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Performing Arts

Saturday

Staging A Debate Over 'What The Constitution Means To Me'

Heidi Schreck's What the Constitution Means to Me opens on Broadway on Sunday. Joan Marcus/Matt Ross Public Relations hide caption

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Joan Marcus/Matt Ross Public Relations

Theater

Staging A Debate Over 'What The Constitution Means To Me'

The play is a personal memoir and a civics town hall. It recreates the debate contests Heidi Schreck attended in high school and explores how the Constitution hasn't protected all Americans equally.

Staging A Debate Over 'What The Constitution Means To Me'

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Tuesday

'Moonlight' Writer's Broadway Debut Stars A Queer, Black 'Choir Boy'

In Choir Boy, a gifted singer endures anti-gay bullying at his all-boys prep school. Matthew Murphy/Courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club hide caption

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Matthew Murphy/Courtesy of Manhattan Theatre Club

Theater

'Moonlight' Writer's Broadway Debut Stars A Queer, Black 'Choir Boy'

Like many teenage dramas. Tarell Alvin McCraney's play is set in a prep school. But this one, populated by African-American boys and infused with spirituals and step routines, is a specific story.

'Moonlight' Writer's Broadway Debut Stars A Queer, Black 'Choir Boy'

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Saturday

Theater

In 'Choir Boy,' 'Moonlight' Writer Brings Prep School Coming-Of-Age Story To Broadway

Award-winning playwright Tarell Alvin McCraney has a fresh take on the prep school experience in his new play, Choir Boy. He tells NPR's Michel Martin about making his Broadway debut.

In 'Choir Boy,' 'Moonlight' Writer Brings Prep School Coming-Of-Age Story To Broadway

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Friday

Community Theaters Kill 'Mockingbird' Productions After Lawsuit Threat

Lawyers for Broadway producer Scott Rudin (left) claim his production of To Kill a Mockingbird is the only one that can be performed near a major city. Evan Agostini/AP hide caption

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Evan Agostini/AP

Theater

Community Theaters Kill 'Mockingbird' Productions After Lawsuit Threat

The show must not go on, Broadway producer Scott Rudin says. Lawyers claim his production of To Kill a Mockingbird, written by Aaron Sorkin, is the only one that can be performed near a major city.

Wednesday

Wednesday

'You Get Paid For Doing Therapy': Stand-Up Comedians On Anger

Comedian Mo Amer, seen here in his Netflix special The Vagabond, says that stand-up has been a significant part of his "coping process" with an itinerant childhood. Netflix hide caption

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Netflix

The Other Side of Anger

'You Get Paid For Doing Therapy': Stand-Up Comedians On Anger

For centuries, people have turned to jesters for relief from the miseries of life. As it turns out, some stand-up performers turn pain and rage into their own coping and catharsis.

'You Get Paid For Doing Therapy': Stand-Up Comedians On Anger

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Sunday

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Debuts 'Lazarus' To Celebrate 60th Anniversary

Lazarus Act 2. Choreographer: Rennie Harris, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Paul Kolnik hide caption

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Paul Kolnik

Dance

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Debuts 'Lazarus' To Celebrate 60th Anniversary

The hour-long piece was created by choreographer Rennie Harris, who formed the first and longest running hip-hop dance touring company. Harris tells NPR's Michel Martin all about the new work.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater Debuts 'Lazarus' To Celebrate 60th Anniversary

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Saturday

Ph.D. Student Breaks Down Electron Physics Into A Swinging Musical

Thanks in part to his original songwriting, singing and guitar-playing, Physics doctoral student Pramodh Senarath Yapa beat out the remaining entrants to win this year's "Dance Your Ph.D." contest. Courtesy of Matthias Le Dall hide caption

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Courtesy of Matthias Le Dall

Science

Ph.D. Student Breaks Down Electron Physics Into A Swinging Musical

John Bohannon, founder of Science magazine's "Dance Your Ph.D." contest, presents the 2018 winner, Pramodh Senarath Yapa. He won over judges with his choreographic rendition of some chaotic electrons.

Ph.D. Student Breaks Down Electron Physics Into A Swinging Musical

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Wednesday

Sunday

If Your Name Is Josh Cohen, You Probably Think 'The Other Josh Cohen' Is About You

The Other Josh Cohen is a rock-musical rom-com running off-Broadway. It's about Josh Cohen, a loveable schlub who's unlucky in love. Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Kena Betancur/AFP/Getty Images

Theater

If Your Name Is Josh Cohen, You Probably Think 'The Other Josh Cohen' Is About You

A group of men all named Josh Cohen went to a new off-Broadway musical The Other Josh Cohen. It's a common Jewish name. One of them thought the show was about him, for good reason.

If Your Name Is Josh Cohen, You Probably Think 'The Other Josh Cohen' Is About You

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Friday

Tuesday

For Many With Disabilities, 'Let It Go' Is An Anthem Of Acceptance

Caissie Levy performs as Elsa in the stage adaptation of Frozen, which opened on Broadway in 2018. Deen van Meer/Disney Theatrical Productions hide caption

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Deen van Meer/Disney Theatrical Productions

American Anthem

For Many With Disabilities, 'Let It Go' Is An Anthem Of Acceptance

The breakout song from Disney's Frozen has inspired many marginalized groups — but its message of rejecting stigma holds special resonance for disabled people and their families.

For Many With Disabilities, 'Let It Go' Is An Anthem Of Acceptance

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A Broadway Star And Director On 'Rent: Live'

Brandon Victor Dixon as Tom Collins in Rent: Live airing Sunday, Jan. 27 on FOX. Pamela Littky/FOX hide caption

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Pamela Littky/FOX

It's Been a Minute

A Broadway Star And Director On 'Rent: Live'

It's Tuesday. Sam talks to 'Hamilton' star Brandon Victor Dixon and Broadway director Michael Greif about bringing the groundbreaking 1996 Broadway musical 'Rent' to live television — January 27 at 8 PM EST on FOX. They discuss the difference between stage and television performance, what made 'Rent' such an influential musical, and that time Brandon Victor Dixon spoke to Vice President-elect Mike Pence after a performance of 'Hamilton.' Email the show at samsanders@npr.org or tweet @NPRItsBeenAMin with your feedback.

A Broadway Star And Director On 'Rent: Live'

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Saturday

On Broadway, 'Network' Goes From Satire To Tragedy

Bryan Cranston takes his opening night curtain call in the Broadway version of Network. Bruce Glikas/WireImage hide caption

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Bruce Glikas/WireImage

Theater

On Broadway, 'Network' Goes From Satire To Tragedy

The 1976 movie Network struck a nerve with its darkly comic predictions about celebrity news anchors and the rise of infotainment. Now, a stage adaptaion is one of the hottest tickets on Broadway.

On Broadway, 'Network' Goes From Satire To Tragedy

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Tuesday

Bidding Farewell To 'Hello, Dolly!': Actress Carol Channing Dies At 97

American actress and singer Carol Channing starred in the musical "Hello Dolly!" in New York City in 1964. She died at 97. Archive Photos/Getty Images hide caption

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Archive Photos/Getty Images

Obituaries

Bidding Farewell To 'Hello, Dolly!': Actress Carol Channing Dies At 97

Channing's big break came in 1949 when she was cast as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. But she'll always be remembered for her role as a life-loving matchmaker and "meddler" in Hello, Dolly!

Bidding Farewell To 'Hello, Dolly!': Actress Carol Channing Dies At 97

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