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

Performing Arts

Saturday

A Principal Ballerina Hangs Up Her Slippers

American ballerina Alexandra Ansanelli came to ballet when she was 12 and went on to soar as a principal dancer in Britain's Royal Ballet. Now 28 and in her prime, Ansanelli is abandoning the only life she's known for more than a decade.

A Principal Ballerina Hangs Up Her Slippers

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Friday

Culture

Gabriel Byrne Gives The Listening 'Treatment'

Fresh Air

Actor Gabriel Byrne may play a therapist on TV, but he's never actually been to therapy himself. Instead, he prepared for his role on HBO's In Treatment by drawing on his experience as observer.

Gabriel Byrne Gives The Listening 'Treatment'

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Thursday

The Surprising Source Of Gender Bias In Theater

It's reasonably simple to name working male playwrights, like Neil LaBute and Patrick Marber. Naming women, however, is more difficult. A study found there is, in fact, a disparity between the number of shows by men that make it to the stage, and those by women.

The Surprising Source Of Gender Bias In Theater

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Tuesday

Open Mic

Comparing Notes: Kitt, Kander And Miranda

Broadway composer and performer Lin-Manuel Miranda, who created and starred in the Tony-winning musical In the Heights, sits down at the piano with John Kander, the legendary composer of Chicago, and Tom Kitt, composer and winner of this year's Tony for the musical Next to Normal.

Comparing Notes: Kitt, Kander And Miranda

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Friday

Race

Museum Shooting Draws Attention To Play About Hate

A new play was set to debut Wednesday night at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The play, "Anne and Emmett, is centered around an imaginary conversation between Anne Frank and Emmett Till. The deadly shooting at the museum delayed the play's debut, but ironically has made its focus even more poignant. Playwright Janet Langhart Cohen talks about the horrific turn of events and what inspired her to write "Anne and Emmett."

Museum Shooting Draws Attention To Play About Hate

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Wednesday

Review

Music Reviews

Let This Entertain You: 'Gypsy,' 50 Years Later

Fresh Air

For the golden anniversary of the original cast album of Gypsy, Sony is reissuing the classic recording, which features Ethel Merman. Music critic Lloyd Schwartz sees how well it holds up.

Let This Entertain You: 'Gypsy,' 50 Years Later

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Sunday

Culture

As 'Nurse Jackie,' Falco Bristles, Snarls, Conceals

The Sopranos star debuts as the star of Nurse Jackie Monday on Showtime and says her character's life is complicated. "There are many aspects of it that are mutually exclusive," she says. Like being a nurse and popping many, many little red pills.

As 'Nurse Jackie,' Falco Bristles, Snarls, Conceals

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For Broadway Newcomers, First Time's The Charm

Jeff Lunden talks to theatermakers who made their Broadway debuts this year. Their work, on shows as diverse as Hair and Reasons to be Pretty, has earned praise — and Tony nominations.

For Broadway Newcomers, First Time's The Charm

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A Tony Award For Work Offstage

Shirley Herz is getting a Tony Award Sunday night, despite never setting foot on a Broadway stage. For more than 50 years, Herz has worked as press agent. She is the first woman in the theater publicists' union to receive such an award.

A Tony Award For Work Offstage

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Thursday

Culture

On London's West End, 'Hamlet' With Human Skull

The production bought the skull for $400 from a dealer in Salt Lake City. Barry Edelstein, director of The Public Theater Shakespeare Initiative, says this is not the first time a real skull has been used in a production of Shakespeare's play.

On London's West End, 'Hamlet' With Human Skull

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Movies

Bruce Campbell, King Of The B Movie

As Sam Axe on cable channel USA's Burn Notice, Bruce Campbell plays the disreputable sidekick to the hero. After appearing in countless B movies, Campbell has now directed and produced his own B movie, My Name is Bruce.

Bruce Campbell, King Of The B Movie

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Culture

Comedian Russell Peters Insults Your Heritage

Russell Peters tackles often-sensitive cross-cultural issues in his stand-up routines, and has gained international acclaim. No ethnicity or stereotype is off limits. Peters uses his Indian heritage to help reach across cultural borders and find a common, hilarious thread.

Comedian Russell Peters Insults Your Heritage

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Late Playwright August Wilson's Work Lives On

The Tony Awards, the premier honors in the world American theater, will be broadcast this weekend on CBS. Among the big nominees, the current production of late writer August Wilson's play, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." Two of the production's nominees discuss their work, the message behind the production and the legacy of playwright August Wilson.

Late Playwright August Wilson's Work Lives On

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