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

Performing Arts

Saturday

Music Interviews

Shaken and Stirred by the Music of Pink Martini

Pianist Thomas Lauderdale and vocalist China Forbes of the globe-trotting 10-piece band Pink Martini talk with NPR's Scott Simon. The group's music can be described as a kind of world cocktail music. Hang On Little Tomato is the ensemble's latest CD.

Shaken and Stirred by the Music of Pink Martini

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Tuesday

Monday

Where Science Meets Art

Exploring the Drama of Science, Faithfully

Many films and plays present a cartoon version of science bearing little resemblance to reality. Playwright Paul Mullin prefers to explain the facts to the audience, highlighting the human drama inherent in scientific discovery. NPR's Joe Palca reports.

Exploring the Drama of Science, Faithfully

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Saturday

Music

Marcel Khalife, 'Dylan of the Middle East'

Lebanese oud virtuoso Marcel Khalife is known throughout the world as an artistic revolutionary and cultural icon — except in the U.S. Khalife hopes to change that on his current American tour. NPR's Neda Ulaby has a profile.

Marcel Khalife, 'Dylan of the Middle East'

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Wednesday

'Have I Got a Story to Tell'

NPR's Tavis Smiley talks with members of All Tree Production about Have I Got a Story to Tell, their upcoming star-studded night of storytelling in Los Angeles. The production takes place at 7:30 PM October 22 at the North Campus of the West Angeles Church of God in Christ, 3045 Crenshaw Boulevard. Tickets are $100 for show and reception, or $35 for show only. Call (323) 733-8300 for more information -- tickets can be purchased at the West Angeles bookstore, (323) 731-3012.

'Have I Got a Story to Tell'

Audio will be available later today.

Tuesday

Culture

Steve Martin on Life on the Stage and the Page

Steve Martin became famous as an actor and comedian. Lately, though, he's gaining accolades for another talent: writing. Martin's latest book is The Pleasure of My Company. He talks with NPR's Neal Conan about life on the stage and the page and takes your calls.

Steve Martin on Life on the Stage and the Page

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Monday

Music

Lincoln Center 'House of Swing' to Open in NYC

The new multi-million-dollar headquarters of jazz at New York City's Lincoln Center opens Monday night. Artistic director Wynton Marsalis calls it the "house of swing." But some question whether vast concert halls will encourage the same creativity that once sprung from smoky jazz joints. Howard Mandel reports.

Lincoln Center 'House of Swing' to Open in NYC

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Saturday

Tuesday

Obituaries

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield Dies at 82

Actor Rodney Dangerfield, famous for his self-deprecating humor, died Tuesday at 82. After heart-valve replacement surgery Aug. 25 in Los Angeles, Dangerfield slipped in and out of a coma.

Comedian Rodney Dangerfield Dies at 82

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Saturday

Culture

Actors Tucci and Nixon Talk Up 'New Yorker' Festival

The 2004 New Yorker Festival begins next weekend -- NPR's Scott Simon talks to actors Stanley Tucci and Cynthia Nixon, both panelists on a festival session entitled "The Method: Acting Onstage and Onscreen."

Actors Tucci and Nixon Talk Up 'New Yorker' Festival

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Andrea Martin Says Hello to Wilder's Dolly

On the 50th anniversary of Thornton Wilder's play The Matchmaker, Tony Award-winner Andrea Martin stars as Dolly Levi at Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. Still best known for her sketch comedy work on SCTV, Martin talks with NPR's Liane Hansen about her stage and screen career.

Andrea Martin Says Hello to Wilder's Dolly

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Monday

'Squeeze Box': Finding Humor on the Night Shift

NPR's Noah Adams interviews playwright Ann Randolph about her new work, Squeeze Box. Randolph worked the graveyard shift at a homeless shelter for years while also pursuing a career as a comedienne. She has combined both passions in a one-woman play that will be showing next month in New York.

'Squeeze Box': Finding Humor on the Night Shift

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Wednesday

Culture

British Library Puts Shakespeare Quartos Online

For hundreds of years, only scholars and museum curators have had access to the "Quartos," the earliest printed editions of Shakespeare's plays. But the British Library has just put 93 Quartos on the Internet, leading to what NPR's Bob Mondello says is much ado about Shakespeare on the Web.

British Library Puts Shakespeare Quartos Online

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Saturday