Thesis on Joan

Hosts Harrow and Meghan share Tony reactions, queer recommendations and Summer plans. We talk Ruthie Ann Miles’ spit takes, the Tony as a marketing tool, our love of Ariana Debose (host everything!), the Tony’s response to the writer’s strike, the Tonys continuing to sideline the creative awards, disappointments and celebrations of the big night, the Jimmy to City Center pipeline, the shows we wish got more attention (KPOP, Ain’t No Mo’) and, of course, spoilers for The Ultimatum. Our Action of the Ep is all the ways that you can support Drag Story Hour here in NYC! Tony Moments: Opening Performance Kimberly Akimbo Performance Some Like it Hot Performance & Juliet Performance Sweeney Todd Performance Into the Woods Performance Shucked Performance Action of the Ep:  Drag Story Hour Web Site  Instagram Volunteer Sign-Up Virtual Programming Queer Culture Recs: Mary’s Bar The Ultimatum Carmen Machado’s Writing on The Ultimatum Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Harrow and Meghan discuss Some Like It Hot and White Girl in Danger. Hear the response from Meghan on the representation(s) of her namesake (but not her spelling) and thoughts on how queerness, gender, race, and identity are represented in these two very different productions. It’s also time for Pride and there are many queer festivals, shows, and actions to take in June to support and celebrate the LGBTQ+ community! Show Discussions: Some Like It Hot Book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman, directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw Some Like It Not: Are Men in Dresses Still Funny? Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman Have Read Your Criticisms About Broadway's Some Like It Hot White Girl in Danger By Michael R. Jackson, directed by Lileana Blain-Cruz, and choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly Teeth at Playwrights Horizons, February 2024 Book and music by Anna K. Jacobs, book and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson, choreographed by Raja Feather Kelly, and directed by Sarah Benson Upcoming Shows: FRIGID New York presents the 2023 Queerly Festival UNDER St. Marks & The Kraine Theater, June 15-July 3rd New Ambassadors Theatre Company’s Blurring Boundaries 2023 Hudson Guild Theatre, June 14-18th The Tank annual PrideFest The Tank, June 16-25th Foxes by Dexter Flanders, directed by James Hillier 59E59’s Theater A, June 1 - July 2nd Action of the Ep:  Black & Pink - A nationwide PenPal program to match incarcerated LGBTQIA2S+ people and people living with HIV/AIDS with PenPals who correspond, build relationships, and participate in harm reduction and affirmation. Queer Culture Recs: Lempicka Woman Is Stay Girl in a Green Dress, Tamara de Lempicka Dyke Beer Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel K. Isaac, star of stage and (TV) screen joins hosts Harrow & Meghan for an in-depth discussion of his theatrical work, particularly his play Once Upon a (Korean) Time and his role in Noah Diaz’s You Will Get Sick. We fanqueer over Ryan Haddad’s Dark Disabled Stories and learn about the inspiration and research behind Daniel’s work (including his Mom). We discuss the importance of overcoming design hurdles and demanding big production value, letting go during the writing process and generational resilience. We react very excitedly to Daniel’s book references and recommendations and his many Queering the Canon suggestions. Finally, we start petitioning to get Daniel to play Marx in an eventual screen adaptation of Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin and Daniel promises to keep writing. Daniel K. Isaac: Instagram | Twitter  Web Site Queer Culture Recs: Here for It by R Erik Thomas The Groom Will Keep His Name by Matt Ortile Memorial by Bryan Washington Real Life by Brandon Taylor Less by Andrew Sean Greer Alexander Che Michael Cunningham Queer Korean Shout Outs: Diana Oh (Our TOJ Interview with Diana!) Jason Kim Hansol Jung Shannon Tyo Deborah S. Craig Queer Gives: Ma-Yi Theater Company Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Meghan and Harrow have a spoiler-full discussion of Fat Ham by James Ijames, directed by Saheem Ali and Dark Disabled Stories by Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Jordan Fein. Hear how their New Year’s resolutions and intentions are going, their queer theatre character fanfic dreams, what queer-ish shows they hope to see next, how to support the NYCLU in disbanding the NYPD’s Strategic Response Group, and what Meghan is finally watching in Queer Culture Recs. Fat Ham by James Ijames, directed by Saheem Ali Dark Disabled Stories by Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Jordan Fein Upcoming Shows White Girl in Danger Shucked Sweeney Todd The Thanksgiving Play Episode Mentions Ryan J. Haddad’s Instagram A Strange Loop by Michael R. Jackson soft by Donja R. Love DANCIN’ Action of the Ep SRG Fact Sheet Volunteer Projects/Activities - testifying, digital advocacy, canvassing, and more SRG Action Toolkit Queer Culture Recs Stone Butch Blues by Leslie Feinberg Hijab Butch Blues by Lamya H Yellowjackets Heavenly Creatures Episode Credits Edited by Harrow Sansom Thesis on Joan Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Justin David Sullivan, currently starring as May in & Juliet on Broadway, brings a burst of queer joy to the podcast. Hosts Harrow and Meghan talk with Justin about the representation that has inspired her, crayons and our type A personalities, what drives them to continue to advocate for inclusivity and representation on stage and how they landed their dream role in & Juliet! We also discuss the unique position of stepping into a character for a Broadway transfer, the queer audience responses to the character of May, the queer anthems of & Juliet, and why she thinks & Juliet is “the queerest show on Broadway.” Justin leaves with a stack of Queer Culture Rec homework and shares with us more about Thee Open House Project started by former guest, Sis! Justin David Sullivan: Instagram | TikTok | Youtube Justin finding out they landed the role of May Show Links Meghan & Harrow talk & Juliet Queer Culture Recs: Just By Looking At Him by Ryan O’Connell Queer Gives: Thee Open House Project Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Season four kicks off with artist, activist, cultural worker, and Pisces, Sara Porkalob (she/they)! Sara and hosts Harrow (they/them) and Meghan (she/her) get pumped for Dragon Cycle, Sara’s trilogy of musical plays about her family (and the queer upbringing of our dreams), manifesting the next role in their villain arc, queerness as performance, mentoring as resource sharing, and intersectional performance critique. She also shares her reaction to and takeaways from the response to the 1776 Vulture interview and how she continues to live and practice her values. Sara Porkalob: Website | Instagram | Twitter  TeenTix Queer Culture Recs: Queer historical figure love letters Queer Gives: YouthCare Lambert House Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Harrow and Meghan wrap up the season with a show catch-up, a reflection on the last year, and theatrical resolutions for 2023. Hosts discuss the millennial bait of & Juliet and how it measures up to other jukebox musicals, our love of Betsy Wolfe, and what worked and didn’t work for us in this star-crossed lovers tale with new queer characters. Hosts also discuss the recent run of the Roundabout Theatre Company production of You Will Get Sick and how it flips our expectations for character relationships. We discuss the transactional nature of caregiving, and we attempt to unravel the metaphors and symbols of the play’s story arc. Shout outs to Brian D’Arcy James, I Want to F*ck Like Romeo & Juliet by Andrew Rincón, Strange Loop, and Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival as we wrap up 2023. Support Trans Youth this holiday season with Trans Santa. Show Discussions: & Juliet Music from Max Martin Book by David West Read Directed by Luke Shepherd Playing at the Stephen Sondheim Theater You Will Get Sick By Noah Diaz Directed by Sam Pinkleton Action of the Ep:  TransSanta Wishlists Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Meghan and Harrow discuss a new round of queer theatre including the Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival readings of TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe, Hide and Hide by Roger Q. Mason, and Overheard directed by L Morgan Lee, as well as Where the Mountain Meets the Sea by Jeff Augustin and I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón. Special guest and Harrow’s partner, Luci DeVoy joins in a deep dive into Roundabout Theatre’s revival of 1776 with her thoughts on representation, land acknowledgments, and where she expects them to show up next.  A full transcription of this episode is available here. Show Discussions: Breaking the Binary Theatre Festival TRANS WORLD by Ty Defoe Hide and Hide by Roger Q. Mason Overheard directed by L Morgan Lee Where the Mountain Meets the Sea by Jeff Augustin I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet by Andrew Rincón Listen to a reading on The Parsnip Ship - 32:40 1776 music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, book by Peter Stone Sara Porkalob Vulture Interview References: Special guest Luci DeVoy: Instagram Action of the Ep:  Call on Congress and the Biden administration to swiftly pass permanent protections for undocumented immigrants in our country. National Domestic Workers Alliance: Sign the petition New York Immigration Coalition: Write to your representatives Queer Culture Recs: Cruise with Ben and David Queer Folx Book Club Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Artist, Activist, and Self-Proclaimed Sister to thee people Sis joins us from the road as she wrapped up playing Ado Annie in the National tour of Oklahoma! We talk about how Ado Annie has been with her for years, execution and expectations when it comes to revivals, and theatre as a mirror to realize the world that we’ve created. We find out why now is the time for Sis to be Elle Woods, discuss the challenges of creating your own work as a marginalized creator, not being OK with the state of theater, the lasting effects of the Trans March on Broadway, and the dangers of conflating experiences of trans folx. Sis is hands down the most excited we’ve ever had a guest get for Queer Culture Recs - let’s just say we should all have the best of both worlds. SIS: Instagram | Twitter  The Next Generation Project: Website | Instagram | Twitter  Our Offering The Open House Project Queer Culture Recs: Hannah Montana Queer Gives: Next Generation Project - Donate Episode Credits: Edited by Meghan Dixon Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Meghan and Harrow discuss all the queer shows they’ve seen recently (and not so recently)! Hear shout outs to Songs From Bark of Millions by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray, Gumiho by Nina Ki, The Nosebleed written and directed by Aya Ogawa, As You Like It adapted by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery, and Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason. They go into deeper dives on Once Upon a (Korean) Time by Daniel K. Isaac and american (tele)visions by Victor I. Cazares! Plus, get behind-the-scenes thoughts on the making of this podcast, a discussion of the current “drag moment” trend in theatre, and what playwright Harrow and Meghan moved aside in order to take a photo with their show poster. A full transcription of this episode is available here Content Warning: Discussion of sexual assault between 27:16-29:13 Show Discussions: Songs From Bark of Millions by Taylor Mac and Matt Ray    Gumiho by Nina Ki, directed by Kai Kim The Nosebleed written and directed by Aya Ogawa As You Like It adapted by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery, directed by Laurie Woolery Lavender Men by Roger Q. Mason, directed by Lovell Holder Once Upon a (Korean) Time by Daniel K. Isaac, directed by Ralph B. Peña american (tele)visions by Victor I. Cazares, directed by Rubén Polendo Upcoming Shows: 1776 - September 16, 2022-January 8, 2023, American Airlines Theatre & Juliet - previews begin October 28th, Stephen Sondheim Theatre I Wanna F*ck Like Romeo and Juliet - October 20-November 5, 2022, 59E59 Theaters Turning Krasniqi - November 3- 6, 2022, AMT Theater The Patient Gloria - November 16-December 4, 2022, St. Ann’s Warehouse Episode References: Some Like It Not: Are Men in Dresses Still Funny? Action of the Ep:  Fair Chance for Housing Campaign Take action Queer Culture Recs: A League of Their Own Episode Credits: Edited by Harrow Sansom Thesis on Joan: Follow Thesis on Joan on Instagram & Twitter  Leave us a voicemail at (845) 445-9251‬ Email us at thesisonjoan at gmail dot com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices