» This Week on Broadway for February 1, 2026: The Bookstore @ 59e59 BroadwayRadio

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02/1/26

James Marino,Michael Portantiere,Peter Filichia

This Week on Broadway for February 1, 2026: The Bookstore @ 59e59

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Peter Filichia, James Marino, and Michael Portantiere review Data @ The Lucille Lortel Theatre, New Jersey Repertory Company’s The Bookstore @ 59e59, Newsies @ Argyle Theatre, Philosophy Productions — Hans Litten: The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler @ Theatre Row, New York Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel at Radio City Music Hall, and Blackout Songs @ The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space.

Photo Caption: Arielle Goldman, Janet Zarish, Quentin Chisholm, and Ari Derambakhsh in THE BOOKSTORE Photo: Hunter Canning

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Panel:

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: Freedom from Shenandoah

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
BroadwayStars

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.

Sponsor:

Pre:

Jan Simpson’s Stagecraft: Matthew Libby on “Data” available for Patreon, later this week for the general public

In Review: ‘Harry Potter and the Cursed Child’ National Tour at the Dr. Phillips Center in Orlando

Reviews:

MP: Data @ The Lucille Lortel Theatre, through March 29, 2026
The new play, directed by Tyne Rafaeli (Weather Girl, Becoming Eve), stars Karan Brar (“Jessie”) reprising his role from the Arena Stage production, as Maneesh, as well as Brandon Flynn (“13 Reasons Why”) as Jonah, Sophia Lillis (“All Her Fault”) as Riley, and Justin H. Min (“The Umbrella Academy”) as Alex. Rishi Golani and Lexi Lapp join the company as understudies.

Peter reviewed Data last week

Photo Caption: Arielle Goldman, Janet Zarish, and Ari Derambakhsh in THE BOOKSTORE Photo: Hunter Canning

PF: New Jersey Repertory Company’s The Bookstore @ 59e59, through February 15, 2026
By Michael Walek
Directed by William Carden

With Quentin Chisholm, Ari Derambakhsh, Arielle Goldman, and Janet Zarish

“When God closes a door, she opens a bookstore.”

Indie bookstore owner Carey has a special gift for recommending the perfect book.

While trying to survive in New York City, she has created a found family of coworkers who unite over their passion for literature – and a glass of wine. This band of misfits turn the pages of their lives and learn to navigate the plot twists that are thrown their way.

A love letter to small bookstores and the bibliophiles who make them a home.

NJRep Website

New Jersey Repertory Company
NJ Rep’s mission is to develop and produce new plays and to make a lasting contribution to the American Stage, and to act as a catalyst for the revitalization and redevelopment of our community.

MP: Newsies @ Argyle Theatre, through March 22, 2026

Seizing the day in spectacular fashion, Long Island’s largest year-round professional theatrical venue The Argyle Theatre (Mark and Dylan Perlman, Executive Producers & Managing Partners; Evan Pappas, Artistic Director) is thrilled to announce the stars of their upcoming production of Disney’s Newsies, directed by Tommy Ranieri, choreographed by Trent Soyster, with musical direction by Jonathan Brenner. Performances begin Thursday, January 29, 2026, and run through March 22, 2026.

Joining the previously announced cast of Mason Ballard (Regional: Bonnie & Clyde) as Jack Kelly, Cara Rose DiPietro (Regional: Little Shop of Horrors) as Katherine Plumber, Keyon Pickett ( Hallmarks’s “A Christmas Love Story”) as Davey, Jeremy DerMovsesian (Regional: Saturday Night Fever) as Crutchie, Arielle Faye Beane (Argyle’s Mary Poppins) as Medda Larkin, and Andrew Foote (National Tour: Jekyll & Hyde) as Joseph Pulitzer are Sean Joseph Condenzio, Shea Curran (Regional: MEMPHIS), Kevin Dennis (Broadway: Paradise Square Argyle’s Rock of Ages), Mikey LoBalsamo (Regional: Murder on the Orient Express), Chris Donovan (Regional: Come From Away Argyle’s Music Man), Michael Di Leo (Regional: La Cage aux Folles), Sam O’Neill (Regional: Rock of Ages), Leroy Thompson, Immanuel Amalio Rodriguez (Regional: Gypsy), Garrison Hunt (Regional: Come From Away Argyle’s Music Man), Cole Hong Sisser (Regional: Jagged Little Pill ), Maclain Rhine (Regional: Grease), Errol Service Jr. (Regional: Pretty Woman), Ryan Wong (Regional: The King and I), Carson P. Zoch (National Tour: Shrek the Musical), Noah Lytle (National Tour: The Addams Family), Ryan Schaefer (NYC: Bodas de Blood), Jillian Reef (Regional: Young Frankenstein), Zoë Lewis-McLean (Regional: Waitress) with Swings: Rhagan Carter (Regional: White Christmas), Jacob Lill (Regional: On the Town), Nathaniel Dickson (Film: Dear Dad)

Set in turn-of-the-century New York City, Newsies is the rousing tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenage “newsies.” When powerful publishing titans raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right.

Based on the 1992 Disney film and inspired by a true story, Newsies features a Tony Award-winning score by Alan Menken (Little Shop of Horrors, Sister Act), lyrics by Jack Feldman, and a book by Tony Award winner Harvey Fierstein (Kinky Boots). Featuring beloved songs such as “Carrying the Banner,” “Seize the Day,” and “Santa Fe,” Newsies is packed with non-stop thrills, breathtaking choreography, and a powerful, uplifting message—making it the perfect show for audiences of all ages.

“This cast is stacked with powerhouse performers and fearless storytellers,” said Evan Pappas, Artistic Director of The Argyle Theatre. “Together, they embody the passion, grit, and sense of community that makes Newsies such an enduring and exhilarating theatrical experience.”

The creative team includes Tommy Ranieri (Director), Trent Soyster (Choreographer), Jonathan Brenner (Musical Director), Christian Fleming (Scenic Design), Cameron Filepas (Lighting Design), Amanda Scanze (Costume Design), Kimberly S. O’Loughlin (Sound Design), Holly Romero (Hair/Wig/Makeup Design), Callie Hester (Props Design), and Russ Brown (Music Coordinator). The production team includes Daniel Vaughn (Production Stage Manager), Gabrielle P. Guagenti (Assistant Stage Manager), and Pat Downes (Technical Director). Casting Director is Michael Cassara, CSA.

Up next: The Prince of Egypt April 16 – June 7, 2026

PF: Philosophy Productions — Hans Litten: The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler @ Theatre Row, through February 22, 2026

Based on a remarkable true story, Hans Litten centers on the brilliant young Jewish lawyer who, in 1931, did the seemingly impossible: he called Adolf Hitler to the witness stand and publicly exposed the future dictator’s embrace of political violence—two years before Hitler rose to power. It remains one of the most audacious legal confrontations of the 20th century.

The play moves from the charged atmosphere of Berlin courtrooms to the brutal reality of Nazi concentration camps, tracing Litten’s unwavering commitment to justice, reason, and human dignity. Refusing to remain silent in the face of rising authoritarianism, Litten risks—and ultimately sacrifices—his life for the rule of law.

At once intellectually thrilling and emotionally devastating, Hans Litten: The Jew Who Cross-Examined Hitler is a powerful reminder of how fragile democracy can be, and how profound the impact of individual moral courage remains. As questions of justice, truth, and authoritarianism reverberate across the modern world, Litten’s story feels not only urgent—but essential.

MP: New York Philharmonic and Gustavo Dudamel at Radio City Music Hall, Tuesday, January 27, 2026

Due to the winter storm, this performance has been rescheduled to Tuesday, January 27, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Current ticketholders’ tickets will be valid for the rescheduled performance and no action is required. For further inquiries, current attendees may call 1-800-653-800 for assistance.

For the first time, the New York Philharmonic will perform live at Radio City Music Hall, the first concert to utilize the iconic venue’s groundbreaking new audio system — Sphere Immersive Sound. Gustavo Dudamel — Oscar L. Tang and H.M. Agnes Hsu-Tang Music & Artistic Director Designate — will conduct wide-ranging works including Gershwin’s An American in Paris, a waltz from Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Strauss’s Blue Danube, the Overture from Bernstein’s Wonderful Town, and Jessie Montgomery’s Strum.

MP: Blackout Songs @ The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, through February 28, 2026

The U.S. premiere of Olivier-nominated play Blackout Songs, which introduces American audiences to two-time Olivier-nominated writer Joe White. Running Jan 15 – Feb 28, with an opening set for Jan 27, Blackout Songs also marks the American stage debut of Abbey Lee (Mad Max: Fury Road, Netflix’s Black Rabbit) and the New York stage debut of Owen Teague (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, Eileen) who star in this unflinching study of love, addiction, and memory. Directed by Rory McGregor (The Wasp, Tender Napalm), this strictly limited 6-week engagement runs at The Susan & Ronald Frankel Theater in The Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space (511 W 52nd St).

Blackout Songs is an achingly intimate portrait of two people in love, addicted, and bound to each other. After a chance encounter at an AA meeting, a decade-long affair blazes through ecstasy, relapse, and recovery – chasing the impossible hope that the same person who breaks you might also be the one that saves you.

Blackout Songs is the most recent production of Regular People whose accomplishments include the New York Times critic’s pick production of Bubba Weiler’s Well, I’ll Let You Go and the two-time Drama Desk Award-winning production of Ken Urban’s Danger and Opportunity.

News:

Apr 26, 2026: 2025-2026 Tony Awards Eligibility Cut-Off
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off
Apr 29, 2026: Drama Desk Nominations
May 05, 2026: 2025-2026 Tony Awards Nominations Announced
May 17, 2026: The 70th Drama Desk Awards – The Town Hall
June 02, 2026 (Tuesday afternoon) The Theatre World Awards
Jun 07, 2026: 79th Annual Tony Awards – Radio City Music Hall

Tony Awards Schedule and Venue

Drama Desk Schedule and Venue

From All That Chat — Liberation @ James Earl Jones Theatre house management unable to get ticket holders into seats before curtain

Melania: The Musical not far behind the movie?

Future Episodes:

Peter’s Brainteaser:

On November 7, 2025, the result of a game in the National Hockey League could be said to somewhat describe – somewhat describe — what happened in a very famous Tony-losing Broadway musical.

What was it?

Michael’s Musical Moments

Music Opener: Wonderful Town overture, conducted by Lehman Engel