Playwright Jeff Talbott invites us into the process of adapting a female-centered version of Henrik Ibsen's "An Enemy of the People." Where Henrik Ibsen was focused on the dangers of "compacted majorities," Talbott is focused on the reasons tha

The Cosmic Tree and "Once On This Island" with Mythologist John Lundwall

Feb 23rd, 2020 18m 28s

For this episode—in conjunction with "Once On This Island"—mythologist John Lundwall, PhD, explains our need for stories with elemental gods, the origin of Haitian mythos, and the image of the Cosmic Tree in "Once On This Island" and beyond. **

"The Anatomy of Love" with Ted Malawer

Feb 5th, 2020 9m 29s

Our first Play-by-Play reading of the 2019–2020 season is "The Anatomy of Love" by Ted Malawer. Mr. Malawer talks about how he gradually makes a play less personal for him and more personal for the characters that inhabit it. **TED MALAWER (pla

Director Shelley Butler on political intrigue and "Mary Stuart"

Dec 31st, 2019 8m 8s

Next up at PTC is "Mary Stuart" by Jean Stock Goldstone and John Reich (derived from the text of Friedrich Schiller). Director Shelley Butler talks about how she approaches political intrigue, how she prepares for historical dramas, and about t

"The Play That Goes Wrong" with Actors William Connell & Ruth Pferdehirt

Nov 26th, 2019 13m 52s

PTC's holiday show for 2019 is "The Play That Goes Wrong" by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. It's a demanding physical comedy with a lot that goes wrong—as the title implies. For this episode, actors William Connell (Chris) and

Fact, Truth, & Authenticity

Oct 17th, 2019 30m 45s

Dr. Avery Holton, a 2018 National Humanities Center Fellow from the U of U's Department of Communication, helps you separate fact from fiction in this episode, as we discuss how social media has warped (and sometimes strengthened) the lifespan

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels with Brent Barrett & Matthew Hydzik

Oct 11th, 2019 8m 27s

Musical Theatre pros Brent Barrett ("Phantom – The Las Vegas Spectacular") and Matthew Hydzik (national tour of "Rent") chat about making it in musical theatre, self-care, and saying yes to roles that scare you. Brent and Matt will play Lawrenc

"Cagney" with Dr. Andrew Nelson

Sep 13th, 2019 18m 29s

Dr. Andrew Nelson from the Film and Media Arts department of the University of Utah breaks down the old movie studio system and the success of tough guy and silver screen icon James Cagney. Pioneer Theatre Company is opening a new bio musical a

Introducing the 2019-2020 season at Pioneer Theatre Company

Aug 13th, 2019 6m 5s

Matthew Ivan Bennett interviews PTC Artistic Director Karen Azenberg and Managing Director Chris Massimine about the 2019-2020 Season. Seven main stage plays and musicals, a concert production and three new play readings...it's a busy season, a

Interview with PTC's Resident Sound Designer Allan Branson!

May 16th, 2019 4m 30s

Matthew Ivan Bennett interviews Resident Sound Designer Allan Branson about the intricacies of sounding a musical like Grease.Support the show

The Way North: Matthew Ivan Bennett Interviews Playwright Tira Palmquist

Apr 17th, 2019 6m 11s

The Way North is a hopeful yet timely play, set in the Minnesota wilderness. Playwright Tira Palmquist talks about her background, why she decided to set the play in Minnesota, and showcase how timely this play is. Support the show

Sweat with Director Mary B. Robinson and Actress Nafeesa Monroe

Mar 26th, 2019 13m 4s

In our first dual interview, Matthew Ivan Bennett interviews Director Mary B. Robinson and Actress Nafeesa Monroe. They talk about "what's your moment before" and other ways they navigated the intricacies of the Pulitzer-Prize winning play Swea

An Interview with costume designer Patrick Holt (aka Tempest Dujour) for "La Cage aux Folles"

Mar 12th, 2019 8m 23s

Vreni Romang, publicity manager at PTC, interviews costume designer Patrick Holt (aka the drag queen Tempest DuJour). Holt talks about his inspirations, his love of "La Cage aux Folles" and why everyone should see "La Cage aux Folles" at Pionee

Hillary Porter on being Girl, in "Once"

Feb 7th, 2019 8m 59s

PTC's Matthew Ivan Bennett sat down with "Once" actress Hillary Porter (“Girl”) to talk about how she “met” the piano and the insanely soulful music she sings in the show.Support the show

From Engineer to Playwright - An Interview with "The Fifth Domain" playwright Victor Lesniewski

Jan 24th, 2019 6m 11s

Matthew Ivan Bennett sits down with The Fifth Domain playwright Victor Lesniewski about cyber security, Pioneer Theatre Company's Play-by-Play series, and what lead him to writing this timely thriller. Support the show

Actor's Accents - Interview with Dialect Coach Sarah Shippobotham

Nov 27th, 2018 7m 58s

Dialect – or technically accent – coach Sarah Shippobotham chats with PTC Publicity Manager Vreni Romang about what it takes to make an accent for a PTC show. Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley opens November 30 and runs through December 14Sup

Sondheim, Sweeney Todd and musical theatre history

Nov 1st, 2018 6m 46s

PTC's publicity manager Vreni Romang interviews musical director Phil Reno on directing "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" at Pioneer Theatre Company, and on meeting Stephen Sondheim. Support the show

Pancakes and Pictures - Talking "Oslo"

Sep 12th, 2018 6m 44s

"Oslo" Director Karen Azenberg speaks to PTC's Matthew Ivan Bennett about her personal connection to the Tony Award-winning play through her visits to the region and her favorite scenes."Oslo" opens at PTC on Friday, Sept. 14 and continues thro

Mamma Mia! A conversation with Patti Wilcox, Helen Gregory and Kathryn Brunner

May 11th, 2018 4m 13s

Matthew Ivan Bennett sits down with Director/Choreographer Patricia Wilcox, Musical Director/Conductor Helen Gregory and Kathryn Brunner, who plays Sophie Sheridan in our production of "Mamma Mia!," running May 11-26.Support the show

An Interview with Ellen Simon, writer of "ASS"

Apr 18th, 2018 5m 3s

Matthew Ivan Bennett talks to playwright Ellen Simon about "ASS," an upcoming Play-by-Play reading.Support the show

i & us & sci-fi

Feb 7th, 2018 12m

Matthew Ivan Bennett sits down to talk with /i/ Playwright Jeff Talbott about /i/, science fiction, and other fun things. Support the show

An interview with "The Envelope" playwright, Alex Lewin

Jan 31st, 2018 8m 53s

Matthew Ivan Bennett talks with Lewin about the thriller genre and workshopping "The Envelope." "The Envelope" will be read as part of our 2017-2018 Play-by-Play season Feb. 2-3.Support the show

The Sound of "Newsies"

Nov 30th, 2017 9m 33s

Matthew Ivan Bennett interviews Musical Director Tom Griffin. No stranger to PTC (he was musical director for PTC's "Oliver!," "It Happened One Christmas," "Peter and the Starcatcher," "Elf" and "A Christmas Carol: The Musical") Griffin did the

PTC talks with the dog -- in the night-time

Sep 15th, 2017 2m 14s

Matthew Ivan Bennett meets with the dog, in the night-time, to discuss his (the dog's) thoughts on "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time," the Tony-award-winning play kicking off our 2017-2018 season. Support the show

Local playwright Eric Samuelsen discusses new play, "The Ice Front"

Apr 12th, 2017 5m 44s

Local playwright Eric Samuelsen talks with Matthew Ivan Bennett about his new play, "The Ice Front," and his family’s connection to the Norwegian Resistance against the Nazis.Support the show