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RadioWest Films presents unique stories with a focus on Utah. Each week, we’ll present a short documentary drawing from a variety of styles: story driven, conceptual, profiles and more. It’s a place for film lovers to watch innovative storytelling and to meet Utah’s most talented filmmakers.And there are some films that we just want to keep talking about. Here's a collection of radio conversations paired with our short films. Think of it this way ... stories you hear, stories you see.

Avenue Q and the Art of Puppetry

Tuesday, we're taking on full-puppet nudity with the musical Avenue Q and a look at the history of puppetry. Muppet-style characters may remind you of Sesame Street, but with songs like "The Internet Is For Porn," it's obvious Avenue Q is not for kids. The scholar Eileen Blumenthal says it's only been a century since puppets were "ghettoized" to children's entertainment. Doug talks to Blumenthal and others about a craft and tradition that may have you thinking differently about your cuddly puppet friends.

The University of Utah's Department of Theatre is staging Avenue Q at the Babcock Theatre through November 24. For tickets and information, click here or call 801-581-7100

Watch a short documentary with Jennifer Barnhart about what it means to bring an inanimate object to life. On-line at VideoWest

Guests:

  • Bob Mondello, NPR Arts Critic
  • David Schmidt, Department of Theatre, University of Utah; Director, Avenue Q
  • Jennifer Barnhart, Original Broadway Cast Member, Avenue Q, Artist-in-Residence for the University of Utah's production of Avenue Q
  • Eileen Blumenthal, Professor of Theater Arts at Rutgers University and author of Puppetry: A World History [Amazon | Indiebound
Doug Fabrizio has been reporting for KUER News since 1987, and became News Director in 1993. In 2001, he became host and executive producer of KUER's RadioWest, a one hour conversation/call-in show on KUER 90.1 in Salt Lake City. He has gained a reputation for his thoughtful style. He has interviewed everyone from Isabel Allende to the Dalai Lama, and from Madeleine Albright to Desmond Tutu. His interview skills landed him a spot as a guest host of the national NPR program, "Talk of the Nation." He has won numerous awards for his reporting and for his work with RadioWest and KUED's Utah NOW from such organizations as the Society of Professional Journalists, the Utah Broadcasters Association, the Public Radio News Directors Association and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.