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In A 'Coast-To-Coast Roast,' Colin Quinn Finds Humor In The State We're In

"I'm a comedian. I'm not here to be agreed with," says Colin Quinn. "In fact, if you came up to me and said, 'You're not funny, but I agree with you,' I'd be offended because I'm here to make people laugh. ... It's much more powerful than somebody agreeing with you." Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Audible hide caption

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Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Audible

Author Interviews

In A 'Coast-To-Coast Roast,' Colin Quinn Finds Humor In The State We're In

As a veteran stand-up comedian, Quinn has spent decades on the road, performing in 47 out of the 50 states he now affectionately eviscerates in his new book, Overstated.

In A 'Coast-To-Coast Roast,' Colin Quinn Finds Humor In The State We're In

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Sunday

What Will The Future Of Theater Look Like? 'Our Artists Are Going To Lead Us'

The Public Theater in New York has been closed since March 12, but is still producing plays on Zoom, radio and film. "Just because conditions are hard, it doesn't let us off the hook; it doesn't free us of the obligation to try to fulfill our mission," says artistic director Oskar Eustis. Aislinn Weidele/The Public Theater hide caption

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Aislinn Weidele/The Public Theater

The Coronavirus Crisis

What Will The Future Of Theater Look Like? 'Our Artists Are Going To Lead Us'

It's hard to predict exactly how theater will come back after the pandemic, but here are a couple guesses: Fewer crowds, more collective imagination, and a focus on racial and environmental justice.

What Will The Future Of Theater Look Like? 'Our Artists Are Going To Lead Us'

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Wednesday

Predictions Of How COVID-19 Will Impact Pop Culture

What will be the visual cues that film and television will one day use to depict 2020? Malorny/Getty Images hide caption

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Malorny/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Predictions Of How COVID-19 Will Impact Pop Culture

It's hard to predict how the current pandemic will affect the work of artists in television and film and theater, but that doesn't mean we can't try. What will change? What won't change? How might creators react? Today, we're stepping back to make some guesses about the future of pop culture and think about what's to come.

Predictions Of How COVID-19 Will Impact Pop Culture

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Tuesday

With Theaters Still Closed, 136-Year-Old 'Playbill' Does A Quick Online Pivot

With theaters across the country closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Playbill has had to pivot quickly. "We find ourselves incredibly fortunate to be associated with this ridiculously fantastic art form that we miss oh, so much," says Playbill Vice President Alex Birsh. Dean Greer/Playbill hide caption

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Dean Greer/Playbill

The Coronavirus Crisis

With Theaters Still Closed, 136-Year-Old 'Playbill' Does A Quick Online Pivot

The magazine given out at theaters isn't just a program, it's a cherished souvenir. The publication has doubled down on its digital offerings, and to almost everyone's surprise, it's doing quite well.

With Theaters Still Closed, 136-Year-Old 'Playbill' Does A Quick Online Pivot

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Saturday

Thursday

Whatever Happened To ... V Unbeatable, Mumbai Dancers Who Won 'America's Got Talent'

V Unbeatable, the dance troup from Mumbia that won the top prize on America's Got Talent: The Champions this year, are pictured with (left to right) Alesha Dixon, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Terry Crews and Simon Cowell. Trae Patton/NBC hide caption

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Trae Patton/NBC

Goats and Soda

Whatever Happened To ... V Unbeatable, Mumbai Dancers Who Won 'America's Got Talent'

In February, the group of young, acrobatic dancers took the top prize. But the pandemic has put their dreams on hold — and had a disastrous impact on family life.

First Chinese-Language Production Of 'A Raisin In The Sun' Is Staged In Beijing

The cast of the Beijing People's Art Theatre production of A Raisin in the Sun rehearse onstage this past August. Amy Cheng/NPR hide caption

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Amy Cheng/NPR

Theater

First Chinese-Language Production Of 'A Raisin In The Sun' Is Staged In Beijing

Lorraine Hansberry's play is about a Black family's struggle against racism in 1950s Chicago. At the Beijing People's Art Theatre, director Ying Da is working to bring that story to Chinese audiences.

First Chinese-Language Production Of 'A Raisin In The Sun' Is Staged In Beijing

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Tuesday

Louisville Ballet Dancers Return To Work For A Season Like None Other
Stephanie Wolf/Louisville Public Media

Dance

Louisville Ballet Dancers Return To Work For A Season Like None Other

LPM News

For the audience, Louisville Ballet's 2020-2021 season will be entirely virtual. But the dancers have already started rehearsing in person — with masks, and lots of new safety protocols.

Louisville Ballet Dancers Return To Work For A Season Like None Other

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Monday

Race, Hollywood, And The Rise Of Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman speaks onstage during the 47th AFI Life Achievement Award honoring Denzel Washington on June 6, 2019 in Hollywood, Calif. Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images for Turner

Consider This from NPR

Race, Hollywood, And The Rise Of Chadwick Boseman

Chadwick Boseman had raw talent, world-class training and the will to defy Hollywood gatekeepers. As a college student at Howard University, he had a helping hand from Denzel Washington. Boseman often spoke about the impact of that contribution and how it helped him chart his own path.

Race, Hollywood, And The Rise Of Chadwick Boseman

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Friday

'Black Panther' Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Of Cancer At Age 43

In his role as superhero Black Panther, Chadwick Boseman became the face of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's first film headlined by a Black actor. Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images hide caption

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Cheriss May/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Culture

'Black Panther' Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Of Cancer At Age 43

A statement posted to the actor's Twitter on Friday said Boseman had battled colon cancer for the last four years.

'Black Panther' Star Chadwick Boseman Dies Of Cancer At Age 43

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Thursday

Saturday

Saturday

PHOTOS: South Africa's Zip Zap Circus Brings A Big Heart To The Big Top

Phelelani Ndakrokra completes an aerial act at a Zip Zap circus show in Cape Town, South Africa. Aurélie Marrier d'Unienville and Tommy Trenchard for NPR hide caption

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Aurélie Marrier d'Unienville and Tommy Trenchard for NPR

Goats and Soda

PHOTOS: South Africa's Zip Zap Circus Brings A Big Heart To The Big Top

The circus was founded to lift kids out of poverty and change racial attitudes. It's become a world-famous institution — performing for Barack Obama, for example — while holding true to its dream.