BroadwayRadio – This Week on Broadway (Feb 1, 2026): The Bookstore @ 59E59

Date: February 1, 2026
Host: James Marino
Panelists: Peter Filichia, Michael Portantiere
Topics: The Bookstore at 59E59, Data at the Lucille Lortel, Newsies at Argyle, Hans Litten: The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler, NY Philharmonic at Radio City, Blackout Songs at MCC, Theater news & audience experiences

Episode Overview

This week's episode blends reviews of recent and current New York theater offerings, including new plays, musical revivals, and a unique classical music event at Radio City Music Hall. The panel offers in-depth discussion of the off-Broadway play The Bookstore, the tech-world drama Data, Newsies at Long Island's Argyle Theatre, the historical courtroom play Hans Litten: The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler, a landmark performance by the New York Philharmonic, and the U.S. premiere of Blackout Songs. The team also looks at upcoming theater events, embarrassing audience entry issues, and the Broadway potential for current pop culture oddities.

Key Discussion Points & Reviews

1. Show Tune for Today: “Freedom” from Shenandoah

• [02:01] Peter selects “Freedom” for National Freedom Day, referencing its origins and a fond anecdote about its unexpected popularity in Needham, MA.
  • "In the 1975 musical Shenandoah, which is set during the Civil War, a young white woman and a black teen, arm in arm, doing a cakewalk, singing 'Freedom, Freedom...'" – Peter [02:01]

2. Review: DATA at Lucille Lortel

• [05:09] Michael's top recommendation of the week. Predicts a Broadway transfer for this Silicon Valley-based drama by Matthew Libby.
  • Plot: Manish, a gifted employee at Athena Technologies, has created a program for predicting probabilities, first applied to baseball, but his company wants to use it for darker purposes. Discussion avoids major plot spoilers.
  • Cast Shout-outs: Karen Brar (Manish), Sophia Lillis (Riley), Brandon Flynn (Jonah), Justin H. Min (Alex).
  • “He really is...exactly what I would expect to see if I walked into one of those companies...” – Michael on Justin H. Min's performance [07:25]
  • Run: Through March 29, 2026.

3. Review: The Bookstore at 59E59 (New Jersey Rep)

• [10:10] Peter celebrates the move of NJ Rep’s new play to NYC, appreciating authenticity in its setting and cast chemistry.
  • Setting: Intimate, slightly chaotic bookstore, reminiscent of You’ve Got Mail or The Shop Around the Corner, but not about business closure.
  • Plot & Structure: Focuses on three employees, their relationships, and a friendship with a young customer. Peter notes a “big mistake” in early fourth-wall-breaking that spoils major plot points.
    • “She spills the beans; by the time it happens...we're not the least bit surprised and we've been expecting it.” – Peter [13:12]
  • Standout Elements: Excellent casting and relatable book-lover details.
  • Rating: “If the play isn’t a four-star winner, it’s close to it.” – Peter [14:54]
  • Run: Through February 15, 2026.

4. Review: Newsies at the Argyle Theatre

• [16:25] Michael hails this as one of the Argyle’s best and most professional productions.

  • Direction/Choreography: Separate, skilled director and choreographer (Tommy Ranieri & Trent Soyster).

  • Cast Praise: Mason Ballard as Jack Kelly, Jeremy Dermovsian as Crutchie, Andrew Foote as Pulitzer, Kara Rose DiPietro as Catherine.

  • Production Notes: Remarkable execution from a predominantly non-Equity cast; choreography and casting highly praised.

  • “It’s almost miraculous to me to see a show like this where all of these amazing guys are up on stage doing incredible stuff.” – Michael [19:30]

  • Run: Through March 22, 2026.

  • Bonus Commentary: Frustration over Argyle's lack of online cast/creative info, but praise for their physical programs and theater upgrades.

5. Review: Hans Litten – The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler (Theatre Row)

• [24:13] Peter outlines this historically grounded drama about the German-Jewish lawyer who cross-examined Hitler in court.
  • Tone: Resonances with today’s political climate.
  • Critiques: The play lacks dramatic punch – “you have to earn a blackout...very few, if any, of the scenes do that.” [25:08]
  • Performance Praise: Daniel Yahilu lauded for naturalistic acting.
  • Run: Through February 22, 2026.

6. Event Review: NY Philharmonic & Gustavo Dudamel at Radio City Music Hall

• [28:38] Michael describes this as a “historic night” at Radio City, the Philharmonic’s debut at the venue and first use of a new immersive sound system.
  • Program: Eclectic – Bernstein’s “Wonderful Town” overture, “Times Square Ballet” from On the Town, Gershwin, Copland, plus three encores including Bernadette Peters unexpectedly performing “Conga.”
    • “The audience was just thrilled to see her—totally unexpected and unannounced, looking phenomenal." – Michael [33:42]
  • Audience: Many first-timers for the orchestra; nearly full house despite cold weather and snow delays.
  • Significance: Part of Dudamel's vision to expand the Philharmonic's reach.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “For the first, I would say, 20 seconds of the first piece...it took my ears literally about 20 seconds to adjust to the new sound...and then after that I thought, oh, this sounds really great.” – Michael [29:30]

7. Review: Blackout Songs at MCC (U.S. Premiere)

• [36:05] Michael is underwhelmed by this play despite strong acting from Owen Teague and Abby Lee.
  • Plot/Structure: Two recovering alcoholics’ tumultuous relationship, scenes out of order, difficult to follow.
  • Issue: Abby Lee’s British accent % pitch made much of her dialogue nearly unintelligible.
  • Similarities: Evokes Days of Wine and Roses (though without music).
  • “If you can’t understand half of what’s happening in a play, that’s going to severely hamper your enjoyment.” – Michael [38:44]
  • Run: Through February 28, 2026.

Notable News & Moments

8. Upcoming Theater Calendar

• [39:46] Tony/Drama Desk Awards & nominations timeline reviewed.
• [40:43] Theater World Awards set for June 2, 2026 (afternoon ceremony).

9. Audience Entry Problems: Liberation at The Jones

• [41:41] Michael reads a troubling audience account: a long, unmoving entry line and missing the first 15–20 minutes of the show due to delays (partly attributed to required phone pouches for nudity).
  • “Without an audience, there's no theater. So I hope these things get solved. I really, really do.” – Michael [44:21]

10. Cultural Zeitgeist: "Melania The Movie" / Future Broadway Transfer

• [44:33]
  • Peter: “Somebody wants it. It'll happen.” [44:54]
  • Michael quips: “If this movie was shown on the plane, people would still walk out.” [44:58]

Notable Quotes

• “Each person is perfection beyond belief. It is just something. And you really believe they've been working together for a long time.” – Peter on The Bookstore cast [14:22]
• “If I enjoyed it, if you’re someone who is a big fan of the show itself, I think you really have to put this on your must-see list because it’s just so, so, so well done.” – Michael on Newsies at Argyle [20:26]
• “He’s like exactly what I would expect to see if I walked into one of those companies as the fellow in the…well, in the pilot seat…” – Michael on Justin H. Min in Data [07:25]
• “The program itself was great...the Philharmonic’s debut at Radio City...I would imagine there were many people who had never heard the New York Philharmonic live. And that is a wonderful, wonderful thing.” – Michael [29:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:01] – “Freedom” from Shenandoah (National Freedom Day context)
• [05:09] – Data at Lucille Lortel review
• [10:10] – The Bookstore at 59E59 review
• [16:25] – Newsies at Argyle Theatre review
• [24:13] – Hans Litten at Theatre Row review
• [28:38] – New York Philharmonic at Radio City Music Hall recap
• [36:05] – Blackout Songs at MCC review
• [39:46] – Upcoming awards & theater event dates
• [41:41] – Audience experience at Liberation
• [44:33] – “Melania the Movie” and Broadway speculation

Tone

The conversation maintains a warm, spirited, and occasionally humorous tone with deep care and insight for theater-making, performance, and audience experience. Panelists blend critical acumen with genuine enthusiasm for both new and classic work.

For further details and direct ticket info, see show notes at broadwayradio.com.