MBT Presents Ira Glass

The Mt. Baker Theatre, a lush in red velvet and dark wood, developed upon R.C. Reamer's "imaginative, Moorish-Spanish motif, and elaborate interior," opened in April of 1927. I hadn't been there for years, the last for a pretty intense "Jesus Christ Superstar." This time, for the public radio sweetheart, Ira Glass. "Fusing both emotional and hilarious moments, the show [This American Life] is a self-described 'public radio show for people who don't necessarily care for public radio.'"

At the MBT, Glass offered an intimate and exclusive look into the production of his show. In Overview, "True to form, Ira blends education and entertainment as he relates what makes a compelling story, where he and the producers find these amazing stories, and how he and his staff are trying to push broadcast journalism to do things it usually doesn't do. The award winning radio personality is positively delightful as he shares behind the scenes tales of the funniest and most memorable moments from the show, combining his narration with pre-taped quotes and music to recreate the sound of the radio show live for the audience."
-From mtbakertheatre.com

The venue is intimate, elbow-gracing close; Glass entered center stage with the lights off, only a glow emanated from an ipad screen as he spoke in conjunction with clips and musical bits, adhering to the lights-out feel of experiencing radio. At times I looked off, or down at the ground so I could focus on the words, because I was distracted by his suit, or the mouth where his voice was coming from. Visually pleased, hearing-distracted. "I asked the producers if I could do the entire show this way. They said 'No.'" The lights came on and Glass, of average height and sleight, dressed in suit, iconic, thick black-rimmed glasses, became a person. Kind of like the more handsome brother of Anthony Bourdain and Alan Cumming.

He poked fun at himself, at the interview process; used grand hand gestures and had the timing artistry of a dj at a nightclub. Topics delved from superfluous office scenes to Guantanamo Bay to pedophilia. "Raise your hands if you have no idea who I am or what This American Life is..." Hands raised, applause given. "Well I hope at least you get sex out of this." He seemed to portray that having a spouse was a fortune and that his dog was his life. A point, one major point, "Do now. Create now. Don't wait."

As per his influence:



And:
Tavi Gevinson's blog: http://www.thestylerookie.com/
and project: http://www.rookiemag.com/