As you take your seats in the theatre, the lights dim and a voice says “Please locate the nearest exits, turn off all cellular devices, and if you should wish to partake of hard candy during the performance, please Unwrap Your Candies Now…” and then the show begins! Ernie Manouse and Catherine Lu invite you into the world of the performing and visual arts, through conversations with the personalities who bring that world to life. Each episode of UYCN features lively conversations with colorful characters — helping the listener connect with the ideas and people who are shaping today’s pop culture landscape.
As you take your seats in the theatre, the lights dim and a voice says “Please locate the nearest exits, turn off all cellular devices, and if you should wish to partake of hard candy during the performance, please Unwrap Your Candies Now…” and then the show begins! Ernie Manouse and Catherine Lu invite you into the world of the performing and visual arts, through conversations with the personalities who bring that world to life. Each episode of UYCN features lively conversations with colorful characters — helping the listener connect with the ideas and people who are shaping today’s pop culture landscape.

In this episode of the podcast “Unwrap Your Candies Now,” Ernie Manouse chats with award-winning director and veteran actor, Shirley Jo Finney. Finney talks about the art of directing and her latest project as director of The Ensemble Theatre’s production of The Green Book. Inspired by The Negro Motorist Green Book, this play by Calvin Alexander Ramsey runs January 23–February 23.
Then, Catherine Lu interviews Natalie Lin, artistic director and founder of Kinetic. Lin talks about the risks she took to form this unique ensemble five years ago. A kind of “indie rock band” in classical music, Kinetic is a conductorless chamber orchestra that performs standing up, communicating through the energy and motion of body language and gesture, while also championing new music. Kinetic presents Flight + Fugue: A Special Fifth Anniversary Concert on January 26 at 6pm at MATCH.
Share your comments, questions and ideas at UYCN@houstonpublicmedia.org.
Music used: Plus tôt by Alexandra Stréliski from Inscape, Fallingwater by Michael Daugherty performed by KINETIC and Pelimannit by Einojuhani Rautavaara performed by KINETIC