Podcast Summary: The Book Case – "Delia Ephron Takes Broadway"

Release Date: December 12, 2024

Hosts: Charlie Gibson & Kate Gibson
Guest: Delia Ephron
Additional Feature: Leslie Huerta of Francie and Finch Bookstore

Introduction to the Episode

In this captivating episode of The Book Case, hosts Charlie and Kate Gibson delve into the remarkable journey of Delia Ephron as she transitions her deeply personal memoir, Left on 10th, into a Broadway play titled Left on 10th. The episode not only highlights Delia's courageous adaptation process but also features an inspiring segment with Leslie Huerta, the founder of Francie and Finch, an independent bookstore in Lincoln, Nebraska.

Delia Ephron's Journey: From Memoir to Broadway

Discussion Highlights:

• Memoir Overview:
  Charlie Gibson provides a brief recap of Delia Ephron's memoir, Left on 10th, detailing her personal struggles, including the loss of her husband, battling leukemia, and finding new love at the age of 72. The memoir's transformation into a Broadway play is praised for its emotional depth and bravery.

• Adapting to Broadway:
  Delia shares her initial disbelief and amazement at adapting her memoir into a play. She discusses the complexities of condensing her extensive life experiences into an hour and forty-minute performance while infusing humor into harrowing subjects.

  "I can almost find humor in anything... I learned as a writer to move between dark and light."
  — Delia Ephron [13:25]

• Collaboration with Susan Stroman:
  Delia recounts meeting renowned theater producer Susan Stroman, whose guidance was pivotal in shaping the play. Their collaboration ensured that the adaptation retained the essence of her story while embracing the theatrical elements necessary for Broadway.

  "Susan Stroman is so musical and has this amazing choreographer. There's this darling tap dancing sequence... so beautiful."
  — Delia Ephron [12:06]

• Casting and Chemistry:
  The hosts express their admiration for the casting choices of Juliana Margulies and Peter Gallagher, emphasizing the palpable chemistry between the actors that brings Delia's love story to life on stage.

  "If you don't have the chemistry in a romance, you know, you don't have a romance. And we have the most beautiful chemistry."
  — Delia Ephron [10:11]

• Handling Criticism and Reviews:
  Delia discusses her approach to reviews, stemming from her parents' disdain for critics. She reveals that she doesn't read reviews, maintaining her focus on personal satisfaction rather than external validation.

  "I don't read reviews ever. I have friends who are critics, but I don't read them, so I don't know anything about them."
  — Delia Ephron [28:22]

• Personal Reflections and Future Projects:
  Delia reflects on the emotional experience of watching her play live from the audience and shares her enthusiasm for future projects, including a potential musical collaboration with composer Eric Shore.

  "It's been amazing and it was even more successful than I thought it would be."
  — Kate Gibson [38:21]

Rapid Fire with Delia Ephron

Delia participates in a rapid-fire segment, sharing personal anecdotes and favorite moments related to theater and her work:

• Favorite Theater Experience:
  "Seeing Chorus Line the first time was probably the most exciting experience."

  — Delia Ephron [27:26]

• Congratulations Gift on Opening Night:
  "Stroh gave me a street sign that said East 10th Street. I think it's on my mantle."

  — Delia Ephron [28:02]

• Advice to Juliana Margulies:
  "We think our friendship is Beshearte... everybody in this process is Besheart and Juliana."

  — Delia Ephron [29:08]

Segment: Leslie Huerta and Francie and Finch Bookstore

Overview:

The latter part of the episode shifts focus to Leslie Huerta, the passionate owner of Francie and Finch, an independent bookstore in Lincoln, Nebraska. Leslie shares her inspiration, challenges, and triumphs in maintaining a thriving bookstore in the digital age.

Key Points:

• Inspiration Behind Francie and Finch:
  Leslie reveals that the bookstore's name is inspired by literary characters Francie Nolan from A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird. Her love for books and inspiration from a resurgence of independent bookstores led her to open Francie and Finch in 2016.

  "Francie Nolan was a little girl in a book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Scout Finch was in To Kill a Mockingbird... sentimental choices for us."
  — Leslie Huerta [32:47]

• Overcoming Industry Challenges:
  Despite the increasing dominance of online retailers and digital books, Leslie remained steadfast in her passion. She highlights the importance of community support and leveraging resources like the American Booksellers Association (ABA) for training and networking.

  "I dreamt every night what I would do, how... I was just really, really enamored with the idea."
  — Leslie Huerta [33:30]

• Building Francie and Finch from Scratch:
  Leslie describes the process of selecting an ideal location in an historic telephone company building, emphasizing the architectural charm and suitability for a bookstore.

  "This building is beautiful. It was built in 1894. It looks like a bookstore."
  — Leslie Huerta [35:55]

• Balancing Ownership and Personal Life:
  As a business owner, Leslie balances hands-on management with delegating responsibilities to her dedicated staff, ensuring the bookstore remains a vibrant community hub.

  "I have staff there. I can do the ordering, I can do the communications, the marketing, the social media."
  — Leslie Huerta [37:09]

Final Thoughts and Closing

The episode concludes with a light-hearted exchange about naming hypothetical bookstores after favorite literary characters, reinforcing the hosts' and guest's deep affection for literature. Delia Ephron's resilience and Leslie Huerta's entrepreneurial spirit serve as inspiring examples for listeners passionate about books and storytelling.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Delia Ephron on Humor in Tragedy:

  "I can almost find humor in anything... I learned as a writer to move between dark and light."
  [13:25]

• Leslie Huerta on Bookstore Naming:

  "Francie Nolan was a little girl in a book, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Scout Finch was in To Kill a Mockingbird... sentimental choices for us."
  [32:47]

• Delia Ephron on Collaboration:

  "Susan Stroman is so musical and has this amazing choreographer. There's this darling tap dancing sequence... so beautiful."
  [12:06]

Conclusion

"The Book Case" episode featuring Delia Ephron and Leslie Huerta offers listeners an enriching exploration of literary adaptation and the enduring charm of independent bookstores. Through heartfelt conversations and insightful reflections, the hosts illuminate the profound connections between authors, their stories, and the vibrant communities that support them.

This summary captures the essence of the episode, highlighting key discussions, insights, and memorable quotes to provide a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.