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.
Susan Hill, author of the classic ghost story, “The Woman in Black,” which is now a play at ACT’s Strand Theatre, discusses her career as a writer. In an interview from 2011, Hollywood legend Rita Moreno talks about her one-woman show and her work in Hollywood. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
The great Broadway composer lyricist Stephen Sondheim died on Friday, November 26, 2021 at the age of 91. Today’s program starts with a 2011 interview with the Broadway legend, recorded for the second volume of his collection of lyrics, “Look! I Made a Hat.” That’s followed by an interview with Broadway performer Nancy Opel, who is currently in “A Christmas Carol” at the Golden Gate Theatre. The weekly theater review looks at “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,” now at Marin Theatre Company. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Jan Morris (1926-2020) was a noted travel writer and historian, and a leading figure in the trans world. This program contains two interviews with Jan Morris, the first from August, 1999 which focuses on her career as a travel writer and historian, and the second from November 2001, recorded during the tour for her book, “Trieste and the Meaning of Nowhere.” Interviewers: Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff. Produced and introduced by host Richard Wolinsky.
Ralph Steadman, the artist known for his work with Hunter S. Thompson, talks about his career, and the late Robert Jordan, whose series of novels, “The Wheel of Time” has been adapted for television, discusses his career in an interview from January, 2003. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Venessa Veselka discusses her two novels, “The Great Offshore Grounds” and “Zazen,” both just released in trade paperback, then a 1981 interview with Robert B. Parker (1932-2010) about the origins of Spenser and Hawk, and his views on detective fiction. Weekly Review: My Fair Lady, Lincoln Center Revival, at the Orpheum in San Francisco. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Comic thriller writer Carl Hiaasen discusses his latest novel, “Squeeze Me,” and a 1990 interview with the late mystery author P.D. James (1920-2014). Plus a review of “The Great Khan” at San Francisco Playhouse. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner Richard Powers returns to talk about his latest novel, “Bewilderment,” and about his life during the pandemic. Then playwright Michael Gene Sullivan discusses his latest work, “The Great Khan,” now playing at San Francisco Playhouse, along with his long association with the legendary San Francisco Mime Troupe. Weekly Theater Review: “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the 50th Anniversary Revival Tour, now at the Golden Gate Theater. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Daniel Handler, writing as Lemony Snicket, and the creator of “A Series of Unfortunate Events” discusses Lemony Snicket’s lastest book, “Poison for Breakfast” as well as the origins of the Baudelaire siblings. Then, an interview with Tim Bond, the new Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. At 1:55: theatre review of “The Claim” now playing at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage.
Mary Roach discusses her latest book, “Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law” which deals with invasive species, bear break-ins, and deer in your headlights. Then, a newly digitized 1981 interview with the late science fiction writer Frank Herbert about his career and about the writing of “Dune.” Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
SF Chronicle film critic Mick LaSalle discusses his latest book, “Dream State: California in the Movies,” and from 2005, Stephen Greenblatt talks about “Will in the World: How Shakespeare Became Shakespeare.” Hosted by Richard Wolinsky. Also: review of “The Winter’s Tale” by William Shakespeare, at Cal Shakes.
