MEMETERIA by Thomas May

Arts & Culture Stories from NPR

• 'Original Cast Album: Company' provides a glimpse of Sondheim's perfectionism
  In 1970, Stephen Sondheim's comic musical Company broke most of the conventions of American musical theater. Now, a newly restored documentary goes inside the making of the original cast album.
• 'Passing' filmmaker Rebecca Hall shares the personal story behind her movie
  Hall's new Netflix film centers on two light-skinned Black women — one of whom passes for white. The story is a personal one for Hall: Her grandfather and mother also passed as white.
• Josephine Baker is the first Black woman to be inducted into France's Pantheon
  The trailblazing U.S.-born star and civil rights activist was given France's highest honor on Tuesday when she was inducted into the Pantheon. She first achieved fame in Paris in the 1920s.
• Famed author Jodi Picoult novelizes the pandemic in new book 'Wish You Were Here'
  Picoult's pandemic-inspired story focusing on a character stranded in the Galápagos Islands highlights how events can change us — and offer perspective.
• 12 books NPR staffers loved in 2021 that might surprise you
  Books We Love, formerly known as NPR's Book Concierge, is back for 2021. Here are a handful of books that NPR staffers named as some of their favorites of the year.
• Prosecutors ask U.S. Supreme Court to review the Bill Cosby case
  The prosecutors who brought Cosby to a conviction in 2018 — and then saw him freed earlier this year — are asking the Supreme Court to throw out a state court's ruling.
• Arts workers across the country are unionizing
  Workers in arts and culture are currently embracing a wave of labor organizing. From museums to comic books to games, unions are coming to the arts.
• 'Flying Blind' author says Boeing put profit ahead of safety with the 737 MAX
  The 737 MAX was grounded in 2019 after two deadly crashes exposed flaws pilots hadn't been told about. Journalist Peter Robison says Boeing cut costs and co-opted regulators in designing the craft.
• The long and winding Beatles docuseries will enchant die-hard and casual fans
  The new three-part Disney+ docuseries Get Back is a true treasure. It offers an inside look at The Beatles' creative process, as well as amazing footage from their legendary rooftop concert.
• Jury selection begins today in Jussie Smollett criminal trial
  The former Empire actor is accused of lying to Chicago police about being the purported victim of a hate crime in Jan. 2019. He is charged with six counts of felony disorderly conduct.