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Jules Feiffer and Studs read several of Feiffer's previous cartoons as they discuss his history as a cartoonist and his retrospective on display at the Walton Street Gallery in Chicago. Feiffer discusses his attempt to move away from political cartoons and instead shift focus to social commentary. Feiffer also discusses his play "Elliot Loves", a love story that captures the complications of love and the “gap” between the sexes.
Interviewing author, theater critic and director Robert Brustein.
Discussing the collection of drama criticism "Astonish me" and interviewing the drama critic John Lahr.
John Lahr discusses celebrities, the media, and his book "Autograph Hound". Includes Studs Terkel and John Lahr reading from Lahr's book "Autograph Hound".
Ten years ago, explained Robert Brustein, not for profit theatres were starting to pop up. Brustein was optimistic about these new theatres being available in communities as a way of offering culture. Theatres will not be funded though, because President Reagan cut federal funding to theatres in half. In addition, the National Endowment for the Arts was not growing fast enough to assist all theatres involved.
Art critic Linda Winer discusses her Chicago Tribune series on Cuba social culture and political conditions, especially in regards to dance companies. Studs plays a live version of "Guantanamera" - Pete Seeger (1963), "Canto Para Elegua" - Grupo Folklorico de Cuba, and “Canto a Wamba” - El Conjunto Experimental Santero.
Friedrich Luft, Chief Drama Critic for Die Welt discusses German theater and Bertolt Brecht as well as new playwrights such as Peter Weiss. Unlike American theaters, Germany has over 200 theaters that are subsidized and each town of 50,000 has a theater. Just like the days of The People's Stage (which still exists) the grocer and cobbler of Germany enjoy the theater. They are as devoted to the theater as going to a museum or church. They are treated to 12 to 16 new or old plays from Sophocles to Sartre or Pinter.
Discussing the novel, Hot to Trot, and interviewing the author, John Lahr, also well-known as a drama critic.*Please note: some sections have been edited out from the original recording due to copyright considerations