Best Of: Broadway legend André De Shields / Apache Chef Nephi Craig

July 25, 2026

AI Summary

5 min read

Broadway Legend André De Shields and Apache Chef Nephi Craig: Two Stories of Survival and Purpose

André De Shields, at 80 years old, is simultaneously starring in two Broadway productions—Cats: The Jellicle Ball and the film version of Hadestown, the musical that earned him a Tony in 2019. He has been HIV-positive since 1991, a time when the diagnosis was effectively a death sentence. Yet when Terry Gross asked if he ever believed he'd reach 80 and still be performing, his answer was characteristically firm: "I believed from my very first conscious thought that my destiny would rise up and meet me."

The Hermes Who Knows Where He's Been

De Shields plays Hermes in Hadestown, the god who escorts souls across the river Styx to the underworld. Preparing for the role, he returned to the Greek myths and also recalled an African proverb based on the Sankofa bird, a flightless creature that walks forward but periodically looks over its shoulder. The lesson: "If you do not know where you're coming from, where you've been, you can't possibly know where you're headed, where you're going."

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What you'll learn

1 (00:00) **Episode Introduction** - Terry Gross previews the two main interviews: Broadway legend André De Shields and Apache chef Nephi Craig.
2 (02:47) **André De Shields: Early Life and Career Setup** - Gross introduces De Shields as a Broadway legend, noting his Tony win for *Hadestown*, his HIV-positive status since 1991, and his path from Baltimore to the stage.
3 (05:57) **Facing HIV and Mortality** - De Shields discusses his belief in his own destiny despite an HIV diagnosis that was once a death sentence.
4 (09:48) **The Meaning of *Hadestown* and Hermes** - De Shields reflects on how *Hadestown* connects to stories about life and death, and how he prepared for the role.
5 (11:49) **Performing at 80** - De Shields explains how he manages the physical demands of performing at his age.
6 (14:06) **On Ballroom Culture and Drag** - De Shields connects the new *Cats: The Jellicle Ball* to his early experiences with drag performance.
7 (17:47) **Commitment to Being His Best Self** - De Shields explains his philosophy of wearing bright colors and walking slowly.

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Show Notes

At the age of 80, André De Shields is now on Broadway in “CATS: The Jellicle Ball.” He won a Tony in 2019 for his performance in “Hadestown” and co-stars in the new movie of the revival. He talks with Terry Gross about his Broadway debut in the original production of ‘The Wiz,’ living with HIV for almost 50 years, and why he walks like a king.

Also, White Mountain Apache Chef Nephi Craig explains how cooking and teaching about indigenous foods saved his life. His memoir is ‘Our Knives Will Save Us.’

John Powers reviews Will Ferrell’s new series ‘The Hawk.’

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