She is an admired actor (West Wing), but it’s her playwriting (Fires in the Mirror), drawing on the techniques of documentary film, that first caught my attention. Just starting as a writer, she met a woman at a party. “And she said I’m going to give you three questions you can ask people. Well, they changed … Continue reading »
Category Archives: Theater
Episode 281: David Neumann
The choreographer of Hadestown and an all-around theater guy, he grew up in a house designed by his father – not an architect, a member of Mabou Mines. “It pointed me toward a creative proces which is partially planned and partially improvised.” And away from the words “beneath a heap of rubble.” A conversation at the Baryshnikov … Continue reading »
Episode 269: Eric Bogosian
On a Berlin sidewalk in 1921, Soghomon Tehlirian assassinated Talaat Pasha, an architect of the Armenian genocide. Vengence or justice? Actor and writer Eric Bogosian talks about history, identity, and the cultural implications of curly hair. A conversation at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center, with music from Zoë Aqua and Mattias Kaufmann. Continue reading »
Episode 261: Dana Ivey
She is a fine actor and an honorable person with a weakness for that racist claptrap Gone With the Wind. “That’s the dichotomy in my heart and soul,” she tells the English Speaking Union. She’s not alone. It is the second most beloved book in America, behind only the Bible. When good people love bad … Continue reading »
Episode 246: Jane Alexander
A much admired actor, she’s lead the National Endowment for the Arts – when the White House still supported the arts. And education. And clean air. And… what was the question? Right: what about her environmental concerns? She is on the board of the Audubon Society and is the author of Wild Things, Wild Places. … Continue reading »
Episode 235: Todd Haimes
The head of the Roundabout Theatre, he’s worked with, well, everyone, and knows that meeting a childhood idol is risky; they can be horrible people. But what joy when “the person you dreamed about actually turn out to be wonderful. Wonderful!” Hear who, in this conversation at the BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center. … Continue reading »
Episode 229: Todd Solondz
Is Julie Chen’s defense of her husband, Les Moonves, pathetic stand-by-your-manism or admirable personal loyalty? A surprising analysis from the creator of the darkly comic films “Welcome to the Dollhouse” and “Happiness.” This fall he makes his playwriting and stage directing debut with “Emma and Max,” described as “a satire of tragic dimensions,” at … Continue reading »
Episode 225: Suzan-Lori Parks
Every dramatic movie but nearly no straight play uses musical underscoring. This celebrated playwright has astute ideas about why that is. Plus, what she did instead of going drinking with James Baldwin. A conversation at Signature Theatre with music from – yes! – Suzan-Lori Parks and the band. Person: James Baldwin Place: Fort Knox … Continue reading »
Episode 210: Woodie King
A veteran of 60 years in the theater, he makes a counterintuitive – and sadly convincing – point: colorblind casting can mean more parts for white actors. On the one hand, every role should be open to every actor: you needn’t be a Dane to play Hamlet. On the other, an all-white Raisin in … Continue reading »
Episode 206: Arin Arbus & Jeffrey Horowitz
He is the founder of Theatre for a New Audience where she has directed many plays including the current Winter’s Tale. They both assert that much of the meaning of a text resides in the very sound of the words. Thus a Swedish translation of Shakespeare conveys meaning even to a non-Swedish speaker. I’m … Continue reading »
Episode 201: Fiasco Theater
Most of us live without fame; the world simply ignores us. Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld of Fiasco Theater assert that obscurity offers real rewards; a meaningful artistic life depends on it. When artists say that sort of thing, they’re generally rationalizing, but this time I believe them. How to have friends, family, and … Continue reading »
Movies / Television / Theater
Episode 198: F. Murray Abraham
This fine actor was first admired by many people my age as Salieri in Amadeus and those my daughter’s age as Dar Adal in Homeland. We spoke at the Friars Club about his childhood in El Paso – El Paso! – his passionate devotion to our immigrant nation, and his suprising friendship with Louis C.K. … Continue reading »