Selected Shorts Episode Summary
Podcast Information:
- Title: Selected Shorts
- Host/Author: Symphony Space
- Description: Our greatest actors transport us through the magic of fiction, one short story at a time. Sometimes funny. Always moving. Selected Shorts connects you to the world with a rich diversity of voices from literature, film, theater, and comedy. New episodes every Thursday, from Symphony Space.
- Episode: Romance of the Summer
- Release Date: June 12, 2025
Introduction: Embracing Summer's Magic
Host: Meg Wolitzer
Opening Remarks:
Meg Wolitzer sets the stage for "Romance of the Summer," reflecting on the unique allure of summer. She shares personal anecdotes about summer camps and the lasting impact of those experiences, highlighting the season's blend of vibrant energy and nostalgic memories.
"Summer always meant sleepaway camp... our dog Max. Watching Gilligan's Island and Bewitched. Our mom, Spaghetti."
— Meg Wolitzer [00:08]
Meg emphasizes summer's distinctive rituals—beach trips, ice cream truck jingles, and long days—which create a magical backdrop for the stories to be shared.
First Story: "The Miraculous Beach or Prize for Modesty" by Massimo Bontempelli
Reader: Hugh Dancy
Origin: Adapted from the Penguin Book of Italian Short Stories, edited by Jhumpa Lahiri
Summary:
Set in a fear-stricken Rome during a relentless heatwave, the story portrays a city deserted by its inhabitants who flee the blistering sun. Amidst this backdrop, a steadfast couple, protagonists Aminta and her partner, choose to remain in the city. Their story unfolds with romantic undertones as Aminta surprises her partner with a beautiful bathing suit, symbolizing their enduring love and the creation of their own serene world despite external chaos.
Notable Quotes:
"I feel like a magician who has gestured hypnotically and produced an elephant from thin air. I know I am not alone in my wonder."
— Hugh Dancy [16:17]
"With my cheek resting on her cool arm, I whispered, your modest desires deserve a prize."
— Hugh Dancy [16:17]
Key Themes:
- Resilience in Love: Despite the city's abandonment, the couple's bond remains unshaken.
- Creating Personal Sanctuaries: Aminta's initiative to design a bathing suit represents crafting a personal haven amidst turmoil.
- Romantic Escapism: Their private world contrasts sharply with the public chaos, illustrating love's power to transform and transcend.
Host Commentary: Reflecting on Apocalyptic Romance
Meg Wolitzer:
After Hugh Dancy's poignant rendition, Meg contemplates whether the story is a "heady little fantasy or a fever dream," drawing parallels to Death in Venice with its apocalyptic undertones. She muses on the allure of creating a new world within a relationship, separate from the external realities.
"I think all of us have entertained a selfish little reverie somewhere along these lines."
— Meg Wolitzer [17:23]
Meg relates the story to her own preference for indoor settings, humorously connecting it to her role as host.
Second Piece: "A Case for Remaining Indoors" by Samantha Irby
Reader: Retta
Summary:
Samantha Irby delivers a comedic and incisive monologue critiquing the romanticized view of summer. She expresses a strong preference for winter and indoor activities, humorously detailing the inconveniences of summer heat and outdoor social expectations. Irby's essay covers topics like air conditioning, fashion frustrations, and the absurdities of summer gatherings, all while advocating for the comfort and solitude of staying indoors.
Notable Quotes:
"Wouldn't you rather be dead than hot? I am 100% over people pretending that open mouth breathing in 1000% humidity... is the jam."
— Samantha Irby [18:56]
"I really wish you and everyone else would do everything else in the privacy of your homes too. I never have to go outside again because one my boyfriend, the television is inside."
— Samantha Irby [26:24]
Key Themes:
- Humorous Critique of Summer Stereotypes: Irby dismantles the idyllic portrayal of summer through witty observations.
- Preference for Indoor Comfort: She champions the joys of staying indoors, using humor to highlight the drawbacks of summer activities.
- Personal Anecdotes: Irby's relatable stories about fashion, social gatherings, and the allure of television add depth to her comedic critique.
Host Commentary: Embracing the Indoors
Meg Wolitzer:
Meg aligns herself with Irby's indoor preferences, sharing her own aversion to summer heat. She humorously mentions her environment—a windowless, air-conditioned recording studio—as a sanctuary, resonating with Irby's sentiments.
"I remember as a teenager asking my friends that time honored, thought provoking Socratic question, which would you rather die from overheating or freezing? I was and am firmly in the freezing camp."
— Meg Wolitzer [57:27]
Meg humorously imagines comparing her listeners to "a summer's day" while being snug indoors, reinforcing the episode's dual exploration of summer romance and the contrasting love for indoor comforts.
Third Story: "Thrill of the Grass" by W.P. Kinsella
Reader: Denis O'Hare
Origin: A longtime Short’s favorite, drawing from Kinsella's rich connection to baseball narratives
Summary:
Denis O’Hare narrates a nostalgic tale set in 1981 during a baseball players' strike. A former shortstop, now a locksmith, is consumed by his longing for baseball, which leads him to a deserted ballpark. There, he meets a fellow baseball enthusiast, and together they embark on a clandestine mission to restore natural grass to the stadium. Their actions become part of a larger ritual involving like-minded individuals who yearn to preserve the authenticity of the game. The story intertwines themes of community, memory, and the enduring passion for baseball.
Notable Quotes:
"It was lonely as a ghost town. And what is it you do up there alone with the pigeons?"
— Denis O'Hare [34:53]
"Our secret Rites have been performed with love, like delivering a valentine to a sweetheart's door."
— Denis O'Hare [57:27]
Key Themes:
- Nostalgia for the Past: The protagonist's memories of playing baseball highlight a deep-seated longing for simpler times.
- Community and Ritual: The secretive group’s efforts to restore grass symbolize a collective desire to maintain tradition and authenticity.
- Passion for Baseball: The story celebrates the game's beauty, community, and the personal connections it fosters.
Host Commentary: Appreciating Baseball's Elegance
Meg Wolitzer:
Despite not being a baseball fan herself, Meg shares a familial connection to the sport. She appreciates the story’s depiction of baseball's elegance and the nostalgia it evokes, illustrating her recognition of the season's sentimental value.
"All that sensual seasonal imagery has left me in a poetic state."
— Meg Wolitzer [57:27]
Meg connects the narrative to her own life, mentioning her family's involvement with baseball and the poetic resonance of the story's imagery, enhancing the episode's exploration of summer's multifaceted nature.
Conclusion: The Duality of Summer Love and Indoor Comfort
Meg Wolitzer wraps up the episode by balancing the romantic allure of summer with the humorous and relatable critiques of its inconveniences. She invites listeners to embrace both the magical and the mundane aspects of the season, whether they're basking outdoors or enjoying the comforts of indoor spaces.
"Shall I compare thee to a summer's day? While I know thou art lovely, thou also art somewhere far away from my air conditioned recording studio."
— Meg Wolitzer [57:27]
Meg encourages listeners to find their own "summer love," whether it's through romantic escapades or the simple joys of staying indoors, encapsulating the episode's rich exploration of summertime experiences.
Notable Production Credits:
- Produced By: Jennifer Brennan and Sarah Montague
- Team Includes: Matthew Love, Drew Richardson, Mary Shimkin, Vivienne Woodward, and Magdalene Robleski
- Readings Recorded By: Myles B. Smith
- Performance Locations: Getty Center in Los Angeles, Symphony Space in New York City, and other venues nationwide
- Theme Music: David Peterson's "That's the Deal," performed by the Dierdorf Petersen Group
- Support: Dungannon Foundation, New York State Council on the Arts
Join the Conversation: Listeners are encouraged to subscribe and stay connected with "Selected Shorts," exploring more enchanting stories and diverse voices each week.
This episode of "Selected Shorts" masterfully intertwines narratives that celebrate summer's romance and its subtle challenges, delivered through compelling performances and insightful host commentary. Whether through the passionate love story in a deserted Rome, the humorous resistance to summer's demands, or the nostalgic reverence for baseball, listeners are invited to reflect on their own summer memories and preferences.