Arts

'No Orpheus' Revisits The Dreams And Passions Of An Aging Mother

1:33pm March 21, 2016

by Lloyd Schwartz

When his mother was turning 90, music critic Lloyd Schwartz wrote poems that put her memories into verse. Composer Mohammed Fairouz set three of the poems to music on the new recording, No Orpheus.

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Author Helen Oyeyemi's new book reflects her fascination with keys.

Books
Arts

Keys Are The Key To 'What Is Not Yours'

10:05am March 21, 2016

by NPR Staff

Writer Helen Oyeyemi's new collection features nine stories all linked through the idea of keys that open rooms, doors, even hearts. She says she felt haunted by keys while working on the book.

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Ian Daniel and Ellen Page at AOL Studios on March 9 in New York City.

Arts

'Gaycation': Ellen Page Explores LGBT Lives Globally On Travel Show

8:08pm March 20, 2016

Page's new TV show on Viceland is called Gaycation. The actress and co-host Ian Daniel speak to NPR's Michel Martin about the show, in which they explore LGBT culture around the world.

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"It is a huge production and it is a lot of pressure," Seal says of The Passion, "but that's what we crave as artists."

Here's A Revelation: 'The Passion' Is Seal's First Acting Gig

3:04pm March 20, 2016

by NPR Staff

The singer plays Pontius Pilate in Fox's live TV musical event. He says he never thought to try acting before, but the songs — including "Mad World" by Tears for Fears — drew him to the part.

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In every home, the haftseen table is decorated with seven items â since seven is considered a lucky number. Each item begins with the letter sin (s) in Persian, and each item is a symbol of spring and renewal.

Nowruz: Persian New Year's Table Celebrates Spring Deliciously

12:19pm March 20, 2016

This ancient festival marks the beginning of spring and celebrates the rebirth of nature. And naturally, it has a lot to do with fresh, green foods just beginning to poke out of the ground.

In the new film Alone In Berlin, based on Hans Fallada's beloved but once-banned novel, Emma Thompson plays Anna Quangel. Real-life Anna Quangel and Otto Quangel were executed in 1943 for their acts of resistance against the Nazi regime.

Books
Arts

'Alone In Berlin' Features The Story That Continues To Revise And Resonate

10:40am March 20, 2016

by Susan Stone

An act of defiance in Nazi-era Germany is the subject of a film based on a novel that, when it finally came out in English, connected with readers. The director says its message still holds relevance.

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Cast members of the NBC drama The West Wing.

Arts

'The West Wing Weekly' Podcast Promises To Break Down Every Episode

8:35am March 20, 2016

Joshua Malina, who played Will Bailey on the show, and Hrishikesh Hirway plan to take a deep dive into the critically acclaimed series.

Books
Arts

A Love Story Rudely Interrupted By History

7:00am March 20, 2016

by Jason Sheehan

Peter Behrens' novel, Carry Me, follows the fortunes of two interconnected families through the World Wars in Europe, as well as the turmoil leading up to Ireland's War of Independence.

Midnight Special is a road movie that centers on 8-year-old Alton (played by Jaeden Lieberher), who is being pursued by groups of people who believe him to be an alien visitor or the savior of mankind.

Arts

A Father Protects His Mysterious Son From Authorities In 'Midnight Special'

12:18pm March 19, 2016

by Justin Chang

Director Jeff Nichols' new film centers on an 8-year-old boy who may or may not have special powers. Reviewer Justin Chang says Midnight Special is "a road movie that never stops moving forward."

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Arts

Not My Job: Actor Andre Royo Gets Quizzed On Quinoa

11:47am March 19, 2016

Since Royo starred in The Wire — a show more beloved to NPR listeners than their own children — we've invited him to answer questions about three other things NPR listeners won't shut up about.

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