First hour: Comedian John Cleese
Second hour: Understanding dementia, and the impact of music on memory
We're joined by legendary actor, writer, and comedian John Cleese. He'll be in Rochester next month for a screening of "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" at the Kodak Theatre. Cleese joins us to discuss his career and the impact Monty Python has had on the development of modern comedy. We'll also discuss the role of comedy and satire in today's political climate. Our guests:
- John Cleese
- Chris Thompson, comedian, engineer, and activist
- Allison Roberts, founder of Estrofest comedy troupe and co-founder of Impact Interactive
- Dr. Terry Browne, professor emeritus of theatre at SUNY Geneseo, and author of "Playwright’s Theatre: The English Stage Company at the Royal Court Theatre"
Then in our second hour, an expert in Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia says there are a number of misconceptions about the conditions, and he wants families to understand that people can live well with those diagnoses. One method proven to be effective in engaging people with dementia is personalized music. It's the subject of a remarkable documentary called "Alive Inside," part of the Reel Mind Theatre and Film Series. The film follows a social worker who brings iPods to people living with dementia at nursing homes; once many of the patients hear music from their past, it sparks memories in ways human interaction could not. We'll discuss the role music has in opening pathways in the brain, and the latest in Alzheimer's and dementia research with our guests:
- Dr. Al Power, M.D., Schlegel Chair in aging and dementia innovation at the Schlegel--U. Waterloo Research Institute for Aging
- Brian LeBlanc, Alzheimer's patient and advocate
- Robin Lombardo, northeast regional director for Music & Memory
