Episodes

  • My First Book—Part 2: A Discussion with Julian Schlossberg and Renee Taylor

    My First Book—Part 2: A Discussion with Julian Schlossberg and Renee Taylor
    Feb 3 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • A Conversation with Justin Borak

    A Conversation with Justin Borak
    Jan 29 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Just Another Day with Dan Lauria

    Just Another Day with Dan Lauria
    Jan 27 2026
    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
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    1 hr and 5 mins
  • A Conversation with Ngozi Anyanwu and ChiChi Anyanwu

    A Conversation with Ngozi Anyanwu and ChiChi Anyanwu
    Dec 24 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 49 mins
  • A Conversation with Becca Schlossberg

    A Conversation with Becca Schlossberg
    Dec 23 2025
    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
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    54 mins
  • Prima Facie: A Conversation with Suzie Miller and Nora Brigid Monahan

    Prima Facie: A Conversation with Suzie Miller and Nora Brigid Monahan
    Dec 22 2025
    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
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    50 mins
  • On Bette Midler with Kevin Winkler and Charles Kirsch

    On Bette Midler with Kevin Winkler and Charles Kirsch
    Dec 21 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Every Day a Little Death: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim

    Every Day a Little Death: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim
    Dec 20 2025
    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
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    1 hr and 14 mins