The Roundtable

Anthony Tommasini, the former chief classical music critic for 'The New York Times,' turns his attention to one of the most important American singers of the twentieth century in his new book, 'Voice of a Century: The Life and Artistry of Marian Anderson.'

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are: Bill Hammond - a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute whose work focuses primarily on health-care policy.Chris Koetzle - Executive Director of the NY Association of Towns.Justin Patch - Associate Professor of Music at Vassar College. He studies music in American politics; sound studies; East Asian art music; and music in the African diaspora. Catherine Tan - an Associate Professor in the department of sociology at Vassar College. Her research is on health, wellness, and medical knowledge.

Berkshire Theatre Group presents the Pulitzer Prize- winning playwright David Auburn’s play ‘Summer 1976.’ The play focuses on an unexpected friendship between two women whose lives converge during the Bicentennial summer. It begins as a brief encounter but unfolds into a transformative bond, leaving an imprint on both women that will shape them for decades. This production brings together two acclaimed actors Kate Baldwin and Jennifer Van-Dyck together who are portraying the two women Alice and Diana.Berkshire Theatre Group presents the David Auburn play ‘Summer, 1976’ starting on October 7th, today, and running till October 31st at The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge MA.

Alan Zweibel spent a good part of his career making some very funny people even funnier. He was an original writer on Saturday Night Live, went on to work with Gilda Radner, Billy Crystal, Gary Shandling, Larry David, David Letterman, and plenty of others. This Thursday, he will share some of his great stories in 'My Life Helping Funny People be Funnier' at the ‘62 Center for Theater and Dance at Williams College. It is also the name of his book, 'Laugh Lines, My Life Helping Funny People Be Funnier.'

The Roundtable Panel: a daily open discussion of issues in the news and beyond. Today's panelists are: Theresa Bourgeois - Public policy and communications expert.Jim Hendler - Tetherless World Professor of Computer, Web and Cognitive Sciences at RPI.Warren Whitlock - a former federal senior executive having served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Diversity & Leadership, and, Associate Administrator for Civil Rights at the Federal Highway Administration