Every other week, the editors of American Theatre curate a free-ranging discussion about the lively arts in our Offscript podcast.

This week, editors Rob Weinert-Kendt, Suzy Evans, and Diep Tran review the new PBS documentary Hamilton’s America (airing Oct. 21). Was it educational? Is it a good substitute for landing tickets to Hamilton? And Suzy talks about the 24-hour-long show she went and lived to tell the tale, regaling us with her stories from Taylor Mac’s A 24-Decade History of Popular Music: 1776-2016.

Then Rob sits down with Lynn Nottage (again) during tech rehearsal for Sweat at the Public Theater, which traces the effect of deindustrialization in Pennsylvania—a hot topic in this fraught election cycle.

Download the episode here. Subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Suzy recommends Heisenberg on Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club, starring Mary-Louise Parker and Denis Arndt. This intermission-free two-hander will probably make its way soon to a resident theatre near you.

Diep went to one of Rob’s favorite places on Earth, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, and particularly enjoyed Lisa Loomer’s Roe, which she found both rousing and educational. It’s finishing up its run at OSF on Oct. 29 and will next play Arena Stage in Washington, D.C (Jan. 12-Feb. 19).

Rob took his 7-year-old to Cirque du Soleil’s Kurios on Randall’s Island and rediscovered his love for the Montreal circus juggernaut (his son loved it too).

Plus, we all recommend you read Michael Paulson’s New York Times profile of Public Theater artistic director Oskar Eustis, which talks about how he’s used theatre as a way to heal following the death of his son.