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Poet, playwright and performance artist Sarah Jones tours with a one-woman show called Waking the American Dream. Her many characters reflect astonishing diversity and encourage an effort to know -- not fear -- our neighbors. NPR's Susan Stamberg reports.

In New York City, Broadway's 18 musicals shut down as a strike between producers and musicians continues. The dispute -- centered on what the minimum size of musical orchestras should be -- is blamed for about $5 million in lost ticket revenue over the weekend. Jeff Lunden reports.

Established five years ago in Michigan, the Sphinx Competition encourages young Hispanic and African-American string musicians to get involved in the classical music world. Founder and president Aaron Dworkin says American orchestras lack diversity. Celeste Headlee of member station WDET reports.

A dispute between Broadway's musicians and the League of American Theatres and Producers ends in compromise. With New York City's economy losing an estimated $7 million a day since musicians struck on Friday, Mayor Michael Bloomberg calls representatives together to settle differences. Jeff Lunden reports.

Joe Albany was an acclaimed bebop pianist, a band mate of legendary jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker -- and a heroin junkie. In her new memoir, Lowdown: Jazz, Junk, And Other Fairytales From Childhood, author A.J. Albany recalls her turbulent life with her troubled, talented father. Tom Vitale reports.

HBO is now airing the second season of Project Greenlight, a reality TV show that focuses on aspiring screenwriters and directors who earn a chance to make a movie for Miramax. Winners star in a behind-the-scenes look at the movie business. But what happens to those who miss the cut? NPR's Lynn Neary reports.

The latest romance in Hollywood is between filmmakers and Los Angeles public schools. Location scouts say school campuses are among their favorite settings for movies, TV shows, music videos and commercials. And schools strapped for cash are grateful for their lucrative cameos. NPR's Mandalit del Barco reports.

Sam Miltich is an 18-year-old who lives in the Minnesota woods and plays jazz guitar in the style of Django Reinhardt. He practiced for nine hours a day to become good enough to play in Amsterdam with one of Europe's hottest swing guitar groups -- and also at Lincoln Center. Chris Julin of Minnesota Public Radio reports.

British actor Alan Bates has died of cancer at the age of 69. Bates starred in such films as Zorba the Greek, The Fixer and Georgy Girl. He was also a renowned Shakespearean actor who went on to win a Tony Award in 2002 for his role in Fortune's Fool on Broadway. NPR's Steve Inskeep reports.

The Return of the King, the last film in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, heads the Academy Awards race with 11 nominations, including best picture and best director. Master and Commander gets 10 Oscar nods. NPR's Kim Masters reports.