Circle Round

Brittany Ishibashi (Runaways, Hawaii Five-O) stars in a Japanese and Persian tale about facing the music and changing your tune.

Ellen Wong (Beacon 23, GLOW) headlines a Chinese legend about how the dragon came to be a powerful symbol of prosperity and luck.

Jorma Taccone (The Lonely Island, Spider-Man: Across the Spiderverse) stars in a tale from Hawaii about a fisherman whose magical gift leads to a fishy situation.

Ahmed Mawas (Human Resources, Rescuing Christmas) plays a king with a knack for finding the truth and sealing the deal in this tale from Persia.

Negin Farsad (Fake the Nation, Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!) and Stacey Vanek Smith (Planet Money, The Indicator) face off in a battle of wits in this tale with roots in North America, China, and the Middle East.

Kel Mitchell (Good Burger 2, Kenan and Kel) plays a hungry rhino with a gift for trickery and poetry in this African tale from the savanna.

Maulik Pancholy (Phineas and Ferb; Mira, Royal Detective) and Nikesh Patel (Four Weddings and a Funeral, The Devil’s Hour) headline this Indian story that asks what's more precious: glittering jewels, or good friends?

Recorded live at CitySpace at The Lavine Broadcast Center in Boston, Mass., this German tale about unconditional love explains the enchanting origins of a classic holiday tradition.

Christina Anthony (Mixed-ish, Key & Peele) and Tony winner Lindsay Mendez (Carousel, Merrily We Roll Along) play a one-of-a-kind horse and rider in this enchanted tale from across the Spanish-speaking world and beyond.

Brittany O'Grady (Little Voice, The White Lotus) stars in a Native American tale about a cunning creature who uses teamwork to bring light, sun and fire to the dark, cold world.

Helen Hong (Family Switch, The Thundermans) stars in a tale with English, Welsh, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Indian roots about how imagination and effort affect supply and demand.

NPR’s Ailsa Chang (All Things Considered) headlines a Chinese tale about a mysterious guest, a raging storm, and the true fruits of kindness.

Aasif Mandvi (The Daily Show, Evil) and Madhur Jaffrey (Madhur Jaffrey's Curry Nation, I Feel Bad) co-star in this Indian story about a wise king, a generous shoemaker, and a priceless pair of shoes.

Veteran Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me! panelists Tom Bodett and Roxanne Roberts co-star in a Dutch tale about a treasure so precious, it's priceless, and so valuable, it's invaluable!

Comedian Alonzo Bodden (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me!, Heavy Lightweight) headlines this African legend about how one animal’s mischief created the savanna’s most majestic, magical trees.

Kimberly Guerrero (Spirit Rangers, Reservation Dogs) stars in a tale from the Lakota people about one thieving fox and four wise winds.

Faith Salie (Wait, Wait... Don't Tell Me, CBS Sunday Morning) stars in a Jewish legend about a princess who learns how to lead with her head and her heart.

NPR's Rachel Martin (Up First, Enlighten Me) and Ayesha Rascoe (Weekend Edition, Up First) co-star in a Hungarian tale about a violinist, a wizardess, and listening to the music of your heart.

Joshua Johnson (The Night Light with Joshua Johnson, Now Tonight with Joshua Johnson) headlines this international tale about losing your heart and finding an adventure.

Julian Lerner (The Wonder Years, Alma's Way) stars in a Ukrainian tale about how high-flying risks can pay off in the end.

Anjali Bhimani (Overwatch, Stray Gods) stars in this Moroccan Jewish tale about a woman who doesn’t view chores as a barrel of fun, until they lead to a boatload of adventure!

Byron Mann (The Modelizer) plays a preening, boastful bird in this Latin American story about learning there's no "I" in team.

Broadway star Liana Hunt (Back to the Future) headlines this tale with Polish and Hispanic roots about seeing the bright side, even when things get dark.

Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu (Everything Everywhere All At Once, The Monkey King) headlines this magical Vietnamese tale about the sweet rewards generosity and contentment can bring.

Announcing an exciting new way for you to Circle Round with us, support public radio and get some really cool stuff — welcome to the Circle Round Club! Also check out the preview of one of our bonus bedtime stories: a tale we call “The Lighthouse of the Pampas,” from the South American country of Uruguay.

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this Chinese courtroom drama explores truth, justice, and the elephant way.

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this West African tale shows why dishonesty is definitely not the best policy!

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and a star-studded cast, this tale from Borneo features a tiny trickster who untangles a problem by tying it up in knots!

Saara Chaudry (The Muppets Mayhem, Holly Hobby) stars in this tale from India and beyond about good deeds, bad intentions, and biscuits. Lots of biscuits.

Vivien Lyra Blair (Obi-Wan Kenobi, The Boogeyman) headlines this story from the indigenous peoples of Sibera about a supernatural spirit with a very cold shoulder.

In this Native American and First Nations tale, William Jackson Harper (The Good Place, Love Life) portrays a tiny creature who teaches the other animals and birds to appreciate what it means to be different.

Hannah Simone (New Girl; Mira, Royal Detective) stars alongside her real-life father Naren Simone in a South Asian tale about the power of self-reliance.

Richard Kind (Inside Out, American Dad!) stars in this Middle Eastern folktale about a clever man who teaches his village a thing or two about the dangers of judging a book by its cover.

Miles Brown and Marsai Martin (Black-ish) co-star with NPR veteran Ofeiba Quist-Arcton in this Ethiopian story about courage, collaboration, patience, and sibling love.

Recorded live at KCRW in Santa Monica, CA, this story with international roots shows how having a soft spot for hard work can pay off -- big time!

Recorded live at KCRW in Santa Monica, CA, this story from Thailand, Laos, and Malaysia gives a whole new meaning to "promising the moon"!

Recorded live at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, this African tale explains how the guinea fowl got its distinctively speckled feathers.

Recorded live at Round House Theatre in Bethesda, MD, this tale from the Jewish tradition shows how misplacing our trust can put us in a sticky situation!

Willam Mapother (Lost, On Sacred Ground) headlines this Romanian tale about a story-less man who hopes his tale will end happily ever after!

Pablo Castelblanco (Alaska Daily, Ganymede) and Meredith Holzman (Alaska Daily, Inventing Anna) headline a story with Burmese and Indian roots about a humble peddler, a magic squirrel, and a golden opportunity.

Taylor Richardson (The Gilded Age) and Alison Wright (The Americans, Snowpiercer) co-star in this Irish tale about mischievous fairies and the power of music.

Stephanie Panisello (What If...?, Ba Da Bean) stars in a Filipino tale about the sweet role kindness can play in achieving your dreams.

Nazneen Contractor (Holidazed, Star Wars Resistance) plays a cunning barber whose wits are as sharp as her scissors in this clever Bengali tale.

Comedians Fortune Feimster (Good Fortune, FUBAR) and Tom Papa (What a Day!, You're Doing Great!) face off in a contest of brawn versus brains in this tale with roots across Europe, and Latin and North America.

Broadway performer Brittney Johnson (Wicked) stars in an Estonian story about being able to control the weather -- and the responsibility such power brings.

In this magical tale from Japan, Marc delaCruz (If/Then, Hamilton) plays a lowly cook whose kitchen scraps bring him a golden reward.

Mel Rodriguez (The Afterparty, CSI: Vegas) stars in this Ecuadorian tale about a talented architect who has a devil of a time meeting a seemingly impossible deadline.

Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Three Pines) and Jonathan Joss (King of the Hill, Tulsa King) star in this Wabanaki tale about how people first learned to tap maple trees.

Jackie Chung (The Summer I Turned Pretty, Coming Home Again) and Louis Ozawa (Hunters, Pachinko) star in this rollicking tale from Africa about how the zebra got its stripes and the baboon got its bare bottom.

We celebrate our 200th episode with two Circle Round alums -- Jon Jon Briones (Ratched, Class of ‘09) and Kathleen Chalfant (The Affair, House of Cards) -- starring in a Jewish tale about how revenge is a dish best served cold.

Tallie Medel (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Cocoon Central Dance Team) headlines this Moroccan Jewish tale about how pursuing your passion can be music to everyone’s ears.

Eric Bauza (Bugs Bunny Builders, Woody Woodpecker) and Harry Shum Jr. (Everything Everywhere All At Once, Crazy Rich Asians) star in an Indonesian story about a bad egg who winds up in a real pickle when he tries having his cake and eating it too.

Kyla Pratt (Call Me Kat, The Proud Family) headlines this Ethiopian story about the power of facing your fears.

Diana Lee Inosanto (The Mandalorian, The Curious Mind of Sebastian) and Myrna Velasco (Elena of Avalor, Trick-or-Treat Scooby-Doo!) star in this Venezuelan story about loyalty, courage, and the supernatural power of friendship.

Jennifer Hale (Stars Wars: The Clone Wars, Mass Effect) and Connor Ratliff (Dead Eyes, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) star in this tricky tale about donkeys, ducats, and being a good neighbor.

Trinity Jo-Li Bliss (Avatar: The Way of Water, The Garcias), Jen Cohn (Welcome to Chippendales, Star Wars: The Old Republic) and America Young (Barbie, Gotham Knights) star in a classic folktale about the unexpected upside of imperfection.

In this Taiwanese tale starring Karen Huie (Welcome to Flatch, Abominable and the Invisible City), a town learns the bad taste it can leave when you bite off more than you can chew!

Liza Lapira (The Equalizer, Must Love Christmas) and Telly Leung (Allegiance, Warrior) star in this folktale from Japan about good days, bad days, and the gift that keeps on giving.

Scott Lawrence (Star Wars Resistance, Vader Immortal) stars in this African legend about how the hippopotamus came to be the decidedly distinctive creature it is today.

Katy Mixon (American Housewife, Minions) and Diedrich Bader (American Housewife, Veep) headline this Seneca tale about an industrious squirrel and the sneaky critters who pilfer her prized acorns.

Comedian Aparna Nancherla (The Standups, Corporate) stars as a rambunctious cooking vessel in this Danish and Middle Eastern story about generosity and greed.

Broadway stars Lorna Courtney (& Juliet) and Shoba Narayan (Aladdin) face off in this Indian legend about a tiny bird who opens up a farmer’s eyes in a big way.

Christopher Sean (Star Wars Resistance, Gotham Knights) stars in this Vietnamese tale about two friends, one dream, and the infinite value of a true heart.

Steve Coulter (Shotgun Wedding, She-Hulk: Attorney at Law), Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella), and Mark Gagliardi (Blood and Treasure, Drunk History) star in this Spanish and Portuguese story about how true beauty is only skin deep.

In this favorite tale from the archives, Raegan Revord (Young Sheldon) plays a generous young woman who proves that small gestures of kindness can make a big difference.

This Indian tale starring Summer Bishil (The Magicians, Four Samosas) and Michael Maliakel (Aladdin on Broadway) tells how the first chess game came to be, while teaching a powerful lesson about the ripple effects of our actions.

In this courtroom tale with roots in Chinese lore, Michelle Ang (The Bad Batch, Riddle Me This) plays a wise judge who proves that dishonesty and justice just don't mix.

In this Cherokee story, Q'orianka Kilcher (Yellowstone, Dora and the Lost City of Gold) plays a clever rabbit who craftily tries pulling the wool — and fur — over everyone’s eyes.

In this tale with Finnish roots, Christopher Rivas (Call Me Kat, Brown Enough) plays a sly fox who tricks a pair of bullies into reaping what they sow.

Inspired by a tale from Armenia, this story starring Amber Nash (Archer, How To Ruin The Holidays), Bill Ratner (Family Guy, G.I. Joe), and Alondra Delgado (All American, Is Mejor to Say ADIÓS) shows how small risks -- and acts of kindness -- can pay off in big ways.

Amirah Vann (A Jazzman’s Blues, Underground) and Jim Conroy (Jellystone, FETCH! with Ruff Ruffman) star in this Panamanian tale about a slow, steadfast tortoise who teaches a swift, stingy monkey about sharing.

In this favorite tale from the archives, Adam Irigoyen (Away, Shake It Up) plays a fiddler whose magical instrument brings the world to its feet, and the guilty to their knees.

Kennedy Kanagawa (Into The Woods) plays a young man who brings light to a dark world in this tale with roots in Alaska Native and First Nations legends.

Jonica Booth (Rap Stuff) and Jay Pharoah (Out of Office, Saturday Night Live) co-star in this West African tale about a clothing-obsessed goddess and a crafty, colorful chameleon.

In this magical story with roots all over the world, Broadway performers Bret Shuford and Stephen Hanna (Broadway Husbands) play farmers who receive a little magic that leads to big transformations!

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this tale with Indian, Irish, and Jewish roots proves that wishes can come true —sometimes all at once!

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Burmese folktale imagines why the thrush's colors are in its voice, not its feathers.

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Korean tale offers an enchanting explanation about why cats and dogs don’t get along.

Recorded live at Tanglewood with members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and an all-star cast, this Korean tale offers an enchanting explanation to why cats and dogs don’t get along.

Kate Siegel (Midnight Mass, The Time Traveler’s Wife) plays a struggling farmer who learns the true value of wisdom in this tale with origins in Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Scotland, Wales, and the Jewish tradition.

Kaniehtiio Horn (Letterkenny, Reservation Dogs) stars in an Aboriginal Australian tale about a koala whose overbearing pride makes her lose her pride and joy!

Duchess Sarah Ferguson of York (Storytime with Fergie) and Suzie McGrath (Star Wars Resistance, The Punies) star in this charming tale about the importance of having a sound, sensible head, and a warm, fuzzy heart.

Colin Hanks (Life in Pieces, Jumanji) stars as a precocious little brother whose curiosity earns him a royally big reward in this Norwegian adventure story from the Circle Round archives.

Della Saba (Zootopia, Physical) headlines an Indonesian and Malaysian tale about a teeny-tiny trickster who outsmarts the other animals with her big wit.

Bashir Salahuddin (Top Gun: Maverick, South Side) stars in a Ghanaian tale about legendary eight-legged trickster Anansi, and why all spiders have narrow waists.

Krys Marshall (For All Mankind) stars in a West African story about an honest fisherwoman, a haunted forest, and a flute with value beyond compare.

In this season-3 story with roots in West Africa, the Caribbean and Latin America, Ryan Michelle Bathé (This Is Us, First Wives Club) plays a clever Rabbit who discovers that power and strength aren't just about physical size.

Mykal-Michelle Harris (Mixed-ish) stars as a discontented sapling in this classic "grass is always greener" tale from our third season.

Dyllón Burnside (POSE, Prideland) and Tony nominee Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice, School of Rock - The Musical) co-star in this Australian story from the archives about small critters, giant egos, and why frogs croak.

Tony Award winner Lea Salonga (Miss Saigon, Les Misérables) headlines this Marshallese tale from our fourth season about how the first sailboat came to be.

Anjali Bhimani (Special, Ms. Marvel) and Adriyan Rae (Chicago Fire, The Game) co-star in this Korean, Cambodian, and Kazakh tale about the importance of spreading stories far and wide.