The final Broadway performance of the Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess is September 23rd. The production won two Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Musical.

The last melody in the show, after an entire night of [Bess] singing and being raped and kicked and beaten and all of this stuff, is ‘Summertime,’ and it’s a lullaby, and it’s high, and it has to be high and pretty and sung to a baby,” she says. “And it freaks me out that after all this, I have to sound high and pretty and fresh. And I’m always holding onto that baby, going, ‘I know you’re just a doll, but help me.’

—Audra McDonald on what it’s like to sing such a strenuous role

Do you remember singers bursting into song on Fresh Air?

We’re planning a 25th anniversary show and we’re trying to compile a medley of artists bursting into song spontaneously during their interviews with Terry. So far, we’ve found:

Jay-Z, James Brown, Al Green, Paul McCartney and George Clinton.

But there have to be more. Can you think of any? If you can, please let me know. (mkramer AT whyy DOT org)

Alices on Fresh Air

Waters (food)

Cooper (music)

in Wonderland (movie review)

Sebold (author)

in Wonderland (book review)

Great, okay. You know, I love hearing people sing, whether they sing well or not. If they love music, I love hear them. And I passionately believe that you should be allowed to sing and enjoy singing even if you don’t sing well.

— Terry Gross Interviewing Ed Helms (via tinyapartment)