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.
Complete 47-minute Radio Wolinsky podcast.
Bookwaves
Ray Bradbury (1920-2012), 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: Most in-person events still require proof of full vaccination for all audience members over 12 and masks. Many venues will require proof of boosters. Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors’ positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination status requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival Highlights from this year’s Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar.
Book Passage. Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
Books Inc. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
The Booksmith. Monthly Calendar. On-line events only.
Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months.
Kepler’s Books On-line Refresh the Page program listings.
Live Theater Companies
Actor’s Reading Collective (ARC). See website for past streams.
Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto
American Conservatory Theatre A Christmas Carol, November 30 – December 24, Toni Rembe Theater.
Aurora Theatre Colonialism is Terrible, but Pho is Delicious by Dustin Chinn, November 4 – December 4, in theatre. Streaming: December 3-4.
Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming.
Berkeley Rep Wuthering Heights, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, November 18 – January 1, Roda Theatre. Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, December 8-22, 2022, Peets Theatre.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for event.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Ain’t Too Proud November 9 – December 6, 2022, Golden Gate. Disney’s Frozen, November 18 – December 30, 2022 at the Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: The Book of Mormon, Nov. 22-27, 2022
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced.
Center Rep: Clue based on the screenplay, Lesher Center, Walnut Creek, October 29 – November 20, 2022.
Central Works The Museum Annex by Mildred Inez Lewis, now through Nov. 20, 2022.
Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs, January 6 – 22, 2023.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023.
Curran Theater: Kiki and Herb, December 9, 2022.
Custom Made Theatre. Shoshana in December. November 18 – December 18, Phoenix Theatrre, 414 Mason St., San Francisco.
42nd Street Moon. Anything Goes, February 23 – March 12, Gateway Theatre.
Golden Thread See website for upcoming productions.
Landmark Musical Theater. The Addams Family, now through November 20, 2022.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Halie! The Mahalia Jackson Musical, world premiere. December 2 – 24, at the Magic.
Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic.
Marin Theatre Company Two Trains Running by August Wilson, November 25 – December 18, 2022.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) A Picture of Two Boys by Nick Malakhow now through November 27, 2022. Oy Vey in a Manger, by the Kinsey Sicks, December 7 – 31, 2022.
Oakland Theater Project. Book of Sand: A Fairy Tale by Lisa Ramirez, November 11 – December 4, livestream/on demand November 26. The Oakland Theatre at FLAX.
Pear Theater. Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune by Terrence McNally, December 1- 18, 2022.
PianoFight. Calendar of shows.
PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows.
Presidio Theatre. Sleeping Beauty: Panto at the Presidio, December 1 – 30, 2022.
Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions.
San Francisco Playhouse. As You Like It, a musical adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, November 17, 2022 – January 14, 2023.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Meet John Doe, a stage adaptation of the Frank Capra film, November 23 – December 18, 2023.
Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. November 5 – January 15, Streaming November 17, December 1.
South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino A Slice of Life, world premiere by John Fisher, November 5-27. At Theatre Rhino (formerly Spark Arts). Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Little Shop of Horrors, November 30 – December 24, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto.
Word for Word. See schedule for live and streaming works.
Misc. Listings:
BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA.
Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings.
Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February.
Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows.
San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings.
San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings.
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.
Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog.
If you’d like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write [email protected]