Casting is an underrated art. There used to be an Academy Award for it, and there probably still should be. We honor actors, but not the people who pick the perfect actor for the role, so that actor doesn't have to act quite so much.
"Downton Abbey" is immaculately cast, and the choice of Elizabeth McGovern to play Cora, the Countess of Grantham, seems especially nuanced and inspired. Cora is an American Jew, a transplant to English nobility, who wears all the status and tradition comfortably without fully buying into it. McGovern herself is a transplant, married to a British director for 22 years, long enough to slip effortlessly into Cora's skin.
McGovern is also known for her musical career with Sadie and the Hotheads, where she sings, writes, and collaborates with six other musicians to bring vivid, varied styles of songs to the world.
On this show, McGovern chats about how it feels to be part of a cast of characters who acts like family on and off set, how "Downton" has changed her public life, the evolution of her band, and of course most importantly (we jest), whether or not she kisses George Clooney in the upcoming season.
You can catch Sadie and the Hotheads at Infinity Music Hall and Bistro in Norfolk on Friday, December 12, and then on Sunday, December 14, they'll be at Infinity's Hartford location, where you can be a part of a live taping of the show for CPTV.
Then, check out an amazing concert by Winterpills in WNPR's Studio 3, as they talk about their latest album, "Echolalia", which features covers of songs by Beck, Sharon Van Etten, Buddy Holly, Lisa Germano, The Go-Betweens, and The Beatles, and more.
You may stream Winterpills live online from their studio on December 12 and see them play in Northampton, MA on December 13.
Comment below, email Colin@wnpr.org, or tweet @wnprcolin.
GUESTS:
- Elizabeth McGovern is an actress known for her work in "Ordinary People" and "Downton Abbey", and she's a singer with Sadie and the Hotheads
- Philip Price sings vocals and plays guitar with Winterpills
- Flora Reed sings vocals and plays keyboard with Winterpills
Catie Talarski contributed to this show.
