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Performing Arts News, interviews, and commentary on theater, the arts, music, and dance.

Performing Arts

Saturday

Friday

Theater

'Some Like It Hot' on Broadway remixes the original 1959 charm for a modern audience

The Broadway adaptation of the 1959 classic movie Some Like It Hot is the most Tony nominated show this year.

'Some Like It Hot' on Broadway remixes the original 1959 charm for a modern audience

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Emily King's heartbreak on 'Special Occasion'
Courtesy of Emily King

It's Been a Minute

Emily King's heartbreak on 'Special Occasion'

Grammy-nominated singer Emily King is a master architect of love songs: her dreamy pop-infused music has provided the soundtrack to many romances. This week, she's opening up about how she baked a fresh heartbreak into the sound of her latest album, Special Occasion. She's writing through her pain, shaking the shame around being honest and dealing with vulnerability hangovers.

Emily King's heartbreak on 'Special Occasion'

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Wednesday

When your demographic clone tells their secrets, are they telling yours, too?

Actor and comedian D'Lo performing in his one-man play, "To T or Not to T." Mikel Darling hide caption

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Mikel Darling

Code Switch

When your demographic clone tells their secrets, are they telling yours, too?

On this week's Code Switch, producer Kumari Devarajan finds her demographic clone in actor and comedian D'Lo. Kumari found that when you share so much in common with a stranger who is putting their business on front street for the world to see, it can feel like they're sharing your secrets, too.

When your demographic clone tells their secrets, are they telling yours, too?

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A scientist and musician are collaborating to turn cosmic ray data into art

Particle Shrine, an installation that converts cosmic ray data into music and lighting, at Science Gallery London. Jack Latimer/Science Gallery London hide caption

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Jack Latimer/Science Gallery London

Short Wave

A scientist and musician are collaborating to turn cosmic ray data into art

Teppei Katori loves two things: particle physics and music. Naturally, he combined the two. Today on Short Wave, Teppei talks to host Regina G. Barber about how he and his collaborators convert data from cosmic rays—high energy particles from space that are constantly colliding with Earth—into beautiful sights and sounds.

A scientist and musician are collaborating to turn cosmic ray data into art

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Monday

Theater

High school theater attendance is up — as are concerns about censorship, survey finds

The annual survey of the most popular high school musicals and plays is out. In addition to top ten lists, the report finds attendance is up 13% but theatre teachers are worried about censorship.

High school theater attendance is up — as are concerns about censorship, survey finds

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These were the most frequently performed plays and musicals in high schools this year

Spring Woods High School in Houston, Texas, is one of the schools that put on a production of The Addams Family. Susan Doremus/Educational Theatre Associaton hide caption

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Susan Doremus/Educational Theatre Associaton

These were the most frequently performed plays and musicals in high schools this year

The Addams Family, Clue and Frozen JR were among the most popular shows, according to a new survey. But the report also showed that drama teachers are nervous about censorship.

These were the most frequently performed plays and musicals in high schools this year

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Saturday

After years of ever-shrinking orchestras, some Broadway musicals are going big

Annaleigh Ashford, left, and Josh Groban star in Broadway's current revival of Sweeney Todd. Ashford says it's rare for musicals to have this large of an orchestra. Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman/Sweeney Todd hide caption

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Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman/Sweeney Todd

Theater

After years of ever-shrinking orchestras, some Broadway musicals are going big

Producers have been saying for years that large Broadway orchestras are not financially feasible. In fact, the issue led to a strike 20 years ago. So why are some shows bringing them back?

After years of ever-shrinking orchestras, some Broadway musicals are going big

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Thursday

Tony Awards have gendered actor categories — where do non-binary people fit?

Alex Newell has been nominated for a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Emilio Madrid/Shucked hide caption

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Emilio Madrid/Shucked

Theater

Tony Awards have gendered actor categories — where do non-binary people fit?

"We don't gender other people's professions," says actor Alex Newell. "You say ... I'm going to my dentist and I need to hire a plumber." But Broadway's highest honors have male/female distinctions.

Tony Awards have gendered actor categories — where do non-binary people fit?

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Wednesday

Remembering Tina Turner

Singer Tina Turner performs onstage during the 50th annual Grammy awards. Kevin Winter/Getty Images hide caption

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Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Pop Culture Happy Hour

Remembering Tina Turner

The word "icon" is thrown around a lot these days, but Tina Turner was the epitome of that and more. The legendary pop star died today at the age of 83, leaving behind an indelible legacy that spanned decades across the music world, the stage, and the screen. We talk about her life and career, including her hits "River Deep, Mountain High," "Proud Mary," and "What's Love Got To Do With It."

Remembering Tina Turner

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Thursday

Sara Bareilles thought 'Into the Woods' would last 2 weeks — she ended up on Broadway

Sara Bareilles plays the Baker's Wife in Into the Woods. She says the first thing she did after taking the role was give her character a real name: "I named her Rebecca." Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman/MurphyMade hide caption

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Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman/MurphyMade

Theater

Sara Bareilles thought 'Into the Woods' would last 2 weeks — she ended up on Broadway

Fresh Air

What started as a stripped-down production with a limited run became a Grammy award-winning Broadway musical with six Tony nominations. Bareilles plays the Baker's Wife: "I'm so glad that I said yes."

Sara Bareilles thought 'Into the Woods' would last 2 weeks — she ended up on Broadway

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Sunday

How a mother and her daughters created an innovative Indian dance company

Aparna (from left), Ranee and Ashwini Ramaswamy. Aparna Ramaswamy hide caption

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Aparna Ramaswamy

Culture

How a mother and her daughters created an innovative Indian dance company

Ragamala Dance Company is the life work of Ranee Ramaswamy — and now her adult daughters, Aparna and Ashwini. Creative work can be lonely, Aparna says, and having "built-in companions" is a gift.

How a mother and her daughters created an innovative Indian dance company

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Friday

A Black, trans journey through TV and film; plus, inside Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' tour
Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Parkwood; Ray Love Jr.

It's Been a Minute

A Black, trans journey through TV and film; plus, inside Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' tour

Since releasing one of the most critically acclaimed albums in 2022, pop titan Beyoncé has withheld the visuals for almost a year. NPR Senior Culture editor Bilal Qureshi went to the first stop on the Renaissance World Tour and joins producer Corey Antonio Rose to reveal one of the most highly anticipated musical secrets.

A Black, trans journey through TV and film; plus, inside Beyoncé's 'Renaissance' tour

Listen · 30:21
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Thursday

Wednesday