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Animals
12:09 pm
Fri November 2, 2012

Animal Stage Trainer Makes Stars Out Of Pound Pups

Credit Paul Kolnik
Bill Berloni was responsible for making sure that chihuahua Bruiser could both bend and snap in the Broadway production of Legally Blonde.

This interview was originally broadcast on Fresh Air on July 18, 2008.

A new revival of the hit musical Annie is now in previews on Broadway, scheduled to open Thursday. In the new production, the canine co-star Sandy is played by "Sunny," who has an understudy named "Casey." Bill Berloni trained them both — and, like the original Sandy in the original Broadway show, those dogs, too, were rescue dogs, found in animal shelters.

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Theater
12:00 pm
Fri November 2, 2012

Past is Present in 'An Enemy Of The People'

Originally published on Fri November 2, 2012 12:40 pm

Although it was written in 1882, Henrik Ibsen's play An Enemy of the People still resonates today. Richard Thomas and Boyd Gaines, the stars of a new production of the play, join Ira Flatow to talk about the play's themes of power and truth, and the role of whistle-blowers.

Author Interviews
11:50 am
Fri November 2, 2012

Rin Tin Tin: A Silent Film Star On Four Legs

Credit Gasper Tringale /
Susan Orlean is a staff writer for the New Yorker and has contributed articles to Vogue, Rolling Stone and Esquire. She is the author of several books, including The Orchid Thief.

This interview originally aired on Fresh Air on Jan. 9, 2012. Rin Tin Tin: The Life and the Legend is now out in paperback.

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Krulwich Wonders...
11:47 am
Fri November 2, 2012

Sunflowers Seen Flying Through Empty Desert. Why?

I've been hearing strange wind stories all my life. The best ones are both wildly improbable but still true, like how the Empire State Building gets hit by wafts of barley flying in on jet streams from Iowa, or how tons of sand from the Saharan desert rain down every year onto Brazilian rainforests. You never know what the wind will bring. The wind decides.

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The Two-Way
11:39 am
Fri November 2, 2012

Controversy Shrouds Decision To Go Ahead With New York Marathon

Credit Timothy Clary / AFP/Getty Images
Workers construct the Finish Line on Friday as preparations continue for the 43rd New York City Marathon.

Originally published on Fri November 2, 2012 7:43 pm

Update at 5:17 p.m. ET. Marathon Cancelled:

After receiving withering criticism, officials have decided to cancel the New York City Marathon, the largest 26.2 mile road race in the world.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who had insisted on allowing the marathon to continue, issued a statement saying he did not want to taint the event.

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