In Character Auntie Mame's Secret: The 'Loco' In Her Parentis July 30, 2008 • An eccentric, a free spirit and an unflaggingly open-minded heroine, Mame Dennis taught more than one protege — including NPR's Bob Mondello — how to open new windows without worrying about the view. Auntie Mame's Secret: The 'Loco' In Her Parentis Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93083551/93083531" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Auntie Mame's Secret: The 'Loco' In Her Parentis Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93083551/93083531" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Diversions Cooking Up Characters From Old Grocery Lists July 29, 2008 • Performance artist Hillary Carlip collects discarded shopping lists. She imagines their authors, transforms herself into them, and goes shopping. In one case, she even created an online dating profile for her character. Cooking Up Characters From Old Grocery Lists Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93022254/93030813" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Cooking Up Characters From Old Grocery Lists Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/93022254/93030813" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Romeo & Juliet' Gets An Update — From 1935 Fresh Air July 28, 2008 • Shakespeare's tragedy — and Prokofiev's ballet — are plenty familiar, but critic Lloyd Schwartz says Mark Morris's new staging isn't: It's based on a forgotten manuscript recently discovered in Russia, and it's truer to Prokofiev's original intent. 'Romeo & Juliet' Gets An Update — From 1935 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92987275/92989183" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
'Romeo & Juliet' Gets An Update — From 1935 Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92987275/92989183" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Monty Python's Eric Idle Resurrects 'Life Of Brian' July 24, 2008 • The Monty Python funnyman is back with Not The Messiah, an adaptation of the 1979 film Life of Brian. He reprises some of the original songs and characters, and laments that the sheep get more applause than he does. Monty Python's Eric Idle Resurrects 'Life Of Brian' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92869664/92882904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Monty Python's Eric Idle Resurrects 'Life Of Brian' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92869664/92882904" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Movies Ledger Likely Is A Long Shot For Oscar, Critic Says July 23, 2008 • The late Heath Ledger gave a brilliant, creepy performance in the new Batman movie, and he's got the sympathy of his industry. But one critic says Hollywood's a tough town when it comes to awarding posthumous Oscars. Ledger Likely Is A Long Shot For Oscar, Critic Says Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92809206/92809191" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Ledger Likely Is A Long Shot For Oscar, Critic Says Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92809206/92809191" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Interviews In Concert, A Moment Of Sudanese Solidarity July 18, 2008 • At a time of outright genocide in Darfur, and civil unrest throughout the Sudan, an unprecedented gathering of musicians from across the war-torn country presented a contrasting picture — one of harmony and unity — at the Sudanese Festival of Music and Dance in Chicago. In Concert, A Moment Of Sudanese Solidarity Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92679342/92685547" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
In Concert, A Moment Of Sudanese Solidarity Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92679342/92685547" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Obituaries Remembering Sweetheart Songstress Jo Stafford Fresh Air July 18, 2008 • Jo Stafford was a favorite entertainer of soldiers during World War II. Stafford and her husband, pianist Paul Weston, also performed a bad cabaret act as their alter egos, Jonathan and Darlene Edwards. Stafford died of congestive heart failure Wednesday. She was 90. Remembering Sweetheart Songstress Jo Stafford Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92669731/92672759" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Remembering Sweetheart Songstress Jo Stafford Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92669731/92672759" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Global Health Robert Redford Fights Global Warming With Poetry July 16, 2008 • Robert Redford has been fighting on behalf of the environment via films and Congress for over 30 years. His latest approach to increase awareness of global warming does it in rhyme. Robert Redford Fights Global Warming With Poetry Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92584973/92588411" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Robert Redford Fights Global Warming With Poetry Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92584973/92588411" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Election 2008 'Vote For Me, Al Franken' July 16, 2008 • For the former Saturday Night Live comedian, running for a Minnesota Senate seat is no joke. But will his opponents get the last laugh? 'Vote For Me, Al Franken' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92577668/92577660" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
'Vote For Me, Al Franken' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92577668/92577660" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Women's Prison Takes On Mozart July 14, 2008 • A correctional facility in Alaska houses the nation's only all-female prison orchestra. The 12 members are learning more than just how to play classical music. Women's Prison Takes On Mozart Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92520296/92521037" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Women's Prison Takes On Mozart Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92520296/92521037" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music News A 639-Year-Long Concert July 13, 2008 • John Cage's composition "ASLSP" is better known as "As Slow As Possible." A church in Germany is taking that literally: its specially built organ is playing the tune over 639 years. A new note was played a little over a week ago — the next chord change is set for November. A 639-Year-Long Concert Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92502862/92502845" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
A 639-Year-Long Concert Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92502862/92502845" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Culture New Exhibit Explores Jim Henson's 'Fantastic World' July 13, 2008 • Kermit the Frog has a starring role in a touring exhibition about the late Muppet-master Jim Henson, but it's the supporting players that really shine. Curator Karen Falk takes host Andrea Seabrook on a tour of "Jim Henson's Fantastic World" at the Smithsonian's International Gallery in Washington, D.C. New Exhibit Explores Jim Henson's 'Fantastic World' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92502872/92502942" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
New Exhibit Explores Jim Henson's 'Fantastic World' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92502872/92502942" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Music Interviews David Byrne Makes New York Building Sing July 11, 2008 • Talking Heads co-founder David Byrne has made New York's Battery Maritime Building sing — literally. The once-busy ferry terminal was fitted with wires, hoses and solenoids. This isn't Byrne's exercise in being arty. Anyone can play the building. David Byrne Makes New York Building Sing Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92470122/92471066" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
David Byrne Makes New York Building Sing Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92470122/92471066" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Home Page Top Stories Jimmy Smits on Patriotism, Politics and Hollywood July 4, 2008 • Acclaimed actor Jimmy Smits will host the 28th annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth on PBS this July 4th. But before his primetime duties, the actor stops by NPR to discuss his television career and why he's proud to be an American. Smits also discusses the possibility of his own run for public office. Jimmy Smits on Patriotism, Politics and Hollywood Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92230953/92230949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Jimmy Smits on Patriotism, Politics and Hollywood Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92230953/92230949" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player"> Transcript
Review Music Revisting Carole King's 'Tapestry' Fresh Air July 4, 2008 • When Carole King's album Tapestry came out in 1971, it became one of the best-selling albums of all time and marked her as one of pop's most talented songwriters. King's masterpiece has been reissued as a 2-disc Legacy Edition by Sony. Music historian Milo Miles takes a look at the landmark work. Revisting Carole King's 'Tapestry' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92240302/92240288" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">
Revisting Carole King's 'Tapestry' Listen Toggle more options Download Embed Embed <iframe src="https://www.npr.org/player/embed/92240302/92240288" width="100%" height="290" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" title="NPR embedded audio player">