WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with “The Sopranos” creator David Chase about the prequel “The Many Saints of Newark,” which opens in movie theaters nationwide tomorrow. They discuss the show’s legacy, his favorite episodes and the controversial finale. (Theme Music: Scott Buckley’s “Clarion”)
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WTOP Entertainment Editor Jason Fraley chats with Cappy McGarr, creator of the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He releases a new book today called “The Man Who Made Mark Twain Famous,” featuring behind-the-scenes stories about the award’s funniest recipients from Will Ferrell shattering the ceramic bust to Bill Murray putting in the Oval Office to Eddie Murphy turning heads in the Situation Room. He also explains why Mel Brooks remains his white whale.
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WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Counting Crows guitarist David Immerglück as the band rocks MGM National Harbor this Friday near Washington D.C. They spoke about the band’s biggest hits from “Mr. Jones” to “Round Here,” from “Hanginaround” to “Accidentally in Love,” which earned an Oscar nomination.
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WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Leslie Odom Jr., who hosts a unique Tony Awards tonight honoring the best of Broadway after a long pandemic hiatus. They spoke when he performed at the Kennedy Center Spring Gala tribute to Marvin Gaye in 2016, the exact week before he won his Tony as Aaron Burr in “Hamilton.”
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WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Idina Menzel, who performs in the TV special “Broadway’s Back!” after the Tony Awards on Sunday night. They spoke in 2017 when she came to MGM National Harbor, discussing her originating the role of Maureen in “Rent,” originating the role of Elphaba in “Wicked,” and singing “Let it Go” as the voice of Elsa in Disney’s “Frozen.”
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Changing the name of JEB Stuart High School in Fairfax County Virginia, took two and a half years. By the time it became known as Justice High School, a lot of feelings were hurt, threats were made and lessons were learned. Debbie Ratliff was involved in the process.
WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Stephen Chbosky, director of “Dear Evan Hansen,” which hits movie theaters today after premiering in Washington D.C. in 2015 before winning the Tony for Best Musical on Broadway in 2017. They discuss the joys and challenges of bringing a hit musical from stage to screen, as well as “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Wonder.”
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WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with Rufus Wainwright, who performs this coming Tuesday at The Anthem in Washington D.C. They discuss his versatile career from pop to opera, including being named Rolling Stone magazine’s Best New Artist, recording “Hallelujah” for the “Shrek” soundtrack, and even donating sperm to Leonard Cohen’s daughter to raise a child with his husband.
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WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley and colleague Dave Preston chat with Moody Blues frontman Justin Hayward, who performs tonight at Rams Head in Annapolis, Maryland. Hayward phoned in for a pair of conversations, first in 2016, then in 2018 after the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
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WTOP Entertainment Reporter Jason Fraley chats with John Ondrasik of Five for Fighting, who plays The Birchmere in Alexandria, Virginia on Sunday night. They spoke about him creating hits like “Superman” and “100 Years,” as well as his hockey fandom. He even predicted that Alex Ovechkin would eventually get his Stanley Cup.
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