About this episode
It’s been in development for five years and has at least a year to go. On the eve of its out-of-town debut, the actor playing Lincoln quit. And the producers still need to raise another $15 million to bring the show to New York. There really is no business like show business. (Part three of a three-part series .) SOURCES: Christopher Ashley , artistic director of La Jolla Playhouse. Debby Buchholz , managing director of La Jolla Playhouse. Carmen Cusack , actor. Quentin Earl Darrington , actor. Joe DiPietro , playwright and lyricist. Crystal Monee Hall , composer, singer, actor . Ivan Hernandez , actor. Michael Rushton , professor of arts administration at Indiana University. Jeffrey Seller , Broadway producer. Alan Shorr , Broadway producer . Daniel Watts , writer, choreographer, actor . RESOURCES: 3 Summers of Lincoln (2025). " Review: Visceral ‘3 Summers of Lincoln’ is thrilling and thought-provoking ," by Pam Kragen (San Diego Union-Tribune, 2025). " What’s Wrong with the Theatre is What’s Wrong With Society, " by Michael Rushton (ArtsJournal, 2023). " American Theater Is Imploding Before Our Eyes ," by Isaac Butler (New York Times, 2023). The Moral Foundations of Public Funding for the Arts , by Michael Rushton (2023). EXTRAS: “ How to Make the Coolest Show on Broadway ,” by Freakonomics Radio (2024). “ You Can Make a Killing, but Not a Living ,” by Freakonomics Radio (2024). Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.