BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "This Week on Broadway for June 15, 2025: The Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical @ Signature Theatre"

Release Date: June 15, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of BroadwayRadio, host James Marino welcomes listeners to a special Father's Day edition, celebrating Broadway Bears Day. Joining him are esteemed guests Peter Portentier, a playwright and historian, Felicia, and Michael Portentier, a theater reviewer and essayist. The episode delves into recent theatrical productions, including the spotlighted "Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical" at Signature Theatre, alongside reviews of other noteworthy performances across various theaters.

Peter's Play: "For the Public Good" at The Tank

Peter shares his experience of presenting his one-person show, "For the Public Good," at The Tank. Crafted at the behest of Eric Krebs, the play tackles the harrowing topic of gun violence. Peter describes the performances as emotionally intense, stating:

"[00:06:29] Peter: ...are only light extemporaneous until now because Eric Krebs asked me to write a play about gun. And I decided to do it as a one person show. And it's really harrowing, very harrowing."

He recounts the audience's strong reaction, emphasizing the impactful reception with prolonged applause:

"[00:08:10] Peter: ...the applause started and was really quite good. And I have to say that's what happened here."

Peter remains optimistic about the play's future, hinting at immediate revisions and upcoming readings, including a Shylock/Antonio play in Florida.

Michael's Review: "Celebration the Songs of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt"

Michael Portentier discusses his upcoming production, "Celebration the Songs of Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt," scheduled for September 9th at 54 Below. Initially intended to be a 65th-anniversary tribute to "The Fantasticks," licensing restrictions led to the creation of a more general celebration of Jones and Schmidt's work. Michael praises the cast, which includes notable performers like Robert Cuccioli, Ali Ewoldt, and George Salazar, highlighting their contributions to the vibrant musical lineup.

"[00:13:27] Michael: ...this is a very, very terrific team and a can't-miss tribute to Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt's extensive body of work."

Michael's Insight: "Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical" at Signature Theatre

Michael provides an enthusiastic review of the "Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical" at Signature Theatre in Arlington, Virginia. He commends Joe Iconis for his dual role as composer and lyricist, and praises the show's innovative approach to portraying the life of the infamous journalist Hunter S. Thompson.

"[00:17:02] Michael: ...Joe Iconis chose the title, the Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson musical, and it's really, really terrific. His music and lyrics are better than ever."

Michael highlights strong performances by George Abood as Richard Nixon and Eric William Morris as Hunter S. Thompson. He notes the show's clever gender-blind casting and its effective use of historical characters to weave a compelling narrative.

"[00:19:00] Michael: ...many mentions of actual historical characters in it, and two of whom appear quite prominently, one of whom is Richard Nixon, portrayed by George Abood."

While praising the musical, Michael offers constructive feedback on the portrayal of Nixon, suggesting a deeper exploration of his eventual downfall could enhance the narrative.

"[00:21:57] Michael: ...a hugely negative portrayal of Nixon... I think it would have been very satisfying for the audience to spend a little more time on that."

Peter's Experience: "The Garland Show" at Hopkinton Center for the Arts

Peter reviews the "The Garland Show" performed by Paul Shamplin's community theater in Hopkinton, Massachusetts. The production centers around Judy Garland's CBS television show from the 1950s, offering a dramatized look into her professional challenges and personal struggles.

"[00:22:15] Peter: ...a story about Judy Garland's TV show on CBS that ran in the '63-'64 season."

He lauds the cast, particularly Susan Scannel Gilbert for her nuanced portrayal of Garland, despite physical dissimilarities. Peter appreciates the balanced depiction of both Garland and the antagonistic CBS executives, emphasizing the show's ability to evoke empathy for the legendary performer.

"[00:23:03] Peter: ...Susan Scannel Gilbert sounded like her so wonderfully. It was really quite an achievement."

Peter also touches upon the emotional depth of the script, which delves into Garland's multiple suicide attempts and the pressures she faced within the entertainment industry.

Michael's Review: "Call Me Izzy" at Studio 54

Michael discusses his visit to the premiere of "Call Me Izzy" at Studio 54, a one-person show starring Jean Smart. The play addresses the sensitive subject of marital abuse, presenting a compelling narrative that challenges viewers emotionally.

"[00:32:15] Michael: ...the subject is abuse, marital, physical abuse of a woman by her husband, played brilliantly by Gene Smart."

He commends Jean Smart's powerful performance and the play's courageous storytelling, though he notes mixed feelings about the writing, particularly the ambiguous finale.

"[00:36:36] Michael: ...very difficult to watch, yet the performance is so brilliant that I must recommend it on that level."

Michael raises concerns about the accessibility and affordability of the show, mentioning exorbitant ticket prices on secondary markets and the brevity of the performance as potential barriers for audiences.

Ticket Pricing Discussion

James Marino addresses the rising ticket prices, particularly highlighting the "Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes" at Manettaline Theater. Despite initial low-price ticket offerings, the majority of tickets are resold at prices ranging from $300 to $1,000 per seat, raising concerns about accessibility and equity in theater attendance.

"[00:55:50] James: ...tickets are between $300 and $1,000 a seat."

Tony Awards Recap and Reactions

The hosts reflect on the recent Tony Awards, discussing unexpected wins and notable performances. Peter shares his skepticism about "Sunset Boulevard", expressing disappointment in the lead actress’s performance despite the show's overall success.

"[00:57:50] Peter: ...I had great issues with Sunset Boulevard... I didn't see any Norma Desmond in her."

Michael echoes sentiments about the surprising triumph of "Maybe Happy Ending", a show with a challenging start that defied odds to win Best Musical. He also critiques Nicole Scherzinger's controversial performance, advocating for critical discourse on stage performances that may set questionable precedents.

"[01:00:00] Michael: ...Nicole Scherzinger's performance... should be criticized and discouraged as much as possible."

Both hosts discuss the success of other productions like "Just in Time" and "Othello", providing a comprehensive overview of the current Broadway landscape.

Box Office Overview

The discussion transitions to the current Broadway box office standings, highlighting top earners and struggling productions:

• "Just in Time" leads with significant earnings despite not winning major awards.
• "Wicked" and "The Lion King" maintain strong performances.
• "Smash" faces challenges with its final performances scheduled soon.
• "Death Becomes Her" and "Buena Vista Social Club" show varied results, with notable mentions of Megan Hilty's vocal injury affecting "Death Becomes Her".

"[00:68:29] Peter: ...Just in Time at the Goodspeed Norma Terrace..."

Brain Teaser and Musical Moments

The episode concludes with interactive segments:

• Brain Teaser: Peter presents a nostalgic puzzle related to the transformation of a postcard expression into a Broadway play and its subsequent musical adaptation. The solution was revealed by several listeners, emphasizing community engagement.

• Musical Moments: Michael shares teaser reels for the "Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson Musical," featuring excerpts from the opening number "Indulgent and Perverse" and "The Song of the Brown Buffalo." He lauds Joe Iconis's lyrical prowess and encourages listeners to experience the musical firsthand.

"[00:73:59] Michael: ...here’s a prime example of what a great lyricist Joe Iconis is."

Conclusion

Host James Marino wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to subscribe to BroadwayRadio via their website or Patreon for exclusive content and early access to shows. He thanks guests Peter and Michael for their insightful contributions and signs off with final thoughts on the dynamic world of Broadway.

Notable Quotes:

• Peter Portentier [02:29]: "It's really harrowing."
• Michael Portentier [00:17:02]: "Joe Iconis chose the title, the Untitled Unauthorized Hunter S. Thompson musical, and it's really, really terrific."
• Peter Portentier [00:22:16]: "Susan Scannel Gilbert sounded like her so wonderfully. It was really quite an achievement."
• Michael Portentier [00:36:36]: "It's very difficult to watch, yet the performance is so brilliant that I must recommend it on that level."

Listeners Encouraged to Engage:

The hosts invite listeners to participate in discussions by emailing their answers to brain teasers and sharing thoughts on reviewed productions. They emphasize the importance of supporting local theater and staying connected through BroadwayRadio's various platforms.