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Discussing Paul Robeson with actor, teacher, and musician Avery Brooks.
The Russian-born actress Eugenie Leontovich talks about how she researched books in order to prepare for the role of Anastasia. Madame Leontovich also talks about using the Stanislavski Method when teaching her students about acting and performing. Today's theatre arts in America are very strong, Leontovich commented.
Studs Terkel continues to interview actress and singer Eartha Kitt. Part 2 of the interview begins with the song "Üsküdara", and ends with "Mountain High, Valley Low", both sung by Kitt. Kitt discusses the following; her career; her desire to entertain; her autobiography, "Thursday's Child"; her mothers death; the art of interacting with the audience; the femme fatale; her time with the Katherine Dunham Dancers; and her portrayl of Helen of Troy.
When he was a child, Dudley Moore first wanted to study the violin. He's grateful to his mother for insisting that he first study the piano. Moore said his influences include Bach and Garner. Unlike other musicians, Moore's main focus has always been on the beat, both the cultivation and the presence of the beat of a song and of music.
This interview features singer and actress Carol Channing which discusses: the film "Shinbone Alley"; production of "Lorelei"; her grandmother; and her career. It begins with a musical excerpt from the animated movie "Shinbone Alley" featuring Channing singing as the alley cat Mehitabel. It also includes excerpts from the Broadway production called "Lorelei", examples of her character acting/comedy (as Cecilia Sisson), her reading of "Madeline and other Bemelmans", and a portion of the song "So Long Dearie" from the play "Hello, Dolly!".
Studs Terkel interviews Birgit Nilsson during her time playing Leonore in Fidelio.
Studs interviews Barbara Cook about her work in musical theater from Broadway to opera. Cook speaks about the composers and writers she has worked with. She explains some of her songs such as “Ice Cream” and “Grass Harp” and describes her first Carnegie concert. Studs quotes Leonard Bernstein, who speaks to Cook’s talent. Cook describes how she went from Broadway to opera and shares how she chooses the songs that she performs. She discusses the art of her talent. The musical pieces are removed from this edited version of the original recording.
Studs interviews Allen Stone, Steven Larson, and Judith Erickson about the opera, "Regina," playing at the Chicago Opera Theater. They describe the variety of music and dances in the opera. Stone, Larson, and Erickson name the cast and their roles and describe the characters. Each share how they came to be in theater. Stone explains how the company started. Larson describes the orchestra and the chorus. Erickson reads some of the lyrics of the aria, "The Best Thing of All," at the end of act one. Stone, Larson, and Erickson read various lines from the opera.