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Home » Blogs » Jen Sabella's blog » This musical American life

This musical American life

by
Jen Sabella

There is no show quite like NPR’s This American Life, and by the time Buffy and Dollhouse creator Joss Whedon is through making a musical out of the radio program, we are sure it will stand out even more.

For the second year, This American Life host Ira Glass decided to bring the very popular (and I must say completely brilliant) show to the stage. The special two-hour production will include show regulars — Dan Savage, Starlee Kine, Mike Birbiglia, David Rakoff and Dave Hill — but the big change could be in the show’s format, as rumors are circulating that the entire thing may be set to music coordinated by Whedon.

Starlee Kine

The answer is unclear, with sources only confirming a “special musical performance” to Variety, but some fans are getting their hopes up.

Whedon with Buffy stars Eliza Dushku and David Boreanaz

This is certainly not Whedon’s musical debut. Aside from the extremely popular Buffy sing-along episode, his web series, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, still has fans wanting more. Some are hoping the TAL stint will be the “follow up you didn’t see coming.”

For those unfamiliar with This American Life, each episode follows a theme and various people tell stories that somehow relate to the theme. Obviously, they are stories from or about American issues.

The This American Life Live! program theme is “"Return to the Scene of the Crime," and will be broadcast April 23 from New York University's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

At 8 p.m. ET, the show will be sent live via satellite to “more than 400 movie theaters and performing arts centers nationwide.” I’m getting my tickets soon, because it’s likely they will all sell out.

“The live cinema transmission was surprisingly effective," Ira Glass said. "Last year was mostly a sneak preview of stories from our television show. This year we’re excited to do a full-on stage performance of the radio show.”

Will Dan Savage be singing and dancing? Please say yes, Ira, please say yes!

What do you think a musical TAL would be like?

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    • Submitted by
    Jen Sabella
    on March 10, 2009 - 3:30pm.
    TAGS :: 
    Trish Bendix's picture

    TAL

    Submitted by
    Trish Bendix (10693 posts)
    on March 10, 2009 - 4:09pm.
    I love TAL. It's already got some great music on it, but I bet the stage version would be even better if Joss got involved. Can any of the commentators sing? I'd be interested to hear them try!
    Connie's picture

    I am so excited for this!!!

    Submitted by
    Connie (154 posts)
    on March 10, 2009 - 4:14pm.
    I am so excited for this!!! All my favorite stuff in one place!

    You may write me down in history

    With your bitter, twisted lies,

    You may trod me in the very dirt

    But Still, like dust, I'll Rise

    GustavChristoff's picture

    Yay

    Submitted by
    GustavChristoff (105 posts)
    on March 10, 2009 - 4:27pm.
    I looove This American Life, I listen to it every week, and I love Joss Whedon, what else do I need? If it is a musical I will be greatly amused.
    JuBee's picture

    I love anything related to

    Submitted by
    JuBee (78 posts)
    on March 10, 2009 - 4:57pm.

    I love anything related to TAL!  I've been listening to it for years now, and I think I've heard almost every single episode.   I saw Ira Glass speak in November and my life is pretty much complete now.  If only this was showing near me....

    -----------

    Disclaimer: I take the internet way too seriously. 

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    Yes!!!

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on March 10, 2009 - 7:39pm.
    I'll definitely be buying tickets if I can... TAL is one of the best shows on TV or radio, but it just may out-do itself if i get to hear david rackoff sing.
    jennifer from pittsburgh's picture

    TAL

    Submitted by
    jennifer from p... (1434 posts)
    on March 10, 2009 - 11:54pm.
    You've got to be kidding me. Ira Glass is a total sack of shit, yet here we are.
    Shasta's picture

    Starlee

    Submitted by
    Shasta (89 posts)
    on March 11, 2009 - 12:11am.

    Okay, so first, if anyone hasn't heard #339 Break-Up, go have a listen. Starlee writes a pretty great break-up song and gets songwriting advice from an interesting person. It's a great episode.

    Second, I'm awfully jealous of everyone who gets to see this broadcast. Waah! Sounds like a fantastic evening, especially if Joss does music. Dan Savage: The Musical? Bring it on!

    If I were wishing, I'd also ask for Sarah Vowell and David Sedaris to be added to the line-up.

    As for Ira Glass, I've got a huge platonic crush on him (whatever that is!) and I'm quite happy to hear his point of view every week. He's a nifty guy, and speaking as a non-American, he's a very nice addition to the media.

    ColetteLala's picture

    Vowell/Sedaris

    Submitted by
    ColetteLala (166 posts)
    on March 11, 2009 - 10:32am.

    I agree. Count me in if Vowell and Sedaris are in any way involved.

    Jen Sabella's picture

    The Break-Up was one of my

    Submitted by
    Jen Sabella (136 posts)
    on March 11, 2009 - 11:19am.

    The Break-Up was one of my faves too. Spolier alert: Phil Collins!

    I seriously love him since hearing that episode, and to be honest, I loved Genesis too.

    Melissa Hsu's picture

    OMG, YES!

    Submitted by
    Melissa Hsu (not verified)
    on March 11, 2009 - 11:08am.

    I LOVE TAL!

    That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

    Shasta's picture

    More Sarah Vowell

    Submitted by
    Shasta (89 posts)
    on March 16, 2009 - 10:16am.

    I assume Sarah Vowell fans would have seen The Incredibles, but if not, run and get the dvd! She has a bit in the bonus materials that's just priceless. Abe Lincoln, the superhero. heheheh

    Amd I just remembered that David Sedaris would be great in a musical. Billie Holliday singing about Oscar Meyer? Yahoo!


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