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

Performing Arts

Wednesday

Books

Calvin Trillin's Poem: Teresa Heinz Kerry

Writer Calvin Trillin is crafting small poems about the proceedings of the Democratic National Convention each day this week. Today, he takes stock of Teresa Heinz Kerry, John Kerry's wife. Trillin's latest book is Obliviously On He Sails: The Bush Administration in Rhyme, published by Random House.

Calvin Trillin's Poem: Teresa Heinz Kerry

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Monday

Saturday

Movies

Berry Sinks Her Claws into 'Catwoman'

Catwoman, the comic-book caper starring Halle Berry, may seem an odd choice for the first African-American woman to win an Oscar. Hear NPR's Scott Simon talks with New York Times entertainment critic Elvis Mitchell.

Berry Sinks Her Claws into 'Catwoman'

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Friday

Movies

Actor Matt Damon

Fresh Air

His new film is The Bourne Supremacy, the sequel to his 2002 thriller The Bourne Identity, about a CIA assassin with amnesia. Damon has been in many hit films, including The Talented Mr. Ripley, Saving Private Ryan and Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote with close friend Ben Affleck. (Rebroadcast From June 19, 2002.)

Actor Matt Damon

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Culture

Capoeira: Brazilian Martial Art on the Big Screen

Halle Berry's action movie Catwoman opens Friday, and the body-whipping, fluid style of fighting she uses in the film is inspired by the Brazilian martial art of capoeira. Day to Day producer Shereen Meraji reports on the martial art that's become the new hot thing in Hollywood.

Capoeira: Brazilian Martial Art on the Big Screen

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Tuesday

Pop Culture

Break Dance Contest Celebrates Hip-Hop Culture

Day to Day technology reporter Xeni Jardin reports on an urban dance contest in Los Angeles, where kids from a wide variety of backgrounds celebrate the roots of hip-hop culture.

Break Dance Contest Celebrates Hip-Hop Culture

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Thursday

Wednesday

Saturday

Tuesday

Culture

Chicago Symphony Seeks to Replace Barenboim

NPR's Cheryl Corley reports on the Chicago Symphony Orchestra's search for a new musical director who doesn't mind the broad range of duties. Conductor Daniel Barenboim is leaving the job, saying it involved too many non-artistic demands.

Chicago Symphony Seeks to Replace Barenboim

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Saturday

Friday

Culture

A Clever New Take on 'Cyrano de Bergerac'

There's a clever new adaptation of the play Cyrano de Bergerac now being performed at the Shakespeare Theater in Washington D.C. NPR's Robert Siegel talks with the playwright Barry Kornhauser about the show, and they talk about the history of the classic French play.

A Clever New Take on 'Cyrano de Bergerac'

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Tuesday

Monday

Culture

Composer Jerry Bock and Lyricist Sheldon Harnick

Fresh Air

One of their most beloved musicals -- Fiddler on the Roof -- is back on Broadway. The production, at the Minskoff Theatre, stars Alfred Molina as Tevye and includes a new song they wrote. There's a new cast recording of the show. Bock and Harnick collaborated on Fiorello (which won a Pulitzer Prize), She Loves Me and The Rothschilds.

Composer Jerry Bock and Lyricist Sheldon Harnick

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Friday