I have mostly (*dry cough* *dry cough*) regained my health and the virtual school where I teach has gone on summer vacation for a few weeks, so let’s dig in. I have missed you.
First things first — I’m going to make an ask. Please consider doubling your current Public Broadcasting donation. I donate $10 per month to my local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) station and $10 per month to my local NPR (National Public Radio). As of June 1, my contribution will double for both.
Our clown-car of a government is kicking the shit out of these services and they deserve our support now more than ever. If I want to watch excellent documentaries or inspiring art presentations, I use my membership at PBS to watch the best in opera, theater, and dance programs and to learn about The Gilded Age, Virginia Woolf, inventors, civil rights leaders, and more.
Last night, I learned about Asian-American artists, photographers, and filmmakers. And let’s not forget mega hits like “Downton Abbey” and “The Civil War” series. So much great content. And yes, American taxpayers funded a tiny portion of it.
My friend G works for one of the Colorado stations suing the Trump administration for their funding cuts. The courts seem to be the only arena where Americans can fight back against Trump’s revenge politics and I wish them godspeed.
Public Broadcasting changed our culture because it presented people and news that actually reflected us. “Sesame Street” provided faces of color for children to watch and emulate. PBS offered “Dance in America” and “Live from the Met” and young artists could see the possibilities of following their dreams.
And for the crazy lunatics, there was “Monty Python’s Flying Circus” and the audio series “The Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” All of us weirdos (including history nuts, arts fans, and foodies) found a home at PBS and NPR.
America would be a much less interesting and culturally rich place without public broadcasting, so throw them a few extra bucks if you have it, will ya’? Even if it’s temporary.
Let’s Put on (ok, watch) a Show!
And speaking of great theater, pull out your planners and make a date with yourself to watch some amazing productions this summer. Most of them are thanks to — say it with me now — public broadcasting.
I never thought it could happen, but there’s almost TOO MUCH theater to watch at home these days. Wait. Forget what I said. That’s not possible. Erase, erase, erase.
So, once the sun goes down and you are ready to cool off in front of the TV with a tall glass of iced something, here are some titles to investigate, all produced and performed by our finest artists.
“Good Night and Good Luck” is the stage version of George Clooney’s 2005 film, currently running on Broadway starring George himself as legendary news man Edward R. Murrow. It tells the story of the clash between CBS/Murrow and Senator Joseph McCarthy, who used gossip and sensationalism to ruin the reputations of honest government employees. Sound familiar? Always remember, Joe McCarthy was coached by Roy Cohn, the same shyster who tutored Donald Trump in the art of evil and vindictiveness.
You can watch a LIVE version of the Broadway show on Saturday night, June 7th at 7:00 PM ET on CNN. And you don’t even have to pay $250 for a crappy seat. This will be closing night for the show and it is certainly Clooney’s latest grenade lobbed at our current administration. McCarthy and Cohn’s attacks were the direct inspiration for Trump’s “witch hunts” and politics of distraction.
“Next to Normal” is a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about a modern day family dealing with mental illness and past trauma with a rock score. It ran for nearly two years on Broadway, was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won 3.
I will admit, this is not one of my favorite shows, but I am not sure I saw the best touring production and I want to give it another try. It’s available for streaming on PBS’s Great Performances.
Most of the cast is British because this production is from London’s Donmar Warehouse but it stars one of America’s brightest musical theater stars, Caissie Levey. If I don’t enjoy it this time, it won’t be because of poor performances. The Donmar is top-tier quality.
There are three more great shows streaming on PBS through “Great Performances” this summer as well:
“Yellow Face” by David Henry Hwang. A hilarious satire about the politics of ethnic casting, theater, and representation. It stars Daniel Dae Kim (remember him from the TV series “Lost” or “Hawaii 5-0”?). He’s an excellent stand-in for Hwang as the storyteller and really knows how to command the stage.
I was afraid I would never get to see “Girl From the North Country” — a musical celebrating the music of Bob Dylan with a plot set in a boarding house during The Great Depression, but it is also streaming this month. Can’t wait!
You will hear Dylan favorites like “Hurricane”, “Forever Young,” and “Like a Rolling Stone.” The book/script was written by Irishman Conor McPherson who knows from tough times. Thank you for capturing this show, PBS.
This Friday night, May 30th, PBS will air a production of Cole Porter’s epic musical “Kiss Me, Kate” starring the fabulous Stephanie J. Block and staged by my favorite director, Barlett Sher. I love this musical, mostly because Cole Porter is so dang clever.
The show traces a group of actors as they present “The Taming of the Shrew” on stage, but their backstage lives offer more romance and comedy than even Shakespeare! “Too Darn Hot” is always a show-stopper and “Brush up Your Shakespeare” sung by two gangsters is hilarious. And when I hear the two leads sing “Wunderbar,” it makes me wish my voice was in shape so I could belt it out along with them.
Note: the above link is only for the 30 second promo of “Kiss Me Kate.” The link to the full PBS production will be posted on the “Great Performances” website after this weekend’s airing.
And one more…
Someone recently uploaded a You Tube video of the 1984 Broadway production of “Piaf” about the legendary French singer. It features Jean Smart as Edith Piaf’s great friend, actress Marlene Dietrich. If you’ve ever swooned after hearing Piaf sing “La Vie on Rose” or “Non, je ne regrette rien” during a TV commercial for Volkswagen or Miss Dior perfume, you might enjoy this. She was nicknamed “the little bird” and served as an inspiration for the French people during World War II, but her life was, well, complicated. Warning: Piaf was not a saint. This is for adults
If you want more titles, check out this article from the New York Times this month (gift article). There’s a cabaret show, a film about making theater, and two new terrific selections available on “National Theater Live at Home” (you need a subscription).
Here’s Rose!
This week’s TIME cover features six-time Tony Winner Audra McDonald. She is nominated for her performance in the revival of “Gypsy” currently running in New York.
The Tony Awards are Sunday night, June 8th on CBS where you can catch glimpses of this year’s best Broadway performances.
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