BroadwayRadio – This Week on Broadway for April 5, 2026: "Dog Day Afternoon"

Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Hosts: James Marino, Peter Filicia, Michael Portantier
Episode Date: April 5, 2026
Theme: Broadway’s latest openings, productions, notable performances, and industry news, with a deep-dive review of the new play Dog Day Afternoon.

Episode Overview

This episode centers on Broadway’s new adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon, with critical discussion and reviews from the hosts, alongside coverage of other notable productions (Giants, Gotta Dance, Ulster American, The Wild Party, Hamnet, About Time), and a celebration of Petula Clark’s 93rd birthday. The hosts bring both industry expertise and personal anecdotes into their spirited discussions of current theatre offerings.

Highlights and Key Segments

1. Opening & Announcements

• [01:43] James welcomes panelists Peter and Michael, recapping recent BroadwayRadio milestones:
  • Jan Simpson’s latest “All the Drama” episode on Seascape (1975 Pulitzer winner) for Patreon supporters.
  • Acknowledgement of BroadwayRadio’s 4,000th podcast episode.

Quotable:

"Unbelievable. Now, 3900 of them is Matt Tammanini, but this is 4000."
—James Marino [05:50]

2. Show Tune for Today: "Come Follow the Band" (Barnum)

[02:24]
Peter shares background on "Come Follow the Band," its origins as a backers audition choice, and why it’s his go-to pick-me-up.

Quotable:

"If you’re down in the dumps... play 'Come Follow the Band' and you’ll feel much better."
—Peter Filicia [03:21]

3. Review: Dog Day Afternoon at the August Wilson Theater

Peter Filicia’s Take [06:23 – 12:00]

• Memorable Moments & Stagecraft:
  • Missed iconic film moments (e.g., paying for coffee).
  • Staging criticisms: Bank’s barren exterior projection, underwhelming helicopter scene, action relegated too far upstage.
• Tone Shift:
  • Notably funnier than the film; controversial for departing from the original’s tone.
  • Credits playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis for making it his own.
• Performance Notes:
  • High praise for Jon Bernthal as Sonny (evocative of Pacino).
  • Esteban Andres Cruz Leon’s performance compared to Chris Sarandon; holds his own.
  • Jessica Hecht as the “ballsy” bank worker—divided audience response.
  • Michael Kostroff as police negotiator praised for the realism and smart writing.

Quotable:

"Even with my objections... I certainly have no objection to Jon Bernthal as Sonny... it's a galvanating performance."
—Peter Filicia [09:55]

Michael Portantier’s Take [12:01 – 16:55]

• Overall Impression:
  • "A tremendous mess," due to jarring tonal shifts between comedy and drama.
  • Story logic issues (“crooks delay escape for tellers’ bathroom break”).
• Performance Highlights:
  • Jon Bernthal compared to actor Robert Funaro (“same look and voice”).
  • Esteban Andres Cruz is a standout; some ensemble members mush-mouthed.
• Industry Scuttlebutt:
  • References rumored rift between playwright and director; speculates about the creative struggle over tone.

Quotable:

"There have been many, many plays and musicals that have very successfully combined drama... and hilarious comedy. This one fails to do that in any satisfying way."
—Michael Portantier [12:14]

• [17:37] The audience appears to enjoy the show, even if critics and theatre insiders are sharply divided.

4. Review: Giants at the Music Box Theater

Peter’s Thoughts [20:00]

• Hailed for John Lithgow’s performance, but the play itself “never caught fire” as expected.
• Discussion of Roald Dahl’s complexities post-divorce from Patricia Neal.

Notable Quote:

"Maybe it was just talked up too much. But I wasn’t overwhelmed by this."
—Peter Filicia [20:23]

5. Review: Gotta Dance at Stage 42

Michael Portantier [26:57]

• A love letter to legendary Broadway and film choreography.
• Hopes it will repeat the rare Stage 42 hit streak like Yiddish Fiddler.
• Highlights Jessica Lee Golden and Barton Cowperthwaite’s moving personal comeback.
• Dissected rights issues surrounding dance numbers (Nicole Fosse’s estate).

Quotable:

"It’s just fantastic... absolutely, please go see Gotta Dance."
—Michael Portantier [33:35]

6. Review: Ulster American at Irish Rep

Peter Filicia [36:05]

• A play about egos and creative conflict in the theater.
• Praises the ensemble work and skillful handling of behind-the-scenes tension.
• Inside-baseball subject, yet engaging for a wide audience.

"It’s really, really quite good. I was tremendously impressed..."
—Peter Filicia [37:43]

7. Brief: The Wild Party (LaChiusa) at City Center

Michael Portantier [40:47]

• A near-fully staged Encores! production.
• Standout performances: Jasmine Amy Rogers, Jordan Donica.
• Recalls the rivalry with the Lippa version and the short, underappreciated original run.

8. Brief: Hamnet at Shakespeare Theatre Company, Washington D.C.

Peter Filicia [46:49]

• Admires the adaptation over what he saw as an “overwritten” novel.
• Points out the unique pain of a twin losing a twin.
• Some issues (adult actor as an 11-year-old) explained by casting necessity for later doubling as Hamlet.

9. Brief: About Time (Maltby & Shire Revue) at Marjorie Dean Theater

Peter Filicia [52:38]

• Warm, insightful revue about aging, cleverly written songs, some repurposed from their earlier musicals.
• Cites cast highlights and hopes for a cast recording.
• Reminisces about Maltby and Shire’s long, varied careers.

Quotable:

“They've been doing it since the 50s and here they are and they’re still extraordinarily good.”
—Peter Filicia [57:24]

10. Special Mention: Petula Clark's 93rd Birthday

Michael Portantier [58:53]

• Points listeners to a new in-depth video interview and recently published memoir, lauding her warmth and honesty.

Quotable:

"She comes across as one of the most honest, I think and down-to-earth people that I've ever seen interviewed."
—Michael Portantier [59:19]

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------|-------------| | Opening & Announcements | 01:43–06:09 | | “Come Follow the Band” discussion | 02:24–03:47 | | Dog Day Afternoon reviews | 06:16–18:04 | | Giants (John Lithgow) | 19:43–25:57 | | Gotta Dance (Stage 42) | 26:57–34:12 | | Ulster American (Irish Rep) | 35:58–40:12 | | The Wild Party (Encores!) | 40:47–45:51 | | Hamnet (Shakespeare Theatre, DC) | 46:34–52:16 | | About Time (Maltby & Shire) | 52:32–58:08 | | Petula Clark’s birthday discussion | 58:49–60:15 | | Brain Teaser & Musical Moments | 61:25–64:32 |

Notable Quotes

• On Dog Day Afternoon’s Approach:
  "Notably funnier than the movie... a lot of people have been disappointed by this."
  —Peter Filicia [10:25]

• On Creative Tension:
  "There was a huge rift between the director and the playwright... leading to the playwright being banned from rehearsals."
  —Michael Portantier [15:43]

• On Audience Response:
  “Audience seem to really like it.”
  —Michael Portantier [17:37]

Overall Tone & Style

• The hosts maintain a lively, bantering, insider-y tone, with sharp wit and candor about both artistic and commercial Broadway realities.
• Peter and Michael’s deep well of historical and theatrical knowledge adds context at each turn, with personal anecdotes and connections enriching every review.

For New Listeners

This episode is ideal for both hardcore Broadway fans and casual listeners eager for in-depth insights into new and revived shows. The frank, enthusiastic interplay among James, Peter, and Michael, plus shoutouts to unsung heroes (stage managers, producers), offers a window into the ever-evolving, always-passionate Broadway scene.

[Further Exploration]

• Listen to the episode for more details on song selections (House of Flowers, “Don’t Like Goodbyes”) and to catch the full context of the memorable moments and musical interludes.
• For show notes, subscribe links, and further resources: broadwayradio.com