BroadwayRadio: This Week on Broadway for March 15, 2026

Main Theme:
A review-filled episode centering on Daniel Radcliffe’s “Every Brilliant Thing” on Broadway, with additional discussions of new and notable off-Broadway productions, special concerts, and reflections on theater’s enduring appeal.

Hosts and Panelists

• James Marino (Host)
• Peter Filichia (B): Playwright, journalist, historian, and author
• Michael Portantiere (C): Theater journalist, reviewer, producer, and director

Episode Overview

This episode kicks off with some light-hearted banter about the Ides of March and calendar mishaps, then delves into robust reviews and commentary of Broadway and off-Broadway productions. The episode’s core focus is Daniel Radcliffe in “Every Brilliant Thing,” but the team also reviews “Ulster American,” “Zach,” “The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits,” “Calf Scramble,” “Trash,” “Spare Parts,” and highlights Ben Jones’s “100 Years of American Songbook” concert. The episode wraps with a tribute to the 70th anniversary of “My Fair Lady,” a trivia teaser, and a reflection on how new generations relate to theatrical classics.

Main Productions Discussed

Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson Theatre

[07:36–17:48]

Synopsis:

A one-person show starring Daniel Radcliffe, “Every Brilliant Thing” explores hope amid despair, audience participation, and the mnemonic challenges of performance.

Key Discussion Points:

• Radcliffe’s Performance:
  • “Daniel Radcliffe is magnificent beyond belief. Anybody who would play this part would have to be magnificent beyond belief.” – Peter [07:36]
  • Radcliffe’s ability to interact with the audience is praised. He prepares attendees for participation pre-show and acts as a “guy, not a superstar,” which diffuses any awkwardness [16:01].
• Audience Participation and Venue Suitability:
  • The show heavily incorporates the audience, who are assigned numbers and lines to shout at cue.
  • Venue problems noted: “The Hudson Theatre is just too big for this show… you really can’t hear [audience lines] terribly much.” – Peter [09:32]
  • Michael explains the use of shotgun mics, but notes “it’s not the same as having a mic in front of your mouth.” [12:53]
• Story & Direction:
  • The narrative centers on a child coping with his mother’s suicidal tendencies by compiling a list of life’s joys.
  • Unique casting flexibility: the protagonist’s spouse can be played by a man or woman at each performance.
  • “It’s really just brilliantly written by Duncan McMillan with Johnny Don.” – Michael [15:23]
• Comparison to HBO Version:
  • Peter preferred the intimacy and clarity of the HBO special’s smaller venue.
• Radcliffe’s Growth as an Actor:
  • Both Michael and Peter discuss his career trajectory, with Michael stating:
    “I think he has improved vastly as a stage performer... all props to him, as the kids say. He’s just the real deal.” [16:01]
• Endorsement:
  • Both strongly recommend the show for Radcliffe’s performance and the emotional journey.
  • Scheduling tip: Show runs through May 24, just before Tony Awards [17:08].

Ulster American at Irish Rep

[18:06–22:26]

• A satire by David Ireland about an American celebrity actor starring in an Irish play.
• Matthew Broderick stars as the over-talkative, “woke” (and anti-woke) actor; Michael finds his presence compelling, though he suggests a younger leading man might be better cast.
• Themes of Irish identity and sharp social commentary; the ending is “over the top— not realism so much, but very heightened reality and obviously a satire.” – Michael
• Runs through May 10.

Zach at Mint Theater Company

[22:43–25:31]

• A revival of an “antique” play by Harold Brighouse.
• Standout performances: Melissa Maxwell (Mrs. Manning) and Cassia Thompson (her would-be daughter-in-law).
• “Lovely, charming, very nice production,” says Peter, noting the predictable plot yet praising Mint Theater’s professionalism and warmth.

The Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits at Soho Playhouse

[25:53–29:32]

• Comedy about two couples with romantic complications and absurdist twists regarding fertility arrangements.
• Michael advises: “Approach it as a really kind of gonzo satire… then you’ll have a much better time.”
• Strong performances by the cast noted.

Calf Scramble at 59 East 59

[30:04–33:40]

• Five young women in a cow-handling competition double as the cows themselves.
• “Very impressed with all five actresses… and by Caitlin Sullivan… and playwright Libby Carr.”
• Romantic complications among the young women add emotional depth; particularly “fascinating” is a character played by Maike Lanstra Korn, a religious fundamentalist.
• “Sometimes obvious, I’ll grant you that, but when it works, it works very well.” – Peter

Ben Jones Sings 100 Years of American Songbook (Laurie Beechman Theater)

[34:03–36:25]

• Michael reports on a packed, successful debut for singer Ben Jones, who performed a wide range of standards and show tunes under the banner “Timeless.”
• Musical selections included: "People Will Say We’re In Love," "Being Alive," "Embraceable You," "The Way You Look Tonight," "Ain’t No Sunshine," "Bridge Over Troubled Water," and "Imagine."

Trash at Perelman Performing Arts Center

[36:54–40:32]

• Unique staging focused on the deaf experience, using live voice acting rather than supertitles.
• Three moving moments:
  1. The protagonist recounts always being seated at the children’s table at family gatherings because he’s deaf.
  2. Story of a deaf father only brought to meetings when fired (via interpreter).
  3. Hilarious and insightful moment from a character who prefers to date deaf men for reasons revealed in a comic monologue.
• “Really, really impressed… these things would have never occurred to me, brought to my attention. It made me have tremendous feelings for the people who have this situation.” – Peter

Spare Parts at Theater Row

[40:55–44:09]

• A sci-fi play about extending life; features Rob McClure in a surprisingly small role.
• Story of a conservative scientist, an ambitious student, and a billionaire seeking immortality.
• “Quite a few surprises here… things don’t work out the way you expect them to. So I think you should spare some time to see Spare Parts.” – Peter

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Daniel Radcliffe and Audience Participation [07:36-16:01]:

  • “It’s astonishing to watch… you have to remember the certain numbers at a certain point, and there’s no reason to remember 682 after you’ve been talking about your mother being in the hospital.”
  • “He’s acting like just a guy, not a superstar.” – Michael [16:01]

• On Theater Accessibility and Diversity:

  • “When it opens your mind to something you never thought of and just broadens your world… it really made me have tremendous feelings for the people who have this situation.” – Peter on “Trash” [39:53]

• On Generational Shifts in Theater Awareness [51:12]:

  • Peter describes seeing “My Fair Lady” with a young audience:
    “Jim gets up and says, how many of you have ever heard of ‘My Fair Lady’ before now? One kid raised his hand… He says that it’s old. Another kid said, I’m just a sucker for golden age musicals.”

Special Features

Charles Busch Event Preview

[03:55]

• Michael producing/directing evening with Charles Busch at Laurie Beechman Theater, featuring Julie Halston and live-streaming options.

BroadwayRadio/Patreon Update

[06:01]

• Show updates and technical complaints as the team considers alternative platforms to Patreon.

Trivia Teaser

[45:06]

• A classic Broadway trivia question involving producers, Tony-winning musicals, and Pulitzer Prize adaptations.

Musical Moment: Celebrating 70 Years of ‘My Fair Lady’

[46:36–54:40]

• “Today marks the 70th anniversary of the opening night of My Fair Lady on Broadway… one of the great, great successes, artistic and financial.” – Michael
• Featured original cast clips:
  • Overture [46:55]
  • “Rain in Spain” [53:44]
• Announcement of Lerner & Loewe concert at 54 Below (May 19), Irish Rep’s upcoming “My Fair Lady” gala (June 8, Town Hall).

Important Timestamps

• 03:55 – Preview: Charles Busch at Laurie Beechman
• 07:36 – "Every Brilliant Thing" review (Radcliffe)
• 12:52 – Technical aspects of audience participation
• 15:23 – Flexibility of casting/interpretation in “Every Brilliant Thing”
• 18:06 – “Ulster American” at Irish Rep
• 22:43 – “Zach” at Mint Theater Company
• 25:53 – “Amazing Sex Life of Rabbits” at Soho Playhouse
• 30:04 – “Calf Scramble” at 59E59
• 34:03 – Ben Jones concert at Laurie Beechman
• 36:54 – “Trash” at Perelman Performing Arts Center
• 40:55 – “Spare Parts” at Theater Row
• 45:06 – Broadway trivia segment
• 46:36 – “My Fair Lady” anniversary, musical clips
• 51:12 – Reflections on “My Fair Lady” and youth engagement

Tone & Language

• Warm, conversational, with gentle wit and deep affection for their subject matter.
• Mix of critical rigor and generous praise, especially for standout performances and theater’s power to prompt empathy and wonder.

For those who missed the episode:
This podcast provided first-hand critical reflections on new productions, the state of Broadway, and the ways in which both classic and contemporary works reverberate with audiences—across generations, genres, and the stage doors of New York.