1:00 PM: Thursdays
Bookwaves/Artwaves presents in-depth interviews with authors of fiction and narrative non-fiction, delving deeply into political and social issues, literary technique, and the life of the author, along with interviews devoted to theatre and film, and archive interviews from Bookwaves and Probabilities. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Mystery writer Shelley Singer (1939-2022), who also served as a book reviewer at KPFA, interviewed by Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff in 1986 in an interview not aired since that time, followed by a 2000 interview with Philip Pullman, author of the “His Dark Materials” and “Book of Dust” trilogies. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Helen Benedict, co-author (with Eyad Awwadawnon) of “Map of Hope and Sorrow: Stories of Refugees Trapped in Greece,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Helen Benedict is the author of seven novels and five books of non-fiction. Her latest book, “Map of Hope and Sorrow,” co-written by Eyad Awwadawnon, a Syrian refugee who was planning to get a law degree in Damascus, is partly an oral history of refugees coming to Greece after escaping from their home countries, and partly a look at the refugee camps of Greece. Also: Review of “Little Shop of Horrors” at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.
Derek Goldman, co-author and director of “Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski,” at Berkeley Rep, December 2 – 18, 2022, interviewed by Richard Wolinsky.
William Gibson, noted science fiction writer, discussing the early history of cyberpunk, recorded February 4, 2003 in the KPFA studios. Segment never before aired.
Review: “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812,” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through Jan. 15, 2023.
Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Masters of Science Fiction: Isaac Asimov (1920-1992) and Ray Bradbury (1920-2012). These two giants were interviewed for KPFA’s “Probabilities” program, Asimov in 1983 by Richard Wolinsky and Bradbury in 1992 by Richard A. Lupoff and Richard Wolinsky. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Acclaimed director Emma Rice talks about her latest show, an adaptation of Emily Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights,” which plays at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre November. 18 through January 1, along with a discussion of how her theatre company, Wise Children, fared during the pandemic shutdown. Then we hear a December 2009 interview with Julie Powell, author of “Julie and Julia” and “Cleaving,” who died at the age of 49 in October, 2022. Also, a review of “Colonialism is Terrible but Pho is Delicious,” playing at Aurora Theatre in Berkeley through December 4, 2022. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award winner Richard Powers returns to talk about his latest novel, “Bewilderment,” just out in trade paperback, and about his life during the pandemic, followed by an interview with Bay Area/bicoastal playwright and actor Lisa Ramirez, discussing her career in this second of a two-part interview. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Award winning author George Saunders discusses his latest collection of short stories, “Liberation Day,” followed by a discussion with playwright Lisa Ramirez, author of “The Book of Sand,” which plays at Oakland Theater Project starting November 11th. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Jesse Green, New York Times theatre critic, discusses his book, “Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers,” co-written by Mary Rodgers as well as some of his views and ideas about criticism, followed by a newly digitized and edited September 1987 Probabilities archive interview co-hosted by the late Richard A. Lupoff, with horror and fantasy author Clive Barker, discussing the nature of horror fiction, as well as his career as a writer and director (“Hellraiser”) to that point. Hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Vauhini Vara, author of the novel, “The Immortal King Rao,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, followed by a 2017 interview with Bill Irwin, who is performing his one-man show, “On Beckett” at American Conservatory Theatre through October 23. Also, review of “Indecent” at SF Playhouse.
Peter Straub and Stephen King. Peter Straub (1943-2022), who died on September 4, 2022, was a master of the horror genre. His best known novels include Ghost Story, Hellfire Club and with Stephen King, The Talisman. This interview with Richard Wolinsky and Richard A. Lupoff was recorded in 1993. Stephen King was near the start of his long and prolific career in this interview from September, 1979 with Richard Wolinsky and Lawrence Davidson as he discusses the start to his career and his feelings about horror at the time. Plus: Review of the touring company of “Moulin Rouge: The Musical” at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francsico.
