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Performing Arts

Monday

Obituaries

Playwright Wendy Wasserstein Dies at Age 55

Playwright Wendy Wasserstein died Monday in New York City after battling cancer. She was 55 years old. Day to Day has this remembrance of her prolific career and award-winning plays that celebrated women, including The Heidi Chronicles and The Sisters Rosenweig.

Playwright Wendy Wasserstein Dies at Age 55

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Obituaries

Recalling the Life of Playwright Wendy Wasserstein

A look at the life and career of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Wendy Wasserstein, who died Monday in New York City. Her plays included The Heidi Chronicles and The Sisters Rosensweig. Wasserstein died of lymphoma at the age of 55.

Recalling the Life of Playwright Wendy Wasserstein

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Saturday

Culture

Tommy Lee Jones, Exploring New Territory

Actor Tommy Lee Jones also directs The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada. It's the story of a man killed in Texas and a friend -- played by Jones -- who fulfills his wish to be buried in Mexico. Jones describes it a "journey" movie.

Tommy Lee Jones, Exploring New Territory

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Friday

Gliding Off the Dance Floor: Fayard Nicholas

Fresh Air

Fayard Nicholas was part of the famous acrobatic dancing team the Nicholas Brothers. He died earlier this week at the age of 91. Fayard's brother and tap partner Harold Nicholas recalls their career together.

Gliding Off the Dance Floor: Fayard Nicholas

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Wednesday

Obituaries

Inspiration to Astaire, Dancer Fayard Nicholas

The Nicholas Brothers dance act, Fayard and his brother Harold, inspired legions of dancers. Fred Astaire once called their performance in the film Stormy Weather "the greatest dance number ever filmed." Fayard Nicholas died Tuesday at age 91.

Inspiration to Astaire, Dancer Fayard Nicholas

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Saturday

Culture

Gillian Anderson, Paying a Visit to 'Bleak House'

A new film production of the Charles Dickens novel Bleak House will make its debut on PBS Sunday night. Gillian Anderson, of X-Files fame, plays Lady Honoria Dedlock. She tells Scott Simon about her role.

Gillian Anderson, Paying a Visit to 'Bleak House'

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Tuesday

Movies

Steve Coogan: From a Partridge to 'Cock and Bull'

Fresh Air

Comedian, writer, producer and actor Steve Coogan is an icon of British comedy. A trained actor, Coogan has emerged from playing his recurring media-buffoon character Alan Partridge to the title role in Tristram Shandy: A Cock and Bull Story.

Steve Coogan: From a Partridge to 'Cock and Bull'

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Sunday

Saturday

Obituaries

Oscar-Winner Shelley Winters Dies at 85

Actress Shelley Winters, who won Academy Awards for her roles in The Diary of Anne Frank and A Patch of Blue, has died at 85. She sustained a long career by repeatedly reinventing herself, from chorus girl to character actress.

Oscar-Winner Shelley Winters Dies at 85

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Wednesday

The DVD Room

Prized 'Tales of Hoffmann' Opera on DVD

Fresh Air

The 1951 film version of the Offenbach opera The Tales of Hoffmann, now on DVD, is recognized as a masterpiece of darkly fantastical storytelling from the British team of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger.

Prized 'Tales of Hoffmann' Opera on DVD

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Tuesday

Thursday

Opening Up Language Through Tongue Twisters

The students in Judith Sloan's theater program in Queens, N.Y., are mostly new immigrants. Like any high school kids, they can be hard to motivate. So, Sloan turns to tongue twisters and clapping games to help them prepare for a performance.

Opening Up Language Through Tongue Twisters

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Tuesday

World

Fewer Top Stars Willing to Sign Up with USO

For almost 65 years, the USO has provided entertainment for U.S. troops, getting movie stars, musicians and comics to visit war zones. But today, it's a bit more difficult to get top celebrities to go. USA Today correspondent Martin Kasindorf and radio commentator Al Franken explore the reasons why.

Fewer Top Stars Willing to Sign Up with USO

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Obituaries

Character Actor Vincent Schiavelli Dies

Vincent Schiavelli died of lung cancer Monday at age 57 in Italy. Schiavelli had memorable turns as a mental-ward patient in One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest and as a science teacher in Fast Times at Ridgemont High. In 1997, Vanity Fair named him one of America's best character actors.

Character Actor Vincent Schiavelli Dies

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Saturday

Weekend Edition Saturday

Putting a 'White Christmas' On Stage

Every November and December, arts organizations around the country compete for the lucrative "family holiday entertainment" dollar. A production based on Irving Berlin's tunes is aiming to be musical theater's newest seasonal tradition.

Putting a 'White Christmas' On Stage

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