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

Performing Arts

Monday

Play Captures Life Under South African Apartheid

This summer, at the Culture Project in New York City, five South African actors are telling their "true life" stories about growing up under apartheid. The piece is called Amajuba : Like Doves We Rise.

Play Captures Life Under South African Apartheid

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Friday

Culture

'Axis of Evil' Comedy, on Tour

Three stand-up comedians with roots in the Middle East are performing across America on the "Axis of Evil Comedy Tour." Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani and Aron Kader talk to Robert Siegel about the challenges of humor during times of war -- and their favorite air marshal joke.

'Axis of Evil' Comedy, on Tour

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Friday

Silver Belles Still Light Up the Harlem Stage

A new documentary takes a loving look at the Silver Belles, a leggy troupe of dancers who drew crowds to famous nightclubs and theatres during the height of the Harlem Renaissance. Decades later, the women are still dancing, and still drawing the crowds.

Silver Belles Still Light Up the Harlem Stage

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Economy

Builder Hires Model Family to Sell Homes

A home builder in Southern California is battling a softening real esate market by taking advantage of an abundant local resource: actors. The Centex company has hired four actors to play a family "living" in one of their model homes -- a performance called Homelife.

Builder Hires Model Family to Sell Homes

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Tuesday

'Grendel': An Operatic Monster's Tale

Monsters and humans share the stage in Grendel, a new opera that opens in New York Tuesday night. Based on the novel by John Gardner, the show tells the classic medieval tale of Beowulf, but from the monster's perspective.

'Grendel': An Operatic Monster's Tale

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Sunday

Vent Haven: A Shrine for Voices of the Past

A clutter of nearly forgotten American pop culture has a home in Fort Mitchell, Ky. On a quiet residential street, by appointment only, visitors can tour the Vent Haven Museum. It's a tribute to the great figures of ventriloquism -- human and otherwise.

Vent Haven: A Shrine for Voices of the Past

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Saturday

Streep's 'Prada' Performance: A Bit of Nichols?

Meryl Streep steals the show in The Devil Wears Prada. Film critic Elvis Mitchell tells Scott Simon the actress seems to be doing an uncanny impression of a man she's worked with three times: director Mike Nichols.

Streep's 'Prada' Performance: A Bit of Nichols?

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Monday

Diversions

Adults Buck Conventional Wisdom to Play Musical Instruments

Learning how to play a musical instrument isn't just for kids anymore. An organization called New Horizons has helped establish over 100 bands and orchestras for older players in the U.S. and Canada over the past 15 years. Many of the group's members are either complete novices, or haven't played in decades.

Adults Buck Conventional Wisdom to Play Musical Instruments

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Saturday

Obituaries

Lloyd Richards, Revered Director, Dies at 87

Lloyd Richards, one of the most respected directors and educators in American theater, died in Manhattan on his 87th birthday. Richards was the first African American to direct a Broadway play: A Raisin in the Sun.

Lloyd Richards, Revered Director, Dies at 87

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Friday

'Love' Brings Beatles and Cirque Du Soleil Together

The French-Canadian theatrical company Cirque du Soleil is known for its visually spectacular shows. The company's latest show -- Love -- kicks off Friday night in Las Vegas. It's a fantasy set to 90 minutes of Beatles music.

'Love' Brings Beatles and Cirque Du Soleil Together

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Monday

Thursday

Play Asks, What if Nazis Had Murdered Picasso?

Playwright, poet and novelist Ariel Dorfman discusses his new play Picasso's Closet, which poses the question: What if Pablo Picasso had not died in 1973, but had been murdered by Nazis during the occupation of Paris?

Play Asks, What if Nazis Had Murdered Picasso?

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Opinion

A Lot to Learn from 'Judy at Carnegie Hall'

Singer and entertainer Rufus Wainwright will perform at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday in tribute to Judy Garland's legendary performance there in 1961. Musician and Day to Day contributor David Was listened again to the album recorded at that performance 45 years ago, Judy at Carnegie Hall, and says today's artists have a lot to learn from Garland.

A Lot to Learn from 'Judy at Carnegie Hall'

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Sunday

Music News

The Invisible Hands Behind Tony-Nominated Shows

At Sunday's Tony Awards, fans will focus on actors, writers, directors and designers. But hundreds of others, whose names are less prominently displayed on the playbill, are a crucial part of the Broadway scene.

The Invisible Hands Behind Tony-Nominated Shows

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