On the Saturday July 19, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse we meet Louise Pitre. Often hailed as Canada’s first lady of musical theatre, she is a Tony-nominated actress renowned for her powerful performances on Broadway and across North America and Europe. Best known for originating the role of Donna Sheridan in “Mamma Mia!,” she has also played Fantine in “Les Misérables” and Edith Piaf in “The Angel & the Sparrow” among many others. Today we talk about “Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812,” an innovative musical from Mirvish that follows Natasha’s scandalous affair and Pierre’s existential crisis amidst the backdrop of 19th-century Moscow, drawn from Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.”

Then, we’ll meet British author, academic, and adventurer Robert Macfarlane. A Cambridge University fellow, Macfarlane’s work often reflects his deep engagement with wild places, from ancient pathways to subterranean realms, earning him acclaim for his evocative prose and environmental advocacy. Today we talk about his new book “Is a River Alive?” a book that suggests rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings, who should be recognized as such in both imagination and law.  

<p>On the Saturday July 19, 2025 edition of The Richard Crouse we meet Louise Pitre. Often hailed as Canada&rsquo;s first lady of musical theatre, she is a Tony-nominated actress renowned for her powerful performances on Broadway and across North America and Europe. Best known for originating the role of Donna Sheridan in &ldquo;Mamma Mia!,&rdquo; she has also played Fantine in &ldquo;Les Mis&eacute;rables&rdquo; and Edith Piaf in &ldquo;The Angel &amp; the Sparrow&rdquo; among many others. Today we talk about &ldquo;Natasha, Pierre and The Great Comet of 1812,&rdquo; an innovative musical from Mirvish that follows Natasha&rsquo;s scandalous affair and Pierre&rsquo;s existential crisis amidst the backdrop of 19th-century Moscow, drawn from Tolstoy&rsquo;s &ldquo;War and Peace.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Then, we&rsquo;ll meet British author, academic, and adventurer Robert Macfarlane. A Cambridge University fellow, Macfarlane&rsquo;s work often reflects his deep engagement with wild places, from ancient pathways to subterranean realms, earning him acclaim for his evocative prose and environmental advocacy. Today we talk about his new book &ldquo;Is a River Alive?&rdquo; a book that suggests rivers are not mere matter for human use, but living beings, who should be recognized as such in both imagination and law.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who are not only part of pop culture but helping create the pop culture we enjoy. Recent guests include Fresh Off the Boat star Randall Park, comedian Greg Proops, Toy Story 4 star Tony Hale, Muppet master Brian Henson, Emily Mortimer, Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley, superstar English novelist Ian McEwan, best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James and many others.

The Richard Crouse Show Podcast

Every week THE RICHARD CROUSE SHOW features in depth conversations with the actors, writers and movers-and-shakers who create the pop culture we enjoy. Recently Fresh Off the Boat's Randall Park talked about working as a barista while starring on a TV show. Best-selling Black Leopard, Red Wolf author Marlon James described why Miles Davis is an integral part of his writing process and  Woman Enough: How a Boy Became a Woman and Changed the World of Sport author Kristen Worley detailed how she blazed a trail for gender diversity in sport. Join Richard and his guests for relaxed,  revealing and in-depth conversations.