

Radiotopia Presents: We're Doing the Wiz
Radiotopia
In 2004, a racial controversy erupted at a small, mostly white performing arts high school in rural Massachusetts. There were protests. TV news crews. A tense all-school assembly. And then, an announcement: the school would stage an iconic American musical that no one saw coming. This is the story of that production. Coming June 2025. Radiotopia Presents premiers short multi-episode series in one podcast feed, unified by bold, inclusive storytelling pushing the boundaries of audio. Learn more at radiotopiapresents.fm and discover more shows from across the Radiotopia network at radiotopia.fm.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 31, 2018 • 6min
Escape to Radiotopia with Three New Shows
This summer, grab your earbuds and escape to Radiotopia! Take us along on your road trips, outdoor adventures and simple staycations. We’re launching a new Showcase from Radiotopia series, two new Radiotopia shows, plus new seasons and series from your already beloved Radiotopia podcasts.New shows will include ZigZag, in which two entrepreneurial women (Manoush Zomorodi and Jen Poyant, formerly of Note to Self) set out to change the direction of journalism, capitalism, and their lives; Everything is Alive, an unscripted interview show with inanimate objects; and in Showcase from Radiotopia, the series, The Great God of Depression, a true story of a brilliant physician, a literary genius and madness in America.Lose yourself and discover the world through new stories from Radiotopia, all summer long.To learn more: https://www.radiotopia.fm/summer.
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May 13, 2018 • 42min
Errthang #8 – Songs in the Key of Our Lives
Al and Willie wrap up the season right where they started – with each other. After 30 years of friendship, their origin story is finally revealed.Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here.S2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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May 4, 2018 • 53min
Errthang #7 – John Coffey Refuses to Save the World, Part Two
In this second half of Errthang’s original radio drama: John Coffey doesn’t want to be Magical Negro anymore and the universe trembles in the aftershock of his decision. All John wants is a story all his own; a history deeper than him just saving white people. John sets out to find that story with the help of his fellow Magical Negroes and his creator, Stephen King.Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here.John Coffey Refuses to Save the World features Larry Knight (John Coffey), David Girard (Legba), Jason Stephens (God with a little g), Toni Lang Philips (Mother Abigail), Steven Anderson (Bagger Vance), Bill Ratliff (Stephen King), Brooks Anne (Clerk).S2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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Apr 27, 2018 • 59min
Errthang #6 – John Coffey Refuses to Save the World, Part One
In this episode, Errthang takes on radio drama: John Coffey waits to play his part in The Green Mile in the room of Magical Negroes. With him are other Magical Negroes: Mother Abigail, Bagger Vance, and God (with a Little g). When John learns the nature of his power, he doesn’t want to be magical anymore and refuses to go. But everyone has to play their part, or the universe might fall apart. John Coffey and the rest of the Magical Negroes wrestle with question; are we all destined to play the roles we are cast?Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here.This episode features Larry Knight (as John Coffey), David Girard (Legba), Jason Stephens (God with a little g), Toni Lang Philips (Mother Abigail), Steven Anderson (Bagger Vance), Bill Ratliff (Stephen King), Brooks Anne (Clerk). S2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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Apr 20, 2018 • 40min
Errthang #5 – How to Slowly Kill Yourself and Others in America
This episode features Kiese Laymon’s memoir about growing up as a young black man in the South. The piece is performed by a small group of young black men who Al mentored in their youth.Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here.S2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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Apr 13, 2018 • 34min
Errthang #4 – The Good Guy Myth
Al goes deep exploring the "good guy’s” relationship to the #MeToo movement, through a story about his old friend, Louis. After the story, Al sits down with feminist commentator Kimberly Foster of For Harriet, to talk about the story, Rape Culture, and how to move forward. Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here. S2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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Apr 6, 2018 • 38min
Errthang #3 – No Ordinary Love
Al and Willie tell stories about fatherhood. Al’s story is about being a black father to a white kid, while Willie recounts teaching his son how to handle a bully.Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here. Season 2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.Thanks to Burrow for sponsoring Showcase.
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Mar 30, 2018 • 41min
Errthang #2 – What the Hell is Wrong with Al?
Al recounts when he went to a protest to report the news, but became the news. Letson saved a right-wing protester from a vicious beating by Antifa. This episode is about why he did it, how it all happened, and how he felt afterwards.Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here.Season 2 of Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.Thanks to Burrow for sponsoring Showcase.
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Mar 23, 2018 • 42min
Errthang #1 – 808s and Three Heartbreaks
Al Letson and Willie Evans Jr. are back with season two of Errthang! After a long hiatus, the dynamic duo returns to tell stories, and have a good time. This season Letson and Evans focus on stories and interviews about fatherhood, the political unrest in the country, and ruminations on love. It’s a wild, fun ride with a lot of heart and depth. In episode one, Al tells the stories of three excruciating heartbreaks that will leave you laughing.Errthang is produced and hosted by Al Letson, with co-host and music supervisor Willie Evans Jr., show systemizer Brie Burge and actor Jason Stephens. Check out season one here.Errthang is a production of Showcase, from PRX’s Radiotopia. Find out more and listen to the previous series, Ways of Hearing, The Polybius Conspiracy and Secrets, at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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Mar 9, 2018 • 4min
Next on Showcase: Errthang
Coming up next on Showcase: ErrthangErrthang is just that: everything that’s percolating in journalist/storyteller Al Letson’s brain; stories told with a lot of heart, interviews with a lot of thought, music with a funky beat, and a good time with co-host Willie Evans Jr. Stay tuned for eight weekly episodes starting March 23.Find out more at radiotopia.fm/showcase.
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