Michael Cerveris tells about his performance “An Idea of South,” a genre-defying recital/cabaret/hootenanny of songs ranging from the Carter Family and Johnny Mercer to Vic Chestnutt and Samuel Barber. “An Idea of South” is part of Lincoln Center’s “American Songbook” series, and Michael Cerveris is performing it on Saturday, January 21, at 8:30 pm and 10:30 pm.

Dan Baum went to New Orleans to cover Hurricane Katrina, but he ended up writing about the colorful people and the outsized culture of the city. The story became a book and now it’s a musical with songs by composer Paul Sanchez. They both join us to talk about the strange journey of the piece called "Nine Lives." Plus: stage and TV actor Michael Cerveris is helping to produce the upcoming musical. He joins us with a live performance.