Alex Lauer joins us from Minneapolis to give us a review of the pre-Broadway production of Purple Rain. Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere talk about The Baker’s Wife at Classic Stage Company, The Queen of Versailles, Weer @ Cherry Lane Theatre, Romy & Michele: The Musical @ Stage 42, Archduke @ Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre, and Fiddler on the Roof @ Signature Theatre.

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Classic Stage Company production of The Baker’s Wife. Production photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

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Panel:

Peter Filichia | peter@broadwayradio.com | 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.

Peter Filichia (via Facebook)
I made a post about ticket STUBS, and some readers didn’t quite know what I meant. Here’s a collage of them hanging in my hallway.

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Showtune for Today: Flying Over Sunset

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Michael Portantiere | michael@broadwayradio.com | Facebook
MICHAEL PORTANTIERE is a theater reviewer and essayist. He is the founder and editor of CastAlbumReviews.com. He is also a theatrical photographer whose photos have appeared in The New York Times and other major publications. You can see his photography work at FollowSpotPhoto.com.

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James Marino | james@broadwayradio.com | Facebook
BroadwayStars

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Note: This week we had listeners join us while recording. These listeners are Patreon members who support BroadwayRadio. If you would like to join us in the future, become a supporter at Patreon.com/BroadwayRadio.

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Pre:

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.

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Reviews:

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Kris Kollins in PURPLE RAIN – Photo by Matthew Murphy

AL: Purple Rain @ State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN, through November 23, 2025

Alex Lauer is a journalist based in Minneapolis. He’s the features editor at InsideHook, and runs a blog about theater in the Twin Cities called One Fan Show. You can find it at OneFanShow.com or on Instagram at @OneFanShow.

“Purple Rain” Musical Review: This Is What It Sounds Like When Duds Tryout by Alex Lauer

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Rachel Webb in PURPLE RAIN – Photo by Matthew Murphy

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