Webb Plays Up, Up and Away

Jimmy Webb is 83 years old. The songwriter performed "Up, Up and Away" on stage. The performance anchors a new collection of stories for public television viewers.

The program, available through the Passport streaming library, profiles artists across classical music and theater. It features pianist Dmitry Yudin, who moved from Moscow to the United States to join his older sister. Violinist Nathan Meltzer first played the instrument in Vienna during elementary school.

Keila Wakao started violin lessons at age three. She was raised in a musical household. Cellist Leland Ko discusses how his teachers shaped his path. Robert "Silk" Mason makes a long-awaited debut on Broadway.

Actor Luke Evans returns to theater in "The Rocky Horror Show." Marla Mindelle serves as star and co-creator for the production "Titaníque." Conductor Gemma New leads an orchestra with a focus on collective musical experience.

Allison Taylor, a violinist, traveled to India and realized she knew little about the instrument. Bassoonist Eleni Katz shares her journey at New World Symphony. James, born in Austin, decided early on to play violin. Cellist Tommy Mesa began with drums before switching to cello.

Joshua Brown picked up the violin at age two, following his brother. A quartet includes Lucy Wang and Hao Zhou on violin, Aiden Kane on viola, and Tate Zawadiuk on cello. The series also asks what happens when a RuPaul's Drag Race winner takes on Broadway on her own terms.

Daniel Dae Kim, a Tony nominee, returns to his theatrical roots. Andrew Durand, also a Tony nominee, is profiled behind the scenes. Jasmine Amy Rogers takes on a major role as a Tony nominee. The final segment features an all-star cast at London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane.

Julian Rhee won a 2024 Avery Fisher Career Grant Award. The Balourdet Quartet, violinist Njioma Chinyere Grevious, Sandbox Percussion, and pianist Clayton Stephenson also received the 2024 award. Each is profiled in the series.