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FATHER’S SIN by Maleek Rae

FATHER'S SIN is an audio piece that captures a father on death row making his final call to his son, highlighting how music can bridge the gap when words fail to express our deepest emotions, with original music by Maleek Rae and Xander Browne.

Today, we are proud to launch the inaugural MC Libby Commission, “Father’s Sin” by Maleek Rae with music by Xander Browne. Directed by POA Alum, Goldie E. Patrick (Jezelle the Gazelle and Revelations).

Playing on Air is back for a new season!  We’ve got 5 plays for the ‘25 - ‘26 Season, 4 of which are new plays, and 3 of those new plays are commissions.  Last month, we premiered “73, SK.” by Else Went, directed by Emma Rosa Went, and “The Corner Cafe” by Charles Mee, directed by Tom Dugdale

The cast features, Maleek Rae as SON and POA Alum, Frankie Faison as FATHER

Playing on Air is hosted by Artistic Director, Joshua Kahan Brody and Associate Artistic Director & Creative Producer, Garlia Cornelia Jones. 

ABOUT THE PLAY, “FATHER’S SIN”: FATHER'S SINS is an audio offering that captures a father on death row making his final phone call to his son. Through this brief yet powerful piece, it explores the passing of generational legacies—the good, the bad, and the divine. Using music and poetic language, FATHER'S SINS is a hand reaching out with hope, seeking connection and understanding across the divides of time and circumstance. Featuring original music by Maleek Rae and Xander Browne, the piece highlights how music can step in during moments when words fail us and we struggle to express what we truly feel.

Hosted by Joshua Kahan Brody & Garlia Cornelia Jones

Produced by Garlia Cornelia Jones & Joshua Kahan Brody

Recording by John Kilgore

Audio editing and sound design by John Kilgore and Xander Browne

Our Theme Music is by Tom Kochan.

“Father’s Sin” music composed by Xander Browne

Lyrics Maleek Rae

“Father’s Sin” audio play mixing by John Kilgore

“Father’s Sin” song mixing by Xander Browne

Piano, Xander Browne 

Viola and Violin, LeiOra Hughes, viola and violin

Rap, Maleek Rae

Vocals, Murphy Lorenzo Applin Jr.

Season Key Art: Tylar Greer-Travis

How to listen:

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THE CORNER CAFE by Charles Mee

Society Talk.

Welcome back to another episode of Playing on Air!

Playing on Air is back for a new season!  We’ve got 5 plays for the ‘25 - ‘26 Season, 4 of which are new plays, and 3 of those new plays are commissions.  Two weeks ago, we premiered “73, SK.” by Else Went.  Today, we drop our 2nd episode of the season, “The Corner Cafe” by Charles Mee, directed by Tom Dugdale.

“The Corner Cafe” features the largest cast ever assembled for a Playing on Air recording! 

The cast includes some POA Alums and some actors making their debut with us! We are thrilled to both welcome and say "hello again" to: Vandit Bhatt, Sasha Diamond, Ethan Dubin, Peter Friedman, Elijah Jones, Francis Jue, Matthew Maher, Katie Martucci, Barrie Lobo McLain, Jo Mei, Maryann Plunkett, Jon Norman Schneider, Constance Shulman and Claire Siebers

Playing on Air is hosted by Artistic Director, Joshua Kahan Brody and Associate Artistic Director & Creative Producer, Garlia Cornelia Jones

ABOUT THE PLAY, “THE CORNER CAFE”: Society talk.

Hosted by Joshua Kahan Brody & Garlia Cornelia Jones

Produced by Garlia Cornelia Jones & Joshua Kahan Brody

Recording, editing and sound design by John Kilgore

Theme Music by Tom Kochan

Guitar and Music Arrangement for “The Corner Cafe” by Katie Martucci and Barrie Lobo McLain

“The Corner Cafe”, performed by Barrie Lobo McLain and Katie Martucci.   

Music by Tom  Dugdale.  

Lyrics by Tom Dugdale and Charles Mee

Season Key Art: Tylar Greer-Travis

How to listen:

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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73, SK. by Else Went

In the Central Coast of California, a community exists over the airwaves, an obscure group of radio operators who key up to discuss the minutiae of their lives and the county's goings on. When an unfortunate event reduces their number, the remaining members mourn, and return to life with renewed purpose.

Playing on Air is back for a new season!  We’ve got 5 plays for ‘25 - ‘26 Season, 4 of which are new plays, and 3 of those new plays are commissions.  First up, is “73, SK.” by Else Went, directed by Emma Rosa Went. “73, SK” features a company of actors each making their Playing on Air debut! We are thrilled to welcome: Olivia Rose Barresi, Paul Joseph Bernardo, Zachary Desmond, Chukwudi Iwuji and Joe McGurl.

Playing on Air is hosted by Artistic Director, Joshua Kahan Brody and Associate Artistic Director & Creative Producer, Garlia Cornelia Jones. 

ABOUT THE PLAY, “73, SK.”: In the Central Coast of California, a community exists over the airwaves, an obscure group of radio operators who key up to discuss the minutiae of their lives and the county's goings on. When an unfortunate event reduces their number, the remaining members mourn, and return to life with renewed purpose.

Hosted by Joshua Kahan Brody & Garlia Cornelia Jones

Produced by Garlia Cornelia Jones & Joshua Kahan Brody

Recording, editing and sound design by John Kilgore

Theme Music by Tom Kochan

Radio jingle composed and arranged by John Kilgore

“Side by Side” Music and lyrics by Harry M. Woods.  Arrangement by Charlie Rosen

Featuring Vocal Trio: The New York Nightingales: Katy Lombardi, Brianna Barnhart & Natasha Bergman.  The New York Nightingales was Founded by Jennifer Mergele.

Season Key Art: Tylar Greer-Travis

How to listen:

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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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?

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.

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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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.

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.

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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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.

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.

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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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.

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?

Two women--one older, another younger--stare out in square frames that float above a nebula of pink and green.

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. 

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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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?

A tumbleweed kicks up dust in the lower right of a tan background.

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. 

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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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.

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.

Search “Playing on Air” in your favorite podcasting app – or stream below!

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