Monday, December 6, 2021
Motown founder Berry Gordy, opera star Justino Díaz, singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell, entertainer Bette Midler and television impresario Lorne Michaels were among those celebrated this week…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:06AMTuesday, October 26, 2021
Sahl started doing stand-up in the 1950s, a time when most comedians were men in suits, rattling off one-liners. Sahl wore a V-neck sweater, tucked a newspaper under his arm, and just ... ta…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:42PMThursday, October 7, 2021
Stagehands at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. voted unanimously to strike if the performing arts center proceeds with cuts.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:24PMTuesday, October 5, 2021
The White House has announced its nominees for the next Chairs of the National Arts and Humanities Endowments. If confirmed, the NEH pick would become the first Native American to become cha…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:42PMFriday, August 6, 2021
As summer festivals and massive concerts returned this month amid the promise of "hot vax summer," the surge in the delta variant has disrupted plans for carefree live music.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:48PMTuesday, August 3, 2021
Dave Chappelle drew sold-out crowds to his live, indoor appearances in Washington, D.C. — 3,500 attended his show at the concert venue The Anthem and more than 2,000 came to the Kennedy Ce…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 04:36AMMonday, July 5, 2021
The comedian defended Rashad's freedom of speech after the actress came under criticism for defending Cosby after his sexual assault conviction was overturned.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:36PMWednesday, June 23, 2021
The American Rescue Plan set aside $135 million for arts and culture, nearly doubling the amount that was available in President Trump's CARES Act, and makes more groups eligible for funding.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:54AMFriday, January 15, 2021
A new scholarship sponsored by SNL covers the costs of training at Second City for comedians starting out in their careers.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:24PMThursday, January 14, 2021
COVID cancelled the Kennedy Center Lifetime Achievement Awards in 2020. Today the Center announced that the show will go on in May 2021, honoring five extraordinary performers.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:06PMThursday, January 7, 2021
The arts employ nearly five million people in America, but advocates say President Trump's record of support for arts and humanities has been mixed. Will that change under the Biden administ…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 06:36PMSaturday, October 17, 2020
Irving Berlin's classic musical turns 85 this year, and a group of artists are paying tribute with a brand-new video version of one of its songs, "Isn't This A Lovely Day (To Be Caught In Th…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:36AMTuesday, September 22, 2020
As a veteran stand-up comedian, Quinn has spent decades on the road, performing in 47 out of the 50 states he now affectionately eviscerates in his new book, Overstated.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 02:06AMSaturday, May 9, 2020
Live audiences help comics get exposure and work out new material. Colin Quinn says virtual platforms don't replicate "the tension" of being in front of a room full of strangers.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 02:42AMFriday, January 17, 2020
Tony-winning director Bartlett Sher is known for adding surprising twists to classic American musicals and dramas. He says when reviving productions you have to ask: "Why are you doing it ri…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:03AMThursday, January 2, 2020
When a teacher suggested Gina Yashere become an actor, her mom said: "Actor? No, no, no. You can act like a doctor when you become a doctor." Yashere is now a co-creator of Bob Hearts Abisho…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:54AMThursday, December 26, 2019
All Things Considered's Best of 2019 lists are going highly specific. Up next: the best bits from stand-up comedy specials, from Best Joke about the Immigrant Experience to Best Bit about Pr…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:54AMMonday, October 28, 2019
Sarah Silverman, Tiffany Haddish and Jon Stewart were among the comedians who honored Chappelle as he received the annual American humor award in a music-filled ceremony at the Kennedy Cente…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:24AMSunday, September 22, 2019
When a teacher suggested Yashere become an actor, her mom said: "Actor? No, no, no. You can act like a doctor when you become a doctor." Yashere is now a co-creator of the sitcom Bob Hearts …
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:24PMSaturday, July 6, 2019
Brian Regan has been called "your favorite comedian's favorite comedian." He's also known as a "clean comic," which might explain why families make up a good portion of his audience.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 01:18PMTuesday, May 7, 2019
The comic and actor, known for his boundary-pushing stand-up routines and his sketch comedy TV series Chappelle's Show, will receive the award in a gala at the Kennedy Center.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:36PMFriday, April 26, 2019
He's a favorite of other comics — a physical, observational and airtight performer who works "clean." All that helps explain why families make up a good portion of his massive audience.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:06AMWednesday, February 20, 2019
For centuries, people have turned to jesters for relief from the miseries of life. As it turns out, some stand-up performers turn pain and rage into their own coping and catharsis.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:01AMSaturday, September 29, 2018
She's known for celebrity imitations: Hillary Clinton and Owen Wilson, Jennifer Lopez and Bjork, and so on. Now, as she joins Saturday Night Live's full cast, she's learning what else she ca…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:24AMSaturday, July 28, 2018
Pain has long been at the root of great comedic material, and it was no different at this year's annual Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 03:36PMFriday, April 6, 2018
A lot has changed since Mean Girls came out in 2004, but Tina Fey points to one reason the story still holds up: Older women and teens can both see themselves playing out their worst behavio…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 05:06AMMonday, December 4, 2017
Lionel Richie, Gloria Estefan, hip-hop pioneer LL Cool J, Norman Lear and dancer Carmen De Lavallade are this year's Kennedy Center Honorees. Not present, the president and first lady.
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 10:42AMWednesday, August 9, 2017
Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812 received rave reviews and 12 Tony nominations, the makings of a Broadway hit. Now, it's closing, in part because of a controversy over casting and…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 07:42PMTuesday, August 1, 2017
Kevin Hart is launching a streaming comedy service. The actor's Laugh Out Loud Network, which rolls out this week, enters an already crowded market. LANGUAGE ADVISORY: There are two bleeps …
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 09:36AMMonday, July 31, 2017
Comedian Sasheer Zamata just came off four seasons on Saturday Night Live. Now, she wants to break through to the next part of her career. She just performed her own standup at the internati…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 08:36AMThursday, May 18, 2017
For his role as Pierre, Groban had to be able to play the accordion while navigating multiple sets of stairs. His replacement, Okieriete Onaodowan, has about two months to master the instrum…
SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:05AM 
