This week on The Scene Podcast, we’re joined by playwright Jonathan Spector, whose work blends sharp political insight with dark humor and daring theatricality. From Eureka Day to This Much I Know, Jonathan has built a reputation for tackling polarizing subjects with nuance, empathy, and a touch of absurdity. In this conversation, recorded prior to his 2025 Tony Award win, we talk about writing satire in polarized times, the Bay Area as a creative influence, and how he builds plays that ask big questions without prescribing easy answers.

Episode Notes

• Guest - Jonathan Spector – @spectorama
• Playwright - Eureka Day, This Much I Know, and Good. Better. Best. Bested.
• Special Note: This episode was recorded prior to Jonathan’s Tony Award win, so it is not discussed in the interview.

Topics Covered

• Satire, sensitivity, and writing in the age of disinformation
• How the Bay Area informs his aesthetic and political lens
• The development journey of Eureka Day from regional theater to Off-Broadway to London
• Writing characters with clashing ideologies but shared humanity
• The value of ambiguity and open-ended storytelling
• Creating work that meets audiences halfway without moralizing

The Scene Team

Leah Barker - Producer & Talent Coordinator

Justin Borak - Host

Zach Dulli - Executive Producer

KJ Lampar - Producer & Editor

Additional music and sound effects licensed through Envato Elements

LINKS

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SPECIAL THANKS

Jennifer Isaacson

Lauren Kardos

Kent Nicholson

Jeffery Keilholtz