Performing Arts

Iowa native Brooks Wheelan realized a passion for comedy while attending the University of Iowa, but continued his studies, seeing biomedical engineering as a way to Los Angeles or New York. His plan worked, and he went on to be a cast member on Saturday Night Live, and the 'New York Times' called his comedy special 'Alive in Alaska' one of the best of 2024. Wheelan joins Charity Nebbe during a stop in Iowa City to talk about his career and what's next. Then, Lynetter Pohlman has led Iowa State University Museums for 46 years and has been there since its inception over 55 years ago. Ahead of her retirement, Pohlman joins the show to take a look back.

A new documentary, 'Kamal’s,' follows a Muslim chef and his Catholic wife as they build a life together in Grinnell, blending Middle Eastern traditions with Midwestern ingredients. We talk with filmmaker Nich Perez, along with Kamal Hammouda and Laura Fendt, the couple at the heart of the film and co-founders of The Iowa Kitchen. Later in the episode, April is National Poetry Month, and Iowa poets are reaching audiences far beyond the Midwest.

"Titaníque," a musical parody of the James Cameron film using Céline Dion's songs, opened Sunday on Broadway after getting its unlikely start in a tiny off-Broadway basement theater.

Lithgow, 80, plays an intelligence agent in the FX action series The Old Man, and he's currently starring in the Broadway production of Giant, about a troubling side of children's author Roald Dahl.

South Africa's iconic Market Theatre, born in the darkest days of apartheid and a force for change, is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The motion is part of a lawsuit challenging President Trump and the Center's board, who now refer to the complex as "The Trump Kennedy Center."

There was confusion about whether the satirist would be getting the Kennedy Center's top humor award after White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it "fake news." Now it's confirmed.

Comedy legend Margaret Cho talks about returning to her roots in political comedy and why she calls this her most brutally honest show yet. She is coming to the Englert Theatre in Iowa City on March 27. Then, the Millennial Stone Cleaner shares how restoring gravestones has turned into a powerful way to honor forgotten lives. (A portion of this episode was originally produced Oct. 10, 2024)

The groups, which include the American Institute of Architects, are asking for compliance with historic preservation laws and to secure approval from Congress.

Scott Simon and former director Deborah Rutter look out over a soon-to-be shuttered Kennedy Center.