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NYC Animals GK: New York is in an economic slump and it's tough to get a job in Manhattan
right now. Though not if you're an animal. The Metropolitan Opera employs
dogs and camels, donkeys, there's a cat in "Hansel and Gretel,"
and "Aida" has a bunch of animals, including the horse, Casco.
(WHINNY) Is this a singing role? FN (HORSE): In "Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiida"? No, I have
a cold. I'm coughing and wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezing------ GK: So you're not singing---- FN (HORSE): No, and my bladder is too weeeeeeeeeeeeak----- GK: Your bladder is weak? FN (HORSE): I can't be on stage too long, or I'll weeeeeeeeeeeeeeee. GK: Not good. FN (HORSE): No. GK: How often do you have an accident on stage? FN (HORSE): About once a weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek. GK: I suppose the other performers don't care for that? FN (HORSE): No. But the audience loves it. I get a big hand. It's
real weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeird. GK: Okay. Well, good luck in the show. FN (HORSE): Okay. Auf wieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeedersehen
GK: The Radio City Christmas Show employs a bunch of animals: it has
a camel, a horse, two donkeys and six sheep, working. FN (SHEEP): Good to be baaaaaaaaaaaack at Radio City. GK: How's the Christmas show going? FN (SHEEP): Not baaaaaaaaaaaad. Got a nice baaaaaaaaaaand of angels.
GK: So what's your advice to other animals who want to get into show
business? FN (SHEEP): I'd say, Be yourself. If you're a sheep, be a sheep.
Don't try to be a horse or a beaver or a baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaadger. Work from
within yourself. Be confident. Get your name out there. Don't be baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaashful.
And stay focused. A lot of sheep go astray and they wind up in dinner
theater. As the entrée. GK: What's next for you after the Christmas show? FN (SHEEP): I'm working on a one-sheep show called The Saaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaacrificial
Raaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam. It's about the sheep who Abrahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaam
killed instead of Isaac. GK: Sounds kind of dark. FN (SHEEP): It is dark, but it has a lot of humor, too. And it
opens in Jaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaanuary at the Belaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasco.
GK: Great. Good luck to you. FN (SHEEP): Thaaaaaaaaaaaaaanks. © Garrison Keillor 2002 |
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Singer and songwriter Andra Suchy talks about singing duets with Garrison, and her latest album, Little Heart.
Old Sweet Songs: A Prairie Home Companion 1974-1976
Lovingly selected from the earliest archives of A Prairie Home Companion, this heirloom collection represents the music from earliest years of the now legendary show: 1974–1976. With songs and tunes from jazz pianist Butch Thompson, mandolin maestro Peter Ostroushko, Dakota Dave Hull and the first house band, The Powdermilk Biscuit Band (Adam Granger, Bob Douglas and Mary DuShane).
