Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Bookwaves
Isaac Asimov (1920-1992), in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in New York City on August 10, 1983.
Isaac Asimov, who died at the age of 72 in 1992, was considered, along with Ray Bradbury and Robert Heinlein, one of the three great masters of American science fiction in the 20th century.
Isaac Asimov began sending in stories and getting published in science fiction magazines at the age of nineteen, and at the age of 21, with the publication of the short story “Nightfall” in John W. Campbell’s Astounding Stories magazine. moved into the first ranks of science fiction writers. That status was confirmed a year later with the publication of the short story, “Foundation,” later renamed “The Encyclopedists,” which would be the first of several short stories and novellas republished as the three volumes of the Foundation trilogy.
In the 1940s, he turned to a series of stories focused on robots, which became the collection I Robot and then in the 1950s turned to novels, including Pebble in the Sky, The Caves of Steel and The End of Eternity. Along the way, through his entire career, he wrote dozens of non-fiction books on a wide variety of topics, along with young adult novels, and mystery novels and short stories. In the end, the number of books he wrote or edited exceeded 500, not counting separate short stories and articles.
This interview was conducted in a New York City bookstore Asimov was visiting to sign copies of a new collection, The Union Club Mysteries, a year after his return to the world of the Foundation trilogy, Foundation’s Edge, was published. Because his two –volume autobiography had come out a couple of years earlier and dealt with the plots and themes of his fiction, the interview focused instead on his life as a writer and his work with editors and publishers.
A miniseries adaptation of the Foundation Trilogy is due to be released on the Apple + streaming app in September, 2021. Isaac Asimov Wikipedia entry.
Complete 47-minute Radio Wolinsky podcast.
Bookwaves
Ray Bradbury, the legendary author who passed away in 2012, sat down for an interview with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in 1992 at his home in Los Angeles.
Though called a science fiction or fantasy writer, Ray Bradbury spanned all genres, from poetry to mystery to mainstream fiction. Among his works include The Martian Chronicles, Something Wicked This Way Comes, Farenheit 451 and The Illustrated Man.
This interview has been digitized and re-edited by Richard Wolinsky. Complete 38-minute Radio Wolinsky podcast.
Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links
Note: Several theatre companies are postponing their September shows due to the Delta variant. Please be aware that these changes are being made day-to-day. Most in-person events require vaccination proof or recent negative Covid test, and masks. Check the venue before arrival.
Bay Area Book Festival In person: Heather Young, September 1, 6 pm, Sausalito Books by the Bay. 2021 Festival events streaming on-demand.
Book Passage. Calendar for August. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
Books Inc. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
The Booksmith Calendar for August. On-line events.
Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. Check website for archived events.
Kepler’s Books On-line Refresh the Page program listings.
Alter Theatre. Brer Peach, an audio play by Andrew Saito, see website for details.
American Conservatory Theatre Freestyle Love Supreme opens January 21, 2022 at the Geary Theater.
Aurora Theatre Stoop Stories by Dael Orlandersmith, September 3 – October 3, 2021 as a filmed production.
Berkeley Rep Wintertime by Charles L. Mee, opens November 12, 2021, Roda Theater. The Ripple, That Wave That Carried Me Home by Christina Anderson, has been postponed until 2022.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for live and streaming events.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes) The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare, adapted by Eric Ting & Philippa Kelly, on stage September 1 – 26, 2021.
Central Works Audio plays: Bystanders by Patricia Milton, streaming now. The Human Ounce by Nicole Parizeau, streaming now. 2022 season to be announced in October.
Cinnabar Theatre. Cry It Out by Molly Smith Metzler, on stage weekends in September starting September 10, 2021. Streaming on demand September 24-26.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Our Town by Thornton Wilder, on stage October 1-31, 2021.
Curran Theater: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child set to resume January 11, 2022 as a single evening play. Taylor Mac videos available on-line.
Custom Made Theatre Season schedule to be announced.
42nd Street Moon. Chess In Concert, September 24-26, Alcazar Theater. A Little Night Music, November 4-13, Alcazar Theater.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Upcoming season to be announced.
Magic Theatre. In-theater performances to resume 2022. Joy and Pandemic by Taylor Mac, postponed to a later date.
Marin Theatre Company The Catastrophist by Lauren Gunderson, streaming through July 24, 2021. On stage: Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, November 2021. The Sound Inside postponed.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center Streaming: Hold Me The Forgotten Way, through December, 31, 2021. In Theater: Interlude by Harrison David Rivers, October 8 – November 7, 2021.
Oakland Theater Project. The Dream Life of Malcolm X by John Wilkins. Outdoor production cancelled.
Pear Theater. In Theater: Mothers of the Bride by Megan Maugeri, directed by Katie Hipol Garcia, on stage and streaming August 20- September 12, 2021.
Ray of Light: The Rocky Horror Show, October 7-31, at the Oasis.
San Francisco Playhouse. In Theatre/Streaming On Demand, Starting Here, Starting Now, the songs of Maltby and Shire. August 31 – October 2.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in theatre shows.
Shotgun Players. In person with streaming options: The Claim by Tim Cowbury, October 14-30.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: MarshStream updated calendar. In theater performances to be announced.
Theatre Rhino Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available. August 26: Wilde and Maugham, live at Sparks Arts in San Francisco, streaming on Zoom and Facebook. Streaming: Hold Me the Forgotten Way, episodes 1-4. On stage: At the Wake of a Dead Drag Queen by Terry Guest, dates to be announced.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. On stage: Lizard Boy, a new musical by Justin Huertas, October 6 – October, 31, 2021.
Word for Word. Wordcast: A Pair of Eyeglasses by by Anna Maria Ortese, posts September 2; Home by George Saunders, October 7; two by Toni Cade Bambara, November 4. Each will be streamed for a year.
National, Misc:
Chamber Music San Francisco: Live concerts return February, 2022.
Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Live on stage: Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer by Cheryl L. West. July 1 – October 9.
Atlantic Theatre Company. Live theater in New York resumes August 26, 2021.
Irish Repertory Theatre. George M. Cohan Tonight, streaming August 17 – August 29, 2021.
Public Theatre, New York. Streaming now: Shadow/Land, audio play. Events Calendar. Shakespeare in the Park: Merry Wives at the Delacorte.
Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you’ll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down.
National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country.
If you’d like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write [email protected]