Description

This week on The Scene Podcast, we’re joined by playwright Jonathan Spector, whose work blends sharp political insight with dark humor and daring theatricality. From Eureka Day to This Much I Know, Jonathan has built a reputation for tackling polarizing subjects with nuance, empathy, and a touch of absurdity. In this conversation, recorded prior to his 2025 Tony Award win, we talk about writing satire in polarized times, the Bay Area as a creative influence, and how he builds plays that ask big questions without prescribing easy answers.

Episode Notes

• Guest - Jonathan Spector – @spectorama
• Playwright - Eureka Day, This Much I Know, and Good. Better. Best. Bested.
• Special Note: This episode was recorded prior to Jonathan’s Tony Award win, so it is not discussed in the interview.

Topics Covered

• Satire, sensitivity, and writing in the age of disinformation
• How the Bay Area informs his aesthetic and political lens
• The development journey of Eureka Day from regional theater to Off-Broadway to London
• Writing characters with clashing ideologies but shared humanity
• The value of ambiguity and open-ended storytelling
• Creating work that meets audiences halfway without moralizing

The Scene Team

Justin Borak - Host 

Zach Dulli - Executive Producer 

KJ Lampar - Producer 

Leah Barker - Producer & Talent Coordinator

Jim Colleran - Editor

Additional music and sound effects licensed through Envato Elements

LINKS

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