With its Pulitzer-Prize winning dramatists and three regional Tony awards, no American city can claim a richer playwriting tradition than Chicago. Critic Todd Bauer reviews the city’s theatrical roots touching on important plays and playwrights that emerged here. From Mamet and Shepard, to Auburn and Letts, he discusses the role playwrights have played in Chicago-and Chicago in playwriting. Concluding with an examination of the current theatrical community, Bauer offers insight into why Chicago continues to be the center of American playwriting.

Recorded Thursday, June 26, 2008 at The Newberry Library.