Podcast appearances and mentions of James Shapiro

This is day 15!of the Dog Days of Podcastinghttps://dogdaysofpodcasting.com/ James  Shapiro calls in from Rockford music  by Blackberry Smoke Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Tim Schall for the $100 Dog Days Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3 (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2The post From John Day,OREGON DDOP2026 Day 15 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

United States President Abraham Lincoln and his assassin John Wilkes Booth were both deeply immersed in Shakespeare's works. And yet, the conclusions they reached about how best to end tyranny--a feature of both Macbeth and Julius Caesar--could not have been more different. As James Shapiro (Shakespeare in a Divided America) explained to Jacke in a conversation they had in 2023, reading Shakespeare from opposing vantage points is not unusual in American history. What does this mean for our understanding of the past--and our hopes for the future? On Sale Now! For more information and to order ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Great Detective! An Adventure for Two People [2-Book Boxed Set]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ by Jacke Wilson, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠press.historyofliterature.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. SPECIAL OFFER! For a limited time, enter promotion code SHIP26 to get free domestic or international shipping! (Available in the U.S., Canada, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Iceland, Estonia, Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand.) The music in this episode is by Gabriel Ruiz-Bernal. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠gabrielruizbernal.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Help support the show at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠patreon.com/literature⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠historyofliterature.com/donate⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. The History of Literature Podcast is a member of Lit Hub Radio and the Podglomerate Network. Learn more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thepodglomerate.com/historyofliterature⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Capelle, The Rock n Roll Copywriter, calls in with a report of Richie Blackmore rejoining Derp Purple on stage last night at Jones Beach The episode features a mix of personal updates and concert experiences, starting with a brief introduction and context setting. The host shares a personal update about moving out of San Francisco and reflects on a recent concert experience seeing Bryan Adams, expressing surprise at the quality of the performance. Significant music news regarding Ritchie Blackmore’s reunion with Deep Purple garners attention online. The host discusses the choices available for concerts and strongly recommends attending Bryan Adams’ show if it comes to town. Highlights from the concert include Blackmore’s surprise appearance performing ‘Smoke on the Water.’ Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Tim Schall for the $100 Dog Days Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3 (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2The post Richie Blackmore Rejoins Deep Purple – DDOP 2026 Day 13 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

On this episode I speak with Ira Blacker. He has a new book out called Once A King, Now A Prince a rock and roll memoir about survival, the music business, family dysfunction, and the strange road that carried me from abuse and fear into the center of rock and roll history. Once A King, Now A Prince Website PURCHASE THE BOOK Music by Little Feat Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3 (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2The post Ira Blacker Former Manager of RUSH and Many other Acts. first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 11 of the Dog Days of Podcasting.  Friend of the Show and Friend of Mine, Ralph Miller, calls in with a show review of AC/DC Music by Alice Cooper Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3 (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1 Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2The post AC/DC Show Review – DDOP 2026 Day 11 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

The restoration of the monarchy in 1660 brought a flurry of changes to London life. Women were allowed to appear on stage for the first time, the Royal Society was founded and the West End, with its squares, parks and fashionable ‘season', was born. But the social whirl stopped abruptly in 1665 with the arrival of plague, which was followed in 1666 by the catastrophic Great Fire of London. To talk about these events and the new city that emerged from the ashes, Rosemary is again joined by Vanessa Harding, emerita professor of London history at Birkbeck. They look at the invaluable observations of Samuel Pepys, the continental ambitions of Christopher Wren and the emergence of political parties from the succession crisis of the 1680s. Reading by Duncan Wilkins Non-subscribers will only hear an extract from this episode. To listen in full, and to all our other Close Readings series, sign up: Apple Podcasts: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/applesignuplr⁠⁠ Other podcast apps: ⁠⁠https://lrb.me/scsignuplr⁠ Further reading in the LRB: Margaret Anne Doody on Aphra Behn: ⁠https://lrb.me/lrep801⁠ Deborah Friedell on Samuel Pepys: ⁠https://lrb.me/lrep802⁠ Simon Schaffer on Christopher Wren: ⁠https://lrb.me/lrep803⁠ James Shapiro on plague writing: ⁠https://lrb.me/lrep804⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This is day 9 of the Dog Days of Podcasting. We take a ride on the iconic Cyclone  roller coaster at Coney Island Music by Montose ? Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2   Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post The Cyclone – DDOP 2026 Dau 9 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 8 of the Dog Days of Podcasting. John Bartholow wrote in requesting that I revisit Alice Cooper’s hair metal era so we revisit the albums Constrictor, Raise Your Fist and Yell, Trash and Hey .Stoopid Music by Alice Cooper   Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2   Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post Alice Cooper Hair Metal Era Revisited – DDOP2026 Day 8 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 6 of the Dog Days of Podcasting. Chris Capelle, The Rock and Roll Copywriter calls in with an addendum to yesterday’s show reviews. Music by Sammy Hagar   Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2   Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post The Rock and Roll Copywriter Addendum – DDOP2026_7 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 6 of the Dog Days of Podcasting. Chris Capelle, The Rock and Roll Copywriter calls in with 3 show reports. Music by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts   Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 Dog Days donation! Thanks to Brian Grattidge for the $31 Dog Days donaton! Donate on Venmo @Michael-Butler-11 Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2   Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post The Rock and Roll Copywriter – DDOP2026 _6 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 5 of the Dog days of pecasting Friend Of The Show Kirk Crawford Wright in with a great question Music by Udo This episode dives into memorable concert e ? Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100Penske Doation! thanks to Kirk Crawford for the $100 dog Deys donation! Donate on Venmo @ Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2   Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post Ask Butler – DDOP2026 _5 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 4 of the Dog days of  Podcasting  Suggestiom from friend of The Show Todd Cunningham Music by Keel Opening Acts That Outshine Headliners This episode dives into memorable concert experiences where opening acts stole the show from headliners. Starting with an introduction from California, the host shares the date and context of the recording, marking day four of the Dog Days of Podcasting challenge. The discussion kicks off with a prompt about concerts where the opening band was better than the main act, leading to a nostalgic recount of Joan Jett opening for The Police. The host and a listener share their experiences, emphasizing how Jett’s performance outshone the headliner. The episode includes humorous anecdotes, including a light-hearted moment involving an awkward bathroom incident at a concert. Chapters: 00:00:05 – Introduction from California 00:01:24 – Day Four of Podcasting Challenge 00:02:19 – Prompt for Listener Stories 00:05:39 – Shared Concert Experience 00:10:50 – Humorous Bathroom Incident ? Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100 Penske Donation Donate on Venmo Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post Opening Acts That Outshine Headliners -DDOP 2026 _4 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 4 of the Dog days of  Podcasting  Lars Lenova writes  in with five questions for Michael Butler Music by Squeeze ? Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100 Penske Donation Donate on Venmo Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post Questions from Friends Of The ShowDDOP 2026 _3 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

This is day 2 of the Dog days of  Podcasting  Today  we go gardening Music by Kiss  

This is day one of the Dog days of  Podcasting  Music by Mott The episode kicks off with an intriguing introduction to the Rock and Roll Butler’s mushroom hunting escapades. Set in an undisclosed trail in upstate New York, the host shares his passion for foraging mushrooms, emphasizing his expertise. He highlights the value of mushrooms, particularly morels and chanterelles, which he considers the holy grail of edible fungi. The conversation shifts to the practical side of mushroom hunting, discussing what to do with large quantities of mushrooms and the various ways to enjoy them, including health benefits. A humorous anecdote about a past experience with psilocybin mushrooms adds a personal touch. Chapters: 00:00:14 – Introduction to the story 00:00:57 – Mushroom hunting introduction 00:04:12 – Mushroom value 00:05:17 – Mushroom processing 00:13:11 – Mushroom experiences 00:17:24 – Reflection on the hunt < Donate to the show – Rock and Roll Geek Friends And Family Membership Thanks to Joe Pawlak for the $250 Penske Truck Donation! Thanks to Ralph Miller for the $125 Penske truck donation Thanks to Dan Gerawan for the $100 Penske Donation Donate on Venmo Joe Pawlak – $250 Penske Fund Dan Gerawan – $100 Penske Fund John Morgan – $50 Kirk Crawford – $50 Dan Gerawan – $50 Tim Schall – $50 Rockbottom Rob Giglio – $30 Michael Stitik – $25 Gregg Brofer – $20 Blake Johnston – $20 Richard Fusey – $10.99 Todd Cunningham – $10 Steven Cohen $5 Danny Borden – $5 Bruce McMillan – $3   (Venmo donation id is @Michael-Butler-11) PATREON DONORS Joe Pawlak – $16.66 Kirk Crawford – $12.77 Patrick Shanahan – $10 Brian Springer – $8 Jon Scott – $8 Michael Street – $7.50 Dave Slusher – $5.55 Robert Harvey – $5 Chiaki Hinohara – $5 MedakiMetal on Instagram Mike Dixon – $5 Jamie Jefford – $5 Erik Klein – $5 Paul Smith – $5 Justin Lefkowitz – $5 Steve Trice – $5 James Shapiro – $5 Martin Clawley – $5 Nadi Itani – $5 Eric Stowell – $4 Mike Hellyer – 4 pounds Mark Mazzel – $3 Adrian Boschan – $2 Amelia Bowen – $2 RnR Pleeb – $1.42 3Legs4wheels – $1 Arne Stach – $1   Paypal Donors Michael Street – $25 Beer for the trip Richard Strom – $20 Dave Franco – $20 Steven Laperriere – $20 Jason Shepard – $10 Jeff and Cheri Thieleke – $10 School Of Podcasting – $10 Bradley Lisko – $10 Ralph Miller – $10 William Bealle – $10 Benjamin Mueller – $5 Vincent Crimi – $5 Jon Tennis – $5 Gregg Long – $5 Andrew Howe – $5 Christopher Del Grande – $5 Jayce Lesniewski – $5 Peter Spark $5 John Ofenloch – $5 Rachel Rosenberg – $5 Adam Croft – $2 Deborah Dreyfus – $2 Chad Kiffmeyer – $2 Kai Matsuda – $2 Brian Grattidge – $2 William Moffett – $2 Lasse Satvedthagen – $2 Dave Alexander – $2  The post Mushroom Hunting with Butler – DDOP 2026 -1 first appeared on The Rock and Roll Geek Show.

Vi letar i arkivet och hittar William Shakespeare teatergeniet vars verk har levt vidare genom seklen, men som själv lurar som en gäckande skugga i historiens vindlande gångar. Lyssna på alla avsnitt i Sveriges Radios app. Redaktionen för det här avsnittet består av:Cecilia Düringer – programledare och manusEmilia Mellberg – manus och producentPablo Leiva Wenger – scenuppläsareJulia Öjbrant Wikenmo – ljuddesign och slutmixMedverkar i avsnittet gör också Kent Hägglund, författare till boken William Shakespeare: En man för alla tider.Vill du veta mer om William Shakespeare? Här är några av de böcker som ligger till grund för avsnittet:På spaning efter William Shakespeare av Bill BrysonWilliam Shakespeare: En man för alla tider av Kent Hägglund1599 – a year in the life of William Shakespeare av James Shapiro1606 – William Shakespeare and the Year of Lear av James Shapiro

7. Headline: Smear Tactics and Public Perception Guest Author: James Shapiro The DICE committee's investigation was fueled by testimony from Hazel Huffman, a disgruntled former clerk who claimed the project was tainted by communism based on play titles alone. Huffman's unverified accusations were widely publicized by a hostile press, swaying public opinion against the arts. Although Huffman had limited knowledge of the program, Martin Dies denied Flanagan the chance to cross-examineher, breaking standard congressional protocols. This era established a political "playbook" for attacking cultural organizations by framing progressive ideas as foreign threats, a tactic that continues today. (7)

1. Headline: The Birth of the Federal Theater Project Guest Author: James Shapiro On April 14, 1936, the Lafayette Theater hosted an integrated crowd for the premiere of an all-Black production of *Macbeth*. This era-defining moment was made possible by the Works Progress Administration under Harry Hopkins, who launched Federal One to employ artists during the Great Depression. Hopkins believed in putting people back to work in fields that suited their skills rather than manual labor. He recruited Hallie Flanagan, an experimental theater professor from Vassar College, to lead the newly formed Federal Theater Project, which eventually reached millions across twenty-nine states. (1)1939 OKLAHOME

2. Headline: Developing Talent in Harlem's Negro Unit Guest Author: James Shapiro The Federal Theater Project aimed to develop Black talent by establishing "negro units" across America. The New York unit at the Lafayette Theater was initially led by Broadway star Rose McClendon, who recognized the importance of developing Black actors and directors. She brought in John Houseman, then a struggling administrator, who subsequently recruited a nineteen-year-old Orson Welles to direct his first professional Shakespeare play. This initiative provided revolutionary opportunities for Black performers in an industry where they were previously barred from even working as ushers. (2)1940

3. Headline: The Innovation and Controversy of Voodoo MacbethGuest Author: James Shapiro Orson Welles modernized *Macbeth* by setting it in 19th-century Haiti, substituting traditional witches for voodoo drumming and chanting. This "Voodoo Macbeth"became a national sensation, touring cities like Dallas and breaking local Jim Crow laws. Despite its success, the production faced scrutiny; Langston Hughesexpressed ambivalence, questioning whether the project truly represented the Black experience or merely used Black performers to tell white stories for white audiences. The play's impact on interracial performance remains a subject of cultural discussion regarding representation and voice. (3)1938 ILLINOIS

4. Headline: Challenging Fascism with Sinclair Lewis Guest Author: James Shapiro When Hollywoodrefused to film Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist novel *It Can't Happen Here* due to censorship and foreign market fears, the Federal Theater stepped in. Hallie Flanagan secured the rights and staged the production simultaneously in twenty cities, proving that live theater could match the national reach of movies. The play served as a stark warning against the rise of domestic and foreign dictatorships. Despite having to navigate local political sensitivities and avoid accusations of being a "commercial theater" competitor, the production became a massive cultural success. (4)1936 NYC STRIKE GARMENT WORKERS

5. Headline: Living Newspapers and Suppressed Voices Guest Author: James Shapiro The "Living Newspaper" format used fact-based drama to address social issues like the national housing crisis. Productions such as *One-Third of a Nation* were popular with the public but drew ire from mocked senators who saw their own words used against them on stage. While the project pushed boundaries, it also faced internal censorship; for instance, the play *Liberty Deferred*, a sardonic history of American racism and lynching, was suppressed by white supervisors. Despite its innovative approach to telling the story of the 1619 project precursors, it was never performed. (5)

6. Headline: The Rise of Martin Dies and HUAC Guest Author: James Shapiro Congressman Martin Dies, an ambitious politician from Texas, leveraged the burgeoning medium of radio to attack the Federal Theater Project. As chairman of the first House Un-AmericanActivities Committee, Dies targeted the program by framing its output as communistic and un-American. He exploited public fatigue with relief programs to challenge the popular New Deal policies of President Roosevelt. This political maneuvering culminated in a historic 1938 hearing where Hallie Flanagan defended the role of theater in democracy against accusations of salacious and radical content. (6)

7. Headline: Smear Tactics and Public Perception Guest Author: James Shapiro The DICE committee's investigation was fueled by testimony from Hazel Huffman, a disgruntled former clerk who claimed the project was tainted by communism based on play titles alone. Huffman's unverified accusations were widely publicized by a hostile press, swaying public opinion against the arts. Although Huffman had limited knowledge of the program, Martin Dies denied Flanagan the chance to cross-examineher, breaking standard congressional protocols. This era established a political "playbook" for attacking cultural organizations by framing progressive ideas as foreign threats, a tactic that continues today. (7)

8. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro recounts the 1938 congressional hearings where Hallie Flanagan defended the Federal Theater Project. In a famous exchange, a committee member questioned if Renaissance playwright Christopher Marlowe was a communist. Despite her defense, the project was eventually defunded, leading to a tragic decline in Flanagan's later life. Shapiro also debunks the legend of a "voodoo curse" supposedly placed on critic John Hammond, identifying it as a fabrication by Orson Welles and John Houseman. He concludes that the political tactics used against the arts in the 1930s remain a modern "playbook". (8)1931

1. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro discusses the 1936 premiere of *Macbeth* at Harlem's Lafayette Theater, a landmark integrated event during the Jim Crow era. Shapiro introduces his book, *The Playbook*, detailing the Federal Theater Project's role in American democracy. He highlights Harry Hopkins, FDR's advisor who spearheaded the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Hopkins established "Federal One," a program designed to employ artists, musicians, and writers. Hopkins insisted that professionals, such as violinists, be employed in their specific fields to entertain and serve the public during the Great Depression. (1)1915

2. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro explains how Hollywood's dominance decimated local theaters, leaving countless actors unemployed by the 1930s. To address this, Harry Hopkins recruited Hallie Flanagan, an experimental theater professor, to lead the Federal Theater Project. Flanagan treated the arts as a federally supported industry, eventually employing 12,000 workers and staging 10,000 productions across 29 states. One-fourth of the American population saw these plays, often for free. The project also established "Negro Units" to develop Black talent and reach underserved communities, involving figures like Rose McClendon and John Houseman. (2)1916

3. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro details the creation of the famous "Voodoo Macbeth" in Harlem, directed by a twenty-year-old Orson Welles. Replacing Shakespeare's traditional Scottish setting with 19th-century Haiti, the production substituted witches with voodoo drummers and chanters. Welles, influenced by the rise of global fascism, framed evil as a systemic cultural force rather than a personal failing. The production was a massive hit, eventually moving to Broadway and touring nationally. This tour broke Jim Crow boundaries by bringing a professional Black cast to states where Black citizens lacked political representation. (3)1917

4. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro explores the complex reactions to the "Voodoo Macbeth," noting subtle racism in white critical reviews. Black intellectuals like Langston Hughes remained ambivalent, questioning if the project truly told Black stories or merely placed Black performers in "white" roles. The focus then shifts to Sinclair Lewis's *It Can't Happen Here*. Although MGM initially planned a film adaptation, they scrapped it to avoid losing the German market and to appease censors. Hallie Flanagan seized the opportunity, convincing Lewis to adapt the story for a simultaneous theatrical opening in twenty cities. (4)1928

5. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro describes the Federal Theater's bold production of *It Can't Happen Here*, which served as a warning against a fascist takeover in America. The play's portrayal of concentration camps and tyranny significantly shifted public opinion regarding the threats posed by Hitler and Mussolini. However, the project faced mounting political opposition. Shapiro introduces Martin Dies, an ambitious Texas congressman who chaired the first House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). Dies targeted the Federal Theater as "low-hanging fruit," accusing it of being communistic to attack FDR's progressive New Deal policies. (5)1921

6. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro discusses "Living Newspapers," such as *One-Third of a Nation*, which used fact-based accounts to tackle social issues like the housing crisis. These productions angered powerful real estate interests and senators whose own words were often mocked on stage. Shapiro also highlights *Liberty Deferred*, a sardonic play about the history of American racism and lynching. Despite its brilliance and factual basis, white supervisors "slow-walked" the script for years. Consequently, the play was never staged before the Federal Theater was shuttered by the government in 1939. (6)1921

  7. Guest Author: James Shapiro James Shapiro reveals the origins of the House Un-American Activities Committee, involving Samuel Dickstein, a congressman later identified as a Soviet spy. The committee's attack on the Federal Theater was fueled by Hazel Huffman, a disgruntled WPA worker. Huffman provided misleading testimony to Congressman Martin Dies, falsely labeling various plays as communist propaganda. Although Hallie Flanagan was a mainstream FDR supporter, she was smeared without a chance to cross-examine her accusers. Dies successfully exploited emerging media like radio to turn public opinion against the project and its leadership. (7)1923

James Shapiro discusses Federal Theatre Project plays like One-Third of a Nation, which critiqued housing inequality, and Liberty Deferred, a never-produced play about lynching in America.

James Shapiro reflects on the sad later lives of Flanagan and Dies, and debunks a legend involving Orson Welles and a critic of Voodoo Macbeth.

James Shapiro describes how the Dies Committee targets Director Hallie Flanagan using dubious testimony from Hazel Huffman to brand the Federal Theatre Project's plays as communist propaganda.

James Shapiro details how Congressman Martin Dies used the House Un-American Activities Committee to attack the Federal Theatre Project to gain political power and media fame.

James Shapiro details Welles's innovative Voodoo Macbeth, its anti-fascist themes, the racial condescension of white critics, and the production's massive success and subsequent national tour across America.

James Shapiro recounts how the Federal Theater simultaneously staged Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist play It Can't Happen Here across American cities after Hollywood studios rejected the film adaptation.

James Shapiro explains how Rose McClendon and John Houseman established the Negro Unit, hiring a young Orson Welles to direct the revolutionary Macbeth production in Harlem.

James Shapiro discusses the historic 1936 Harlem premiere of Macbeth, the Federal Theater Project's creation under Harry Hopkins and Hallie Flanagan, and its significance for democracy during the Depression era.

The creators of 'Father Wants Us Dead' bring you a new true crime series about a serial killer you've never heard of and the women who took him down: Someone's Hunting Us. In 2016, a serial killer was preying on Black women and girls he thought no one would miss — and getting away with it. Police in New Jersey never suspected that Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, a nerdy-looking, polite young man from a law enforcement family, was the one stalking the streets and dating apps for his next target. Like 'Father Wants Us Dead' — called one of the best true crime podcasts of all time by Entertainment Weekly — 'Someone's Hunting Us' is a deeply-reported story that honors the victims, investigates the investigators and gets inside the mind of a killer that fooled everyone. ----------- Check out our website for more about our reporting, plus photos and video footage, including Khalil Wheeler-Weaver's full interrogation video: ⁠⁠⁠https://someoneshuntingus.com⁠⁠⁠ Have a question, an idea for our next show, or other feedback? You can contact us on our website or at inbox@someoneshuntingus.com. Someone's Hunting Us is a production of NJ Advance Media, the #1 local news organization providing reporting for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. The podcast is reported, written, produced and hosted by Daysi Calavia-Robertson, a columnist covering communities of color, and Rebecca Everett, an investigative crime reporter and podcaster. Our executive producers are Christopher Kelly, Jessica Beym, Jeff Roberts, and Jess Mazzola. The podcast is recorded by Alex Graves at Sound on Sound Studios in Montclair, New Jersey. The episode was mixed by Blake Maples, who also composed our music. James‬‭ Shapiro is our associate audio engineer.‬ Special thanks to EqualSpace in Newark, where several of our interviews were recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The creators of 'In the Shadow of Princeton' and 'Father Wants Us Dead' bring you a new true crime series about a serial killer you've never heard of and the women who took him down: ⁠Someone's Hunting Us.⁠ In 2016, a serial killer was preying on Black women and girls he thought no one would miss — and getting away with it. Police in New Jersey never suspected that Khalil Wheeler-Weaver, a nerdy-looking, polite young man from a law enforcement family, was the one stalking the streets and dating apps for his next target. Like 'Father Wants Us Dead' — called one of the best true crime podcasts of all time by Entertainment Weekly — '⁠Someone's Hunting Us⁠' is a deeply-reported story that honors the victims, investigates the investigators and gets inside the mind of a killer that fooled everyone. ----------- Check out our website for more about our reporting, plus photos and video footage, including Khalil Wheeler-Weaver's full interrogation video: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://someoneshuntingus.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have a question, an idea for our next show, or other feedback? You can contact us on our website or at inbox@someoneshuntingus.com. Someone's Hunting Us is a production of NJ Advance Media, the #1 local news organization providing reporting for NJ.com and The Star-Ledger. The podcast is reported, written, produced and hosted by Daysi Calavia-Robertson, a columnist covering communities of color, and Rebecca Everett, an investigative crime reporter and podcaster. Our executive producers are Christopher Kelly, Jessica Beym, Jeff Roberts, and Jess Mazzola. The podcast is recorded by Alex Graves at Sound on Sound Studios in Montclair, New Jersey. The episode was mixed by Blake Maples, who also composed our music. James‬‭ Shapiro is our associate audio engineer.‬ Special thanks to EqualSpace in Newark, where several of our interviews were recorded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, James Shapiro celebrates New York's love affair with Shakespeare; Mark Nayler goes on the hunt for monsters; and Lily Herd introduces this issue's In Brief pages. 'Monsterland: A journey around the world's dark imagination', by Nicholas Jubber'The Perilous Deep: A supernatural history of the Atlantic', by Karl BellProduced by Charlotte Pardy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Shapiro wears many hats – author, scholar, cultural historian, consultant to New York's Public Theatre – discusses his work with actors and students, as well as his invaluable books A Year in the Life of William Shakespeare: 1599, The Year of Lear: Shakespeare in 1606, and Shakespeare in a Divided America. Shapiro also shares experiences of working on this summer's Twelfth Night in New York's Central Park; working with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal on Broadway in Othello; how he first discovered Shakespeare; what he learns from working with actors; the power of knowing whether a thou is a formal thou or an eff-you thou; being scolded (rightly!) by F. Murray Abraham; whether he prefers to be known as a historian, a mensch, or the Shakespeare Guy; how his thoughts about America have evolved since he wrote Shakespeare in a Divided America; how his correspondence with a Supreme Court justice was the Shakespeare in the coal mine; and how we look at the news for what's happening today but turn to Shakespeare to find out what's at stake. (Length 26:51) The post Shakespearean James Shapiro appeared first on Reduced Shakespeare Company.

5/8:  The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War by  James Shapiro  (Author)  https://www.amazon.com/Playbook-Theater-Democracy-Making-Culture-ebook/dp/B0CGTQFQ8H From 1935 to 1939, the Federal Theatre Project staged over a thousand productions in 29 states that were seen by thirty million (or nearly one in four) Americans, two thirds of whom had never seen a play before. At its helm was an unassuming theater professor, Hallie Flanagan. It employed, at its peak, over twelve thousand struggling artists, some of whom, like Orson Welles and Arthur Miller, would soon be famous, but most of whom were just ordinary people eager to work again at their craft. It was the product of a moment when the arts, no less than industry and agriculture, were thought to be vital to the health of the republic, bringing Shakespeare to the public, alongside modern plays that confronted the pressing issues of the day—from slum housing and public health to racism and the rising threat of fascism. The Playbook takes us through some of its most remarkable productions, including a groundbreaking Black production of Macbeth in Harlem and an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist novel It Can't Happen Here that opened simultaneously in 18 cities, underscoring the Federal Theatre's incredible range and vitality. But this once thriving Works Progress Administration relief program did not survive and has left little trace. For the Federal Theatre was the first New Deal project to be attacked and ended on the grounds that it promoted “un-American” activity, sowing the seeds not only for the McCarthyism of the 1950s but also for our own era of merciless polarization. It was targeted by the first House un-American Affairs Committee, and its demise was a turning point in American cultural life—for, as Shapiro brilliantly argues, “the health of democracy and theater, twin born in ancient Greece, have always been mutually dependent.” A defining legacy of this culture war was how the strategies used to undermine and ultimately destroy the Federal Theatre were assembled by a charismatic and cunning congressman from East Texas, the now largely forgotten Martin Dies, who in doing so pioneered the right-wing political playbook now so prevalent that it seems eternal. 1935-39 Federal Theater "Panics of 1938"

7/8:  The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War by  James Shapiro  (Author)  https://www.amazon.com/Playbook-Theater-Democracy-Making-Culture-ebook/dp/B0CGTQFQ8H From 1935 to 1939, the Federal Theatre Project staged over a thousand productions in 29 states that were seen by thirty million (or nearly one in four) Americans, two thirds of whom had never seen a play before. At its helm was an unassuming theater professor, Hallie Flanagan. It employed, at its peak, over twelve thousand struggling artists, some of whom, like Orson Welles and Arthur Miller, would soon be famous, but most of whom were just ordinary people eager to work again at their craft. It was the product of a moment when the arts, no less than industry and agriculture, were thought to be vital to the health of the republic, bringing Shakespeare to the public, alongside modern plays that confronted the pressing issues of the day—from slum housing and public health to racism and the rising threat of fascism. The Playbook takes us through some of its most remarkable productions, including a groundbreaking Black production of Macbeth in Harlem and an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist novel It Can't Happen Here that opened simultaneously in 18 cities, underscoring the Federal Theatre's incredible range and vitality. But this once thriving Works Progress Administration relief program did not survive and has left little trace. For the Federal Theatre was the first New Deal project to be attacked and ended on the grounds that it promoted “un-American” activity, sowing the seeds not only for the McCarthyism of the 1950s but also for our own era of merciless polarization. It was targeted by the first House un-American Affairs Committee, and its demise was a turning point in American cultural life—for, as Shapiro brilliantly argues, “the health of democracy and theater, twin born in ancient Greece, have always been mutually dependent.” A defining legacy of this culture war was how the strategies used to undermine and ultimately destroy the Federal Theatre were assembled by a charismatic and cunning congressman from East Texas, the now largely forgotten Martin Dies, who in doing so pioneered the right-wing political playbook now so prevalent that it seems eternal. 1935-39 Federal Theater "Ferdinand the Bull"

8/8:  The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War by  James Shapiro  (Author)  https://www.amazon.com/Playbook-Theater-Democracy-Making-Culture-ebook/dp/B0CGTQFQ8H From 1935 to 1939, the Federal Theatre Project staged over a thousand productions in 29 states that were seen by thirty million (or nearly one in four) Americans, two thirds of whom had never seen a play before. At its helm was an unassuming theater professor, Hallie Flanagan. It employed, at its peak, over twelve thousand struggling artists, some of whom, like Orson Welles and Arthur Miller, would soon be famous, but most of whom were just ordinary people eager to work again at their craft. It was the product of a moment when the arts, no less than industry and agriculture, were thought to be vital to the health of the republic, bringing Shakespeare to the public, alongside modern plays that confronted the pressing issues of the day—from slum housing and public health to racism and the rising threat of fascism. The Playbook takes us through some of its most remarkable productions, including a groundbreaking Black production of Macbeth in Harlem and an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist novel It Can't Happen Here that opened simultaneously in 18 cities, underscoring the Federal Theatre's incredible range and vitality. But this once thriving Works Progress Administration relief program did not survive and has left little trace. For the Federal Theatre was the first New Deal project to be attacked and ended on the grounds that it promoted “un-American” activity, sowing the seeds not only for the McCarthyism of the 1950s but also for our own era of merciless polarization. It was targeted by the first House un-American Affairs Committee, and its demise was a turning point in American cultural life—for, as Shapiro brilliantly argues, “the health of democracy and theater, twin born in ancient Greece, have always been mutually dependent.” A defining legacy of this culture war was how the strategies used to undermine and ultimately destroy the Federal Theatre were assembled by a charismatic and cunning congressman from East Texas, the now largely forgotten Martin Dies, who in doing so pioneered the right-wing political playbook now so prevalent that it seems eternal. 1935-39 Federal Theater "Power"

4/8:  The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War by  James Shapiro  (Author)  https://www.amazon.com/Playbook-Theater-Democracy-Making-Culture-ebook/dp/B0CGTQFQ8H From 1935 to 1939, the Federal Theatre Project staged over a thousand productions in 29 states that were seen by thirty million (or nearly one in four) Americans, two thirds of whom had never seen a play before. At its helm was an unassuming theater professor, Hallie Flanagan. It employed, at its peak, over twelve thousand struggling artists, some of whom, like Orson Welles and Arthur Miller, would soon be famous, but most of whom were just ordinary people eager to work again at their craft. It was the product of a moment when the arts, no less than industry and agriculture, were thought to be vital to the health of the republic, bringing Shakespeare to the public, alongside modern plays that confronted the pressing issues of the day—from slum housing and public health to racism and the rising threat of fascism. The Playbook takes us through some of its most remarkable productions, including a groundbreaking Black production of Macbeth in Harlem and an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist novel It Can't Happen Here that opened simultaneously in 18 cities, underscoring the Federal Theatre's incredible range and vitality. But this once thriving Works Progress Administration relief program did not survive and has left little trace. For the Federal Theatre was the first New Deal project to be attacked and ended on the grounds that it promoted “un-American” activity, sowing the seeds not only for the McCarthyism of the 1950s but also for our own era of merciless polarization. It was targeted by the first House un-American Affairs Committee, and its demise was a turning point in American cultural life—for, as Shapiro brilliantly argues, “the health of democracy and theater, twin born in ancient Greece, have always been mutually dependent.” A defining legacy of this culture war was how the strategies used to undermine and ultimately destroy the Federal Theatre were assembled by a charismatic and cunning congressman from East Texas, the now largely forgotten Martin Dies, who in doing so pioneered the right-wing political playbook now so prevalent that it seems eternal. 1935-39 Federal Theater "Mikado"

2/8:  The Playbook: A Story of Theater, Democracy, and the Making of a Culture War by  James Shapiro  (Author)  https://www.amazon.com/Playbook-Theater-Democracy-Making-Culture-ebook/dp/B0CGTQFQ8H From 1935 to 1939, the Federal Theatre Project staged over a thousand productions in 29 states that were seen by thirty million (or nearly one in four) Americans, two thirds of whom had never seen a play before. At its helm was an unassuming theater professor, Hallie Flanagan. It employed, at its peak, over twelve thousand struggling artists, some of whom, like Orson Welles and Arthur Miller, would soon be famous, but most of whom were just ordinary people eager to work again at their craft. It was the product of a moment when the arts, no less than industry and agriculture, were thought to be vital to the health of the republic, bringing Shakespeare to the public, alongside modern plays that confronted the pressing issues of the day—from slum housing and public health to racism and the rising threat of fascism. The Playbook takes us through some of its most remarkable productions, including a groundbreaking Black production of Macbeth in Harlem and an adaptation of Sinclair Lewis's anti-fascist novel It Can't Happen Here that opened simultaneously in 18 cities, underscoring the Federal Theatre's incredible range and vitality. But this once thriving Works Progress Administration relief program did not survive and has left little trace. For the Federal Theatre was the first New Deal project to be attacked and ended on the grounds that it promoted “un-American” activity, sowing the seeds not only for the McCarthyism of the 1950s but also for our own era of merciless polarization. It was targeted by the first House un-American Affairs Committee, and its demise was a turning point in American cultural life—for, as Shapiro brilliantly argues, “the health of democracy and theater, twin born in ancient Greece, have always been mutually dependent.” A defining legacy of this culture war was how the strategies used to undermine and ultimately destroy the Federal Theatre were assembled by a charismatic and cunning congressman from East Texas, the now largely forgotten Martin Dies, who in doing so pioneered the right-wing political playbook now so prevalent that it seems eternal. 1935-39 Federal Theater "Dance of the Nations"

PREVIEW: MACBETH: FEDERAL THEATRE: Professor James Shapiro, author "The Playbook," presents the national excitement at the Federal Theatre production of Macbeth in 1936- and how it launched the talents of two young actors, Orson Welles and John Houseman. More tonight. 1936 Macbeth at the Lafayette thetr in Harlem