Last Week on Broadway: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Aug 09, 2026
Show notes
‘Purple Rain’ comes to Broadway with major changes, exciting ‘Benjamin Button’ casting, ‘Hadestown’ pro-tape breaks box office records
Every week, Matt Tamanini will bring you the biggest news from across the theatrical landscape and will prepare you for what’s ahead over the next seven days.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
Jan Simpson | jan@broadwayandme.com | Facebook | Twitter Broadway & Me Jan Simpson is a theater journalist who writes the blog Broadway& Me and hosts the BroadwayRadio podcasts Stagecraft and All The Drama. She has twice served as a Pulitzer Prize juror.
Class Notes: Teddy Bergman, director of “Birthright”
Aug 05, 2026
Show notes
Listen: Lauren Class Schneider talks to Teddy Bergman, director of “Birthright” at MCC Theater.
Photos Molly Ranson, Nate Mann, Liz Larsen, Eli Gelb, Molly Bernard, Zoë Winters, and Hale Appleman in MCC Theater’s 2026 production of BIRTHRIGHT – Photo by Emilio Madrid Zoë Winters, Nate Mann, Eli Gelb, Molly Ranson, Liz Larsen, Hale Appleman, and Molly Bernard in MCC Theater’s 2026 production of BIRTHRIGHT – Photo by Emilio Madrid
“Class Notes” actively covers New York’s current theater season on, off, and off-off Broadway.
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
Special Episode: Kennedy Caughell on telling her life story with ‘Just the Beginning’
Aug 05, 2026
Show notes
On today’s episode, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with Broadway favorite Kennedy Caughell. Having been on Broadway in “Beautiful,” “Great Comet,” and “Paradise Square,” Kennedy was most recently seen touring the country as Jersey in the national tour of “Hell’s Kitchen.”
However, back from the road, she has done a minor pivot and released her first album, “Just the Beginning,” via Broadway Records. As she discusses with Matt, the album is her life story, chronicling her early career via songs from shows she has been in, songs from shows she would like to be in, and favorites from across the musical theatre canon.
“Just the Beginning” is available now to stream wherever you listen to music.
Last Week on Broadway: Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2026
Aug 04, 2026
Show notes
‘Hadestown’ reverses course following casting outcry, Grande departs ‘Sunday’ in London, and more
Every week, Matt Tamanini will bring you the biggest news from across the theatrical landscape and will prepare you for what’s ahead over the next seven days.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
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This Week on Broadway for August 2, 2026: The Saviors @ Atlantic Theater Company
Aug 02, 2026
Show notes
James Marino, Peter Filichia, and Michael Portantiere review The Saviors @ Atlantic Theater Company, The Potluck @ Playwrights Horizons, Birthright @ MCC, Last Laugh @ Vino Theater, Gene Frankel Theatre Festival, Walter Paisley, and Are You Now or Have You Ever Been @ City Center
“This Week on Broadway” has been coming to you every week since 2009. It is the longest-running running Broadway and theatrical podcast with hundreds of shows giving thousands of reviews and interviews.
Subscribe to BroadwayRadio in Apple Podcasts by CLICKING HERE.
Patreon listeners get This Week on Broadway first, on Sunday afternoon before it is released to the general public on Sunday evening.
Panel:
Peter Filichia | peter@broadwayradio.com | Facebook PETER FILICHIA is a playwright, journalist, and historian with a number of books. Peter’s new day-by-day desk calendar – A SHOW TUNE FOR TODAY – 366 Songs to Brighten Your Year – is available at finer retailers!
Showtune for Today: That Was A Year from Road Show
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE has been a theater journalist for more than 50 years. The founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other publications, and he writes reviews of cabaret shows for NiteLifeExchange.com. Additionally, Michael is known as a producer and director of shows at 54 Below, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and other venues.
Note: This week we had listeners join us while recording. These listeners are Patreon members who support BroadwayRadio. If you would like to join us in the future, become a supporter at Patreon.com/BroadwayRadio.
Sponsor:
Pre:
Jan Simpson’s All the Drama: “Driving Miss Daisy”, 1988 Winner, Pulitzer Prize for Drama is out for Patreon members, and will be available to the general public next week.
Please let us know if you run into any problems or have suggestions.
Reviews
MP + PF: The Saviors @ Atlantic Theater Company‘s Linda Gross Theater, through August 15, 2026 by Bubba Weiler directed by Jack Serio When a lost young man takes shelter in their church, two altar boys desperately cling to each other as their changing faiths, lives, and bodies threaten to tear them apart.
Last Laugh @ Vino Theater, July 27 – 29, an out of town tryout in NYC before premiering at Edinburgh Fringe this summer. Written By Zoe Redlich Directed By Elena Messinger Starring Pimprenelle Noël and Lydia Sims
Gene Frankel Theatre Festival showcasing original premieres, curated by industry leaders, highlighting innovative performances in NYC, through August 16, 2026
The Ten Plagues
Burnt Toast
Three’s A Crowd
Walter Paisley (a new musical) — backers audition Book, music, and lyrics by Randy Rogel, Direction by Jerry Zaks, and associate direction by Steve Edlund. It was co-created by BT McNicholl, and produced by Joey Parnes. The cast includes Preston Truman Boyd, Natalie Charlé Ellis, Conner John Gillooly, Robert Lenzi, Becca Petersen, Lance Roberts, Mary Testa, Samantha Williams, and Ethan Slater as Walter Paisley.
CATS: The Jellicle Ball, cast recording, possible move after Broadway production closes run at the Broadhurst Theatre on Saturday evening, August 8.
Purple Rain
42 years to the day since Prince’s legendary film premiered, and three weeks since the album re-entered the Billboard 200, producer Orin Wolf is thrilled to announce that the stage adaptation of PURPLE RAIN is coming to Broadway.
PURPLE RAIN will premiere next spring at the Majestic Theatre (245 W 44th Street), beginning previews on Friday, March 12, 2027, and officially opening on Monday, April 12, 2027.
Tickets will go on sale this September at Telecharge. Casting for the production will be announced at a later date.
Experience Prince’s legacy live on stage at Broadway’s Majestic Theatre in PURPLE RAIN, the electrifying new musical based on the Grammy®-winning album and Oscar®-winning film, featuring over 20 of his iconic hits, including “When Doves Cry,” “I Would Die 4 U,” “Take Me with You,” and “The Beautiful Ones.”
Minneapolis, 1984. A new era of music television is creating overnight stars. A magnetic young performer known as “The Kid” seems like the perfect frontman to lead his bandmates to stardom. But when his past threatens everything he’s built, he’ll have to sing his way out of the darkness and into the spotlight where he belongs.
The stage adaptation of PURPLE RAIN features music by Prince, direction by Tony®️-nominated director Saheem Ali (Buena Vista Social Club), a book by playwright and screenwriter Peter Duchan (Dogfight), a music team led by Tony®️ Award winner Jason Michael Webb (MJ the Musical), and choreography by Emmy®️ Award winner Ebony Williams (Sneakerella; additional choreography for the Renaissance World Tour).
Bobby Z and Morris Hayes, both of whom worked with Prince for years as bandmates and musical collaborators, serve the production as Music Advisers.
Future Episodes:
Peter’s Brainteaser:
This performer was nominated for a Tony – and lost — in a Broadway debut, before becoming a household name.
One year later, another performer was also nominated for a Tony – and also lost for the second time — but would become a major household name before the end of the decade.
One year after that, the two performers joined forces to do a show together.
Who were the two Tony losers? What was the name of the show they teamed to do?
Michael’s Musical Moments
Hadestown: The Musical | Official Trailer | Bleecker Street
…and anywhere that you can listen to finer podcasts.
Last Week on Broadway: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
Jul 28, 2026
Show notes
‘Purple Rain’ comes to Broadway with major changes, exciting ‘Benjamin Button’ casting, ‘Hadestown’ pro-tape breaks box office records
Every week, Matt Tamanini will bring you the biggest news from across the theatrical landscape and will prepare you for what’s ahead over the next seven days.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
This Week on Broadway for July 26, 2026: Music City @ St. Luke’s Theatre
Jul 26, 2026
Show notes
James Marino, Peter Filichia, and Jan Simpson review Music City @ St. Luke’s Theatre, Jonathan Spector’s Birthright @ MCC Theater, Giulia: The Poison Queen Of Palermo @ Perelman Performing Arts Center, Sukkot @ 59e59, The Whoopi Monologues @ LCT, Noël Coward’s This Was a Man @ The Players Club, The Potluck @ Playwrights Horizons, and The Circuit: An Immersive Silent Disco Ballet
“This Week on Broadway” has been coming to you every week since 2009. It is the longest-running running Broadway and theatrical podcast with hundreds of shows giving thousands of reviews and interviews.
Subscribe to BroadwayRadio in Apple Podcasts by CLICKING HERE.
Patreon listeners get This Week on Broadway first, on Sunday afternoon before it is released to the general public on Sunday evening.
Panel:
Peter Filichia | peter@broadwayradio.com | Facebook PETER FILICHIA is a playwright, journalist, and historian with a number of books. Peter’s new day-by-day desk calendar – A SHOW TUNE FOR TODAY – 366 Songs to Brighten Your Year – is available at finer retailers!
The audience votes have been tallied and the winner of the Audience Favorite award goes to…Chagutok by Vince Gatton!!!
Congratulations, Vince Gatton, for winning FutureFest 2026 and the Audience Favorite Award!!!
Showtune for Today: Toledo Surprise from The Drowsy Chaperone
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE has been a theater journalist for more than 50 years. The founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other publications, and he writes reviews of cabaret shows for NiteLifeExchange.com. Additionally, Michael is known as a producer and director of shows at 54 Below, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and other venues.
Jan Simpson | jan@broadwayandme.com | Facebook | Twitter Broadway & Me Jan Simpson is a theater journalist who writes the theater blog Broadway & Me and hosts the BroadwayRadio podcasts “All the Drama” and “Stagecraft.” She has served three times as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and currently sits on the executive board of the Outer Critics Circle, is a nominator for the Lortel Awards and is a member of the Drama Desk and the American Theatre Critics Association.
Note: This week we had listeners join us while recording. These listeners are Patreon members who support BroadwayRadio. If you would like to join us in the future, become a supporter at Patreon.com/BroadwayRadio.
PF: Noël Coward’s This Was a Man @ The Players Club, was one night only, July 20, 2026 Remarkably, this marks the first known New York presentation of the play since its original 1926 premiere.
PF: The Circuit: An Immersive Silent Disco Ballet THE CIRCUIT is an immersive, site-specific silent disco theatrical experience inspired by Arthur Schnitzler’s La Ronde. It fuses dance, theater, and a live original score into performance. Audience members wear wireless headphones, hearing a fully realized play—including dialogue, monologues, and a live EDM score—while watching choreography unfold in real time through the streets of DUMBO, Brooklyn. Attendees follow performers along a set route, creating a personal and fluid experience. While primarily spectators, audience members may occasionally be invited to join in and dance
News:
Future Episodes:
Peter’s Brainteaser:
The play in which he starred opened on the sixth anniversary of the opening of one of the world’s most famous musicals.
His wife opened a comedy 22 days later, on the sixteenth anniversary of a hit musical that’s more remembered for its film version.
His play was a flop; hers wasn’t.
Who are these people? What are their plays and what were the musicals that celebrated anniversaries?
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