'Hamilton' producer Jeffrey Seller traces his journey from 'Theater Kid' to Broadway
Seller has been a key behind-the-scenes figure for some of Broadway's biggest hits including, Hamilton and Rent, but he got his start on a much smaller scale. He looks back in a new memoir.
In 'Trainwreck', A Screwball Comedy Fades To Family-Values Formulaic
Amy Schumer plays a writer who dodges lovers' pleas for commitment in Trainwreck, directed by Judd Apatow. Critic David Edelstein says the film loses its "delightful momentum" when it gets serious.
Tracing The Origin Of The Campaign Promise To 'Tell It Like It Is'
It's a common pledge of candor for a roster of presidential hopefuls. As linguist Geoff Nunberg explains, the promise to "tell it like it is" has its roots in black speech from the '40s and '50s.
Jason Isbell's 'Something More Than Free' Rings With The Promise of Joy
The former member of the Drive-by Truckers unleashes his storytelling skills in his new album, Something More Than Free. Rock critic Ken Tucker says Isbell's lyrics reward a close listen.
Fresh Air Weekend: Weighing In On What It Means To 'Sound Gay'
In Do I Sound Gay?, director David Thorpe discusses the so-called "gay voice" and reveals his own attempt (with speech pathologist Susan Sankin) to sound "less gay." Originally broadcast July 7, 2015.
The Man Behind Wonder Woman Was Inspired By Both Suffragists And Centerfolds
Wonder Woman's creator had a few secrets of his own. Historian Jill Lepore describes William Moulton Marstothe's unusual life in The Secret History of Wonder Woman. Originally broadcast Oct. 27, 2014.
Duke Ellington's 'Plank Session' Offers Snapshots Of A Jazz Master At Work
In July 1970, Duke Ellington recorded two tunes engineered by Conny Plank. Jazz critic Kevin Whitehead says The Conny Plank Session, which is now on CD, is a window onto Ellington's working method.