Podcast appearances and mentions of Dominique Morisseau

https://penumbratheatre.org/event/paradise-blue

In playwright Dominique Morisseau's "Bad Kreyòl," a first-generation Haitian-American travels to Haiti to reconnect with a relative, exploring the relationships between the characters and the countries they reside in. Morisseau discusses the show, which is running through December 1 in a world premiere at the Signature Theatre.

My Guest is KIM WESTON-MORAN, Actress/Producer/Director/Teacher. Kim is CEO of RA/RHYTHMCOLOR Associates and Founder/Producing Artistic Director of POTPOURRI! World Works Series, in it's 8th year. She was Associate Prod. for the National Black Touring Circuit for 7 yrs.A veteran award-winning actress known for her character work. Kim has shared the stage with phenomenal artists, including: Minnie Gentry, Bill Gunn, Roxie Roker, Phyllcia Rashad, Gylan Kain, Patricia O'Connell, Anthony Chisholm, Ellen Dolan, S. Epatha Merkinson, Charles Weldon, Barbara Montgomery, Reggie Montgomery, Marjorie Johnson, Count Stovall, Bill Cobbs, Dominique Morisseau and Darnell Williams. It is a great episode that evokes wonderful memories of being in the theater in New York City in the 70's forward. And you get to know who her famous father was!Produced, directed, edited and hosted by Stephen E Davis

Season 2 of The Melanated Archives Podcast is in full effect! And we are kicking things off with an insightful, bold, and deeply melanated chat with the iconic actor of stage and screen, Mr. Russell Hornsby! Russell currently stars off-Broadway in Dominique Morisseau's SUNSET BABY at New York's Signature Theatre. Known for his groundbreaking work as Charles Flenory in the Stars hit show BMF, Hornsby's resume consists of dynamic characters with complex and layered histories. A veteran of the stage, Hornsby is also a celebrated August Wilson actor, amongst last generation of actors hand-picked by the beloved playwright himself. You don't want to miss this transformative and rich conversation in episode 1 of season 2 of The Melanated Archives Podcast. This Episode's Guests Include: Russell Hornsby: Instagram - @russoulhornsby Theme Music: Funky Suspense - courtesy of Bensound.com Follow Our Show & Our Hosts: TMA Instagram: @themelanatedarchives TMA Website: https://www.themelanatedarchives.com/ Kendra Holloway: Instagram - @kendra2shay Brandon Rachal: Instagram - @brandonrachal_ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themelanatedarchives/support --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/themelanatedarchives/support

Bonus Episode Alert! Survival Jobs Co-Host Jason A. Coombs islive on the red carpet at The Black Theatre Coalition Inaugural Gala from Monday, February 12, 2024! Featuring interviews with special guest performer Bebe Winans and special guest attendees including La Chanze, Soshana Bean, Reggie Van Lee, Malena Belafonte, David Belafonte, Jonathan McCrory, Kevin Boseman, Laura Benanti, Alexa Smith, Sade Lythcott, Irene Gandy, Warren Adams, T. Oliver Reed, Cody Renard Richard, Anthony Wayne, Dominique Morisseau, Jonathan Burke and Sideeq Heard among others! The Black Theatre Coalition was founded by T. Oliver Reid, Warren Adams and Reggie Van Lee during the Summer of 2019. They identified the disparity between the growing inclusivity onstage, versus the almost non-existence of Black professionals off stage. Black Theatre Coalition officially filed as a nonprofit 501(c)(3) in June of 2020. Black Theatre Coalition's mission is to remove the “illusion of inclusion” in the American Theatre by building a sustainable ethical roadmap that will increase employment opportunities for Black theatre professionals. For more information about the Black Theatre Coalition, visit their website: https://blacktheatrecoalition.org/. You can support the podcast and the hosts at www.buymeacoffee.com/SurvivalJobsPod and on Instagram at @surivaljobspod | @SammyTutz | @JasonACoombs.  Info on Your Hosts:  Broadway World Article on our Season 2 Launch Party Follow Samantha: Instagram.   |  Samantha's Official Website here Follow Jason on Instagram  | Twitter. Check out Jason's Official Website here Check out and support The Bridgeport Film Fest Important Links: Support the citizens of Gaza Native Land Map US Interior Indian Affairs NPR: "How To Help Puerto Rico" Article How to Help the People of Florida Article Abortion Funds Website Plan C Pills Website National Write Your Congressman Link How to help Uvalde families NPR Article Where to Donate to Support Access to Abortions Right Now Support Us... Please!  If you're feeling generous, Buy Us A Coffee HERE! Please don't become complacent: Support the Black Mamas Matter Alliance Support Families Detained and Separated at the Border.  Support the AAPI Civic Engagement Fund. Support Black Trans Folx here Donate to the Community League of the Heights (CLOTH) Support the People of Palestine How to be an Ally to the AAPI Community 168 Ways to Donate in Support of Black Lives and Communities of Color The New York Times: On Mexico's Border With U.S., Desperation as Migrant Traffic Piles Up PBS: How to help India during its COVID surge — 12 places you can donate Covid quarantine didn't stop antisemitic attacks from rising to near-historic highs Opening and Closing Theme Music: "One Love" by Beats by Danny | Game Music: "Wake Up" by MBB.  If you enjoy Survival Jobs: A Podcast be sure to subscribe and follow us on your preferred podcast listening app! Also, feel free to follow us on Instagram and Twitter! Thank you!! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

My Guest is KIM WESTON-MORAN, Actress/Producer/Director/Teacher. Kim is CEO of RA/RHYTHMCOLOR Associates and Founder/Producing Artistic Director of POTPOURRI! World Works Series, in it's 8th year. She was Associate Prod. for the National Black Touring Circuit for 7 yrs.A veteran award-winning actress known for her character work. Kim has shared the stage with phenomenal artists, including: Minnie Gentry, Bill Gunn, Roxie Roker, Phyllcia Rashad, Gylan Kain, Patricia O'Connell, Anthony Chisholm, Ellen Dolan, S. Epatha Merkinson, Charles Weldon, Barbara Montgomery, Reggie Montgomery, Marjorie Johnson, Count Stovall, Bill Cobbs, Dominique Morisseau and Darnell Williams. It is a great episode that evokes wonderful memories of being in the theater in New York City in the 70's forward. And you get to know who her famous father was!

Dominique Morisseau joins Windham-Campbell Prizes director Michael Kelleher to talk about the still-resonant power of Pearl Cleage's What Looks Like Crazy on an Ordinary Day, representing Black men on the page and onstage, the AIDS epidemic and COVID, and why the writers of Family Guy seem to hate Meg. Reading List: Idlewild, Michigan for colored girls... by Ntozake Shange The Color Purple by Alice Walker Family Guy (1999-present) Flyin' West and Other Plays by Pearl Cleage For a full episode transcript, click here. Dominique Morisseau has established herself as not only one of America's preeminent dramatists but as a visionary force in the field of theater across the globe. Her body of work, including the hugely ambitious and critically acclaimed three-play cycle The Detroit Project (Skeleton Crew [2016], Paradise Blue [2015], and Detroit '67 [2013]), is both deeply poetic and sharply philosophical, drawing upon the rich histories of Black American literature, music, and activism to create unflinching—and wildly entertaining—dramatic experiences. In the Detroit Project plays, as well as in standalone works like Confederates (2022), Pipeline (2017), and Blood at the Root (2014), Morisseau dramatizes the entanglement of art and politics with care, sophistication, and a fervent conviction. Morisseau also has made an impact as a leader in her artistic communities. Countless young writers name Morisseau as a key influence, and her perspectives on community-building, inclusion, and transparency have changed the culture of theater-making for the better. Her many accolades include, most recently, a Drama Desk Award (2019), a MacArthur Fellowship (2018), two Obie Awards (2018, 2016), and a Steinberg Playwright Award (2015). She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.

2017 Tony Award®-nominee, Michelle Wilson, stops by the podcast to discuss her latest work, starring in The Coast Starlight at Lincoln Center Theater. In this conversation, Michelle shares her journey into the industry, what it was like working with Dominique Morisseau and Lynn Nottage, and how the power of human connection can save us.  Edited by Justin Payne Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

To Be Heard, To Be Seen, To MatterShaunda McDill is the newly appointed Managing Director of the Pittsburgh Public Theater. She is a rare type of new leader coming of age in the modern American Theater – black women who are ascending to top roles in major theatrical institutions across the country. She joins the ranks of theatrical trailblazers like Nataki Garrett, Artistic Director at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival; Dominique Morisseau, Executive Artistic Producer at Detroit Public Theater; Patricia McGregor, Artistic Director at New York Theater Workshop; and Hana Sharif, the Augustin Family Artistic Director at Repertory Theater of St. Louis. All wrestling with that question of how do we create space within the canon of the theater to make as much room as possible for a multitude of voices, perspectives, and stories to emerge that are as diverse and as expansive as is the landscape of the country today. Because in the final analysis, it comes down to Representation. And whose stories get to be heard, to be seen and to matter.For Shaunda, her answer to that question has its roots in her nontraditional journey to the Pittsburgh Public Theater. As a young girl her life as an artist began by performing in skits at the local Red Cross to highlight HIV/AIDS for kids, and reciting Bible verses in the Easter Pageants at her church. Along the way, she was mentored by such theater and literary luminaries as Ntozake Shange and August Wilson, and influenced by the words of Langston Hughes, James Baldwin, and Toni Morrison. She formed her own theater company called Demaskus – that unapologetically creates space for the underserved and underrepresented people in the theater to have the artistic license to succeed and fail, and to explore freely their artistry on their own terms. For as Shaunda says, “It is necessary for us to tell our own stories if they are going to be told. We must bear witness to what happens and what has transpired in our lives.” She has built a life buttressed by her strong, unshakeable faith and her belief that her approach to creativity isn't about struggling to convince others of her humanity, but rather a struggle to produce work and art that reflects her vision of the world. Her life and her career are not exercises in looking outward, rather they are the result of Shaunda looking inward into her innermost soul.At the Podium WebsiteAt the Podium on IGPatrick on IGFor more information contact Patrick at patrick@patrickhueyleadership.com

"Paradise Blue" will have its final stagings on February 25th and 26th, and "Skeleton Crew" will run from March 3rd through the 11th.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Artwaves Luis Alfaro, playwright, whose latest play is “The Travelers,” at the Magic Theatre in Fort Mason, San Francisco, February 15 – March 5, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Luis Alfaro is a Los Angeles-based Chicano activist and playwright, on the faculty at USC, whose plays have been performed throughout the United States and who is a former playwright in residence at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, discusses his life and career in this full hour interview. Among his previous works are “Oedipus el Rey” and “Bruja,” both of which were performed at the Magic. “The Travelers” is set in the small town of Grangeville, near Fresno, in a monastery, into which stumbles a man who has been shot. The interview was recorded via zencastr on February 7, 2023. Complete 55-minute interview. Luis Alfaro Wikipedia page.   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from last year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Hanif Abudurraqib, February 23, 7 pm. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto, February 15-26, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael. American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater. through March 5. Poor Yella Rednecks: Vietgone 2 by Qui Nguyen, March 30 – May 7, Strand. At the Rueff in the Strand: Tea Party by Gordon Dahlquist, directed by Erin Merritt, 12 performances only, March 2 – 19, 2023. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Through February 26, streaming February 21-26. Cyrano by Edmond Rostand, adapted by Josh Costello, April 7 – May 7. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee, February 25 – April 2, Roda Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. Lady Gaga #ARTBIRTH with Gaga impersonator Athena Reich, Palace Theatre (home of Speakeasy), March 16-19, multiple shows daily. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: My Fair Lady, February 21 -26, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. The Broadway Bash fund-raiser, February 25, Doubletree Rohnert Park. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, postponed to a later date. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  What Do Women Say? Fighters for Freedom, International Womens Day, March 8, 2023, 7 pm Brava Theatre Center. Landmark Musical Theater. Uncle Vanya, Feb. 16-18; Feb 23-25, 7 pm. Rocky Horror Picture Show with San Francisco's Bawdy Caste, February 11, 10:30 pm (movie at midnight). Annie Warbucks, sequel to Annie, March 11 – April 9, 2023, at the Landmark, 533 Sutter, SF. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There by Dipika Guha, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom postponed. Locusts Have No King by C. Julian Jimenez, April 7 – May 14. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Note: PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland permanently close on March 18, 2023. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: Spring Awakening In Concert, June 8-10, Victoria Theatre. Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, September 8 – October 1, Victoria Theatre. The Rocky Horror Show, Oasis Nightclub, October 6  – 31. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein's at the Nikko. San Francisco Playhouse.  Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 to February 25, 2023. Clue, based on the screenplay, March 9 – April 27, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Satchmo at the Waldorf by Terry Teachout, February 1 – 26, 2023. Grand Horizons by Bess Wohl, April 5 – 30. 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. Siren by Lisa Villamil, staged reading, on demand through February 15, 2023. Triumph of Love by Pierre de Marivaux, March 25 – April 23, streaming on demand, April 6, April 13. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. Singin' In the Rain, May 13 – June 3. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  A Guide for the Homesick by Ken Urban, February 23 – March 19. Julian! by John Fisher, March 1, 7 pm. Sticky Rice by Roni B. Alvarez, staged reading, March 14, 7 pm. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. See website for free staged readings. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, by Cheryl L. West, March 8 – April 8, 2023, Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto. Word for Word.  See schedule for  live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org             The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – February 16, 2023: Luis Alfaro appeared first on KPFA.

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis this weekend will become just the third company to perform the play by Dominique Morisseau. It presents the parallel stories of an enslaved woman who becomes a spy for the Union army during the Civil War, and a current-day professor at a private university battling systemic racism.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Bookwaves Jane Smiley, whose latest novel is “A Dangerous Business,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. The author of seventeen adult fiction novels, two short story collections, five non-fiction works plus several young adult novels, Jane Smiley is the Pulitzer Prize winning author of “A Thousand Acres,” and more recently The Last Hundred Years Trilogy. She current teaches creative writing. “A Dangerous Business” takes us to Monterey, California in the early 1850s as Eliza Ripple, newly widowed and still only eighteen, winds up at a house of prostitution in order to survive and have a life of her own. The book follows her as she meets a friend who works out of a similar house for women, and the two embark on the trail of a murderer of women. Recorded January 20, 2023. Complete 35-minute Interview   Bookwaves Fay Weldon (1931-2023) who died on January 4th, 2023 at the age of 91, published 31 novels during her lifetime, including The Life and Loves of a She Devil, one of four novels which later became films. She was also a playwright, short story writer, television writer and non-fiction author. Richard A. Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky interviewed her in the KPFA studios in March 1990 while she was on tour for her now classic novel, The Cloning of Joanna May. Fay Weldon's career continued for the next thirty years after the interview with several novels, including a sequel to She-Devil, more plays, more short stories and several works of non-fiction. We had a second chance to interview Fay Weldon two years later while she was on tour for her novel, Life Force. That interview will air later this year. This interview was digitized, remastered, and edited in February, 2023 by Richard Wolinsky. First time on the air in over thirty years. Complete 39-minute Interview.   Review of “Clyde's” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theater through February 26, 2023.   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from last year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Hanif Abudurraqib, February 23, 7 pm. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto, February 2-12, ARC (Arts Research Center, UC Berkeley); February 15-26, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael. American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater.February 9 – March 5. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. Lady Gaga #ARTBIRTH with Gaga impersonator Athena Reich, Palace Theatre (home of Speakeasy), March 16-19, multiple shows daily. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: My Fair Lady, February 21 -26, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. The Broadway Bash fund-raiser, February 25, Doubletree Rohnert Park. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, postponed to a later date. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  What Do Women Say? Fighters for Freedom, International Womens Day, March 8, 2023, 7 pm Brava Theatre Center. Landmark Musical Theater. Uncle Vanya, Feb. 16-18; Feb 23-25, 7 pm. Rocky Horror Picture Show with San Francisco's Bawdy Caste, February 11, 10:30 pm (movie at midnight). Annie Warbucks, sequel to Annie, March 11 – April 9, 2023, at the Landmark, 533 Sutter, SF. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom postponed. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Note: PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland permanently close on March 18, 2023. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: Spring Awakening In Concert, June 8-10, Victoria Theatre. Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, September 8 – October 1, Victoria Theatre. The Rocky Horror Show, Oasis Nightclub, October 6  – 31. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein's at the Nikko. San Francisco Playhouse.  Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 to February 25, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Satchmo at the Waldorf by Terry Teachout, February 1 – 26, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. Siren by Lisa Villamil, staged reading, on demand through February 15, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  A Guide for the Homesick by Ken Urban, February 23 – March 19. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. See website for free staged readings. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In Every Generation, by Ali Viterbi, January 18 – February 12, Mountain View Center for the Arts. Word for Word.  See schedule for  live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org             The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – February 9, 2023: Jane Smiley – Fay Weldon appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Artwaves Wil Haygood, author of Colorization: One Hundred Years of Black Films in a White World, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Colorization looks at the history of Hollywood from the perspective of the African American community, from protests over the showing of the racist silent film, “Birth of a Nation,” to the first great Black director, Oscar Micheaux, through the forties and the rise of black actors such as Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte and Dorothy Dandridge, to so-called Blaxploitation films and up to the present, all the while putting the films in context of the larger society and race in America. In the interview, he discusses the origins of the book, the careers of some of the Black pioneers in Hollywood film, and the way television and streaming has changed the race equation in our culture. Wil Haygood is a journalist who spent several years with the Washington Post before writing a series of biographies. He is also known for an essay in the Post which became the source for the successful film, Lee Daniels' The Butler. Complete 42-minute interview.   Bookwaves Second of two parts: Dennis Lim, film critic and Artistic Director of the New York Film Festival and author of “Tale of Cinema,” an examination of the work of South Korean film-maker Hong Sang-soo, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. A retrospective of the works of Hong Sang-soo, selected by Dennis Lim runs February 3 -18 at BAMPFA in Berkeley. Dennis Lim was previously the the director of programming of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Before that he was film editor at the Village Voice, and has taught at Harvard University and NYU. His first book, David Lynch: The Man from Another Place, was published in 2015. This second part of the interview focuses on Dennis Lim's own career, his view of movies today, and a brief discussion about the work of David Lynch. Complete Interview.   Review of “In Every Generation” at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts through February 12, 2023.   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from last year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Hanif Abudurraqib, February 23, 7 pm. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto, February 2-12, ARC (Arts Research Center, UC Berkeley); February 15-26, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael. American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater.February 9 – March 5. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Bluey's Big Play by Joe Brumm, February 3 -5, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  streaming January 27-29. The Broadway Bash fund-raiser, February 25, Doubletree Rohnert Park. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom postponed. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Note: PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland permanently closes on March 18, 2023. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: Spring Awakening In Concert, June 8-10, Victoria Theatre. Cruel Intentions: The '90s Musical, September 8 – October 1, Victoria Theatre. The Rocky Horror Show, Oasis Nightclub, October 6  – 31. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein's at the Nikko. San Francisco Playhouse.  Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 to February 25, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Satchmo at the Waldorf by Terry Teachout, February 1 – 2, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. Siren by Lisa Villamil, staged reading, on demand through February 15, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  A Guide for the Homesick by Ken Urban, February 23 – March 19. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. Free staged reading: Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (You Too August Wilson) by Rachel Lynett, February 7, 7 pm. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In Every Generation, by Ali Viterbi, January 18 – February 12, Mountain View Center for the Arts. Word for Word.  See schedule for  live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org             The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – February 2, 2023: Wil Haygood – Dennis Lim appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Artwaves A scene from the film “Tale of Cinema.” Dennis Lim, film critic and Artistic Director of the New York Film Festival and author of “Tale of Cinema,” an examination of the work of South Korean film-maker Hong Sang-soo, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Dennis Lim was previously the the director of programming of the Film Society of Lincoln Center. Before that he was film editor at the Village Voice, and has taught at Harvard University and NYU. His first book, David Lynch: The Man from Another Place, was published in 2015. His new book, Tale of Cinema about the South Korean director Hong Sangsoo, focuses on all of Hong's work through the lens of the 2005 film of the same name. Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive, BAMPFA is having a retrospective of seven of Hong Sangsoo's films from February 3rd through February 18th, including Tale of Cinema on opening night. Most of Hong's films are available for rental through Apple and Amazon streaming, and ten can be found on the free library app, Kanopy, including two from the BAM/PFA retrospective. Complete Interview Photos courtesy Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive (BAMPFA)   Bookwaves Russell Banks (1940-2023), who died on January 7, 2023, in conversation with Richard A. Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios on June 7, 2000 while on tour for his short story collection, The Angel on the Roof. Russell Banks, who died on January 7th, 2023 at the age of 82 was a master of long and short form fiction. In a career that began in 1975 and continued to his death, there were 14 novels, six collections of short stories, two volumes of poetry, and three works of non-fiction. Among his novels were Affliction and The Sweet Hereafter, both of which became critically acclaimed films, plus Continental Drift and Cloudsplitter. His most recent novel, The Magic Kingdom, was published in 2022. The interview was digitized, remastered and edited in January 2023 and hasn't been aired in over twenty years. Russell Banks Wikipedia page   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from this year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto, February 2-12, ARC (Arts Research Center, UC Berkeley); February 15-26, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael. American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl February 9 – March 5 by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Bluey's Big Play by Joe Brumm, February 3 -5, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  streaming January 27-29. The Broadway Bash fund-raiser, February 25, Doubletree Rohnert Park. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom March 3 – April 1, 2023. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Note: PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland permanently closes on March 18, 2023. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions. San Francisco Playhouse.  Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 to February 25, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Satchmo at the Waldorf by Terry Teachout, February 1 – 2, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  A Guide for the Homesick by Ken Urban, February 23 – March 19. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. Free staged reading: Apologies to Lorraine Hansberry (You Too August Wilson) by Rachel Lynett, February 7, 7 pm. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In Every Generation, by Ali Viterbi, January 18 – February 12, Mountain View Center for the Arts. Word for Word.  See schedule for  live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org             The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – January 26, 2023: Dennis Lim – Russell Banks appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues Jack O'Brien, theatre director and author of Jack in the Box, or How to Goddamn Direct, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. Jack O'Brien has won three Tony Awards and has been nominated seven times. The former artistic director of The Old Globe in San Diego, from 1981 to 2007, he's one of the premier directors working in America today. Among his Broadway shows are The Full Monty, Hairspray, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Catch Me If You Can and The Coast of Utopia. He directed the much lauded 2018 revival of Carousel on Broadway. Most recently, in 2021, he directed Hairspray in London. This book, his second after a memoir, Jack Be Nimble, discusses some of the lessons he has learned as a director, but quickly changes into reminiscences about such performers as Marsha Mason, Jerry Lewis and John Goodman, playwright Tom Stoppard, and fellow director Mike Nichols. The interview focuses on his early career, the future of theatre after the pandemic, directing Shakespeare, and other issues. Complete 57-minute interview. Jack O'Brien Wikipedia page   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from this year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto, February 2-12, ARC (Arts Research Center, UC Berkeley); February 15-26, Art Works Downtown, San Rafael. American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl February 9 – March 5 by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Bluey's Big Play, January 21 – 22, Golden Gate; Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Bluey's Big Play by Joe Brumm, February 3 -5, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  January 6 – 22, 2023. The Broadway Bash fund-raiser, February 25, Doubletree Rohnert Park. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom March 3 – April 1, 2023. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Note: PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland permanently closes on March 18, 2023. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions. San Francisco Playhouse.  Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 to February 25, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Satchmo at the Waldorf by Terry Teachout, February 1 – 2, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  A Guide for the Homesick by Ken Urban, February 23 – March 19. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In Every Generation, by Ali Viterbi, January 18 – February 12, Mountain View Center for the Arts. Word for Word. Staged Reading: Two Stories by Toni Cade Bambara, January 23, 7 pm, Z Below. See schedule for additional live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org             The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – January 19, 2023: Jack O'Brien appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Bookwaves Suzy McKee Charnas, in the 1980s. Suzy McKee Charnas (1939-2023), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded over Halloween Weekend, 1981 at the World Fantasy Convention in the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley. Suzy McKee Charnas, who died on January 2nd, 2023 at the age of 83, was a novelist and short story writer focusing on fantasy and science fiction. Over a career that began in 1974 with her first novel, Walk to the End of the World, she wrote eleven novels and several short stories, winning both the Hugo and Nebula Awards for Best short stories. She is best known for her tetralogy of novels, The Holdfast Chronicles, beginning with the aforementioned Walk to the End of the World and concluding with The Conquerer's Child in 1999. In 1981, she had just written three novels, focusing on feminist issues in a field that was still dominated by men. Her second novel, Motherlines, which featured no male characters at all, was decades ahead of its time. A lot has changed since 1981, and the interview also serves as a time capsule in terms of both questions and answers, and in regard to feminist writing, publishing and genre writing. She continued to work steadily after 1981, but she wrote no more novels after 1999, though short stories continued to be published. None of her works were adapted for television or film, though she did adapt The Vampire Tapestry for the stage in 2001. The interview aired once shortly after the recording, and was digitized, remastered and edited on January 4, 2023. Complete 29-minute interview.   Artwaves Richard Wolinsky and Frank Galati, 2019. Frank Galati (1943-2023), who died on January 2, 2023 at the age of 79, was a giant in American theatre. A long-time member of the legendary Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Frank Galati was winner of Tony Awards for the adaptation and direction of The Grapes of Wrath in 1990, was nominated for an Oscar for co-adapting The Accidental Tourist for the screen, and was the director of Ragtime and The Pirate Queen on Broadway. Frank Galati is also known for adapting several other works for stage and screen. Frank Galati was in the San Francisco Bay Area to direct a production of “Rhinoceros” by Eugene Ionesco at ACT's Geary Theatre, and it was in ACT's offices that this interview took place on May 22, 2019. “Rhinoceros” is considered to be one of the greatest works of political theatre of the absurd. Originally produced in the late 1950s, the play hearkens back to the origins of fascism and how propaganda infects the minds of citizens. At the end of the interview, Frank Galati discusses his upcoming project, a musical version of James Agee's “A Death in the Family,” with music and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Ragtime, A Man of No Importance). The show, titled “Knoxville” made its world premiere at the Asolo Repertory Company in Sarasota Florida in April 2022, and an original cast album was released digitally in October and on disc in November, 2022. First posted as a Bay Area Theater podcast on June 2, 2019. Photos: Richard Wolinsky Complete 42-minute interview.   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from this year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl February 9 – March 5 by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: The Simon & Garfunkel Story, January 18, Golden Gate; Bluey's Big Play, January 21 – 22, Golden Gate; Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Annie, January 10-15, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  January 6 – 22, 2023. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom March 3 – April 1, 2023. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions. San Francisco Playhouse.  As You Like It, a musical adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, November 17, 2022 – January 14, 2023. Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 0 February 25. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Strange Courtesies by L. Peter Callender February 1 – 26, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In Every Generation, by Ali Viterbi, January 18 – February 12, Mountain View Center for the Arts. Word for Word. Staged Reading: Two Stories by Toni Cade Bambara, January 23, 7 pm, Z Below. See schedule for additional live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org             The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – January 12, 2023: Suzy McKee Charnas – Frank Galati appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Bookwaves Vanessa Veselka, whose latest novel is “The Great Offshore Grounds,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. “The Great Offshore Grounds” is an epic novel about two sisters on a quest to find themselves during the upheavals of the current era. It's a detailed examination of feminism, of lives lived on the edge, and of life in the parts of America we hear little about. Vanessa Veselka's first novel, “Zazen,” has just been reissued by Vintage. Published by a small press over a decade ago, it looks at the travails of young adults set against the backdrop of an ever-increasing political violence in America. Both novels are available in trade paperback. Vanessa Veselka, the daughter of journalist Linda Ellerbee, left home at the age of fifteen and early in her life lived the life of a homeless vagabond, eventually becoming a professional musician in the Pacific Northwest, a union organizer, and a writer of fiction. Complete 51-minute interview.   Bookwaves Robert B. Parker (1932-2010) is known today as one of the most important writers of detective fiction during the final quarter of the 20th Century. His wise cracking Boston private eye, Spenser, Spenser's sidekick Hawk, and girlfriend Susan Silverman have become iconic figures. When Parker died at the age of 77 in 2010, 38 Spenser novels had been published. Two more came out posthumously, and a third was completed by his agent. Novelist Ace Atkins has now written nine more Spenser novels. The series Spenser for Hire, starring Robert Urich and Avery Brooks ran for three seasons, and Brooks had a spin-off that ran for half a season, A Man Called Hawk. Several television movies were also made from Parker's Spenser books, the most recent, Spenser Confidential, is actually based on one of Ace Atkins' Spenser novels. This interview hosted by Richard Wolinaky and Lawrence Davidson, was recorded in the spring of 1981 while Robert B. Parker was on tour for his novel, Early Autumn, and marked the first Probabilities interview with a mystery writer. His career hadn't advanced under his first publisher, Houghton-Mifflin, and he switched to Delacorte, and Parker's audience began to grow. This was his seventh Spenser novel, and his eighth over all (Wilderness had come out late in 1980 and Looking for Rachel Wallace was his first under the new contract. At the time of the interview, his first five novels were all out of print in paperback. Though he says in the interview his detective fiction would be limited to the Spenser series, eventually he branched out to write another series of nine books featuring Jesse Stone, a former LAPD detective who becomes the police chief in a small New Enngland town, and six novels featuring Sunny Randall, a female detective. Eventually there was some crossover between the three series. Along the way, he also wrote a handful of westerns, the Cole and Hitch series, and two books featuring Raymond Chandler's detective, Philip Marlow. When Parker died in 2010 of a sudden heart attack, the family decided to let other writers continue the Spenser, Stone and western series, which go on to this day. Complete 40-minute Interview.   Review of “As You Like It” at San Francisco Playhouse through January 14, 2023.     Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from this year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl February 9 – March 5 by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Clydes, by Lynn Nottage, January 20 – February 28, Peets Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: RESPECT, A Celebration of the Music of Aretha Franklin, January 6-7, Golden Gate; The Simon & Garfunkel Story, January 18, Golden Gate; Bluey's Big Play, January 21 – 22, Golden Gate; Dear Evan Hanson, January 24 – February 19, Orpheum; Mean Girls, January 31 – February 26, Golden Gate. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Annie, January 10-15, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  January 6 – 22, 2023. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom March 3 – April 1, 2023. Oakland Theater Project.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions. San Francisco Playhouse.  As You Like It, a musical adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, November 17, 2022 – January 14, 2023. Cashed Out by Claude Jackson, Jr., January 28 0 February 25. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Strange Courtesies by L. Peter Callender February 1 – 26, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. Extended to February 25, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. In Every Generation, by Ali Viterbi, January 18 – February 12, Mountain View Center for the Arts. Word for Word. See schedule for live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org           The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – January 5, 2023: Vanessa Veselka – Robert B. Parker appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Bookwaves Shelley Singer (1939-2022), mystery author of six Jake Samson mysteries and four Barrett Lake mysteries, and former book reviewer on KPFA, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff, recorded on November 19, 1986 at her East Bay home. Mystery and suspense novelist Shelley Singer died of heart failure on November 10, 2022 at the age of 83. The author of six mysteries, two science fiction novels, one mainstream novel and several short stories, she was a key writer in the Sisters in Crime movement of the nineties. She also taught fiction writing and served as a manuscript consultant. Richard Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky interviewed Shelley Singer at her home on November 19, 1986. At the time of the interview, she'd published three Jake Samson mysteries with a fourth on the way, along with an early science fiction novel. A few months after the interview, she joined the two Richards for a monthly series of book review programs. Her participation lasted two or three years before she moved north and after a time chose to forgo the long commute to Berkeley. Warm and welcoming, but not suffering fools, Shelley was a joy to work with, and her reviews were well-thought out and incisive. But it was her friendship at the time that was most important. Over the course of the next decades of her life, Shelly continued to write Jake Samson mysteries, moved over to a new amateur detective, Barrett Lake, and began a three-volume science fiction series, of which the first volume, “Torch Song” was published in 2014. “Torch Song” and the Jake Samson mysteries are available through Amazon. This interview was digitized and edited in December 2022 and has not been heard in over thirty years. Complete interview.   Bookwaves Philip Pullman, author of the “His Dark Materials” trilogy, “The Golden Compass,” “The Subtle Knife” and “The Amber Spyglass” is interviewed by host Richard Wolinsky. Recorded November 30, 2000. Philip Pullman is the acclaimed author of a series of three  tantasy novels, titled collectively, “His Dark Materials” (there's also a novella, a short story and a graphic novel in the series). Originally marketed as young adult novels, these books take on Judeo-Christian notions of morality as well as the way belief systems are manipulated by organized religion — all in the guise of a coming of age fantasy taking place on a world like, and very unlike, our own. A failed 2007 version of “The Golden Compass” opened in theaters, and was not followed by sequels. Currently HBO is running a series based on the trilogy. In 2017, Philip Pullman began a prequel series, “The Book of Dust,” with “La Belle Sauvage,” and dealing with the events where Lyra, as a baby, is brought to Oxford. The second volume in that series, “The Secret Commonwealth,” was published in October, 2019. This interview was conducted during Philip Pullman's only author tour through the United States. The program has been remastered and reedited in 2019 by Richard Wolinsky. (featured image, 2008, Anna via Flickr, Creative Commons) Complete 30-minute interview.     Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from this year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto American Conservatory Theatre  The Headlandsl February 9 – March 5 by Christopher Chen, Toni Rembe Theater. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Wuthering Heights, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, November 18 – January 1, Roda Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Frozen, through December 30, 2022, Orpheum Theater; Beetlejuice through December 31, 2022. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Annie, January 10-15, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: Red Bike, by Carldad Svich, directed by Jeffrey Lo. February  4 – 25, 2023. Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  January 6 – 22, 2023. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Next show to be announced. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Oy Vey in a Manger, by the Kinsey Sicks, December 7 – 31, 2022. Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom March 3 – April 1, 2023. Oakland Theater Project. Book of Sand: A Fairy Tale by Lisa Ramirez, On Demand through January 3, 2026.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. Sleeping Beauty: Panto at the Presidio, December 1 – 30, 2022. Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions. San Francisco Playhouse.  As You Like It, a musical adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, November 17, 2022 – January 14, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Strange Courtesies by L. Peter Callender February 1 – 26, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. November 5 – February 4, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Little Shop of Horrors, November 30 – December 31, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto. Word for Word. See schedule for live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org         The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – December 29, 2022: Shelley Singer – Philip Pullman appeared first on KPFA.

Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Links to assorted local theater & book venues   Eyad and Helen. Photos: Ehab Onan Helen Benedict, co-author (with Eyad Awwadawnon) of “Map of Hope and Sorrow: Stories of Refugees Trapped in Greece,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Helen Benedict is the author of seven novels, including “Wolf Season” and “Sand Queen,” and five books of non-fiction. Her latest book, “Map of Hope and Sorrow,” co-written by Eyad Awwadawnon, a Syrian refugee who was planning to get a law degree in Damascus, is partly an oral history of refugees coming to Greece after escaping from their home countries. Helen Benedict teaches journalism at Columbia University,. In the interview, she discusses how she first came to meet Eyad, and then takes a look at the stories of the refugees in the book, focusing on stories that didn't quite make it into the book, and then looks at the harsh terrain of life in the camps.   Review of “Little Shop of Horrors” at TheatreWorks Lucie Stern Theater in Palo Alto through December 31, 2022.   Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors' positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time. Book Stores Bay Area Book Festival  Highlights from this year's Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar. Book Passage.  Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events. Books Inc.  Mix of on-line and in-store events. The Booksmith.   Monthly Calendar. On-line events only. Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months. Kepler's Books  On-line Refresh the Page program listings. Live Theater Companies Actor's Reading Collective (ARC).  See website for past streams. Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto American Conservatory Theatre  A Christmas Carol, November 30 – December 24, Toni Rembe Theater. Aurora Theatre Paradise Blue by Dominique Morisseau, Opens January 27, 2023, streaming February 21-26. Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming. Berkeley Rep Wuthering Heights, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, November 18 – January 1, Roda Theatre. Boxcar Theatre. See website for events. Brava Theatre Center: See website for events. BroadwaySF: Frozen, through December 30, 2022, Orpheum Theater; Beetlejuice through December 31, 2022. Bill Maher, live on stage, March 12, 2023. Broadway San Jose: Annie, January 10-15, 2023. California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced. Center Rep: A Christmas Carol December 8 – December 22, 2022 Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023. Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs,  January 6 – 22, 2023. Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023. Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023. Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, February 3 – 36, 2023. 42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre. Golden Thread  See website for upcoming productions. Landmark Musical Theater. See website for upcoming shows. Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Halie! The Mahalia Jackson Musical, world premiere. December 2 – 24, at the Magic. Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic. Marin Theatre Company Justice: A New Musical by Lauren Gunderson, February 16 – March 12, 2023. Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page. New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Oy Vey in a Manger, by the Kinsey Sicks, December 7 – 31, 2022. Getting There, Jan. 20 – Feb. 26. Tick, Tick … Boom March 3 – April 1, 2023. Oakland Theater Project. Book of Sand: A Fairy Tale by Lisa Ramirez, On Demand through January 3, 2026.  Exodus to Eden by Michael Socrates Moran, in theater, February 3-26, 2023. Pear Theater. In Repertory, Frankenstein by Mary Shelley, a new physical adaptation, Dontrell Who Kissed The Sea by Nathan Alan Davis, February 3-26. 2023. PianoFight. Calendar of shows. PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows. Presidio Theatre. Sleeping Beauty: Panto at the Presidio, December 1 – 30, 2022. Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions. San Francisco Playhouse.  As You Like It, a musical adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, November 17, 2022 – January 14, 2023. SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows. San Jose Stage Company: Strange Courtesies by L. Peter Callender February 1 – 26, 2023. Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. November 5 – February 4, 2023. South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023. The Breath Project. Streaming archive. The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream. Theatre Rhino  Truman Capote's A Christmas Memory, performed by Sandra Schlechter December 20, 7 pm. Limited seating.At Theatre Rhino (formerly Spark Arts). Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Little Shop of Horrors, November 30 – December 31, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto. Word for Word. See schedule for live and streaming works. Misc. Listings: BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA. Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings. Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February. Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar. Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows. San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings. San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings. Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you'll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down. National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country. Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog. If you'd like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write Richard@kpfa.org       The post Bookwaves/Artwaves – December 22, 2022: Helen Benedict appeared first on KPFA.

Today on Too Opinionated we speak with actor Tony Ofori!  His first big break came when he was cast in the popular American superhero television series Supergirl (The CW) as Miles. Since then, Tony has appeared in several major film and television productions including The Boys (Amazon Prime), Coroner (Netflix), American Gods (Starz), Song & Story: Amazing Grace (OWN Network), and A Royal Queens Christmas. Tony's recent theatrical productions include Actually (Obsidian Theatre), Copy That (Tarragon Theatre) and Pipeline (Soulpepper Theatre). Branching out, Tony has also voiced animated shows, audiobooks and national events which include the 2018 Winter Olympics, Let's Go Luna and DeRo and My Life. Coming up next, Tony will recur as Malcolm in the highly anticipated third season of the hit children's mystery television series Ghostwriter set to make its premiere on Apple TV+ on October 21st. Most recently, he was nominated for the prestigious 2022 Dora Mavor Moore Awards for Outstanding Performance in a Leading Role for Soulpepper Theatre Company's production of American playwright Dominique Morisseau's play, Pipeline. Other future projects include playing Canada's very first Black Track and Field Olympian and legend John Armstrong Howard on the upcoming season of the mystery drama series Murdoch Mysteries (CBC). He will also be back on stage and in rehearsal for an adaptation of Ann-Marie MacDonald's book Fall on Your Knees with Canadian Stage in November. Understanding the importance of giving back, Tony currently sits on the board for Black Scholar Dollars, a non-profit organization whose mission is to serve Black post-secondary students in the Greater Toronto Area, eliminating educational and economic injustice, one student at a time. Want to watch: YouTube Meisterkhan Pod (Please Subscribe)

A conversation with Oregon Shakespeare Festival's artistic director Nataki Garrett and playwright Dominique Morisseau about Confederates.

Jordan Ealey and Leticia Ridley of Daughters of Lorraine, a black feminist theatre podcast, interview award-winning and acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau on her recent Broadway productions of Ain't Too Proud and Skeleton Crew, the future of Detroit theatre and performance, and reckoning with American history. Ealey and Ridley discuss Morisseau's own practice of reparative creativity and the ability for theatre to serve as a rehearsal for true change.

Jordan Ealey and Leticia Ridley interview award-winning and acclaimed playwright Dominique Morisseau about her recent Broadway productions of Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations and Skeleton Crew; the future of Detroit theatre and performance; and reckoning with American history. Ealey and Ridley discuss Morisseau's practice of reparative creativity and the ability for theatre to serve as a rehearsal for true change.

In this episode READ MORE PLAYS hosts Ricardo Frederick Evans and Jennifer Sassaman discuss the play Pipeline By Dominique Morisseau. Theme music by Kalyn Harewood, with additional music by Bob Sassaman.Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for updates and discussions you can participate in.  Support us on Patreon to get bloopers, dramaturgy, and other bonus content. Please like and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.Links to items referenced in this episode:1. A full plot summary of the play can be found on the Plot Synopses page of our website: https://www.readmoreplays.com/plot-synopsis2. Information about the analytic technique used in this and other episodes can be found in the Text Analysis page of our website: https://www.readmoreplays.com/analysis

Now it's time for a visit with Midday theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck, who joins us each week with her reviews of the Maryland stage. Today, she spotlights the new touring company production of Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations, lighting up the stage this week only, at Baltimore's historic Hippodrome Theatre. The smash-hit 2019 Broadway musical — nominated for 12 Tony® Awards and the winner of the 2019 Tony Award for Best Choreography — follows The Temptations' extraordinary musical careers from their Detroit roots to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. During a decade of civil unrest and political turmoil, their smart-stepping, smoothly harmonized performances won the group 42 Top Ten Hits — with 14 reaching number one. Ain't Too Proud was written by three-time Obie Award winner Dominique Morisseau, is directed by two-time Tony Award winner Des McAnuff (Jersey Boys), and features the Tony-winning choreography of Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys, On Your Feet!). The musical also features many of the group's greatest hits, including Ain't Too Proud to Beg, My Girl, Just My Imagination, Get Ready, Papa Was a Rolling Stone, and others. Ain't Too Proud - The Life and Times of the Temptations continues at the Hippodrome Theatre through Sunday, May 8. For showtimes and ticket info, click here. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's time again for a visit with Midday theater critic J. Wynn Rousuck, who joins Tom each week with her reviews of the regional stage. Today, she spotlights two new community theater productions. The first is A Doll's House, Part 2,playwright Lucas Hnath's modern-day, 2017 sequel to Henrik Ibsen's iconic 1879 play about a married woman's quest for self-fulfillment in a male-dominated world, on stage at Fells Point Corner Theatre now through April 10. Steven Goldklang directs the production, which stars Holly Pasciullo and Tom Piccin as Nora and Torvald Helmer. The second play is Sunset Baby,a 2013 work by the Tony Award-winning playwright Dominique Morisseau, now in a new production at Baltimore's Arena Players, the oldest continuously operating African American theater in the nation. Morisseau's powerful play about an aging Black revolutionary and his wayward daughter is directed by Mari Andrea Travis, and stars Curtis McNeil and Jha'Neal Blue. Sunset Baby runs through April 3. Follow the theater links above for more information and ticketing. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alright now! It's that time! Time to go Off Book with Drew, Kim, & Ngozi! Listen in as Kim shows how close she is to being a conservative, Ngozi talks about the new musical she's writing the book for, Drew laments about his work week, and the entire crew talks about how none of them are the 'brownstone friend.' Hot topics include Hadestown coverage, R.I.P. Johnny Brown, the Oscar curse, all of the Broadway Openings, and more! Then get into the Signature Theatre's Black Theatre Night Panel Discussion for the play Confederates by Dominique Morisseau moderated by Jerrie Johnson (Harlem), featuring Dria Brown (Broadway Advocacy Coalition), Dr. Fabienne Doucet (NYU Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools), Dominique Morisseau (Playwright/Activist), Brandon Michael Nase (Broadway for Racial Justice). Go into the world of black theatre artists on this weekly podcast with a playwright, an actress, & a journalist as they explore and process life in NYC while pursuing their theatre dreams. Email: OffBook@BroadwayBlack.com Twitter: @OffBookPodcast | @BroadwayBlack IG: @BroadwayBlack | @OffBookPodcast Facebook: www.facebook.com/broadwayblack2.0 www.BroadwayBlack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Intro: Should we take offense that it's Women's History month? (history has not exactly honored women.) Gina had a rough re-entry from vacation, the Disney enchantment, the expense of having kids, the pleasures of one on one time, Junipero Serra was also a monster, Whitey Bulger, networking. Let Me Run This By You: Is Drag Race sexist?, Sasha Velour,  Interview: We talk to Rebecca Spence about Hendrix College, Phantom of the Opera with Linda Eder, Ricky Schroeder and Silver Spoons, Erin Gray, taking the Christmas pageant quite seriously, Syler Thomas, being the preacher's daughter, playing Adelaide in Guys and Dolls and the Stage Manager in Our Town, Tisch, Zelda Fichandler, Mary Beth Fisher, Carmen Roman, Deanna Dunagan, Ora Jones, Amy Morton, Steppenwolf, Goodman Theatre, Every Brilliant Thing, Cyrano at Milwaukee Rep, beauty privilege, aging as an actress, Linda Evangelista, how Rebecca sees herself in terms of the cultural shift in American theatre, the accessibility benefit of digital theatre.FULL TRANSCRIPT (unedited):2 (10s):And I'm Gina Pulice. We went to theater school1 (12s):Together. We survived it, but we didn't quite understand.2 (15s):And it's 20 years later, we're digging deep talking to our guests about their experiences and trying to make sense of it all.1 (22s):And you will too. Are we famous yet? February one, one month behind my friend one month by,2 (37s):Well, it's March 1st happy women's history month.1 (41s):I didn't even know that's how bad of a woman I am.2 (45s):Oh, well I was just thinking like, should we take offense that it's, you know, black history and women's history, like it's all in the past, you know, like why with both of those groups of people, we don't really want to be in the past.1 (1m 2s):Oh. And in fact there is a t-shirt that says that people love that. I have the same thought that says the future. Wait, the future of film is female. And I'm like, what about the present of film?2 (1m 17s):Right, right. Write1 (1m 19s):About like, I don't have a lot of time. I'm 46. Like what are you talking about the future? I mean, I can't be talking about the future. So I, I think the more we can get things in the present, the better off we are,2 (1m 33s):The better off we are now you're back. I'm back. I'm back. I'm back. I'm back. I did not want to come back. I did not leave my vacation. I did not wanna leave 80 degree weather and no responsibilities and fun all day. And it was our, a free entry1 (1m 53s):Monday, really? For everybody, just2 (1m 55s):You or well, for everybody. But for my part, it was getting in on a very late plane, not getting home till one 30 in the morning. It's two inches of ice on my driveway. So I'm like doing slapstick, trying to get my luggage to my door. My daughter's asleep. Oh my, I took the wrong key. I didn't have the right. I didn't have my house key. I don't know what the key is that I took. And so luckily, I mean, I guess I, nobody knows my address, but luckily we have a door that we often leave unlocked and it was unlocked.2 (2m 45s):So we got in and I got my daughter upstairs and I said, just go to sleep. I'll take care of everything. And she was like, yeah, of course, of course. I'm like, I'm not taking care of anything right now. So I remembered that we had some snow melt. I smelled, I go get it. And of course, when I walked into this door, that's usually unlocked. I immediately locked it saying like, we really shouldn't be leaving this open all the time. Oh my God. I know what's coming. I think, keep going, keep going though. And then I get my little ice smell and I go to the back and I closed the door because it's 20 degrees. And I don't want to let all the more mare out. And I happily salt my steps and get the luggage and bring it back up.2 (3m 30s):And the door was locked because the door was locked and I still don't have a key. And that my daughter is fast asleep. And not only is she slowly, I've already turned on the white noise machine. So if I ring the doorbell, if I had any chance of her hearing me, which it's pretty scant. And in any case, because she's a heavy sleeper, I've now masked the sound and it's cold, it's cold. And you, I immediately would be like, I have to eat this ice melt. That's not sane. That did not occur to me. Here's what occurred to me. I'm wearing leggings a t-shirt and a thin sweatshirt because I was just in 80 degree weather and sneakers.2 (4m 12s):I have no hat. I have no code. I have no gloves. I don't even have a key to the car. That's in the driveway because it's my husband's car. And why would I have a key to that? And we do have a garage code that has been broken for like a year. So I guess I should fix that for next time. I'm in this situation. Yeah. And I just tried ringing the doorbell and I tried yelling her name, you know, from down to like I'm in Romeo and Juliet, just yelling up to her window to the family in Utah. They weren't back. Oh my God.2 (4m 55s):I'm like, what the hell am I going to do? Walk to my neighbors at two in the morning and, and do what use, oh, and I didn't mind my phone was inside of, oh my God. Even if I had my phone, what am I going to do? Call my daughter. She doesn't have a cellphone. So I was in a real quandary. I was, I was in a pickle. So here's what I'd come to. I'm going to throw a heavy Boulder through our glass door so that I could get in. And then I'm going to tape it up with cardboard because I must get inside of my house. And then I remembered that another security breach we have is that our window in our dining room that goes directly onto our porch is never locked and very easy to climb through.2 (5m 43s):So that's what I did. And I didn't get to sleep until 3:00 AM. And that's just, that was just like, that was just, of course that was my reentry. Like there could have been no other reentry because ending your vacation sucks, sucks,1 (5m 60s):Bad. It2 (6m 0s):Really sucks. The greatest period of time is like the two weeks before your vacation, when you're getting psyched and then your vacation. And then for me, about two days before it's over, I'm like, oh God, I have to go.1 (6m 12s):I, I, I mean, you know, we're, I am really bad at transitions. Like I remember as an actor being told that to like, and I remember thinking that, and I remember thinking that's perfect. Like that, that makes perfect sense. I'm not shocked. And it makes perfect sense. I, there were no transitions in my childhood. It was like, you're being thrown here and then you're being thrown it. And so this all makes sense. And also it to be fair, your vacation did look fucking brilliant.2 (6m 43s):Like my vacation was like a1 (6m 46s):Dream.2 (6m 47s):It was like a dream come true. Honestly, like I kept being like, why is this so amazing? And I, I do. I do think, I, I think I understand now why Disney has the stranglehold on everybody's wallets that it does. It's because for many people, it is a place where your childhood is openly defended and encouraged and people don't get that. You know, and most people don't get that in other realms of their life. And you know, there's a lot of adult, only groups of people at Disney.2 (7m 28s):Like I even read a review of our hotel that was complaining about the number of children there. It's a, it's a, it's a, it's called the all star movies. It's like the it's 101 Dalmatian themed and toy story and Fantasia. And I'm thinking, wow, this couple went here thinking, oh,1 (7m 50s):People visionary tear like they without no, no, no. There are. Yeah, no, you're right on eighties. I think you've really, really hit the nail on the head. When you said that it's people's childhood encouraged, like, are you kidding me? Like senior pictures. I was like, oh, I'm going there. And I don't care if I go alone. Like, I don't give a fuck. You're going to see me alone. Wandering through Disneyland. Happy as a fucking clam.2 (8m 19s):Do you like rollercoasters? No. Oh, you don't like roller coasters. I was going to say, well, let's go together because I didn't get to ride one single roller coaster.1 (8m 25s):I will go with you. I would go if I trusted the person, I'm always just like, because I'm so neurotic. I'm like, do I want to die with this person? If I'm with some weird, like, you know, whatever. No I would go with you.2 (8m 40s):Well, let me tell you that. I don't know when the last time you went to like a six flags was, but the difference between your run of the mill amusement park and Disney is like the difference between coach on spirit, airline and first class Emirates. Yeah, exactly. It's just, they really, they really curate the experience for you. And I'm so fascinated by all of the work that has gone into just that, like all of the work that has gone into, and we, we had a classmate at the theater school who worked at Disney before she went to theater school and I'm drawing a blank on her name, blonde blonde hair.2 (9m 23s):And she told us about some of the rules. They have rules about how long your fingernails could be. And they had rules about your earrings and they had rules. I think some of those rules have changed because I'm pretty sure you didn't used to be able to show tattoos. I think you couldn't have dreadlocks before. Like it was a whole thing. It was a whole thing. So, so they've put a lot of effort into preserving the magic, right? Like you can't, there's this underground tunnel system. So you don't see the characters in there. Cause my daughter kept saying, oh, it was so sweet. She said, there's this hotel that's right near the park. And she said, why didn't we stay at that hotel? And I said, because it's like $3,000 a night. And she said, oh, I bet that's where the princess is live.2 (10m 7s):And I said, yeah, maybe. And I, and it was, as you recall, we went through this whole Santa's Easter bunny thing and she's she's hip to that. So I didn't challenge her assumption, but a couple of days later she did. And she said, well, they're not really princesses. They're really people who put on princess dresses. So they probably don't live here. I said, yeah, they probably don't. She said, where do I live? And I said, in an apartment, and I just saw the look on her face, like imagining, you know, Ariel living in her studio in like Florida. Right. And I live in Orlando having gone to theater school and then like, what am I doing? But you know what she's doing? She's fucking making dreams come fucking true is what she's done is like, honestly, it's the Lauren's work.2 (10m 53s):I felt like because they have these opportunities for you to meet the princesses, you know? And these people know their characters so well to the point that I can never hear Cinderella, she talks so quietly. I can never hear what she's saying. The, the girl, the woman who plays Rapunzel, that character talked a million miles an hour, she talks a million miles an hour. They read and they just know the ins and outs of their movies, such that they're constantly referencing. Like when, when we met Jasmine, she said, have you seen my monkey?2 (11m 35s):A pu I mean, and Clarissa was like, no, is she around here? Like, we'll, we'll go look for him. They really draw you in to the world. Do they are master storytellers? That's what they are Disney is. And these people, their whole,1 (11m 54s):I know people that go on Disney cruises that are like, I would live on this boat if I could.2 (12m 2s):Yeah, man. It's so enticing. It, it really is. And I, and I found myself being like, okay, this is like a museum product. It's a vacation. Like, but I think it made it harder to leave Mo a lot of times I have to say, especially since having kids, no offense to my kids. A lot of times when I come back from vacations, I'm like so relieved for it to be over because I've had to do so much work. I mean, traveling with one kid, who's pretty, self-sufficient was very easy to put a whole new spin on a family vacation.1 (12m 38s):It's my new thing, which is one-on-one time. So what I noticed in your pictures and social media was that when it's one-on-one time and I just had my niece here, right? Yes. I want to hear all about that. One-on-one time is so much different than family time. And I never had one-on-one time with either of my parents. Not that I really wanted it, but like, it was always trying to force groups or other families with our family. And I think one-on-one time people don't like to do because it's so intimate. And I, and I get that. But I also think when I saw your pictures, what I noticed was a genuine happiness and a knot in your face and your daughter's face, but also like a fun, it looked like fun.1 (13m 27s):And a lot of times when you see family fucking pictures, everyone looks miserable, miserable, miserable, miserable, miserable, and it's no one's fault, but that is the jam. It is miserable to be in a group.2 (13m 37s):It is miserable. And actually, as we were walking around, she kept saying, why is that? Dad's screaming at his kid? Like there was a moment where somebody was, I didn't observe it, but there was a baby crying. And how she reported it to me was that this mother told the baby to stop crying. And I said, well, you know, we're not having that experience because you're not a baby. And because we're not all together, but we've had a lot of experiences like that. You know, I'm glad that you don't necessarily think, look at that and say, oh, that's just like our family. But that is just like our family when we're all together,1 (14m 17s):It's a dynamic. So this is my whole, my whole like new way of seeing things. Not new way. But like w what helps me get through situation is like, oh, this is a dynamic problem. It is, it is a energetic, interpersonal problem. It's not one, one person's fault. But like, I now will never, I said to my niece, like, I only want to do one on one time with, with each of you. Great2 (14m 45s):Idea. Great idea. So how did that whole thing1 (14m 47s):Come to be? So I really wanted to, so each I have taken my nephew and my niece, the oldest one on solo trips, right. To two different places. But the youngest has never been, and then the pandemic hit. And so I was like, wait a second. This isn't fair. Not that life is fair, but I like to keep things kind of like, I don't want her being like, what the hell? I'm the youngest? Cause I was the youngest. I get it. So I was like, all right, I want a lease to come out here. But by herself, without my sister, without the kids, without George, like, no, no, no, no, no. Also our place is so small. Only one person could fit in it. Right. So a small person.1 (15m 28s):And so I said to my sister for her 13th birthday, which was Sunday, I want to fly Elise out. And so that's what I did. And she, she had president's day, right? So she, she missed one day of school because me and Mr. Davis school to do something with my sister and at least came and we had a blast one-on-one man, I'm all about trying to help the dynamic, not be unmanageable for myself and for others, but I'm really thinking about myself. Like2 (15m 60s):Probably so appreciated the attention she got. Right. Because I'm sure there's not much opportunity for her to get individual attention.1 (16m 8s):It's not practical. It just doesn't happen. There's so much going on. And you know, and, and so we had a blast. Now look, one thing that I was telling my therapist yesterday, I was like, oh, this is what I realized about children. They're fucking a lot of energy, even one brilliant child, right. That is, is just being a child. That's turning 13, no problems. Still, a lot of energy goes out cause she's, you know, and they're fucking expensive. So I don't care. I mean, I don't, I know nothing about, I know 100th of what the costs would be, but I'm like, oh my God.1 (16m 48s):And we weren't even doing crazy shit. We were so like, for people to say like, oh, a family of four or five can live on 50,000, $50,000. I'm like, are you, I spent like $50,000 in three days that I don't have, what are you talking about?2 (17m 3s):This is why, I mean, I have avoided saying miss in the past, but this is why we make so much money and have nothing. I mean, we have our house, we have a house, we own a house and we own cars. Yeah. But we have nothing else. We have nothing else. We have no savings. We have nothing else because 100% of our money goes to this very expensive thing we've chosen to do, which is1 (17m 28s):Yeah. And, and I have so much, I'm like, oh my God. Just even light. Yeah. Just life. Just not even buying. I mean, we didn't go crazy. We didn't go to Beverly Hills. We're not like living. Okay. So we went to, she got in really late Friday night and we went to, then we slept in a little bit. And then we went to the beach, went to my favorite beach, which is a unibrow beach who I found out was a terrible ruler that killed a lot of indigenous people, which is sad. But anyway, yeah. Paradise, Sarah that bad, bad, bad, bad, bad, man. I thought he was a Franciscan monk. I don't know my okay. I don't know.1 (18m 9s):Anyway. So it was like, oh, you know, he killed a bunch of indigenous people. I'm like, oh, that's great. Anyway. So we went to that beach in long beach, my favorite beach. Cause it's super chill. It's not a scene. It's not like Malibu. It's not like it's like down home. I love long beach. Right. And I also have an affinity to long beach because my ex lived there who passed away. So I like long beach, a lot. I have like special memories of that. And so we did that. We went, we ate like I now, because we moved to the pandemic. I had no reference for good food in my, in my neighborhood, in Pasadena, in LA none. So I was like, all right, we're gonna use this as an opportunity to explore dude, look, it has no, it doesn't hold a candle to Chicago.1 (18m 55s):Cause that's just how, you know, Chicago. I always tell people like Chicago is the best food and you'll die of a heart attack, but like, you'll eat the best food. We found great restaurants that we ate at. We, so we did a lot of eating. We did a lot of walking, walking around. We did some walks, some hikes. She obsessed with my dog Doris. And she was really, really good with her. Like trained her. Like she's really, she and her brother are both really into training dogs. So she did a lot of training with Torres, which I kept up zero. And then I just, I just don't care. And then I just don't, that's the truth. And we just really spent time together talking about life and about, you know, her, her life as a 13 year old and teenage stuff.1 (19m 42s):And, but it was, it was only, it was like she got in Friday night, she was here Saturday, all day, Sunday, all day, Monday, all day. She left Tuesday afternoon. I was so exhausted. I was like, I don't know. I have. So again, I have so much respect for her parents and people who are engaged with their kids. That's what I'll say. Like people who actually are trying to fucking be engaged. It's it's insane. I don't know how anyone has time to do anything else. Let me run this by, You know, I go into my little phases with the content I'm consuming and right now I'm really deep into con reconsider.1 (20m 31s):This is an old love that I kind of got away from drag race. Oh, right. Yeah. And I never had this thought before and I'm not, I don't have a judgment about it really either way. It's truly just a curiosity.2 (20m 47s):Curious to know what your thoughts are. Did you ever watch1 (20m 49s):That show? So I watched it a long time ago when it first came out. Did they remounted like, is there's different incarnations?2 (20m 57s):Yeah. They're on like season 13 or something like that. Yeah.1 (21m 0s):I watched it at the beginning when I also got into project runway and I got into America's next top model and all that stuff. Yeah. I, I, it wasn't my thing. It just didn't, it didn't compel me. Like I wanted it to love it and I, it's not, what is it about me? It is that, or the show. It's not my type of reality show in that. I just don't care enough. It's you know, about fat, like the fashion, the fashion. I, I'm more interested in the psychological component and at least at the beginning, it wasn't a huge part of the show.2 (21m 45s):Yeah. Well, for me it is the clue. Remember on star search when they used to have acting that acting component and it was so boring to watch, you know, because it's just not the same as singing and dancing. Right. Even I, as a little kid was like, this is boring. I didn't want to watch the acting part of star search. So we don't have an acting reality competition show. Drag race is the closest thing we have to because drag is theater, you know, it's creating character it's it's and, and there, the art has elevated to such a degree that the people who are really killing it are doing things that you would not imagine are drag and they're not wearing breastplates and they're not, they're just there.2 (22m 37s):And it's part of this whole concept of gender fluidity, which I'm really interested in. But my, my question is, is it inherently sexist that these men are doing female impersonations, right? Because, and a big part of it is the humor. And I just had this mode of being like, wait, is the fundamental conceit here that we're laughing at men being women, because why would you be a woman when you can be a man? I just, yeah, it may not be. And, and many, many drag artists may be feminists may consider themselves feminist.2 (23m 22s):I think RuPaul is not necessarily a feminist and he's not, he's not necessarily anti-racist. I mean, I think he's problematic in his own way, but it just occurred to me like, what am I laughing at this idea about just being a woman? Are we, are we trivializing? And we're making it frivolous.1 (23m 43s):It's so interesting. Like, I mean, think that it goes, what comes to mind is also like, how do the artists identify? Like, do they identify as, as, as non, you know, non-conforming or, or, or, or how, how did they feel?2 (23m 60s):Right. That's been an interesting evolution in the show actually from the first season. I think they they've had, they had at least one person who through the course of doing, it said, actually, I'm not, I don't really want to do drag. I want to be a woman. I am a woman. There's, there's been that. And I haven't really followed it closely, but there has been some controversy about like, well, if you have a woman, a trans woman on the show, then is it still drag? Right. So there's all these questions. I don't really know where that debate sits at the present moment, but I do know that very many people who consider themselves drag artists don't consider themselves men in any way.1 (24m 43s):So it's like, right. I, so that, that then leads me to be super curious about yes, like can cat it become one. It reminded me of Shakespeare when she experienced time pretending to be women. And it was always, you know, women weren't allowed to be actors or whatever, and they, and they also like, you know, they would make fun in a higher sort of, even a intellectual way. They were making fun of the, the weaker sex, whatever. So, yes, I think there's a part of it that we're just laughing at the horror show that is being a woman. And then the other thing that I was thinking about was I think you're onto something when, if we can transform it from being about that, to being about elevating art too.1 (25m 29s):Like when you said things that you wouldn't that piques my interest, wouldn't consider quote, drag. That is like, where I think we're headed in theater, right?2 (25m 38s):Like, oh yes, we must be. I mean, if we are to survive, we must be headed in that way.1 (25m 44s):Can you give me an example of like what, what you wouldn't consider drag that is like,2 (25m 50s):I got there's this drag artists named Sasha Valore and sh I'm right now, I'm on season. I forget if it's eight or nine, it might be nine. And she Sasha the lore does L well, first of all, and I think he identifies as a man. He does his art is political and intellectual. And he's one of these people who doesn't wear fake breasts. He does, he, what he does is he covers his nipples with pastries and, and, but builds the most beautiful garments around a look around an idea blend.2 (26m 31s):And, and it's rough. What I love is when it's referencing so many different things, when he explains his outfit later, he's like, well, this is a reference to Marlena Dietrich. And this is, this is a reference to, you know, the, how the gay culture in Russia exists because it's, you know, it's illegal to dress in drag there and, and homosexuality is not outright illegal, but it's, you know, obviously not a way that you want to go around presenting yourself. It's just this elevated conversation. I mean, the first time I ever saw actual drag was in Las Vegas at a show, I was a teenager and I couldn't believe I'd never seen it before.2 (27m 15s):I couldn't believe how much this man looked like a woman. And that's what the drag was. It was all about pretty much straight forward, like glamor looking as feminine as possible. And it has just come a long way since then. And now it's about, it's really just about embodying characters.1 (27m 34s):So yeah, you love storytelling. So this is what I'm getting at from the Disney thing. And from this is that you love detailed nuance, researched and referenced storytelling. Totally. That is your jam. So2 (27m 51s):It was my mind when, when all of these disparate things can come together into one cohesive piece of art. That's what I like in plays. That's what I like in books. That's what I like him.1 (28m 1s):So that's really interesting to know. Like, I think also like, yeah, for me, what I like is yes, super detailed, specific thought out things like I remember my favorite thing as a kid was pop-up books that had teeny little hidden parts that you wouldn't expect to have a tab that have it. That was my fucking jam. I was like, that is what I like about television is when there's callbacks or references or little Easter eggs, or like where you're like, oh my God, oh my God. Oh my God. Did you notice that the, you know, like I get into that because it means ultimately that people fucking care what they're doing.1 (28m 45s):Yeah,2 (28m 46s):Yeah, yeah. Oh, yes. That's what really gets you. That people care Today on the podcast we are talking to Rebecca, Rebecca is an actor. And if you live in Chicago and see theater, there's a very good chance that you've seen her on more than one occasion in more than one brilliant star Trek. She also does film and television. She's got actually a television series, 61st street. She's in Candyman, that's out in theaters right now.2 (29m 26s):She was in one of my favorite shows, easy, which featured a lot of great Chicago actors. We didn't really talk about any of that. We talked about her as dying love for Chicago theater and her absolute respect for the actors that make it happen. So please enjoy our with Rebecca Spence3 (29m 52s):Podcast or a voiceover.2 (29m 55s):What's the matter with you? Why don't you get with it podcast or be a professional podcast? It's so easy. Honestly, you just break right into the market. You get tons of downloads. And3 (30m 9s):This is what I hear. It's amazing that I haven't jumped on this bandwagon yet. I don't know.2 (30m 14s):I will say the number, the apex of active podcasts or podcasts that were downloadable in the pandemic was 2 million up from 750,000 before the pandemic.3 (30m 29s):I absolutely2 (30m 30s):Believe it's trending back down because I think people realize like it's kind of a lot of work to maintain something every week. So, you know, we're just hoping to get back into that sweet spot. Maybe even less people will do it and we'll get down to like half a million. So then we'll really have a chance. Anyway, congratulations, Rebecca Spence, you survived theater school. Wait, wait. You're, you're looking, you're looking like you don't agree with me.3 (30m 59s):I, I I'd like to reframe it a little bit. I, I survived a theater major. I did not survive the grad school audition process. I Did not into the theater school.2 (31m 18s):We've often said we should call it. We should really call this. I survived my desire to be famous, whether you became famous or not, you know, like you have to contend with your, with your desire for us,1 (31m 29s):Never went to grad school for you went to undergrad and you got a theater major, and then you, and then you went to you, you auditioned for grad schools and didn't get it. What, how could Rebecca Spence that fucking get into grad school? Are you kidding me?3 (31m 43s):No. What I was doing, I didn't have a clue what I was doing. So I, but I can say that my audition process for grad school is what brought me to Chicago and, and made me fall in love with Chicago. And ultimately helps me choose Chicago as a home base, which is where I've had my education. I, my entire education in theater has been through observing and watching people very, very, very good at what they do. And2 (32m 15s):Just observing or asking people. I mean, you said you didn't know what you were doing when you were auditioning, but3 (32m 21s):Yeah, I went to my, I had, I don't know anything to compare it to. I think I had a great theater experience in, at my tiny little school. We had a three professor department and they were wonderful. I, I looked at some conservatories for undergrad and I just wasn't entirely sure if that was what I wanted to do. Cause I didn't know anything about professional theater, not a thing I grew up in, in, in Texas. I had, I think I saw maybe one professional production.3 (33m 2s):I had a friend whose parents were into musicals and they gifted me with an evening to go see Phantom of the opera with Linda ETR of all people. So I'm like, if you're going to get an experience seeing it, that was great. But I knew I wasn't a musical person. I didn't have that kind of gift. And I didn't know what, like I never had seen regional theater. I had never gone to1 (33m 29s):Like a play3 (33m 30s):Play. No, I think my parents took me to a community college production of glass, menagerie,1 (33m 39s):Light fodder for a child have to say like, what is coming forward for me when you're talking about, you're not the first person to say like a musical with the first introduction to any kind of acting and they get a bad rap, sometimes musicals, but they're a gateway for so many kiddos. It's like magic. I'm like obsessed with musicals now.3 (34m 7s):Yeah. I I'm the youngest of three girls by a large margin. My sisters are nine and 11 years older than I am. And so they would put on plays and then stick me in them. So I was kind of dressed up a lot and they'd be like, go say this. And I would do that. And I've got1 (34m 27s):Actors now. What's that? Are3 (34m 29s):They actors now? Okay. No, not at all. No. We just had very active imaginations. And so I, but I loved it. I, I always wanted to be, I had a very active imagination and, and wanted to, I knew I wanted to act like I, I want it to be on silver spoons. Oh,1 (34m 50s):Well, here we are facing. I always, I always thought that the line was here. We are faced to face a Comella silver spoons. Somehow someone informed me that Kamala, wasn't a real word. You guys. And so I was like, wait, what do you, they were like, what did you just say? They're like, say it again. And they were like, you know, that's not the line, but anyway, you want it to be in silver. Did you want to be on like, Ricky's like sister or anything? Like you just wanted to be in that world?3 (35m 26s):Oh no. I had a whole, I had a whole plot line. Oh yeah, no. I was also going to be adopted into the family. Oh yeah. They were, I, I was also going to be adopted into the family, but then of course we were going to become love interest. Of course it's very twisted. I was, I was quite convinced. I, you know, Aaron Gray was going to be my mother. Oh. I also loved buck Rogers. So it was a big club look, Roger. So I kind of followed Erin gray. I thought she was quite possibly the most glamorous woman I'd ever seen. And that's not true.3 (36m 6s):Doris Day was, but I wanted to be parented by1 (36m 13s):Yes. I mean, that's like me and like my modern day telling Brian Cox, I wanted him to be my new father. Right. And that didn't, he was like, people have told me that before. It was actually, it's a real thing. So like, okay, so you, you want it to be that. And then how did that translate Rebecca into like actually studying it? Because like, how did you know? It was a thing3 (36m 37s):I started doing a lot of plays in church. I did a lot of church. Like I was married about 12 times. It feels like, and I remember taking, I remember my like little, my first like actual play. I remember, I think I had been four and I was married and I took it really seriously. And the little boy who was playing Joseph, who also happened to be named Joey was not taking it seriously. And he kept taking his little robe and throwing it over his head. And I remember being livid, absolutely livid. I just was, I was so disappointed because I really felt like I was giving off as many, like holy maternal vibes as I possibly could.3 (37m 26s):And he, he wasn't up to the task.1 (37m 28s):Did you find it, did he get fired or like, did he get recast recast?3 (37m 33s):I I, no. No, no. I mean, my memory is being up in front of the, I don't remember any group kind of rehearsal process. I just remember being up there and holding my little baby doll and feeling very pious Over. And Joey was like screwing with a shepherd.1 (37m 54s):That's fantastic. I am Joey, by the way, I would be the Joey. I'd be like doing dance moves and they'd be like this one, but here's the thing3 (38m 3s):Laughing. And that's why it was because people were laughing and they, you know, he was drawing attention and laughing. And I was like, I don't remember this being a comedy. This is a comment1 (38m 19s):Here's, what's interesting about that story for me is that you w I've never worked with you as an actor, but I know from being around you and seeing you work, that you are not enough, and this is not, well, I'll just say it like, you are like a consummate per actor. Like you, you take this shit seriously, which I adore, which I actually learned from people like that. But like, you are very kind and lovely, but you also are a fucking professional actor. And there is like, I know that sounds so obvious, but you know what I mean? Like there are people like Joey that fuck around at age four, which is fine. He's four. But like the fact that you didn't fuck around as Mary at age four, I think is actually an important thing in your, in your history because you take this shit seriously.1 (39m 7s):Also. You're like you work all the time, which is fantastic, which I don't think there's a coincidence there. That's all I'm saying. That's all. Yeah.3 (39m 19s):Thank you. I mean, I knew I wanted to do, I played a lot alone. I mean, I was alone all the time. So I was constantly like perfecting different personalities. I mean, because I moved as much as I did, we moved every two and a half to three years. I had like an opportunity to like, be put into different scenarios. And that was just like a playground for me to, to, well, first of all, it was survival. It was trying to figure out where am I? How do I fit in? How do I make friends? What what's like that group of people doing and how do I sort of evolve and adapt. So that they'll speak to me.1 (39m 57s):Did you move because of your family? Were you a military situation?3 (40m 2s):God's military? My, my father was an Episcopal priest, tiny segue. I listened to your podcasts and I'm the one that, that I just delighted and was listening to Siler. Thomas. I knew Siler Thomas from church camp. I had no idea Seiler Thomas. Wasn't cool. We, I grew up sort of adjacent to, to him. He's older than I am. So he was in a much like cooler hipper, older church crap. And, but we went to like all of the same, like regional functional things.3 (40m 47s):Cause my father was an Episcopal priest. And so he was very active in youth stuff. And so I went with him. That's how I know Seiler camp counselor. And I was a camper and I had no clue that he was a theater person. No, I can't2 (41m 5s):Wait to tell him. I can't wait to tell him3 (41m 7s):We reconnected sort of over Facebook, but I haven't seen him, but I listened to his entire podcast and I, I, I got really, I got really excited.2 (41m 15s):Yeah. Yeah. He's, he's fantastic. What I would have done if I had to move every couple of years is I would have pretended that I was British. When I came to a new school. Did you ever adopt new, like a really different3 (41m 31s):Personality? No, I couldn't. We were always sort of presented, like we were kind of presented as a family so that wouldn't have ever worked out for me. I did have a friend though in the sixth grade, my friend, Susan. And it was the first time we in, I was in Waco, Texas, and we went to all the sixth graders, went to one school for me, entire city were busted into a sixth grade center and we would rotate classes and she, and I would come up with like each class that we were in. We would have completely different personalities. We would like today where the really loud Rawkus girls and today were very shy and reserved, but today where the pranksters.3 (42m 17s):And1 (42m 18s):So you did go to theater school cause that's all we did. So there2 (42m 23s):Starting at four years old, you started your year to school3 (42m 25s):Training.2 (42m 28s):Yeah. So when you finally, when it was time for college, you were considering conservatories, but decided not to. How did you pick the school that you went to Hendrix?3 (42m 41s):I picked Hendricks because they had a theater program and my parents said that I had to be within a day's drive. And so they said, we can, you can go to school, but we have to be able to be able to drive to you within 12 hours, if anything happens. So I went 10 and a half hours away to two Hendricks college in Arkansas and had a pretty campus. And I, I knew, I, I knew I wanted to do theater. I had started doing more professional place, not professional, but, but really high quality plays in high school.3 (43m 21s):And I knew that I wanted to keep doing that. I really loved it. I just sort of disappeared into that. And that was, that was a safe way to build quick family, you know, do you found your people really fast? And I, I, that, that felt good to me. So I really enjoyed it. And2 (43m 41s):Were they known for having a great theater department?3 (43m 45s):No, but they built, so I did my freshman year, we moved in the middle of my eighth grade year and I had one freshman year in a, in a really small, small town in Southeast Texas or S yeah, it was near the coast and that didn't, that didn't go so well for me. And I ended up being sent to boarding school.1 (44m 13s):What did you do? Were you depressed?3 (44m 15s):Very poor choices and trying to, in trying to, to fit in, what is it,1 (44m 21s):Does that mean? What does that mean? Did you smoke cigarettes or like kill people? What happened like3 (44m 27s):In the middle? No, I, I had some substance stuff happened. I found the substances are pretty early in like, like an eighth grade. Yeah, yeah, yeah, no. I mean, we, we lived in the town that I lived in was known for grass farming and rodeo, and we didn't have anything to do. There was no, there was no movie theater. We didn't have a Walmart. We didn't have a skating rink there. It was,1 (44m 57s):It's like Footloose the toast.3 (44m 60s):So what we did is we went out to fields and drank like, that's true. That was what you did. So I, I, I wanted to do that. So I drank a lot and then I got caught a lot. And so my parents had a panic and sent me to boarding school in Austin, which they had a, really a growing theater department. And by the time I graduated, they had built this huge complex. So my senior year was the first year they sort of became an art school. So I kind of said goodbye. I mean, our first production was like, I remember they flew in some flats from Las Vegas.3 (45m 42s):I want to say we did guys and dolls, but we had like actual professional flats. And it was like my senior year. I was like, oh my God1 (45m 51s):Star, were you the star Rebecca? I was3 (45m 53s):Adelaide Adelaide. And then I got to be the stage manager in our town. So that was, but of course I, I didn't know what that meant. I wanted to be Emily,1 (46m 5s):Emily, of course. And then there were3 (46m 7s):Like stage manager and I was like, what? I'm stage managing the play? Like, I clearly hadn't read the whole play. I just read what I was like. I didn't know that that meant I had more to do. And it ended up being like a really, really meaningful, beautiful experience.2 (46m 24s):And just getting back to like the making. Cause I, I really love talking about making bad decisions. Would you say that you kind of did the, there is a trope of a preacher's daughter getting in to trouble? Is that what happened to you? Yeah, it was a rebellion against,3 (46m 43s):I mean, I, I just, you know, is there either the really, really good girl or the really, really bad girl and I, I, I didn't want to be the really, really,1 (46m 56s):Really hard position to be like, I can't imagine, like, even if your parents are like the nicest people there, again, there's a status thing that happens when there's someone in the community is touted as a certain thing. Like it's like royalty a little bit in America. Like we don't have, you know, so it's like you it's like, and then you're expected to behave a certain way. And as much as I had, like, I would say very little care and guidance in some ways I also didn't have a lot of pressure to be a certain way because we were all just like, there was no title. Like my parents didn't do anything. So it's, it's a tricky situation. But what I'm, what I'm also noticing is that the, the poor decision making and the drinking and they're getting caught actually was, it led to some really good fucking theater like that.1 (47m 46s):You went to Austin and you got to do like really good acting work. So it worked. I mean, you know, it wasn't a, it wasn't an all a bad thing. So you were like, yes,3 (47m 58s):I have learned more from my, my failures than I have ever learned from my successes. And I've had a lot of failures. I've had a lot of,1 (48m 8s):You know, something that I can speak to from being in like an insider in Chicago or formerly, and now in California, but being at a Chicago actor is like, everybody, I want to talk about the pressure in Chicago. So you are one of those people in Chicago that everyone's like, oh, Rebecca Spence books, everything. And I know it's not, I listen. I'm not saying it's true. This is what I'm saying. Let's get to the heart of the thing that I want to ask, which is from being on the I'm now on the outside looking in. Right. So what is it like? Cause that's always something that I heard and it has actually very little to do with you with other people's shit.1 (48m 48s):Right? It's not, I'm not saying you are doing anything, but what I'm asking as a woman and a performer, what is it like? And it's easy for me to do now because I'm in LA. So I don't give a, you know, like it's like, what does it feel like to have that kind of pressure of people, first of all, are you aware of it? That people are like Rebecca spins, books, everything. And then how does that affect you? And do you want to tell them to go fuck off? Or are you like, I work really hard.3 (49m 14s):Well, this, if this I'll take it two steps back, because this is a Testament to how much I, I love and admire Chicago theater. My understanding, I, I didn't get into theater school because I sabotage my auditions because I didn't know what kind of an actor I wanted to be. I actually, I choked. I freaked out because I thought that if you wanted to be an actor that meant that you wanted to be famous. And, and so I went to NYU, I came to Chicago to audition for theater school that I did the errata and auditioned for NYU Tisch.3 (49m 56s):And then I crashed the Harvard art. I didn't know you could crash. And somebody said you did. So I just got in line and I crashed the Harvard auditions. I made it to the final rounds of, of Tish. And I flew to New York and had a solid panic attack. I just, I didn't know anything about New York. I had, I came from tiny town in Texas. I had never been to Chicago. I had never been to New York. I didn't have a smartphone. I didn't know how to get around. I, I met Zelda. I met, you know, I did all the stuff. I was like, I can't afford this. I don't, I don't know what this is. I don't know what I'm doing. And I, I P I straight up chokes and, and really sabotage my own audition.3 (50m 40s):But I liked Chicago and my husband got a job here and we moved here and then somebody said, you know, I needed to find a job. I didn't even know. They were like, what about the Goodman theater? And I, I was like, I don't even know what that is. And I didn't know what, like actual regional theater was. And I ended up getting a job in development at, at the Goodman theater, because I was too scared to act. Cause I thought I don't actually know what I'm doing. I didn't know how to do like prepare a monologue very well. I had done that my senior year in college. Like we prepared one monologue. I didn't know like how to go through that whole process. But I started working at the Goodman. I started watching, I saw Chicago actors come on stage.3 (51m 24s):And it was people like Mary Beth Fisher, people like Carmen, Roman people like Deanna Dunnigan. Like people, people like Ora Jones. Like that was when I started hearing when they were like, oh, oh, oh my God. Or Jones is going to be on say, oh my God, Amy Morton. I'm like, who wait, who are these people who wait, who are these people? And like, people that I started hanging out like the theater crowd, when they started speaking about these people and their work ethic, I was like, that's what I want. I want to be a well-respected name in a medium sized town.3 (52m 5s):That's that to me is how I know I've made it. If people are like, oh, oh, we want to go see that show because I guarantee you, you're going to see someone who has put in the time, put in the effort, they're going to bring nuance. They're going to bring, you know, a craft to it. That was my goal. That's. And so when I hear that, there's part of me, that's like, I still don't know what I'm doing, but the little ego part in the back of my brain is like, it's what we've always wanted.1 (52m 38s):Yeah, no.3 (52m 39s):I wanted to be a respected actor in a town that who, whose work? I respect so much. I fucking love Chicago actors. And I love Chicago theater. I don't think there's any better theater in the country. I think that, that the work ethic and the quality of people that go in and do the work and bring, bring their hearts and their souls to it. That's all I've ever wanted to be a part of. So when you say, when you're like, oh, she works all the time. I'm like, I, I, I don't, I mean, I do work, but there's part of me. It's like, oh my God, maybe we're doing it. Maybe1 (53m 17s):I can tell you right now, Rebecca Spence, that you are doing the thing. Because when I saw you in, what was it? Every brilliant thing is that the, It was, it was beautiful. And when I saw it, I was like, oh yeah, this is why she, she books. She works all the time. It's all relative. Right. But that thing of she works all the time. But like, this is why it actually is because you're good at what you do. And you're also, like you said, you actually really care about the thing we were talking about. Caring, like Disney really cares how they take care of their parks. Like, that's a, that's a segue, but like, that's the, the point is that you, you, the care that you put into your, your art is very desirable, right?1 (54m 5s):Like people want to work with that. And I think in Chicago, there is this sense of, we're just sometimes we're just there to make it to the next place. But what it sounds like for you is like, this is your place3 (54m 18s):I'm here. Like this is, I have no desire to move to New York. I have no desire to move. I'm doing exactly what I always like. I'm doing more than I ever thought I ever hoped that I could do.2 (54m 33s):Like, wow.1 (54m 34s):I mean,3 (54m 35s):I ever thought that I hook could hope to do so. I am. I'm always really grateful because I,2 (54m 46s):Yeah, honestly, I, I really think that more people could stand to do that, to have as their goal. You know what, one of the things that has come out of this glut of information put out us all the time is this concept of like exceptionalism and that you only really hear reflected or, or echoed or amplified stories of people who are exceptional. People who make millions of dollars or people who, whatever graduate Harvard when they're 10 years old. And it, one of the casualties of it is that I think people who are forming their identities don't necessarily get enough examples of people who are achieving anything in the middle, you know, any kind of other success.2 (55m 36s):And, and we know how much these extreme successes lead to like tragedy. In a lot of cases, we'd be doing ourselves a favor. If we could put more stories of like, I aimed for this thing, that is not the, you know, the outer limit, but is, you know, difficult to do, but was obtainable for me. I think that would be,1 (55m 57s):I think it's so good. And I think that the, the also the, the irony or whatever it is is that now you, you, in terms of, in terms of film and television, you do book that work too, but it's not because your it's like you, that was your goal. And, and all this theater stuff is just sort of there it's like that work comes because of the, what you have done build the platform. And I think Gina, what you're speaking about is nobody's building the fucking platform on which to stand. So it's like all of a sudden, they're just catapulted on this platform at the top of the sky, and there's nowhere to go, but fall. Right. So you've done the work to build the platform, Rebecca.1 (56m 40s):And I think that that's, that's rare that doesn't happen. And I think that's fricking amazing because you have something to stand on. You're not like floating in LA like on a pedestal about,3 (56m 53s):I wouldn't do well in LA. I don't think I, I don't think I would do well there. I could maybe hang out in New York, but I don't think LA would, I liked LA. I went out there for just a brief moment just to see what it felt like. And people are like, oh, you're going to love it, or you're going to hate it. And I didn't feel either way. I, I liked it. I mean, I, I, wasn't responsible for living there and getting rent, paying rent. I was staying in a friend's pool house. And so I had a place to live for a month and I had one audition. So I hiked, it did a lot of hiking, which was great. And I found little pockets there, but I've thought, I don't think I could live in a town that is just constantly cycling around one industry.3 (57m 41s):And that was kind of how I've always operated. I didn't want to go to a conservatory because I was like, there's way more to me than just acting like, I, I love, I, I like, I love what I do it's but it's not the only thing that drives me. Like I like theater and acting is, is the thing that I love most, most of all, but I really there, I love Chicago, so there's so much more to do than just2 (58m 10s):So true. So I keep thinking about a little Rebecca and little Joey, we've heard a lot of stories about people who, when they were in college, feeling resentful about P other people who they felt like didn't take it seriously enough people, you know, like a common thing is a person who had to work really hard to get a full ride because they couldn't have afforded it to go to college otherwise. And then to be there with people who are partying instead of, you know, spending a hundred percent of their time dedicated to what they're doing. Does that come up for you now working on something now, do you encounter people who you feel maybe aren't fully appreciating the opportunity they're being given or, or at this level now, are you mostly with people who take it very seriously to,3 (59m 3s):Yeah, I haven't had that. And I mean, most of the people that I work with are really just so excited to be in the room. I mean, I, I, I th I can think of one instance when I was doing non-equity theater in a basement somewhere for, for, I was the only female in the entire, in the entire production, like cast, crew, everything. It was, it was me. And it was a bunch of guys that were kind of jerking around a little bit and it affected, it was like a really serious play.3 (59m 45s):And I remember one of them pulled up a pretty, I don't want to say dangerous, dangerous is too extreme of a term, but it was a play. It was days of wine and roses, which was, and you know, where I have to, the character ends up drink in some, but they, they changed the bottle and put actual alcohol in it onstage, and didn't tell me. And so I chugged and had like a thing of alcohol and I was like, and nobody would fess up to it. Like nobody who did, who did it? Y'all who did that? Just like tell me, and no one would, would, would fess up to it.3 (1h 0m 26s):And then I was like, this sucks. Yeah. That's actually, that's the only time I can think of when I was like, I'm, I'm putting my heart and soul into it for the most part. No, I've never, I thought, what about upset or like, is everyone you're working with really like, to joke around too. I mean, I, yeah, what I do on stage, I take very silly, but I love to play. I'm a prankster. I liked to, I I'm very silly. I like to be silly. I, I love people that are having a fantastic time. And when I know that it's not like messing up somebody else's process I'll jump right in.3 (1h 1m 7s):Cause I, I like it. So I haven't had any, what's a, what's a favorite project. Gosh, there've been, there've been a lot. I did a production of a three person Cyrano up at Milwaukee rep and it was the first time I'd ever left Chicago. And we did a three person version of, of Cyrano where we did made all of the sound effects ourselves.3 (1h 1m 49s):And so we switched characters and jumped and I had never done anything like that of like sort of it wasn't devised, but it, it, it was much more deconstructed than anything that I had ever been a part of. And it was, and we toured it. We toured it all around Wisconsin and into Minnesota and I'd, I'd never done it. I'd never done summer stock. I had never done anything like that. And we were this little Merry band of three, plus our manager in a, in a van driving all over making, you know, I was, we would do the sword fights and I would, I would use the foils and make all the sound effects and sheets.3 (1h 2m 30s):And I just thought that was, it was, it was a great time. I love it.1 (1h 2m 34s):Why did you love it? Like what, what you just love doing the like, cause it was the first time you did it or like what was the feeling that you were like, this is fucking awesome. Wow.3 (1h 2m 44s):Creative thing. And we surprise so many people because we made like the set was made out of ladders and like we would make the set and I love surprising the audience cause they would come in, they'd be like, what the, what is this? Like, are you like, oh God, we're gonna watch people like create out of boxes. See it, like, you're going to take me on one of these like craft paper theater projects and what am I getting myself into? And with just like a little thing of twinkle lights and we, and I was working with these two phenomenal actors, Reese, Madigan, and Ted Daisy, who work at Milwaukee rep all the time out and, and Oregon Shakespeare.3 (1h 3m 25s):And they do a lot of Oregon Shakespeare work. And we just played, we played in, played in, played in plate. It was, it was playing. And yet then we would have these like gut punch moments and it, I had just never done anything like that. I had always been put in sort of very traditional roles and nobody usually allowed me to step outside of those boxes. And I, I did it and had such, such a good time doing it.1 (1h 3m 53s):That leads me to my question about beauty. Okay. So I'm obsessed with this idea of beauty as, as a, as it relates to how people that are, are how we relate to our own beauty or feeling lack thereof or so, you know, you, I would say for me, you like a stunning, stunning woman. And, and I would like to know what is your relationship like? I mean, it's a very, it's a very intense question, but I am obsessed with it. What is your relationship like to your own idea of your beauty? Because people, because what you said, really trait triggered something in me of like people usually put me in these traditional roles, which to me means like beautiful wife, a beautiful mother, a girlfriend, a blah.1 (1h 4m 46s):And as you age, like talk all about that because people will say like Rebecca Spence is gorgeous and I agree and I want to know what is it like? And I guess it's sort of hard if you're the fish in the water, but like tell me, what's your relationship like to the way your own looks?3 (1h 5m 2s):Sure. You know, I, I, I fully acknowledged that I've had duty privilege. Like I've fully acknowledged that that has been a part of my progress. And you know, it has been something that has put me in roles. Like I was never the ingenue ever. I was never the Juliet. I was always the lady capital. I was always, cause I had always had a lower register and I always looked mature. I had a very classic features. And so I was always like lady Croom, lady Capulets.3 (1h 5m 43s):I was always like the bitter aunt. And it's kind of, I was Jean Brody, you know, like I got to, to have these sort of larger power play or things, which I always wanted. I wanted to play more powerful than I wanted to play pretty because I knew that I was always viewed as such. And you know, it's, I know that I've been allowed into a lot of rooms because of how I look. I think maybe that's why my drive is so strong because I want to back it up.3 (1h 6m 24s):Like I don't, it's very important to me that I bring work ethic and integrity and talent to, to, to that so that as I age and as I grow and as this goes away or transforms and evolves that I'm leaning more on, on, on the thing behind it. And, and aging as, as someone who is it's real, like it's, it's a real ego check when you were always called in for the beautiful wife and now you're starting to be called in for, you know, other roles.3 (1h 7m 11s):And, and this isn't a it's I know how it sounds like I always like know and feel1 (1h 7m 18s):No, no, no, no. Here's the thing. You're the one, you're the first person that we've talked to that we've said like, Hey, like I remember we interviewed someone and Gina brought this up to someone and was like, you're very beautiful. Like, what's it like to, and the person could not acknowledge that they, because they were, I think, I don't know what was going on. I assume they were afraid to sound vain, but here's the thing. It doesn't sound any kind of way. What sounds, what it sounds is like, you're trying to make sense of the way the world sees you, which actually isn't about you either. It's like, and yet acknowledge the privilege.1 (1h 8m 0s):So you're the first woman that we've talked to that has said, yeah, like I acknowledged like this got me into rooms, but I want to back it up instead of pretending that it doesn't exist. Right. Because,3 (1h 8m 12s):Because for anybody to lie, I, you know, I remember being, I remember being in a room and I was like, I was like, you're beautiful. And she was like, oh, I just am fat. And I'm like, come on. You know, I was like, come on, don't do it. Like it doesn't, it's, it's, it's so insulting to people that, that, that, that, like, let's be the thing I've tried to do is truly be objective about my work and, and who I like to. So you have to be objective about, like, I know what I look like. I know what I bring in, so what else do I add to it?3 (1h 8m 52s):And I it's something that I will never forget because, and after that, I know when we were very young, who is doing really, really well right now, and she is, you know, a self identified fat actress and like that, that is how she works in the world. And it's, she's, she's just phenomenal. But she was the daughter of a, of a beauty queen. Like her mother was a beautiful, beautiful woman. And she was like having to grow up with, you know, under, under someone that was beautiful. She's like I had to watch watching her age was one of the most painful things I could have ever witnessed because she was so used to being the most beautiful woman in the world, in the room.3 (1h 9m 42s):Like that was her identity was she didn't have to do too much else because she was the most beautiful woman in the room. And when she aged and those things started to fade it, she had sort of lost her identity. And that, that conversation has stuck with me for forever. I was like, don't ever be the person that, that your exterior is the only thing you have.2 (1h 10m 4s):Yeah. Well, I mean, I think it's awesome. I think it's fantastic that you acknowledge your beauty privilege, but I also acknowledge that there is a prison aspect to it too, or certainly when one is young, you know, where you can only be considered, you know, for a certain type of role, it can be just as limiting. And then if you go to that,3 (1h 10m 28s):Because of it, I mean, I I've been told, I lost I've lost roles where something is really, really, really excited about. And they were like, you're too, you are too classically attractive to be relatable. And I was like,2 (1h 10m 45s):Yeah,3 (1h 10m 46s):Being relatable is my jam. Right, right. What I worked so hard to do, I wouldn't be relatable. And I'm, you won't allow me out of that. And then of course, you know, I've got to sit back and I'm like, look, people have to face this kind of feedback on a completely dip. So, you know, I was like, then I mean that it sucked. And I, and I grieved that. I was like, but, but this is this industry that, and other people face that in tote for D for a myriad of different other reasons, they are told based off of how they look that they aren't right for the role. And I, I always knew that, but I was like, God, that sucks.1 (1h 11m 26s):And I'm thinking of like, yeah. And, and,3 (1h 11m 31s):And know it. And you don't want to tell anybody about it because no one, no one's going to be like, oh, that's horrible.1 (1h 11m 37s):Right. Right. I mean, it's this thing of you don't of course you don't want to, but I'm also just aware of like, like, I was obsessed with this whole story of Linda Evangelista who got face surgery, and then she finally showed her face and she looks fucking fine to me. Like, it's not about that. It's not about her face. It was about, it was no, no. I mean, literally it she's. I read the whole thing too. She, she calls herself deformed. She has like some fat that comes up over her bra3 (1h 12m 13s):Solidified. It's hard. Like, oh, that's true. Yeah. It's painful and hard. And,1 (1h 12m 20s):But the thing is like the, it is for me, what, what it brought forward was like from the outside, right outside, looking at Linda Evangelista, she's still one of the most beautiful people I've ever seen with her without her deformity. But it doesn't matter because she is not her identity was this model. Right. Which probably screwed her for life and also offered her privileges beyond my wildest dreams. Both are true. So I guess what it brings forward is like, everything about this journey is a combo fucking platter. You kinda have the privilege of beauty without also being in a prison.1 (1h 13m 1s):You cannot have the privilege of, you know, like for me, I kind of have the compassion that I have for humans. If I had not gone through what I had gone through as a child, especially an overweight child, like gum, it comes together. And I think we're so used to seeing people as, oh, that's Rebecca Spence. This is what she does. And this is how her life, it's not that way. And I think that's one of my life goals is to just show people through my writing and my work. Like this is a fucking combo platter. People like you don't get one way, like Linda Evangelista said, she feels like the most ugly person. And she acknowledged that she was a model and made millions of dollars doing it.1 (1h 13m 42s):So like, it's both, you're both, you're both things I give you permission. I give everyone permission to have both the prison and the privilege. I know it's not my job to do, but that's what I would wish on the world if I was running shit, which I'm not. So there we go. But anyway, that's my rant about you. I just really am focused on like asking women, especially like, what is it like, you know, especially as we get older to like change and it's a real3 (1h 14m 10s):Ego knock, I'm, you know, I'm not going to lie. I, I filmed something recently and I, my son went on, said, took a picture of the monitor and gave it to me. I was like, you know, I was like, oh shit. Okay.

Hollywood has a serious white agenda, meaning their penchant for pushing the typical white savior stories, with a sprinkle of "funny Black support to the white main character" for good measure. Or how you'll have 5-10 seasons of a show with an all-white cast, with no mention of diversifying their characters until their absolute last season. Or how you hardly ever see two dark skin people loving each other on camera without their being a slave narrative attached. Unless you've decided not to notice, it is pretty clear that the entertainment powers do not love Black people, particularly the fullness of our stores, realities, and existences. By this I mean TV + movies have historically painted Black people as drug addicts, thugs, slaves, victims, criminals, and other anti-Black troupes which have gone on to color the imaginations of populations of people watching. That's what I call an agenda when wealthy white power structures use their money to ensure that only one story is told forever and ever and ever.Insert Felicia Pride, TV + film writer/director who is no longer making the case for why Black people and our love stories should be told, she's writing our stories for us and no one else. From Queen Sugar to Netflix's Really Love, Felicia talks to us about why cultural specificity is important (Black love is unique,) what it will realistically take for Black creatives to bring the spectrum of Black stories to the big and small screens (MONEY,) and why Black revolutionary playwright Dominique Morisseau is her favorite Angry African. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Broadway News: Brittney Johnson made history as the first Black Glinda on Broadway on Valentine's Day! Broadway theaters will still require audience members to wear masks and show proof of vaccination for entry through April 30. “American Utopia” has extended its Broadway run through April 3. This is the final extension of the show, which has been playing the St. James Theatre since Sept. 17, 2021. “American Utopia” was originally scheduled to run through March 6. Cast albums by release date: Love in Hate Nation by Joe Iconis, Witness Uganda and Space Dogs (Feb 11); Flying Over Sunset (Feb 18); Back to the Future (London - March 11); Assassins (March 18)   West Side Story is arriving on Disney+ on March 2. Newsies will celebrate 10 years with a reunion of the Broadway and tour cast at 54 Below on March 28th and 29th. Broadway premiere of Skeleton Crew, written by Tony Award nominee Dominique Morisseau and directed by Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson, moves into its final week of performances. Casting: Elizabeth Teeter will take on the role of Lydia when Beetlejuice returns to Broadway this spring. Teeter, who recently led the Off-Broadway musical The Secret Life of Bees, will star alongside Alex Brightman as Beetlejuice. Returning original cast members include Kerry Butler, Adam Dannheisser, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Kelvin Moon Loh, Danny Rutigliano and Dana Steingold. Amber Grey will play Banquo in Macbeth this spring. She joins previously announced Daniel Craig and Ruth Negga in the upcoming revival, directed by Sam Gold. Maria Dizzia will play Lady Macduff, opposite Grantham Coleman as Macduff.  SIX North American tour tour will feature Khaila Wilcoxon as Catherine of Aragon, Storm Lever as Anne Boleyn, Jasmine Forsberg as Jane Seymour, Olivia Donalson as Anna of Cleves, Didi Romero as Katherine Howard, and Gabriela Carrillo as Catherine Parr.  The upcoming Broadway musical Paradise Square has announced its complete 40-member cast, which includes Tony nominees Joaquina Kalukango and John Dossett, and Chilina Kennedy. Rehearsals are underway for the production that will begin previews March 15 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. Following its 2019 world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Paradise Square will officially open on Broadway April 3. Find co-hosts on Twitter at @AyannaPrescod, @CLewisReviews, and @TheMartinAcuna. Subscribe To BPN's newsletter HERE. Follow @BwayPodNetwork on Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A conversation with Oregon Shakespeare Festival's artistic director Nataki Garrett and playwright Dominique Morisseau about Confederates.

In the second episode of Season 8, Jackson and Jacob revisit Dominique Morisseau. As one of America's most impressive contemporary playwrights, Morisseau's work tracks pressing issues in our society. Her play Pipeline examines the American education system and its impact on one family. Listen in as J&J dive in to this moving piece.  ------------------------------ Please consider supporting us on Patreon. For as low as $1/month, you can help to ensure the No Script Podcast can continue.  https://www.patreon.com/noscriptpodcast  ----------------------------- We want to keep the conversation going! Have you read this play? Have you seen it? Comment and tell us your favorite themes, characters, plot points, etc. Did we get something wrong? Let us know. We'd love to hear from you. Find us on social media at:  Email: noscriptpodcast@gmail.com Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/No-Script-The-Podcast-1675491925872541/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noscriptpodcast/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/noscriptpodcast/ ------------------------------ Our theme song is “Upbeat Soda Pop” by Purple Planet Music. Credit as follows: Music: http://www.purple-planet.com ------------------------------ Thanks so much for listening! We'll see you next week.

Ed talks with playwright Dominique Morisseau about her latest Broadway play, Skelton Crew. They also discuss the new “interest” in Black media content and why saluting the working class and her hometown of Detroit is so important to her. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com

And just like that, Karen Pittman is on the show! You Might Know Her From And Just Like That, The Morning Show, Luke Cage, Yellowstone, The Americans, Homeland, and Disgraced on Broadway. We had a ball talking with Karen about life starring on two very high profile series at the same time. We dug into the rich internal life that Karen brings to Mia on The Morning Show and how she added subtext to all her scenes (“dicks beware!”). We also got into the good, the complicated, and the wildly fun parts of joining the new chapter of Sex and the City as Professor Nya Wallace and what a season two might look like. All that plus: would Nya be friends with Samantha Jones, will Mia finally sing on The Morning Show, and could Karen ever serve as Fight Captain on a show again? We couldn't help but wonder…was this one for the books?  Follow us on social media @damianbellino || @rodemanne  Ronnie has now been with Damian for one year! Betty Gilpin will play Anna Nicole Smith in new movie Hurricanna (also Holly Hunter) The Anna Nicole Smith Show (featuring Kimmie and Howard Stern) Larry Birkhead was Dannie Lynn's biological father (even though Howard Stern raised her with ANS for a while) And Just Like That documentary Playing high status Yellowstone, Luke Cage, Homeland  Crazy fight scene in Blindspot Was fight captain for the play Disgraced Keri Russell kills Karen with a vodka bottle in The Americans Plays Mia Jordan on The Morning Show Worked with a lot of great playwrights in NYC: David Lindsay-Abaire, Ayad Akhtar, Dominique Morisseau   Former YMKHF guest Adina Porter (ep #76) “Dicks beware” speech  @ 20:38  Everybody gets a musical number, including Martin Short Plays Prof Nya Wallace on And Just Like That  Lisa Todd Wexley (Nicole Ari Parker)  Seema (Sarita Choudhury) Molly Rogers & Danny Santiago are costume designers for And Just Like That She is Team Aiden, Team Anthony, Team yes friends with Samantha Compared working with Laurie Metcalf and Frances McDormand to working with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon Was an understudy in Passing Strange and also Good People (opp Frances McDormand) Possessed by a demon in the tv show Evil (oatmeal made the foam) Celia Keenan-Bolger episode of YMKHF (Ep #98) Sarah Jessica Parker getting interviewed backstage at Annie on Broadway (a child!) SJP's shoe line / SJP's wine line / SJP's book imprint

When I saw the casting call for New Manifest Theatre Company's inaugural production four years ago, I had no idea that I'd meet someone that I would artistically follow anywhere. In this episode Simone and I talk about the importance of representation; the advantages of being a director; and how sickened I am by her and her husband's love. Join Can I Bother You's Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/canibotheryou Drink water! DEVICO 32oz Water Bottle with Time Marker - https://amzn.to/3LixG6I Keep up with Simone's work! Instagram: @simoneraquelalexander Twitter: @SimoneRaquelA Website: https://simoneraquelalexander.blog/ Keep up with New Manifest's productions! Podcast: https://anchor.fm/newmanifesttheatrepodcast Instagram & Facebook: @newmanifesttheatre Twitter: @NewManifestOrg Website: https://newmanifest.org/ Things Simone wants you to check out: Playwrights Aleshea Harris https://www.bagofbeans.net/ Dominique Morisseau http://dominiquemorisseau.com/ Kristiana Rae Colón https://www.kristianaraecolon.com/ Directors Whitney White https://whitney-white.com/ Liesl Tommy https://www.imdb.com/name/nm8217935/ New Play Exchange https://newplayexchange.org/ Giving Voice https://youtu.be/82N4-Qa-hWs Reality TV Love Island https://youtu.be/1N6pq3e3Fow Survivor https://youtu.be/A4dw4gAqkHc Bother Can I Bother You: @canibotheryou Instagram Twitter Facebook Bother AJ: @ajreyesf13 YouTube Instagram Twitter Facebook Thanks for listening! --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/canibotheryou/message

We're on the Skeleton Crew red carpet for this week's episode of bwaySHO: The Podcast! Hear from special guests as they head into Opening Night, as well as Dominique Morisseau & Ruben Santiago-Hudson's curtain call speeches! Thanks for listening to bwaySHO: The Podcast!  If you like what you heard, please subscribe, rate and review, so you can be a spy on the inside for future episodes.  Thanks to all the SHOtreons and special shout-out to the SHOstopper and SHOnanigans levels. Clare Freeman, Kelly Chapman, Ashley Stasak, Shannon Wheeler, Judy Cotner, Naomi Cotner, John Benson, Alyssa Walles, Cindi Howard, Julie Larkin, Lisa Michelle Martin O'Neill, Margaret Haughey, Eva Fink Clausen and Sharon Salzberg. If This Was Your Jam, You Can Become A SHOtreon! Head Over To Patreon.Com/bwaySHO. You get exclusive access to filmed performances, photos and interviews, as well as up-to-date news on what's going on in the theatre world. It's A Fun Time, Come Check It Out. Thanks as always to Khayle Braxton AKA Gedun for these Awesome Beats, Jelani Remy for the Beautiful Intro Riff, Alex Brightman for the SHO time promo, Chelsey Hill AKA Illustrating Diva, for the cool cover art, all the wonderful guests and all of you for listening! Special thanks to Kyle Morales for assistance on the red carpet. Get your vaccine, wear a mask, be safe and let's take care of ourselves. We'll see you at the SHO @bwaySHO  / @bwaySHOpodcast / bwaySHO.com Proud member of the Broadway Podcast Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The “Skeleton Crew” writer on lifting up Detroit, the influence of August Wilson, the closing of “Ain't Too Proud” and the advice she got from Chadwick Boseman.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's Talk About Skeleton Crew. Season 2 - Episode 4: the Rhythm of the Work.A Public Fit Theatre Company is an award-winning ensemble theatre based in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this episode of Behind the Buzz, Producing Director Joe Kucan and Artistic Director Ann-Marie Pereth continue the conversation about Dominique Morisseau's rhythmic drama Skeleton Crew. They are joined by Director Jason Nious and actor Breanna McCallum to discuss the work, the environment of the community and the nature of inclusion. Behind the Buzz is a production of A Public Fit Theatre Company in association with Giantleap Industries. Copyright 2022, all rights reserved. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Governor Proposes Theater Tax Credit, Celebrate National Swing Day, Dominique Morisseau's “Confederates” Pushes Opening Date “Today on Broadway” is a daily, Monday through Friday, podcast hitting the top theatre headlines of the day. Any and all feedback is appreciated: Ashley Steves ashley@broadwayradio.com | @NoThisIsAshleyGrace Aki grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAkiJames Marino james@broadwayradio.com read more The post Today on Broadway: Thursday, January 20, 2022 appeared first on BroadwayRadio.

As we bid farewell to 2021 and hope for better and brighter days in the new year, I felt it prudent to send this year off with some folly and Toddies!  I didn't want to do it alone. So I got one of my favorite people my Big Sister-Cuz, Bambi Jones, to come sit and chat for another good feels get down Holiday VM&M episode!    Last year was so much FUN that we decided to turn  the shenanigans all the way up this time! We get into not just what we have, and are currently, binge watching and how it makes us feel, but some heavier chat about the connection between what entertainment we consume and its relevance to our world. Speaking of which, Bambi clues us in on the historic moment that happened when Broadway reopened post pandemic lockdown in NYC. Did you know that seven Plays that were written by seven Black Playwrights, were a major part of that reopening? If not, get ready to be in the know! She gets all into it for us! And you can check out my Blog for additional links and info about all seven of the shows.   We had a lot to cover! So much so that this is going up in 2 parts!  Yes,we go deep here and there,but we bring more than enough love and laughter to the party as well. Don't believe me? Check out the VM&M Youtube Channel to see our version of "The 12 Days of Christmas!" featured in the Holiday Shenanigans Episode Preview video. You'll be glad you did! So grab those tasty hot beverages, preferable a Hot Toddie, and join us for some Holiday cheer! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Jannae       Vibes...Moods &  Moves - Podcast

As we bid farewell to 2021 and hope for better and brighter days in the new year, I felt it prudent to send this year off with some folly and Toddies!  I didn't want to do it alone. So I got one of my favorite people my Big Sister-Cuz, Bambi Jones, to come sit and chat for another good feels get down Holiday VM&M episode!    Last year was so much FUN that we decided to turn  the shenanigans all the way up this time! We get into not just what we have, and are currently, binge watching and how it makes us feel, but some heavier chat about the connection between what entertainment we consume and its relevance to our world. Speaking of which, Bambi clues us in on the historic moment that happened when Broadway reopened post pandemic lockdown in NYC. Did you know that seven Plays that were written by seven Black Playwrights, were a major part of that reopening? If not, get ready to be in the know! She gets all into it for us! And you can check out my Blog for additional links and info about all seven of the shows.   We had a lot to cover! So much so that this is going up in 2 parts!  Yes,we go deep here and there,but we bring more than enough love and laughter to the party as well. Don't believe me? Check out the VM&M Youtube Channel to see our version of "The 12 Days of Christmas!" featured in the Holiday Shenanigans Episode Preview video. You'll be glad you did! So grab those tasty hot beverages, preferable a Hot Toddie, and join us for some Holiday cheer! Happy Holidays & Happy New Year! Jannae       Vibes...Moods &  Moves - Podcast

Welcome back to the 27th episode of The Cup which is our a weekly (give or take, TBD, these are unprecedented times) performing arts talk show presented by Cup of Hemlock Theatre. The theatres may be closed, but art finds a way to survive! For the time being on this podcast we are rereleasing our past reviews, interviews, roundtables, and duet reviews in remastered audio only versions so you can take your CoH content on the go! For our 27th episode we continue to branch out our review series beyond the Stratford Festival and onto other productions. In this episode we discussed the Lincoln Centre's 2017 debut of Dominique Morisseau's play, Pipeline, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, and starring Karen Pittman in the role of Nya. You can watch this production here: https://www.broadwayhd.com/movies/AW7NNQK8SYI49LFJHEPc?display=poster. Cup of Hemlock Theatre is a Toronto-based performing arts collective dedicated to staging works that examine the moral quandaries of the human experience. With an inquisitive compass, we aim to provide audiences the space to retrace their personal stories and navigate their individual ideologies. Follow us on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter: cohtheatre Follow our panelists: Mackenzie Horner (Before the Downbeat: A Musical Podcast) – Instagram/Facebook: BeforetheDownbeat Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3aYbBeN Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3sAbjAu Alicia Plummer – Instagram: itisaliciaplummer YouTube: Alicia Onlineee: https://bit.ly/3kBkMnT Andrew Pawarroo – Instagram: andrew.s.pawarroo Ryan Borochovitz – [Just send all that love to CoH instead; he won't mind!] --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/cup-of-hemlock-theatre/support

Simone Missick made history for her powerful and extraordinary portrayal in Marvel's Luke Cage as TV's first black female superhero, Misty Knight, and has captivated audiences ever since. Touted as the show's "breakout star," Missick was featured as one of People magazine's "Ones to Watch" prior to the first season premiere. She continued to portray this impactful character in other shows, such as The Defenders and Iron Fist. Simone's other television appearances include CBS All Access' Tell Me a Story, the political thriller Scandal, Wayward Pines, and Showtime's crime drama Ray Donovan. Also, she starred in the comedy short Voicemail, for which she was nominated for the Best Actor Award at the NBC Universal Shorts Festival. Later this year, Simone will star in the second season of the series Altered Carbon, opposite Anthony Mackie. Previously, Simone filmed the lead in the independent film Jinn, directed by Nijla Mumin, which premiered at SXSW Festival in 2018. The film tells the deeply intimate and timely story of a woman who converts to Islam and how this affects her family dynamic. Outside of film and television, Simone's impressive theater work includes the Signature's Paradise Blue, written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson and Center Theatre Group's Citizen: An American Lyric. Based on a book of poetry by Claudia Rankine, adapted for the stage by Fountain Theatre co-artistic director Stephen Sachs, and directed by Shirley Jo Finney, "Citizen" fuses poetry, prose, movement, music and the video image in a provocative stage adaptation. Also, Missick starred as Sweet Tea in The Road Weeps, the Well Runs Dry at the L.A. Theatre Center, which earned her an NAACP Theater Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress in 2014. Simone lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Dorian Missick, and pup Charlie. Her birthday is Jan. 19. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram @SimoneMissick. Welcome to the HU Movemakers Podcast (www.humovemakers.com), where we highlight folks in Howard University Culture that are blazing the trail and making moves! If you would like to apply or nominate someone to be on the podcast, please email bio/headshot to humovemakers@gmail.com. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/humovemakers/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/humovemakers/support

Dominique Morisseau is an award-winning playwright whose works portray the lives of individuals and communities grappling with economic and social changes, both current and historical. One of the most widely produced writers in the United States and a 2018 MacArthur Fellow, Morisseau is a powerful storyteller whose examination of character and circumstance is a call for audiences to consider the actions and responsibilities of society more broadly. Through the lens of her topical and timely works of art, Morisseau sits down with Daniel Gray-Kontar to discuss the importance and impact of art as a tool for social change.

It wasn't enough for us to review Pipeline, by Dominique Morisseau, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III, on stage at Actor's Theatre of Louisville through February 2nd. Thankfully, we were able to steal some time with Renika Williams (Jasmine ) & Eden Marryshow (Dun) to talk more about the Pipeline experience, working at Actor's, & this brief season of life in Louisville.

kb saine talks with playwright Dominique Morisseau about her Detroit Trilogy, her influences and intentions as a playwright, and the contemporary realities of Jim Crow Theatre.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Detroit '67” by Dominuqe Morisseau, at Aurora Theatre Company through October 7, 2018. Aurora Theatre Company website   The post Review: Detroit '67 by Dominique Morisseau, at Aurora appeared first on KPFA.

On Twitter: @domorisseau @LCTheater @thompowers @purenonfictionPure Nonfiction is distributed by the TIFF podcast network.

This is a black arts and culture site. We will be exploring the African Diaspora via the writing, performance, both musical and theatrical (film and stage), as well as the visual arts of Africans in the Diaspora and those influenced by these aesthetic forms of expression. I am interested in the political and social ramifications of art on society, specifically movements supported by these artists and their forebearers. It is my claim that the artists are the true revolutionaries, their work honest and filled with raw unedited passion. They are our true heroes. Ashay! 1. "Black Folks Don't. . . " enters its 4th and final season Sept. 26, and we join creator, Angela Tucker (tuckergurl.com) to talk about her popular series.  https://www.youtube.com/user/BlackFolkDont 2. Darryl V. Jones (Director), Tarell Alvin McCraney's "The Brothers Size" at Theatre Rhinocerous, where he has directed several world and West Coast premieres of new plays, including Xtigone by Nambi Kelley and Follow Me to Nellie's by Dominique Morisseau. He holds a Bachelor of Music from The Catholic University of America and an M.F.A. in Directing from Boston University. Visit www.TheRhino.org 3. Bruce Graham, playwright, professor, actor, joins us to talk about "White Guy on the Bus" which closed Sept. 24 at Theatre Aluminous in Oakland. We also talk about writing, acting and the importance of character (smile).