BroadwayRadio: This Week on Broadway for December 14, 2025

Episode Theme:
A dynamic look at Broadway's latest, including an in-depth review of the new production of Marjorie Prime, plus insightful commentary on Guys and Dolls in D.C., White Christmas at Goodspeed, West Side Story at LaGuardia, Oedipus at Studio 54, Cheyenne Jackson's Carnegie Hall concert, and the Met's La Bohème. Special focus: the intersection of memory, technology, and performance in Marjorie Prime.

Main Topics Covered

1. Honoring Broadway History and New Productions

• Reflections on the importance of classic Broadway tunes and their modern interpretations.
• Announcement of An Evening with Len Cariou and other special events.
• Updates on changes to BroadwayRadio's schedule and show lineup.

2. In-Depth Review: Marjorie Prime

• [09:23–19:34]

Production Overview

• The latest production is considered a fresh staging, not a direct transfer from the 2015 version.
• Cast highlights: June Squibb (Marjorie), Cynthia Nixon, Danny Burstein, Christopher Lowell.

Central Themes

• Set in the near future; explores grief, memory, and technology.
• "If somebody dies and you miss that person terribly, would you have a computer program replicate that person so you could still converse with them?" – Peter Filichia (09:16)

Review Highlights

Peter Filichia’s Take [09:16]

• June Squibb is "quite, quite impressive… 96 years old and doesn't miss a beat."
• The core idea: digital ‘primes’ (AI replicas of loved ones) challenge the concepts of loss, memory, and self-delusion.
• Discussed the emotional effect on older individuals, finding value especially for those with memory issues.
• Special praise for Danny Burstein’s performance: “This may very well be his finest performance ever… the best acting is when you feel like you’re not seeing acting at all.”
• Contrasted live play with the film adaptation featuring Lois Smith; both are praised, but Squibb’s Marjorie is “maybe a tiny step ahead.”

Michael Portantiere’s Take [14:38]

• Endorses both play and film; lauds Jordan Harrison as a "really wonderful playwright… into themes, metaphysical and existential stuff."
• Points out ambiguity in the staging regarding the technology: "I don't think it's made completely clear in the play that the 'primes' are supposed to be holograms... but it doesn't really matter. The technology is not the main point."
• Emphasizes Squibb's musical theater background and her touch of song within the show.
• Ensemble praise: “Everyone else… absolutely at his absolute best,” notably Danny Burstein and Cynthia Nixon.
• Direction by Anne Kaufman lauded as “brilliant.”
• "Please go see it. I think you'll absolutely love it." – Michael Portantiere (19:33)
• Lighthearted moment: both Michael and Peter pan the set’s wallpaper, leading to the Oscar Wilde quote:
  “Either that wallpaper goes or I do.” – Michael Portantiere quoting Wilde (19:49)

Notable Quotes

• "You wouldn't expect anybody of this age to be able to do what June Squibb is doing." – Peter Filichia (12:42)
• "It's a tremendously interesting play… it goes into directions you don't expect it to." – Peter Filichia (13:19)
• "Christopher Lowell… did a perfect job in just giving tiny little indications that… we're seeing a hologram and not a real person.” – Michael Portantiere (18:42)

Timestamps & Segment Flow

• [09:23] Discussion of whether production is a transfer or new staging
• [09:46] Peter begins review, outlining premise and cast
• [12:42] Praise for June Squibb’s performance
• [13:19] Themes of technology, memory, and emotional resonance
• [14:38] Michael Portantiere provides his critical response
• [18:42] Christopher Lowell’s subtlety as Walter Prime
• [19:34] Wallpaper critique and Oscar Wilde anecdote

3. Additional Reviews & Discussions

Guys and Dolls in D.C.

• [20:37–29:40]
• Francesca Zambello’s direction is critiqued for its "idiotic framing device" of opening in a present day thrift store.
• Despite these choices, “absolutely worth the trip” due to strong performances, especially Julie Benko as Sarah Brown.
  “She did a fabulous job—one of the most believable transformations I've ever seen.” – Michael Portantiere (28:28)

White Christmas at Goodspeed

• [31:08–41:57]
• "Most applause I've heard for any moment this year... for Kelly Barclay’s choreography in 'I Love a Piano'." – Peter Filichia (31:22)
• The adaptation tightens the story, adds a child character for added heart, and overall is “slick” in the best sense.
• Praise for the entire cast, with special mention for J. Aubrey Jones’s scene-stealing supporting turns.

West Side Story at LaGuardia High School

• [45:12–51:59]
• An energetic student production using original Jerome Robbins choreography.
• Standout: “Gabriela Roberto Nguyen [as Maria] could step in and do it on Broadway right now… perfect in every way.” – Michael Portantiere (49:46)

Oedipus at Studio 54

• [52:20–57:51]
• Robert Icke’s updated take; Peter and Michael both puzzled by keeping the original ancient names in a modern setting.
• Praise for Mark Strong and Lesley Manville; however, “it starts astonishingly slow, but… catches fire” in the second half.

Cheyenne Jackson at Carnegie Hall

• [58:20–63:48]
• Cheyenne's solo debut features Broadway favorites, notable guests (Jane Krakowski, Jessica Vosk), and “absolutely charming and funny” patter.

Met Opera: La Bohème

• [64:19–69:13]
• A mid-show lead replacement seamlessly handled; “wonderful production” with a “very strong cast.”
• “I'm so glad they're still doing that production” – Michael Portantiere (67:19)
• Reminder: Porgy and Bess currently in repertoire; high recommendations.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “96 years old and doesn’t miss a beat. I’m telling you, there wasn’t a moment… where she was hesitating, even for a split second.” – Peter Filichia on June Squibb (10:17)
• “The best acting is when you feel like you’re not seeing acting at all. That’s exactly what’s going on here.” – Peter Filichia on Danny Burstein (11:55)
• “I think Jordan Harrison is a really wonderful playwright… into those kinds of themes, metaphysical stuff and existential stuff.” – Michael Portantiere (15:10)
• “It's not about the technology, it’s about why you want it. People just want comfort, and that’s a very human need.” – Paraphrasing both reviewers’ impressions
• "Either that wallpaper goes or I do." – Oscar Wilde, quoted (19:49)

Additional Timestamps

• [01:57] Welcome, cast and crew intros
• [05:53] Upcoming events and comps (An Evening with Len Cariou)
• [29:40] Guys and Dolls review
• [31:08] White Christmas review
• [45:12] West Side Story at LaGuardia review
• [52:20] Oedipus at Studio 54 review
• [58:20] Cheyenne Jackson at Carnegie Hall
• [64:19] La Bohème at the Met review

Episode Tone & Style

Conversational, collegial, passionate about theater but peppered with wit (“Either that wallpaper goes or I do”). Insightful, anecdotal—reviews are based as much on lived Broadway experience as on critical standards. The team bounces lighthearted banter with deeply considered, personal reflections on both performance and production.

For Further Information

• Marjorie Prime runs at the Hayes Theater through February 15th.
• Find links to upcoming events, artist appearances, and additional materials in the show notes at broadwayradio.com.

This summary is designed for listeners who want both the emotional core and critical takeaways from the episode, with just enough detail to capture each review’s unique flavor and insight.

For the most up-to-date information and full reviews, refer to BroadwayRadio’s episode show notes and website.