Shows
The State of ShakespeareDrew LichtenbergShakespeare in the U.S.February 24, 2025
As the Artistic Producer and Dramaturg at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C., Drew Lichtenberg has a front-row seat to the unfolding drama at one of the globe's most powerful artistic and political nexuses. In a recent essay for The New York Times, he shared hard truths about the state of Shakespeare in contemporary America. Over the past half-decade, the number of Shakespeare productions has declined steeply. What might be driving this trend, and is it likely to change?
New York TImes: Who's Afraid of William Shakespeare
New York TImes: Cancel Shakespeare
S...2025-02-2441 min
Shield of the RepublicThe Intersection of Theatre and PoliticsEliot and Eric welcome Drew Lichtenberg (resident dramaturg at the Shakespeare Theatre Company) and Deborah Payne (Professor of Literature at American University), authors of Shakespeare in the Theatre: Shakespeare Theatre Company. They discuss the long history of Washington’s fascination with and interest in Shakespeare. They talk about the tensions inside the Folger Library with regard to studying or performing Shakespeare’s plays, the political and economic changes that explain Washington’s evolution from sleepy Southern city to a more vibrant cultural center, changing interpretation of Shakespeare’s plays as a proxy for debates over representation and America’s changing demography...2025-01-2356 min
The BulwarkThe Intersection of Theatre and PoliticsEliot and Eric welcome Drew Lichtenberg (resident dramaturg at the Shakespeare Theatre Company) and Deborah Payne (Professor of Literature at American University), authors of Shakespeare in the Theatre: Shakespeare Theatre Company. They discuss the long history of Washington’s fascination with and interest in Shakespeare. They talk about the tensions inside the Folger Library with regard to studying or performing Shakespeare’s plays, the political and economic changes that explain Washington’s evolution from sleepy Southern city to a more vibrant cultural center, changing interpretation of Shakespeare’s plays as a proxy for debates over representation and America’s changing d...2025-01-2356 min
The Colin McEnroe ShowThe Bard’s the thing: A show about ShakespeareShakespeare, it turns out, is not immune to the culture wars, the book banning, the cancel culture (despite his being dead for more than four centuries). So, fine. Cancel Shakespeare, then, one argument goes. Because here’s the thing: Shakespeare’s plays and poems ARE dirty and smutty and gory — and that’s a big part of what makes them so great. And: Earlier this year, the romantic comedy Anyone But You became the highest-grossing live-action Shakespeare adaptation ever made. So we look at Shakespeare as fertile rom-com IP, from 10 Things I Hate About You and beyond. An...2024-12-1140 min
The Bardcast: "It's Shakespeare, You Dick!"Who's Afraid of Shakespeare?During her daily perusal of The New York Times, LA came upon an article entitled "Who's Afraid of William Shakespeare?" written by Drew Lichtenberg, the artistic producer at the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington.Texting it to Owen, immediately upon finishing said article, we decided that this was serious fodder for our pod.In case you want to read along, it was published on October 21, 2024.To send us an email - please do, we truly want to hear from you!!! - write us at: thebardcastyoudick@gmail.com To support us (b...2024-11-0131 min
ChinaTalkEMERGENCY POD: Biden and ShakespeareHow can Shakespeare help explain the dynamics we're seeing around Biden today?We get into King Lear, Richard II, Macbeth and Coriolanus to illustrate themes on conniving courtiers, political marriages, and politicians facing the end.Joining us today: Eliot Cohen, author of The Hollow Crown, two dramaturgs Drew Lichtenberg and Kate Pitt, as well as actor Phil Schneider.Kate's substack: https://shakespearenews.substack.com/Phil's still looking for an agent! Reach out to me jordan@chinatalk.media to connect with him!Outtro music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...2024-07-121h 14ChinaTalkEMERGENCY POD: Biden and ShakespeareHow can Shakespeare help explain the dynamics we're seeing around Biden today?We get into King Lear, Richard II, Macbeth and Coriolanus to illustrate themes on conniving courtiers, political marriages, and politicians facing the end.Joining us today: Eliot Cohen, author of The Hollow Crown, two dramaturgs Drew Lichtenberg and Kate Pitt, as well as actor Phil Schneider.Kate's substack: https://shakespearenews.substack.com/Phil's still looking for an agent! Reach out to me jordan@chinatalk.media to connect with him!Outtro music: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v...2024-07-121h 14
The Colin McEnroe ShowThe Bard’s the thing: A show about ShakespeareShakespeare, it turns out, is not immune to the culture wars, the book banning, the cancel culture (despite his being dead for more than four centuries). So, fine. Cancel Shakespeare, then, one argument goes. Because here’s the thing: Shakespeare’s plays and poems ARE dirty and smutty and gory — and that’s a big part of what makes them so great. And: Earlier this year, the romantic comedy Anyone But You became the highest-grossing live-action Shakespeare adaptation ever made. So we look at Shakespeare as fertile rom-com IP, from 10 Things I Hate About You and beyond. And finall...2024-06-1441 min
The Truth In This Art: Stories That MatterBlack Theater Evolution: LeeAnet Noble & Dr. Drew Lichtenberg at Shakespeare Theatre Co.In this episode of The Truth in This Art podcast, host Rob Lee interviews Dr. Drew Lichtenberg and LeeAnet Noble, two esteemed professionals from the Shakespeare Theatre Company in Washington, D.C. They discuss their careers, contributions to Black theater history, and their groundbreaking productions. 🎭🎤Episode Highlights:-Introduction to Dr. Drew Lichtenberg and Leone Noble 🎙️ (00:00:10)-Early memories that sparked their passion for the arts 🌟 (00:05:07)-The journey to working at the Shakespeare Theatre Company 🎭 (00:10:23)-The importance of representation and inclusivity in theater 🌍 (00:17:03)-How their backgrounds and experiences inform their roles at STC 📚🌈 (00:29:50...2023-12-291h 02
End On EndFUGAZI "Steady Diet Of Nothing" / Joe Lallyit's always a treat when we reach the Fugazi episodes. On today's show, we explore their second full length, Steady Diet Of Nothing. This is sometimes regarded as something of a dark horse in their catalog. We hope to have a hand in rectifying it's place in the canon. As you can see by the episode's length, we have a lot to say about this one. Friend of the show, Dr Drew Lichtenberg, drops by to weigh in on Guy's tracks on the album. Finally, we talk with bassist Joe Lally about the record and his philosophy of music...2022-08-274h 09End On EndHOLY ROLLERS "Fabuley/As Is" CDOnce again we are joined by the illustrious Dr Drew Lichtenberg, as the co-host to the cohost, to discuss the still fresh Holy Rollers CD (that compiles their first two albums). Find out the question on everyone's lips, "which lp does Brian prefer? Jeff? Drew? And as per our contracts, we also diverge into many side topics about punk at large, other releases, scene politics etc.2022-08-122h 26End On EndHIGH BACK CHAIRS "Of Two Minds" / Peter Hayes, Charles Steck and Jim SpellmanLooking for the most hardcore release on Dischord? Look no farther. The High Back Chairs were so hardcore, they didn't need to scream or pretend not to care about hooks. This record is a lost power pop gem. Truly. Listen to us discuss the merits and mysteries of the record. Our resident academic, Drew Lichtenberg, drops in to give his breakdown of the band and we talk to everyone in said band, except their elusive drummer. A guy who was in a few bands. Anyhow, hope you enjoy this episode and it inspires a few folks to either buy...2022-06-184h 20End On EndSHUDDER TO THINK "10 Spot/Funeral" CD / Full Band InterviewI've got to say, it's great to have a chance and excuse to explore the liminal worlds of Shudder To Think even further. They're always one of my favorite groups to interview so it was great to catch up with Craig, Stu, Chris and Mike again. And don't worry, it's not me and Jeff rehashing the same things we said last episode about the release. We got our friends Drew Lichtenberg and Scott Sheridan to drop by and drop the needle for us (i.e- break down their thoughts on the release and the band). Hope its as much f...2022-06-013h 45
The Unanimous HourSWEET NUCLEUS - INTERDIMENSIONAL SEAMS / Drew LichtenbergHave to admit, it's with a taste of sorrow that I release this episode. It's the last show covering the last album by the force of nature referred to as Lungfish. Not that there's not a handful of other albums to talk about in their catalog. There's just something so poignant and intimate about this release. At least I've got good company to say goodbye to this record with. Drew Lichtenberg is a theater worker, writer and professor. He's also a very warm guy and good friend, always up for a dive into the deepest waters of conversation. It...2022-05-211h 12End On EndHOLY ROLLERS "As Is" / Marc LambiotteThis week we dig into the Holy Rollers' first LP, As Is. This one was a pleasant surprise. Lots of hidden gems to discover if you take the time with this band. Jeff and I are joined by a couple of members of the Patreon group (Drew Lichtenberg and Scott Sheridan) to roundtable the discussion and we had blast! Right after the record talk, we chat with Holy Rollers guitarist, Marc Lambiotte. Stay connected, stay involved, stay in touch!2021-11-253h 31
WNSR New School RadioA Provocative Legacy: Erwin Piscator and the Dramatic WorkshopFaculty members Zishan Ugurlu and Ulrich Lehmann are celebrating the school’s theatrical past through the work of the émigré director and producer Erwin Piscator. Piscator worked with Bertholdt Brecht, and founded The Dramatic Workshop at the school in 1940.As part of the Centennial celebration, Urgula and Lehmann, along with
Drew Lichtenberg and Lloyd Huber, are reviving a rare production of Piscator’s. Ernst Toller’s highly charged political drama, Hoppla, We’re Alive. Ugurlu and Lehmann talk about the project in this feature.2019-10-0100 min
Playwrights in ConversationLes BlancsLorraine Hansberry's Literary Executor and Director of her Literary Trust, Joi Gresham, joins director Yaël Farber and dramaturg Drew Lichtenberg to discuss the playwright’s work and legacy, and this new production of her play, Les Blancs.
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/les-blancs
#LesBlancs
This is a recording of a live platform event.2016-04-0627 min
Directors in ConversationLes BlancsLorraine Hansberry's Literary Executor and Director of her Literary Trust, Joi Gresham, joins director Yaël Farber and dramaturg Drew Lichtenberg to discuss the playwright’s work and legacy, and this new production of her play, Les Blancs.
http://www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/shows/les-blancs
#LesBlancs
This is a recording of a live platform event.2016-04-0627 min