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Kayla Ferguson and Reggie D. White in "I and You," by Lauren Gunderson at 59E59 Theaters. (Photo by Carol Rosegg)

Offscript: I & You & Lauren Gunderson

This week’s guest is Lauren Gunderson, one of this season’s most-produced playwrights, who discusses ‘I and You,’ ‘The Revolutionists,’ and how you can have it all. Plus, the editors discuss ‘Grease Live!’ and play licensing controversies involving Samuel French.

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

This week, editors Rob Weinert-Kendt, Suzy Evans, and Diep Tran discussed “Grease: Live,” what worked, what didn’t, and what musicals we want to see done live next (Sondheim, anyone?). Plus, we discuss two licensing controversies involving Samuel French: the Wooster Group’s contested production of Pinter’s The Room and Courtney Meaker’s That’swhatshesaid, a critique of gender roles in popular new American plays to which French delivered two cease-and-desist letters.

Then Diep sits down with playwright Lauren Gunderson, one of the most-produced playwrights this season. They discuss I and You (currently running at 59E59 Theaters and at Aurora Theatre), Lauren’s newest play The Revolutionists (at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and 7 Stages), and why Lauren is so fascinated with historical female figures.

Download the episode here. Subscribe via iTunes or RSS.

This week’s recommendations:

  • Inspired by the Write With Us playwright workshops at Soho Rep—including sessions with Jackie Sibblies Drury and Lucas Hnath—Suzy wants you to try writing a play, even if you’re not a playwright.
  • The latest episode of “The Subtext” podcast, with Stefanie Zadravec as the guest.
  • A jewel from the AT archives: Richard Schechner’s op-ed from 2010 advocating casting all stage roles without regard to gender, race, age, or body type.
  • The latest episode of “This American Life,” “Amateur Hour,” specifically the segment about soldiers putting on musicals at the Fort Bragg army base.

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