Culture 'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death' May 31, 2006 • Writer and director Melvin Van Peebles talks to Ed Gordon about his latest project, a new production of his 1971 Broadway hit, Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death -- a critically lauded play with music about black street life. 'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5441462/5441463" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Ain't Supposed to Die a Natural Death' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5441462/5441463" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tall Tales from West Virginia's Top 'Liars' May 27, 2006 • Each year on Memorial Day weekend, West Virginia's best storytellers compete for the prestigious title of "Biggest Liar," in a tall- tale contest that draws large crowds. Two contest judges, including a five-time champion, spin a couple of whoppers. Tall Tales from West Virginia's Top 'Liars' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5435852/5436104" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Tall Tales from West Virginia's Top 'Liars' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5435852/5436104" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Interviews Composer Golijov Tries Opera with 'Ainadamar' May 26, 2006 • Osvaldo Golijov melds different musical genres, from folk to electronic, into a highly personal style. Now the Argentinean-born composer has written an opera: Ainadamar. Composer Golijov Tries Opera with 'Ainadamar' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5406874/5434623" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Composer Golijov Tries Opera with 'Ainadamar' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5406874/5434623" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Books Poetry Corner: Dasan Ahanu, 'Can I' May 25, 2006 • Spoken word artist Dasan Ahanu reads his poem "Can I," which he wrote while doing sexual assault awareness and education work with men in North Carolina. Ahanu teaches at the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University in North Carolina. Poetry Corner: Dasan Ahanu, 'Can I' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5430243/5430244" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Poetry Corner: Dasan Ahanu, 'Can I' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5430243/5430244" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Interviews Heather Headley, Moving From Broadway to R&B May 22, 2006 • Heather Headley won a Tony Award for her work on Broadway. The star of Aida and The Lion King is also seeing success in the R&B world. She's now touring to support her second CD, In My Mind. Heather Headley, Moving From Broadway to R&B Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5422188/5422189" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Heather Headley, Moving From Broadway to R&B Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5422188/5422189" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Interviews Verdi's Requiem Revived as WWII Tribute May 22, 2006 • During WWII, hundreds of prisoners in the Terezin concentration camp in Czechoslovakia performed Verdi's Requiem as a way to passively defy their Nazi captors. On Sunday, American musicians performed the same requiem in the former Nazi camp as a tribute to Terezin's victims and survivors. Verdi's Requiem Revived as WWII Tribute Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5421347/5421348" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Verdi's Requiem Revived as WWII Tribute Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5421347/5421348" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Improv Shakespeare for the Unshakeable May 14, 2006 • The Unexpected Productions troupe of Seattle specializes in improvisational theater, and right now they're focused on Shakespeare. Actors Ron Hippe, Elicia Wickstead and Randy Dixon create a bit of the Bard on the fly for Debbie Elliott. Improv Shakespeare for the Unshakeable Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5402932/5402986" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Improv Shakespeare for the Unshakeable Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5402932/5402986" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Play Examines Tension Between Science and Race May 12, 2006 • Relativity, a new play in New York, tackles thorny issues from the world of science. Is biotechnology shaping up to be just another tool to marginalize people of color? Will cloning and genetic engineering be reserved only for the rich? Play Examines Tension Between Science and Race Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5401182/5401183" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Play Examines Tension Between Science and Race Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5401182/5401183" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Pop Culture Celebrating Beloved Bilko's Shenanigans May 11, 2006 • Sergeant Bilko cheated and conned officers and underlings alike -- and TV audiences loved him. The producer of a new DVD set of The Phil Silvers Show, aka "Segeant Bilko," explains what made the 1950s show so beloved. Celebrating Beloved Bilko's Shenanigans Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5399089/5399391" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Celebrating Beloved Bilko's Shenanigans Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5399089/5399391" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
From Earth, Wind & Fire to 'Hot Feet' May 10, 2006 • A new musical on Broadway called Hot Feet is a collaboration between musician Maurice White of the R&B group Earth, Wind and Fire and choreographer Maurice Hines. Ed Gordon talks with White and Hines about the venture. From Earth, Wind & Fire to 'Hot Feet' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5396295/5396296" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
From Earth, Wind & Fire to 'Hot Feet' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5396295/5396296" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Billy Connolly: Onstage Solo, But Not Lonely May 6, 2006 • The Scottish actor and comedian Billy Connolly, seen most recently as Uncle Monty in Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, hits New York City this month with a stage show. Billy Connolly: Onstage Solo, But Not Lonely Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5387986/5388001" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Billy Connolly: Onstage Solo, But Not Lonely Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5387986/5388001" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Nicholas Payton: Trumpet Is Essence of New Orleans May 3, 2006 • Long before Louis Armstrong came along, the trumpet and New Orleans were intertwined. For local jazz legend Nicholas Payton, the instrument represents the essence of the Crescent City. Nicholas Payton: Trumpet Is Essence of New Orleans Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5377620/5381654" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Nicholas Payton: Trumpet Is Essence of New Orleans Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5377620/5381654" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture 'Lost City,' Andy Garcia's Homage to Havana April 29, 2006 • Andy Garcia produced, directed and stars in The Lost City. He even wrote the music. The film is based on a screenplay by the late novelist Guillermo Cabrera-Infante. It's set in 1950s Havana on the brink of the Cuban revolution. 'Lost City,' Andy Garcia's Homage to Havana Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5371002/5371003" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Lost City,' Andy Garcia's Homage to Havana Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5371002/5371003" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Morning Edition Healing Music in New Orleans Festival's Gospel Tent April 28, 2006 • On Friday morning, New Orleans kicks off its first jazz festival since Hurricane Katrina. This year, the Jazz & Heritage Festival has adopted the motto "Witness the Healing Power of Music." Nowhere will this be more evident than in the festival's Gospel Tent. Healing Music in New Orleans Festival's Gospel Tent Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5367455/5367671" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Healing Music in New Orleans Festival's Gospel Tent Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5367455/5367671" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture Voice of Big Bird, Oscar Wins Lifetime Award April 27, 2006 • Caroll Spinney has played Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch on Sesame Street for 37 years. At the Daytime Emmys tomorrow, Spinney will accept a Lifetime Achievement Award. Voice of Big Bird, Oscar Wins Lifetime Award Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5366672/5366673" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Voice of Big Bird, Oscar Wins Lifetime Award Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/5366672/5366673" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript