Peter Filichia and Friends: Broadway Tales and Tunes

Post author:Jacqueline Parker
Post published: March 12, 2026
Reading time:4 mins read

Peter Filichia and Friends

Broadway Tales and Tunes

54 Below, NYC, March 2, 2026

Reviewed by Jacqueline Parker

Photos by James Gavin

Critic, playwright, author, and beloved Broadway historian Peter Filichia took to the stage at 54 Below to introduced a group of his favorite performers and seemed to be channeling—and even rivaling—Bob Hope in his masterful and smooth role as host. Filichia is arguably the most intelligent and forthcoming cornucopia of information about Broadway that has ever strolled along the Great White Way. Every minute of his witty and informative banter was interesting as well as hilarious.

His partner in this adventure was Michael Lavine, who was music director and accompanist, and gave off the vibe of being godfather to those on stage. He kept the show moving with his sharp eye and piano virtuosity and was Filichia perfect partner for an evening like this.

Filichia greeted the assembled with “Welcome, Gentiles,” which he explained had to do with the Jewish holiday of Purim on that day that kept many at home celebrating with family and friends.

The show began when the husband-and-wife team of William Parry and Maureen Silliman who performed the title number from Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot and made it even more enchanting because the lyric mentions that winter “exits March the second on the dot.” Adam Grupper made Bock and Harnick’s “If I Were a Rich Man” his own with his gestures and emphatic expressions that made the familiar tune all the richer.

It was then time for a love song, and Dick Scanlan provided the Rodgers and Hammerstein ballad “So Far” from Allegro as well as a love story of his own.

The name Gerard Alessandrini calls to mind the favorite parodies he has written for the legendary Forbidden Broadway series. He outdid himself with his revised lyric for Kander and Ebb’s “Razzle Dazzle” by changing its lyrics “razzle dazzle them” to “star replacement them.” The new version was hilarious as expected, and his deep baritone voice combined with his natural delivery made the entire number a highlight of the show. An encore would have been most welcome.

Karen Akers, accompanied by pianist Alex Rybeck, reprised her number from Grand Hotel “What You Need” (Robert Wright/George Forrest/Maury Yeston). Filichia claimed he saw Grand Hotel 17 times; one could understand why after hearing Akers’s performance.

A surprise guest was Robert Creighton, familiar to Broadway audiences and most memorable to many for his portrayal of James Cagney in Off-Broadway’s Cagney. He snarled and mugged his way through “Durdle’s Confession” as a counterweight to Paul Adam Schaefer take on “Jasper’s Confession” (both from The Mystery of Edwin Drood by Rupert Holmes).

Another highlight was “My New York Life” by Steve Schalchlin as sung by Blake Lee Zolfo. It was refreshing to hear a song that spoke honestly and openly about moving to New York as a young person and dealing with the loneliness and financial hardships that often accompany such a leap. Schalchlin gently harmonized with Zolfo on the chorus and accompanied him on the piano.

Teaming Alessandrini with Christine Pedi created an avalanche of talent that could overwhelm an audience. Having them share the spotlight for one of Irving Berlin’s most notable counterpoint songs “You’re Just in Love” was the kind of performance that will be talked about for years. Alessandrini wrote some special lyrics for this segment as well, and Pedi channeled Ethel Merman beautifully. Both have powerful voices; throw in their superb acting chops and it’s a one-way ticket to cabaret heaven.

Pedi returned to do “Babette,” a humorous song from On the Twentieth Century (Cy Coleman/Betty Comden & Adolph Green), Neva Small paid homage to Bob Merrill with “A Girl with Too Much Heart” from The Prince of Grand Street, and Aeja Barrows offered “Deep in the Night” from Inner City (Helen Miller/Eve Merriam).

Throughout the evening, Filichia told brief tales of his adventures and mishaps along the Rialto, such as his being locked in the Minskoff Theatre. His ability to segue from Frank Sinatra to Kathleen Freeman to broken fingers is something I’ll never forget.

Tags: The Mystery of Edwin Drood, Adam Grupper, Jacqueline Parker, So Far, ASA, Allegro, American Songbook Association, Neva Small, Babette, On the Twentieth Century, The Prince of Grand Street, Rupert Holmes, If I Were a Rich Man, Peter Filichia, James Cagney, Bock and Harnick, Robert Creighton, Gerard Alessandrini, George Forrest, Blake Lee Zolfo, Kathleen Freeman, Eve Merriam, Helen Miller, Inner City, Deep in the Night, Aeja Barrows, A Girl with Too Much Heart, Bob Merril, Betty Comden & Adolph Green, Robert Wright, Steve Schalchli, My New York Life, Jasper’s Confession, Paul Adam Schaefer, Durdle’s Confession, Maureen Silliman, William Parry, Peter Filichia and Friends: Broadway Tales and Tunes, Frank Sinatra, Kander and Ebb, Ethel Merman, Lyricist, Rodgers and Hammerstein, American Songbook, Karen Akers, Alex Rybeck, Bob Hope, Forbidden Broadway, Cy Coleman, Irving Berlin, Broadway Musicals, Cabaret, Broadway, 54 Below, Cabaret Scenes, Maury Yeston, Christine Pedi, You’re Just in Love, Razzle Dazzle, Dick Scanlan, composer, Grand Hotel, Camelot, What You Need, Clubs, Michael Lavine, Lerner and Loewe, CD Reviews, Cabaret Reviews, CD, NYC, Great White Way

Jacqueline Parker

Like Ethel Merman, lifelong New Yorker Jacqueline Parker began her career as a stenographer. She spent more than two decades at the city's premier public agency, progressing through positions of increased responsibility after earning her BA in English from New York University (3.5 GPA/Dean’s List). She won national awards for her work in public relations and communication and had the privilege of working in the House of Commons for Stephen Ross, later Lord Ross of Newport. In the second half of her career, Jacqueline brought her innate organizational skills and creative talents to a variety of positions. While distinguishing herself in executive search, she also gave her talents to publishing, politics, writing, radio broadcasting and Delmonico's Restaurant. Most recently, she hosted Anything Goes! a radio show that paid homage to Cole Porter and by extension the world of Broadway musicals and the Great American Songbook. Other features of the show were New York living, classical music, books, restaurants, architecture and politics. This show highlighted the current Broadway scene, both in New York and around the country through performances and interviews with luminaries including Len Cariou, Charles Strouse, Laura Osnes, Steve Ross and Joan Copeland. Her pandemic project was immersion into the life, times and work of Alfred Hitchcock, about whom she has written a soon-to-be-published article. Jacqueline has been involved in a myriad of charitable causes, most notably the Walt Frazier Youth Foundation, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Sisters of Life, York Theatre, and the New Jersey Shakespeare Festival. She is a proud Founder of Hidden Water. Her greatest accomplishment is the parenting of her son, a lawyer specializing in mediation. She has many pretend grandchildren, nieces and nephews, on whom she dotes shamelessly, as well as a large circle of friends to whom she is devoted. Her interests in addition to theater and cabaret are cooking, entertaining, reading, and spending time on Queen Mary 2.