Listen to New Voices on Studs Terkel our partnership with 826CHI-here! Read the Story
Woody Allen discusses his life and art, the influence of both success and failure on his work, and how he finds comedy in life’s difficulties and trials. He discusses his first screenplay, “What’s Up Pussycat?” and other comedians who have influenced the development of his own comedic work, including Mort Sahl, Charlie Chaplin, the Marx Brothers, and George S. Kaufman.
The comedic creative force of Lily Tomlin and Tomlin's comedy writer Jane Wagner discuss the character of Edith Ann as well as the bag lady, Trudy. The comic geniuses discuss with Studs Terkel the new release "Edith Ann: My Life So Far". Tomlin assumes the character of Edith Ann to relay stories of her life in a dysfunctional family as a six year old. Edith Ann writes letters to Rush Limbaugh, Howard Stern, and Senate representatives to get her message heard. She tells the Senator that kids model grownups and grownups need to act better to protect the kids.
Marcel Marceau, a French mime, discusses the art behind mime including silence, humanity, and astonishment. Parts of an earlier interview with Marceau are also played.
Marcel Marceau, world renown mine, discusses the art and history of pantomime. Marceau talks about mime throughout history from Ancient Rome to the 20th century. He discusses some well-known mimes such as Pierrot and Charlie Chaplin. From aging, to humor and tragedy, and different cultures, Marceau explores about how the art of mime affects and reflects society. They also discuss how Marceau created and plays Bip and how the audience interacts with his character.
In this interview Carol Channing discusses her work as artist: comedic timing; live/club performing; her connection with the audience as a performer; theater as a "spiritual world"; the concept of "opening nights"; creation of Mehitabel's (alley cat) voice; "Lorelei", and her ability deliver comedic characterizations and impersonations (such as Marlene Dietrich, Sophie Tucker, and Cecilia Sisson). Included in this interview are excerpts from the "Little Girl from Little Rock", "Madeline and Other Bemelmans", "Shinbone Alley".
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!".
Carol Channing discusses the following with Studs Terkel: her early career; her growth as actor/comedian; her approach to her work; her performance in "Lorelei" as Lorelei; her performance in "Wonderful Town" as Ruth; the job of the understudy; and breaking performance barriers and type casting.
Carlotta Monti discusses W.C. Fields and her book "W.C. Fields & Me".