BroadwayRadio Episode Summary: "This Week on Broadway for May 18, 2025: Peter’s London Trip"

Release Date: May 18, 2025

Introduction

In this episode of BroadwayRadio, host James Marino engages in an insightful discussion with guests Peter Felicia, a renowned playwright, journalist, and historian, and Michael Portentier, a theater reviewer, essayist, and theatrical photographer. The episode delves into Peter's recent experiences in London, current Broadway happenings, cast album reviews, and the evolving landscape of theater awards.

1. Peter's London Trip

Peter Felicia shares his whirlwind experience of attending eight shows in London, discussing each performance's impact and his personal opinions.

• "I saw eight shows in London. It would have been nine, except I got bad information about the outdoor production of Shucked that was at Regents Park. They didn't do a Sunday night. So I was sorry about that." [07:07]

Highlights of the London Shows:

• Oliver Revival: Peter found this production over-the-top, critiquing its lack of subtlety.

  • "They are encouraging us to clap along and consider yourself. That's the type of production it was, and it just wasn't for me." [03:08]

• The Devil Wears Prada: Peter noted Vanessa Williams' performance but wished for more character depth.

  • "I wish there were more introspection. I would love a song where Miranda tells us why she became such a horrible human being." [05:30]

• Les Misérables: Appreciated the strong vocal performances but felt the reduced staging led to some confusion.

  • "Les Mis is a very controversial show among people who truly love Broadway musicals because plenty of people who do hate it." [06:15]

• The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: Praised the cast and unique adaptation, highlighting Benjamin Salter's performance.

  • "If you like Dead Outlaw and Girl in the North Country in that style of show, you're going to have a really good time." [07:50]

• Richard II: Admired Jonathan Bailey's portrayal and the inventive staging.

  • "Jonathan Bailey... played Richard II very, very well." [09:20]

• Here We Are, Sondheim Musical: Appreciated Jane Krakowski's performance and the faithful replication of the original show.

  • "If you had seen it, hearing it, you'd think you were seeing the same show." [10:45]

• Comedy About Spies: Enjoyed the British farce style, despite missing out on seeing "Shucked."

  • "Spies A are looking for spies B... it's very funny." [15:02]

2. Show Tune for Today

The discussion transitions to the featured song, a tribute to Marvin Hamlisch. Peter elaborates on Hamlisch's early career and personal anecdotes.

• "They're playing our song this because this is a tribute to Marvin Hamlisch..." [01:45]

A notable correction is made by Michael regarding the song title:

• "Peter, just a correction. It was 'Sunshine, Lollipops, and Rainbows'." [02:45]

3. Cast Album Reviews

Michael Portentier discusses the rapid release of new cast albums and the ongoing reviews on castalbumreviews.com.

• "We recently posted reviews of Operation Mincemeat, Death Becomes Her, maybe Happy Ending." [04:05]

He highlights the importance of dedicated contributors to keep up with the influx of new albums.

4. Dinner with Sandy Duncan

Michael shares his experience interviewing and dining with actress Sandy Duncan, highlighting her enduring legacy and the successful live interview event.

• "The evening began with me saying I've been seeing Broadway shows since 1969... I would have to say it was Sandy Duncan and Peter Pan." [04:46]

Despite technical difficulties, the event was a heartfelt tribute, though unfortunately, a live stream recording was lost.

5. Representation in Tony Awards

Michael addresses an article from Broadway News on improved diversity among Tony nominees, celebrating increased representation of African Americans, Latinos, and Asians.

• "This year's Tony nominees are so representative of not only African Americans, but also Latinos... and underrepresented Asians." [27:28]

James Marino echoes the sentiment, encouraging listeners to subscribe to Broadway News for more insights.

6. Audience Choice Awards vs. Legitimate Awards

A significant portion of the discussion critiques the Audience Choice Awards compared to established awards like the Tonys. Michael expresses concerns over the lack of oversight and the potential devaluation of traditional accolades.

• "These Audience Choice Awards... they're just counterproductive." [28:24]

He contrasts this with the Tonys' rigorous voting processes, highlighting recent changes to enhance award integrity.

7. Theater World Awards

Peter delves into the recent Theater World Award announcements, highlighting unanimous selections and notable honorees.

• "In the 26 years that I've been tallying these votes, I have never seen so much unanimity." [45:55]

James lists the honorees, including emerging talents like Alana Arenas and Kit Connor.

8. Personal Anecdotes and Future Projects

Both guests share personal stories and upcoming projects:

• Michael discusses the passing of Charles Strauss, reflecting on Strauss's contributions and humorous anecdotes from their interactions.

  • "Charles Strauss died on May 15, 2025, at age 96... one of the true greats." [53:48]

• Peter talks about his annotated edition of William Goldman's Season, aiming to auction it to support Theater World Awards.

  • "I had to transfer notes from my old battered book to a new copy. I'm up to page 318 of 420." [47:56]

He also mentions upcoming performances and collaborations in New Jersey, emphasizing community theater's role in nurturing new talent.

9. Brain Teaser and Musical Moments

The episode wraps up with a brain teaser and a segment on musical moments:

• Brain Teaser: Peter poses a question about the commonality between "Prom Crazy for You" and "Oliver."

  • "What do the 'Prom Crazy for You' and 'Oliver' have in common?" [53:36]

• Musical Moments: Michael pays tribute to Charles Strauss, sharing memories and discussing Strauss’s work, including the historical significance of introducing rock elements to Broadway through Bye Bye Birdie.

  • "Bye Bye Birdie did arguably bring rock sounds to Broadway for the first time." [60:22]

He also shares humorous stories from Strauss's memoir, highlighting the playwright's sharp wit.

Conclusion

James Marino closes the episode by thanking listeners and reminding them to subscribe via BroadwayRadio’s website or platforms like Patreon. The episode offers a rich blend of personal anecdotes, critical reviews, and industry insights, providing valuable content for theater enthusiasts and Broadway aficionados alike.

Notable Quotes:

• "It's adding up." — Peter Felicia [08:00]

• "Love us or hate us, but that's the way it turned out." — Peter Felicia [46:30]

• "Money's tight, to be perfectly frank." — Peter Felicia [47:22]

Further Information:

• Subscribe: Visit broadwayradio.com to subscribe and support the show.
• Cast Album Reviews: Explore castalbumreviews.com for in-depth reviews.
• Theater World Awards: For more details on nominations and events, refer to the show notes.

This episode provides a comprehensive overview of Peter's London theater experiences, ongoing Broadway discussions, and thoughtful critiques on awards and representation, all while celebrating the vibrant world of theater.