Arts & Life How Chicago's comedians are adapting to the changing political landscape NPR's Scott Simon visits The Second City Theater in Chicago to talk with comedians about the challenges of improv. Scott Simon Ryan Benk
Arts & Life The story of love pulled apart by slavery is being told though dance The legacy of the emancipation of Jim and Winnie Shankle spans generations. The true love story among former slaves is shared in a dance performance in the Texas town the couple founded in 1867. Kristen Cabrera
Arts & Life Why the dark, musical-comedy 'The Witch of Konotop' has Ukrainians enthralled A play about witches is selling out in Ukraine's capital Kyiv. Critics say that even though the plot takes place centuries ago, the play's takeaways and parallels to today resonate with Ukrainians. Ashley Westerman
Arts & Life Suff's highlights styles of activism among women who fought for equal rights As Americans celebrate the day that gave white men life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the Broadway musical Suffs explores the styles of activism used by Alice Paul, Ida B. Wells and others.
Arts & Life 'Laughter is disarming': A new documentary traces generations of LGBTQ comedy The new Netflix documentary Outstanding: A Comedy Revolution features interviews with dozens of gay and trans comics, archival footage and lots of jokes. Elizabeth Blair
Arts & Life The Tony Awards, honoring the best of Broadway, were handed out Sunday night Stereophonic, which had 13 nominations, won five awards, including best play. The Outsiders and Merrily We Roll Along picked up four awards each. Hell's Kitchen, nominated for 13 awards, won two. Jeff Lunden A Martínez
Arts & Life What to expect at the 77th annual Tony Awards Dig into the nominees and learn about the likely winners. Scott Detrow Jeff Lunden
Arts & Life In 1981, this Sondheim musical flopped. Now 'Merrily We Roll Along' is a hit The Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim’s musical about three friends received seven Tony nominations. We talk with director Maria Friedman, who was a friend of Sondheim's, and actor Jonathan Groff. Terry Gross
Arts & Life Broadway shows are more expensive than ever to make, but audiences aren't showing up NPR's Ari Shapiro talks with Boris Kachka about the dynamics of Broadway today. Kachka has a look behind the curtain in his piece for Vulture, headlined "We've Hit Peak Theater." Noah Caldwell Patrick Jarenwattananon Ari Shapiro
Arts & Life Judi Dench on a career and friendship forged by Shakespeare NPR's Mary Louise Kelly speaks with Judi Dench and director Brendan O'Hea about their new book Shakespeare: The Man Who Pays The Rent and a career and friendship forged by the Bard. Elena Burnett Courtney Dorning Mary Louise Kelly