The Brian Lehrer Show

Five Minutes To Midnight

Wednesday, March 19, 2003

The stage version of Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children debuts at the Apollo next week. For years, the dramatic adaptation of Rushdie's fable on the partition of India in 1947 was held up for political reasons, but now it's five minutes to midnight, and the play's themes of religion and difference seem more potent than ever. Also: it's said that in 1626 the Dutch paid the Lenape Indians 60 guilders (about $24) for Manhattan island--a hefty price compared to the $1 New York State recently paid the Federal Government for Governor's Island. But what to do with the new real estate? Plus: growing up HIV-positive.

Listen to the whole show

Atlas Flexed

Dr. Angelo Acquista, medical director of the New York City Office of Emergency Management, says New York is prepared for the worst.

Operation Terrorism

Gary Carter, president and CEO of the New Jersey Hospital Association, on New Jersey's preparedness.

Positive Thinking

"Bella" and Siomara Cruz, subjects of a radio documentary, "Growing Up Positive," find ways to live and love despite HIV and Sharon Lerner who reported "Growing Up Positive" and is a child and family policy fellow at the University of Maryland School of Journalism.

Island In The Sun

Randy Daniels, New York Secretary of State and chairman of the Governors Island Preservation and Education Corporation, on what should be on the jewel of New York's harbor.

Arré, Baap!

Simon Reade, co-adaptor of Midnight's Children and former literary manager and dramaturg for the Royal Shakespeare Company, on the theatre adaptation of Salman Rushdie’s novel, Midnight's Children, now at the Apollo theater.