Dec 9th, 2004 · The Tavis Smiley Show producer Roy Hurst talks with multiple award-winning playwright Tony Kushner about his new musical Caroline, or Change. Kushner, who won a Pulitzer Prize for his play cycle Angels in America, wrote the book and lyrics to the musical, based in large part on his childhood growing up in Lake Charles, La.
Dec 7th, 2004 · The Greek myth of the fate of Eurydice, who dies after being saved from Hades by Orpheus, provides the kernel of one of Pulitzer Prize-winner Paula Vogel's favorite scenes. Vogel discusses Sarah Ruhl's vision of Eurydice with NPR's Susan Stamberg.
Nov 30th, 2004 · Writer Suzan-Lori Parks has won acclaim for her depictions of modern African-American life. The Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Topdog/Underdog discusses two of her favorite dramatic scenes, from The Sound of Music and Taxi Driver.
Oct 25th, 2004 · In His Excellency: George Washington, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Joseph J. Ellis examines the myths and realities surrounding our nation's first president. Ellis suggests Washington was motivated as much by enlightened self-interest as idealism. Ellis speaks with NPR's Steve Inskeep.
Oct 22nd, 2004 · Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Anthony Hecht died Wednesday of lymphoma at his house in Washington, D.C. NPR's Michele Norris comments on his poetry, and we'll listen to a 2003 recording of Hecht reading from his own work. (Editors note: The audio for this segment has been edited from the broadcast version due to rights issues)
Oct 16th, 2004 · Katherine Boo's reporting has won multiple awards, including a Pulitzer Prize. Her 2003 New Yorker story "The Marriage Cure" was honored as the year's best magazine feature. Boo speaks with NPR's Jennifer Ludden.
Sep 29th, 2004 · Dr. John Mack died Tuesday in London, the victim of an auto accident. Dr. Mack, a Harvard professor, wrote A Prince of Our Disorder, a Pulitzer Prize-winning biography of T.E. Lawrence, or Lawrence of Arabia. Years later, he did controversial research on people who claimed they had been abducted by aliens. NPR's Robert Siegel speaks with a friend and colleague of Dr. Mack, Dr. Robert Jay Lifton of the Harvard Medical School.
Sep 17th, 2004 · Wynton Marsalis has been playing the trumpet since he was 6, and won his first Grammy at 20 and has 9 total. He's also the first jazz musician to win the Pulitzer Prize. His latest album is The Magic Hour. (This Interview first aired Dec. 7, 1994.)