Playing on Air Hour Length Episodes

Series produced by Playing on Air

Caption: Playing on Air
Playing on Air  

Playing on Air delivers recordings of contemporary short plays featuring top talent: Brian Cox, Audra McDonald, Timothee Chalamet, Michelle Williams, Jesse Eisenberg, Carol Kane, Adam Driver, Adepero Oduye, Danny DeVito to name a few.

Each short is about 10-25 minutes and there are one, two or three of them in every 53-minute episode. Original music and polished, subtle sound design are composed for every bite-sized but beautifully crafted piece.

After hearing each short play, listeners get the inside scoop from its participants. Lively, insightful conversation with each short's playwright, director and cast about what just happened, round out each show. Claudia Catania hosts.

The topics of these short plays are timely, and reflect the world we live in now. Like all great stories, these short plays entertain, illuminate, and humanize.

Writers and directors include Pulitzer Prize winners David Lindsay-Abaire, David Auburn, John Patrick Shanley, Beth Henley, Lynn Nottage, Donald Margulies, Lanford Wilson; Tony winners Christopher Durang, Warren Leight, John Guare, and notable emerging talent.

“Playing On Air is a great addition to our programming lineup. There’s nothing else like it on the public radio airwaves –short plays written and performed by well-known actors and directors. Take a break from the news!” -Catie Talarski, Senior Programming Director, WNPR Connecticut

"When I first sampled Playing on Air I thought our audience would like the program, so I scheduled it during the summer and asked for listener feedback. The most amazing feedback returned with almost 100 % positive about this program. This is not typical of our listeners! This is a gem worth your review and absolutely worth adding to your schedule. Try it! You'll love the response! What's left to say? Playing on Air is a public radio winner."
- Lynne Clendenin, Program Director, OPB Radio.

"The playwrights and the actors are award-winning first-rate professionals you will have heard of. Because the plays are short, there's time to include insightful interviews, usually with the playwrights, in each broadcast. Playing on Air definitely fills a gap in available radio theatre programming and I'm delighted to schedule them. Your audiences will love these shows."
- Linda Lopez McAlister, Producer, KUNM's Radio Theatre, Albuquerque, NM

"Playing on Air is the kind of show that should be multiplied by ten - it's fun, it's intelligent, and it reminds us how glorious radio can be."
- David Ives, playwright

"Playing on Air gives actors the thrilling experience of acting without having to look in a mirror first. They produce dramatically compelling radio in a fun and accessible way."
- Jesse Eisenberg, actor, playwright Hide full description

“Playing On Air is a great addition to our programming lineup. There’s nothing else like it on the public radio airwaves –short plays written and performed by well-known actors and directors. Take a break from the news!” -Catie Talarski, Senior Programming Director, WNPR Connecticut"When I first sampled Playing on Air I thought our audience would like the program, so I scheduled it during the summer and asked for listener feedback. The most amazing feedback returned with almost 100 % positive about this program. This is not typical of our listeners! This is a gem worth your review and absolutely worth adding to your schedule. Try it! You'll love the response! What's left to say? Playing on Air is a public radio winner." - Lynne Clendenin, Program Director, OPB Radio. "The... Show full description


53 Pieces

Order by: Newest First | Oldest First
Caption: Scott Adsit
Comedy writer all-star, Alan Zweibel (“SNL,” Curb Your Enthusiasm,” Billy Crystal’s 700 Sundays), and young comedy writer MVP, Jon Kern (“The Simps...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., Connecticut Public (WNPR), and KUNM


  • Added: Mar 23, 2017
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: John Douglas Thompson
Sam Waterston and John Douglas Thompson star in this offering from Playing on Air. It features two short plays about American Black History. In th...

Bought by KSKQ, KUNM, Connecticut Public (WNPR), New Hampshire Public Radio, Connecticut Public (WNPR) and more


  • Added: Feb 28, 2017
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Jane Alexander
Jane Alexander, Peter Jacobson, Amy Ryan and Michael Stuhlbarg star in two short, touching and humorous plays about stepping up when you are neede...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WHRV, KUNM, and Oregon Public Broadcasting


  • Added: Nov 02, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Stephen Lang
"One of the richest, most complex pieces of acting I've seen in my theater going life." The Wall Street Journal "As starkly moving as taps at dusk...

Bought by KUNM, Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi), WHRV, and Oregon Public Broadcasting


  • Added: Oct 27, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Peter Gallagher
Ed Asner, Bobby Cannavale, Peter Gallagher, Elizabeth Ashley and others star in two shorts about fatherhood, and fathers who don’t always enjoy a s...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WCPN, WHRV, KUNM, Oregon Public Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Aug 03, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Brandon Dirden
Two short plays directed by award-winning actresses. In the comic The Press Conference by Jessica Dickey, everyone reveals a bit more of their true...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), Connecticut Public (WNPR), WHRV, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and KUNM


  • Added: Jun 28, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Stephen Lang
"As starkly moving as taps at dusk" says the Washington Post about BEYOND GLORY, a powerful tribute to military valor written and performed by stag...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), KUNM, Connecticut Public (WNPR), Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi), KWIT and more


  • Added: Apr 30, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 14
Caption: Carol Kane
Carol Kane, Julie White, and Steven Boyer are among the stars in these two shorts. It’s spring in the neighborhood "Hell’s Kitchen" in SOMETHING I'...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WHRV, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and KUNM


  • Added: Mar 08, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Amy Ryan
Two short plays. In Pulitzer Prize winner David Auburn’s Fifth Planet, a professional astronomer played by Amy Ryan (Birdman; Gone, Baby, Gone) an...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WHRV, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and KUNM


  • Added: Jan 15, 2016
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Lucy DeVito
Two short plays about teenagers facing their futures. With summer imminent, they look ahead with anxiety, optimism, resignation, possibility. In th...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), Oregon Public Broadcasting, WHRV, and KUNM


  • Added: Nov 04, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Kelly Hutchinson
Two short plays by the master of the form, David Ives (Venus In Fur, All in the Timing). In David Ives’ ITS ALL GOOD, a Chicago native visits his h...

Bought by WHRV, Oregon Public Broadcasting, KZYX, and KUNM


  • Added: Oct 14, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Marsha Mason
Marsha Mason (4 time Academy Award nominee) and Steven Boyer (Tony nominee for HAND TO GOD and regular on TV's "Trial and Error") star in TASHA WA...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WHRV, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and KUNM


  • Added: Jun 11, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Jane Kaczmarek
Jane Kaczmarek ("Malcolm in the Middle") stars in the touching and humorous first piece, Napoleon in Exile, directed by Marsha Mason (four time Aca...

Bought by KUNM, New Hampshire Public Radio, WCPN, WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., Georgia Public Broadcasting and more


  • Added: May 27, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 7
Caption: Rosie Perez, Credit: Rob Northway
John Leguizamo, Rosie Perez and Bobby Cannavale star in CRAZY EIGHTS by David Lindsay-Abaire (Tony and Pulitzer Prize winner). Two recovering drug ...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), WRGY, KUNM, WCAI / WNAN Cape & Islands, Mass., Oregon Public Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Jun 26, 2014
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 8
Caption: David Auburn
Two short plays about political operatives by Pulitzer Prize Winner David Auburn. In the comic DAMAGE CONTROL, a political aide has a public relati...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), KZYX, Connecticut Public (WNPR), Oregon Public Broadcasting, KUNM and more


  • Added: Mar 26, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 6
Caption: Tonya Pinkins
In Forward Observer, Tony Award winner Tonya Pinkins plays a harried Veterans Administration Hospital clerk. An elderly World War II veteran is giv...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), KUNM, Oregon Public Broadcasting, and KUNM


  • Added: Mar 17, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 4
Caption: Michael Urie
Michael Urie, Harriet Harris and a great ensemble of actors star in three short plays about love and marriage. A couple celebrates their 24th anniv...

Bought by KUNM, Connecticut Public (WNPR), Oregon Public Broadcasting, Red River Radio Network (E. Texas/Louisiana/Arkansas/Mississippi), and KUNM


  • Added: Feb 11, 2015
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Bobby Cannavale
In the comic classic, MERE MORTALS by David Ives, a construction worker reveals he is secretly, actually the Lindbergh baby. Turns out his pals hav...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), Connecticut Public (WNPR), KUNM, KZYX, Georgia Public Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Oct 08, 2014
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 9
Caption: William Jackson Harper
William Jackson Harper is a lascivious bee swarming a young woman’s Upper West Side apartment. Two vultures have a bone to pick with Saint Francis....

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), New Hampshire Public Radio, Oregon Public Broadcasting, KZYX, and KUNM


  • Added: Sep 04, 2014
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 5
Caption: Peter Sagal
Two short plays. In MILTON BRADLEY by "Wait, Wait Don’t Tell Me" host Peter Sagal, a flummoxed Rabbi has to eulogize a mother whose son has only te...

Bought by Connecticut Public (WNPR), KUER, Oregon Public Broadcasting, KUNM, Oregon Public Broadcasting and more


  • Added: Dec 22, 2012
  • Length: 53:00
  • Purchases: 6