'Hell's Kitchen' Adapts the NY Story of Alicia Keys, What Happened to Shere Hite?, August Wilson (Full Bio), The Revival of "I Can Get It For You Wholesale"
In the 1980s and '90s, Alicia Keys was a girl living with her mother in a small apartment off Times Square, with a dream of being a professional musician. Of course, we know how her life turned out. Keys is one of the creators of a new musical at The Public Theater inspired by her early life in Manhattan, featuring original music and lyrics. "Hell's Kitchen" tells the story of Ali (Maleah Joi Moon), a 17-year-old who wants to make it big. To discuss the show, we're joined by director Michael Greif, book writer Kristoffer Diaz, and music supervisor Adam Blackstone. "Hell's Kitchen"opens on Monday and runs through January 14.
German author Shere Hite made waves when her reporting on female sexuality and pleasure, The Hite Report: A Nationwide Study of Female Sexuality, was published in 1976. But after skyrocketing to fame in the '70s, Hite disappeared from public life. A new documentary, "The Disappearance Of Shere Hite," from director Nicole Newnham explores the life of Hite. Newnham joins us to discuss the film, which is in theaters tomorrow.
Our series Full Bio returns, and this month we are focusing on the life of pioneering playwright August Wilson, who won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama twice, and whose plays focus on the life of Black Americans in the 20th century. Biographer Patti Hartigan joins us for a deep dive into her book, August Wilson: A Life. On day three, we speak about the drama surrounding "Fences" and Wilson's success on Broadway.
The musical "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" marked the Broadway debut of Barbra Streisand and told the story of a businessman trying to make a name for himself in New York City's Garment District in the 1930s. A new revival at Classic Stage Company features an updated book by John Weidman, son of Jerome Weidman, the author of the original novel and the book for the original musical. Weidman joins us to discuss, alongside stars Santino Fontana and Judy Kuhn. "I Can Get It For You Wholesale" is running through December 17.
