Anna Deavere Smith lets it down easy

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Hour 2

Actress, playwright and author ANNA DEAVERE SMITH comes in to the Radio Times studio to discuss her one-woman show, “Let Me Down Easy” which explores the failing American healthcare system, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and other stories of the human body and its inherent resilience. Like many of her one-woman shows, she bases her characters on interviews of real people and uses their words verbatim. This time she interviewed more than 300 people from three continents about their illnesses and care-givers and speaks for 20 of them. Some of the voices she channels are a boxer, Rwandan killers and cyclist and cancer survivor Lance Armstrong. Smith’s social commentary and unique theatrical presentations are a part of her long list of acting credentials. She’s a recurring character on Showtime’s Nurse Jackie and played Nancy McNally, national security advisor, on NBC’s The West Wing. Some of her feature film roles include The American President, Dave and Rachel Getting Married.

The Philadelphia Theater Company presents “Let Me Down Easy” at the Suzanne Roberts Theater at Broad and Lombard Streets through April 10, 2011.

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[audio: 032411_110630.mp3]

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