Play On Podcasts

The Way I Am Now podcast host & acclaimed performer Dionne Lea Williams has put together three exceptional pieces of bonus content to accompany our Play On Podcast series, “Pericles”, which provide a unique and illuminating way to discover new aspects of this whimsical and inspiring tale. This is the first episode of the 3-part series featuring actor Jennie Greenberry who plays the roles of Marina...

Welcome to the sixth episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Pericles. Synopsis: Marina convinces Lysimachus to renounce his ways, wins Bolt over and escapes the brothel. She gains notoriety across the land for her singing, dancing and artistry, until Lysimachus summons her to help minister a strange man on a regal ship who is beside himself with grief. Play On Podcasts Series Pericles is produced...

Welcome to the fifth episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Pericles. Synopsis: Marina, now grown, is the envy of all of Tarsus, much to the chagrin of the jealous Dionyza, who conspires to have her killed by her servant, Leonine. Overpowered by pirates who kidnap Marina, Leonine leaves her for dead and they take her to Myteline, where she is sold to a brothel. There, she drives her captors mad wi...

Welcome to the fourth episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Pericles. Synopsis: Bereft of his bride, Pericles surrenders her body to the sea and makes for Tarsus to ride out the storm. There, he gives over care of his newborn daughter, Marina, to Cleon and Dionyza, who vow to care for her as their own. Meanwhile, Thaisa’s coffin washes ashore at Ephesus, where it is retrieved by a group of physic...

Welcome to the third episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Pericles. Synopsis: Pericles wins Simonides’ jousting tournament and falls in love with the king’s daughter, Thaisa, who he weds on the island of Pentapolis. Meanwhile, Helicanus learns that King Antiochus and his daughter are dead and convinces the Lords of Tyre to give Pericles one more year to complete his journey. Pericles receives wo...

Celebrated playwright Ellen McLaughlin discusses her career as a performer and writer, her relationship with Shakespeare, and the unique challenge of translating Pericles into modern English for Play On Shakespeare and Next Chapter Podcasts for the Play On Podcasts Series. Listen to the full episode on Play On Premium for an ad-free audio experience featuring full plays and bonus content interview...

Welcome to the second episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Pericles. Synopsis: Pericles arrives in Tarsus on a Peace vessel filled with stores of wheat and grain which he offers to feed the starving people of Tarsus, thus winning the loyalty and adoration of King Cleon, Queen Dionyza, and all their subjects. His respite is brief, as Helicanus sends word from Tyre that Antiochus’s forces are in h...

Acclaimed performer Kathleen Chalfant, who played the role of Gower for the podcast series of Pericles, discusses her career, her involvement in iconic productions like Angels in America and Wit, the work of Pericles and her hopes for the future of American Theatre.  The Play On Podcasts Series Pericles is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and is made possible by the generous support of The Hitz F...

Welcome to the premiere episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Pericles. Synopsis: Young Pericles, Prince of Tyre, travels from his home to the distant and dangerous realm of Antioch to solve a tricky riddle in order to win Antiochus’s beautiful daughter. Instead, he wins the wrath of Antiochus himself and flees home empty handed, fearing not only for his life but for the safety of his people. Fol...

Shakespeare’s timeless tale about a man who loses everything only to find what matters most. Hear the trailer for the Play On Podcast series Pericles from Next Chapter Podcasts' scripted fiction division. This is where Theatre meets Podcast, combining the modern-day audio phenomenon with the power of live performance. Play On Podcasts are epic audio adventures re-imagining timeless tales, featurin...

Hear where it all comes from as groundbreaking sound designer and composer of the Play On Podcasts series Macbeth, David Molina, takes us on a journey through his creative process and history. Listen to the full episode on Play On Premium for an ad-free audio experience featuring full plays and bonus content interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. Go to NCP...

Macbeth Sound Engineer Daniel Benshimon shares the story of his path to becoming an Emmy Award-winning recording engineer and sound designer including anecdotes from his career and the unique challenge of capturing and refining sound for Macbeth and the forthcoming Play On Podcast Pericles. Listen to the full episode on Play On Premium for an ad-free audio experience featuring full plays and bonus...

This is the seventh & final episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: Macbeth seeks Seyton’s counsel and vows to fight to the death after learning of his wife’s fate. Meanwhile, Malcolm, Ross and Lennox confer on their battle plans. With nothing left to lose, the usurping king takes to the battlefield to prove the Witches prophecies. Macbeth is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and...

It’s time to Play On! Play On Shakespeare’s Executive Director Kamilah Long gets the lowdown on “Macbeth”, Shakespeare, Podcasts, and everything in between from Play On CEO and Creative Director, Dr. Lue Douthit. Listen to the full episode on Play On Premium for an ad-free audio experience featuring full plays and bonus content interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it al...

This is the sixth episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: Meeting in England, Malcolm tests Macduff’s honesty and loyalty. Their plans to overthrow Macbeth are interrupted by Ross, who delivers shocking and tragic news to Macduff. In Scotland, Lady Macbeth sleepwalks through her palace, re-living the horror of Duncan’s murder under the watchful eye of a doctor and her attendant....

Macbeth Casting Co-Directors Karyn Casl, CSA, and Ada Karamanyan explain what casting is, how it works, the challenges and rewards of the job and the pleasure of putting together the cast for Macbeth as the lead-in to the many Shakespeare translations forthcoming in the Play On Podcasts Series produced by Next Chapter Podcasts. Listen to the full episode on Play On Premium for an ad-free audio exp...

This is the fifth episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: The witches gather for a raucous ritual which is interrupted by Macbeth, who demands to know the future of his throne. Enraged by what he sees, Macbeth vows to kill Macduff, who has fled the country. Meanwhile, Ross visits Lady Macduff in an effort to comfort her in her husband’s absence. Bereft of her husband, Lady Macduf...

Macbeth Director Edward Torres talks about how he fell in love with theatre in south Chicago, the evolution of his relationship with Shakespeare as these human stories are meant to be consumed and performed by BIPOC & LGBTQ community members, as well as his deep respect and appreciation for his friend, playright Migdalia Cruz's search for truth in the work. The Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth is p...

This is the fourth episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: Inside their private chamber, Macbeth confides in his wife. That evening, the murderers attack Banquo and his son, Fleance, on the Palace Woods Road. Later that night, in the King’s Banquet Stateroom, Macbeth greets his guests in public, and his hired killers in private. Macbeth struggles to overcome a ghostly sight. The...

Migdalia Cruz and Ishia Bennison: Playwright Migdalia Cruz talks about her translation of “Macbeth” with actor and dramaturg Ishia Bennison. Hear how they found each other through the common thread of this classic tale, and all the layers of complexity they discovered along the way! The Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and is made possible by the generous suppor...

This is the third episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: A drunken porter greets Macduff and Lennox at the castle gate. Macduff discovers a gruesome scene within. Duncan’s son, Malcolm, flees for his safety. Ross, Lennox and Macduff hastily plan their next steps. Banquo harbors suspicions about the newly coronated King Macbeth. Fearing his position is not secure, Macbeth employs...

Armando Riesco and Zabryna Guevara discuss their careers, their artistic relationship, their journey into and out of the roles of Macbeth and Lady Macbeth, and the challenges of navigating the personal and professional upside-down world of pandemic isolation. The Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and is made possible by the generous support of The Hitz Foundation...

This is the second episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: Lady Macbeth welcomes her husband home after reading his letter about his encounter with The Witches. Together, they plot the murder of King Duncan. Duncan arrives at Macbeth’s castle. After supper, Banquo is unsettled and sends his son, Fleance, to bed. Macbeth bids them both goodnight before he follows a frightening vis...

Listen a behind-the-scenes conversation with three drag superstars about Shakespeare, the drag world, acting, performing, and podcasting during the pandemic, and the ever-present need for equity, diversity and inclusion throughout the performing arts.  The Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts and is made possible by the generous support of The Hitz Foundation. New e...

Welcome to the premiere episode of the Play On Podcasts Series Macbeth. Synopsis: First, a Conjuring. Then, King Duncan, inside his battleground tent with his son Malcolm, learns from the wounded Macduff of Macbeth’s triumph over the rebel, Macdonald. Duncan names Macbeth Thane of Cawdor. Meanwhile, returning from the war, Macbeth and Banquo take cover from a storm in a cave, where they meet the w...