BroadwayRadio – This Week on Broadway for November 30, 2025:

"Gotta Dance @ The York"

Date: November 30, 2025
Hosts: James Marino, Peter Filichia, Michael Portantier
Special Segment: Opening/Closing Musical Moments by Dennis DeYoung (from Chess)

Episode Overview

This week’s episode dives deep into recent productions on and Off-Broadway, pays tribute to the late Tom Stoppard, reviews a dazzling dance retrospective at the York, and surveys other notable New York theater happenings. Listeners will find critiques, behind-the-scenes industry news, and recommendations for what to see, stream, or listen to in the coming weeks.

Highlights & Major Themes

1. Remembering Tom Stoppard (04:18 – 16:42)

A heartfelt tribute following news of Stoppard’s passing, discussing his unique impact on theater and the enduring influence of his works on multiple generations.

Key Discussion Points:

• Influence on Playwrights:
  • Peter Filichia suggests Stoppard inspired dramatists to explore minor characters (“Are there any other minor characters in various properties that could be mined?” – 04:38).
  • Examples given: "Wicked," reinterpretations in Chekhov.
• Unique Plays:
  • “Every Good Boy Deserves Favour” (exploring delusion and music) and “The Real Inspector Hound” (a sendup of critics and stage clichés).
  • Stoppard’s humor contrasted with his intellectual density.
• Accessibility & Writing Style:
  • Michael Portantier respects the brilliance but often found Stoppard’s plays “too dense for me.” (09:23)
  • Notable exception: he "absolutely love[s]" the screenplay for Shakespeare in Love (10:24).
• Notable Obituary Moment:
  • Portantier questions the New York Times’s use of “prolix” describing Arcadia – "I don’t think that’s the word he meant to use..." (10:45)
• Background & Identity:
  • Stoppard’s Czech origins and multilingual background highlighted as influencing the breadth and complexity of his writing (14:34–15:06).
  • Discussion of his 22 Broadway productions and many Off-Broadway accolades.
• Leopoldstadt and Narrative Choices:
  • Filichia observes how Leopoldstadt skips over WWII directly, perhaps in order to focus on dramatic irony and aftermath (13:49).

Notable Quotes:

• "If you need a 28 page glossary, you know you’re dealing with a superior mind." – Peter Filichia (07:32)
• "He really was just a major, major figure in the theater." – Michael Portantier (11:53)

2. Review: The Seat of Our Pants at The Public Theater (16:42 – 30:17)

The panel explores The Seat of Our Pants, a new musical by Ethan Lipton, adapted from The Skin of Our Teeth.

Key Discussion Points:

• Title & Adaptation:
  • Clever retitling captures the show’s spirit.
  • Historic attempts by Kander & Ebb to musicalize the material discussed.
• Production Details:
  • Directed by Lee Silverman, featuring a dynamic, genre-crossing score.
  • Ruthie Ann Miles receives high praise for her galvanizing performance as Mrs. Antrobus: “Whoa. She is galvanizing every scene she’s in.” (21:11)
  • Michaela Diamond’s portrayal of Sabina is solid, but Miles is the standout.
• Musical Style:
  • Fusion of Golden Age and contemporary influences; compared to Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet (27:19).
  • Repetition in the score is noted as effective.
• Conceptual Challenges:
  • The play’s blend of allegory and fantasy makes it a challenging but ultimately rewarding experience.

Notable Quotes:

• “The Seat of Our Pants is a terrific alternate title for Skin of Our Teeth because it has the same type of feeling...” – Peter Filichia (19:55)
• “Go, go, go...” – Michael Portantier’s enthusiastic endorsement (29:52)

3. Review: Gotta Dance at The York Theatre (30:32 – 36:18)

A loving look at a dance retrospective that’s a joy for fans of Broadway dance.

Key Discussion Points:

• Production Overview:
  • Conceived and directed by Nikki Feirt Atkins and Randy Skinner.
  • Features standout talent and robust production values, including live music.
  • Presented in association with Ricky Kane Larimer; higher-than-usual Off-Broadway resources.
• Program Highlights:
  • Celebrates Broadway and film musical dance numbers: “One hit after another!” – Michael Portantier (34:13)
  • Special mention of Jessica Lee Goldyn’s “phenomenal” turn in The Music and the Mirror and I’m a Brass Band.
• Reason to Attend:
  • “An absolute, absolute must see… you would pay less for this show than for many a Broadway show and get… four times the entertainment value.” (35:34)

Notable Quote:

“Fabulous retrospective of amazing moments from musical theater history… an absolute must see.” – Michael Portantier (30:45, 35:34)

4. Other Reviews: Fast Takes

Reunions at City Center Stage 2 (36:41 – 42:06)

• Two new musicals based on classic plays; Twelve Pound Look draws comparisons to A Doll’s House.
• Chip Zien and Joanna Glushak highlighted for their performances.
• “Not a world beater, but decent.” – Peter Filichia (41:35)

Seth Rudetsky’s Broadway Friends at Carnegie Hall (42:38 – 47:29)

• Major Broadway talent joins the Malloy CAP21 BFA students and a 60-piece orchestra.
• “Absolutely thrilling… really great that Seth was able to create such an amazing evening.” – Michael Portantier (47:06)

Lao Wang, a Chinatown King Lear at 59E59 (48:26 – 51:31)

• Modern King Lear twist about family and legacy in Chinatown.
• Central prop: a dollar bill, used inventively to drive the plot.

The Surgeon and Her Daughters at Theater 154 (51:59 – 55:59)

• Explores family dynamics, adoption, and the truth of relationships.
• “When it’s good, it really hits the spot.” – Peter Filichia (55:43)

5. Broadway at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade (56:34 – 60:00)

• Performances from Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, and Ragtime.
• “All three shows came across very, very well on the parade, which is not always… the case.” – Michael Portantier (58:54)
• Jonathan Groff sang live despite illness, causing him to miss subsequent shows.

6. Upcoming Events & Recommendations (60:00 – 69:04)

• Cheyenne Jackson at Carnegie Hall (Dec 8): Joined by Jane Krakowski and Jessica Vosk—“entertainment value…through the roof” (61:52).
• Porgy and Bess at the Met: Strong new cast, “an absolute masterwork” (64:52).
• NY Times ‘5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Musicals’: Panelists discuss surprising favorite moments from the musical theater canon.

7. Modern Cast Album and Streaming Recommendations (69:12 – 76:30)

• Full video of Twelfth Night from Shakespeare in the Park on YouTube.
• PBS documentary on the Delacorte Theater renovation.
• Mo Rocca’s “wonderful” extended interview with Stephen Schwartz.
• Newly released color video archives of classic musicals (Ray Knight Theater and Film collection) now streaming via the Institute of the American Musical.

Notable Quotes on Schwartz & Mo Rocca:

“He really is a mensch. And I think that absolutely comes across in this interview, so you might want to check it out.” – Michael Portantier (71:38) “Mo knows…a scholar of Broadway.” – James Marino (72:50)

8. Closing Segments

Brain Teaser (76:54 – 78:35)

• Trivia about musicals and famous lists (the Kubler-Ross stages of grief).

Musical Moments (78:48 – 80:37)

• Dennis DeYoung performs two songs from Chess: “Someone Else’s Story” and “Where I Want to Be".

Memorable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• "If you need a 28 page glossary, you know you’re dealing with a superior mind." – Peter Filichia [07:32]
• "I always respected the hell out of him, but really didn’t enjoy most of his plays because they were just too dense for me." – Michael Portantier [09:23]
• “Ruthie Ann Miles is Mrs. Antrobus. Whoa. She is galvanizing every scene she’s in.” – Peter Filichia [21:11]
• "This is a fabulous retrospective of amazing moments from musical theater history... an absolute must see.” – Michael Portantier [30:45]
• “Go, go, go.” – Michael Portantier’s endorsement of Seat of Our Pants [29:52]
• “You would pay less for this show than for many a Broadway show and get... four times the entertainment value.” – Michael Portantier [35:34]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [04:18] Remembrance: Tom Stoppard Dies at 88
• [16:42] Review: The Seat of Our Pants at The Public
• [30:32] Review: Gotta Dance at The York
• [36:41] Review: Reunions at City Center Stage 2
• [42:38] Review: Seth Rudetsky at Carnegie Hall
• [48:26] Review: Lao Wang at 59E59
• [51:59] Review: The Surgeon and Her Daughters at Theater 154
• [56:34] Review: Broadway at the Macy’s Parade
• [60:00] Upcoming Events & Recommendations
• [69:12] Streaming/Online Recommendations
• [76:54] Brain Teaser and Musical Moments

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a vibrant, wide-ranging survey of New York theater, reverently marking the passing of a much-loved playwriting icon, and radiating excitement for all things musical. It's a perfect listen for insiders and outsiders eager to get the flavor of the city’s theater scene—and will leave Musical lovers with a long to-do list of what to see and hear in person and online.