BroadwayRadio: This Week on Broadway – January 4, 2026

The 2026 Spring Preview

Overview

This episode of BroadwayRadio’s “This Week on Broadway” features host James Marino with regular contributors Peter Filicia and Michael Portantier. The trio dives into a robust discussion of the major theatrical stories at the dawn of 2026, previews the most anticipated Broadway and Off-Broadway shows of the spring season, and shares firsthand accounts of recent concert and cabaret events. They discuss significant industry news, especially the controversy at the Kennedy Center, and offer in-depth commentary on the evolving landscape of theater production, revivals, and new works.

Major News and Industry Developments

Stephen Schwartz and the Kennedy Center Controversy

• The panel unpacks composer Stephen Schwartz’s public refusal to work with the Kennedy Center under its new, politicized leadership (esp. with Trump influence).
• Notably, Hamilton and other artists are pulling out of Kennedy Center events.
• Michael Portantier outlines Schwartz's deep connection to the Kennedy Center, recalling his collaboration with Leonard Bernstein for "Mass" which opened the venue (07:17).
  • Quote:

    "[Schwartz said:] 'It is no longer apolitical and appearing there now has become an ideological statement. As long as that remains the case, I will not appear there.'"
    — Michael Portantier, quoting Schwartz (08:01)

• Peter Filicia recounts a past conversation with Schwartz, confirming his long-held stance against working with institutions under objectionable leadership (06:12).

Impact on Washington D.C. Theater Scene

• Peter predicts this could revitalize D.C.’s National Theatre, as producers seek alternatives to the Kennedy Center (06:45).
• Michael highlights the Kennedy Center leadership’s attempts to downplay Schwartz’s involvement, as contradicted by their own website (09:10).

Recent Performances: Backstage Babble Live at 54 Below ([12:04]–[23:45])

Backstage Babble Live Event

• Hosted by Charles Kirsch, recently returned from Harvard.
• Featured performances by:
  • Natasha Diaz with "Chief Cook and Bottle Washer" (a tribute to Chita Rivera)
  • Gerard Alessandrini performing Forbidden Broadway
  • Adam Grouper ("Funny" from City of Angels, plus a humorous anecdote about losing his voice)
  • Annie McGreevy, Mark Kudish ("Just in Time" / "I Met a Girl" from Bells Are Ringing)
  • Danielle Furland ("Children and Art" from Sunday in the Park with George)
  • Dick Scanlon (medley from Pageant)
  • Annie Golden & Will Roland ("Unworthy of Your Love" duet, cited as a show highlight – [16:07])
  • Evan Pappas ("Larger Than Life" from My Favorite Year), Elena Shaddow with Michael Levine, Jason Graae, Penny Fuller ("Send in the Clowns"), Stephanie Pope & Daphne Rubin-Vega ("Nowadays" from Chicago)

Memorable Moments

• Michael:

  “A real highlight last night: 'Unworthy of Your Love' sung by Annie Golden and Will Roland. ...They absolutely did [make the song work out of context]. You could hear a pin drop at 54 Below.” (16:07)

• Peter:

  "This show proves that, aside from ‘Send in the Clowns,’ none of these songs are amazingly famous… It's really quite wonderful that this audience really appreciates hearing the lesser-known songs." (18:13)

• Anecdotes about Charles Kirsch’s prodigious knowledge and hosting skills, and the after-party atmosphere ([21:15]).

Spring & Upcoming Broadway Previews

High Spirits at Encores! ([25:36])

• Peter’s pick. A rarely-produced musical from 1964, praised for its strong score and potential for revival-interest.

• “High Spirits is a wonderful musical. It's a very small show, really… The score is excellent. …[Encores] finally has it, and for those who care about musicals from this era, at least it’s a quality work.”
  — Peter Filicia (25:36)

Oklahoma! in Concert at Carnegie Hall ([29:19])

• Michael highlights the January 12th concert performance featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke's and a cast including Mikaela Diamond, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Andrew Durand, Anna Gasteyer, and David Hyde Pierce.
• Jonathan Christopher, Nick Christopher’s brother, cast as Jud Fry ([31:00]).

• “I checked... there’s not a single ticket left.”
  — Michael Portantier (32:19)

Joe Turner's Come and Gone (Barrymore Theatre) ([32:40])

• Peter anticipates this August Wilson revival, reflecting on his experience seeing a transformative regional production in Pittsburgh.

BUG (Friedman/MTC) ([33:40])

• Michael and Peter discuss Tracy Letts’ intense “convoluted, crazy play,” starring Carrie Coon on Broadway for a limited run until Feb 8th.

• Peter explains the complex psychological themes and predicts adventurous programming for MTC:

  “It’s very, very strange... It gets stranger and stranger as it goes along. The power of the play is we can't be sure if he's crazy or if the government really is fooling around with him.”
  — Peter Filicia (34:33)

Giant (about Roald Dahl) ([38:02])

• Peter shares background on the limited-run London transfer; the show explores the “dark side” of Dahl and his complex legacy.
• Anecdote about Dahl’s macabre TV work rounds out the preview.

Schmigadoon at Nederlander ([42:07])

• Michael effusive about the hit Kennedy Center transfer, starring Sarah Chase & Alex Brightman.

• “Parodies aren’t always great … but if it’s done really well, as in Forbidden Broadway and again here, I think audiences really love it.”
  — Michael Portantier (44:38)

Upcoming Revivals and Rumored Shows

• Noël Coward Double: Private Lives & Fallen Angels
  • Anticipated productions; discussion about the public domain status of Coward's works.
  • Peter recalls a legendary Tammy Grimes performance in "Private Lives" ([45:31]):

    “Tammy Grimes gave the greatest performance I have ever seen in a comedy.”

• Kowalski (potential transfer): Story about Marlon Brando and Tennessee Williams ([49:54])
• Dreamgirls: Casting underway; little concrete info besides open call announcements ([55:54])
• Cats: The Jellicle Ball: Uncertainty over whether the Broadway run will retain the runway staging essential to its Off-Broadway success ([56:12])
• Proof: Returns to Broadway with Don Cheadle and an all-Black cast
  • Michael wonders if “Hidden Figures” inspired this angle ([62:06])
• Beaches: Musical adaptation starring Jessica Vosk & Kelly Barrett at the Majestic; Michael sees it as a breakthrough for Vosk though has reservations about the material ([63:36])
• Death of a Salesman: Anticipated with Nathan Lane & Laurie Metcalf

  “[My wife] says, ‘I will never again see a production of Death of a Salesman. ... So are you going to go this one?’ She said, ‘Oh, yeah, oh yeah, at least for the first act.’”
  — Peter Filicia ([65:01])

• Rocky Horror & The Lost Boys: Identified as buzzy prospective hits, with Peter sharing personal and historical anecdotes about Rocky’s Broadway and participatory cult status ([68:03]).

Podcast Meta / Housekeeping

BroadwayRadio Programming News

• James gives listeners updates on upcoming BroadwayRadio content, including Matt Tamineni’s expanded schedule: weekly news recaps, grosses, opening nights, and Patreon-exclusive content ([04:00]).

Listener Feedback & Trivia Segments

• The show’s famed weekly brain teaser and musical moment (see transcript end; summary omits full content as per instructions).

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• On the Backstage Babble Live lineup:

  “I only knew two or three of [the songs], but I loved all of them. … I guess maybe the ideal audience for this, in that way.”
  — Michael Portantier ([23:33])

• On preserving and reviving forgotten musicals:

  “It’s really quite wonderful that we do have a place where such songs can live and thrive.”
  — Peter Filicia ([18:13])

• On the audience’s role in shows like Rocky Horror:

  “Rocky Horror is a cultural phenomenon that really did help a lot … a lot of people who walked into that theater came out a little more tolerant than they expected to be.”
  — Peter Filicia ([69:18])

Spring 2026: The Big Themes

Diversity & Reimagining Canonical Works

• Proof’s all-Black cast and Michael’s reference to “Hidden Figures” ([62:06]) show how classic works are being recast to explore new narratives and representation.

Classic Revivals and New Discoveries

• High Spirits, Oklahoma!, Private Lives, Joe Turner, Dreamgirls, and Beaches demonstrate Broadway’s ongoing dialogue with its own history, as well as the hunger for reexamination and re-interpretation.

Commercial Constraints & Theater Availability

• The challenge of finding available Broadway houses persists, hampering potential transfers like Kowalski ([51:24]).

Cabaret and Small Venue Excitement

• The enthusiastic recounting of Backstage Babble Live highlights NYC’s robust small-venue ecosystem, serving performers, fans, and future stars alike ([12:04]).

Concluding Thoughts

The episode wraps with the panel’s personal picks for the spring—ranging from classic revivals to unique adaptations—emphasizing excitement, skepticism, and a clear reverence for Broadway’s continual evolution. Their granular discussion, insider anecdotes, and rich historical context make this a can’t-miss listen for theater lovers.

Additional Resource

Musical Moments feature:

• The episode begins and ends with a Marilyn Maye clip, featuring It Only Takes a Moment and her “Hello, Dolly!” medley ([00:00], [82:08]).

For full show notes, trivia questions, and more, visit BroadwayRadio.com.