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The Life And Work Of Jean Shepherd

Steve Scher
12/10/2010 at 9:00 a.m.

Storyteller Jean Shepherd's voice lives on in the holiday movie classic "A Christmas Story," based on his childhood. His career however, was far bigger than modern audiences might remember, including a regular radio program, and numerous books and movies. Today we reflect on Shepherd's work and enjoy a live in–studio performance of songs from the musical adaptation of his Christmas classic.

Related Event

The Musical adaptation of "A Christmas Story" runs now through December 30, at the 5th Avenue Theater in downtown Seattle. Call 206.625.1900 for more information, or see website below.

Guest(s)

Eugene Bergmann is a Jean Shepherd historian and author of the book "Excelsior You Fathead! The Art and Enigma of Jean Shepherd." He's currently working on another book that deals with previously unknown material about Shepherd.

Irwin Zwilling is the executor of Jean Shepherd's estate, his former accountant and Shepherd's best friend during the last couple of decades of his life. Irwin has also hosted various sports radio programs since 1992.

Benj Pasek and Justin Paul are a musical theater writing team. Their first show was called "Edges." Their current projects include the musical adaptation of Roald Dahl's "James and the Giant Peach," "Dogfight" a new musical commissioned by Lincoln Center Theater, and "A Christmas Story" at Seattle's 5th Avenue Theater. They are the youngest winners of the Jonathan Larson Award and served as series songwriters for Disney Channel's four–time Emmy nominated series "Johnny and the Sprites."