Accessibility links
Performing Arts News, interviews, and commentary on theater, the arts, music, and dance.

Performing Arts

Thursday

National

Britney's 'Meltdown' Inspires New Ballet

Pop icon Britney Spears' story is now the subject of a new modern ballet. Meltdown premieres Friday night in London and traces the rise and fall of the singer and tabloid favorite. According to the show's choreographer, he was inspired by every detail of Spears' life and how her story had become a "modern tragedy."

Britney's 'Meltdown' Inspires New Ballet

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18582314/18582287" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Review

Music Reviews

Patricia Brooks: A Singular Singer Remembered

Fresh Air

In 1971, critics hailed soprano Patricia Brooks' recital debut as groundbreaking. A new CD release provides a rare document of a performer who demonstrated a rare mix of talents.

Patricia Brooks: A Singular Singer Remembered

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18414238/18414233" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

Thursday

Play Recounts Stories of Iraqis 'Betrayed'

During his most recent visit to Iraq, New Yorker writer George Packer focused on stories of Iraqis who have worked as translators, fixers and drivers for the U.S. government, military and media. He has now adapted his story, "Betrayed: The Iraqis Who Trusted America the Most," into a new play.

Listen to this 'Talk of the Nation' topic

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18381995/18381989" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Wednesday

Obituaries

Ledger's Death Is Film World's Loss

An autopsy is scheduled Wednesday for Heath Ledger, a day after the 28-year-old actor was found dead at his New York apartment. Ledger's Oscar nomination for Brokeback Mountain was the highlight of a career filled with promise.

Ledger's Death Is Film World's Loss

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18328154/18328136" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Tuesday

The 80th Annual Academy Awards

'No Country,' 'There Will Be Blood' Top Oscar List

The list of nominees for the 80th Academy Awards are announced. No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood both earn eight nominations, leading the field.

'No Country,' 'There Will Be Blood' Top Oscar List

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18296578/18294290" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

The 80th Annual Academy Awards

Oscar Nods Arrive; Will a Show Follow?

As Oscar nominees are announced, uncertainty remains over the fate of the annual ceremony. The ongoing writers' strike could short-circuit the awards show.

Oscar Nods Arrive; Will a Show Follow?

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18292837/18292818" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Sunday

Two Fair Ladies, Taking on a Grand New Role

Two stage and screen veterans, both intimately associated with the role of Eliza Doolittle, have graduated to play My Fair Lady's deliciously imposing dowager, Mrs. Higgins. Liane Hansen goes backstage at the Kennedy Center for a chat with Sally Anne Howes and Marni Nixon.

Two Fair Ladies, Taking on a Grand New Role

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18259827/18269325" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

Music Interviews

Cowboy Poet Sings Ode to Nevada Opera House

Despite its name, the newly restored Eureka Opera House hosts all kinds of musicians. Cowboy poet, singer and songwriter Richard Elloyan performs a song about the opera house, which was originally built during the mining boom in 1880.

Cowboy Poet Sings Ode to Nevada Opera House

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18218576/18218545" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Movies

Actress Swinton Moves from Art House to Hollywood

Scottish actress Tilda Swinton was recently nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of a slowly unraveling lawyer in Michael Clayton. But Swinton spent the early part of her career making art-house films.

Actress Swinton Moves from Art House to Hollywood

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18187774/18195305" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Movies

Chuck Norris, Actor and Political Force

Fresh Air

He made his name as a martial-arts star, but these days, Chuck Norris is most often seen standing behind Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee. It's been said, in fact, that that Norris' position as an unofficial running mate offers the campaign a jolt of manliness.

Chuck Norris, Actor and Political Force

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18218527/18218513" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">

News

PBS to Air Adaptations of Jane Austen Novels

Andrew Davies is the go-to screenwriter for adapting classic literature for television and the movies. He adapts Northanger Abbey and Sense and Sensibility as PBS prepares to air The Complete Jane Austen.

PBS to Air Adaptations of Jane Austen Novels

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18212238/18212193" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Friday

'The Little Mermaid,' Heeling Hard to Broadway Port

Critics say the latest stage production from the Mouse House has run hard aground — which just proves once again how hard it is to translate the magic of animation to the world of Broadway.

'The Little Mermaid,' Heeling Hard to Broadway Port

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18027757/18031838" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

'Farnsworth Invention' Recounts Origins of TV

The television has become a basic part of American life — but where did it come from? Director Des McAnuff and actors Jimmi Simpson and Hank Azaria talk about a new Broadway play that tells television's tale, starting with Philo T. Farnsworth, a boy genius from a small Idaho town.

'Farnsworth Invention' Recounts Origins of TV

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/18024436/18024419" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Thursday

Culture

Comedians Pull a 'Pants Off Prank'

The unorthodox New York comedy group "Improv Everywhere" pulls pranks in public places. This Saturday, the idea is to "dance off with your pants off!" Member Alan Corey reveals almost all.

Comedians Pull a 'Pants Off Prank'

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17984618/17986817" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript

Monday

Analysis

The Long View

Eartha Kitt Still Sizzling

Entertainment legend Eartha Kitt's career follows a challenging childhood that included picking cotton in her native South Carolina and joining the Katherine Dunham Dance Troupe. At 80 she still enjoys performing and goes to the gym regularly, but beyond that she's a homebody.

Listen Now: Hear A 2007 Interview

Listen
  • Download
  • <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/17716269/17716236" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
  • Transcript