Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere, talk about the passing of Tom Stoppard. Discussions include The Seat Of Our Pants: A New Musical @ The Public Theater, Gotta Dance @ The York, Reunions @ New York City Center, Seth Rudetsky and his Broadway Friends @ Carnegie Hall, Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear @ 59e59, The Surgeon and her Daughters @ Theater 154, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performances, and a preview of upcoming performances you may want to book.
Georgina Pazcoguin and Barton Cowperthwaite in GOTTA DANCE
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Peter Filichia | [email protected] | Facebook
PETER FILICHIA is a playwright, journalist, and historian with a number of books. Peter’s new day-by-day desk calendar – A SHOW TUNE FOR TODAY – 366 Songs to Brighten Your Year – is available at finer retailers! Peter also has columns at Masterworks Broadway, Broadway Select, and many other places.
Showtune for Today: It’s Today from Mame
Michael Portantiere | [email protected] | Facebook
MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and interviewer. The founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other publications, and he writes reviews of cabaret shows for NiteLifeExchange.com. Additionally, Michael is known as a producer and director of shows at 54 Below, the Laurie Beechman Theatre, and other venues.
James Marino | [email protected] | Facebook
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An Evening with Len Cariou @ The Laurie Beechman Theatre
Tuesday, December 16, 2025
Len Cariou is well known and beloved for his indelible performances in musicals and plays on and off Broadway, in classical theater, and in other media.
His major credits include Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music, and Applause on Broadway, Blue Bloods on television, etc.
Join us at the Laurie Beechman Theatre as he shares reminiscences of his storied career and the many legends he has worked with in an on-stage interview conducted by theater journalist Michael Portantiere.
The evening will include clips of Mr. Cariou’s greatest roles, plus live performances of a song or two, followed by a Q&A session with the audience.
Tom Stoppard: IBDB | IOBDB | IMDB | Wikipedia
Every Good Boy Deserves Favour (play)
Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88
Drawing comparisons to the greatest of dramatists, he entwined erudition with imagination in stage works that won accolades on both sides of the Atlantic.
Glenn Close, Ethan Hawke and Others Mourn Tom Stoppard
Nobody advanced or cherished the English language more than Stoppard, Tim Curry noted. Colleagues and fans agreed.
When Tom Stoppard Confronted His Background in His Final Play
The playwright, who learned about his Jewish heritage late in life, addressed it in the Tony Award-winning drama “Leopoldstadt.”
The Language of Tom Stoppard, Ablaze With Energy and Urgency by Ben Brantley
In works like “Travesties” and “Arcadia,” the playwright embraced the really big questions and wrestled words into coherent, exhilarating shape.
Shuler Hensley and Micaela Diamond in The Seat of Our Pants at The Public Theater. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
PF + MP: The Seat Of Our Pants: A New Musical @ The Public Theater‘s Newman Theater, through December 7, 2025
Adaptation, Music, and Lyrics by Ethan Lipton
Based Upon the Play The Skin of Our Teeth by Thornton Wilder
Choreography by Sunny Min-Sook Hitt
Directed by Leigh Silverman
Ruthie Ann Miles, Shuler Hensley, and the company of The Seat of Our Pants at The Public Theater. Photo Credit: Joan Marcus
Obie Award-winning playwright and songwriter Ethan Lipton and two-time Tony nominee director Leigh Silverman bring their irreverently funny new musical THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS to The Public this fall. A rollicking adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Skin of Our Teeth, this new musical about age-old problems tells the twisting, often absurd story of the Antrobus family, who have been alive for 5,000 years but live in the same existential dread as the rest of us. Mired in the hot mess of their everyday worries, the Antrobuses survive all manner of catastrophes in an endless quest to begin again, and again, and again. Choreographed by Sunny Min-Sook Hitt, this bracingly original spectacle is a musical reminder that surviving is what we do best.
THE SEAT OF OUR PANTS features Ben Beckley (Ensemble), Kelly Belarmino (Understudy), Ally Bonino (Fortune Teller), Bill Buell (Turkey/Ensemble), Cole Burden (Understudy), Damon Daunno (Henry Antrobus), Micaela Diamond (Sabina), Amina Faye (Glady Antrobus), Andy Grotelueschen (Announcer/Ensemble), Shuler Hensley (Mr. Antrobus), Allison Ann Kelly (Ensemble/Musician), Michael Lepore (Telegram Boy/Ensemble), Nat Lopez (Ensemble), Ruthie Ann Miles (Mrs. Antrobus), Geena Quintos (Mammoth/Ensemble), León Ramos Tak (Understudy), David Ryan Smith (Ensemble), Ruth E. Sternberg (Mr. Fitzpatrick), and Angela Travino (Understudy).
MP: Gotta Dance @ The York, through December 28, 2025
THE YORK THEATRE (Joseph Hayward, Producing Artistic Director, Wendy Hall, General Manager) and AMERICAN DANCE MACHINE, in association with Riki Kane Larimer, proudly present GOTTA DANCE, Co-Directed by Nikki Feirt Atkins (Producing Artistic Director of American Dance Machine for the 21st Century) and Randy Skinner (42nd Street, White Christmas, Dames at Sea), a thrilling celebration of the timeless art of musical theatre dance on stage and screen. The production runs November 25 – December 28, 2025, with an official opening night on Wednesday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m. at Off-Broadway’s Theatre at St. Jean’s (150 East 76th Street, New York City). Tickets are $29-$54 and available at https://www.yorktheatre.org/gotta-dance.
GOTTA DANCE features inspired reconstructions from classic musicals such as West Side Story, A Chorus Line, Pippin, Singin’ in the Rain, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas, and more, brought to life by some of Broadway’s most dazzling dancers. This joyous production pays tribute to the choreographers who shaped Broadway and Hollywood, including Bob Fosse, Jerome Robbins, Gene Kelly, Michael Bennett, Susan Stroman, Billy Wilson, and others. Experience the steps and spirit that have defined generations of dance in a performance bursting with energy, heart, and Broadway brilliance.
The incredible cast of dancers includes Jessica Lee Goldyn, Brandon Burks, Anthony Cannarella, Barton Cowperthwaite, Deanna Doyle, Paloma Garcia-Lee, Afra Hines, Jess LeProtto, Kendall Leshanti, Drew Minard, Georgina Pazcoguin, Samantha Siegel, Taylor Stanley, and Blake Zelesnikar.
The production features lighting design by Ken Billington, costume design by Marlene Hamm, sound design by Peter Brucker, scenic coordination by Noah Glaister, projection design by Brian Staton, and props supervision by Rich Klinger. The production also features casting by Jason Styres / The Casting Collaborative, production stage management by Nicole Caroselli, assistant stage management by Meg Meschino, production management by Kyle Schuller, vocal direction by Matt Lowy, and music direction by Eugene Gwozdz. Marketing by Innoruptiv. Publicity by Katie Rosin/Kampfire PR.
Reunions Company Photo by Jeremy Daniel Photography
PF: Reunions @ New York City Center Stage II, through December 14, 2025
REUNIONS, a new musical with book and lyrics by Jeffrey Scharf and music by Jimmy Calire explores how time changes us, how love endures, and what happens when past and present finally meet.
Directed by Gabriel Barre, REUNIONS is a musical adaptation of two famous one-act plays with this common theme.
“A Sunny Morning,” based on the charming play by the Quintero Brothers, shows that hope of love springs eternal – even among septuagenarians. “The Twelve-Pound Look,” adapted from the play by James M. Barrie, is a thoroughly modern look at issues of class, a woman’s “place” and the high price of success.
With warmth, humor, and heart, REUNIONS speaks to anyone who’s ever wondered “what if?” It’s about the courage to face the past, the beauty of rediscovery, and the universal hope that love might just find its way back.
The show stars Chip Zien (Into the Woods), Chilina Kennedy (Beautiful: The Carole King Musical), Courtney Reed (Alladin), Joanna Glushak (War Paint), and Bryan Fenkart (Memphis) and others, bringing this tale of second chances to life.
As old feelings resurface and long-buried truths emerge, can love truly get a second act? —or should some stories stay in memory?
Would you be interested in speaking with any of the show’s cast members or writers Jeffrey Scharf and Jimmy Calire about bringing this story to life?
Interestingly, Chip Zien originated the role of The Baker in Into the Woods on Broadway and Courtney Reed originated the role of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin on Broadway.
MP: Seth Rudetsky and his Broadway Friends @ Carnegie Hall, Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage, Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Wai Ching Ho, Cindy Cheung, Jon Norman Schneider, and Amy Keum in LAOWANG Photo: James Leynse
PF: Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear @ 59e59, through December 14, 2025
written by ALEX LIN
directed by JOSHUA KAHAN BRODY
Don’t mess with a Chinese grandma.
When a high-rise developer threatens to buy out A-Poh’s successful Chinatown restaurant, the martyr-complex matriarch gathers her three precious grandchildren from all corners of the country to plan their next mode of attack. There’s just one problem – A-Poh’s memory is rapidly fading. What follows is a chaotic journey through reality, myth, and magic as A-Poh travels through now and the great beyond in a last-ditch effort to preserve what’s left of her family, legacy, and sanity. A caustic and imaginative spin on King Lear that explores the changing face of America’s Chinatowns and the fight to preserve a fading cultural memory.
Laowang was developed as part of the Liff Lab, an innovative new play development program at Primary Stages.
Laowang was originally developed by Two River Theater (Justin Waldman, Artistic Director; Nora DeVeau-Rosen, Managing Director), and received support from the New York Theatre Workshop annual summer residency at Dartmouth College.
Lead support for Laowang is provided by the Garfield Family Fund in memory of Johanna Garfield and the Andrew Leynse Legacy Project at Primary Stages.
PF: The Surgeon and her Daughters @ Theater 154 (Out of the Box Theatrics), through December 20, 2025
Colt Coeur presents the world premiere of
The Surgeon and Her Daughters
By Chris Gabo
directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt
A 21st century Les Miserablés, The Surgeon and Her Daughters is an epic and intimate play about family, grief, and how we stay afloat amidst seemingly insurmountable odds. Diving unflinchingly into the ‘melting pot’ that is New York City, the play explores the slipperiness of truth and justice; the thorniness of honor and redemption, and the sensation of being a crab at the bottom of the barrel. More information at: coltcoeur.org/surgeon
MP: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade Performances
Watch All the Broadway Performances at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade By: Josh Sharpe
The casts of Just In Time, Ragtime, and Buena Vista Social Club performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Preview of upcoming performances:
Cheyenne Jackson @ Carnegie Hall
Monday, December 8, 2025
Get ready for an unforgettable evening of electrifying vocals and heartfelt humor as Cheyenne Jackson—the beloved Grammy- and Emmy-nominated star of stage and screen (Xanadu, Into the Woods, American Horror Story, 30 Rock)—takes the stage! Joining him are several special guests, including Tony Award winner Jane Krakowski (30 Rock, Oh, Mary!) and Broadway favorite Jessica Vosk (Wicked, Hell’s Kitchen) for a one-of-a-kind concert that weaves together Broadway hits, pop anthems, and timeless American Songbook classics—plus a few seasonal surprises.
MP: Porgy and Bess at the Met, December 2, 2025 – January 24, 2026
MP: 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Musicals @ The New York Times
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY: In Concert @ Carnegie Hall
Original Broadway Cast Reunion to benefit MCC Theater
Monday, December 15, 2025 7 PM Stern Auditorium / Perelman Stage
MP: Twelfth Night — PBS
Premiere: 11/14/2025 | 1:52:43 | TV-14 |
The Shakespearean comedy of mistaken identity tells the romantic misadventures of twins Sebastian and Viola after they survive a shipwreck, including revenge plots and tricks of love. Featuring Lupita Nyong’o, Sandra Oh, Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Junior Nyong’o and more. Directed by Tony Award nominee Saheem Ali in the newly reopened Delacorte Theater in Central Park.
Streaming until: 12/31/2025 @ 11:59 PM EST
Behind the Scenes of the New Delacorte Theater in Central Park | Great Performances (Great Performances | PBS)
Extended interview: Stephen Schwartz (CBS Sunday Morning)
MP: The Ray Knight Theatre Film Collection
https://www.institute-american-musical.org/theatrefilms
The Ray Knight Broadway Theatre Films is a unique collection of 16mm silent film shot by theatergoer Ray Knight of Jacksonville, Florida, on visits to New York City during a period of over 40 years. From the Ziegfeld Follies of 1931 to A Little Night Music (1973), Knight captured on film excerpts of actual performances of approximately 140 Broadway musicals, creatively edited into narrative sequences along with local scenes of New York City and homemade shots of theatre memorabilia. What was originally intended as a personal souvenir has now become a masterpiece of primitive film art, an unparalleled historical resource, and a national treasure–the single largest collection of moving images of the Broadway musical during its golden years.
The Institute of the American Musical is making these unique documents available to the public incrementally as they are completed because we recognize their great interest and unparalleled educational value for musical theatre producers, performers, scholars, students, and aficionados alike. As we undertake the work of identifying the musical numbers and performers and preparing the film for publication, we ask for your patience in waiting for the videos of so many important and beloved musicals to come on line. At the same time, we deeply appreciate any funding assistance you may be able to provide to this project, which will allow us to continue this work to research and edit the films with greater speed. Please join our community if your are interested in these films by submitting your contact information so that we may keep you informed as new videos of musicals are posted.
Wicked: For Good special?
This one may seem hard, but, believe me, there’s a VERY big hint built into it.
The question is: Why are these plays – DOES A TIGER WEAR A NECKTIE; EASTERN STANDARD; LOVERS AND OTHER STRANGERS; LUV; MASQUERADE; MY SWEET CHARLIE; PLAY IT AGAIN, SAM and THERE’S A GIRL IN MY SOUP — lumped together with these musicals: ANYONE CAN WHISTLE; FLORA THE RED MENACE and A MOTHER’S KISSES?
Michael’s Musical Moments
Album: Dennis DeYoung: 10 on Broadway
Music Opener: “Someone Else’s Story”
Music Closer: “Where I Want to Be”
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