New East End series brings influential voices in politics, culture, business and literature to Southampton, beginning with Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan

The Southampton Playhouse is launching The Playhouse Parlor, a new summer conversation series bringing together influential voices in politics, culture, business, literature and the arts for intimate discussions about the ideas shaping today’s world.

Hosted and curated by award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker Perri Peltz and psychiatrist, author and wellness expert Samantha Boardman, the series will transform the Playhouse into a forum for meaningful conversations beyond the stage and screen.

The inaugural event, Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m., will feature Peltz and Boardman in conversation with New York Times White House correspondents Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan about their bestselling book, Regime Change: Inside the Imperial Presidency of Donald Trump.

Drawing on years of reporting and hundreds of interviews, Haberman and Swan examine the first year of Donald Trump’s second presidency, the inner workings of Washington and the challenges facing journalists covering American politics.

The Playhouse Parlor lineup will continue throughout the summer with conversations featuring some of today’s most compelling voices. Upcoming events include a discussion with fashion designer and entrepreneur Tory Burch exploring leadership, creativity, business and her work supporting women entrepreneurs, as well as an August 29 conversation with author Belle Burden about her memoir and the personal and financial journeys of women.

Additional conversations will be announced as the series continues.

Peltz spoke with Spark Hamptons about the inspiration behind The Playhouse Parlor, partnering with Boardman, the importance of meaningful dialogue and what audiences can expect from the new Southampton series.

Q&A: Perri Peltz on Launching Southampton Playhouse’s New Conversation Series

The award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker discusses The Playhouse Parlor, the power of meaningful conversations and why great journalism matters now more than ever.

Spark Hamptons: You have a long connection to the Hamptons. What makes the East End the right place for this type of conversation series?

Perri Peltz: I’ve been coming out to Long Island since I was a child, and I’ve raised my kids here. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community.

When the Southampton Playhouse was brought back as a nonprofit organization after sitting empty for years, it created an incredible opportunity to use the theater in new ways — not only by showing great films, but by bringing people together for meaningful conversations.

There is so much talent that comes through the East End, and it felt like the perfect place to create a series where people can engage with important ideas and voices.

Spark Hamptons: How did the partnership with Samantha Boardman come together?

Perri Peltz: Samantha is fantastic, and I’m thrilled to be partnering with her. We bring different perspectives.

I spend my life asking, “What happened?” and “How did it happen?” Samantha thinks deeply about “Why did it happen?” and why people do what they do.

She’s not just a co-host — she’s a co-curator. Together, we hope to create conversations that move easily from politics to business, psychology, creativity, leadership and culture.

Spark Hamptons: Why did you choose Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan to launch the series?

Perri Peltz: We couldn’t imagine a better way to begin. Maggie and Jonathan have spent years helping people understand not only what is happening in Washington, but how power works.

This gives audiences the opportunity to hear the story behind the headlines from two extraordinary journalists who have covered the White House at an incredibly close level.

Journalism is often called the first draft of history, and Maggie and Jonathan are writing that history. We’re excited to bring this conversation to the Playhouse.

Spark Hamptons: What can attendees expect from Saturday’s event?

Perri Peltz: The plan is to have about a half-hour conversation with Maggie and Jonathan, followed by questions from the audience. Afterward, there will be an opportunity for people to meet them, connect with other attendees and have books signed.

What else can you ask for?

Spark Hamptons: What do you hope people take away from these conversations?

Perri Peltz: Samantha and I both hope people leave informed, inspired and with better questions than they had when they walked in.

Great conversations don’t just give us answers. They expand our perspectives. The hope is that these conversations continue long after people leave the theater.

Spark Hamptons: Do you hope the audience reflects different viewpoints given the political nature of this first conversation?

Perri Peltz: I hope everyone feels welcome. This is journalism. This is reporting. People will have their own perspectives on what is happening politically, but I believe this will be an interesting, informative and even entertaining conversation regardless of where someone stands.

The goal is that people leave having learned something.

Spark Hamptons: The series will continue with conversations beyond politics. What other topics do you hope to explore?

Perri Peltz: That’s what makes this series so exciting. Samantha and I are interested in conversations that move across different areas — politics, business, psychology, creativity, leadership and culture.

Our conversation with Tory Burch (date: TBD) is not just about fashion. She has built a global business while championing women entrepreneurs, and that opens up a much larger conversation about leadership, creativity, purpose and why women entrepreneurs still do not receive their fair share of investment.

Belle Burden’s conversation (Aug. 29) is also incredibly timely. She has written a memoir that is deeply personal, yet universal, and it speaks to so many issues around women, money and understanding our own financial lives.

Spark Hamptons: You have spent your career as a journalist and documentary filmmaker. How do you view journalism today?

Perri Peltz: Journalism has become very complicated because of social media and the sheer amount of information available to us.

But I fervently believe there is extraordinary journalism being done right now, and we have to protect the ability to have a free press in this country.

There has never been more information available to us, and there has never been a greater need for people whose job is to separate what is true from what is not true.

That is what Maggie and Jonathan have done so brilliantly. They provide insight into this White House and tell an important story.

IF YOU GO

What: The Playhouse Parlor: A Conversation With Maggie Haberman and Jonathan Swan
When: Saturday, July 25, at 10 a.m.
Where: Southampton Playhouse, Southampton
Moderators: Perri Peltz and Samantha Boardman
Format: Conversation followed by audience Q&A and book signing opportunity

Upcoming Playhouse Parlor Conversations:
Tory Burch — Date to be announced
Belle Burden — August 29

The event is free and books will be available for purchase and signing with the autbors after the talk. For more information, visit the Southampton Playhouse website.

Angela LaGreca

Editor, Co-Founder/Publisher

Angela LaGreca, Editor-in-chief and co-Founder/Publisher of Spark Hamptons, is a four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, producer, writer and comedian/host. Her TV credits include NBC’s “Today,” ABC’s “The View,” and, most recently, the primetime cable news program “Cuomo” on NewsNation. On the East End, she was the Creative Director at LTV, VP Features/Events/Photo Editor at Dan’s Papers, and has performed at Guild Hall, Bay Street Theater and the WHBPAC. Her publishing career began at Modern Photography, where she was managing editor. LaGreca lives in Manhattan and East Hampton and can be reached at angelatvmedia@gmail.com and angela@sparkhamptons.com .