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Michael Lueger

Michael Lueger is an adjunct professor at Emerson College and Northeastern University, where he teaches theatre history. His blog “Abstract and Brief” features images and essays on theatre history. His work has appeared in a variety of peer-reviewed publications, such as the recent Oxford Handbook of Dance and Theater, and on WBUR’s Cognoscenti page. Follow him on Twitter with the handle @theaterhistory. 

Theatre History Podcast # 7
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 7

Getting (Politically) Radical with Amy Brady

3 October 2016

Michael Lueger kicks off a month of interviews about political theatre by talking with Amy Brady about the Federal Theatre Project.

Theatre History Podcast # 6
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 6

Diversifying the Classics with Barbara Fuchs

26 September 2016

Michael Lueger and Barbara Fuchs discuss the plays written during Spain’s theatrical Golden Age, and Barbara’s Diversifying the Classic project, which aims to bring them back into prominence for English-speaking audiences.

Theatre History Podcast # 5
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 5

Joel Berkowitz on the Yiddish Theatre's Past (and Present)

19 September 2016

Michael Lueger talks with Joel Berkowitz about Yiddish theatre’s historical and present iterations.

Theatre History Podcast # 4
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 4

You Naughty, Naughty Men: Joshua William Gelb’s New Reimagining of The Black Crook

12 September 2016

Michael Lueger talks with director and librettist Joshua William Gelb about The Black Crook, considered by some to be the first musical.

Theatre History Podcast # 3
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 3

Eric Swanson Discusses New Musical Edwin: The Story of Edwin Booth

5 September 2016

Eric Swanson and Michael Lueger discuss actor Edwin Booth, the brother of Abraham Lincoln’s assassin.

Theatre History Podcast # 2
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 2

Like a Boss: 1940s Musicals and the “Boss Lady” with Maya Cantu

29 August 2016

Maya Cantu and Michael Lueger discuss how the musicals of the 1940s saw the emergence of a new figure: the “boss lady.”

Theatre History Podcast # 1
Podcast

Theatre History Podcast # 1

Talking About Drugs (and Theatre) with Max Shulman

22 August 2016

Michael Lueger kicks off a new Theatre History podcast series with an interview with Max Shulman, discussing drugs in American theatre at the turn of the twentieth century.

Raising the Curtain
Essay

Raising the Curtain

An Interview with the Museum of London Archaeology Team Digging Up One of Shakespeare’s Theatres

10 August 2016

An interview between Michael Lueger and MOLA archeologists Heather Knight and Julian Bowsher about the recent excavation of the Curtain Theatre in London.

But Really, How Was the Play, Mrs. Lincoln?
Essay

But Really, How Was the Play, Mrs. Lincoln?

28 May 2016

In this installment of his Strange Eventful History series, Michael Lueger discusses the assassination of Abraham Lincoln during the comedy Our American Cousin at Ford’s Theatre, and traces the lives of the actors and producers involved with the show. 

How Western Theatre Has Portrayed Islam
Essay

How Western Theatre Has Portrayed Islam

20 March 2016

In this installment, Michael Lueger examines historical and contemporary depictions of Muslims in Western drama. 

Interview with Ken Cerniglia
Essay

Interview with Ken Cerniglia

Dramaturg & Literary Manager, Disney Theatrical Group

23 January 2016

In this installment, Michael Lueger interviews Dramaturg Ken Cerniglia about his journey and work with Disney Theatrical Group. 

An Interview with Morgen Stevens-Garmon, Theatre Archivist at the Museum of the City of New York
Essay

An Interview with Morgen Stevens-Garmon, Theatre Archivist at the Museum of the City of New York

11 November 2015

In the fourth installment, Michael Lueger interviews Archivist Morgen Stevens-Garmon about the intersection of theatre and museum archives in her career.

Noises Off? A Brief History of Unruly Audiences
Essay

Noises Off? A Brief History of Unruly Audiences

27 October 2015

In his third installment, Michael Lueger discusses the trajectory of theatre audiences from the ancient Greeks to the contemporary moment.

Interview with Beth Kattelman, Curator of Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University
Essay

Interview with Beth Kattelman, Curator of Theatre Research Institute, Ohio State University

14 October 2015

In his second installment, Michael Lueger interviews Dr. Beth Kattleman about her journey in theatre and academia.

Trouble with the Classics
Essay

Trouble with the Classics

A Moon for the Misbegotten at Williamstown

6 October 2015

Michael Lueger on Gordon Edelstein’s production of A Moon for the Misbegotten at the Williamstown Theatre Festival in Massachusetts.

History of Revivals
Essay

History of Revivals

12 August 2015

In the first installment of his series “Strange Eventful History,” Michael Lueger traces the history of theatre revivals in relation to revivals of film franchises.

Theatre History Podcast
a graphic of William Shakespeare with headphones and a microphone; the theatre history podcast logo
Series

Theatre History Podcast

This podcast aims to introduce listeners to the artists, scholars, and archivists who are working to bring the history of performance to life.

Ten Great Articles from Past Guests on the Theatre History Podcast
List

Ten Great Articles from Past Guests on the Theatre History Podcast

Here are ten articles on theatrical history, theory, and practice from guests on Howlround's Theatre History Podcast.

Strange Eventful History by Michael Lueger
Series

Strange Eventful History by Michael Lueger

Michael Lueger dissects different topics from theatrical history.