Hosted by The New York Times, the star-studded conversations will be held Jan. 7-9 at the CUNY Graduate Center, Fifth Avenue and 34th Street. The "Times Talks" discussions are all moderated by New York Times critics, reporters or editors.
Alan and Marilyn Bergman, who wrote the lyrics for Broadway's Ballroom, will be part of the Jan. 8 "Times Talks" event, which is titled "Romantic Songs: The Way We Are." The Oscar-winning couple, whose songs include "The Way We Were" and "The Windmills of Your Mind," will be joined by musical director and accompanist Mike Renzi. Stephen Holden will moderate the 8-9:15 PM discussion.
On Jan. 9 Barry Humphries, the man behind the woman known as Dame Edna Everage, will discuss that international star from 10-11:15 AM. Humphries, who is currently starring on Broadway in Dame Edna: Back With a Vengeance, will be interviewed by Bruce Weber. The morning program is titled "The Glittering Gigastar."
"Tour de Force" is the title of the Jan. 9 program that features an interview with Whoopi Goldberg. The Oscar-winning actress is currently playing a 12 week limited engagement in Whoopi — a revised and updated version of the Mike Nichols-produced-and-directed solo act that first helped make her famous — at the Lyceum Theatre. Patricia Cohen will interview the comedic actress from noon-1:15 PM.
"Broadway Visionary," a chat with five-time Tony Award winner Susan Stroman, will be presented Jan. 9, 6-7:15 PM. John Rockwell will interview the acclaimed director/choreographed, who helmed The Producers and, most recently, The Frogs. Other offerings of interest to theatre fans include Caryn James' chat with actress Susan Sarandon (Jan. 7, 8-9:15 PM), who will discuss her work as a social activist; Jodi Kantor's interview with Patricia Clarkson and Hilary Swank about "Bigger Roles, Smaller Films" (Jan. 8, 6-7:15 PM); and Bill Goldstein's morning talk with Stephen Greenblatt, author of the Shakespeare tome "Will in the World" (Jan. 9, 10-11:15 AM).
Call (888) NYT-1870 or visit www.nytimes.com/alweekend for more information.
