angeles and produced a series of records that became cult classics — with detective "Nick Danger: Third Eye" becoming one of their most famous characters. Now the troupe gathers to celebrate Danger's 40th birthday. 1818 no During the mid-1960s, the Firesign Theatre started on radio in Los Angeles and produced a series of records that became cult classics — with detective "Nick Danger: Third Eye" becoming one of their most famous characters. Now the troupe gathers to celebrate Danger's 40th birthday.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]> Charles Strouse's Big Scores, From 'Annie' To 'Birdie' The Tony Award-winning composer created the music and lyrics for more than a dozen stage hits, including <em>Annie, Applause</em> and <em>Bye Bye Birdie.</em> Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:52:00 -0400 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113653650&ft=1&f=1046 http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113653650&ft=1&f=1046 The Tony Award-winning composer created the music and lyrics for more than a dozen stage hits, including <em>Annie, Applause</em> and <em>Bye Bye Birdie.</em> 1278 no The Tony Award-winning composer created the music and lyrics for more than a dozen stage hits, including Annie, Applause and Bye Bye Birdie.

» E-Mail This » Add to Del.icio.us

]]>