Shakespeare And Trump

Jeffrey R. Wilson, a lecturer in the Writing program at Harvard University, has written the new book Shakespeare And Trump, which examines not just which Shakespearean villain or tyrant Trump most resembles, but the more richly Shakespearean world of the politicians who enable him and the populace that continues to support him. Jeff explains how reluctant he was to write the book, but how he was drawn to more of a cultural conversation (as opposed to character criticism); weak kings versus dangerous clowns; whether we’re living in one of Shakespeare’s Histories or one of his Tragedies; the trick to finding the comedy in tragedy; the value of using Shakespeare as a lens through which we can look at a specific historical moment; how using Shakespeare as a look at cultural history might reveal things more traditional history might not; and what Shakespeare play most resembles the whole year of 2020. (Length 19:06)

Episode 619. Critic Chris Jones

Chris Jones is the chief theatre critic and Sunday cultural columnist for the Chicago Tribune, has also been recently named a reviewer for the New York Daily News, and has just written Rise Up! Broadway and American Society from Angels in America to Hamilton. Despite this hectic schedule of seeing and writing about theatre, Chris made time to chat about the role of the critic, how criticism has changed over the years and are a necessary (and valuable!) part of the ecosystem, what most great plays are about, examining not whether a play is good but what it means, an addiction to living in make-believe worlds, what happens when critics screw up, how writing about theatre is writing about life, the reality of complex relationships, the value and drawbacks of moving on to the next show, the nature of ensemble, the greatness of pre-Broadway tryouts, the democratization of critical voices, how ambition is devoutly to be wished, and what’s been the most fundamental change in criticism in the last 20-30 years. (Length 27:29)

Episode 503. Too Much Parody?

”Is there such a thing? Podcast listener and theatre critic Shannon Friday joins us to talk about this question, and inspires us to reflect on issues of theatrical parody, whether there’s too much of it, its value and its limits, the differences between parody and satire, the fear of changing Read more…

Episode 355. Classical Music Critic

”Robert Commanday is the founding editor of the San Francisco Classical Voice and for almost thirty years was the classical music critic for the San Francisco Chronicle. Bob talks about the life of a critic; the role and function of criticism; how he transitioned from being a conductor and lecturer Read more…

Episode 82. Meet Bob Mondello

”A fun chat with Bob Mondello, film critic for National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, who makes a powerful case that critics are people too. Listen as he reveals trade secrets, shares his favorite reviews, divulges the difference between criticism and reviewing, uncovers even more words you can’t say on Read more…