Theater

(Left to right) Joseph Lattanzi, Sankara Harouna, Terrence Chin-Loy and Miles Wilson-Toliverstar star in Blind Injustice, presented through the Cincinnati Opera.

'Blind Injustice' Opera Sets Out To Open Eyes About Wrongful Conviction Rates

5:34pm July 23, 2019

by Elizabeth Kramer

Based on former federal prosecutor Mark Godsey's book of the same title, the new opera Blind Injustice draws on detailed interviews with exonerees to put America's criminal justice system on trial.

Vegas, Bambino! The Metropolitan Opera's 2019 production of Rigoletto.

'Rigoletto' In Vegas And The Pleasures Of The Metropolitan Opera

10:40am July 17, 2019

by Linda Holmes

A recent Pop Culture Happy Hour trip to New York took the team to see Rigoletto at the Metropolitan Opera. A jester in a rat pack? We saw it.

In Fairview, a respectable African American family prepares for a big dinner. But we slowly learn there's something off about Keisha (MaYaa Boateng) and her relatives.

Arts

The Pulitzer-Winning Play 'Fairview' Is About Being Watched While Black

6:02pm July 14, 2019

by Michel Martin

It starts with a perfect black family in a model household, like a '70s sitcom. Then it gets weird. Playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury says she was inspired by an experience with police surveillance.

Broadway Shows Canceled After New York City Blackout

5:09pm July 14, 2019

A number of Broadway shows were cancelled last night during a massive power outage in New York City.

LaChanze (left) and Elizabeth Teeter star in the Atlantic Theater Company's off-Broadway production of the musical adaptation of The Secret Life of Bees.

Arts

'The Secret Life Of Bees' Takes On A Second Life As Musical Theater

8:26am July 13, 2019

by Jeff Lunden

Sue Monk Kidd's bestselling novel tells the story of a white girl taken in by a family of black beekeepers. The premise posed a welcome challenge for black Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

Arts

Yiddish 'Fiddler On The Roof' Is A 'Dream Come True' For Lead Actor

1:33pm July 10, 2019

by Terry Gross

A new, Yiddish language production of the musical is currently running off-Broadway. Steven Skybell, who plays Tevye, and Joel Grey, who directs the show, explain why the play still resonates.

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Franco Zeffirelli pictured above in New York in October 1974.

Arts

Franco Zeffirelli, Creator Of Lavish Productions On Screen And Stage, Dies At 96

11:21am June 15, 2019

by Neda Ulaby

The Italian director staged sumptuously visualized operas, which often resembled Renaissance paintings brought to life. On film, he brought Shakespearean and biblical tales to the big screen.

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Arts

Audra McDonald And Michael Shannon On 'Frankie And Johnny In The Clair De Lune'

7:58am June 15, 2019

NPR's Scott Simon asks Audra McDonald and Michael Shannon about starring in the Broadway revival of Terrence McNally's 1987 play Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.

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'Hadestown' Wins 8 Tony Awards Including Best Musical

7:23am June 10, 2019

by Jeff Lunden

James Corden hosted the Tony Awards Sunday night in New York. Hadestown won 8 Tony Awards — including best musical. It's written, produced and directed by women.

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The cast of Hadestown performed at the Tony Awards on Sunday night, as the show won eight awards.

Arts

'Hadestown' Finds Bliss At The Tony Awards

12:26am June 10, 2019

by Linda Holmes

Anaïs Mitchell's long-developing musical won eight awards, including best musical, while The Ferryman won best play.