King Charles III, running now through December 3rd at Pasadena Playhouse, opens at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth. Charles, who’s been waiting decades for his chance to rule, is finally King… but he’s about to be tested. A piece of legislation curtailing press freedoms crosses his desk, and even though he’s been plagued by the press his whole life – and is supposed to be an apolitical figurehead – he doesn’t want to put his name on the bill. He decides to take a stand, but the country, his family (Camilla, William, Kate and Harry are all there) and his rule pay the price. Abele stopped by the KUSC studios to talk about the unique challenges and opportunities of King Charles III. Listen to the extended podcast interview.

Denzel Washington fans, you’re in luck. LA Times Film Critic Kenneth Turan tells KUSC’s Gail Eichenthal a movie out this weekend gives Washington a role unlike any other.

King Charles III, running now through December 3rd at Pasadena Playhouse, opens at the funeral for Queen Elizabeth. Charles, who’s been waiting decades for his chance to rule, is finally King… but he’s about to be tested. A piece of legislation curtailing press freedoms crosses his desk, and even though he’s been plagued by the press his whole life – and is supposed to be an apolitical figurehead – he doesn’t want to put his name on the bill. He decides to take a stand, but the country, his family (Camilla, William, Kate and Harry are all there) and his rule pay the price. Abele stopped by the KUSC studios to talk about the unique challenges and opportunities of King Charles III. Listen to part one of our Out and About feature on King Charles III.

Listen to our extended interview with Jim Abele discussing King Charles III.

The New West Symphony is treading the boards this weekend with performances of excerpts of every stage work that Leonard Bernstein ever wrote. And they’ve snagged John Mauceri, a Bernstein protégé, collaborator, and friend to not only conduct, but design the program.

KUSC’s Alan Chapman has a lot to say about music, but can he say it in 60 seconds? That’s the Chapman Challenge. We ask a question and Alan has a minute to answer it. Today’s question comes from Earl Kellner in Riverside. The question is how does a composer pick the specific key for a piece?

Redlands Opera Theatre is being reborn as Inland Opera. The company is looking to bring high-quality opera experiences to new audiences. KUSC’s Kelsey McConnell spoke with the company’s Artistic Director and new Music Director.

Aliens are about to invade Walt Disney Concert Hall thanks to the world premiere of the opera “War of the Worlds” (based on Orson Welles shocking radio drama) created by composer Annie Gosfield and contemporary opera producer Yuval Sharon. Sharon is no stranger to inventive, site-specific opera productions–he founded LA’s experimental opera company The Industry. KUSC’s Sheila Tepper caught up with him backstage after a rehearsal to hear how this complex production–complete with unseen pilots, alien singers, air raid sirens and an orchestra–came together and it what it means for modern audiences.

Beth Morrison is an opera producer with a vision. Her productions combine fresh stories from contemporary composers with bold visual elements. She spoke with KUSC about “Persona” coming soon to REDCAT as part of LA Opera’s Off Grand series.

KUSC and LA Times Film Critic Kenneth Turan didn’t think he would even like Lady Bird, but then he fell in love with it. Here he is with KUSC’s Gail Eichenthal.