Norman Mailer discusses his writing, literary criticism, and American life. Other topics of conversation include Mailer’s thoughts on “affirmative” literary works, apathy and a lack of passion in modern life, beat writers and their reception in the United States, and many of his contemporary writers.

Melvin Douglas and Frank Lovejoy discuss their roles in Gore Vidal's play "The Best Man", politics, and their careers.

Martin Gottfried discusses his book "Broadway Musicals" and the history of the musicals by evaluating the different big name composers, lyricists, and directors of Broadway.

Actress Lillian Gish joins Studs Terkel to talk about her role in the play “Passage to India.” Gish connects the play based on a book by E. M. Forster to “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” and discusses the relevance and importance of historical works like those mentioned. Studs asks Gish about working with D. W. Griffith, and the two praise Griffith’s impact on the world of film; Gish comments on her experience with working with Charles Laughton too.

Theater director Larry Arrick and actors Tom Earhart and James Patterson discuss the one-act play Zoo Story written by Tony award-winning playwright Edward Albee.

Jean Gascon, the artistic director of the Stratford Theater in Ontario, Canada, speaks with Studs Terkel about his production of “The Alchemist.” His interpretation of playwright Ben Jonson’s work opened in Chicago at the Studebaker Theater, alongside “Hamlet” directed by John Hirsch. Gascon talks a bit on his career in theater and the cultural influences on his directing style. Gascon admires Jonson’s work and social commentary, and feels themes of “The Alchemist” are relevant to current issues in society.

As previously presented in Studs Terkel's weekly Almanac program, Abe Burrows, talks about how he got into writing. After the Depression, Burrows explained he had no true goal in mind other than that of simply surviving. Typing out material on a typewriter was when Burrows realized he was good at both writing and comedy.

Having been a Lincoln biographer for a quarter of a century, Herbert Mitgang felt the importance of writing the play "Mister Lincoln: A Drama in Two Acts". Lincoln's rich language can be heard through Mr. Mitgang''s dramatic interpretation of Lincoln's life.

Eva Le Gallienne discusses and compares American theater and European theater. She also discusses different playwrights such as Henrik Johan Ipsen and Anton Chekhov.

Stage director Alan Schneider talks about his work with playwrights, Samuel Beckett and Edward Albee. Plays include "Waiting for Godot," "A Delicate Balance," and "Whose Afraid of Virginia Woolf?"