Today on The Culture Show, we kick it off with Irish dramatist Conor McPherson, who wrote and directed a play incorporating 20 songs by Bob Dylan — but this is no jukebox musical. And though it is set in Dylan’s hometown of Duluth, Minnesota it’s no bio-musical either.
It’s titled “Girl From the North Country.” Set in 1934, the Dylan songs upon which McPherson draws convey the desperation and existential aching of Depression-era America. With the Broadway hit now in Boston, McPherson joins The Culture Show host Jared Bowen to talk about weaving Dylan’s songbook into a deeply stirring show.
Then, Celtic Woman celebrates its 20th anniversary. The ensemble, which honors Ireland’s history and celebrates the contemporary spirit of modern-day Ireland by fusing traditional and contemporary Irish music, stops by The Chevalier Theater on March 21. Ahead of the show, ensemble singer Mairéad Carlin joins The Culture Show.
From there, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band kick off their international tour next week, kicking off with west coast dates March 19. Though they won’t be paying Gillette Stadium this time around, you can still have the Bruce Springsteen experience by way of a photography exhibition that offers a unique early and intimate perspective of "The Boss" far from the sold-out arenas.
Local photographer Barry Schneier is featured in "Bruce Springsteen: Portraits of an American Music Icon," currently on view at the Folk Americana Roots Hall of Fame at the Wang Theatre. Schneier joins The Culture Show to talk about his experiences photographing Springsteen in the early days of a 50-year musical career.
It's all on The Culture Show — listen to the full episode above!
