India.Arie, Elizabeth Gilbert, Lily Tomlin, Baratunde Thurston and More To Be Featured on Jones’ Podcast Debuting April 14
MINNEAPOLIS, MN—April 13, 2017—Public Radio International® today announced the launch of “Playdate with Sarah Jones”, a new podcast hosted by Tony-winning performer and writer Sarah Jones. Debuting April 14, 2017, the bi-weekly podcast takes listeners on a “Playdate” between a featured guest and Sarah, and her multi-cultural cast of characters. Guests include Grammy, Tony and Emmy-winning actress and writer Lily Tomlin, Grammy-winning singer-songwriter India.Arie, best-selling author Elizabeth Gilbert, comedian and commentator Baratunde Thurston, and more.
“PRI bridges gaps across all kinds of perspectives. We share powerful stories, find common ground and create experiences that matter to people,” said Alisa Miller, CEO of Public Radio International. “Sarah is truly a singular creative spirit – a rare person who brings together many viewpoints that matter, openly with humor and hope. We couldn't be more thrilled to launch the ‘Playdate with Sarah Jones’ podcast, whose characters open our eyes – and ears – to perspectives we might not always hear but are glad we did.”
“I’m thrilled to bring the multi-cultural ‘cast’ of characters from my shows to new audiences in such an intimate way. And I’m excited for listeners to join me–right in my own living room–as I get to play with guests whose work I love,” says Jones. “Plus, as a solo performer, this podcast is really teaching me to play well with others, including my awesome co-producers at PRI.”
Expect the unexpected as Sarah and her guests discuss everything from the creative process to their personal journeys, never knowing which characters might pop up next. In a heartbeat, Sarah might become anyone from Lorraine, an elderly grandma still figuring out Facebook, to Rashid, a male hip-hopper adjusting to gentrification, to college student and feminist Bella who, like, totally, like, loves how AH-mazing the guests are.
Jones is best known to theater audiences for “Bridge & Tunnel”, which was originally produced by Meryl Streep and became a critically acclaimed hit on Broadway. Last fall, her New York Times Critics’ Pick, one-woman show “Sell/Buy/Date”—an exuberant show inspired by the real-life experiences of people affected by the sex industry—had its world premiere at Manhattan Theatre Club. She has also given three multi-character TED talks, which have millions of views, and has performed at The White House and The Clinton Global Initiative. Jones and her work, called “a master of the genre” by The New York Times, are celebrated for their humanitarian approach to character and story through the lens of multiculturalism.
The podcast is co-produced by Sarah Jones and PRI. For the past 33 years, PRI’s reporting and storytelling has provided information and insights to help people live more successfully in our interconnected world.
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ABOUT PUBLIC RADIO INTERNATIONAL
PRI is building a more informed, empathetic, and connected world by creating multi-platform content that empowers people to benefit their lives and the world. PRI’s award winning content reaches more than 18 million people each month, through over 900 public radio stations in the U.S. and PRI.org, and millions more through podcasts and social media. An affiliated company of WGBH, PRI produces PRI’s The World®, The Takeaway (a co-production with WNYC), and Studio 360® from PRI and WNYC. It produces in-depth reporting on topics including gender equity (Across Women’s Lives), conflict reporting (GlobalPost Investigations), international security, and American identity and immigrant life (Global Nation). It represents public radio programs including Science Friday, q from the CBC and The Tavis Smiley Show. Major philanthropic supporters include The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, The Corporation for Public Broadcasting, The Ford Foundation, The Henry Luce Foundation, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the Annenberg Foundation.
ABOUT SARAH JONES
Called "a master of the genre" by The New York Times, Sarah Jones is a Tony® and Obie Award-winning performer and writer, perhaps best known for her multi-character, one-person Broadway hit Bridge & Tunnel, originally produced by Oscar® winner Meryl Streep. Renowned as “a one woman global village”, she has also given multiple main-stage "TEDtalks" garnering millions of views, performed at The White House at the invitation of President and First Lady Obama, and given an historic performance at The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland. Jones is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador performing for audiences around the world, and raising awareness of issues including ethnic, racial, and economic disparities in the U.S as well as empowerment of women and girls. In addition to her Fall 2016 run of Sell/Buy/Date at MTC, she is currently developing various multimedia projects based on her characters. Learn more about Sarah’s ongoing projects at www.sarahjonesonline.com or via social media at @jonesarah on Twitter and @xosarahjones on Instagram and Facebook.