Every other week, the editors of American Theatre curate a free-ranging discussion about the lively arts in our Offscript podcast.

Our October 2015 “Season Preview” issue is in the house, everyone! This week, editor-in-chief Rob Weinert-Kendt and editors Suzy Evans and Diep Tran talk about the various gender parity-themed goodies in the issue. Plus, we discuss the controversy over The Mikado at the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players and why that kind of cultural appropriation is not okay.

Then we have three special guests this week. Yes, three! First up is Pulitzer-winning playwright Ayad Akhtar, who came into the office to talk Disgraced, the most-produced play for 2015–16. He and Suzy also talk about the intricacies of writing about race and their love for living-room dramas.

Then Rob sits down with New York Times theatre critic Charles Isherwood and Chicago Tribune theatre critic Chris Jones to discuss Disgraced, sex, and booze.

Download the episode here. Subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

This week’s recommendations:

• The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez, at MCC Theater.
• Ugly Lies the Bone by Lindsey Ferrentino, at Roundabout Theatre Company.
• The You Must Remember This podcast with Karina Longworth, an exploration of the scandals and stories of old Hollywood.
• The Hamilton cast album, the perfect commute listen. Now streaming in full on NPR.