Ira Glass Coming to Park City's Eccles, 2/6

Public radio's "This American Life" - created and hosted by Ira Glass - has transformed journalism by pushing the limits of how a story is told (and won five Peabody awards along the way). In his live appearance, Glass weaves memorable radio moments into a behind-the-scenes narrative about finding and telling compelling stories. His live performance, "Reinventing Radio" comes to The Eccles Center on February 6. The evening begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available by calling 435-655-3114 or online at EcclesCenter.org.

According to The New York Times, "... [Mr. Glass] filters his interviews and impressions through a distinctive literary imagination, an eccentric intelligence, and a sympathetic heart."

For two decades, "This American Life" has transformed the radio and podcast landscape. Ira Glass' distinctive voice and gentle style of unpretentious, yet intelligent, interview and narrative has earned more than 2.2 million listeners on 500 NPR stations and 1.5 million podcast downloads per week. The quirky, brainy creation led to a wildly popular spin-off podcast, "Serial," as well as endeavors beyond the airwaves, including a live show with Monica Bill Barnes & Company combining radio and dance. Glass, who began his radio career as an NPR intern in 1978, has received accolades ranging from Peabody awards to Emmy awards for the Showtime adaptation of his radio show.

In "Reinventing Radio," Glass talks about "This American Life" and how it's put together: what makes a compelling story, where they find the amazing stories for their show, how he and his staff are trying to push broadcast journalism to do things it doesn't usually do. As part of this, Glass mixes stories from the show, live onstage, combining his narration with pre-taped quotes and music, recreating the sound of the show as the audience watches. And he plays funny and memorable moments from the show, and talks about what was behind their creation.

"When a radio personality shows up in person, we already feel like we've been invited behind the scenes," says PCI executive director Teri Orr. "When Ira Glass peels back the layers of his art and the unusual tack he's taken within the journalism profession, we feel like we've been granted special access to these amazing stories - it's a thoroughly captivating, entertaining and eye-opening experience."

TICKETS AND INFORMATION

Park City Institute presents Reinventing Radio: Ira Glass on February 6, 2016 at The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Center for the Performing Arts (1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City). Tickets range from $25-$75 (20-percent discount for seniors, ½ price tickets for children ages 16 and under; $5 seats are available in the Copper Section for Summit County students (K-12). Tickets and information are available at The Eccles Center box office, 435-655-3114 or EcclesCenter.org.

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