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Performing Arts

Saturday

Syrian Artists Denied Visas, And A Voice In The U.S.

Syria: The Trojan Women inserts current events into an ancient Greek tragedy, performed here in Amman, Jordan, in 2013. Lynn Alleva Lilley/Lynn Alleva Lilley hide caption

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Lynn Alleva Lilley/Lynn Alleva Lilley

Opinion

Simon Says

Syrian Artists Denied Visas, And A Voice In The U.S.

U.S. performances of Syria: The Trojan Women are postponed, but NPR's Scott Simon says when art stops at the border, American audiences are the ones who miss out.

Syrian Artists Denied Visas, And A Voice In The U.S.

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Tuesday

From Walter White To LBJ, Bryan Cranston Is A Master Of Transformation

Fresh Air

While fans were watching him portray Walt in Breaking Bad's final episodes, Cranston was already reinventing himself — playing Lyndon B. Johnson in the play All the Way. Originally broadcast March 27.

From Walter White To LBJ, Bryan Cranston Is A Master Of Transformation

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Friday

TV's New Doctor Who Has An Old Connection To The Series

Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman star as The Doctor and Clara Oswald on the BBC science fiction drama Doctor Who. Ray Burmiston/Ali/BBC America hide caption

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Ray Burmiston/Ali/BBC America

Pop Culture Happy Hour

TV's New Doctor Who Has An Old Connection To The Series

The BBC will soon air its first Doctor Who episode with Peter Capaldi as the show's hero, The Doctor. Capaldi says the 50-year-old series inspired him to become an actor.

TV's New Doctor Who Has An Old Connection To The Series

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Tuesday

Wednesday

Monday

Magician Kenrick 'ICE' McDonald Sees The Light In The 'Dark Arts'

Kenrick "ICE" McDonald is an award-winning magician. He's also a Christian, and says reconciling his profession with his faith wasn't always easy. Courtesy of Kenrick "ICE" McDonald hide caption

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Courtesy of Kenrick "ICE" McDonald

Culture

Magician Kenrick 'ICE' McDonald Sees The Light In The 'Dark Arts'

As the son of a preacher, McDonald often had to practice his magic tricks in secret while he was growing up. Now he's the first black president of the Society of American Magicians.

Magician Kenrick 'ICE' McDonald Sees The Light In The 'Dark Arts'

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Thursday

Wednesday

Why Are Theater Tickets Cheaper On The West End Than On Broadway?

Matilda is currently being performed on both Broadway in New York, pictured here, and the West End in London. In New York, according to the Broadway League, the average ticket price for all shows just crossed $100 for the first time. Joan Marcus/AP/Boneau/Bryan-Brown hide caption

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Joan Marcus/AP/Boneau/Bryan-Brown

Theater

Why Are Theater Tickets Cheaper On The West End Than On Broadway?

In London, a matinee ticket for Matilda costs about $60; in New York, it's $137. What's going on? The West End has weaker unions and subsidized theater, while Broadway has amenities.

Why Are Theater Tickets Cheaper On The West End Than On Broadway?

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Monday

This Year, Avignon Festival Is A Stage For Both Plays And Protest

Dutch actors perform during a dress rehearsal of the show HUIS at the 68th Avignon Theater Festival in France. The festival has been international since 1966 and today French performances make up only 20 percent of all acts. Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

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Boris Horvat/AFP/Getty Images

Theater

This Year, Avignon Festival Is A Stage For Both Plays And Protest

The French theater event has long been a pillar of the performing arts world. But talk of changes to festival workers' off-season benefits has cast a shadow over this year's celebration.

This Year, Avignon Festival Is A Stage For Both Plays And Protest

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By Trolley, Train, Show Boat Or Surrey, These Musicals Will Move You

Barbra Streisand does a lot of singing on transit — over the course of Funny Girl, Funny Lady, Yentl and Hello Dolly (above) she sings aboard a train, a plane, a taxi a tugboat, and an ocean liner. 20th Century Fox/Chenault/The Kobal Collection hide caption

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20th Century Fox/Chenault/The Kobal Collection

Book Your Trip

By Trolley, Train, Show Boat Or Surrey, These Musicals Will Move You

When we asked movie critic Bob Mondello to contribute to our Book Your Trip series, he immediately began humming show tunes. Spend six minutes listening to this story and you'll be singing along, too.

By Trolley, Train, Show Boat Or Surrey, These Musicals Will Move You

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Sunday

At Monty Python Reunion Show, The Circus Makes One Last Flight

Michael Palin, left, and Terry Gilliam perform on the opening night of Monty Python Live (Mostly). The final performance of the reunion show, on Sunday, will be live-streamed at theaters around the world. Dave J Hogan/Getty Images hide caption

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Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

At Monty Python Reunion Show, The Circus Makes One Last Flight

The British comedy troupe has reunited for what they say is the final time in Monty Python Live (Mostly). Fans around the world will watch the last show Sunday, either in London or via live stream.

At Monty Python Reunion Show, The Circus Makes One Last Flight

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Saturday

With Humor, 'Dead And Breathing' Dives Into End-Of-Life Struggles

Lizan Mitchell (left) as the wealthy and crotchety Carolyn and N.L. Graham as Veronika, her nurse, in the play Dead and Breathing. Seth Freeman hide caption

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Seth Freeman

Theater

With Humor, 'Dead And Breathing' Dives Into End-Of-Life Struggles

Carolyn, 68, is ready to let go. Dying of cancer, she tries to get her nurse to assist in her suicide. Playwright Chisa Hutchinson drew on real-life inspirations for this dark comedy's characters.

With Humor, 'Dead And Breathing' Dives Into End-Of-Life Struggles

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Thursday

Actress Elaine Stritch, 'Her Own Greatest Character,' Dies At 89

"I don't think I'm gonna die tomorrow or even two weeks from now, or even ever," Stritch told NPR'S Scott Simon in 2014. "I just don't know ... who the hell knows what's gonna happen to them? Nobody! Isn't that comforting? Nobody has a clue. I like that we don't know. And I like that it's somebody else's decision, not mine." AP/Sundance Selects hide caption

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AP/Sundance Selects

Theater

Actress Elaine Stritch, 'Her Own Greatest Character,' Dies At 89

In a career that stretched back to the '40s, Stritch did it all: theater, TV, movies. Candid about just about everything, she said she didn't mind the word aging — after all "it applies to everyone."

Actress Elaine Stritch, 'Her Own Greatest Character,' Dies At 89

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Actress And Singer Elaine Stritch Has Died

Elaine Stritch in her final engagement at the Cafe Carlyle in New York in 2013. Stritch bade farewell to New York with a series of concerts last spring; she died Thursday in Michigan. Walter McBride/The O M Co./AP hide caption

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Walter McBride/The O M Co./AP

The Two-Way

Actress And Singer Elaine Stritch Has Died

Elaine Stritch, whose talent led to a substantial career on Broadway and in cabarets, died today at age 89. She had been living in her native Michigan, where she moved last year from New York.

Actress And Singer Elaine Stritch Has Died

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