In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse interviews Nick and Diane Marson, a Houston couple who met on 9/11 and whose real-life story inspired central characters in the Tony Award-winning musical Come From Away.

Then, Catherine Lu chats with Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, Houston Poet Laureate Emeritus and World Champion Slam Poet, about writing the libretto for Houston Grand Opera’s Marian’s Song, a World Premiere based on the life of legendary singer Marian Anderson. Deborah talks about fusing spoken word with opera, Marian's legacy and how creating this work affected her as an artist, woman and mother.

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In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Catherine Lu heads to Lawndale Art Center to interview Houston artist Virginia Lee Montgomery about her solo exhibition Sky Loop. Incorporating video, sound, sculpture and Houston-centric symbols, the immersive installation is inspired by the artist’s personal experience and memories of Hurricane Harvey, on view through March 29.

Then, Ernie Manouse talks with former American Idol finalist-turned Broadway star Tamyra Gray, who is performing in the North American-touring production of Once On This Island. Theatre Under The Stars presents the Tony Award-winning musical February 18 – March 1 at The Hobby Center.

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In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse chats with singer-actor Paul Hope about legendary songwriter Harold Arlen – in particular about the music he wrote in the decade after his famous “Over the Rainbow.” The Paul Hope Cabaret presents That Old Black Magic – Harold Arlen in the 40s on February 17, February 24 and March 2 at Ovations Night Club.

Then, Catherine Lu talks with percussionist Craig Hauschild and harpist Caitlin Mehrtens of Loop38 about the life and music of Julius Eastman, an African-American composer from the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. After an eviction – upon which his landlord threw many of his scores onto the street – and early death at age 49, his music was largely lost and forgotten. Loop38 presents the first-ever Houston performance of Eastman’s music, featuring his work Femenine, on February 21 at First Congregational Church of Houston.

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Music credits: Ac-Cent-Tchu-Ate the Positive by Harold Arlen and Johnny Mercer; Gay Guerilla, The Holy Presence of Joan d’Arc and Stay on It from Julius Eastman: Unjust Malaise; Fememine by Julius Eastman, original recording and recording by Arcana New Music Ensemble

In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Catherine Lu interviews Houston Chamber Choir founder and artistic director Robert Simpson and tenor Jack Byrom on what it was like to attend the 2020 Grammys and accept the award for Best Choral Performance for their album Duruflé: Complete Choral Works. From the red carpet to the moment the envelope was opened, we go behind-the-scenes of their win. The choir’s next concert is Circlesong on February 22 and 23 at South Main Baptist Church.

Then, Ernie Manouse chats with Broadway stars Corey Greenan and Hamilton Moore. They are two of the cast members of Jersey Boys, the Tony Award-winning musical that tells the behind-the-music story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Broadway at The Hobby Center presents the national-touring production February 7 – 9.

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In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse interviews Sasson Gabay and Janet Dacal, who star in The Band’s Visit, winner of 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Broadway Across America presents the North American-touring production January 28 – February 2 at The Hobby Center.

Then, Catherine Lu finds out about the city’s newest dance troupe, Houston Contemporary Dance Company, from Marlana Doyle, founder and artistic director. Doyle talks about forming her own company this past summer, following her 17-year career with the now-disbanded METdance Company, and what she hopes to add to the city’s dance scene. Houston Contemporary presents Dué, the second show of its inaugural season, on February 7 and 8 at Queensbury Theatre.

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In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Catherine Lu chats with Dan Knechtges, Artistic Director of Theatre Under The Stars, about the company’s recently-announced 2020 – 2021 season. Knechtges, a Tony-nominated director and choreographer, talks about the eclectic mix of national productions with major buzz and homegrown TUTS productions that celebrate Houston talent – and why it’s like a meal of tapas.

Then, Ernie Manouse interviews Emilio Delgado, who played “Luis” on Sesame Street for over four decades. Delgado stars in The Alley Theatre’s production of Quixote Nuevo. Written by playwright Octavio Solis and directed by KJ Sanchez, the story is a reimagining of Cervantes’ Don Quixote, set in a fictional modern-day Texas border town. It runs January 17 – February 9.

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Music used: Under the Sea from The Little Mermaid Original Broadway Cast Recording

In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse chats with award-winning director and veteran actor, Shirley Jo Finney. Finney talks about the art of directing and her latest project as director of The Ensemble Theatre’s production of The Green Book. Inspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, this play by Calvin Alexander Ramsey runs January 23–February 23.

Then, Catherine Lu interviews Natalie Lin, artistic director and founder of Kinetic. Lin talks about the risks she took to form this unique ensemble five years ago. A kind of “indie rock band” in classical music, Kinetic is a conductorless chamber orchestra that performs standing up, communicating through the energy and motion of body language and gesture, while also championing new music. Kinetic presents Flight + Fugue: A Special Fifth Anniversary Concert on January 26 at 6pm at MATCH.

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Music used: Plus tôt by Alexandra Stréliski from Inscape, Fallingwater by Michael Daugherty performed by KINETIC and Pelimannit by Einojuhani Rautavaara performed by KINETIC

In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Catherine Lu chats with Madison Petaway, Houston’s fifth Youth Poet Laureate. Appointed in November 2019 by Mayor Sylvester Turner through a joint program of Writers in the Schools and Houston Public Library, Petaway is a junior at Westbury High School and a member of the Meta-Four Houston youth slam team. She talks about how poetry changed her life and how she hopes to serve the city’s youth. She also performs her poem “Dictionary.”

Then, Ernie Manouse interviews John Bolton, who stars as “Horace Vandergelder” in the national-touring Broadway production of Hello, Dolly!. Winner of four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Revival, this new production of the classic musical comedy runs January 7 – 12 at The Hobby Center, presented by Broadway Across America.

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Music used: Par la fenêtre de Théo by Alexandra Stréliski from Inscape, Hello Dolly National Tour trailer and “Hello Dolly” from 2017 Broadway Cast Recording

In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse chats with Mariah Lyttle, who stars as “Celie” in the North American-touring production of The Color Purple. Society for the Performing Arts presents the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical from January 3 – 4 at The Hobby Center.

Then, Catherine Lu features a sound portrait of Houston poet Francis T. Goodbeer. Produced originally for HPM’s Voices and Verses series, the segment explores Goodbeer’s love of poetry and her journey from retired nurse to published writer through Inprint’s Senior Memoir Workshop. She reads her poem “The Joy of Seniorhood.”

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Music used The Color Purple segment: "What About Love" from The Color Purple (2015 Broadway cast recording) and The Color Purple National Tour trailer

Music used in poetry segment: Valse Pour Maman (excerpt) by Alexandra Stréliski from Pianoscope, Annabel Lee (excerpt) by Edgar Allan Poe read by Basil Rathbone, Dies Irie (excerpt) by Kenji Bunch from Ahn Trio: Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac, Romanze, op. 28, no. 2 (excerpt) by Robert Schumann from Timothy Hester: The Classical 91.7 Sessions and Hang on Little Tomato (excerpt) by Pink Martini from Hang on Little Tomato

In this special episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse interviews Oscar-winning actor, singer and author, Julie Andrews, along with her daughter, Emma Walton Hamilton. The mother-daughter pair have co-written 32 books, including Andrews’ latest memoir Home Work: A Memoir of My Hollywood Years. This on-stage interview was recorded live at the Fourth Annual Power of Literacy Luncheon hosted by the Barbara Bush Houston Literacy Foundation at The Post Oak Hotel on October 25, 2019.

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