Broadway Fun at NPR For Those Interested

[orion59]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 2:11pm

As an avid listener of NPR (National Public Radio), I've developed a love for two of their shows, Fresh Air and This American Life. Recently while perusing their websites and listening to archived shows, I found some that may be of interest to people here.

For those who don't know, This American Life chooses a theme weekly and has writers, jounalists, etc. read or tell stories that fit into the theme. They are most often funny or touching "slice of life" type of stories. They have one under the theme " Fiascos listed uner their "Our Favorites" section that is a hilarious story about a community theater production of Peter Pan that had gone horribly wrong.

Fresh Air is an interview show. They have archived their interviews with Gwen Verdon, Bebe Newirth, the cast of The Producers as well as a number of other Broadway themed interviews. They seem to like Broadway on this show. You can listen to any of these without having to download anything or purchase anything.

This American Life can be found at WBEZ.com and Fresh Air can be found at NPR.org

I won't put a link directly to them because I think that people who haven't listened to NPR...especially the yungins...might get more out of navigating the sites and searching.

[iflitifloat]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 2:31pm

I *love* This American Life. I recently heard two of my favorite segments: Squirrel Cop (two rookie cops try to get a squirrel out of someone's attic) and The Greatest Phone Message (key phrase: "you and the Little Mermaid can bo F**k yourselves..."). They are both priceless.

You're right, Orion, the NPR site is a goldmine! (Oh, oh....an don't forget the David Sederis Santa's Elf classic....)

[orion59]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 3:54pm

I never heard the phone message episode. I'll have to look for that one.

I've listened to these shows for a while but, it wasn't until I recently searched the archives by guest or topic that I realized how many Broadway themed shows Fresh Air has done. They have had some great interviews with performers, writers, directors and lyricists. Yesterday at work i was listening to an interview with Gwen Verdon and it was wonderful to hear her talk about her roles and her first encounter with Fosse

[orion59]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 3:55pm

Updated On: 2/4/04 at 03:55 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 3:56pm

I can't get the radio part to work. I'll have to try it at home.

[orion59]

Posted: 2/4/04 at 4:06pm

Matt, if you're on Fresh Air, you should be able to click on "listen to...". I think they'll play on either RealPlayer or Windows Media Player. Some of the older stuff doesn't seem to be available anymore.

[broadway geek]

Posted: 2/5/04 at 4:16pm

I love NPR. I always listen to "This American Life." But my absolute hands-down favorite is "Wait, Wait...Don't Tell Me." It is a News Quiz show that is hilarious. I heard a segment where they had to name the show from the setting. I forget the show though. It might be "Says You." "Fresh Air" comes on at 3am in DC so I never get to hear it.