Play On Podcasts are epic audio adventures reimagining timeless tales, featuring original music composition and the voices of extraordinarily gifted artists. This is where Theatre meets Podcast, combining the modern-day audio phenomenon with the power of live performance.
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“Your ancestors are there with you”: Abigail Onwunali and Christopher Edwards describe the alchemy of storytelling, the painful history of the Nigerian Civil War, the world of possibilities that immigrants bring to America, and the healing power of plays in a wide-ranging discussion of their work on “runboyrun". The Huntington continues the sweeping nine-play Ufot Family Cycle and announces plans for runboyrun, the powerful drama written by Mfoniso Udofia and directed by Christopher V. Edwards. ...
Abasiama tries to keep Disciple in the present as he relives his experiences in war-torn Nigeria. The Huntington continues the sweeping nine-play Ufot Family Cycle and announces plans for runboyrun, the powerful drama written by Mfoniso Udofia and directed by Christopher V. Edwards. The third play in Boston’s epic nine-play Ufot Family Cycle, runboyrun will be recorded and made nationally available as a podcast in partnership with the Boston Public Library, GBH, and Next Chapter Podcasts. Lear...
“This is us. These are our neighbors”. Mfoniso Udofia and Kevin Becerra talk with Michael Goodfriend about the process of making “runboyrun” meaningful for listeners in Boston and beyond, writing into the future, disrupting the Unities, staying present with the work, and how sometimes holding can hurt. The Huntington continues the sweeping nine-play Ufot Family Cycle and announces plans for runboyrun, the powerful drama written by Mfoniso Udofia and directed by Christopher V. Edwards. The third ...
After a humiliating day teaching at the local community college in Worcester, Massachusetts, Disciple tries to focus on his writing but is pulled by his past into another conflict with his wife, Abasiama. The Huntington continues the sweeping nine-play Ufot Family Cycle and announces plans for runboyrun, the powerful drama written by Mfoniso Udofia and directed by Christopher V. Edwards. The third play in Boston’s epic nine-play Ufot Family Cycle, runboyrun will be recorded and made nationally a...
Next Chapter Podcasts and Huntington Theater present Mfoniso Udofia's haunting series "runboyrun." What happens when war continues inside the body of a survivor? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
This episode presents a full re-airing of the Play On Podcast series adaptation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus. It follows the proud Roman general Caius Martius, his military triumph, his political downfall due to his contempt for the common people and the tribunes, his banishment, and his subsequent alliance with his enemy Ophidius against Rome. The conflict culminates in a dramatic plea from his mother and his eventual tragic end among the Volscians.
In honor of Tony nominees Harry Lennix and Glenn Davis, this episode re-airs their collaboration on the Play On Podcast series, a modern verse translation of Shakespeare's *Julius Caesar* set during the Civil Rights Movement. The play follows the conspiracy against Caesar, his assassination, the aftermath including the famous funeral orations, and the subsequent civil war.
In honor of sound designer Lindsay Jones's recent Webby victory for his work on the series, Next Chapter Podcasts presents the complete Play On Podcast series, OTHELLO, in its entirety. The series also earned Lindsay an Ambie for Best Original Score and Music Supervision in 2024. The Play On Podcast series, “OTHELLO”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by MFONISO UDOFIA. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON. Directed by VICTOR MALANA MAOG. The cast is as follows...
Discover The Actor’s Instrument, a podcast for actors dedicated to guiding listeners through the complexities of the entertainment industry. Join host and actor Hassiem Muhammad as he interviews industry experts—from casting directors to Hollywood and Broadway stars—unveiling invaluable insights and career-building strategies. Whether you're starting out or are seasoned in your craft, tune in to demystify the path to building a sustainable acting career, one episode at a time. Learn more about y...
“What happens if we talk?” Mfoniso Udofia digs into the tough questions raised by her brutal translation of OTHELLO, with discussions about dispossession, marginalization, malignancy, immigration, how to build within a home that wasn’t built for you, and what happens after Shakespeare's story ends. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“I like them better in Shrew!” Allen Gilmore and Susannah Rogers compare notes on playing Kate and Petruchio in “The Taming of the Shrew” and “Shrew!” Plus, what the word obey really means in a relationship between equals, where Kate’s inner volcano really comes from, finding agency as an artist, the importance of humor in a rehearsal room, and the not-so-blind date these two plan to go on after working on two productions together without ever meeting in person. Learn more about your ad choices....
This episode presents Shakespeare's "Shrew!" in a modern radio play format. The story follows Petruchio's pursuit and taming of the headstrong Catherine, intertwined with Lucentio's pursuit of Bianca using disguises and schemes. It explores themes of marriage, societal expectations, and personal transformation, with a comedic and thought-provoking approach to the classic text.
Lucentio and Bianca hurry to meet the priest Biondello bribed to perform the marriage. Gremio greets Petruchio, Katherine, Grumio and the real Vincentio at Lucentio’s house, where they are met by the Merchant, who insists that he’s Lucentio’s father. Vincentio challenges him and chaos ensues as Tranio tries desperately to keep up the ruse. The newlyweds finally arrive and seeing no way out, they confess their gambit and beg forgiveness from their fathers. Once all is sorted out, Katherine confro...
Seeing he has no chance against Lucentio (AKA “Cambio”), Hortensio drops his “Licio” disguise and swears off women. Biondello, meanwhile, has found an old merchant who will pretend to be Lucentio’s father, Vincenzio, so that Lucentio can marry Bianca without getting his real father’s permission. Meanwhile, Katherine wakes in the comfort of Petruchio’s home and is further smitten as he describes the goings-on at his farm. Later, Baptista gets all rights to Vinzentio’s property from the man he thi...
Katherine reluctantly goes to church to be married, only to learn through an elaborate pantomime performed by Grumio and Biondello that Petruchio is running late. Finally, a drunk priest arrives with Petruchio, who is dressed as a gondolier. They make a mockery of the wedding but a humiliated Katherine is nonetheless sent off with her new husband by her clueless father, who reminisces fondly about young love. The newlyweds eventually arrive at Petruchio’s frigid home in the pouring rain, where h...
Petruchio negotiates with Baptista for Katherine’s hand until Licio emerges from his tutoring session bruised and battered. It only strengthens Petruchio’s resolve to woo Katherine and when she arrives, the two engage in a spirited match of wits. Katherine reluctantly agrees to go with Petruchio when he tells her that her father has agreed to marry her off to him. Gremio and Tranio (as Lucentio) immediately try to out-do each other in their bid for Bianca’s hand, with Baptista as auctioneer. Tra...
Petruchio tells Hortensio he’s come to Padua to find a partner to give him renewed life after grieving the loss of his first wife. Hortensio tells him about Baptista’s daughter, Katherine, but warns him that she’s quite the shrew. Petruchio realizes he knows her father and is not put off. Hortensio agrees to provide an introduction if, in exchange, Petruchio presents him to Signior Baptista as a tutor for the object of his affection: Bianca. As they agree to the deal, Grumio announces the arriva...
This episode introduces the characters and setting of Shakespeare's "Shrew!" with a modern twist. A woman writer reimagines the play, while Lucentio and Petruchio arrive in Padua, setting the stage for love, disguise, and conflict. The episode concludes with cast and production credits.
Amy Freed and Art Manke discuss their collaboration on "Shrew!", an adaptation of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew". They explore the challenges and rewards of reinterpreting a classic play for a modern audience, focusing on themes of complex relationships, gender dynamics, and the evolution of comedy. Freed and Manke share insights into their creative processes, the importance of ensemble work, and their hopes for the play's reception.
This episode introduces 'Shrew,' a modern response to Shakespeare's 'The Taming of the Shrew' by Amy Freed. The play features accomplished actors and original music by Lindsay Jones. It aims to update the classic story for contemporary audiences.
“He just goes for it!”: Andy Grotelueschen describes how Touchstone inspires us to take chances in life, how a teacher in Iowa inspired him to pursue acting, and why it’s so much easier to be funny on Broadway. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“She speaks her mind.” Korean-American actor and lead singer of the rock group Kiss the Tiger, Meghan Kreidler opens up about her experiences playing Rosalind in “As You Like It”, being a woman in the world of rock ’n’ roll, her tumultuous relationship with Shakespeare and her love of lyricism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“What does it mean to be a free spirit?” Director Kim Martin Cotten and Radio Play Writer Catherine Eaton discuss the vision and meaning behind the Play On Podcast series adaptation of “As You Like It”. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“You cannot skip steps”: David Ivers on the process of acting, directing, writing and translating his way through a career in the arts on a relentless search for clarity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Curious Matter Anthology is a multi-award-winning fully immersive fiction podcast. It's a bridge between past and present, a time machine that takes listeners back to the golden era of pulp fiction, and then catapults them back into the future. It's an ode to an era of science fiction, whose stories have influenced some of the greatest filmmakers of our time, and it's a tribute to the largely unrecognized authors who penned these tales. But it's not just about the stories; it's about how they're...
“The goal is to challenge folks.” Glenn Davis reflects on his work as an actor, producer, and Artistic Director of Chicago’s famed Steppenwolf Theater. (Is it possible Marc Antony might just be too good a person?) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“Who am I called to be?” Visionary artist and producer Charlique C. Rolle expounds on her efforts to love recklessly, build faithfully, and create fearlessly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
“We’re going to have to stay informed and fight back”: Playwright Jeffrey Solomon and actress Zuleyma Guevarra discuss the making of DeNovo, what leads to mass migration, why it’s our responsibility as U.S. Citizens to see people as human beings and what we can do to help refugees who are on the brink of being deported to death. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
New York based not-for-profit theater company Houses on the Moon, and playwright Jeffrey Solomon creates acclaimed documentary plays. DE NOVO recounts the life and death of a Guatemalan teenager, Edgar Chocoy, who was deported after a failed asylum bid in the USA and murdered by the very group he testified would execute him were he to be returned to that country. With help of the NYC City Council, we were able to produce an audio adaptation of DE NOVO, which tells the story in three potent half ...
“Whatever you do well, it contributes” - Michael Potts on what he does well, from Shakespeare to August Wilson, and how playing the long game got him where he is today. (With fond remembrances of Chadwick Boseman). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
