The Drama Book Show!
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© The Drama Book Show!
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Welcome to The Drama Book Show! This podcast is your gateway to the world of theater. Join hosts David Rigano and Mark-Eugene Garcia, both seasoned playwrights and close friends, as they engage in dynamic interviews with a diverse array of guests spanning from Broadway to Off-Broadway and beyond. Recording before a live audience at the Drama Book Shop, each week features a theater expert delving into realms both on and off the stage.
Follow @dramabookshowpodcast on instagram, check Eventbrite for events, and join our lively audience at the book shop, where drama unfolds!
Music by Paul Rigano
51 Episodes
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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 discovering Thornton Wilder’s influence, and ultimately to reconnecting with his ancestral roots in China. Together, Eng and Greenberg explore themes of identity, culture, and storytelling, while considering Wilder’s lasting legacy in American theater.
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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 showcases Frank’s tour-de-force portrayal of more than 20 unforgettable characters.
Frank joins us to share his journey from Off-Broadway to international acclaim, reflecting on culture, identity, and the joy of bringing family stories to life onstage.
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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’o, Winston Duke, and Brian Tyree Henry.
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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.
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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, Aladdin, and The Wedding Singer, draws from his own life as a queer theater kid turned Broadway vet. Showmance is a witty, warm, and redemptive tale about second chances, small-town surprises, and the messy truth about our pasts.
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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 life with heart and purpose, with directing credits Off-Broadway and on Broadway.
Together, they’re building space for bold stories and marginalized voices—one fearless play at a time.
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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, to his current work exploring Latine stories rooted in heritage, myth, and horror. Joining them are Sergio Caetano and Hraban Luyat, two original cast members from Goat Blood, who give a chilling live performance of the play’s opening scene. The featured works span a mythic border-crossing folktale (Eight Tales of Pedro), a monster thriller layered with grief and identity (Goat Blood), and a surreal small-town comedy about religious repression and pharmaceutical chaos (With Bated Breath). It’s a rich conversation about storytelling, culture, performance, and the monsters—real and metaphorical—that shape us.
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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, Flying Over Sunset), and Lisa Kron (Fun Home, 2.5 Minute Ride). Together, they reflect on the power of queer storytelling, the evolution of representation onstage, and what it means to write with pride. It's a dynamic, heartfelt discussion with some of the most influential and exciting voices in American theatre today.
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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 intersections of race, religion, class, politics, and pop culture. From Joan of Arc to talking toys, New York apartments to family bonds—these works capture the breadth of non-binary experience and joy.
Featuring: Jonathan Alexandratos, M Sloth Levine, Dani Martineck, J.C. Pankratz, and Ashley Lauren Rogers.
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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 every stage of crafting a play. From idea generation to final revisions, Maxwell offers tools for both new and experienced playwrights looking to sharpen their skills and build stronger work for the stage.
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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!
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Mark-Eugene and David dive into the world of acclaimed playwright Duncan Pflaster, discussing Mark-Eugene's long-standing creative collaboration with him. Later, Duncan joins the conversation to explore his eclectic career in theatre, sharing insights into three of his published plays. From the intense psychological entanglements of Fourteen Hundred and Sixty Sketches of Your Left Hand, to the poetic isolation of Harmony Hall, and the political defiance of A Touch of Cinema, Pflaster’s work spans genres and emotions with fearless originality. A fascinating look into the mind of a prolific voice in indie theatre.
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Mark-Eugene and David dive into the topic of stage fright with special guest Dylan Glick. Later, they’re joined by first-time picture book authors—and sisters-in-law—Phillipa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran to discuss their empowering children’s book Piper Chen Sings.
Inspired by Soo’s own childhood experiences, the story follows a young girl who must overcome her nerves when chosen to sing a solo at her school concert. With support from her beloved Nai Nai, Piper finds the confidence to shine.
Phillipa Soo is a Tony-nominated, Grammy-winning, and Emmy-nominated actress best known for originating “Eliza” in Hamilton, with additional credits in Into the Woods, Camelot, One True Loves, Over the Moon, Dopesick, and Shining Girls.
Maris Pasquale Doran, LCSW, is a psychotherapist and lecturer at Columbia University. Piper Chen Sings is her debut publication.
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In Episode 3, Season 2 – David and Mark-Eugene explore the “joys” of auditioning and reflect on how valuable a guide would’ve been when they were starting out. That’s where JJ’s Audition Adventure comes in—a delightful children’s book by Atlanta-based actor and educator Javier Vazquez Jr. Inspired by his own path in the industry, the book follows young JJ as he prepares for his first self-taped audition with the help of his Tío Rolando, offering practical tips and lessons in confidence along the way. The conversation is moderated by Denise Santos, acclaimed actress and founder of Latinas in Media Atlanta. Known for her role in the Emmy-winning NFL Super Bowl LVII commercial Run With It and appearances on The Resident and MacGyver, Denise leads a heartfelt discussion on creativity, representation, and helping the next generation take the stage.
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In episode 2 of season 2, David and Mark-Eugene break down the recent Tony nominations and share their standout shows of the season. Then, they dive into OPEN by Crystal Skillman, a poignant solo play in which a woman known as The Magician pantomimes a series of illusions—each one an attempt to defy the ultimate trick: saving her lover Jenny. Skillman, an internationally award-winning playwright, comic book author, and podcast writer, is known for GEEK, CUT, KING KIRBY (a New York Times Critics’ Pick), and her work with Marvel, Adventure Time, and Wondery Kids.
The episode features readings from the Dramatists Play Service edition by Megan Hill, who originated the role at The Tank in 2019, and Lily-Ali Oshatz, who toured with OnStage!. A Q&A with director Jessi D. Hill follows. David and Mark-Eugene close with a tease of next episode’s book pick.
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In the Season 2 premiere, David and Mark-Eugene dive into Mark-Eugene’s favorite show of the Broadway season — Real Women Have Curves. They're then joined by Josefina López, the award-winning playwright behind the story, who shares its incredible journey from Boyle Heights to Broadway. López, the Founding Artistic Director of CASA 0101 Theater, has had over 130 productions of her work staged nationwide and brings decades of experience as a playwright, screenwriter, and advocate for Latino and female voices. After their inspiring conversation, David and Mark-Eugene look ahead to what’s coming this season.
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In Episode 34, Mark-Eugene and David preview their conversation with entertainment icons Julian Schlossberg and Susan Stroman. Julian shares highlights from his memoir Try Not to Hold It Against Me, reflecting on his six-decade career in film, TV, and Broadway. He’s later joined by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman, who discusses her celebrated work on The Producers, Contact, The Scottsboro Boys, and more. Together, they offer a rare glimpse into the creative forces behind some of theatre’s most iconic works.
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In Episode 33, before diving into the main topic, Mark-Eugene shares his excitement with David about finally fulfilling his dream of meeting Laura Linney. The conversation then shifts to A Chance to Fly and Cut Loose, the inspiring books by Tony winner Ali Stroker and Stacy Davidowitz. Later, the author duo joins the discussion, offering insight into their creative process and the experience of collaborating on these stories. To wrap up, Mark-Eugene and David tease the next episode, promising plenty of behind-the-scenes stories.
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In Episode 32, David and Mark-Eugene dive into their favorite works by playwrights Joshua Harmon and Rajiv Joseph. Later, guest moderator Samantha Tuozzolo (Survival Jobs Podcast) hosts a special behind-the-scenes discussion, presented by Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) and the Drama Book Shop. Harmon and Joseph share insights into their creative process, their relationship with MTC, and how real-life events shape their storytelling. They also reflect on the excitement of having both of their shows running simultaneously at City Center. To close the episode, David and Mark-Eugene tease what’s coming next.
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Mark-Eugene and David celebrate women in musical theatre, sharing their favorite writers and their impact. Later, David chats with Jennifer Ashley Tepper—acclaimed theatre historian, producer, and author—about her upcoming book, Women Writing Musicals: The Legacy That The History Books Left Out.
Tepper, known for her work at 54 Below and productions like Be More Chill, highlights over 300 women who shaped Broadway, from Tin Pan Alley pioneers to today’s trailblazers. She shares stories of icons like Betty Comden and Jeanine Tesori, as well as lesser-known but groundbreaking figures.
Plus, Mark-Eugene and David tease an exciting partnership with Manhattan Theatre Club in the next episode!
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