The Drama Book Show!

In this episode, veteran producer Julian Schlossberg discusses My First Book—Part 2, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from his six decades in film, theater, and television. Hear his experiences with legends like Peter Falk, Elaine May, Mike Nichols, and John Cassavetes, along with reflections on running his own Castle Hill Productions for nearly 40 years. Moderator Renee Taylor, Emmy- and Academy Award-nominated actor and playwright, guides the conversation, offering insights into the art, business, and humor of a career spent at the heart of show business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into Justin Borak’s plays Community Garden and Cabin Chronicles. Community Garden follows Ralph’s first volunteer shift at Uptown City Gardens, exploring how tending to a shared green space can cultivate connection, humor, and even love. Cabin Chronicles is a horror comedy where three teens compete to tell the scariest stories while navigating the trials of high school and friendship. The conversation is moderated by Aaron Burstein, highlighting Borak’s signature blend of comedy, heart, and personal experience as a Lebanese-American playwright. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore Just Another Day, a charming and witty play about a comedy writer and a sophisticated poet in their seventies who meet daily on a park bench to exchange barbs, memories, and reflections on love—if only for that day. We also dive into the remarkable career of Dan Lauria, whose work spans stage, film, and television—from Broadway roles in Lombardi and A Christmas Story: The Musical to iconic TV appearances in The Wonder Years and This Is Us. We discuss his lifelong devotion to theatre, collaborations with Wendie Malick, and his efforts to nurture new plays through the Durango Play Festival. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we spotlight Ngozi Anyanwu and her compelling plays. In Good Grief, Nkechi, a med-school dropout and first-generation Nigerian, navigates first loves, losses, and the stars in search of answers. In The Homecoming Queen, Kelechi returns to Nigeria after fifteen years to care for her father, confronting family, culture, and past traumas. The Last of the Love Letters offers a tender exploration of love, choices, and the difficult act of saying goodbye. We also discuss Ngozi’s remarkable career. A 2020 Steinberg Playwright Award winner, her works have been produced at Atlantic Theatre Company, Vineyard Theatre, Center Theatre Group, Steppenwolf, and more. Her plays have appeared on the Kilroys List, earned Humanitas and Leah Ryan honors, and she has been commissioned by leading theaters such as Two River and The Old Globe. Ngozi also directs and teaches, shaping the next generation of theater artists. This conversation is moderated by Chi Chi Anyanwu. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we spotlight playwright and performer Becca Schlossberg, an award-winning, non-binary writer whose work fearlessly explores identity, trauma, myth, and survival. Best known for Just Like I Wanted, a globally produced drama confronting teen suicide, Becca discusses a body of work that spans intimate realism, reimagined mythology, and bold theatrical experimentation—from 3boys and Discus to Dybbuk Bat Mitzvah and The Untold Yippie Project. We talk about blending humor and darkness, adapting ancient stories for modern audiences, and what it means to write toward healing. Becca also shares insight into their work as a stand-up comedian, solo performer, and filmmaker, as well as upcoming projects including their first novel, The Clearing, and a new anthology, The Inner Child Plays. A conversation about storytelling as survival, reinvention, and radical honesty. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special event, Suzie Miller, Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright of Prima Facie, joins writer and performer Nora Brigid Monahan for a signing and talkback on Miller’s debut novel adaptation of her acclaimed play. Prima Facie follows Tessa Ensler, a brilliant defense barrister whose faith in the law is shattered when she becomes the victim of sexual assault—and must face the very system she once defended. Raw, urgent, and unforgettable, Miller’s story exposes the barriers survivors face in pursuit of justice while demanding change from within the legal system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kevin Winkler discusses On Bette Midler: An Opinionated Guide. The book traces the rise of the Divine Miss M from the Continental Baths to mainstream stardom, exploring her impact on gay, Jewish, and feminist culture, as well as her influence across stage, film, music, and activism. Moderator Charles Kirsch, the young host of Backstage Babble, guides the conversation, offering insider insights into Midler’s enduring legacy and the evolution of her bold, iconic persona. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A special podcast episode exploring the new anthology Every Day a Little Death, released on what would have been Stephen Sondheim’s 95th birthday. Edited by Josh Pachter, this collection brings together twenty short crime stories—each inspired by a song from one of Sondheim’s twenty musicals, from Saturday Night to Here We Are. Listeners will hear from Josh and a number of contributing authors as they discuss how Sondheim’s lyrics and characters inspired their tales of mystery, suspense, and dark humor. With writers from both the crime fiction world and the theater community, the anthology blends two traditions into something witty, chilling, and full of Sondheimian Easter eggs for fans to uncover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we dive into a little-known side of Stephen Sondheim—the master composer’s lifelong love of puzzles, games, and brain-twisting challenges. Based on Barry Joseph’s fascinating new book Matching Minds with Sondheim, this conversation uncovers how Sondheim’s “puzzler’s mind” shaped not only his legendary musicals but also the treasure hunts, crossword puzzles, parlor games, and elaborate game designs he crafted for friends and collaborators. Joseph shares insights from rare, never-before-seen Sondheim puzzles, dozens of interviews with those who played his games, and deep archival research that reveals a new dimension of Sondheim’s genius. Listeners will learn how these playful creations offered joy, clarity, and connection—and even try their hand at Sondheim-inspired puzzles themselves. It’s a delightful, surprising journey into the mind of a maestro unlike any other. Learn more at MatchingMindsWithSondheim.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we explore the evolving world of intimacy direction through The Intimacy Coordinator’s Guidebook: Specialties for Stage and Screen. Author Brooke M. Haney—one of the first 50 intimacy coordinators recognized by SAG-AFTRA—joins us to unpack the book’s deep dive into the profession, from cultural competency to working with minors, queer intimacy, disability, trauma, and more. They’re joined by guest experts Cha Ramos and Leo Mock, who share their own experiences shaping safer, more thoughtful rehearsal rooms across stage and screen. Bringing together insights from over 30 contributors, this episode illuminates how intimacy professionals collaborate with actors, directors, fight choreographers, mental-health coordinators, and cultural specialists to build responsible, resonant storytelling. Whether you’re a director hiring an IC, a performer navigating vulnerable material, or simply curious about the craft reshaping modern theatre and film, this conversation is an essential listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Jack Viertel discusses his novel Broadway Melody, a sweeping show-business romance set against the backdrop of 1960s Broadway. Tracing the intertwined lives of a trumpet player, a spotlight operator, and an aspiring ingenue, Viertel explores the hits, flops, and behind-the-scenes drama of the theater world, while offering a vivid portrait of Broadway’s history, humor, and heartbreak. The conversation is moderated by Ted Chapin, former President of The Rodgers & Hammerstein Organization and co-founder of New York City Center’s Encores! series, who brings his decades of musical theater expertise to the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Elizabeth Teets discusses her anthology Isn’t She Great: Writers on Women-Led Comedies from 9 to 5 to Booksmart, celebrating the power and humor of women-led comedies. Joined by contributors Samantha Mann, Lana Schwartz, and Yael Krinsky, they explore cult cinema, film criticism, and the enduring glamour of pink. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Kenneth Lonergan moderates a conversation about Stereophonic, David Adjmi’s Tony Award-winning play. Set in mid-1970s Sausalito, the story takes us inside a recording studio where a rock band on the brink of superstardom struggles to create their sophomore album. Fueled by booze, sleep deprivation, and a giant bag of cocaine, the band’s relationships are pushed to the breaking point as a process meant to last weeks stretches indefinitely. With original songs by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler, Adjmi’s epic play offers an electrifying portrait of creative tension, division, and the pursuit of a masterpiece. David Adjmi’s other works include Stunning, Marie Antoinette, 3C, Elective Affinities, and The Evildoers. He is a Guggenheim Fellow, Whiting Writers’ Award recipient, and Steinberg Playwright Award winner, and his memoir Lot Six was published by HarperCollins. Kenneth Lonergan, celebrated as a playwright and filmmaker, co-wrote Gangs of New York and wrote and directed You Can Count on Me, Margaret, and Manchester by the Sea, for which he won the Academy Award and BAFTA for Best Original Screenplay. Lonergan’s best-known plays include This Is Our Youth, Lobby Hero, and The Waverly Gallery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we’re joined by Emily McGill, creator of The Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot. A recovering Broadway publicist turned “Ivy League Witch,” Emily takes us on a bewitching journey where tarot meets theatre, revealing how Broadway archetypes align with the Major and Minor Arcana. With stories from her work on 20 Broadway shows and her path into spiritual psychology, Emily shares how the Hirschfeld Broadway Tarot blends showbiz and spirituality in a way that’s magical, playful, and deeply personal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, author Chloe O. Davis discusses The Queens’ English: The LGBTQIA+ Dictionary of Lingo and Colloquial Phrases – Young Readers Edition. This playful, illustrated guide explores the rich history and contributions of the LGBTQIA+ community to the English language, tracing terms from Sappho to the underground ball scene, the Stonewall Riots, and RuPaul’s Drag Race. Davis shares insights into how words like “boi,” “drag,” and “demisexual” entered popular culture and celebrates the diverse voices that have shaped queer history and identity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, composer, lyricist, and performer Seth Bisen-Hersh discusses The Making of a Musical: The 12-Year Journey of Love Quirks. He shares an insider’s look at the writing and producing process behind his award-winning off-Broadway musical, including detailed chapter analyses of every song and behind-the-scenes stories. Bisen-Hersh’s witty, comedic voice shines throughout, offering inspiration for Broadway hopefuls, underdog artists, and fans of perseverance. The conversation is moderated by Ashley Wool, who made her Broadway debut originating the role of Jessica in How to Dance in Ohio and has collaborated with Seth for years, bringing her insight and perspective on musical theatre performance to the discussion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, actor and author Lewis J. Stadlen joins theater historian Laurence Maslon to discuss Stadlen’s new book Save Me a Seat! On the Road with Hello, Dolly!. Offering a rare, behind-the-scenes look at the daily life of a touring company, Stadlen shares candid stories of joy, frustration, and camaraderie from the 2018 national tour of Hello, Dolly!—spotlighting not only the actors but also the unseen crews who make the magic happen. With humor and honesty, Stadlen captures the triumphs and trials of life on the road, making this a theater book like no other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 MacMillan, Charlotte Northeast, and Meghan Winch, exploring the journey of adapting Austen’s works for the stage and the playful, inventive choices behind this celebrated production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 rejection, silence inner criticism, and live a life that shines at a “10.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 creative soul. This episode dives into the playful, passionate, and profound insights of Hanggi’s writing, offering listeners inspiration to embrace self-love, joy, and the freedom to fully express their unique selves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices