NPR Topics: Performing ArtsNews, interviews, and commentary on theater, the arts, music, and dance.Auntie Mame's Secret: The 'Loco' In Her Parentis- July 30, 2008 An eccentric, a free spirit and an unflaggingly open-minded heroine, Mame Dennis taught more than one protege — including NPR's Bob Mondello — how to open new windows without worrying about the view.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93083551&ft=1&f=1046 Cooking Up Characters From Old Grocery Lists- July 29, 2008 Performance artist Hillary Carlip collects discarded shopping lists. She imagines their authors, transforms herself into them, and goes shopping. In one case, she even created an online dating profile for her character.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=93022254&ft=1&f=1046 'Romeo & Juliet' Gets An Update — From 1935- July 28, 2008 Shakespeare's tragedy — and Prokofiev's ballet — are plenty familiar, but critic Lloyd Schwartz says Mark Morris's new staging isn't: It's based on a forgotten manuscript recently discovered in Russia, and it's truer to Prokofiev's original intent.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92987275&ft=1&f=1046 Monty Python's Eric Idle Resurrects 'Life Of Brian'- July 24, 2008 The Monty Python funnyman is back with Not The Messiah, an adaptation of the 1979 film Life of Brian. He reprises some of the original songs and characters, and laments that the sheep get more applause than he does.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92869664&ft=1&f=1046 Ledger Likely Is A Long Shot For Oscar, Critic Says- July 23, 2008 The late Heath Ledger gave a brilliant, creepy performance in the new Batman movie, and he's got the sympathy of his industry. But one critic says Hollywood's a tough town when it comes to awarding posthumous Oscars.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92809206&ft=1&f=1046 In Concert, A Moment Of Sudanese Solidarity- July 18, 2008 At a time of outright genocide in Darfur, and civil unrest throughout the Sudan, an unprecedented gathering of musicians from across the war-torn country presented a contrasting picture — one of harmony and unity — at the Sudanese Festival of Music and Dance in Chicago.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92679342&ft=1&f=1046 Remembering Sweetheart Songstress Jo Stafford- July 18, 2008 Jo Stafford was a favorite entertainer of soldiers during World War II. Stafford and her husband, pianist Paul Weston, also performed a bad cabaret act as their alter egos, Jonathan and Darlene Edwards. Stafford died of congestive heart failure Wednesday. She was 90.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92669731&ft=1&f=1046 Robert Redford Fights Global Warming With Poetry- July 16, 2008 Robert Redford has been fighting on behalf of the environment via films and Congress for over 30 years. His latest approach to increase awareness of global warming does it in rhyme.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92584973&ft=1&f=1046 'Vote For Me, Al Franken'- July 16, 2008 For the former Saturday Night Live comedian, running for a Minnesota Senate seat is no joke. But will his opponents get the last laughhttp://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92577668&ft=1&f=1046 Women's Prison Takes On Mozart- July 14, 2008 A correctional facility in Alaska houses the nation's only all-female prison orchestra. The 12 members are learning more than just how to play classical music.http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92520296&ft=1&f=1046 |