Episode 1: August Wilson's JITNEY

The big open, on all things August Wilson. In a deep dive on August Wilson’s JITNEY, Kevin drills down with Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson and actor Francois Battiste, and visits with Constanza Romero Wilson about her legendary husband's life, legacy, and the future of the Pulitzer Prize-winner's “Century Cycle.” Plus, a cameo by Tony Kushner. (As if a Tony Kushner cameo could ever be just a cameo.) August Wilson's JITNEY was produced on Broadway by Manhattan Theatre Club in association with Eric Falkenstein, Ron Simons, John Legend/Mike Jackson and Ken Wirth, with direction by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. A national tour launched at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 13, 2019 with upcoming stops in Detroit (Nov. 12 -16), Los Angeles (Nov. 22 - Dec. 29), San Diego (Jan 18 - Feb. 23), and Seattle (Feb. 28 - Mar 29.) Ticket information can be found at http://www.playbill.com/production/jitney. Credits The Backdrop is hosted by Kevin Bleyer and produced by Nella Vera. Special thanks to Samantha Schneider, Erin Salvi, Arena Stage and Theatre Communications Group/TCG Books. The Backdrop artwork is by Philip Romano. The August Wilson Century Cycle can be purchased on the TCG website. Follow Kevin Bleyer and Nella Vera on Twitter: @kevinbleyer / @spinstripes

Om Podcasten

So the show’s a smash. But why? And why now? THE BACKDROP puts theater's biggest hits and most compelling productions in context — featuring interviews with the creators and cast, punctuated by a punchy, deeply researched dive into the reasons why this particular production is relevant at this particular moment. Join host Emmy and Writers Guild Award winner Kevin Bleyer (The Daily Show) and producer Nella Vera for this thoughtful mix of historical scene-setting and related current events — the full backdrop. Oh, and it’s also funny.