Twice a month on the Token Theatre Friends video series and podcast, theatre critics (and theatre besties) Jose Solís and Diep Tran bring a POC perspective to the performing arts.

This week, the Friends talk to Dimitri Moise (The Book of Mormon) and Brandon Gill (Holler If Ya Hear Me) about their new project: As Much As I Can, billed as a musical “extravaganza” about Black gay men living with HIV/AIDS. It’s running at Joe’s Pub Sept. 12-16 and they’re doing two shows a night! The two talk about why such a story has never been told before, and the difference between working with predominantly white creative teams versus Black creative teams.

The audio of the interview is also available on the podcast, where the Friends talk about three shows currently running in New York City.

Hercules, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by David Zippel, and book by Kristoffer Diaz, running through Sept. 8 at the Public Theater (and it’s free!). The musical, based on the Disney film, follows the young Greek demigod Hercules as he tries to go from zero to hero.

Felix Starro, a musical by Jessica Hagedorn and Fabian Obispo, is produced by Ma-Yi Theater Company and runs through Sept. 21 ($52-$85). In this musical about faith and family, a Filipino faith healer arrives in San Francisco and conflict arises with his grandson, who no longer wants to participate in the family business.

Make Believe by Bess Wohl, currently running at Second Stage Theatre through Sept. 22 ($59-$125). The play takes place in an attic, where four young siblings discover that their mom has walked out on the family.

Download the episode here.

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