Today on Broadway: Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025
Nov 20, 2025
What did critics think of Tom Hanks and Kelli O’Hara in ‘This World of Tomorrow?’ ‘Hamilton’ coming to high schools, ‘& Juliet’ performs Ariana Grande song in anniversary curtain call
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for November 16, 2025: The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company
Nov 16, 2025
Alex Lauer joins us from Minneapolis to give us a review of the pre-Broadway production of Purple Rain. Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company, The Queen of Versailles, Weer @ Cherry Lane Theatre, Romy & Michele: The Musical @ Stage 42, Archduke @ Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre, and Fiddler on the Roof @ Signature Theatre.
Classic Stage Company production of The Baker’s Wife. Production photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
“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.
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
Len Cariou is well known and beloved for his indelible performances in musicals and plays on and off Broadway, in classical theater, and in other media.
His major credits include Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Applause on Broadway, Blue Bloods on television, etc.
Join us at the Laurie Beechman Theatre as he shares reminiscences of his storied career and the many legends he has worked with in an on-stage interview conducted by theater journalist Michael Portantiere.
The evening will include clips of Mr. Cariou’s greatest roles, plus live performances of a song or two, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Reviews:
Kris Kollins in PURPLE RAIN – Photo by Matthew Murphy
AL: Purple Rain @ State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, through November 23, 2025
Alex Lauer is a journalist based in Minneapolis. He’s the features editor at InsideHook, and runs a blog about theater in the Twin Cities called One Fan Show. You can find it at OneFanShow.com or on Instagram at @OneFanShow.
Classic Stage Company’s The Baker’s Wife, featuring a book by Joseph Stein, music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol, adapted from Jean le Bleu by Jean Giono, choreography by Stephanie Klemons, and direction by Gordon Greenberg.
Classic Stage Company production of The Baker’s Wife. Production photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
The Baker’s Wife will star Golden Globe winner Scott Bakula (“Quantum Leap”) as Aimable Castagnet and Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) as Geneviève, with Wendi Bergamini (New York, New York), Savannah Lee Birdsong (Little Shop of Horrors), Arnie Burton (Machinal), Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet), Tony Award nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot), Bill English (Days of Wine and Roses), Zachary Freier-Harrison (Off-Broadway Debut), Samantha Gershman (Water For Elephants), Nathan Lee Graham (“Mid-Century Modern”), Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Sally Murphy (The Minutes), Manu Narayan (Company), Mason Olshavsky (Off-Broadway Debut), Kevin William Paul (The Outsiders), Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen), and Hailey Thomas (Little Shop of Horrors).
In a quiet French village, a baker and his wife bring fresh bread…and fresh gossip. But when temptation stirs and hearts wander, the whole town gets caught up in a swirl of romance, mischief, and melody. The Baker’s Wife brings Stephen Schwartz’s soaring score, including the iconic “Meadowlark,” to life in its full-scale production in New York City. Sweet, surprising, and full of heart, this long-awaited production celebrates love in all its perfectly imperfect recipes.
The creative team for The Baker’s Wife includes Charlie Alterman (Music Direction), Jason Sherwood (Set Design), Catherine Zuber (Costume Design), Bradley King (Lighting Design), Jason Crystal (Sound Design), Casting by The Telsey Office (Craig Burns, CSA), and Production Management by Libby JVera / LJPM. Jason Weixelman serves as Production Stage Manager.
The Baker’s Wife is presented by special arrangement with the Menier Chocolate Factory (David Babani, Artistic Director), Creative Partners Productions, and Aaron Glick.
Sherie Rene Scott will play the role of Jackie Siegel on November 25 (Tuesday), December 3 – Matinee (Wednesday), December 3 – Evening (Wednesday), and January 20 (Tuesday)
Natalie Palamides’ WEER Photo Credit – Cherry Lane Theatre / A24
PF: Weer @ Cherry Lane Theatre, through December 21, 2025 WEER is a one-woman comedy written by, directed by and starring Natalie Palamides. Perhaps you know the piece already – recap – the play starts with a couple’s fight at the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve 1999. Showing their relationship unfold, Palamides plays Mark on one half of her body, Christina by the other.
(back row) Patrick Page (Dragutin “Apis” Dimitrijevic) (front row; l to r) Jason Sanchez (Nedeljko), Adrien Rolet (Trifko), Jake Berne (Gavrilo) (CREDIT: Joan Marcus, 2025)
Pulitzer Prize finalist Rajiv Joseph (Bengal Tiger at the Baghdad Zoo) brings his signature wit and imagination to the New York premiere of Archduke.
Directed by Tony Award® winner Darko Tresnjak (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder) and featuring Jake Berne, Tony nominee Kristine Nielsen, Tony nominee Patrick Page, Adrien Rolet, and Jason Sanchez, this darkly comic play follows Gavrilo Princip, better known as the assassin of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and his fellow revolutionaries, reimagined not as masterminds but rather a hapless, helpless band of teenagers.
With razor-sharp humor, Archduke transforms a pivotal moment in global politics into an absurdly relevant theatrical experience, reminding us that too often history is written by the least qualified recruits.
You’re on a subway in Boston. The train is noisy, so you can’t quite make out what passengers are saying to each other.
But when you hear a person mention “I saw a musical,” you try to hear the rest.
When he praises a performer, the name means nothing to you.
But when he says the name of the character the performer played, you can narrow the musical down to WOMAN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN or ANNIE.
Explain.
Michael’s Musical Moments
Douglas Sills (Tevye), with Lily Burka (Hodel), Beatrice Owens (Tzeitel), Mia Goodman (Shprintze), Rosie Jo Neddy (Chava), and Allison Mintz (Bielke) in Fiddler on the Roof at Signature Theatre. Photos by Daniel Rader
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
1) Sting to bring revised ‘The Last Ship’ to The Methttps://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/arts/music/sting-the-last-ship-met-opera.html
2) ‘Begin Again’ musical finds creative team for out-of-town tryout at The Old Globehttps://deadline.com/2025/11/begin-again-musical-world-premiere-1236615457/
3) Show and casting news
Public Theater adds ‘Seagull: A True Story’ to current seasonhttps://playbill.com/article/public-adds-seagull-true-story-to-spring-2026-slate
Irish Rep to bring back ‘The Honey Trap’ in Januaryhttps://playbill.com/article/the-honey-trap-to-return-off-broadway-in-2026
Cost ‘n’ Mayor show ’11 to Midnight’ finds Off-Broadway homehttps://playbill.com/article/cost-n-mayor-dance-show-11-to-midnight-finds-an-off-broadway-home
Obama musical ’44’ announces extension into Januaryhttps://playbill.com/article/obama-musical-44-extends-off-broadway
4) Shows announced for 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Paradehttps://www.broadwaynews.com/buena-vista-social-club-just-in-time-and-ragtime-set-to-perform-in-2025-macys-thanksgiving-day-parade
Video of casts finding out they will perform in the paradehttps://youtu.be/vP7hqlTvNRg?si=8xJ1XeSJfWhR-wrf
5) Recommendation
Tom Felton’s debut in ‘Cursed Child’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ug1vk4ve2h8&pp=ygUXdG9tIGZlbHRvbiBjdXJzZWQgY2hpbGQ%3D
Tom Felton’s first bow in ‘Cursed Child’https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AeZ1x6CZQE&pp=ygUXdG9tIGZlbHRvbiBjdXJzZWQgY2hpbGQ%3D
Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025
Nov 12, 2025
‘Rob Lake Magic’ announces quick Broadway closure, Debbie Allen to direct Maya Angelou play, Matt reviews MCC’s ‘Caroline’
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for November 9, 2025: Out of the Box Theatrics’ production of Beau The Musical
Nov 09, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Kyoto @ Lincoln Center Theater, Out of the Box Theatrics’ production of Beau The Musical, The Queen of Versailles, Messy White Gays @ The Duke on 42nd Street, 44 – The Musical @ the Daryl Roth Theatre, Bat Boy: The Musical @ City Center, and Vape! The Grease Parody @ Theater 555
“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.
Showtune for Today: Cecily Smith from Fly By Night
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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RAGTIME extended by popular demand through June 14
Len Cariou is well known and beloved for his indelible performances in musicals and plays on and off Broadway, in classical theater, and in other media.
His major credits include Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Applause on Broadway, Blue Bloods on television, etc.
Join us at the Laurie Beechman Theatre as he shares reminiscences of his storied career and the many legends he has worked with in an on-stage interview conducted by theater journalist Michael Portantiere.
The evening will include clips of Mr. Cariou’s greatest roles, plus live performances of a song or two, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Reviews:
Kyoto production photo by Emilio Madrid
PF: Kyoto @ Lincoln Center Theater’s Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (Off-Broadway) through November 30, 2025 Saving the Earth is a filthy business. Welcome to the Kyoto Conference Centre, December 11, 1997. The nations of the world are in deadlock. Time is running out and a climate change agreement feels a world away. The greatest obstacle: American oil lobbyist and master strategist, Don Pearlman… Declared “gripping” (The Times), “extraordinarily funny” (Variety), and a “genuinely daring” (Evening Standard) “triumph” (Telegraph), KYOTO asks who gets to decide what’s worth saving when the entire planet is at risk—and what we’re willing to give up so we can move forward, together.
Tony Award nominee Stephen Kunken is reprising his celebrated role as American lawyer and ex-government strategist ‘Don Pearlman,’ KYOTO will also star Jorge Bosch, reprising his Olivier Award-nominated role as Argentinian lawyer and conference leader ‘Raul Estrada-Oyuela,’ Peter Bradbury as climate change skeptic ‘Fred Singer,’ Kate Burton as ‘USA,’ Feodor Chin as ‘China,’ Erin Darke as ‘Germany,’ Natalie Gold as ‘Shirley,’ Daniel Jenkins as ‘Gore/Bolin/Santer/Observer,’ Dariush Kashani as ‘Saudi Arabia,’ Rob Narita as ‘Japan,’ Imani Jade Powers as ‘Secretariat,’ Ferdy Roberts reprising his role as ‘U.K./Prescott/Houghton,’ Roslyn Ruff as ‘Tanzania,’ and Taiana Tully as ‘Kiribati.’ Offstage understudies include Odera Adimorah, Clark Carmichael, Luis Carlos de La Lombana, Paul Juhn, Amelia McClain, and Lianah Sta. Ana.
The creative team for KYOTO includes Joe Murphy and Joe Robertson (playwrights), Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin (directors), Miriam Buether (set design), Natalie Pryce (costume design), Aideen Malone (lighting design), Christopher Reid (sound design), Akhila Krishnan (video design), Paul Englishby (original music), Jim Carnahan, CSA and Alexandre Bleau, CSA (casting), Diana DiVita (stage manager), Ed Burnside (associate director), Julia Horan (original UK casting director) and Gemma Stockwood (Dramaturg).
Sherie Rene Scott will play the role of Jackie Siegel on November 25 (Tuesday), December 3 – Matinee (Wednesday), December 3 – Evening (Wednesday), and January 20 (Tuesday)
MP: Messy White Gays @ The Duke on 42nd Street, through January 11, 2026
Derek Chadwick, James Cusati-Moyer, Pete Zias, and Aaron Jackson in MESSY WHITE GAYS at The Duke on 42nd Street (Photo Credit Marc J. Franklin)
PF + MP: 44 – The Musical @ the Daryl Roth Theatre music, lyrics and book by a former Obama campaign staffer Eli Bauman
Barack Obama’s election changed history. 44 is a satirical look at the rise and presidency of Barack Obama, as well as the eccentric political characters he met along the way. It is the story of Obama you won’t read about in history books…because history books are now banned in most states. But also, because 44 is the story of Obama as Joe Biden kinda sorta remembers it…
The cast of this brilliantly funny musical that Chris Jones of The Chicago Tribune said, “tickled him purple all night long,” features T.J. Wilkins (NBC’s “The Voice”) as ‘Barack Obama’ and Shanice (award-winning R&B artist – “I Love Your Smile” and OWN’s “Flex & Shanice”) as ‘Michelle Obama’ and Chad Doreck as ‘Joe Biden’ with Larry Cedar (Mitch McConnell), Summer Collins (Sarah Palin), Jenna Pastuszek (Hillary Clinton), Dino Shorté (Herman Cain), Jeff Sumner (Lindsey Graham), and Michael Uribes (Ted Cruz).
PF: Vape! The Grease Parody @ Theater 555, through January 4, 2026 Written By Catie Hogan With Leanna Adams, John D. Babcock Iii, Casey Holloway, Julie Shaer & Brian Troxell
Lyrics & Additional Book By Billy Recce & Danny Salles
Choreographed By Ashley Marinelli
Directed By Jack Plotnick
Bull Durham @ Paper Mill?
News:
Future Episodes:
PF + MP: Richard II @ Astor Place Theatre, through November 30, 2025 RED BULL THEATER (Jesse Berger, Founder and Artistic Director; Martin Giannini, Executive Director) presents Emmy nominated actor Michael Urie in a powerful new version of Shakespeare’s Richard II, along with Grantham Coleman, Ron Canada, Kathryn Meisle, David Mattar Merten, Lux Pascal, James Seol, Daniel Stewart Sherman, Ryan Spahn, Emily Swallow, and Sarin Monae West.
This World Premiere is adapted and directed by Craig Baldwin and presented by Red Bull Theater with Mickey Liddell & Pete Shilaimon, in association with Daryl Roth, Tom D’Angora, and Willette & Manny Klausner. The design team will include Arnulfo Maldonado (scenic; Tony Award nominations: Buena Vista Social Club, A Strange Loop; Obie for Sustained Excellence in Set Design), Rodrigo Muñoz (costume), Jeanette Yew (lighting), and Brandon Wolcott (sound). Rick Sordelet will serve as Fight Director & Intimacy Coordinator. Alexandre Bleau serves as casting director.
…and anywhere that you can listen to finer podcasts.
Some Like It Pop Patreon Exclusive: Best of June 2025
Nov 07, 2025
Twelve times per year, Matt Tamanini and Jennifer McHugh will be recapping their favorite pieces of pop culture of the past month.
Let us know what your favorites are by emailing patreon@broadwayradio.com.
Some Like It Pop Patreon Exclusive: Best of July 2025
Nov 06, 2025
Twelve times per year, Matt Tamanini and Jennifer McHugh will be recapping their favorite pieces of pop culture of the past month.
Let us know what your favorites are by emailing patreon@broadwayradio.com.
Some Like It Pop Patreon Exclusive: Best of August 2025
Nov 05, 2025
Twelve times per year, Matt Tamanini and Jennifer McHugh will be recapping their favorite pieces of pop culture of the past month.
Let us know what your favorites are by emailing patreon@broadwayradio.com.
Some Like It Pop Patreon Exclusive: Best of September 2025
Nov 04, 2025
Twelve times per year, Matt Tamanini and Jennifer McHugh will be recapping their favorite pieces of pop culture of the past month.
Let us know what your favorites are by emailing patreon@broadwayradio.com.
Some Like It Pop Patreon Exclusive: Best of October 2025
Nov 03, 2025
Twelve times per year, Matt Tamanini and Jennifer McHugh will be recapping their favorite pieces of pop culture of the past month.
Let us know what your favorites are by emailing patreon@broadwayradio.com.
This Week on Broadway for November 2, 2025: Bat Boy @ City Center
Nov 02, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Bat Boy: The Musical @ City Center, Out of the Box Theatrics’ production of Beau The Musical, Gingold Theatrical Group presents Pygmalion @ Theater Row, Romy & Michele: The Musical @ Stage 42, and Marilyn Maye @ 54 Below.
“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.
Showtune for Today: Butter Outta Cream from Catch Me If You Can
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
An All-Star Cast of Broadway, Opera, and Nightclub Stars perform Broadway’s greatest hit songs from across the history of The Great White Way to raise funds in support of the 2026 edition (the fourth year) of Broadway by the Season at Merkin Hall. This is, of course, available to the public!
Broadway by the Season is the critically acclaimed concert series created by NYC’s legendary impresario, Scott Siegel, who has created more than 600 major concert events all over the world!
Starring (so far!): Ben Jones, award-winning actor/singer Ryan Knowles, The Lightning Thief Alex Getlin, musical theater/symphony concert star William Michals, South Pacific at Lincoln Center Kendra Foster McBride, Rent in London Sophie Rapeijko, The Addams Family National Tour John Easterlin, 5X Grammy Award Winner Lianne Marie Dobbs, Man of La Mancha (regional) Molly Bremer, Beauty & The Beast (regional) Moipei Quartet, internationally famous concert artists John Cardea, Jr., Broadway’s Greatest Hits (54 Below) Cooper Grodin, Phantom of the Opera, Masquerade National Tour Jared Goodwin, Jesus Christ Superstar (regional) Mar Di Meglio, Broadway’s Greatest Hits (54 Sings) Sophia Orihuela, Shrek (regional) And More Stars to be Announced!
Ross Patterson, musical director/pianist Scott Siegel, producer, director, writer, host
A downtown sensation when it first premiered, Bat Boy: The Musical quickly became a cult classic, thanks to its unforgettable score and bold storytelling. Now, over 20 years later, Bat Boy returns to NYC for the first time in a limited 2-week run with a star-studded cast that you’d be bloody foolish to miss.
Tony nominee Taylor Trensch (Floyd Collins) stars as Edgar, a half-human, half-bat teen who is found in a cave and taken in by the Parker family: Tony nominee Christopher Sieber (Death Becomes Her) as Dr. Parker, Gabi Carrubba (Just In Time) as Shelley, and Kerry Butler (Heathers The Musical) as Meredith. Butler triumphantly returns to Bat Boy after originating the role of Shelley in the 2001 Off-Broadway production.
Director Alex Timbers (Just In Time, Moulin Rouge!) brings his Tony-winning storytelling to the iconic pop-rock score by Tony nominee Laurence O’Keefe (Legally Blonde: The Musical, Heathers The Musical) with several brand-new songs and expanded orchestrations.
Perfectly timed for the Halloween season, this joyfully twisted tale invites audiences to laugh, cry, and cheer for the bat-boy who just wants to belong.
Conceived and written by Douglas Lyons, with music by Ethan D. Pakchar and Douglas Lyons, and lyrics by Douglas Lyons. The production is directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes
Carson Elrod … Colonel Hugh Pickering Mark Evans … Henry Higgins Synnøve Karlsen … Eliza Doolittle Teresa Avia Lim … Clara Eynsford-Hill Lizan Mitchell … Mrs. Higgins & Mrs Pearce Matt Wolpe … Freddy Eynsford Hill & Alfred Doolittle
Directed by David Staller Set Design, Lindsay G Fuori Costume Design, Tracy Christensen Lighting Design, Jamie Roderick Sound Design, Julian Evans Property Design, Seth Tyler Black Production Management, Aurora Productions Production Stage Manager, Tyler Danhaus Assistant Stage Manager, Tala Munsterman
For most of us, the idea of reliving high school is nothing short of a nightmare. When Romy and Michele are invited to their ten-year high school reunion, Michele envisions the whole experience as a fun road trip, while Romy, very reluctantly, agrees to go but only if they come up with something to impress their classmates. To this end, the two hatch an outrageous scheme to totally re-invent themselves. With an ’80s and ’90s pop-inspired score, Romy & Michele: The Musical is an absolute feel-good joyride.
Based on the cult film classic Romy & Michele’s High School Reunion, the musical features a book by the film’s screenwriter Robin Schiff, music and lyrics by Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay (“Orange is the New Black”), music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations by Keith Harrison Dworkin (Emojiland), choreography by Karla Puno Garcia, and direction by Kristin Hanggi (Rock of Ages).
Stepping into the platform shoes of the iconic best friends are Broadway veterans Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde, The Cottage) as Romy White and Kara Lindsay (Newsies, Wicked) as Michele Weinberger. The cast also includes Jordan Kai Burnett as Heather /others, DeMarius R. Copes as DJ/others, Ninako Donville as Lisa/others, Erica Dorfler as Kelly /others, Michael Thomas Grant as Sandy/others, Je’Shaun Jackson as Toby/others, Pascal Pastrana as Billy /others, and Lauren Zakrin as Christie/others.
Romy & Michele: The Musical is produced by Barry Kemp, Stephen Soucy, Peter Schneider, and Laurence Mark with Showtown Productions serving as Executive Producer.
if you have any desire, the wicked TV Concert special airs Thursday night
Next Week:
Kyoto @ LCT
Manhattan Theatre Club production of Queens, written by Martyna Majok, and directed by Trip Cullman.
Peter’s Brainteaser:
In one of Harold Hill’s songs, he uses a “word” that would eventually become the name of a popular candy bar. What is it, and in what song does it appear?
Michael’s Musical Moments
Music Opener: “Her Name is Aurora,” Chita Rivera (Original Broadway Cast recording)
Music Closer: “Lament” from EVITA, Patti LuPone (Original Broadway Cast recording)
Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2025
Oct 29, 2025
‘Liberation’ Broadway reviews; Tilda Swinton, Gary Oldman, ‘John Proctor’ in Royal Court’s season; Klena and Rodriguez to lead ‘A Beautiful Mind’ developmental concert
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for October 26, 2025: Oh Happy Day @ The Public Theater
Oct 26, 2025
Jena Tesse Fox, Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Ragtime @ LCT’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, Not Ready for Primetime @ Newman Mills Theater at MCC, Kiss of the Spider Woman (movie), Oh Happy Day @ The Public Theater, Theatre for a New Audience’s production of Playing Shylock, Heaux Church @ Ars Nova, NY Pops From Stage to Screen, Daniel Reichard – Hello, Neighbor! @ Laurie Beechman, and The NYC Cabaret Convention Night Two Revels in the Music of Jule Styne
Playwright and actor Jordan E. Cooper in rehearsal for the New York premiere production of OH HAPPY DAY!, directed by Stevie Walker-Webb. Photo credit: Joan Marcus
“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.
Showtune for Today: The Two of Us from Look, Ma, I’m Dancin’!
Jena Tesse Fox | Twitter | Instagram JENA TESSE FOX has written about theater for many publications, including Playbill Magazine, BroadwayWorld, Time Out New York and HowlRound. She is a member of The League of Professional Theatre Women and the Drama Desk, and is a contributor to BroadwayRadio
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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Reviews:
PF + JM: Ragtime @ LCT’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, through January 4, 2026
Brandon Uranowitz and Shaina Taub were out on Sunday, Oct 19, 2026
(Michael reviewed Ragtime last week and we had a longer discussion. Click here to listen.)
MP + PF: Not Ready for Primetime @ Newman Mills Theater at MCC Theater Space, through November 30, 2025 In 1975, late-night TV was a wasteland of bad programming and even worse ratings. So nobody paid much attention when a new show debuted with a cast of virtual nobodies. Not Ready for Prime Time is not affiliated with NBC or SNL. Not Ready for Prime Time is not a production of MCC Theater.
Franco’s reign in Spain should see out the forties So you’ve just acquired an ally who Looks as secure in his job as you
Latrice Pace, Sheléa Melody McDonald, and Latrice Pace (The Divines) in rehearsal for the New York premiere production of OH HAPPY DAY!, written by Jordan E. Cooper and directed by Stevie Walker-Webb. Photo credit: Joan Marcus
PF: Oh Happy Day @ The Public Theater, Martinson Hall, through November 09, 2025 By Jordan E. Cooper Original Songs by Donald Lawrence Directed by Stevie Walker-Webb Presented in Association with Baltimore Center Stage
An impending flood is the least of the Johnson family’s troubles in this outrageous reimagining of Noah’s Ark from Tony Award-nominated writer and director duo Jordan E. Cooper and Stevie Walker-Webb. OH HAPPY DAY! begins in Laurel, MS, at a birthday BBQ for Lewis, the patriarch of the family. Shortly after his estranged son Keyshawn (played by Cooper) makes a surprise appearance, absurdity ensues on a day that will change their world forever. Grammy Award-winning gospel artist Donald Lawrence writes original songs for this biting new play about confronting the divine.
PF + MP: Theatre for a New Audience’s production of Playing Shylock @ Polonsky Shakespeare Center (Brooklyn), through December 7, 2025
Saul Rubinek, Playing Shylock Production Photo. Photo by Dahlia Katz
PF: Heaux Church @ Ars Nova, through November 8, 2025 An unabashed celebration of self-love, HEAUX CHURCH combines spirited storytelling, divine music, and all things heaux-ly to heal the parts of ourselves that shame tries to erase. Each night, former pastor’s kid Brandon Kyle Goodman leads the congregation in a rousing service on the birds, the bees and the booty, inviting us to connect and to unleash our inner heaux. It’s the sex talk you never got, but always deserved. Can we get a heaux-llelujah?!
Ars Nova, “a company known for pop-culture-savvy experimentation, with a hipness that sets it apart” (New York Times), under the leadership of Co-Artistic Directors Andrew Neisler and Anna Morton Stacey and Managing Director Mac Ingram, is pleased to kick-off its 2025-2026 season with the world premiere of HEAUX CHURCH, presented in association with Lena Waithe. Written and performed by Brandon Kyle Goodman (Netflix’s Big Mouth & Human Resources; iHeart’s Tell Me Something Messy), featuring DJ Ari Grooves and Greg Corbino, and directed by Lisa Owaki Bierman, HEAUX CHURCH marks Goodman’s Off-Broadway debut and runs October 8–November 8, 2025, at Ars Nova (511 W 54th Street) with a press opening on Sunday, October 19. Tickets are now on sale at www.arsnovanyc.com.
MP: NY Pops From Stage to Screen, October 24, 2025 Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage Steven Reineke, Music Director and Conductor Hugh Panaro, Guest Artist Elizabeth Stanley, Guest Artist
He was a Tony-winning performer in the early ‘50s.
One of his most famous songs was also the title of a Tony-losing musical in the first fifth of this 21st century. Who is he, and what is the title of the song and the musical?
Michael’s Musical Moments
THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Music Opener: Prelude and “The Sound of Music” from film version with Julie Andrews
Music Closer: “The Sound of Music,” OBC with Mary Martin
Special Episode: Ruby Lewis on finding her Audrey voice in ‘Little Shop’
Oct 21, 2025
On today’s episode, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with the phenomenal Ruby Lewis, who is currently starring as Audrey in “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Riverside Theatre in Vero Beach, Florida. Ruby made her Broadway debut in Cirque du Soleil’s “Paramour” and was most recently seen Off-Broadway in the New York Theatre Workshop’s production of “Lights Out: Nat ‘King’ Cole.”
Over the years, she has been seen on tour, in Las Vegas starring in “BAZ,” performing her solo show, and much more. In their conversation, Matt and Ruby discuss how she found her specific take on Audrey’s voice, what it means to her to be playing this part after thinking she might have aged out of the opportunity, her Florida Halloween plans, and much.
This Week on Broadway for October 19, 2025: Ragtime @ Lincoln Center
Oct 19, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Ragtime @ LCT’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, Waiting for Godot @ Hudson Theatre, Mint Theater Company’s production of Crooked Cross @ Theatre Row, Mexodus @ Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre, Let’s Love! @ Atlantic Theater Company, Album Review: Mark William: If I Can Dream, and Out / Play presents Caffe Cino One Acts @ Chain Theatre. Michael also reviews two movies: Blue Moon and Kiss of the Spider Woman
“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.
Joan, a musical, @ The Green Room tomorrow night (one night
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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Reviews:
MP: Ragtime @ LCT’s Vivian Beaumont Theater, through January 4, 2026
PF: Mexodus @ Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre, through November 1, 2025 Mexodus, written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, and directed by David Mendizábal. World Premiere co-produced by Baltimore Center Stage (Stephanie Ybarra, Artistic Director / Adam Frank, Managing Director) and Mosaic Theater Company (Reginald L. Douglas, Artistic Director / Serge Seiden, Managing Director), Washington, DC. West Coast Premiere produced September 2024 by Berkley Repertory Theatre (Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director / Tom Parrish, Managing Director) Berkeley, CA.
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.
Today on Broadway: Friday, Oct. 10, 2025
Oct 10, 2025
‘Cats: The Jellicle Ball’ announces Broadway plans, Jeremy Jordan to return to ‘Great Gatsby,’ Kandi Burress to join ‘& Juliet’
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for October 5, 2025: Punch @ Manhattan Theatre Club
Oct 05, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Punch @ Manhattan Theatre Club, MURDOCH: The Final Interview @ Theater555, Caroline @ MCC Theater, Oklahoma! @ Northern Kentucky University, Mexodus @ Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre, The Other Americans @ The Public Theater, Pen Pals @ DR2 Theatre, Marilyn, Mom & Me, Sweeney Todd @ NYU, Torera @ WP Theater, and Nothing Like Broadway! @ The Marjorie S Deane Little Theater
“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.
Showtune for Today: Why Can’t We All Be Nice? from Goodtime Charlie
Rehearsal of one of Peter’s play at a high school in Fairfield High School
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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 + MP + JM: Manhattan Theatre Club’s production of Punch @ Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, through November 2, 2025 by James Graham directed by Adam Penford Based on the book Right From Wrong by Jacob Dunne with Camila Canó-Flaviá, Victoria Clark, Will Harrison, Cody Kostro, Piter Marek, Sam Robards, Lucy Taylor
PF: MURDOCH: The Final Interview @ Theater555, through December 28, 2025 Controversial media magnate, Rupert Murdoch, faces the cameras, a live audience and a mysterious interviewer as he attempts to secure his legacy. Over ninety minutes Murdoch encounters family members, Presidents, newspaper editors, FOX NEWS creator, Roger Ailes, and finally, wrestles, literally, with an inscrutable monster. It’s the shocking, fair and balanced interview you’ve been waiting for written by an unnamed source, performed by a single actor.
Caroline production photos by Emilio Madrid
MP + PF: Caroline @ MCC Theater, through November 16, 2025 When Maddie is forced to seek the help of her long-estranged mother, she finds herself unable to shield her daughter Caroline from the inescapable circumstances that fractured their family. A world premiere play by Preston Max Allen, directed by Tony Award-winner David Cromer, Caroline is a luminous and intimate story about the possibility of redemption and the complex relationships between generations of mothers and daughters.
PF: Oklahoma! @ Northern Kentucky University, through October 5, 2025 NKU Fine Arts Center – Corbett Theatre Rodgers & Hammerstein’s first collaboration remains, in many ways, their most innovative, setting the standards and rules of modern musical theatre. In a Western territory just after the turn of the 20th century, a high-spirited rivalry between local farmers and cowboys provides a colorful background for Curly, a charming cowboy, and Laurey, a feisty farm girl, to play out their love story. Their romantic journey, as bumpy as a surrey ride down a country road, contrasts with the comic exploits of brazen Ado Annie and hapless Will Parker in a musical adventure embracing hope, determination and the promise of a new land.
MP: Mexodus @ Audible’s Minetta Lane Theatre, through November 1, 2025 Mexodus, written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, and directed by David Mendizábal. World Premiere co-produced by Baltimore Center Stage (Stephanie Ybarra, Artistic Director / Adam Frank, Managing Director) and Mosaic Theater Company (Reginald L. Douglas, Artistic Director / Serge Seiden, Managing Director), Washington, DC. West Coast Premiere produced September 2024 by Berkley Repertory Theatre (Johanna Pfaelzer, Artistic Director / Tom Parrish, Managing Director) Berkeley, CA.
Mexodus was developed and presented at New York Stage and Film, Summer 2021 and Rhinebeck Writers Retreat, Summer 2021. Additional development Support provided by CRITICAL BREAKS Residency Program at HI-ARTS and The New Harmony Project.
John Leguizamo in The Other Americans at the Public Theater Photo by Joan Marcus
PF: The Other Americans @ The Public Theater, through November 9, 2025 By John Leguizamo Directed by Ruben Santiago-Hudson In Association with Arena Stage
Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo is Nelson Castro, a Colombian-American laundromat owner in Queens grappling with a failing business and buried secrets in his new play THE OTHER AMERICANS. When his son Nick returns from a mental wellness facility after a traumatic incident, Nelson’s world unravels. Committed to protecting his family and business, he tackles racial and identity challenges to achieve his dream, proving his success. Nelson must navigate morality’s murky waters to salvage his future. Will he emerge victorious, or will his past consume everything he holds dear? Tony Award winner Ruben Santiago-Hudson directs this gripping tale of resilience.
MP: Pen Pals @ DR2 Theatre Written by Michael Griffo; Directed by SuzAnne Barabas
MP: Sweeney Todd @ NYU (Steinhart School, Vocal Performance)
Jacqueline Guillen and Jared Machado Photo Credit Joan Marcus
PF: Torera @ WP Theater, through October 19, 2025 Torera, written by Monet Hurst-Mendoza (“Law and Order: SVU”), and directed and choreographed by Tatiana Pandiani (Someone Spectacular, AZUL), both making their Off-Broadway debuts. The show will begin previews at WP Theater (2162 Broadway, between 76th & 77th) on Saturday, September 20, with an Opening Night on Sunday, October 5, and play a four-week limited engagement through Sunday, October 19, 2025.
Torera stars Jorge Cordova (“Black Mirror,” “FBI: Most Wanted”) as Don Rafael, Christian Jesús Galvis as Dancer, Jacqueline Guillén (The Equalizer, “Orange Is the New Black”) as Elena María Ramírez, Elena Hurst (Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992) as Pastora, Jared Machado (Buena Vista Social Club at ATC) as Tanok, and Andrea Soto as Dancer.
Elena María Ramírez was born to be a torera, but it’s a rare feat for a woman in México’s bullfighting scene. In order to enter the ring, she must defy society, her family, and legendary torero Don Rafael Cárdenas. Torera is a dynamic, epic family drama that swirls with the action, stakes, and the intrigue of the bullfighting ring. This limited run at WP Theater is produced in partnership with The Sol Project, Long Wharf Theatre, and Latinx Playwrights Circle.
MP: Nothing Like Broadway! @ The Marjorie S Deane Little Theater on 64th street, through November 23, 2025
This Week on Broadway for September 28, 2025: The Hills of California @ Huntington Theatre Company
Sep 28, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about The Hills of California @ Huntington Theatre Company, Art @ Music Box Theatre, Slanted Floors @ 1006 Manhattan Ave in Brooklyn, The Sound of Music Movie 60th Anniversary (Fathom Events), Color Theories By Julio Torres @ Performance Space New York, Phoenix Productions Fiddler on the Roof @ Count Basie Center for the Arts, and Turandot @ Metropolitan Opera.
Meghan Carey, Kate Fitzgerald, Alison Jean White, Chloé Kolbenhyer, Nicole Mulready (on floor); photo by Liza Voll (The Hills of California @ Huntington Theatre Company)
“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.
Showtune for Today: “Look What Happened to Mabel” from Mack & Mabel
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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Reviews:
Kate Fitzgerald, Alison Jean White; photo by Liza Voll
MP + JM: Art @ Music Box Theatre, through December 21, 2025
ART, starring Bobby Cannavale, James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris, is written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton. Directed by Scott Ellis, the design team includes David Rockwell (Set Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Jen Schriever (Lighting Design), Mikaal Sulaiman (Sound Design) and Kid Harpoon (Original Music).
PF: Slanted Floors @ 1006 Manhattan Ave in Brooklyn (Peter took the G Train!)
The year is 1940-something, and Chicago’s night scene is sizzling. Enter Joey Evans. A slick-talking, velvet-voiced songster with dreams bigger than the bandstand. But in a city where the right connections mean everything, he is caught between a bright-eyed chorus girl and a wealthy widow who can bankroll his big break—for a price. As the lights dim and the music swells, Joey’s got a choice to make: play it straight or risk it all for the spotlight. This classic Rodgers and Hart score, including “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered,” “What Is a Man?,” and “I Could Write a Book,” now includes “This Can’t Be Love” and “The Lady Is a Tramp,” among others. Co-directed by Tony Award-winning choreographer Savion Glover and actor, director, and producer Tony Goldwyn, the stakes are high, the music is hot, and the game of romance and ambition never sounded so good.
Support for Chez Joey is provided by Catherine and Chris Guttman-McCabe.
MP: Turandot @ Metropolitan Opera World premiere: Teatro alla Scala, Milan, 1926. Puccini’s final opera is an epic fairy tale set in a China of legend, loosely based on a play by 18th-century Italian dramatist Carlo Gozzi. Featuring a most unusual score with an astounding and innovative use of chorus and orchestra, it is still recognizably Puccini, bursting with instantly appealing melody. The unenviable task of completing the opera’s final scene upon Puccini’s sudden death was left to the composer Franco Alfano. Conductor Arturo Toscanini oversaw Alfano’s contribution and led the world premiere.
“One of the most lavish and intricate [productions] in the company’s repertoire” (The New York Times), Franco Zeffirelli’s glittering take on Puccini’s final masterpiece returns to the stage with three extraordinary casts bringing the rousing score to life. Sopranos Angela Meade, Anna Pirozzi, and Liudmyla Monastyrska star in the title role of the vengeful princess, whose frozen heart is thawed by the courageous prince Calàf, portrayed by tenors Michael Fabiano, Brian Jagde, and Roberto Alagna.
News:
The Broadway Musical Is in Trouble By Michael Paulson (The New York Times) With the cost of staging song-and-dance spectacles skyrocketing and audiences drawn to older hits, none of the musicals that opened last season have made a profit. Fewer are planned this season.
New Role for Jesse Green Jesse, a sharp and elegant writer, will write features and news as a Culture correspondent.
Next Week:
Peter’s Brainteaser:
Two of his works made it to Broadway in the 1980s.
One was a revival of his play, one was his new musical.
Both titles had two words in them; the first word of each show was identical. Each of the second word of the title started with the same two letters.
What are the two shows, and who wrote them?
Michael’s Musical Moments
Music Opener: “The Sound of Music,” film version
Music Closer: “Climb Ev’ry Mountain,” Patricia Neway and original Broadway cast on The Ed Sullivan Show
This Week on Broadway for September 21, 2025: Saturday Church @ NYTW
Sep 21, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Art @ Music Box Theatre, Saturday Church @ NYTW, Damn Yankees @ Arena Stage (DC), The Wild Duck @ TFANA (Theatre for a New Audience), and This Is Not a Drill @ The York Theatre
Bryson Battle (center) and the company of NYTW’s SATURDAY CHURCH, Photo by Marc J. Franklin
“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.
Showtune for Today: Sept 21 Turn It Off from The Book of Mormon
The 2025 BC/EFA Broadway Flea Market! Peter will be ther from about 10AM – 4PM It’s that time of year! The big day! It’s the 2025 BC/EFA Broadway Flea Market and Grand Auction! Lights of Broadway will be back in Shubert Alley once again, and we’ve got some good stuff for all those able to get to the Theater District this Sunday, September 21 from 10am-7pm! Click over to the BC/EFA page for more info on the big event. Since we’re celebrating our TENTH YEAR, our special Flea 5-card release features so much of our journey this past decade: Our BC/EFA card releases (with Tom Viola and Danny Whitman). Our ten years of regular and show editions (with Dori)! Ten years of Tony-winning musicals (with Squigs)! Iain Armitage who’s been a part of Lights of Broadway from the start! “What We Do Together Makes A Difference”: BC/EFA’s motto that rings as true now as it ever has.
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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PF: Art @ Music Box Theatre, through December 21, 2025
Three longtime friends. One ridiculously expensive painting. Is it art, or is it just the world’s priciest inside joke? What begins as a polite debate over aesthetics and taste devolves into a clash of egos and resentments. Can their friendship survive, or will one of them finally draw the line? It’s just 100 minutes of minimalist art, maximalist laughs, and a moving look at what we really see and forgive in the people we love.
ART, starring Bobby Cannavale, James Corden and Neil Patrick Harris, is written by Yasmina Reza and translated by Christopher Hampton. Directed by Scott Ellis, the design team includes David Rockwell (Set Design), Linda Cho (Costume Design), Jen Schriever (Lighting Design), Mikaal Sulaiman (Sound Design) and Kid Harpoon (Original Music).
Neil Patrick Harris and James Corden in ART on Broadway
Anania, B Noel Thomas, and Caleb Quezon in NYTW’s SATURDAY CHURCH, Photo by Marc J. Franklin
Music and Lyrics by Richard Adler and Jerry Ross Book by George Abbott and Douglass Wallop Based on the Novel The Year the Yankees Lost the Pennant by Douglass Wallop New Adaptation by Will Power and Doug Wright Additional Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Directed and Choreographed by Sergio Trujillo
By Henrik Ibsen In a new version by David Eldridge Directed by Simon Godwin A Co-Production with Shakespeare Theatre Company
Creative Team Scenic Designer: Andrew Boyce Costume Designer: Heather C. Freedman Lighting Designer: Stacey Derosier Sound Designer: Darron L West Movement and Fight Director: Jacob Grigolia-Rosenbaum Voice Director: Andrew Wade Hair & Wig Designer: Satellite Wigs Properties Supervisor: Jonno Knust Music Director: Alexander Sovronsky Casting Director: Jack Doulin Production Dramaturg: Jonathan Kalb
A CHORUS LINE was a Tony-winning musical whose script mentions two dates that were the official openings of two previous Tony-winning Best Musicals – not Best Musical Revivals, mind you, but Best Musicals.
Name the dates, the shows, and the two characters who mention them in A CHORUS LINE.
This Week on Broadway for September 14, 2025: Galas @ Little Island
Sep 14, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Galas @ Little Island, Sober Songs @ Theater Row, Karaoke With Broadway Stars, Sweet Charity (movie), and House of McQueen at The Mansion at Hudson Yards
House of McQueen Photos by Thomas Hedges
“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.
Showtune for Today: Sept 14 We Got It! from Over Here!
Lena Hall performing The Star-Spangled Banner, and sang all the verses A Broadway star surprises baseball fans with more verses of the National Anthem | Sports Illustrated https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXx83WzAsco
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
BROADWAY ADVERTISING & MARKETING in Brief (BroadwayBriefing) “5 Broadway advertising executives get honest with Broadway News” by Broadway News’ Ruthie Fierberg – “While seated at the Algonquin Hotel’s Algonquin Roundtable, Liz Furze, chief executive officer of AKA NYC; Callie Goff, managing director and chief creative officer of SpotCo; Jeremy Kraus, managing partner of Situation; Ilene Rosen, founder of RPM; and Matt Upshaw, chief executive officer of Serino Coyne shared their expert perspectives on advertising in the biz.
Reviews:
MP: Galas @ Little Island, through September 28, 2025 By: Charles Ludlam Directed by: Eric Ting Additional Music Selections by: Anthony Roth Costanzo
When playwright Charles Ludlam invented the iconic opera singer at the center of his ridiculous comedy Galas, he likely never imagined a real prima donna in the role. With Anthony Roth Costanzo taking the stage in Eric Ting’s new production, the dream Ludlam never dreamed comes true. As the titular Maria Magdalena Galas (rhymes with Callas), Costanzo embodies extravagance, camp, and diva, but – with his famous countertenor shimmering between the moments of absurdity – opens his heart and lays bare to us both the beauty and the pain pumping through the veins of any great artist.
Cast: Anthony Roth Costanzo, Carmelita Tropicana, Mary Testa, Caleb Eberhardt, Erin Markey, Patricia Black, Samora la Perdida, Austin Durant, Jeremy Rafal
PF: Sober Songs @ Theater Row, through September 28, 2025
SOBER SONGS is a darkly comedic musical that follows six young adults in recovery at a local AA meeting founded by the gruff but loving “Cap.” Blending biting humor, emotional ballads, and sharp dialogue, the show evolves from light and charming to deeply emotional, offering a raw, character-driven, and emotionally authentic look at addiction, love, identity, and the complicated, messy road to sobriety. With heart, heartbreak, and cathartic honesty, Sober Songs offers a deeply human—and at times hilarious—glimpse into recovery culture.
Sober Songs Press Photos by Shawn Salley
MP: KARAOKE WITH BROADWAY STARS – Harry Whelchel https://singwiththestars.com Mondays at 7:30 PM, Baby Grand LES — 187 Orchard St, NYC Friday, 9/12 on Aura on East 47th St.: Singers included Mia Gentile (KINKY BOOTS); host was Dillon Klena (Derek’s brother, replaced him in JAGGED LITTLE PILL); lots of pop songs but also “Suddenly Seymour,” “A Whole New World,” title song from “Phantom of the Opera,” etc.
PF + MP: Info / Preview — Saturday Church @ NYTW last night opens tomorrow (preview)
PF: House of McQueen at The Mansion at Hudson Yards, through September 28, 2025 House of McQueen is a sexy, flamboyant, irreverent, and poignant theatrical portrait of fashion icon Alexander McQueen. Starring Luke Newton (Netflix’s Bridgerton) and Emily Skinner (Broadway: Side Show), with an extraordinary cast, the production fuses fashion show, play, and rock concert into an immersive theatrical experience.
Written by award-winning playwright Darrah Cloud and directed by Sam Helfrich, House of McQueen explores McQueen’s early days, the rise of his legendary fashion house, and his deeply human relationships with family and muses. A decade in the making, this production is presented in collaboration with Gary James McQueen—Lee’s nephew and Creative Director—and Executive Producer Rick Lazes. The experience also includes a curated display of archival Alexander McQueen designs.
The Mansion at Hudson Yards, 508 W 37th St (Google)
Classic Stage Company (CSC) (Jill Rafson, Producing Artistic Director) is excited to announce complete casting for The Baker’s Wife, featuring a book by Tony Award winner Joseph Stein (Fiddler on the Roof), music & lyrics by Oscar, Grammy, and Tony Award winner Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, The Queen of Versailles), based on the film La Femme du Boulanger by Marcel Pagnol and Jean Giono, and direction by Gordon Greenberg (The Heart of Rock and Roll).
Joining the previously announced Scott Bakula as Aimable Castagnet and Ariana DeBose as Genvieve are Savannah Lee Birdsong (Little Shop of Horrors), Arnie Burton (Machinal), Tony Award nominee Robert Cuccioli (Jekyll & Hyde), Alma Cuervo (On Your Feet), Tony Award nominee Kevin Del Aguila (Some Like It Hot), Bill English (Days of Wine and Roses), Zachary Freier-Harrison (Off-Broadway Debut), Samantha Marisol Gershman (Water For Elephants), Nathan Lee Graham (“Mid-Century Modern”), Tony Award nominee Judy Kuhn (Fun Home), Kelly Lester (Cabaret at The Old Globe), Sally Murphy (The Minutes), Manu Narayan (Company), Mason Olshavsky (Off-Broadway Debut), Kevin William Paul (The Outsiders), Will Roland (Dear Evan Hansen), and Hailey Thomas (Little Shop of Horrors).
Opening CSC’s 2025-2026 Season, The Baker’s Wife is a legendary musical written in 1976 that has never received a full-scale production in New York City. The Baker’s Wife will run from October 23 – December 14, 2025 at CSC’s Lynn F. Angelson Theater (136 East 13th Street), with an opening night set for November 11, 2025.
Next Week:
Peter’s Brainteaser:
Many, many musical performers start out by playing multiple roles in a show, and then, when they rise through the ranks, eventually play one character.
But in the ‘80s, when this performer appeared in three Broadway musicals, he did it the other way around: one role in the first musical, four in the second, and seven in the third.
Who is this performer, and what were the musicals?
Michael’s Musical Moments
CARMEN JONES
Music Opener: “Dat’s Love” performed by Dorothy Dandridge and Marilyn Horne from CARMEN JONES film (1954):
Music Closer: Gregg Baker and cast in “Stand Up and Fight” from 1991 London production of CARMEN JONES
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.
Today on Broadway: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025
Sep 12, 2025
Is ‘Broadway Vacation’ finally coming to Broadway? ‘Buena Vista Social Club’ band to play free events and footage of Orfeh in ‘Burlesque’
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for September 7, 2025: Well, I’ll Let You Go @ The Space at Irondale
Sep 07, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Well, I’ll Let You Go @ The Space at Irondale, Rolling Thunder @ New World Stages, The Brothers Size @ The Shed, Play On @ Signature Theatre (DC), This is Government @ 59e59, Galas @ Little Island, and 2006 Hollywood Bowl production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC
Well, I’ll Let You Go: Quincy Tyler Bernstine, Will Dagger Production photos by Emilio Madrid
“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.
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
Well, I’ll Let You Go: Emily Davis, Quincy Tyler Bernstine Production photos by Emilio Madrid
PF: Well, I’ll Let You Go @ The Space at Irondale (Brooklyn), through September 12, 2025 Fresh from winning a Drama Desk Award for Ken Urban’s Danger and Opportunity, Obie winner Jack Serio is set to direct Bubba Weiler’s Well, I’ll Let You Go at The Space at Irondale (85 S Oxford St, Brooklyn). This new American play, which marks Weiler’s professional playwriting debut
Tony nominee Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Obie winner Michael Chernus (Apple TV’s Severance, Peacock’s Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) lead an ensemble cast that includes Cricket Brown (Judgment Day, Park Avenue Armory), Will Dagger (Good Night, and Good Luck), Lortel and Obie winner Emily Davis (Is This A Room), Danny McCarthy (The Minutes, To Kill a Mockingbird), Drama Desk nominee Constance Shulman (The Rose Tattoo, Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black), and Amelia Workman (American Son, The Antiquities).
Set in a small Midwestern town, Well, I’ll Let You Go is a portrait of a woman and a community in crisis. Alternately vast and personal in scope, shifting backwards and forwards in time, this expansive, yet incredibly intimate, debut play sifts through the rubble of a town, a marriage, and a life built on an American Dream that’s crumbled.
PF: This is Government @ 59e59, through September 28, 2025 By Nina Kissinger Directed by Sarah Norris with Vann Dukes, Charles Hsu, Susan Lynskey, and Kleo Mitrokostas
It’s summer in Washington, DC and three congressional interns are fielding constituent calls before yet another workplace lockdown begins. While everyone outside investigates a suspicious red Camry, they find themselves stuck in the one place no one has ever wanted to work overtime: the US government.
As their patience and snack supply runs out, they follow clues and evidence to get to the bottom of how this situation unfolded and why. A comedy with heart, This is Government grapples with the real-time consequences of political disarray.
MP: Galas @ Little Island, September 6 – 28 By: Charles Ludlam Directed by: Eric Ting Additional Music Selections by: Anthony Roth Costanzo
When playwright Charles Ludlam invented the iconic opera singer at the center of his ridiculous comedy Galas, he likely never imagined a real prima donna in the role. With Anthony Roth Costanzo taking the stage in Eric Ting’s new production, the dream Ludlam never dreamed comes true. As the titular Maria Magdalena Galas (rhymes with Callas), Costanzo embodies extravagance, camp, and diva, but – with his famous countertenor shimmering between the moments of absurdity – opens his heart and lays bare to us both the beauty and the pain pumping through the veins of any great artist.
Cast: Anthony Roth Costanzo, Carmelita Tropicana, Mary Testa, Caleb Eberhardt, Erin Markey, Patricia Black, Samora la Perdida, Austin Durant, Jeremy Rafal
I told Joshua Rosenblem that so many brainteaser-players, when guessing CLOSER THAN EVER as an answer to a previous week’s question, also mentioned in their email how much they loved his biography of Maltby and Shire.
Perhaps to be nice, he said he’s now reading my book THE GREAT PARADE – a look at the extraordinary 1963-64 season. And that led me to this week’s question: Name both the song and the musical from that season that mentioned the number 51 in a most unconventional way.
Michael’s Musical Moments
Music Opener: Steve Lawrence Sings Small World
Music Closer: Bobby Darin Sings “All I Need is the Girl”
Today on Broadway: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2025
Sep 04, 2025
Sarah Hyland to join ‘Just in Time’ next month, Sherie Rene Scott’s first ‘Queen of Versailles’ performances, Grace finds out her finace is on a new album
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for August 31, 2025: Adam Pascal
Aug 31, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk with Adam Pascal about the upcoming Feels Like the First Time, A Musical Based on the Songs of Foreigner. Reviews include Pen Pals @ DR2, Marilyn Maye @ Provincetown Town Hall, Nicolas King @ Post Office Cabaret, Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike @ Provincetown Theater, Bill Posley’s The Day I Accidentally Went to War @ SoHo Playhouse, Play On @ Signature Theatre (DC), and a little bit of info on the upcoming Damn Yankees at Arena Stage.
“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.
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
Feels Like the First Time, A Musical Based on the Songs of Foreigner creative team, from left to right: David Abbinanti (orchestrations and arrangements), Adam Pascal (director), and Stephen Garvey (book)
Stephen Garvey wrote the new book for Feels Like the First Time
“The Hits Unplugged” Benefit Concert at Tilles Center for the Performing Arts at Long Island University on September 5, 2025 Hosted by Original Lead Singer Lou Gramm In Support of Forthcoming World Premiere of Feels Like the First Time – The Foreigner Musical, Directed by Broadway Star Adam Pascal
Foreigner: The Hits Unplugged will be hosted by original Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm who will also greet guests at an exclusive pre-show VIP cocktail reception. A limited number of premium tickets and invitations to the exclusive party, which includes a photo opportunity with Lou and the band, are available at TillesCenter.org/ForeignerBenefit.
Intro Music for Adam Pascal interview: Juke Box Hero
Exit music for Adam Pascal interview: Another Day from Rent
Reviews:
Nancy McKeon as Bernie in Pen Pals at DR2. Photo by Russ Rowland
PF: Pen Pals @ DR2, through December 21, 2025 Inspired by a true story, Pen Pals invites audiences into the lives of Bernie and Mags—two women whose bond, forged in adolescence, endures for decades without them ever meeting in person. A story of connection, resilience, and the unbreakable bond between friends, Pen Pals is as poignant as it is powerful.
Rotating Cast Schedule: AUG 15 – AUG 31: Nancy McKeon & Gail Winar SEPT 3 – SEPT 14: Michelle Clunie & Megan Follows SEPT 17 – SEPT 28: Sharna Burgess and Paige Davis OCT 1 – OCT 12: Kathleen Chalfant and Ellen McLaughlin OCT 15 – OCT 26: Kate Burton & Pauletta Pearson Washington OCT 29 – NOV 9: Catherine Curtin & Marcia Cross NOV 12 – NOV 23: Sharon Lawrence & Maureen McCormick DEC 10 – DEC 21: Donna Lynne Champlin & Emily Skinner
What lyric in the verse of a second-act opener of a famous, household name musical can actually refer to the Broadway debut of each of these productions?
Jessie Mueller sings ‘So Alive’ from F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald musical ‘Beautiful Little Fool’ https://youtu.be/kNwTgx2Fu00
This Week on Broadway for August 24, 2025: Twelfth Night @ Delacorte Theater
Aug 24, 2025
Peter Filichia and James Marino talk about Twelfth Night @ Delacorte Theater, Jeff Ross: Take a Banana For the Ride, Alan Turing & The Queen Of The Night @ The Players Theatre, and Mamma Mia! We also talk about the life and career of Jerry Adler.
Peter Dinklage in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Saheem Ali, which has reopened the revitalized Delacorte Theater and runs through September 14. Photo credit: Joan Marcus
“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.
Showtune for Today: We Dance from Once On This Island
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
Michael is on vacation this week and will return next week.
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.
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Happy Birthday (yesterday, August 23) to Lee Roy Reams
Reviews:
Sandra Oh and Junior Nyong’o in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Saheem Ali, which has reopened the revitalized Delacorte Theater and runs through September 14. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.
Jesse Tyler Ferguson, John Ellison Conlee, and Moses Sumney in the Free Shakespeare in the Park production of TWELFTH NIGHT, directed by Saheem Ali, which has reopened the revitalized Delacorte Theater and runs through September 14. Photo credit: Joan Marcus.
Join us to revel in the midsummer madness as twins Sebastian and Viola survive shipwreck, revenge plots, and the trick doors of love. The Public’s Associate Artistic Director and Resident Director, Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali directs this joyful romp welcoming all of New York back to the magic of Central Park’s beloved theater.
b (Antonio) b they/them (Antonio) Previous theater credits include Toros (Second Stage; HOLA Award recipient), American (tele)visions (NYTW), Bodies They Ritual (Clubbed Thumb), Seven Deadly Sins (Tectonic Theater Project), and many others. b will next be seen starring in the upcoming seasons of “You” (Netflix) and “The Terror” (AMC). b’s previous TV credits include “WeCrashed” (Apple TV+), “Let the Right One In” (Showtime), and “Station 19” (ABC). b also co-executive produced and starred in the narrative podcast Birds of Empire (QCODE). b is a graduate of The Juilliard School.
Jeff Ross in Take a Banana for the Ride Photo Credit: Emilio Madrid
After intermission, this performer had literally only a walk-on, and yet the window cards, posters and cast album had this performer listed above the title.
Special Episode: ‘Billy Joel Project’ with Phil Geoffrey Bond of the Broadeay Ensemble
Aug 20, 2025
On today’s episode, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with Grammy-nominated record producer Phil Geoffrey Bond to discuss the release of the incredible new album “The Billy Joel Project.” After years of focusing on “Sondheim Unplugged” concerts and albums, Bond returned to a concept from years ago for this new album while officially establishing a name for the stable of storytellers.
The recently established Broadway Ensemble features 11 theatrical performers with nearly 50 combined Broadway credits. The cast tackles 24 songs from the iconic catalog of Bill Joel songs in a reverential, but a musical theatrely unique way.
Stagecraft: Bubba Weiler on “Well, I’ll Let You Go”
Aug 19, 2025
The Stagecraft podcast is hosted by Jan Simpson. It is a series of interviews with playwrights (and musical book writers) of shows opening on Broadway and off-Broadway.
Bubba Weiler (playwright) is a Brooklyn-based playwright and actor. His plays include The Saviors; Well, I’ll Let You Go; and This Room is For Everybody, among others. A graduate of NYU’s Playwrights Horizons Theater School, he studied playwriting under Jen Silverman and Roy Kendall. He has been in residence at Berkeley Rep’s The Ground Floor and Mercury Store. As an actor, he played Scorpius Malfoy in the first American cast of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Broadway and was recently seen in Swing State by Rebecca Gilman at the Minetta Lane for which his performance was nominated for a Drama Desk, Lucille Lortel, and Outer Critics Circle Award.
Fresh from winning a Drama Desk Award for Ken Urban’s Danger and Opportunity, Obie winner Jack Serio is set to direct Bubba Weiler’s Well, I’ll Let You Go at The Space at Irondale (85 S Oxford St, Brooklyn). This new American play, which marks Weiler’s professional playwriting debut, will run from July 29 – September 12, 2025, with an opening set for Thursday, August 7. Tickets are now on sale at www.letyougonyc.com.
EXTENDED. 12 PERFORMANCES ONLY. must close September 12 quincy tyler bernstine FINAL PERFORMANCE AUGUST 29.
Tony nominee Quincy Tyler Bernstine and Obie winner Michael Chernus (Apple TV’s Severance, Peacock’s Devil In Disguise: John Wayne Gacy) lead an ensemble cast that includes Cricket Brown (Judgment Day, Park Avenue Armory), Will Dagger (Good Night, and Good Luck), Lortel and Obie winner Emily Davis (Is This A Room), Danny McCarthy (The Minutes, To Kill a Mockingbird), Drama Desk nominee Constance Shulman (The Rose Tattoo, Netflix’s Orange Is the New Black), and Amelia Workman (American Son, The Antiquities).
Well, I’ll Let You Go marks Chernus’ return to the New York City stage after 11 years.
Set in a small Midwestern town, Well, I’ll Let You Go is a portrait of a woman and a community in crisis. Alternately vast and personal in scope, shifting backwards and forwards in time, this expansive, yet incredibly intimate, debut play sifts through the rubble of a town, a marriage, and a life built on an American Dream that’s crumbled.
“Growing up a child actor in Chicago, I spent most nights after school in one storefront theater or another,” says playwright Bubba Weiler. “At these vital institutions, I got to watch some of the world’s best directors, writers, and actors develop intimate and urgent new plays and, secretly, I started writing my own. When my acting career moved me to New York, I kept writing and eventually I had a little stack of plays with nowhere to take them. But then I started seeing Jack Serio’s work, which took me back to those Chicago storefronts. His sensitive, detailed, and actor-centric approach makes him the perfect person to helm Well, I’ll Let You Go. I’m humbled with the all-star cast and team he’s assembled to paint this portrait of a community in crisis. I truly can’t think of a better way to finally share one of my plays with audiences.”
“While New Yorkers may be familiar with Bubba Weiler as a skilled actor, I’ve long known that he was also secretly skilled as a playwright,” says director Jack Serio. “Well, I’ll Let You Go is a portrait of a small midwestern community reckoning with what’s left of the American Dream. I’m so proud to be able to continue to make this kind of actor-driven, intimate, work outside of a traditional Off-Broadway model. And I’m excited to push the size and scope of that work at The Space at Irondale, one of the most glorious and magical spaces in the city. It is a space rich with character, both expansive and incredibly intimate. I have no doubt it will be the perfect theater for Bubba’s sprawling ensemble play and the home to a completely singular theatrical experience this summer.”
The creative team for Well, I’ll Let You Go includes Frank J. Oliva (scenic design), Avery Reed (costume design), Drama Desk and Obie-winner Stacey Derosier (lighting design), Avi Amon (original music), Taylor Williams, CSA (casting), and Zach Brecheen (production stage manager).
Well, I’ll Let You Go is produced by Jacob Stuckelman, Andrew Patino, Kyle Rogers, Matt Krauss of Regular People along with Patrick Catullo, The Cohn Sisters, Shira Friedman, and Danny Kopel. Jacob Stuckelman and Christian Palomares of Regular People serve as General Managers. Andrew Patino of Regular People serves as Director of Marketing. David Manella at Loeb & Loeb LLP serves as Production Counsel.
Performances of Well, I’ll Let You Go will take place July 29 – September 12, 2025, at The Space at Irondale, located at 85 S Oxford St in Brooklyn. Critics are welcome as of Saturday, August 2 at 7pm for an opening on Thursday, August 7. The performance schedule is Mondays through Fridays at 7:00pm and Saturdays at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets, which start at $49, can be purchased at www.letyougonyc.com. Standard ticketing fees apply.
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 thrice served as a Pulitzer Prize juror.
This Week on Broadway for August 17, 2025: Mamma Mia!
Aug 17, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about the Broadway revival of Mamma Mia!, Ali Ewoldt: When You Wish Upon a Star @ 54 Below, Heathers The Musical @ New World Stages, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal @ Hudson River Park’s Clinton Cove, Rolling Thunder – A Rock Journey @ New World Stages, and Ghostlight Players production of The Bridges of Madison County
(L to R) Amy Weaver (Sophie Sheridan) and Christine Sherrill (Donna Sheridan). Photo by Joan Marcus.
“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.
Showtune for Today: Prologue from Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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Special Episode: ‘Billy Joel Project’ with Phil Geoffrey Bond of the Broadeay Ensemble now to our Patreon members, public on Wednesday, August 20th
Stagecraft: Bubba Weiler on “Well, I’ll Let You Go” available on Monday night (Patreon) and Tuesday morning (General Public) in the Today on Broadway time slot
Reviews:
PF: Mamma Mia! @ Winter Garden Theatre, scheduled (right now) through February 1, 2026
Ali Ewoldt: When You Wish Upon a Star August 10 & December 26, 2025
A dream came true for Ali Ewoldt when she became the first Asian-American to star on Broadway as Christine Daaé in Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera. It was one of many such dreams that have come true for this Broadway star, including landing major Broadway roles in Les Misérables and The King and I.
On August 10th on the 54 Below stage, Ali Ewoldt will share those dreams with you, singing the famous songs she performed on Broadway, as well as the equally famous songs she performed on her journey to the Great White Way: Disney hits, musical theater classics, and more. This will be a show bursting with Broadway hits by an actress who has walked the walk and sung the songs!
Ali Ewoldt: When You Wish Upon a Star will be produced and directed by legendary NYC impresario, Scott Siegel. He has created more than 600 major concert events and nightclub acts that have been performed all over the world, including producing, directing, and writing shows for Mr. Michael Feinstein. Music direction by Laura Bergquist.
The performance on Aug 10 featured:
Ken Wulf Clark (The Notebook national tour, Great Comet, Shucked, Water for Elephants) Jose Llana (Here Lies Love, The King and I, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee) Jaygee Macapugay (Suffs, Here Lies Love, Shucked) Emmett O’Hanlon (Camelot at Barrington Stage) Lena Racelis
PF: Heathers The Musical @ New World Stages, through January 25, 2026 (extended) Heathers The Musical, featuring book, music, and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe, produced by Bill Kenwright Ltd., Paul Taylor-Mills and Jerry Goehring, and directed by Andy Fickman
A biography of Rodgers and Hammerstein has a title SOME ENCHANTED EVENINGS which cites one of their famous songs from one of their Tony-winning musical.
The title of Charles Strouse’s memoir is PUT ON A HAPPY FACE, citing one of his famous songs from one of his Tony-winning musicals.
However, the title of a book about the collaboration between two Tony-winning songwriters uses as its title a song they wrote for a show that not only failed to win a Tony, but also never even played Broadway.
What’s the song that’s also the name of the book, and who are the songwriters?
This Week on Broadway for August 10, 2025: Jon Maas on David Merrick and 42nd Street
Aug 10, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk with Jon Maas about David Merrick and the orignal production of 42nd Street.
“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.
Showtune for Today: Only With You from NINE, 2003 Revival Cast Album
Antonio Banderas @ Theater World Awards
Peter Filichia & Friends: Broadway Tales and Tunes, Monday August 4 @ 54 Below: “Jackie Hoffman was hilarious as always, and Peter is without equal as a raconteur.” — Cheryl Hodges Selden
Peter saw Jill Eikenberry at lunch, and asked about her Broadway performance in Onward Victoria
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
The 45th anniversary of 42nd Street (Opening night Aug 25, 1980)
Jon Maas, Writer/Producer for Television and Film Facebook | BlueSky Graduated Summa cum laude from The Office Boy And Coffee Shop School Of The Dramatic Arts. Assistant to David Merrick on the original production of 42nd Street
A collaboration with The Baltimore Playwrights Festival! A new work by a local Baltimore playwright selected from this season of exciting BPF readings!
It’s 1977 and things are looking up for Prof. Julian Chapel! He has a new exhibition and, possibly, a new boyfriend. But scandal erupts when the Dean believes a homoerotic painting is actually a portrait of Roberto, one of Julian’s graduate students. Before Julian can decide what to do, the painting mysteriously disappears. Floating Down to Camelot is about love, art, and finding allies in unlikely places.
The Audrey Herman Spotlighters Theatre, Inc, (aka Spotlighters Theatre)
An Oscar-winning movie mentioned a Tony-winning musical, but when that Oscar-winning movie was made into a Tony-losing musical, it dropped the reference to the Tony-winning musical. Explain.
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.
Stagecraft: Cary Gitter on “Gene & Gilda”
Aug 08, 2025
The Stagecraft podcast is hosted by Jan Simpson. It is a series of interviews with playwrights (and musical book writers) of shows opening on Broadway and off-Broadway.
Gene & Gilda by Cary Gitter Directed by Joe Brancato With Jordan Kai Burnett and Jonathan Randell Silver @59e59 through September 7, 2025
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 thrice served as a Pulitzer Prize juror.
Today on Broadway: Friday, Aug. 8, 2025
Aug 08, 2025
Aubrey Plaza coming back to the stage, Grace reviews ‘Well, I’ll Let You Go,’ HamilTEN celebration videos
Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Any and all feedback is appreciated: Grace Aki:grace@broadwayradio.com | @ItsGraceAki Matt Tamanini:matt@broadwayradio.com | @BroadwayRadio
This Week on Broadway for August 3, 2025: Steel Magnolias @ Bell Theater
Aug 03, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about Steel Magnolias @ Bell Theater, Can I Be Frank? @ SoHo Playhouse, 54 Sings Wildcat @ 54 Below, Sexy Laundry @ Cape May Stage, and Ginger Twinsies @ Orpheum Theatre.
“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.
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
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Jan Simpson’s All the Drama: “Dinner With Friends”, 2000 Winner, Pulitzer Prize for Drama is now available for Patreon members. It will be available to everyone next week.
Jan Simpson’s Stagecraft: Cary Gitter on “Gene & Gilda” will be released to Patreon this week!
Earthquake in NYC last night
Reviews:
PF: Steel Magnolias @ Bell Theater in Holmdel, NJ, through Directed by Nate Patten A classic tale of family and friendship, and nonstop laughs! Starring Tony nominee Charlotte d’Amboise (A Chorus Line), Broadway’s Kathy Fitzgerald (9 to 5), Tony nominee Nancy Opel (Urinetown), Broadway’s Amy Spanger (Kiss Me Kate), Eve O’Brien, and Sarah Suzuki.
PF: Can I Be Frank? @ SoHo Playhouse, through September 13, 2025
Frank Maya on The Dick Cavett Show, 1991
MP + PF: 54 Sings Wildcat @ 54 Below, July 28, 2025 The concert will be hosted and produced by Charles Kirsch, the host of theater podcast Backstage Babble, and musically directed by Michael Lavine.
Featuring:
Ryan Andes (Big Fish) Noah Barnes (Million Dollar Quartet at North Shore Music Theatre) John Bolton (Anastasia) Mike Cefalo (New York, New York) Paula Leggett Chase (On the Twentieth Century) Quinn Corcoran (Zorba) Christopher DeProphetis (Smile workshop) Ruth Gottschall (Laughing Room Only) Ilene Graff (I Love My Wife) Marilu Henner (Chicago) Ben Jones (cabaret and recording artist) Nicolas King (A Thousand Clowns) Bruce Landry (Harmony) Luba Mason (How to Succeed…) Joel Newsome (The Producers) Eve Plumb (“The Brady Bunch”) Jenna Lea Rosen (Mack & Mabel at All Roads Theatre Company) Seth Sikes (The New Belters) Jenny Lee Stern (Forbidden Broadway) Lenny Wolpe (Mayor) Sara Zahn (MAC and Bistro Award winner)
Lyrics by Tim Rice Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber Sergio Trujillo, director and choreographer Stephen Oremus, conductor and musical director Cynthia Erivo, Jesus Adam Lambert, Judas Josh Gad, King Herod (Sat + Sun) John Stamos, King Herod (Fri) Phillipa Soo, Mary Magdalene Milo Manheim, Peter Raúl Esparza, Pontius Pilate Brian Justin Crum, Annas Tyrone Huntley, Simon Zachary James, Caiaphas Ensemble Members: Isaiah Bailey, LJ Benet, Damian Caraballo, Cooper Clack, Jennifer Florentino, Emily Goglia, Summer Nicole Greer, Christopher Hernandez, Juliet Johnson, Oyoyo Joi, John Krause, Brandon Leffler, John E. Lucas, Nathan Madden , Morgan Marcell, L.T. Martinez , Clinton Roane, Brad Sharp, Krystle Rose’ Simmons, Joey Taranto, Ian Ward, Sara Gomez, Ayana Haviv, Gracie Laboy, Mariah Meshae, Natalie Babbitt Taylor, Suzanne Waters
Jason Ardizzone-West, scenic designer Emilio Sosa, costume designer Peter Nigrini, projection designer Tyler Glover, lighting designer Tyler Lambert-Perkins, lighting designer Jonathan Burke, sound designer Brandi Strona, Hair, Wig and Makeup Designer Marc Tumminelli, associate director Christopher Hernandez, associate choreographer Jared Stein, associate musical director & associate conductor Kirk Graves, props coordinator Kim DeShazo, costume supervisor Meredith J. Greenburg, production stage manager
Town Hall’s new season
Ed Sullivan Theater / The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
What does the ‘Late Show’ cancellation mean for Broadway? by Ruthie Fierberg Industry leaders Adrian Bryan-Brown, Lisa Cecchini, Lucas McMahon, Rick Miramontez and Matt Polk weigh in on the loss of Stephen Colbert’s platform and its potential effect on Broadway’s brand, sales and more.
Ed Sullivan Theater Complete Restoration & Rehabilitation Of Iconic 1920’s Era Landmark Theater
Ed Sullivan Theater (Wikipedia) “The two-level theater was designed by Herbert J. Krapp with over 1,500 seats, though the modern Ed Sullivan Theater was downsized to 370 seats by 2015.”
Next Week:
Peter’s Brainteaser:
The musical’s title was all of one word.
It referred to the first name of its main character, who had three names.
The play on which it was based gave the first and middle names of that character, but not the last one.
Hint: the musical opened approximately 8 ½ years after the play had opened. What’s the name of the musical, the play, and the full name of the character?
Michael’s Musical Moments
Excerpts from the College of Staten Island Summer Theatre production of FIDDLER ON THE ROOF
Music Opener:
OPENER: “To Life,” featuring BJ High as Tevye and Eddie Mayrose as Lazar Wolf
Music Closer:
CLOSER: “Matchmaker, Matchmaker” featuring Katie Micha as Chava, Allison Kuhn as Hodel, Amelia Gordon as Tzeitel
Class Notes: Johnny Hopkins from “The Weir”
Jul 28, 2025
Listen: Lauren Class Schneider talks to Johnny Hopkins, performing in “The Weir” at the Irish Repertory Theater
“Class Notes” actively covers New York’s current theater season on, off, and off-off Broadway.
John Keating, Sean Gormley, Johnny Hopkins, Dan Butler, and Sarah Street in Irish Rep’s 2025 production of THE WEIR – Photo by Carol Rosegg
Johnny Hopkins in Irish Rep’s 2025 production of THE WEIR – Photo by Carol Rosegg
For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@broadwayradio.com and include the episode name.
This Week on Broadway for July 27, 2025: A Chorus Line turns 50
Jul 27, 2025
Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about the 50th Anniversary of A Chorus Line. Reviews include JOY: A New True Musical @ the Laura Pels Theatre, Polishing Shakespeare @ 59e59, A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Ensemble Shakespeare Company, A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, The Matchmaker @ Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, The Wicked Stage: Songs About Show Business, Hosted by Christine Pedi @ 54 Below, and Josh Sharp’s solo show ‘Ta-da!’ @ Greenwich House Theater.
Betsy Wolfe (Joy) in JOY: A New True Musical Production Photos by Joan Marcus
“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.
Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.
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.
DONNA McKECHNIE’S RETURN TO A CHORUS LINE – FULL SHOW:
Reviews:
PF + JM: JOY: A New True Musical @ the Laura Pels Theatre, through August 17, 2025 Based on the life of trailblazing businesswoman and inventor Joy Mangano, Tony Award nominee Betsy Wolfe will play ‘Joy’ with Jill Abramovitz as ‘Toots,’ Honor Blue Savage as ‘Christie,’ Adam Grupper as ‘Rudy,’ Brandon Espinoza as ‘Tony,’ Jaygee Macapugay as ‘Lorraine,’ Paul Whitty as ‘Cowboy Eddie,’ Charl Brown as ‘Dan,’ and Gabriela Carrillo as ‘Ronni.’
They will be joined by ensemble members Dana Costello, Ryan Duncan, Gaelen Gilliland, Sydni Moon, Manuel Santos, Brian Shepard, Allysa Shorte, and Alan Wiggins. Rounding out the cast are Briana Brooks, Nora Mae Dixon, Michał Kołaczkowski, Lael Van Keuren, and Jerome Vivona.
JOY: A New True Musical is an uplifting work based on the true story of entrepreneur and inventor Joy Mangano. Her journey—also told in the 2015 film JOY, starring Oscar nominee Jennifer Lawrence—now comes to life on stage. From single motherhood and financial struggles to building a business empire, Joy’s story epitomizes the power of resilience and determination, an inspiring celebration of a woman who never gave up and redefined the American Dream!
The powerful and uplifting new musical features a book by Tony winner Ken Davenport, music and lyrics by GRAMMY® and Tony Award nominee AnnMarie Milazzo, music supervision and arrangements by Andy Einhorn, choreography by Emmy Award® winner Joshua Bergasse, and direction by Lorin Latarro. Additional material is by Amanda Yesnowitz.
The creative team for JOY: A New True Musical includes Tony Award nominee Anna Louizos (Scenic Design), Tina McCartney (Costume Design), Yael Lubetzky (Lighting Designer), Daniel Lundberg (Sound Designer), Tony Award nominee David Bengali (Projection and Video Design), Liz Printz (Hair and Wig Design), Jillian Zack (Music Director), Gary Mickelson (Production Stage Manager), with ShowTown Theatricals serving as general manager.
JOY: A New True Musical Production Photos by Joan Marcus
L-R: Jill Abramovitz (Toots), Honor Blue Savage (Christie), Brandon Espinoza (Tony), Jaygee Macapugay (Lorraine), and Adam Grupper (Rudy) in JOY: A New True Musical Production Photos by Joan Marcus
A Midsummer Night’s Dream @ Shakespeare in the Parking Lot This year’s venue is the Parking Lot of Lower East Side Prep, 145 Stanton Street (entrance on Rivington St. betw. Norfolk and Suffolk). Subways are F to Delancey Street and M to Essex Street.
Schedule July 17 to August 2, 2025 Shows are Thursdays to Saturdays at 7:00 PM.
The Drilling Company, founded by Hamilton Clancy, is comprised of an ensemble/rep company not unlike Shakespeare’s company. Its members are veterans of the Off and Off-Off Broadway scene whose on-camera appearances commonly populate everything from streaming series to summer blockbusters. This year’s cast includes longtime SITPL veterans Alessandro Colla, Una Clancy, David Marantz, Evangeline Fontaine, Lizabeth Allen, Andy Rowell, and Patrick Hart along with newcomers Miranda Reilly, Lia Bonfilio, Chris Martel, Marion Stenfort, Aria Martinelli, Adama Joy Sall, Curtiss Howard, Jasmine Gonzalez , Thammie Laine Quach, Moon Cat, Leah Schwartz and Kaleb Baker. Assistant Director is Kathleen Simmonds.
Take the Metro-North Hudson Line to Garrison from points south or north. On weekends, trains departing from Grand Central Station generally arrive in Garrison every half-hour on weekends, while trains departing from Poughkeepsie generally arrive in Garrison every hour. To find a complete seasonal schedule, visit Metro-North’s website or stop at a regional kiosk.
When you arrive, taxi service may be sparse. Be sure to reserve a local taxi pickup in advance of your trip or try out a ride-hailing service such as Lyft or Uber. HVS offers a FREE Weekend Shuttle from the Train Station (details below). Travel time from the Garrison to the HVS Theater Tent is roughly 5 minutes by car. It is not walkable.
PF: Josh Sharp’s solo show ‘Ta-da!’ @ Greenwich House Theater, through August 23, 2025 Written by and Starring JOSH SHARP Directed by 2025 Tony Award Nominee SAM PINKLETON Premiering Off-Broadway this Summer at the GREENWICH HOUSE THEATER For A Strictly Limited Engagement Through August 23, 2025
MP: Stupidest theater related comments
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Peter’s Brainteaser:
He won multiple Tonys for the books he provided for musicals, but he also wrote a play that closed in Philadelphia.
If you take the first two words of that flop’s title, you’ll have the name of a person who has never appeared on Broadway, but one who did provide voices for a play that opened in the first decade of this new century.
It received one and only one Tony nomination – but that one nomination resulted in a win. Who’s the writer? What was the play? Who provided the voices and in what show did he do it? Finally, who won the Tony for that show?
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