Symphony Space

On this week's Selected Shorts episode actors Elizabeth Reaser and Denis O’Hare perform stories in which reality contrasts with the dreams, perceptions, and actions of the characters. These stories are by authors Louise Erdrich, @benloory.bsky.social, and Delmore Schwartz. bit.ly/4bDFIHw

We loved bringing Selected Shorts back to the Dallas Museum of Art this past weekend! Thank you to DMA for being such wonderful hosts, and to our fantastic actors.

@lizstrout.bsky.social returns to Symphony Space on May 5 to launch her poignant new novel The Things We Never Say. Join us for a Thalia Book Club evening to celebrate this meditation on loneliness, friendship, and parenthood from the maestro of exploring the human condition. bit.ly/4b5VVVZ

Happy #NationalOrganizeYourHomeOfficeDay! If you're looking for inspiration to reorganize your WFH setup, here is some of our staff's desk decor.

Images: Various work from home desk setups, featuring computers, notebooks, and writing utensils.

Back in January, we were thrilled to host a special taping of the hit podcast and live show @gofactyourpod.bsky.social. The episode features Dorinda Medley, Jackie Cox, J. Keith van Straaten, and Helen Hong, and is available now wherever you get your podcasts! Enjoy!
(Photo by Nile Scott)

Selected Shorts returns to @gettymuseum.bsky.social
in Los Angeles, CA on Mar 14! Join us for two captivating performances as actors of stage and screen bring literature to life through readings of humorous and poignant tales of saints, sinners, and everyone in between. bit.ly/46ocpWK

The final show in Tony Trischka's upcoming residency is Great Big World on Mar 26! This genre-blurring evening includes guests include Tracy Bonham, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Martha Redbone, and Sean Trischka. bit.ly/47tMI7o

Join Lindy West for an entertaining evening in conversation with Guy Branum to celebrate Adult Braces - an engaging and laugh-out-loud narrative that brings readers on an uproarious cross-country road trip as West unpacks her tumultuous post-Shrill and Hulu adaptation years. bit.ly/4s03tyX

Stories from the City of Immigrants is an evening of monologues that vividly bring to life the vital role immigrants play in New York City's past, present, and future. Produced by Waterwell and Selected Shorts in collaboration with the The New York Immigration Coalition. bit.ly/4d0ElUo

On this week's Selected Shorts episode, Haruki Murakami: Then and Now, actors Mike Doyle and Jennifer Ikeda read stories by Murakami that demonstrate the breadth of his emotional imagination over a career of 35 years. Take a listen wherever you get your podcasts. bit.ly/4bnhPUv

Last week @boomboomhiller.bsky.social hosted a hilarious evening of Selected Shorts: Too Hot for Radio stories. Thanks to Hiller, Will Brill, Eden Espinosa, @jennymudge.bsky.social, and Madeline Weinstein for a night of riveting storytelling and much-needed laughter!
(Photos by Sean Sime)

Sub by Friday for the Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize with guest judge, Simon Rich! Winning work will be performed by an actor in spring '26 and published on
@electricliterature.com. Winning writer will receive $1000 & free 10-week course w/ @gothamwriters.bsky.social
bit.ly/3GE3N0b

Selected Shorts on Tour returns to the Dallas Museum of Art in Dallas, TX on Mar 7! Join us as actors Crystal Dickinson, David Strathairn, and @vangsness.bsky.social perform funny, mysterious, and poignant short stories about love, competing desires, and unexpected encounters. bit.ly/40zywG5

Cancer, Cosmos and Courage: How a ‘Sex and the City’ Star Taught Me to Laugh at Death The late Willie Garson, who played Carrie’s gay best friend Stanford Blatch, was closeted about his terminal illness. But in private he helped me make the best of my own diagnosis.

We loved this piece by Annabelle Gurwitch in the Hollywood Reporter! Check it out, and then join us Mar 31 for a celebration of her new memoir - limited tix available! www.hollywoodreporter.com/lifestyle/ar...

Almost sold out/standing room added! Join Annabelle Gurwitch as she shares stories from her funny and deeply human new memoir, The End of My Life Is Killing Me. Featuring Laurie Anderson, Roz Chast, Patricia Marx, Judy Gold, Kate Micucci, Maura Tierney, and Jen Tullock. bit.ly/4aWRfQU

Selected Shorts returns to @gettymuseum.bsky.social in Los Angeles, CA on Mar 14! Join us for two captivating performances as actors of stage and screen bring literature to life through readings of humorous and poignant tales of saints, sinners, and everyone in between. bit.ly/46ocpWK

Guest host DeRay Mckesson presents four works that consider the Black experience in America from bold perspectives. Crystal Dickinson, Christopher Jackson, Marsha Stephanie Blake, & Wren T. Brown perform pieces by Shirley Chisholm, James Baldwin, Sonia Sanchez, & Percival Everett. bit.ly/40vTDZS

Selling fast! As part of his residency, Tony Trischka brings back Earl Jam, his deeply personal tribute to the legendary banjo great Earl Scruggs. With special guest Michael Daves and a stellar band, Scruggs’s story comes to life in this musically thrilling evening. bit.ly/478fXMO

Submit for the 2026 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize with guest judge, Simon Rich! Winning work will be performed by an actor in spring 2026 and published on
@electricliterature.com. Winning writer will receive $1000 and a free 10-week course w/ @gothamwriters.bsky.social bit.ly/3GE3N0b

We have three amazing opportunities for adventure—all without leaving NYC! Take an epic voyage w/ NT Live: Life of Pi, cross the pond w/ Selected Shorts: A Passport to Ireland hosted by Colum McCann, and travel back in time when Caro Claire Burke launches her debut novel, Yesteryear. bit.ly/3ZMC2wA

On this Selected Shorts episode, Problems Without Solutions, Cindy Cheung, Lacey Lamar, Amber Ruffin, and Claire Danes read stories by authors Elif Batuman, Jesse Eisenberg, and Esther Freud. bit.ly/3OhFD3n
(First photo by Sean Sime, second by Carlos Alayo, third by @rebeccajmichelson.bsky.social)

Join us this Sunday for The Silent Clowns Film Series: Lupino Lane - Music Hall to Hollywood! Our Lupino Lane sampler is made up of Sword Points (1928), Good Night Nurse (1929), and Joyland (1929). Featuring live music! bit.ly/4ap9WO6

In honor of Toni Morrison's birthday, here is a favorite recording of Morrison from our archives when she hosted Selected Shorts in 1986. We celebrated Morrison's powerful body of work at both Selected Shorts and at our Thalia Book Club. Her words continue to inspire and endure.

Just announced! Lindsay Mendez, Jenn Colella, Santino Fontana, and more! Experience the transcendent magic of Rumours like never before as Broadway’s brightest stars bring Fleetwood Mac’s iconic album to life on stage. Join us! Concert-only tickets start at $100. bit.ly/4aq9qzR

Sold out in-person, but livestream tix avail! @boomboomhiller.bsky.social hosts a live edition of the Selected Shorts spinoff podcast of short fiction that’s funny, bold, & just a bit too naughty for radio. W/ Will Brill, Eden Espinosa, @jennymudge.bsky.social, & Madeline Weinstein. bit.ly/3ZHjhuA

This past weekend, we had a trio of Valentine's-themed Selected Shorts shows at Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center, Hopkins Center for the Arts, Dartmouth College, and The Bankhead LVA in Livermore. Thank you to these wonderful actors, and to everyone who joined us!

Limited seating available! You don't want to miss Mandy Patinkin In Concert: Being Alive with Adam Ben-David on Piano next week! Join Patinkin for a powerful, passionate evening of song on Feb 18 and 21. bit.ly/4kUjane

Happy Valentine's, Galentine's, and Palentine's weekend from all of us at Symphony Space! Whether you're looking for a romantic night at the movies or an exciting book launch with your best friends, we love creating memorable moments for you and your loved ones.

Submit for the 2026 Stella Kupferberg Memorial Short Story Prize with guest judge, Simon Rich! Winning work will be performed by an actor in spring 2026 and published on @electricliterature.com. Winning writer will receive $1000 and a free 10-week course w/ @gothamwriters.bsky.social. bit.ly/3GE3N0b

Sara Bareilles Musical The Interestings Will Make World Premiere in 2027 Michael Arden will direct the musical based on Meg Wolitzer's novel at Berkeley Rep.

We were excited to see the news that a date has been set for the world premiere of The Interestings, a new musical adapted from our friend and Shorts radio host Meg Wolitzer's novel! Meg will be co-writing the musical's book with Sarah Ruhl, and Sara Bareilles will write the music. bit.ly/3Om4CSU