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A New Recording of "Show Boat" Revives the Original Arrangements

There has been a spate of new recordings of Broadway musicals. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz says that a new CD release of Show Boat is the best of the bunch, in part because of how it addresses race relations in way that's still relevant today.

06:59
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Other segments from the episode on December 21, 1988

Fresh Air with Terry Gross, December 21, 1988: Interview with Steve Fishman; Review of the Broadway cast album of "Show Boat"; Interview with Ray Anderson; Review of home video release of the film …
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27:35

A Writer Reports on His Own Brain Surgery

Steve Fishman was reporting in Nicaragua when a blood vessel burst in his brain. During his treatment, he researched his condition and its treatment, and interviewed the surgeons who operated on him. The blood vessel was repaired, but Fishman developed epilepsy as a result of the surgery. His book about the experience is called A Bomb in the Brain.

Interview
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09:43

Jazz Trombonist Ray Anderson

Anderson's music showcases both his technical prowess and sense of humor. As a teenage musician, he never thought he would make a career on trombone; it wasn't until he stopped playing that he realized how central music was to his life. His new album is called Blue Bred in the Bone.

Interview
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03:23

A Lesser-Known Classic for the Christmas Season

Critic Ken Tucker recommends the religious comedy The Bishop's Wife for holiday viewing. The movie stars Cary Grant and Loretta Young. Tucker says it's an ideal choice if you're looking for something different and low-key.

Review

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09:51

Restoring the Original Arrangement of "Show Boat"

Conductor John McGlinn says that his decision to bring back the controversial language of Jerome Kern's classic musical posed some challenges, but was necessary to recapture the poignant and insightful nature of the work. McGlinn's efforts can be heard on a new CD on the EMI label.

Interview
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16:10

Conductor and Arranger John McGlinn.

Conductor and arranger John McGlinn. He re-orchestrated the Irving Berlin musical "Annie Get Your Gun" according to the original 1946 performance. In preparing the remake, McGlinn discovered that the 1966 revival of the show left out several musical numbers, which he incorporated into the current performance. McGlinn also included a song that had been written for the 1946 version, but never before recorded.

Interview
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07:00

Is Sondheim Getting Predictable?

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the cast recording of "Into the Woods," the latest Stephen Sondheim musical. Sondheim is the composer of "Sweeney Todd," "Pacific Overtures" and "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.

Review

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08:07

Everyone expected more from the evening 'Invite,' audience included

In the new comedy "The Invite," Seth Rogen and Olivia Wilde play a San Francisco couple who spend an evening getting to know their upstairs neighbors, played by Penelope Cruz and Edward Norton. It's Wilde's third directorial effort after her earlier films, "Booksmart," and "Don't Worry Darling." "The Invite" opens in theaters this week. Our film critic Justin Chang has this review.

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