1:00 PM: Thursdays
Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Gemma Whelan discusses her novel, “Painting in the Dark,” which takes place in Ireland and Northern California in the early 1980s. Then, a 2004 interview with Russell Banks (1940-2023) discussing his novel “The Darling,” an interview not heard in nearly two decades. The weekly theatre review looks at “English” now at Berkeley Rep, and “Poor Yella Rednecks: Vietgone 2” now at ACT’s Strand Theatre. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Jason Graae discusses his latest show, “Faith Prince and Jason Graae,” which will be at Feinsteins at the Nikko, April 14-April 15, along with his early career on Broadway and elsewhere with host Richard Wolinsky. Recorded April 10, 2023 on zencastr.
1.. Noted biographer Donald Spoto (1941-February 11, 2023) discusses the art of biography and the role of fame in this interview recorded in 1997 while he was on tour for “Notorious: The Life of Ingrid Bergman.” 2. Justine Bateman discusses her book, “Fame, the Hijacking of Reality, recorded October 27, 2018. Justine Bateman is known for her role as Mallory on classic TV show “Family Ties” and was writer/director of the 2021 release, “Violet.” 3. Review of “Triumph of Love” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through April 23.
Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Part One: Rebecca Makkai, author of the new novel, “I Have Some Questions For You,” discusses her work in depth with host Richard Wolinsky.
Part Two: John Sayles, filmmaker and author of “Jaimie McGillivray, The Renegade’s Journey” discusses his work as a director and screenwriter in the second of a two-part interview.
Part Three: Review of “Merrily We Roll Along” at 42nd Street Moon Gateway Theater through April 9th.
Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Part One: Filmmaker John Sayles talks about his new novel, “Jamie McGillivray, the Renegade’s Journey” and about his career as a director.
Part Two: Screenwriter Nora Ephron (1941-2012) talks about her career and about movies and politics in this interview recorded in September, 2010.
Review: “Cambodian Rock Band” at Berkelely Rep’s Roda Theatre through April 2.
Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Actor/performer Joe Ngo discusses his role of Chum, the father in “Cambodian Rock Band,” now at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre, and delves into the years of the Killing Fields in Cambodia and his career as an actor. Plus a short previously unaired excerpt of an interview from last September with New York Times theatre critic Jesse Green, and a review of “Fannie: The Music and Lief of Fannie Lou Hamer” at TheatreWorks Palo Alto through April 2, 2023.
Playwright Luis Alfaro discusses his latest play, “The Travelers,” at the Magic Theatre through March 15, with host Richard Wolinsky. A Chicano activist and performer, Luis Alfaro has established a career as one of this country’s leading playwrights. This interview focuses not only on his present work, but on his career and his views about the state of live theater today.
Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Jane Smiley discusses her latest novel, “A Dangerous Business,” set in Monterey, California in the 1850s. Then, a 1990 Probabilities interview with the great British feminist writer Fay Weldon (1931-2023) who died on January 4, 2023 at the age of 91, conducted by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff. Finally, a review of the play “Clyde’s” by Lynn Nottage, at Berkeley Rep’s Peets Theater through February 26, 2023. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
To start Black History Month, an interview with Wil Haygood, author of “Colorization,” which discusses Black film-making history and the relationship of Hollywood to the African American community. That’s followed by the second part of a two part interview with film critic Dennis Lim, as he discusses his own career and talks a bit about the work of David Lynch. Also: Review of “In Every Generation” at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Arts.
Part One: Dennis Lim, film critic and Artistic Director of the New York Film Festival and author of “Tale of Cinema,” an examination of the work of South Korean film-maker Hong Sang-soo, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
Part Two: Russell Banks (1940-January 7, 2023) was a master of fiction, both novels and short stories. In this interview conducted on June 7, 2000, he discusses his then most recent short story collection along with aspects of his career with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff. This interview has not aired in over twenty years.
