BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: This Week on Broadway for June 22, 2025: Beau the Musical

Introduction In the June 22, 2025 episode of BroadwayRadio, host James Marino welcomes regular panelists Peter Felicia and Michael Portantier to discuss the latest happenings in the Broadway scene. The conversation delves into recent performances, reviews of standout productions, and upcoming events, providing listeners with insightful commentary and recommendations.

Show of the Week: Beau the Musical The centerpiece of this episode is a detailed review of Beau the Musical, an Out of the Box Theatrics production running at Theater 154 on Christopher Street until July 27th.

• Overview and Plot James Marino introduces Beau the Musical as a heartfelt story about Ace Baker, a young gay country rock star from Nashville, who travels to Memphis to reconnect with his estranged grandfather, Bo. "Beau the Musical" explores themes of family, identity, and acceptance, set against the backdrop of the American South.

• Performance Highlights Peter Felicia praises Matt Rhoden's portrayal of Ace Baker, noting his exceptional talent both as a singer and a guitarist. "Matt Rhoden... sings like a dream and also plays guitar quite frequently during the show" (11:39). Michael Portantier echoes this sentiment, highlighting Rhoden's versatility and emotional depth in his performance.

• Production Quality The musical's direction and choreography by Josh Rhodes and music supervision by Chris Gurr are lauded for their seamless integration into the narrative. "The whole company is wonderful," Peter comments, emphasizing the strong ensemble work that brings the story to life.

• Final Thoughts Both hosts unanimously recommend Beau the Musical for its engaging storytelling and compelling performances. James adds, "I certainly wish it well," underscoring his enthusiasm for the show's success.

Spotlight on The Wash Next, Peter reviews The Wash, a production at the WP Theater running through June 29th.

• Historical Context The play delves into the 19th-century strike of Black laundresses in America, highlighting their fight for fair wages and recognition. James Marino summarizes, "a group of black women went on strike... they're laundresses and they take in white people's laundry, and the white people don't feel they need to pay them on time."

• Character and Performance Analysis The focus is on Anna, portrayed impeccably by Eunice Woods, who owns property—a rare feat for women of that era. Peter notes, "The characterization is really good... you will feel sympathy, you will feel empathy for these women."

• Directorial Insight Calendra Smith's direction is praised for its authentic portrayal of the characters' struggles and triumphs. "Every line rings true with the character, and that's really what's most important," James emphasizes.

Review of Dancers Over 40 Celebrate Chicago Michael Portantier shares his experience attending the 50th-anniversary celebration of Chicago at 54 Below.

• Event Highlights The event featured selective performances, including "All I Care About is Love" and "I Move On", creatively navigating the limitation of performing only three songs from the musical.

• Guest Appearances Notable attendees included Mary Lou Henner, who hosted the evening, and Melora Hardin, who performed Roxie's iconic numbers. Peter adds, "An amazing evening... they really creatively got around that restriction."

• Tributes and Performances Tributes to Chita Rivera and Bob Fosse were highlights, with performers delivering heartfelt renditions of classic numbers. Michael praises the musical direction, stating, "This is an example of sheer brilliance."

Call Me Izzy: A Mixed Review Peter Felicia recounts his experience watching Call Me Izzy at Studio 54, while James Marino had a less favorable view due to technical issues.

• Performance Breakdown The play centers on Izzy, a woman oppressed by her husband, portrayed by Jean Smart. Peter appreciates the storytelling but acknowledges James' struggle with sound quality, which hindered his understanding of the performance.

• Character Analysis Jean Smart's portrayal is met with mixed reactions. While Peter admires her performance, James expresses frustration: "It was a very, very hard show to understand."

• Technical Difficulties James Marino criticizes the poor sound quality, saying, "The sound was atrocious... I really do believe I, at best got 75% of it."

Upcoming Shows and Announcements The hosts discuss several upcoming Broadway events and noteworthy announcements:

• Closing Shows Recent closures include Dead Outlaw, Real Women Have Curves, and Smash, attributed to soft sales post-Tony Awards. Conversely, Spelling Bee is excitedly announced to be returning to Broadway at New World Stages.

• New Productions Jeff Ross is set to bring his one-man show, Take a Banana for the Ride, to the Needle Theater from August 5 to September 29. Additionally, Matthew Broderick and David Cross will star in a new chart series at New York Theater Workshop in Fall 2025.

• Special Performances The 50th anniversary of A Chorus Line will be celebrated on July 27th at the Schubert Theater, featuring original cast members and special guests like Charlottembois and Jessica Vosk.

Listener Engagement and Support James Marino reminds listeners to subscribe to BroadwayRadio via broadwayvideo.com or Patreon to receive updates and support the show. He also encourages participation in their brain teasers and musical moments segments.

Closing Remarks The episode concludes with Peter sharing a musical moment featuring excerpts from the 1930 film version of Lilliam and the 1965 Lincoln Center production of Carousel. This segment bridges the historical and contemporary Broadway narratives, offering a rich musical experience.

Notable Quotes

• "Matt Rhoden... sings like a dream and also plays guitar quite frequently during the show." — Peter Felicia (11:39)

• "Every line rings true with the character, and that's really what's most important." — James Marino (22:15)

• "The whole company is wonderful." — James Marino (19:31)

• "The sound was atrocious... I really do believe I, at best got 75% of it." — James Marino (32:05)

Conclusion This episode of BroadwayRadio offers an in-depth look at Beau the Musical and other significant Broadway productions, enriched by the hosts' expert analyses and personal experiences. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to Broadway, this summary encapsulates the vibrant discussions and insights shared by James Marino, Peter Felicia, and Michael Portantier.

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