Arts

Colum McCann won the National Book Award in 2009 for Let the Great World Spin.

Books
Arts

McCann's 'TransAtlantic' Crosses Fiction And Fact, Ireland And U.S.

11:25am June 12, 2013

by Lynn Neary

Novelist Colum McCann decided to write about the ties that bind his homeland, Ireland, with the United States, where he now lives. But he wanted to stay far away from cliches about being Irish-American. The result? His new novel, featuring historical figures searching for freedom, adventure and peace.

Queue Listen Now

Mara Wilson, 25, was a child actor who starred in Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire.

Arts

'Matilda' Star Mara Wilson On Why Some Child Actors Lose It

8:50am June 12, 2013

by NPR Staff

After years in movies and TV shows, some child actors end up making headlines for stints in rehab and legal drama later in life. Others leave Hollywood behind and pursue different careers. Mara Wilson, star of Matilda and Mrs. Doubtfire, explains the challenges of transitioning to adulthood.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Crosslove Theatre in Greensboro Provides Community Theatre With Religious Themes

8:36am June 12, 2013

by David Ford

Crosslove Theatre, housed at Lindley Park Church in Greensboro, is a Christian-based community theatre company that promotes professional-quality productions promoting religious themes.

Queue Listen Now

Books
Arts

What Kids Are Reading, In School And Out

7:11pm June 11, 2013

by Lynn Neary

Some experts are concerned that both in-school assignments and the books kids read for pleasure may not be challenging them enough.

Queue Listen Now

James Franco (from left), Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson, Seth Rogen, Jay Baruchel and Danny McBride all play versions of themselves in the post-apocalyptic comedy This Is the End, written by Rogen and his writing partner Evan Goldberg.

Arts

Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg: Friends Till 'The End'

5:16pm June 11, 2013

Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg met as adolescents on the Vancouver bar mitzvah circuit — and soon after began writing the script for what would become the movie Superbad. Their new project is This Is the End, a disaster-movie spoof in which the Rapture hits home in Hollywood.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

19th Annual Wayne C. Henderson Music Festival and Guitar Concert Takes Place This Saturday

9:14am June 11, 2013

by David Ford

Guitarist and luthier Wayne Henderson is one of today's leading guitarists with 3 national tours with Masters of the Steel String Guitar, a National Heritage Award, Carnegie Hall and Prairie Home Companion concerts under his belt just to name a few highlights.

Queue Listen Now

Arts
Economy

Post Recession, Architects Return To The Drawing Board

5:39am June 11, 2013

by Wendy Kaufman

While some jobs are coming back in this economy, the market for many architects remains tough. There were nearly 220,000 people working in the field in 2008. Today, more than 25 percent of those jobs are gone.

Queue Listen Now

Arts

Disruptive Broadway Audiences Master Stage Whisper

5:36am June 11, 2013

by Margot Adler

Cell phone rings. Loud talking. Candy wrappers crinkling. Even fights in the aisles. Have Broadway audiences gotten ruder?

Queue Listen Now

The 1939 film The Wizard Of Oz was rated G. The 2013 film Oz the Great and Powerful was rated PG. The difference? Maybe a little violence and a womanizing leading man.

Arts

When 'G' Movies Are For Kids, Do Kids Avoid 'G' Movies?

5:38pm June 10, 2013

by Bob Mondello

Bob Mondello says a G rating used to mean "general audiences." Now it means a movie for kids, and that means kids are less likely to be interested in them than they once were.

Queue Listen Now

David Cross (left) reprises his role as Dr. Tobias Funke, the sexually ambiguous brother-in-law of Jason Bateman's character, Michael Bluth, in Netflix's new season of Arrested Development.

Arts

'Arrested' No More: Hurwitz On Why The Bluths Are Back

5:05pm June 10, 2013

Seven years after Fox canceled the cult-favorite sitcom, a fourth season of Arrested Development is streaming on Netflix. The show's creator, Mitch Hurwitz, tells Fresh Air's Terry Gross that if the show doesn't get the right ratings this time, he can't blame the time slot.

Queue Listen Now