'American Life' at the movies
Popular show gets cinema simulcast
Some years ago, on one of Ira Glass's first forays out of the radio studio, he appeared at Steppenwolf Theater with his friend Beau O'Reilly for an evening of stories. On stage, there was a table piled high with radio equipment which Glass basically hid behind as he talked. The image was that of a shy radio guy gingerly stepping out of familiar territory.
How times have changed. Since then, Glass' popular public radio show, "This American Life," has entered the American consciousness in a big way with live tours, a Showtime series and podcasts. And now, thanks to inspiration from the Metropolitan Opera's series of live cinema simulcasts, it's heading to the big screen for a one-night-only event.
"This American Life -- Live!" will be broadcast via satellite Thursday from the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Fans across the country can settle in at local movie theaters with their popcorn for a glimpse of the show's upcoming Showtime season which begins at 9 p.m. May 4.
"Many of the people who listen to the radio show haven't seen the television show," Glass said. "And this seemed a fun way to introduce them to it. We wanted to show them what we were off doing while they were listening to reruns."
Glass will play bits and pieces from the new shows, as well as perform a radio story. He'll also be joined by several contributors and answer audience questions (which can be e-mailed in advance to ask@thisamericanlife.org.)
"This American Life," a production of Chicago Public Radio, specializes in stories about everyday people who would otherwise go unnoticed. The stories convey interesting and often surprising perspectives.
Glass admits that the transition from radio to television was not without a period of trial and error. "We're proud of what we did that first season but we were definitely feeling our way trying to find what works on television," he said. "But by the sixth episode, there was a looser, funnier feel to the show, and that carries over into our second season of storytelling."
Glass regularly tours the country with a live stage version of the show. The first three minutes are always disorienting, and this event should be no different.
"Honestly, the audience is so stunned by what we look like," Glass said, laughing. "They already know my voice but to see it actually coming out of a human being, well, that takes some getting used to."
