The Drama Book Show!

Discover the history and artistry behind stage lighting in a conversation with Michael Chybowski, author of What Is Lighting Design?: A Genealogy of People and Ideas. Chybowski traces 500 years of innovation—from the Renaissance to today—showing how ideas, technology, and artistry have shaped the craft of lighting design and its role in performance. A celebrated freelance designer and Associate Pr...

In this episode, we dive into The Complete Works of Jane Austen, Abridged, a fast-paced, 80-minute romp through all of Austen’s beloved heroines, friends, and incisive social satire. Three nimble actors bring Austen’s masterpieces to life with humor, heart, and wit, making it a delight for both Janeites and newcomers. The conversation features the play’s creative team: Jessica Bedford, Kathryn Mac...

In this episode, we’re joined by Salisha Thomas, in conversation with TyNia René Brandon, to talk about Salisha's book, Why Be a 9 When You Can Be a 10. Part memoir, part motivational guide, the book shares Salisha’s journey from self-doubt to Broadway stardom, offering tools to help readers step into their full potential. With humor, honesty, and empowering stories, she shows how to conquer rejec...

Award-winning Broadway director Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages, bare, Dear Dumb Diary) joins us to discuss her debut book, God, Sex, and Musical Theatre: Meditations for Unlocking the Powerful Self. Through poetry, musings, and autobiographical reflections, Kristin explores faith, desire, creativity, and self-expression, showing how spirituality, sexuality, and artistry intersect in the life of a cr...

Join us for a lively conversation with actor and writer Maddie Corman and creativity coach and author Naomi Vladeck, moderated by Tony-nominated director and author Kristin Hanggi. Together, they’ll explore themes from Vladeck’s book Braving Creativity: Artists Who Turn the Scary Thrilling Messy Path of Change into Courageous Transformation, which shares the powerful stories of women artists—inclu...

Stan Zimmerman, the creative force behind The Golden Girls, Roseanne, and Gilmore Girls, joins us to discuss his new memoir, The Girls: From Golden to Gilmore. From a gawky Jewish boy in Detroit dreaming of Hollywood to a celebrated writer, producer, director, and playwright, Stan shares stories of his friendships with remarkable women, journal entries from his early career, and behind-the-scenes...

In this episode, playwright Miranda Rose Hall joins Robert Duffley and Geoff Kanick of LubDub Theatre Co to discuss To Tell a Story About the Earth—a playful, inventive piece that’s part traditional play and part MadLib-style guide to creating original theatre about the natural world. Blending artistry, collaboration, and climate awareness, the conversation dives into how this ensemble-driven work...

In this episode, Javier Muñoz—star of Hamilton and In the Heights—sits down with author Daniel Pollack-Pelzner to explore Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Education of an Artist, the definitive look at how a creative kid from Washington Heights became one of the most influential storytellers of our time. Drawing from over 150 interviews, Pollack-Pelzner traces Miranda’s journey from high school musicals to...

In this episode, David Rigano sits down with Chris Adams, author of Out for Blood: A Cultural History of Carrie the Musical, for a deep dive into one of Broadway’s most notorious flops turned cult sensation. Joined by Tony and Olivier Award winner Jak Malone (Operation Mincemeat), composer Joe Iconis (Be More Chill), and some unforgettable audience cameos, the conversation explores the chaotic ori...

More than fifty years after Jesus Christ Superstar first shocked, thrilled, and redefined what a musical could be, we revisit the rock opera’s journey with journalist and playwright Ellis Nassour. Author of the definitive book on the making of Superstar, Nassour takes us behind the scenes of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s early collaborations, the risky leap from record to stage, and the contr...

In this episode, we explore three essential books on the craft of playwriting: Letters to a Young Playwright by Adam Szymkowicz, Playwriting with Purpose and Writing Adaptations and Translations for the Stage by Jacqueline Goldfinger. The discussion covers practical advice for early-career and emerging playwrights, from developing characters and writing dialogue to adapting works for stage perform...

In this episode, we explore Tommy Jamerson’s dynamic plays Amityville ‘74, The House on Haunted Hill, and The Jungle Book. Amityville ‘74 delves into the chilling events at the infamous Dutch Colonial where Ronald “Butch” Defeo committed a horrific family murder. The House on Haunted Hill brings Vincent Price’s classic to life with a twisted, humorous story of greed, ghosts, and betrayal. The Jung...

Step into the world of audio drama with Barry M. Putt, Jr., renowned dramatist, screenwriter, and author of Stories Told Through Sound. This episode explores the essentials of crafting engaging audio dramas, including creating compelling characters, developing exciting plot twists, and building scripts that resonate with audiences. Drawing on his prolific career—over fifty audio dramas for compani...

Think you know Broadway inside and out? In this episode, we sit down with theater historian, author, and Broadway commentator Peter Filichia to test your stage smarts. His latest book challenges even the most seasoned fans with brainteasers spanning decades of musicals—from Cats to Dear Evan Hansen. We’ll explore how he crafted these puzzles, swap a few tricky questions, and talk about what makes...

In this episode, playwright and memoirist Alvin Eng joins Shoshana Greenberg of the Thornton Wilder Society to discuss his book Our Laundry, Our Town. Eng reflects on growing up as the son of Chinese immigrants in 1970s Flushing, Queens—balancing life inside his parents’ hand laundry with the turbulent, inspiring world outside. His memoir traces the journey from punk rock and downtown theater to d...

In this episode, we explore Blood Type: RAGU, written and performed by Frank Ingrasciotta. This hilarious and heartfelt solo play follows Frank’s journey as the son of Sicilian immigrants in Brooklyn, blending food, family, and forgiveness in a story that’s equal parts comedy and drama. Having wowed audiences Off-Broadway and beyond with over 1,200 performances worldwide, Blood Type: RAGU showcase...

Mark-Eugene and Dylan dive into auditions, on-camera work, stage fright, and Dylan’s college journey. Later, David speaks with Ellen Novack about her book Taming the Cyclops, a guide to mastering on-camera auditions. With decades of experience as a casting director and teacher at Yale, Juilliard, and beyond, Ellen shares invaluable insights that have shaped the careers of actors like Lupita Nyong’...

Mark-Eugene and Dylan share stories from their performing journeys before David sits down with voice teacher Gabriel Weiner to discuss his book How to Sing Without Thinking. A celebrated singer, actor, and teacher, Weiner offers a fresh approach to singing—one rooted in trust, emotion, and rediscovering the voice we’re all born with. His philosophy: if you can laugh, cry, or speak, you can sing. L...

Mark-Eugene and Dylan kick things off with an update on their latest playwriting adventures. Then, Paul Wontorek (Broadway World) sits down with six-time Tony nominee Chad Beguelin to discuss his debut novel Showmance—a funny and heartfelt story about a failed Broadway writer, a community theater revival, and the unexpected romance that blooms in his small hometown. Beguelin, known for The Prom, A...

In this episode, Mark-Eugene and David chat with playwright Sophie McIntosh and director/producer Nina Goodheart, co-founders of Good Apples Collective. They discuss their upcoming production Road Kills, their creative partnership, and the mission behind their collaborative work. Sophie’s plays spotlight queer voices, small-town life, and the wild ways animals mirror us. Nina brings stories to lif...

In a special twist for this episode, David interviews Mark-Eugene Garcia during a Friday the 13th birthday book signing celebrating the publication of his three plays: With Bated Breath, Eight Tales of Pedro, and Goat Blood. They dive into Mark-Eugene’s two-decade journey as a Chicano playwright—from his first musical Up in the Air, which evolved into the wild, sex-fueled satire With Bated Breath,...

In this special Pride episode, Mark-Eugene and Dylan team up with DPS/Broadway Licensing for an author roundtable celebrating queer voices in the theatre. Moderated by Emmy-winning journalist Patrick Pacheco, the conversation features an all-star panel: Charles Busch (The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Vampire Lesbians of Sodom), C.A. Johnson (All the Natalie Portmans), Michael Korie (Grey Gardens,...

In season 2 episode 8, Mark-Eugene and Dylan spotlight two favorite non-binary playwrights, then introduce a panel celebrating the groundbreaking anthology Beyond the Binary: Eight Non-Binary Plays. Though non-binary voices have a rich theatrical history, they’re still underrepresented on today’s stages. Beyond the Binary shifts that narrative with short plays exploring identity at the intersectio...

In this episode, playwrights David, Mark-Eugene, and special guest Dylan Glick discuss their playwriting journeys, creative processes, favorite writers, and best advice for fellow dramatists. Later, David interviews playwright and professor Justin Maxwell about his book The Playwright’s Toolbox—a dynamic resource filled with exercises from nearly 60 playwrights, designed to guide writers through e...

In this special bonus episode, Mark-Eugene introduces the conversation as guests Jonathan Spector and Jessica Hecht sit down with Ruthie Fierberg to discuss the Tony-nominated play Eureka Day. From the origins of the script to its powerful themes, they explore the story behind the show and its journey to Broadway. The Tony countdown continues! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/a...