Theater

TV critic David Bianculli previews the ABC telemovie "Columbo: Ashes to Ashes" starring Peter Falk. It airs tonight at 9:00.

Film critic John Powers reviews the new film starring Robert Deniro, "Ronin."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews "The Practice" and "Homicide."

In celebration of the centennial of George Gershwin's birth, (Saturday, September 26th) a talk with two Gershwin experts: Robert Kimball, artistic advisor to the Gershwin estate, and author of "The Gershwins" (out of print) and editor of "The Complete Lyrics of Ira Gershwin" (De Capo Press, paperback). Also Edward Jablonski, author of "Gershwin: With a New Critical Discography" (De Capo Press, paperback). Also we'll hear some rare Gershwin songs.

TV critic David Bianculli previews the upcoming television season.

John Powers reviews "One True Thing," adapted from the Anna Quindlen movie of the same name.

Film critic John Powers reviews "Your Friends & Neighbors."

TV critic David Bianculli has some thoughts on the Fall TV season's new "That '70s Show" and the movie version of "The Avengers," which is out in theatres now.

John Powers reviews the new movies "The Slums of Beverly Hills" and the re-releass of Fellini's "Night of Cabiria."

Book critic Maureen Corrigan reviews the newest movie version of "Lolita."

Film critic John Powers reviews "Saving Private Ryan" which stars Tom Hanks and was directed by Steven Spielberg. It rolls out nationally today.

Jay has been called "one of the greatest sleight of hand artist in the world." He is the star of the off-Broadway show "Ricky Jay and his 52 Assistants" which is directed by David Mamet.

Film critic John Leonard reviews the new Elmore Leonard adaptation, "Out of Sight."

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews "Kurt Weill: from Berlin to Broadway, Vol. 2" (Pearl label) and other recordings of "Lady in the Dark" and "Berlin to Broadway" (on the Sony Masterworks Heritage label) as well as Lotte Lenya's "Berlin Theatre Songs" (also on Sony).

Today is the 100th anniversary of the birth of the great African-American singer, actor and political activist Paul Robeson. Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews his recording of "Songs of Free Men" (Sony's Masterworks Heritage series).

Playwright, Actor and Director Sam Shepard talks about how he got started in theater. Shepard won a Pulitzer for his play "Buried Child" and was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Chuck Yeager in "The Right Stuff." Shepard stars in the new film "The Only Thrill."

Shepard, who died Sunday, penned more than 55 plays, including Buried Child. His breakthrough film role was as astronaut Chuck Yeager in The Right Stuff. Originally broadcast in 1998.

Playwright David Henry Hwang (pronounced "Wong"). He received numerous awards for his Broadway debut "M. Butterfly." His newest production "Golden Child" about the struggle between tradition and change in a family in 1918 China, opens on Broadway in April. It received a 1997 Obie Award. (Interview by Babara Bogaev)

The documentary musical theatre "Band in Berlin" just made it's premiere in Philadelphia by the American Music Theatre Festival. (Currently running thru March 22nd). It tells the story of "The Comedian Harmonists" a popular sextet vocal group in Germany in the late '20s and early 30's. By 1935 the group was forced to disband by the Nazis, because half of the group were Jewish. "Band in Berlin" was created by Susan Feldman with Wilbur Pauley and stars the New York-based contemporary sextet, The Hudson Shad.

We remember comedian Henny Youngman with a 1991 interview. He died yesterday from complications from the flu. He was 91 years old. (Rebroadcast of 10/17/91)