Every other week, the editors of American Theatre curate a free-ranging discussion about the lively arts in our Offscript podcast.
This week, we have brand-new microphones (they’re orange). To celebrate, editor-in-chief Rob Weinert-Kendt, senior editor Suzy Evans, associate editor Diep Tran, and editorial assistant Allison Considine have a wild party (the Andrew Lippa version). We debate the merits a revival of his The Wild Party at New York City Center’s Encores! Off-Center, starring Sutton Foster, which we all saw (an AT rarity). We also talk the latest news in gender parity: the Count from the Dramatists Guild, and an exciting counting project of our own, as well.
Our guest this week is Susan Booth, the Jennings Hertz artistic director of Alliance Theatre in Atlanta. Diep talks to her about how she got that title, white privilege (and how to define it), the value of the blind play submission process, and how new plays are way better than classics.
Download the episode here. Subscribe via iTunes or RSS.
This week’s recommendations:
- (Mary) Todd by Dennis Bush, as part of the Fresh Fruit Festival of LGBT works. The festival is running until July 26.
- Ada/Ava from Manual Cinema at 3-Legged Dog, for anyone who likes shadow puppetry or is curious about shadow puppetry. Catch them in NYC until July 26 or see their work in Chicago.
- Julie Klausner and Billie Eichner’s new Hulu series “Difficult People.” It’s not random, it’s filled with theatre people!
- Julie Klausner’s podcast: How Was Your Week, particularly that episode where she interviews Alex Timbers.
- And Rob has a question for all of you: Does the way a play/musical is originally cast affect subsequent productions? And what’s a good name for a disability-themed magazine issue? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
