All stories by Diana Chan on BroadwayStars

Friday, June 23, 2023

Big Freedia on Little Richard, music and the queer community by Diana Chan

In this extended outtake from "Little Richard: King and Queen of Rock 'n' Roll" conducted by director James House, New Orleans bounce artist and performer Big Freedia reflects on the similar…

SOURCE: PBS at 05:07AM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 23, 2022

Tracey Ullman on Mel Brooks' intrinsically American comedy by Diana Chan

On July 12, 2012, Tracey Ullman sat down with director Robert Trachtenberg to discuss the joys of working with Mel Brooks for "American Masters " Mel Brooks: Make a Noise" (2013). Chapters: …

SOURCE: PBS at 11:13AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 14, 2022

When Joe Papp asked Meryl Streep to take over the theater by Diana Chan

Meryl Streep was touched, but perplexed when Joe Papp asked her to take over The Public Theater after his passing. "What he wanted was bigger than what could be, which was sort of always wha…

SOURCE: PBS at 11:05AM[SHARE]
Friday, June 3, 2022

The origins of Shakespeare in the Park by Diana Chan

Joe Papp built a stage on a 35 foot portable truck so he could bring Shakespeare to other communities. "I found myself directing all the plays on the mobile unit, because I felt this was the…

SOURCE: PBS at 11:56AM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 2, 2022

How Joe Papp turned a dilapidated building into The Public Theater by Diana Chan

In his search for a home for new American theater, producer Joseph Papp saved a historic building in "ruins" from demolition. It was once the Astor Library, which became the first free publi…

SOURCE: PBS at 04:27PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 25, 2022

Baayork Lee on becoming a Broadway star at age 5 by Diana Chan

On January 17, 2001, actress and dancer Baayork Lee discussed landing her first role on Broadway at age 5, working with Richard Rodgers and other Broadway greats, and her passion for choreog…

SOURCE: PBS at 03:39PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, May 17, 2022

Joe Papp proved that theater could be for everyone by Diana Chan

When developing Shakespeare in the Park, it was important to Joe Papp that people felt represented in the theater. "Joe wanted to fill the stage with the same kind of people he was gonna fil…

SOURCE: PBS at 06:08PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 11, 2022

Why Joe Papp thinks the theater should be free for all of us by Diana Chan

Inspired by public libraries, Joe Papp made it his mission to have theater be accessible to the public. "I just don't do shows," he said. "They must have meaning." The post Why Joe Papp thin…

SOURCE: PBS at 03:50PM[SHARE]
Friday, January 7, 2022

Ailey dancers reflect on company's scrappy beginnings by Diana Chan

In this outtake from "Ailey," former Ailey dancers recall how Alvin Ailey worked hard to raise money for the company. There was a "burden that was on him to keep us all working and to make s…

SOURCE: PBS at 02:32PM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 6, 2022

Bill T. Jones remembers the first time he met Alvin Ailey by Diana Chan

In this outtake from "Ailey," Bill T. Jones, guest choreographer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, recalls telling Alvin Ailey that he did not want to be considered a "Black choreog…

SOURCE: PBS at 01:43PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, December 15, 2021

Choreographer Rennie Harris on channeling Ailey by Diana Chan

Rennie Harris was tapped by Robert Battle, Ailey Artistic Director, to choreograph a piece about Ailey for the 60th anniversary of the company. To prepare, the two reviewed archival footage …

SOURCE: PBS at 02:03PM[SHARE]

Ailey's "Revelations" draws on African American spirituals by Diana Chan

Ailey described "Revelations" as "an evening-long saga about the Black experience," and the performance had a huge impact on Black dancers when it premiered in 1960. "I was moved to tears se…

SOURCE: PBS at 02:00PM[SHARE]

Alvin Ailey on Chauncey Green, the friend who saved his life by Diana Chan

Ailey describes his "blood memories" and growing up during the Great Depression in Texas, where he met a friend who had a lasting impact on his life. "Chauncey saved my life. ... Chauncey Gr…

SOURCE: PBS at 12:45PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Lin-Manuel Miranda on his first viewing of "West Side Story" by Diana Chan

Lin-Manuel Miranda describes discovering Rita Moreno and seeing "West Side Story" for the first time, and realizing it was about Puerto Rican New Yorkers. "It was a gamechanger." The post Li…

SOURCE: PBS at 12:48PM[SHARE]
Monday, October 4, 2021

Behind the Scenes | Rita Moreno by Diana Chan

Go behind the scenes of Rita Moreno: Just a Girl Who Decided to Go For It to learn how Rita Moreno is a quintessential American success story. The post Behind the Scenes | Rita Moreno appear…

SOURCE: PBS at 04:59PM[SHARE]

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