Launched as an alternative to the stale stylings of the '80s stand-up circuit, Beth Lapides' event bills itself as a venue for "idiosyncratic, conversational comedy." It's helped establish careers for performers from Kathy Griffin to Randy and Jason Sklar.

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The Ruth Ellis Center in Highland Park, Mich., is making an effort to meet its clients where they are — on the dance floor, specifically with the dance form known as "vogue." From there, the center can connect them with counseling, health services, tutoring and clean clothes.

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You can give away almost anything — your time, money, food, your ideas. Giving helps define who we are and helps us connect with others. Thanks to the Internet and a rise in social consciousness, there's been a seismic shift not only in what we're giving, but how. In this hour, stories from TED speakers who are "giving it away" in new and surprising ways, and the things that happen in return.

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Don't make people pay for music, says musician Amanda Palmer: Let them. In a passionate talk that begins in her days as a street performer, she examines the new relationship between artist and fan.

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Egypt's capital has been associated with protest and political upheaval. But an arts festival attempts to clear away the dust and revitalize a once-glorious cultural hub.

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A revival of the Hammerstein-Kern classic showcases once again the rich tapestry and timeless themes of an American saga that changed the course of musical theater — and confronted audiences with painful truths about our history.

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A play that tackles Islamophobia and questions of Muslim-American identity recently won the Pulitzer Prize for drama. The play is Disgraced, by first-time playwright Ayad Akhtar. He talks with guest host Celeste Headlee about his play and the significance of the award.

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The nominations for the 67th Tony Awards are due April 30, and Barbara Chai of The Wall Street Journal has seen pretty much every show on Broadway this season. NPR's Scott Simon talks with Chai about what she loved, what she hated and what's likely to make the Tony cut.

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Singer, actor, writer, director and producer Barbra Streisand plays a well-meaning if overbearing Jewish mom in The Guilt Trip. The star says her own mother both encouraged her talents and was jealous of them.

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The TV and Broadway star performs his favorite standards and talks Beethoven, rap and Spamalot.

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