When Lightning Strikes!

Eisa Davis is playwright, actress, and singer-songwriter. A Pulitizer Prize finalist, she is the co-creator of the "Warriors" concept album with Lin-Manuel Miranda. And her previous works include the plays Bulrusher and Angela's Mixtape. Her newest play Girls Chance Music, made its world premiere at the Vineyard Theatre and is playing there until June 21. On the first day of rehearsal, Eisa sat down to talk about the production, which was inspired by the music school she attended in Berkeley, and how that experience helped shape her in seismic ways. This episode was recorded April 29, 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Writer/director Ngozi Anyanwu says that her play The Monsters is “a love letter to strong bodies, soft hearts.” Now playing at Manhattan Theatre Club, this intimate production is also a riveting sibling love story about what it takes to reconnect, forgive, and truly confront your inner demons. The Monsters cast members Okieriete “Oak” Onaodowan and Aigner Mizzelle, along with Anyanwu, choreographer Rickey Tripp, and MMA consultant Sijara Eubanks, share insights about the show’s mixed martial arts backdrop and why it feels so relevant, especially now. This episode was recorded January 13, 2026. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heather Christie created and hosts LoveNotes! The storytelling event also inspired Heather's popular book of the same name. LoveNotes! mines all kinds of love stories, including first love, last love and all the messy love in-between. This Valentine's Day, on February 14th, LoveNotes! returns to New York and will be performed for three special shows at Symphony Space. LoveNotes! has also been seen in in cities across the country and is currently expanding to other markets. This episode was recorded on February 10, 2026 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Samuel D. Hunter is a playwright and screenwriter whose work includes the critically acclaimed play The Whale and its Oscar-winning film adaptation. This past fall he made his West End debut with Clarkston, and he is currently making his Broadway debut with Little Bear Ridge Road at the Booth Theatre. Drawing deeply from his upbringing in Idaho, Samuel's work, including the plays A Case for the Existence of God, A Bright New Boise, and Greater Clements, is celebrated for its humanity, humor, and intimate portraits of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jak Malone co-stars in the hit new musical, Operation Mincemeat, which is nominated for four Tony Awards, including Best Musical and a nomination for Jak. He also received Oliver, Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his show-stopping performance as Hester Leggatt and other characters. Operation Mincemeat is based on the unlikely, but completely true, story of how during WW2 the allies deceived the Nazi's by attaching fake war-plan documents to a corpse and washing him up on the shores of Spain. The success of the mission transformed the war. Operation Mincemeat is now playing at the John Golden Theatre. In 2026, the production will be launching a world tour going around the globe throughout the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, China, Mexico and New Zealand. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susan Jaffe is the artistic director of American Ballet Theater. Called “America’s quintessential American ballerina," and “born to dance,” by the New York Times, Susan was a principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre. She performed on stages around the world for 22 years. This summer American Ballet Theatre celebrates its 85th anniversary at the Metropolitan Opera House. Their anniversary season also marks 30 years of ABT Studio Company and two decades of the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices