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

This week, we’re talking about Stephen Sondheim! There are two high-profile Sondheim shows running in New York City—the Broadway revival of Sunday in the Park with George and an immersive Sweeney Todd, running in a commercial Off-Broadway production at Barrow Street Theatre—but the composer/lyricist is seldom far from a stage anywhere in the country (he’s regularly the most-produced composer in the country). Editors Rob Weinert-Kendt, Suzy Evans, and Russell Dembin trade thoughts on the musicals, and Suzy admits that she is not a Sondheim fan. Shocker! Then we talk about the departures of several high-profile artistic directors (from venues such as the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles, Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., and the Denver Center). What might the American theatre look like without these men? We’ll see.

We have a pair of guests this week: Minneapolis-based actors  Nathaniel Fuller and Stephen Yoakam, who are both starring in King Lear at the Guthrie Theater…as King Lear. They talk about why they’re trading off and how they’re each interpreting the character.

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THIS WEEK’S RECOMMENDATIONS:

Russ recommends Linda by Penelope Skinner at Manhattan Theatre Club (through April 2), for anyone who wants female-driven plays about the costs of collaboration with the patriarchy.

Then Suzy and Rob debate the pros and cons of the Second Stage Theatre revival of Man From Nebraska by Tracy Letts (through March 26). Who liked it and who had mixed feelings? Listen to find out!