The biggest steam locomotive is whistle-stopping across the U.S. by Jeff Lunden

Huge crowds of train fans turn out as the 1940s era Big Boy steam locomotive is making a rare trip cross country.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 1:00pm on July 11, 2026☆⚑

Shy on the dance floor? Virtual reality 'partners' aim to help you find your groove by Chloe Veltman

VR dance lesson apps like Dance Guru and Trip the Light offer a judgment-free way to learn partner dancing.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 6:25am on July 11, 2026☆⚑

Love Island and Pre-Teen Punks with Jason Narducy by NPR

This week, we're live in Milwaukee with musician Jason Narducy. Plus, panelists Alonzo Bodden, Adam Burke, and Negin Farsad talk the World Cup, Love Island, and new rules for summer travel.S…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:00am on July 11, 2026☆⚑

Remembering music theater historian Robert Kimball by Terry Gross

Kimball, who died July 2, unearthed hundreds of pieces long thought lost, and co-wrote books about George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter and Eubie Blake. Originally broadcast in 1994.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:05pm on July 10, 2026☆⚑

Appeals court denies Trump's request to halt removal of his name from the Kennedy Center by Anastasia Tsioulcas

The D.C. circuit appeals court denied all of President Trump's arguments that sought to stop the removal of his name from the Washington, D.C., arts institution.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:55pm on July 8, 2026☆⚑

One of the country's oldest opera companies premieres its' Black Opera Project by Tana Weingartner

There have been Black composers and Black storylines in opera, but they've often failed to gain traction with performing companies and audiences. This summer, Cincinnati Opera seeks to chang…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:55pm on July 8, 2026☆⚑

Celebrating the 4th with nothing but bangers! by NPR

This week, we celebrate Independence Day with a collection of absolute bangers, including interviews with John Cusack, Kali Reis, Arden Cho, and Aasif MandviSee pcm.adswizz.com for informati…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:00am on July 4, 2026☆⚑

How does the Kennedy Center board make decisions? This legal filing sheds some light by Elizabeth Blair

In the ongoing legal dispute over President Trump's takeover of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a new filing by the Center's lawyers reveals how its board of trustees mak…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 6:40pm on June 30, 2026☆⚑

Trump's name is off Kennedy Center, but he's still center stage as Maher wins Twain prize by Frank Langfitt

Comedian Bill Maher received The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday night at the troubled Kennedy Center, where a tarp continues to cover the forced removal of President Trump's n…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 12:20pm on June 29, 2026☆⚑

Don Cheadle discusses his starring role in the Broadway play 'Proof' by Ayesha Rascoe

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe asks Don Cheadle about his starring role on Broadway in a new adaptation of David Auburn's Pulitzer- and Tony-winning play, "Proof."

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 11:55am on June 28, 2026☆⚑

Reflecting Pools and Construction Zones by NPR

This week, we talk reflecting pools, hydration breaks, and hot dudes with Emmy Blotnick, Joyelle Nicole Johnson, and Gianmarco Soresi. Plus, Pavement's Stephen Malkmus joins us to answer thr…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:00am on June 27, 2026☆⚑

Playwright Anna Deavere Smith tells her own family story in 'Basil Biggs' by Tonya Mosley

Smith's new show is about her great-great-grandfather, a free Black man who reburied the Union dead at Gettysburg and prepared the ground for Lincoln's most famous speech.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:00pm on June 25, 2026☆⚑

A judge says the Kennedy Center must update him on its plans — and address that tarp by Anastasia Tsioulcas

A federal judge has ordered the Kennedy Center to update him on programming and operational plans. But with most of the staff gone and many artists booked elsewhere, what shows would they pr…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:40pm on June 24, 2026☆⚑

Working hard as ever, Wendell Pierce aims for an annual trifecta: TV, film and theater by Tonya Mosley

Pierce says he's motivated by the "ticking clock of mortality" — and the desire to challenge himself as an actor. He's currently starring in the Shakespeare Theatre Company production of O…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:15pm on June 23, 2026☆⚑

This couple got married at the end of Romeo and Juliet — and so will 31 others by Jennifer Vanasco

At Free Shakespeare in the Park in New York, real weddings are happening every night after a production of Romeo and Juliet. But don't those characters die?

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 3:20pm on June 20, 2026☆⚑

The World Cup, Trad Wives, and the Wedding of the Century by NPR

This week, Caro Claire Burke, the author of book of the summer "Yesteryear", joins panelists Karen Chee, Peter Grosz, and Shane O'NeillSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collectio…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:00am on June 20, 2026☆⚑

'Silent' Marx brother Harpo speaks in newly found recording by Olivia Hampton

Harpo Marx — the "silent" Marx brother — can finally be heard speaking in a live album of recently recovered material, which was recorded just six months before he died in 1964.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 7:45pm on June 15, 2026☆⚑

Kennedy Center removes Trump's name from the building by Fatima Al-kassab

Workers finished removing President Trump's name from the facade of the Kennedy Center early Saturday, hours after a court-ordered Friday deadline to remove references to Trump from the buil…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 7:15pm on June 13, 2026☆⚑

Insult Dogs and Emotional Support Alligators by NPR

This week, Legendary comedy writer Robert Smigel (and Triumph the Insult Comic Dog) join panelists Josh Gondelman, Shantira Jackson, and Shane TorresSee pcm.adswizz.com for information about…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 4:00am on June 13, 2026☆⚑

Trump's name is poised to be removed from the Kennedy Center by The Associated Press

A judge rejected a request to pause a court-ordered deadline of Friday to remove references to President Trump from the building. The institution appealed, an effort that was also rebuffed F…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 1:00am on June 13, 2026☆⚑

As 'The Book of Mormon' turns 15, its original stars pop in to say 'Hello!' by Terry Gross

Fifteen years after The Book of Mormon made its Broadway debut, original cast members Andrew Rannells and Josh Gad once again took the stage as Mormon missionaries — this time at the 2026 …

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:35pm on June 8, 2026☆⚑

Tony Award winners list: 'Schmigadoon!' wins best musical, 'Death of a Salesman' lives on by Jennifer Vanasco

The 79th Annual Tony Awards celebrated the best of Broadway performances on Sunday in New York, but the star of the night was singer-songwriter P!nk, who hosted the show.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:25am on June 8, 2026☆⚑

'Schmigadoon!' wins best musical at 79th Annual Tony Awards by Jeff Lunden

The 79th Annual Tony Awards celebrated the best of Broadway on Sunday. Jeff Lunden breaks down the results of Broadway's biggest night.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:25am on June 8, 2026☆⚑

It's not just T-shirts — how Broadway merchandise is changing by Jeff Lunden

Every year, we highlight essential Broadway workers not eligible for Tonys. This year, we look at the world of Broadway merch, which is a lot more than T-shirts, mugs and refrigerator magnet…

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:50pm on June 7, 2026☆⚑

From Ragtime to Schmigadoon: What to look for at the Tony Awards by Adrian Florido

It was a great year for plays, but a so-so year for musicals. NPR's Jeff Lunden points out what to look for at the Tony Awards this year.

SOURCE: National Public Radio at 5:25pm on June 6, 2026☆⚑