On this week’s episode, Rob and Jamie talk to director extraordinaire, Des McAnuff.  Over nearly four decades, Des has directed such smash hits as Big River, The Who’s Tommy, Jersey Boys, and this season’s hit Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations. We talk to Des about directing, running a regional theater, and how you don’t say “no” when Otis Williams asks you to direct a show about his life.  Later, Rob gives a closer look into the legendary La Jolla Playhouse.

 This week’s music: “Brotherhood of Man, “ “A Secretary Is Not A Toy” from How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying The New Broadway Cast Recording (1995), “The Royal Nonesuch” from Big River, and “Ain’t Too Proud To Beg” from Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations.

This week’s show we continue our conversation with "Jersey Boys” and "The Cher Show" book writer Rick Elice.  This time we dip back to the late 70’s and early 80’s to discuss New York theater at that time and what it was like being at the start of what became one of the most powerful advertising agencies on Broadway.  

This week’s music: “A Little Priest” from “Sweeney Todd,” “I Hope I Get It,” “I Can Do That,” “The Music and the Mirror” from “A Chorus Line,” “Broadway Baby” from “Follies,” Carol Burnett singing, “Let Me Entertain You” and Lauren Bacall singing “Welcome to the Theater,” from “Applause."

On this episode, Jamie, Rob, and Jennifer chat with Tony Award-winning playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and activist David Henry Hwang. We discuss David’s very early start as a playwright, his complicated relationship with “The King And I” and how the 2016 election changed the course of his newest work, “Soft Power.” David also discusses his role as Chair of the American Theater Wing, his lifelong activism, including his views on color conscious casting, and his brief stint in a punk band.

This week’s music: We hear a brief clip from David’s punk band days with John Vomit and the Leather Scabs, “I Suck,” a small sample of the score from “Soft Power” and “One Hundred Million Miracles” from the 2001 Revival of “Flower Drum Song."