Bookwaves/Artwaves – July 16, 2020: Erik Larson, “The Splendid and the Vile”

Erik Larson, author of The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky.

Erik Larson is the author of several best-selling works of narrative non-fiction, including Dead Wake, In the Garden of Beasts and The Devil in the White City. His latest book takes us one year, from May 1940 to May 1941, a time which encompasses not only Winston Churchill’s first year as Prime Minister of England, but also the Blitz, the often daily air raids by the Germans on London, Coventry and other cities, which began at the same time and ended almost to the day one year later. We follow the Churchill family’s quotidian lives during that time, from watching to bombs to various wartime love affairs and break-ups, along with a look at how both the British and German governments worked during that year.

In the interview, Erik Larson discusses his source material, and compares some of what went on then to what’s happening today, particularly in terms of heroic and destitute patterns of leadership.

A ten-minute interview with Gore Vidal, from 1998, in which he discusses his film, theatre and stage work with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff.

Complete 40-minute interview.

Announcements.

Central Works Script Club, where you read the script of a new play and send comments to the playwright. The July script is The Lady Matador’s Hotel by Christina Garcia. A podcast with the playwright, hosted by Patricial Milton, will be posted to the Central Works website on July 28.
The Oregon Shakespeare Festival is launching a new streaming service featuring full length videos of recent plays. The Copper Children plays through July 22, followed by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, also through July 22. Tickets through the website.
Theatreworks Silicon Valley is presenting Shakespeare In Vegas, a new play by Suzanne Bradbeer, with Karen Ziemba and Patrick Page, directed by Giovanna Sardelli, streaming July 23-27, free.
Book Passage. David Mitchell, and his new book Utopia Avenue, in conversation with Michael Chabon this afternoon, July 16, at 4 pm Pacific, tickets available on their website. This weekend’s conversations with authors features Miss Manners, Judith Martin on Saturday, and Amy Tan with John Muir Laws on Sunday.
Bay Area Book Festival. Various Unbound conversations available streaming.
Aurora Theatre’s Aurora Connects series of interviews, every Friday at 4 pm. July 17: Joy Carlin and Nancy Carlin. Other interviews in the series are available streaming.
The Booksmith lists its entire July on-line schedule of interviews and readings on their website, which includes Lockdown Lit every Tuesday at 11 am
Theatre Rhino Thursday play at 8 pm July 9, 2020 on Facebook Live is Dance Macabre, A Tale of the Plangue, conceived and performed by John Fisher. The Death of Ruby Slippers by Stuart Bousel, available streaming.
Shotgun Players. Streaming, the folk opera Iron Shoes. Recorded in spring 2018, continuing through July 17, and The Claim, workshop production. The Niceties by Eleanor Burgess,has been extended with live performances July 17-18 through Zoom. Registration required.
San Francisco Playhouse. Every Monday, SF Playhouse presents Zoomlets, a series of short play table reads.
42nd Street Moon. Friday July 17 at 8 pm, Full Moon Live Cabaret: Super songs from not so super Shows,
Kepler’s Books presents Refresh the Page, on line interviews and talks. Registration required.
Lincoln Center Live Through September 8, 2020: Carousel, with Kelli O’Hara & Nathan Gunn.
National Theater At Home on You Tube: Amadeus.

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