BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "This Week on Broadway for March 16, 2025: Ghosts"

Release Date: March 16, 2025

Welcome to this week's episode of BroadwayRadio, Broadway's premier podcast dedicated to all things theater. Hosted by James Marino, Peter Felicia, and Michael Portentier, this episode delves deep into the latest Broadway productions, insightful discussions on orchestrators, and exciting new projects in the world of musical theater.

1. Show Tune of the Day: "I Cannot Hear the City" from Sweet Smell of Success

Timestamp: 02:13

Peter Felicia kickstarts the episode by highlighting the show tune for the day, "I Cannot Hear the City" from the musical Sweet Smell of Success. He shares his admiration for the captivating lyrics by Craig Cardinalia and the moody compositions of Marvin Hamlisch. Reflecting on personal experiences, Peter recounts, “Frank had given me a demo... it ruled my CD player for months” (02:46), emphasizing his deep connection to the score despite his reservations about the production itself.

2. Book Announcement: "Every Day A Little Death"

Timestamp: 05:50

Michael Portentier introduces his upcoming book, "Every Day A Little Death: Crime Fiction Inspired by the Songs of Stephen Sondheim". This eighth volume in the "Inspired By" anthology series, edited by Josh Pachter, features 20 short crime stories, each inspired by a song from Sondheim's 20 musicals. Michael explains, “The resulting stories seamlessly blend crime fiction with Sondheimian themes” (08:57), highlighting contributions from theater and crime fiction writers alike.

3. Celebrating Broadway Orchestrators: Doug Besterman and Jonathan Tunick

Timestamp: 10:46

The hosts delve into the often-overlooked art of orchestration in theater. Discussing the exceptional talents of Doug Besterman, Michael notes his remarkable achievement of orchestrating three Broadway shows in a single season: Death Becomes Her, Boop, and Smash. Peter reminisces about Besterman's brilliant work in Big (1996), specifically praising his Dixieland orchestration in the song "Fun": “I thought that was really quite brilliant” (13:15).

Jonathan Tunick's legacy is also celebrated, with Peter lamenting the absence of a Tony category for orchestrators in the past and praising Tunick's contributions to Broadway. Michael adds, “Jonathan Tunick really made everybody feel welcome, knew everybody's name immediately” (10:31), underscoring his impact on the theater community.

4. Review of Ghosts at Lincoln Center Theater's Newhouse Theater

Timestamp: 14:43

The conversation turns to the production of Henrik Ibsen's Ghosts at Lincoln Center Theater's Newhouse Theater. Directed by Marco Rowe, the play stars Billy Crudup, Lily Rabe, Victoria Clark, Levin Hawk, Hamish Linklater, and Ella Beatty. Peter shares his admiration for Crudup's authentic portrayal: “Billy Crudup indeed had the skill... he wasn't sanctimonious at all” (15:15).

Michael discusses the dynamics of the cast, highlighting the presence of "nepo babies" (actors with notable family connections) such as Hamish Linklater and Levin Hawke. Despite the star-studded cast, Michael critiques aspects of the production, saying, “I do not think it added anything to what happens” regarding certain plot developments (21:59).

5. Review of A Streetcar Named Desire at Brooklyn Academy of Music

Timestamp: 25:21

Next, the hosts review A Streetcar Named Desire production at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Directed by Rebecca Frecknell and starring Paul Mescal as Stanley Kowalski and Anjana Vasi as Stella, the production received mixed feedback. Peter praises Vasi's vibrant performance: “Stella had far more backbone than Stella's I've seen in the past” (25:21).

Michael critiques the director's unconventional choices, such as incorporating a drummer and minimal set design: “I thought it was a detriment rather than enhancing the... production” (29:03). Despite these critiques, both hosts acknowledge the strong performances, particularly Mescal's nuanced portrayal of Stanley.

6. Review of Triumph of Love at Huntington Theater, Boston

Timestamp: 40:42

Peter Felicia shares his experience viewing Stephen Wadsworth's production of Triumph of Love at Boston's Huntington Theater. Contrary to initial skepticism, Peter commends the production's brilliance: “She barely, if ever, leaves the stage... it's really amazing” (45:38). The cast, led by Alison Altman and Rob Kellogg, delivers compelling performances that honor Marivaux's original 1732 play while infusing it with contemporary relevance.

7. The Jonathan Larson Project at Orpheum Theater

Timestamp: 46:47

Brad enthusiastically discusses the Jonathan Larson Project at the Orpheum Theater, a comprehensive revue of Larson's songs. Michael praises the show's depth and the enduring legacy of Larson's work, highlighting songs like "Green Street" and "One of These Days." Peter emphasizes the show's seamless integration of Larson's pop hooks and lyrical prowess: “It's really absolutely amazing how much he did” (53:14). The production, directed by John Simpkins and featuring actors Adam Chandler, Barat Taylor, and others, offers a heartfelt tribute to Larson's artistic contributions.

8. Rob Capo's Song Analysis Shows

Timestamp: 60:35

Michael Portentier introduces Rob Capo, a pianist and commentator known for his insightful breakdowns of classic Broadway songs. Brad recounts attending a Lerner and Lowrey evening where Capo meticulously deconstructed songs like "Something's Coming" from West Side Story. Peter highlights the educational value of these shows, stating, “They show you exactly how and why they are so great” (73:47). These performances are celebrated for their ability to deepen audiences' appreciation of musical theater compositions.

9. New Cast Album: I Can Get A Feel by Harold Rome

Timestamp: 65:43

Peter reviews the latest cast album of Harold Rome's I Can Get A Feel, highlighting its status as a masterpiece despite the age of its score. While praising Santino Fontana’s standout performance as Harry Bogart, Peter critiques the inclusion of synthesizers: “If that Harry album had just piano instead of synthesizers, I would play it every day of my life” (68:58). However, he lauds the character development and the authentic representation of Jewish culture, noting, “It's a cut above that... higher than that” (68:07).

Brad adds, “Concord released this recording in streaming format only, but included a full and well-designed booklet as a free download” (70:15), encouraging listeners to explore the album through streaming platforms.

10. Conclusion and Upcoming Content

Timestamp: 70:33

As the episode wraps up, the hosts encourage listeners to subscribe to BroadwayRadio via broadwayradio.com and support them through patreon.com/broadwayradio. They tease future segments, including brain teasers and more musical moments. The episode concludes with a nostalgic nod to timeless Broadway classics, leaving listeners eagerly anticipating the next broadcast.

Notable Quotes:

• “Billy Crudup indeed had the skill... he wasn't sanctimonious at all.” — Peter Felicia (15:15)
• “I thought that was a detriment rather than enhancing the... production.” — Michael Portentier (29:03)
• “It's really absolutely amazing how much he did.” — Peter Felicia (53:14)

Key Takeaways:

• Orchestrators like Doug Besterman and Jonathan Tunick play a pivotal role in shaping Broadway's soundscape.
• Billy Crudup's performance in Ghosts stands out for its authenticity and depth.
• Anjana Vasi's Stella in A Streetcar Named Desire brings new strength to the character, though the production's unconventional elements received mixed reviews.
• The Jonathan Larson Project serves as a heartfelt homage to Larson's enduring legacy in musical theater.
• Rob Capo's analytical shows offer listeners a deeper understanding of Broadway's musical intricacies.
• New cast albums, while sometimes controversial in their production choices, continue to celebrate Broadway's rich history.

Whether you're a seasoned theater enthusiast or new to the world of Broadway, this episode of BroadwayRadio offers a comprehensive and engaging look into the current and upcoming productions shaping the stage.

Subscribe to BroadwayRadio for more in-depth discussions, reviews, and exclusive insights into the vibrant world of Broadway. Visit broadwayradio.com and follow us on Patreon to stay updated and support our show.