In this episode, our host, Rachel Lin, speaks with Pulitzer Prize finalist and Obie Award-winning playwright, Rajiv Joseph. In this one-on-one conversation, Rachel and Rajiv go way back to Rajiv's days in Cleveland Heights, where his latest play, King James, is set. The two discuss how he found himself taking out the trash at his local theater years before he dreamed of ever working in one. As Rachel's former writing teacher, Rajiv also shares some invaluable advice for anyone hoping to build a career in the arts.

King James is running now at New York City Center Stage I. Directed by Kenny Leon and starring Glenn Davis and Chris Perfetti, tickets are now on sale at: manhattantheatreclub.com.

Use code MTCPOD to unlock discounted tickets today!

Our latest production, SUMMER, 1976 by David Auburn, directed by Daniel Sullivan, is now running on Broadway at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. For this episode, host, Rachel Lin, is joined by the show's scenic designer, John Lee Beatty, and costume designer, Linda Cho. This will be John Lee's 70th production with Manhattan Theatre Club, after making his Broadway debut with us in the Spring of 1976. Since then, he's designed 118 Broadway shows, been nominated for 15 Tony awards, and won 2. Linda Cho has designed over 200 theater productions, on Broadway and regionally, and won a Tony award for her Broadway debut, A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER.

These accomplished designers chat with our host about:

- how they began their careers in the theater

- guiding principles of their design

- and why John Lee doesn't like to use the word "artist"

Tune in as they take a stroll down memory lane, and dish on the notable stops along the way. Use promo code: MTCPOD for a discount of

In this episode, our host, Rachel Lin, is joined by playwright Emily Feldman and director Daniel Aukin to chat about their latest project: The Best We Could (a family tragedy). The three of them discuss:

The Best We Could by Emily Feldman begins previews February 7th at New York City Center Stage I. Use promo code: MTCPOD for up to 44% off your tickets today.

In this episode of Beyond the Stage, Onnie Strother and Janet Cohen Mandel, arts educators based in New Jersey, take a brief look at the art and lives of Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat— the backstory behind THE COLLABORATION by Anthony McCarten. This conversation took place at the Samuel J. Friedman theatre Thursday, January 5th.

Tickets for THE COLLABORATION are available for purchase here. Use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for this production.

Art mentioned in the conversation:

Andy Warhol, LIVING ROOM 

"To Andrew Warhola from Shirley Temple"

Andy Warhol, NOSEPICKER 1: WHY PICK ON ME

Alice Neel, ANDY WARHOL

Jean-Michel Basquiat, DOS CABEZAS

Andy Warhol, OXIDIZED PORTRAIT 

Jean-Michel Basquiat,  DEFACEMENT (THE DEATH OF MICHAEL STEWART)

Jean-Michel Basquiat, JAILBIRDS

Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, GENERAL ELECTRIC WITH WAITER

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, TEN PUNCHING BAGS (LAST SUPPER)

Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, BANANAS 

Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, GE/SKULL

Jean-Michel Basquiat, RIDING WITH DEATH  

A transcript for this episode can be found here.

In this episode, we continue our 2022-23 season kickoff with playwrights Martyna Majok and Jeff Augustin. Listen in as Rachel Lin, actor and host of the Upstage Left podcast, chats with Jeff and Martyna about their plays: Where the Mountain Meets the Sea (Augustin) and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cost of Living (Majok).

Tickets for Cost of Living and Where the Mountain Meets the Sea are available for purchase now. Use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for both productions.

In this episode, we continue our 2022-23 season kickoff with playwrights Martyna Majok and Jeff Augustin. Listen in as Rachel Lin, actor and host of the Upstage Left podcast, chats with Jeff and Martyna about their plays: Where the Mountain Meets the Sea (Augustin) and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cost of Living (Majok).

Tickets for Cost of Living and Where the Mountain Meets the Sea are available for purchase now. Use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for both productions.

In this episode, we take a look at GOLDEN SHIELD, the final production in Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2021-22 off-Broadway season. For this conversation, director May Adrales and playwright Anchuli Felicia King are joined by playwright David Henry Hwang, mentor, friend, and collaborative partner to both artists. They chat about developing the show for its New York premiere and how they are bringing heart, nuance, and speed to the stage with this production.  

For our listeners, be sure to use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for our productions.

In this episode, we take a look at HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE, the final production of Manhattan Theatre Club’s 2021-22 Broadway season. For this conversation, Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel is joined by director Mark Brokaw and set designer Rachel Hauck. They chat about preparing this production for its long-awaited Broadway debut, returning to this story with fresh eyes, and “how it takes a village to build a play.”

As a thank you to our listeners use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for our productions.

In this episode, we dive into SKELETON CREW currently running at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. During this conversation, director Ruben Santiago-Hudson and playwright Dominique Morisseau are joined by MTC Artistic Production Associate Melissa Mickens, as they talk about reuniting to bring this production to Broadway. Let's listen in. 

Tony Award® winner and five-time Emmy Award nominee Phylicia Rashad returns to Broadway in Manhattan Theatre Club’s Broadway premiere of SKELETON CREW, written by Tony Award® nominee Dominique Morisseau and directed by Tony Award® winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson. In 2008 Detroit, a small automotive factory is on the brink of foreclosure, and a tight-knit family of workers hangs in the balance. With uncertainty everywhere, the line between blue-collar and white-collar becomes blurred, and this working family must reckon with their personal loyalties, their instincts for survival, and their ultimate hopes for humanity. The New York Times gives this astonishing work a Critic’s Pick and cheers, “A very fine new play… warm-blooded, astute, deeply moral and deeply American.” And The Amsterdam News hails it as “a prime example of how theatre imitates life… intense, touching and funny.”

Support for Skeleton Crew is provided by The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust and the Howard Gilman Foundation

As a thank you to our listeners use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for our productions.

In this episode, we dive into PRAVYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC, currently running at City Center Stage 1. During this conversation, director David Cromer and playwright Joshua Harmon are joined by actress Sas Goldberg, as they talk about the inspiration for the play and bringing it to the stage. 

In 1944, a Jewish couple in Paris desperately awaits news of their missing family. More than 70 years later, the couple’s great-grandchildren find themselves facing the same question as their ancestors: “Are we safe?” Following five generations of a French Jewish family, PRAYER FOR THE FRENCH REPUBLIC is a sweeping look at history, home, and the effects of an ancient hatred.

This powerful world premiere comes from acclaimed playwright Joshua Harmon (Bad Jews, Significant Other) and director David Cromer, a Tony Award winner for The Band’s Visit.

Prayer for the French Republic is sponsored by The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Fund program. Special thanks to The Harold and Mimi Steinberg Charitable Trust for supporting Manhattan Theatre Club. Additional support is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and Laura Pels International Foundation for Theater. Prayer for the French Republic is a recipient of an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award and was commissioned by MTC through the Bank of America New Play Program.

As a thank you to our listeners use code: MTCPOD to receive discounted tickets for our productions.