Chris Parham, the director of the upcoming Black Stripe Theater production of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross, sat down with me and had a short chat about the play and the Tokyo theater scene.

BST is planning to bring a couple more shows to the stage during the 2008 season, and Glengarry Glen Ross, brought to life by some of the Kanto region’s most dedicated actors, is likely a sign of big things to come.

Black Stripe Theater’s production of Glengarry Glen Ross hits Theatre Iwato this weekend, February 22nd through the 24th, and tickets are available at blackstripetheater@yahoo.com.

Update:
The Friday and Saturday evening performances (both at 7:30pm) are now sold out.

Tickets are still available for the Saturday and Sunday matinees (2:00pm) and the Sunday evening performance (6:30pm).

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 Chris Parham Interview: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Black Stripe Theater, a Tokyo-based company, will be presenting David Mamet’s highly-acclaimed, award-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross the last weekend of this month (February 22-24) at Theater Iwato in central Tokyo. (Read on …)

(Read on …)

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 'Twas the Night Before Christmas: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“The Fir Tree”

By Hans Christian Andersen

Read by Christopher Pellegrini

Far away in the forest, where the warm sun and the fresh air made a sweet resting place, grew a pretty little fir tree. The situation was all that could be desired; and yet it was not happy, it wished so much to be like its tall companions, the pines and firs which grew around it.

The sun shone, and the soft air fluttered its leaves, and the little peasant children passed by, prattling merrily; but the fir tree did not heed them.

Sometimes the children would bring a large basket of raspberries or strawberries, wreathed in straws, and seat themselves near the fir tree, and say, “Is it not a pretty little tree?” which made it feel even more unhappy than before.

(Read on …)

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 The Fir Tree: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

“Our Christmas present to you is the new Christmas classic of our time, Miracle on 34th Street.

“It’s wrapped in a gay covering of laughter, tied with a bright ribbon of good humor, and decorated with the three sparkling stars of the 20th Century Fox picture: Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn.”

Last year, TPR brought you the story that created our image of the Christmas spirit. This year, we’ll bring you the poem that created our modern image of Santa Claus. And now, TPR gives you the modern classic story that put those two things together - Santa Claus as Kris Kringle the man, who tells us that Christmas is not a day, but a spirit we carry with us everywhere, everyday. These days, it seems hackneyed, but it was less so when the Lux Radio Theater broadcast it’s version of Miracle on 34th Street in 1948.

Starring Maureen O’Hara, John Payne, and Edmund Gwenn, in an Oscar-winning turn as Kris Kringle. Seriously. The real one.

And just because we here at TPR wish you all a Merry Christmas, we’re bringing you not one, but two different old time radio versions of Miracle on 34th Street starring Edmund Gwenn. The other, the Screen Director’s Playhouse version of 1949, is available here.

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 Standard Podcast: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

After winning an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of a Macy’s Santa Claus named Kris Kringle in the 1947 film Miracle on 34th Street, Edmund Gwenn reprised the role on the Lux Radio Theater in 1948 (also available from TPR), then again in the 1949 Screen Director’s Playhouse presentation TPR brings you here.

Fans of this classic Christmas story will notice that both the Lux version and this one differ not only from each other, but from the original film itself.

Merry Christmas.

Listen Now:

 Miracle on 34th Street: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

December 7, 2007

On this day in 1941, the Japanese Navy attacked Pearl Harbor.

Last year, TPR brought you this brief summary of the attack on Pearl Harbor and the US’s entry into World War II.

This year, we bring you the speech itself.
Listen to President Franklin Delano Roosevelt explain America’s declaration of war.

What is striking is how much happened on December 7th and 8th, 1941, and how little of it is remembered now - how many major events have been pushed aside as Pearl Harbor went from surprise to symbol to legend (to schmaltzy film.)

On December 8, 1941 (Japan time), Japan not only attacked Pearl Harbor. . .

(Read on …)

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 FDR on WW2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

By Hans Christian Andersen

Read by Christopher Pellegrini

This is the sad, but beautiful, story of a forgotten child. To support her family she sells bundles of matches out in the streets, but on this day, New Years Eve, she has not been able to earn a single penny. She is cold and she takes cover from the wind and the snow under the eaves between two houses.

This is the story of many children around the world. As the holidays approach, it is important that we remember those children who resemble the little girl in this fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. While there is no time of year when people stop giving, this is the season when we can try even harder to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves.

There is a little match girl or boy in every neighborhood around the world.

(Read on …)

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 The Little Match Girl: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

The Australian Broadcasting Company’s morning show, Life Matters, devoted eight minutes today to the situation surrounding Nova’s impending collapse. Host Richard Aedy spoke with an Australian instructor and with TPR’s own Ken Worsley. Listen to the clip here, or the full show over at ABC’s site.

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 ABC on Nova: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Harlan Ellison’s 1969 tale of 18-year-old Vic and his telepathic dog, Blood, is about exactly what its title - “A Boy And His Dog” - says it is. It is not, however, under any circumstances, for anyone who finds my saying that it sure as fuck ain’t no Disney story offensive (although Ellison did work for Disney for a while, in the 1980s, before being fired for joking that an animated porno flick starring Disney characters would be funny.) If you think violence and obscenity have no place in art, that such unpleasantness is always gratuitous, you will not enjoy A Boy And His Dog. I guarantee it.

Likewise, if you find yourself giggling at the idea of such unpleasantness. If you like your violence and obscenity gratuitous, this is probably not a story for you.

In other words, if, for whatever reason, you can’t get past violence and obscenity, A Boy And His Dog is not for you.

You’ve been warned.

(Read on …)

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 A Boy and His Dog Part 1: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 A Boy and His Dog Part 2: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download
 A Boy and His Dog Part 3: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download