Selected Shorts

By Symphony Space

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Category: Performing Arts

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Reviews: 2


 Apr 5, 2019

Christine W
 Sep 4, 2018

Description

Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday. Produced and distributed by Symphony Space.


Episode Date
It Takes Two
3680
Guest host Meg Wolitzer presents three stories about profound and unexpected connections between people—territory she herself covers a lot as a writer. Old enemies meet in Lauren Groff’s “Once,” performed by Cynthia Nixon. Old friends come together and wonder what might have been in Rachel Khong’s “Slow and Steady,” performed by Hettienne Park. And an artistic collaboration takes a bizarre turn in Elizabeth Crane’s “Something Shiny,” performed by Kate Walsh. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 29, 2021
Facts and Legends
3455
Guest host Jane Kaczmarek presents three stories where facts, beliefs, and fabrications coincide. Essayist Samantha Irby debunks nature, fresh air, and sunshine in “The Case for Remaining Indoors,” performed by Retta. Rebecca Makkai shares tattered facts about a terrorist in “Everything We Know About the Bomber,” performed by John Cameron Mitchell. And Michael McKean brings a difficult father to life in Walter Kirn’s “The Hoaxer.” Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 22, 2021
True Confessions
3600
Guest host Baron Vaughn presents three stories in which people “’fess up.” The title gives it away in “As a 28-Year-Old Latino, I’m Shocked My New Novel, Memoirs of a Middle-Aged White Lady, Has Been So Poorly Received” by Carlos Greaves. In the Heights’ Anthony Ramos performs. A family secret is revealed in “1,000-Year-Old Ghosts” by Laura Chow Reeve, performed by Jennifer Lim. And Winnie the Pooh author A. A. Milne reveals a caustic wit—and his knowledge of book collecting—in “The Rise and Fall of Mortimer Scrivens,” saucily performed by Michael Cerveris, Jane Curtin, Peter Francis James, James Naughton, and Rita Wolf. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 15, 2021
Dynamic Duos
3449
Guest host Denis O’Hare presents a program that features great two-hander stories, each performed by a pair of actors that brings out the best in them.  In “The Trip,” by Bruce Jay Friedman, a young man is mortified when his over-the-top mom decides to accompany him to his first day at college. Santino Fontana and Julie Halston have fun with this social nightmare. In Lorrie Moore’s “Foes,” a world-weary liberal writer making a reluctant appearance at a charity dinner is seated with a rabid conservative. Kyle MacLachlan and Joan Allen skillfully navigate this delicate minefield. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 08, 2021
New York Stories
3755
Guest host Kate Burton presents five works that celebrate the energy and endurance of New York City.  “The Lower East Side of Manhattan,” a poem by Victor Hernández Cruz, is performed by Sonia Manzano.  Colum McCann’s “Dessert” is performed by F. Murray Abraham. Vinson Cunningham’s comic odyssey, “Home to Flatbush” is performed by Wyatt Cenac.  Two women form a bond in “Recognition,” by Victor LaValle, performed  by Karen Pittman.  And an excerpt from Toni Morrison’s Jazz is performed by Anika Noni Rose. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jul 01, 2021
Larger Than Life
3425
Guest host Jane Kaczmarek presents two stories about characters who are compelling personalities. First, the story that inspired the Hollywood classic All About Eve, Mary Orr’s “The Wisdom of Eve,” performed by Stana Katic. Next, in Louise Erdrich’s powerful mother-daughter story “The Leap” a former trapeze artist pushes herself to the limit. It’s read by Elizabeth Reaser.   Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 24, 2021
Word Power
3540
Guest host Dylan Marron presents three works that demonstrate the power of words.  In “The Dancing Mind,” the late Toni Morrison talks about why writers love their craft, and readers love their creations.  Joe Morton is the reader.  In Canadian poet and short-story writer Souvankham Thammavongsa’s story, “How to Pronounce Knife,” one word links two cultures.  It’s performed by Deborah S. Craig.  And Ian McEwan’s “My Purple-Scented Novel,” is a satirical tale about  two authors and one masterpiece, performed by Denis O’Hare.  Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 17, 2021
Too Hot For Radio: Jess Walter "Helpless Little Things"
2645
From the best-selling author Beautiful Ruins, an edgy, suspenseful story about a drug-dealing Portland con artist voiced by actor Denis O'Hare who seems to have the perfect scam going... until it all goes wrong. Jess Walter talks to host Aparna Nancherla about where he gets his inspiration from, reading his reviews, and how he handles the dreaded writer's block. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Jun 09, 2021
Too Hot For Radio: Tiphanie Yanique "The Special World"
2819
A gorgeous story read by actor Hampton Fluker (The Blind Side, Patriots Day, and Shades of Blue) about race, leaving home, and the dramas of young life. After the reading, host Aparna Nancherla talks with the delightful author Tiphanie Yanique about, well, just about everything. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Apr 19, 2021
Too Hot For Radio: Kirsty Gunn "Dangerous Dog"
2143
Read by actress Kirsten Vangsness, this Jane Eyre fan fiction imagines Mr. Rochester as a pit bull. After the story, host Aparna Nancherla talks to Jane Eyre expert, author Patricia Park, about the enduring allure of Charlotte Brontë's novel. Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mar 08, 2021
Only Human: Anton Chekhov
3500
Guest host Jane Curtin presents works by Anton Chekhov that were part of a celebration sponsored by Columbia University and hosted by Chekhov scholar Laura Strausfeld.  We’ll hear “A Drama,” performed by Cynthia Nixon—an ambitious writer overwhelms her idol; “Rapture,” performed by Robin Miles, Sam Underwood, Rainn Wilson, and Di Zhu—a young man enjoys his 15 minutes of fame; “Which is Better?,” performed by Rainn Wilson—Chekhov debates the merits of schools vs. pubs; and “Verotchka,” performed by Rainn Wilson—a studious young man confronts romance.  Join and give!: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/symphonyspacenyc?code=Splashpage See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 05, 2020