Theater

The new Broadway adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird features Jeff Daniels as Atticus Finch and Gbenga Akinnagbe as Tom Robinson.

Books
Arts

Aaron Sorkin Brings 'To Kill A Mockingbird' To The Broadway Stage

4:15pm December 26, 2018

by Andrew Limbong

After lawsuits and pushback from Harper Lee's estate, the beloved 1960 novel is now a play. But Atticus Finch looks and sounds a little different than he did in the book.

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Books
Arts

How Rodgers And Hammerstein Revolutionized Broadway

12:43pm December 24, 2018

by Terry Gross

Todd Purdum's book, Something Wonderful, is about the creative partnership and strained personal relationship behind hit shows like Carousel and The Sound of Music. Originally broadcast April 9, 2018.

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Jackie Hoffman (right) plays Yente the matchmaker in the Yiddish adaptation of Fiddler. Hoffman grew up hearing her mother and grandmother speak Yiddish, and for years has been teaching little phrases to fellow cast members. "I've got gentiles speaking Yi

Arts

This Yente Found The Perfect Match, Performing 'Fiddler' In Yiddish

6:07pm December 23, 2018

by Michel Martin

Jackie Hoffman grew up speaking what her mother called "kitchen Yiddish" — a few words here and there. Now, she's dusting off the mameloshn (mother tongue) for a production of the 1964 musical.

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Lin-Manuel Miranda, Barack Obama Collaborate On Gospel Version Of 'Hamilton' Song

8:01am December 22, 2018

by Scott Simon

Barack Obama appears on the new song, "One Last Time (44 Remix)." Originally from the Broadway hit "Hamilton," Lin-Manuel Miranda reworked the number and included the former president.

Arts

Play Opens In New York Based On A Real Refugee Camp In Northern France

6:52am December 14, 2018

A makeshift city full of refugees is the scene for the new off-Broadway play The Jungle. NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with two of its actors, Ammar Haj Ahmad and Milan Ghobsheh.

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The Ferryman follows the large family of a man who was "disappeared" in the Northern Ireland conflicts of the late 20th century. Paddy Considine (standing) plays Quinn, the head of the family and the brother of the dead man.

Arts

Northern Ireland's Troubled Past Surfaces In Family Drama 'The Ferryman'

7:55am December 08, 2018

by Jeff Lunden

In the latest Broadway play by Jez Butterworth, the body of a man who was violently "disappeared" 10 years ago has been found in a bog. It augurs bad things for the dead man's family.

Arts

How The 'Golden Age' Of Corporate Musicals Used Songs To Boost Sales

1:27pm December 07, 2018

by Terry Gross

Sheldon Harnick, John Russell and Steve Young discuss "industrial musicals," Broadway-style productions written and performed at the behest of corporations. Originally broadcast Nov. 5, 2013.

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Ricky Jay performs his show Ricky Jay & his 52 Assistants at the Tiffany Theatre in Los Angeles in 1996.

Arts

Ricky Jay Remembered, From The Wings: An Assistant's Thoughts On The Late Magician

6:14pm November 30, 2018

by Chris Klimek

Critic Chris Klimek offers a remembrance of the late illusionist, author and actor Ricky Jay, for whom he worked as a personal assistant over a decade ago.

Arts

'The New One' Follows Comedian Mike Birbiglia's Journey To Parenthood

5:11pm November 20, 2018

Comedian Mike Birbiglia was staunchly opposed to having a kid. Then he and his wife had one. He talks with NPR's Ari Shapiro about his new Broadway show, The New One, about what happened next.

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The new Broadway adaptation of King Kong features a giant puppet which requires 15 people to operate.

Arts

'King Kong' On Broadway Is The 2,400-Pound Gorilla In The Room

5:57pm November 07, 2018

by Jeff Lunden

In a new $35 million musical, the star attraction is 20 feet tall and requires 15 people to operate. He's an engineering marvel — and also basically a giant monkey puppet.