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In The Heights: A New Musical (Joan Marcus)Way Beyond Broadway
Critics say Broadway and Off-Broadway are playing it safer and safer, rarely veering far from nostalgia. Today on Soundcheck, two playwrights who break the mold with a musical about Washington Heights and another about self-defense and anarchy. Also: a live performance from jazz guitarist Miles Okazaki.
Playing it Safe Off Broadway
Critics say Broadway and Off-Broadway are playing it safer and safer, rarely veering far from nostalgia. Time Out New York theater editor David Cote explains why this appears to be the case and what trends are at work.
Way Beyond Broadway
Critics say Broadway and Off-Broadway are playing it safer and safer, rarely veering far from nostalgia. Two playwrights trying to break the mold join Soundcheck. Composer Lin-Manuel Miranda created and stars in the musical ``In the Heights,'' about his Washington Heights neighborhood. Playwright Adam Rapp's new play, "Essential Self-Defense," is a rock n' roll fairy-tale about a mysterious loner who works as an attack dummy for a women's self-defense class.
In the Heights's web site
Essential Self-Defense's web site
Miles Okazaki
Guitarist and composer Miles Okazaki makes jazz that tries to imitate the blending of mathematical order and organic beauty in nature. He brings a band for a live performance in studio as a part of our Soundcheck Showcase series.
Miles Okazaki's web site
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Soundcheck's Noteworthy New York
Want to know the hottest places to go this weekend? Check out where New York's musicians go in their free time.
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Soundcheck Blog
Go behind the scenes!
Find out what John Schaefer and the Soundcheck staff have to say about recent segments on the show.
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Noteworthy New York
Soundcheck
We have invited musicians and artists to help us select their favorite cultural destination in the neighborhood where they live. From parks and coffee shops to bowling alleys and museums, the options are as diverse as our group of contributors.
The Journey of Quincy Jones
Soundcheck
During his 50-year career, Quincy Jones has worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Puff Daddy, founded Vibe magazine, collected countless awards, and earned a reputation as a jazz giant. (Somewhere in there, he found time to make possible an album called "Thriller.") Jones joins us on the occasion of his new book, "The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions."
Soundcheck blog: John Schaefer on Quincy Jones, Henry Rollins and the term "Renaissance man"
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Pop's Love Affair With Death
Soundcheck
Death may be an unpleasant topic for conversation, but it ranks up there with sex and love as a basic ingredient in song lyrics. Today, we look at how pop music copes (and even thrives) with death. We're joined by Graeme Thomson, author of the self-explanatory book, "I Shot a Man in Reno: A History of Death By Murder, Suicide, Fire, Flood, Drugs, Disease and General Misadventure, as Related in Popular Song."
Soundcheck blog: What's your favorite song about death?
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Behind the public face of John Lennon
Soundcheck
Writing a book about the Beatles is to enter a crowded market. But Philip Norman’s new 851-page biography, “John Lennon: The Life” is getting much buzz this fall for the unprecedented access provided by Lennon’s friends and relatives, including Yoko Ono. We talk with Norman about why Lennon remains such a fascinating and troubled figure.
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The Soul of British Soul
Soundcheck
British soul divas like Amy Winehouse and Duffy owe a big debt to a '60s icon with a breathy voice and a beehive wig. Today: the story of singer Dusty Springfield. Later: folk-rock artist Ani DiFranco performs songs from her new album "Red Letter Year" live in our studio.
