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

Performing Arts

Saturday

Diversions

Behind the Scenes with 'Dancing with the Stars'

Long after reality shows seemingly hit their peak, Dancing with the Stars captivated millions of viewers, as celebrities transformed into ballroom dancers. Scott Simon went to New York to get some tango lessons from the show's contestants.

Behind the Scenes with 'Dancing with the Stars'

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Wednesday

50 Years of 'West Side Story'

Part Three: Broadway to Hollywood — and Beyond

Critics were lukewarm about West Side Story onstage, and some audiences found it alienating. The 1961 movie won 10 Oscars, though — never mind that Broadway librettist Arthur Laurents hated it — and sealed the show's success. In 50 years, it's been staged more than 40,000 times.

Part Three: Broadway to Hollywood — and Beyond

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Music News

A Dream Team, a Dream Musical: 'West Side Story'

The musical West Side Story premiered on Broadway 50 years ago today. While it is now an indelible part of American culture, with well-loved versions of film and music, the show's success was not assured back in 1957. It was the work of director and choreographer Jerome Robbins, playwright Arthur Laurents, lyricist Stephen Sondheim and composer Leonard Bernstein.

A Dream Team, a Dream Musical: 'West Side Story'

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50 Years of 'West Side Story'

Part One: Making a New Kind of Musical

Getting West Side Story from page to stage was no easy task. Its creators had to rewrite Shakespeare, invent a convincing street language and find financial backers for a musical that perplexed pretty much everyone who heard it.

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50 Years of 'West Side Story'

Part Two: Casting Calls and Out-of-Town Trials

Grueling auditions — 13 of them, for the young unknown eventually cast as Maria — and an unprecedented 8-week rehearsal period were just two of the ways West Side Story departed from Broadway norms.

Part Two: Casting Calls and Out-of-Town Trials

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Tuesday

Review

Music Interviews

'The Real Thing,' According to Jill Scott

The soul singer's new album, The Real Thing: Words and Sounds Vol. 3, is generating quite a buzz. The award-winning singer talks about the events of her seven-year, singing career, including a new film in the works.

'The Real Thing,' According to Jill Scott

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Sunday

Obituaries

Marcel Marceau Mined Mime's Deep Veins of Emotion

Marcel Marceau, the French mime who was often described as bringing poetry to silence, died Saturday at age 84. A tireless performer for more than half a century, Marceau repopularized the ancient art of pantomime for a modern age.

Marcel Marceau Mined Mime's Deep Veins of Emotion

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Obituaries

World Bids Adieu to Marcel Marceau

There were few emotions the French mime couldn't express with eloquent silence, an expressive face and a flurry of gestures. The French Legion of Honor winner, who made frequent appearances on U.S. television, has died at 84.

World Bids Adieu to Marcel Marceau

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Thursday

World

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs for Chile's 'Cueca'

As Chile resonates with Independence Day commemorations, the air is filled with the sounds of cueca music. The national dance makes elegant use of white handkerchiefs to tell a story of seduction.

Get Out Your Handkerchiefs for Chile's 'Cueca'

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Saturday

Fire Threatens 70-Year-Old Theatre Tradition

North Carolina's summertime drama, The Lost Colony, is this country's longest running outdoor production. The play has been a community mainstay for 70 years, but now its 2008 season is in jeopardy. There was a fire at Roanoke Island's Waterside Theatre on Monday night. The amphitheatre, which is just outside the town of Manteo, N.C., was not damaged. The sets were also spared, but most of the costumes were destroyed.

Fire Threatens 70-Year-Old Theatre Tradition

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Thursday

McKellen Takes On Another Dark Mountain: 'Lear'

Before The Lord of the Rings made him an international superstar, Ian McKellen was known as the finest Shakespearean actor of his generation. Now he's touring the United States in the Everest of classical roles — Shakespeare's tormented King Lear.

McKellen Takes On Another Dark Mountain: 'Lear'

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