When Dee–a forty-something from Rockford, Illinois–visits Harvard’s namesake statue, she discovers a legacy student, hiding from his parents in the bushes. What could this recently suspended nerd have in common with a Midwestern working-class divorcee? 

A Sticky Memento is a world premiere written by Ken Urban (A Guide for the Homesick) and directed by Knud Adams (Primary Trust, English). The two-hander stars Jane Kaczmarek (“Malcolm in the Middle”) and Taylor Trensch (Dear Evan Hansen). 

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania.

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What’s with these birthdays that end in a zero? How is it that a mere multiple of ten can wield such power? A touch of wit and love language can help. 

Crisis Planning is a world premiere James Stevenson commission from Bay Area-playwright Peter Sinn Nachtrieb (The Making of a Great Moment). Directed by Jason Eagan (Founding Artistic Director of Ars Nova), the play features Andrew Garman (The Holdovers, “The Gilded Age”) and PoA legend April Matthis (Mary Jane, The Piano Lesson).

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania.

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It’s 1942. WWIl is raging. Mr. Walt Disney is in New York to discuss another propaganda film requested by the US government to boost the wartime effort. At the moment, though, he is in a meeting with a former illustrator from his early days. It’s Gyo Fujikawa. 

Disney/Fujikawa comes from the mind of 2023 Pulitzer Prize Finalist Lloyd Suh (The Far Country, Franklinland). Directed by Ralph Peña (Among the Dead, ONCE UPON A (korean) TIME), this audio premiere features the talents of Michi Barall (Peer Gynt and The Norwegian Hapa Band) and PoA veteran Steven Boyer (Hand to God, “Trial & Error”).

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania.

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It’s not easy living with a zealot. Or being at the local supermarket where he prowls. Suppose you like bacon? Suppose disposable diapers? There is interference in the air. 

Sheila: A Year In The Life Of is a world-premiere James Stevenson commission from Playwright Laureate of Boston Kirsten Greenidge (Milk Like Sugar). Melia Bensussen (Artistic Director of Hartford Stage) directs a terrific ensemble of Seret Scott, Postell Pringle, Nikkole Salter, Brittany Allen, Mary Bacon, Marchánt Davis, and Lee Wilkof. 

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania.

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A woman (Carol Kane) is drawn into a neighborhood church by the sound of music beautifully sung. A marriage is taking place within. Do beautiful music and ceremony make a marriage?

Reverie, a world premiere written and directed by Oscar, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright John Patrick Shanley (Doubt, Brooklyn Laundry, Danny and the Deep Blue Sea), showcases the talents of Carol Kane (The Princess Bride, “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt”) and Scarlett Strallen (Cole Porter’s The New Yorkers, She Loves Me).

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania. 

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1976

Kansas or Oz, that is the question.

Here's a new spin on a great tale spun.

To go, or say no? And in which direction?

Kansas? or Oz? Tell me. Anyone?

Kansas Anymore, a world premiere from esteemed playwright David Ives (Here We Are, Venus in Fur), features screen legend Lois Smith (Twister, “ER”)  and TV star Catherine Curtin (“Orange Is the New Black”, “Stranger Things”). Ives also directs.

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania. 

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Parents, Don and Charlotte, summon their adult children, Susanna and Brian, to a meeting at Le Pain Quotidien scheduled smack in the middle of their workday. What’s up? Patricia Cotter’s comedy ensues.

Did I Miss Anything Important? is a world-premiere James Stevenson commission from accomplished playwright Patricia Cotter (Mulan, Jr., The Daughters). The cast includes stalwarts David Rasche, Maryann Plunkett, Zach Appelman, Lesley Fray, and Lakisha May. Marchánt Davis (Reality, Ain’t No Mo’) directs. Music is by Tom Kochan.

Stay tuned after the performance for a conversation among the playwright, actors, and Playing on Air’s founder, Claudia Catania.

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BONNET by John Patrick Shanley

In John Patrick Shanley’s marital (and sometimes martial) comedy of manners, Dan (John Turturro) has a few questions for his wife Ava (Debra Messing) when she appears at the breakfast table with a meaningful new accessory. 

BONNET, written and directed by the Tony Award, Academy Award, and Pulitzer Prize-winning Shanley himself, was recorded live at Playing on Air’s 10th anniversary benefit celebration at 54 Below in December 2022 and features a feisty score by composer Tom Kochan—plus a bit of adult language! Stay tuned after the play for a rollicking conversation with Shanley, Messing, and Turturro.

SECOND SIGHT by David Ives

A retired historian’s (Danny Burstein) minor surgery brings up major questions that his affable surgeon (Steven Boyer), bemused wife (Susie Essman) and brother (Lee Wilkof) can’t seem to answer. Can he find a happy medium ? Or is he, with a little otherworldly help (Brittany K. Allen), just seeing things clearly for the first time? 

SECOND SIGHT, a world premiere from renowned playwright David Ives, is directed by the playwright himself and features music by Dan Moses Schreier, musical direction and piano by Alan Johnson, and special guest vocals by Chloe Holgate, Hai-Ting Chinn, Gregory Purnhagen, and Barbara Rearick. Stay tuned after the play for an insightful conversation with Ives, the actors, Founder and Consulting Director Claudia Catania, and executive director Yvie Jones. (Running Time: 47 minutes, 18 seconds)

Listen below, on Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform!

TYPHOID MARY by Mike Lew

It’s 1915 and another typhoid fever outbreak, this one in a bustling hospital run by an officious Supervisor (Cindy Cheung), has once again led dogged sanitation engineer George Soper (Matt Park) to the hospital’s newest cook, “Typhoid” Mary Mallon (Catherine Curtin). It’s been years since Soper reluctantly released her from a forced quarantine on an inhospitable island. Can Mary finally wash her hands of him for good?

Playwright Mike Lew’s history-inspired comedy, a 2021 Wordsmith Duo Commission supported by the Axe-Houghton Foundation, is directed by Moritz von Stuelpnagel and features music by composer Tom Kochan. Stay tuned after the play for a conversation with Executive Director Yvie Jones and all the featured artists. (Running time: 32 minutes, 32 seconds)