Play On Podcasts

By Next Chapter Podcasts

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, combi... more

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FAQs about Play On Podcasts:

How many episodes does Play On Podcasts have?

The podcast currently has 321 episodes available.

Play On Podcasts episodes:

February 23, 2026 Cymbeline - Episode 1 - The Game Is On
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
A writer describes the backstory of “Cymbeline” to her companion: King Cymbeline became the protector of Posthumus, the orphaned son of a valiant soldier. Cymbeline also had two sons of his own, Guiderius and Arviragus, and a daughter named Imogen. His two sons were kidnapped when they were young and have never been found. Cymbeline’s wife died and he married a new queen, who had a son named Cloten. He wants Imogen to marry Cloten but she defies him by marrying Posthumus instead. The couple secretly exchange a ring and bracelet before Cymbeline banishes Posthumus in fury. Cloten tries to pick a fight with Posthumus but Posthumus avoids the conflict, choosing to go to his father’s old friend Philario in Rome, and leaving his servant, Pisanio, behind with Imogen. Cloten boasts of his bravery as his servant ridicules him under his breath. Once in Rome, Posthumus meets a nobleman named Iachimo and a Frenchman who recalls Posthumus describing Imogen as fairer than the fairest ladies in France. Iachimo scoffs at this and wagers with Posthumus that he can seduce Imogen, betting against the ring that Imogen gave her husband.
The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “CYMBELINE”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by ANDREA THOME. All episodes were directed by RAKESH PALISETTY and are based on the NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY’S stage production directed by STEPHEN BROWN-FRIED. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON.

Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA AGREEMENT.

The cast is as follows:

PURVA BEDI as SICILIUS, LORD AND CAIUS LUCIUS
ANNIE FANG as ARVIRAGUS, FRENCHMAN, LADY AND THE WRITER
CHRISTINE TOY JOHNSON as CYMBELINE
ANNA ISHIDA as IACHIMO, ROMAN SOLDIER, AND JAILOR
NAREA KANG as CORNELIUS, MOTHER, SOOTHSAYER, LORD AND MESSENGER
JENNIFER LIM as IMOGEN
KK MOGGIE as POSTHUMUS
MARIA-CHRISTINA OLIVERAS as THE QUEEN AND BELARIUS
SARAH SUZUKI as PHILARIO, GUIDERIUS, AND COMPANION
JEENA YI as CLOTEN AND ROMAN SOLDIER
JULYANA SOELISTYO as PISANIO AND JUPITER

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Original Music Composition by CAROLINE ENG and LINDSAY JONES, with additional composition, orchestration and arrangement by STEPHEN BROWN-FRIED. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES).

The Play On Podcast Series “CYMBELINE” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “FALSEHOOD IS WORSE IN KINGS THAN BEGGARS!”

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33min
February 16, 2026 Introducing...Cymbeline
NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS PRESENTS THE PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “CYMBELINE”

SHAKESPEARE’S ROMANTIC FAIRY TALE OF SECRET MARRIAGE, BANISHMENT, FALSE ACCUSATIONS, MISTAKEN IDENTITIES, RECONCILIATION AND REUNION.

PERFORMED BY AN ALL ASIAN AMERICAN, ALL-FEMME CAST, IN A MODERN ENGLISH VERSE TRANSLATION BY ANDREA THOME.

RADIO PLAY BY CATHERINE EATON.

DIRECTED BY RAKESH PALISETTY.

INSPIRED BY THE ACCLAIMED STAGE PRODUCTION PRESENTED BY THE NATIONAL ASIAN AMERICAN THEATRE COMPANY.

“FALSEHOOD IS WORSE IN KINGS THAN BEGGARS”

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2min
February 09, 2026 Much Ado About Nothing - Bonus Content Episode 2 - Tracie Lane & Reg Rogers
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
“There is great reward and great risk in love”: Actors Reg Rogers and Tracie Lane talk about their relationships with the roles they play, the work they do, and the lives they lead in the every-shifting sands of showbiz.

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48min
February 05, 2026 Introducing...A Walk In The Garden
Todd Logan invites Lindsay Jones to help adapt Todd’s play Botanic Garden into a musical and almost immediately Lindsay realizes he has no idea how to write a musical. Lindsay writes the perfect opening song which everyone loves until they all realize that perhaps it’s not the perfect opening song. Inspired by Stephen Sondheim’s struggle to write “Comedy Tonight”, Lindsay creates “Why Am I Here” which is actually becomes the perfect song to open the show. Lindsay then vows to write an entire musical using only a piano, then immediately breaks this vow by adding in a metronome as musical instrument on “An Honest Lie”. This journey may have more twists than we thought.

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27min
February 02, 2026 Much Ado About Nothing - Bonus Content Episode 1 - Brendon Fox
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
“It’s a perfect play”: Director Brendon Fox delves into the nooks and crannies of “Much Ado About Nothing,” shedding new light on a story he’s told five times (and counting!).

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1h 1min
January 26, 2026 Full Play - Much Ado About Nothing
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
Next Chapter Podcasts presents the complete Play On Podcast series, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, in its entirety.

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2h 44min
January 19, 2026 Much Ado About Nothing - Episode 7 - Stop Your Mouth
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
Claudio performs his penance and is rewarded with a miraculous gift that brings everyone together again– this time, for good.
The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by RANJIT BOLT. All episodes were directed by BRENDON FOX. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON.

Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA AGREEMENT.

The cast is as follows:

TRACIE LANE as BEATRICE
REG ROGERS as BENEDICK
TÉA GUARINO as HERO
ZION JANG as CLAUDIO
CARMAN MATTHEW LACIVITA as DON PEDRO
ALEJANDRA ESCALANTE as MARGARET and CONRADE
DEMOSTHENES CHRYSAN as LEONATO
DEE NELSON as ANTONIA
BRIAN OWEN as DOGBERRY
STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER as BORACHIO
EVAN ZES as NAVAL CADET, OATCAKE and SEACOAL
LUIS MORENO as DON JOHN and THE SEXTON
MARY BACON as DEACON FRANCIS and VERGES

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Vocal arrangement and music direction by STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES).

The Play On Podcast Series “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “The world must be peopled!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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32min
January 12, 2026 Much Ado About Nothing - Episode 6 - Don't Forget I'm An Ass
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
The Sexton enters the interrogation room of the Battleship Richelieu to record the accusation against Borachio and Conrade. When Borachio confesses everything, the Sexton tells him that Hero has died and Don John has fled. Meanwhile, Leonato and Antonia confront Don Pedro and Claudio on their way out the door of the villa. The men stand by their story but are shaken by the confrontation. Their spirits are lifted when Benedick arrives but it doesn’t take long for Claudio to realize that Benedick isn’t joking about challenging him to a duel. Finally, Dogberry and Verges bring Borachio and Conrade into the room to confess the truth of what happened in the orchard. Leonato and Antonia enter with a vengeance to punish the wrongdoers. When the devastated Claudio crumbles in remorse, Leonato tells him to clear his daughter’s name at her memorial and to sing an epitaph in her remembrance.
The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by RANJIT BOLT. All episodes were directed by BRENDON FOX. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON.

Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA AGREEMENT.

The cast is as follows:

TRACIE LANE as BEATRICE
REG ROGERS as BENEDICK
TÉA GUARINO as HERO
ZION JANG as CLAUDIO
CARMAN MATTHEW LACIVITA as DON PEDRO
ALEJANDRA ESCALANTE as MARGARET and CONRADE
DEMOSTHENES CHRYSAN as LEONATO
DEE NELSON as ANTONIA
BRIAN OWEN as DOGBERRY
STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER as BORACHIO
EVAN ZES as NAVAL CADET, OATCAKE and SEACOAL
LUIS MORENO as DON JOHN and THE SEXTON
MARY BACON as DEACON FRANCIS and VERGES

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Vocal arrangement and music direction by STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES).

The Play On Podcast Series “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit ⁠⁠⁠NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM⁠⁠⁠ for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit ⁠⁠⁠PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG⁠⁠⁠ for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “The world must be peopled!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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27min
January 05, 2026 Much Ado About Nothing - Episode 5 - If I Were A Man
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
Claudio shames Hero at the altar as Don Pedro and Don John back him up. Hero collapses and the guests are cleared out of the chapel. Leonato rages at his daughter until the Deacon intervenes, vouching for Hero’s honor. She makes a plan to keep Hero in hiding and spread word that she is dead in order to stir guilt and remorse in the conspirators that framed her. Leonato agrees and departs with the Deacon and Hero, leaving Benedick and Beatrice alone in the sanctuary. As Beatrice mourns her cousin’s misfortune, Benedick swears his love to her and she swears hers to him. But when she asks Benedick to prove his love by killing Claudio, he refuses. Beatrice, enraged, accuses him of being false. Benedick finally agrees to do as she says.
The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by RANJIT BOLT. All episodes were directed by BRENDON FOX. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON.

Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA AGREEMENT.

The cast is as follows:

TRACIE LANE as BEATRICE
REG ROGERS as BENEDICK
TÉA GUARINO as HERO
ZION JANG as CLAUDIO
CARMAN MATTHEW LACIVITA as DON PEDRO
ALEJANDRA ESCALANTE as MARGARET and CONRADE
DEMOSTHENES CHRYSAN as LEONATO
DEE NELSON as ANTONIA
BRIAN OWEN as DOGBERRY
STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER as BORACHIO
EVAN ZES as NAVAL CADET, OATCAKE and SEACOAL
LUIS MORENO as DON JOHN and THE SEXTON
MARY BACON as DEACON FRANCIS and VERGES

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Vocal arrangement and music direction by STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES).

The Play On Podcast Series “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit ⁠⁠NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM⁠⁠ for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit ⁠⁠PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG⁠⁠ for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “The world must be peopled!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
28min
December 29, 2025 Much Ado About Nothing - Episode 4 - We've Caught Our Fish
***This show is brought to you by Quince. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠http://quince.com/playonpod ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns.***
Benedick and Beatrice are teased mercilessly by their friends for the sudden changes they notice in their behavior. Don John plants the seed of Hero’s disloyalty in the ears of Don Pedro and Claudio, who vows to shame her at the altar if it’s proven true. Chief Constable Dogberry preps his Deputy Verges and officers Oatcake and Seacoal for the watch that night, telling them to pay close attention to Leonato’s villa in advance of the wedding that’s going to be there. The officers fall asleep on their watch but are awakened by rain just in time to overhear Borachio boast to Conrade that he made a bunch of money by getting Margaret to pretend she was Hero as he made love to her, within earshot of Claudio. The inept officers manage to arrest them both. The next morning, Margaret reassures an uneasy Hero as she prepares for her wedding. Dogberry and Verges bumble their way into delivering news of Borachio’s arrest to a distracted Leonato, who tells them to handle it themselves. The wedding begins…
The PLAY ON PODCAST SERIES, “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING”, was written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE and translated into modern English verse by RANJIT BOLT. All episodes were directed by BRENDON FOX. Radio play by CATHERINE EATON.

Executive Producer: MICHAEL GOODFRIEND

This podcast was recorded under a SAG-AFTRA AGREEMENT.

The cast is as follows:

TRACIE LANE as BEATRICE
REG ROGERS as BENEDICK
TÉA GUARINO as HERO
ZION JANG as CLAUDIO
CARMAN MATTHEW LACIVITA as DON PEDRO
ALEJANDRA ESCALANTE as MARGARET and CONRADE
DEMOSTHENES CHRYSAN as LEONATO
DEE NELSON as ANTONIA
BRIAN OWEN as DOGBERRY
STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER as BORACHIO
EVAN ZES as NAVAL CADET, OATCAKE and SEACOAL
LUIS MORENO as DON JOHN and THE SEXTON
MARY BACON as DEACON FRANCIS and VERGES

Casting by THE TELSEY OFFICE: KARYN CASL, CSA.

Voice and Text Coach: JULIE FOH

Original music composition, Mix and Sound Design by LINDSAY JONES. Vocal arrangement and music direction by STEPHEN MICHAEL SPENCER. Sound engineering and mixing by SADAHARU YAGI. Mix Engineer and Dialogue Editor: LARRY WALSH. Podcast Mastering by GREG CORTEZ at New Monkey Studio. Coordinating Producer: TRANSCEND STREAMING (KYRA BOWIE and LEANNA KEYES).

The Play On Podcast Series “MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING” is produced by NEXT CHAPTER PODCASTS and is made possible by the generous support of THE HITZ FOUNDATION. Visit ⁠NEXTCHAPTERPODCASTS.COM⁠ for more about the Play On Podcast Series. Visit ⁠PLAYONSHAKESPEARE.ORG⁠ for more about Play On Shakespeare.

Subscribe to Play On Premium for ad-free episodes and join our Patreon for exclusive merchandise and early commercial-free releases. Go to nextchapterpodcasts.com for our Bonus Content, where you’ll find interviews with the artists, producers and engineers who brought it all to life. And remember: “The world must be peopled!”

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
33min

FAQs about Play On Podcasts:

How many episodes does Play On Podcasts have?

The podcast currently has 321 episodes available.

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