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).

Is Economic Growth the Wrong Goal? (Ep. 429 Update)
The economist Kate Raworth says the aggressive pursuit of G.D.P. is trashing the planet and shortchanging too many people. She has proposed an alternative — and the city of Amsterdam is giving it a try.…
The Economics of Everyday Things: Girl Scout Cookies
How does America’s cutest sales force get billions of Thin Mints, Samoas, and Tagalongs into our hands every year? Zachary Crockett finds out in the second episode of our newest podcast, The Economics of Everyday…
532. Do You Know Who Owns Your Vet?
When small businesses get bought by big investors, the name may stay the same — but customers and employees can feel the difference. (Part 2 of 2.)
Introducing “The Economics of Everyday Things”
A new podcast hosted by Zachary Crockett. In the first episode: Gas stations. When gas prices skyrocket, do station owners get a windfall? And where do their profits really come from?
531. Should You Trust Private Equity to Take Care of Your Dog?
Big investors are buying up local veterinary practices (and pretty much everything else). What does this mean for scruffy little Max* — and for the U.S. economy? (Part 1 of 2.) *The most popular…
Extra: Samin Nosrat Always Wanted to Be Famous
And with her book “Salt, Fat, Acid, Heat,” she succeeded. Now she’s not so sure how to feel about all the attention.
530. What’s Wrong with Being a One-Hit Wonder?
We tend to look down on artists who can’t match their breakthrough success. Should we be celebrating them instead?
529. Can Our Surroundings Make Us Smarter?
In a special episode of No Stupid Questions, Stephen Dubner and Angela Duckworth discuss classroom design, open offices, and cognitive drift.
528. Yuval Noah Harari Thinks Life is Meaningless and Amazing
In this special episode of People I (Mostly) Admire, Steve Levitt talks to the best-selling author of Sapiens and Homo Deus about finding the profound in the obvious.
527. Can Adam Smith Fix Our Economy?
Labor exploitation! Corporate profiteering! Government corruption! The 21st century can look a lot like the 18th. In the final episode of a series, we turn to “the father of economics” for solutions. (Part 3 of…