In Jessica Chiccehitto Hindman's debut, she doesn't shrink from the systemic issues of an unfair economic system, but her personal story, with its unexpected twists, makes this memoir memorable.
A group of men all named Josh Cohen went to a new off-Broadway musical The Other Josh Cohen. It's a common Jewish name. One of them thought the show was about him, for good reason.
The renowned British actor was nominated for five Oscars and two Tony Awards, among other prizes. His career spanned six decades, from understudying Laurence Olivier to appearing in a James Bond film.
The breakout song from Disney's Frozen has inspired many marginalized groups — but its message of rejecting stigma holds special resonance for disabled people and their families.
Channing's big break came in 1949 when she was cast as Lorelei Lee in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. But she'll always be remembered for her role as a life-loving matchmaker and "meddler" in Hello, Dolly!
John Adams' opera, which premiered in 2005, centers on the first atomic bomb test at Los Alamos, N.M. Now, a new album features a recording of Doctor Atomic conducted by the composer himself.
The partial government shutdown hasn't just shuttered museums in Washington, D.C. Across the U.S., and even beyond its borders, artists and the groups supporting them are grappling with the fallout.
Todd Purdum's book, Something Wonderful, is about the creative partnership and strained personal relationship behind hit shows like Carousel and The Sound of Music. Originally broadcast April 9, 2018.
Jackie Hoffman grew up speaking what her mother called "kitchen Yiddish" — a few words here and there. Now, she's dusting off the mameloshn (mother tongue) for a production of the 1964 musical.
A makeshift city full of refugees is the scene for a new off-Broadway play "The Jungle." NPR's Rachel Martin speaks with two of its actors, Ammar haj Ahmad and Milan Ghobsheh.
Sheldon Harnick, John Russell and Steve Young discuss "industrial musicals," Broadway-style productions written and performed at the behest of corporations. Originally broadcast Nov. 5, 2013.
Sure, this lush, blistering riff on pop stardom — and the many ways it intersects with a culture obsessed with both violence and celebrity — is over-the-top. That's the point.
Jay, who died Sunday, was an avid scholar of con games and could make cards disappear and reappear in ways that seemed impossible. He spoke to Fresh Air in 1987, 1998 and 2002.
Critic Chris Klimek offers a remembrance of the late illusionist, author and actor Ricky Jay, for whom he worked as a personal assistant over a decade ago.
Mindy Aloff has attempted the nearly impossible task of collecting, in an anthology, the essays, excerpts, and asides that create a snapshot of the history of American dance.
In a new $35 million musical, the star attraction is 20 feet tall and requires 15 people to operate. He's an engineering marvel — and also basically a giant monkey puppet.
In a new take on Moliere's Tartuffe, the original production's "dangerous priest" villain is now portrayed as a manipulative Imam who preys on a Muslim family.
Sell/Buy/Date is a one-woman-play about the sex industry. NPR's Shereen Marisol Meraji speaks with playwright Sarah Jones about how she portrays 19 different characters.
The Los Angeles Philharmonic is starting to mark its centennial this fall. It's credited with helping to bring high culture and great composers to L.A.
Restless Creature, now available on Netflix,chronicles Wendy Whelan's recovery from hip surgery and her final performance with the New York City Ballet. Originally broadcast July 10, 2017.
