Leonard Lopate studied painting with Mark Rothko and hosted a gospel music show in the 70's and early 80's. He also marketed records for Slim Whitman and Boxcar Willie, and knows enough Cantonese to order the best dim sum in Chinatown.
As Lopate tells it, one of his most exciting guests was a mob guy in the witness protection program, who worked for both the Colombo family and the FBI. "He came in for a taping on a holiday when there weren't too many people around...I think it was Columbus Day...He was flanked by two armed bodyguards. I was fighting a terrible cough that day, and in the middle of the interview, my throat got so raspy, I pushed myself away from the mike, stood up and announced, 'Stop the tape! I've got to get some hot tea.' The mobster took my abrupt movement to be some sort of signal to an assassin and he threw himself on the floor to avoid being shot. The bodyguard in the studio reached for his gun, another guard was outside the door. Luckily, no shots were fired, otherwise I might not be here, but every so often I think about that guest, and wonder if there will ever be a time when he'll feel secure enough to stop throwing himself on the ground."
Shows and Blogs:
Leonard Lopate appears in the following:
The Greene Space
Inside Look: Golden Boy
Friday, December 14, 2012
5:00 PM
Theater Happy Hour: Join us for a conversation with WNYC host Leonard Lopate and stars of Lincoln Center Theater's production of Golden Boy, including Tony Shalhoub and director Bartlett Sher.
Third Annual Lopate and Locavores Series.
Wednesday, September 12, 2012
The Greene Space presents the Third Annual Loapate and Locavores Series.
The Leonard Lopate Show (2002) and New Sounds with John Schaefer (1985)
Saturday, September 08, 2012
Today’s archival Glass interviews feature an appearance on The Leonard Lopate Show from 2002 about Koyaanisqatsi and an episode of New Sounds from 1985, in which the composer talks about scoring Mishima.
The Leonard Lopate Show (2007, 2008)
Friday, September 07, 2012
Today’s archival interviews from 2007 and 2008 feature two appearances on The Leonard Lopate Show, and cover a wide range of topics from working with choreographers to the release of the Glass Box retrospective.
Survival Kit with Leonard Lopate (2003) and Around New York with John Schaefer (1995)
Wednesday, September 05, 2012
What would Philip Glass need to survive in complete isolation? Find out on this episode of Survival Kit from 2003. The composer opens up about what recordings he would bring along, including some unexpected selections.
The Greene Space
Manhattan Theatre Club’s The Columnist
Thursday, May 10, 2012
5:00 PM
Get an inside look at the Broadway premier of the new play -- The Columnist -- with Tony and Emmy award winner John Lithgow; Tony nominee Stephen Kunken; and Pulitzer and Tony award winning playwright David Auburn.
The Greene Space
Artists and the Business of Art
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
7:00 PM
On Wednesday, March 21 at 7pm, WNYC’s Leonard Lopate will convene two panels of gallery owners and artists to discuss the ecosystem of the New York art world in 2012.
WNYC Events
Meet @ WNYC: Get-Together With StoryCorps' Dave Isay
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
6:30 PM
Join Leonard Lopate for An Evening with Dave Isay, to discuss his new book, “All There Is: Love Stories From StoryCorps.” We’ll listen together to excerpts from the oral history project and talk to couples who participated and share your stories.
Leonard's Christmas Gospel Hour
Friday, December 23, 2011
Leonard Lopate plays some of his favorites for his annual Christmas gospel hour.
The Greene Space
Lopate and Locavores: Sustainable Seafood
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
7:00 PM
Founder of the Blue Ocean Institute and author Carl Safina, co-owner of Le Bernadin Eric Ripert, oyster raiser Karen Rivara join Leonard Lopate to shuck oysters and discuss sustainable seafood.
The Greene Space
Lopate and Locavores: Bread and Grain
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
7:00 PM
Founder of the Hot Bread Kitchen Jessamyn Waldman, chef and owner of Pizza a Casa Pizza School Mark Bello, and owner of the Sullivan St. Bakery Jim Lahey joined Leonard Lopate to discuss the art of baking bread and more.
The Greene Space
Lopate and Locavores: Master Chefs Think Vegetables
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
7:00 PM
Award-winning chef Dan Barber, vegetable farm manager Jack Algiere, Frank Falcinelli, Frank Castronovo and Michaela Hayes will join Leonard Lopate to discuss the art of cooking and canning vegetables in this interactive event.
Collaborations
Friday, July 01, 2011
WNYC's Leonard Lopate hosted a conversation with Michael Boyd, Nigel Redden, Rebecca Roberston, and David O. Frantz of the Royal Shakespeare Company about what it means to transport an entire company and theater across the Atlantic for the Shakespeare theatrical canon. Watch Michael Boyd discuss the differences between British and American audiences.
The Greene Space
Setting the Stage: the RSC in The Greene Space – Collaborations
Thursday, June 30, 2011
7:00 PM
Panelists Michael Boyd, Nigel Redden, Rebecca Roberston, and David O. Frantz tell Leonard Lopate about transporting an entire theater company across the Atlantic and what this partnership means for New York City and the Shakespeare theatrical canon.
The Greene Space
Leonard Lopate Live with the Upright Citizens Brigade
Thursday, June 16, 2011
7:00 PM
Comedians from the Upright Citizens Brigade Theatre perform long-form improvisational comedy. Plus, we’re kicking off the Leonard Lopate Show Book Club! We’re inviting the audience to read The Tragedy of Arthur in advance and participate in the conversation.
Leonard Lopate on Gospel Music
Friday, April 22, 2011
I combined Please Explain with our annual Good Friday gospel show in order to give some background on gospel music. Many people interested in learning about gospel music have been confused by some of its terminology, so I’ll try to clear up some of that.
The Greene Space
Through Kids' Eyes
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
7:00 PM
Meet a new generation of filmmakers. Leonard Lopate welcomes four young filmmakers and Emmy-winning director Jon Alpert, co-founder of a program that teaches video production to disadvantaged youths. They'll screen excerpts from their films.
The Greene Space
Performing Piyyutim: Sephardic Music, Poetry and Spirituality
Thursday, March 31, 2011
7:00 PM
Join Leonard Lopate, ethnomusicologist and bandleader Samuel R. Thomas and voices from within the Brooklyn Sephardic community for an exploration of Sephardic sacred poems through live musical performance and conversation.
From the Vaults: Shirley Verrett on WNYC
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
In this 1993 edition of WNYC's New York and Company, the late singer Shirley Verrett looks back on her remarkable and varied career in the opera world. Plus: Midge Woolsey on Verrett.
The Greene Space
Agri + Culture (aka Fermentation and Civilization): Cheese
Monday, November 8, 2010
7:00 PM
Before refrigeration, we had fermentation, which utilizes microorganisms to preserve food. Without it, we wouldn't have pickles, bread, beer, cheese or many other common foods. Leonard Lopate and his guests delve into cheese and cheesemakers.
