Theater

Charlie Haffner wrote "Amistad Kata-Kata" a play based on the Amistad story. As a native of Sierra Leone, Haffner is critical of the new film “Amistad” now showing in theaters. He says the story neglected many significant events that occurred in Sierra Leone. Haffner currently lives in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Playwright and NPR commentator David Sedaris. His "Santaland Diaries" which debuted on NPR's Morning Edition in 1992 is purported to be the network's most requested tape. His collection of short stories (now in paperback), "Barrel Fever" and this year's "Naked" (Little, Brown & Co.) a collection of autobiographical essays, are both bestsellers. Now he's got a collection of Christmas stories, "Holiday's On Ice" (Little, Brown & Co.)

Rock critic Ken Tucker reviews Paul Simon's first cd in six years, "Songs From The Capeman." The Broadway musical opens in January.

Playwright and Screenwriter David Mamet. His latest film is "The Edge," and he's recently published two books: "The Old Religion," (Simon & Schuster) is a novel about a southern Jewish man falsely accused of murder. "True and False: Heresy and Common sense for the Actor" (Pantheon) is a guide to acting that negates the common and popular dramatic techniques. Mamet won the Pulitzer Prize in 1984 for "Glengarry Glen Ross."

In New York City, the 92nd Street YMCA, is better known as The 92nd Street Y a cultural arts center. Maurice Levine the director of the 92nd Street Y's "Lyrics & Lyricist" series for 26 years died on Monday at the age of 79. The program spotlighted American lyricists and composers like Alan Jay Lerner, Stephen Sondheim, and Dorothy Fields. The series had consistently been a sell-out. (Originally aired 12/11/96)

Former Saturday Night Live cast member Martin Short. Though he only spent one season with the show (1984), he left a lasting impression with his characters such as Ed Grimley, Jr., the cowlicked dork, and his impersonations of Katherine Hepburn and Jerry Lewis.

Film critic John Powers reviews "Face Off," which stars Nicholas Cage and John Travolta.

Film critic John Powers reviews "Ulee's Gold" starring Peter Fonda.

Film critic John Powers reviews Peter Greenaway's new film "The Pillow Book."

Film critic John Powers reviews "The Van" and the French film "Irma Vep"

Dafoe says he is attracted to roles that are morally ambiguous. His villainous turns include: "To Live in Die in L.A.," "Platoon," "Wild at Heart," and "The English Patient." When he's not starring in films he's performing on stage with productions by the Wooster Group, an experimental theater in New York. The group's director is Elizabeth LeCompte, Dafoe's longtime companion, and mother of their 14 year old son.

Film critic John Powers reviews Paradise Road and Daytrippers.

Film critic John Powers reviews the new Canadian movie, which tackles the taboo subject of necrophilia.

TV critic David Bianculli reviews "In the Gloaming," the new telemovie on HBO starring Glenn Close and directed by Christopher Reeve.

She played the humorless shrink, Lilith, on the television show "Cheers" for which she won two Emmy Awards and has appeared in many films, including "Bugsy," "Malice," and "Jumanji." Now Neuwirth is starring in the hit broadway musical "Chicago" a comedy set in the Roaring Twenties. She won a Tony award for her performance as Nickie in "Sweet Charity."

TV critic David Bianculli reviews the new anthology series "The Gun."

Film reviewer John Anderson reviews the new film "Chasing Amy."

In the wake of Xena: Warrior Princess's success, TV critic David Bianculli reviews three new TV shows: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Daria, and Spy Game. He says they're all fun to watch.

Chapmyn was homeless, surviving on garbage and sleeping in vacant buildings in the '80's. A suicide note he began writing to his mother inspired him to write the play "Our Young Black Men Are Dying and Nobody Seems to Care," which became a big hit on the so-called chitlin circuit. He went on to write other plays on social issues facing the African-American community., making a name for himself as a playwright and a social activist.

Classical music critic Lloyd Schwartz reviews the new Great Performances special on PBS (March 7, 9PM most stations), "Ira Gershwin at 100: A Celebration at Carnegie Hall."