Last Week on Broadway: Monday, April 13, 2026 – Episode Summary

Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Host: Matt Tamanini
Date: April 13, 2026

Episode Overview

This solo episode with Matt Tamanini dives into the latest news, reviews, and scheduling updates from Broadway and Off-Broadway, rounding up a jam-packed week in New York City theater. Major focuses include a detailed critical roundup of the star-studded Broadway revival of Death of a Salesman, big casting news for upcoming productions, Tony Awards hosting surprises and eligibility determinations, Olivier Awards highlights, and a walk through the openings, closings, and extensions on and Off Broadway for the week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Death of a Salesman Revival — Reviews and Reactions

[00:01 – 08:45]

• The much-anticipated revival of Death of a Salesman opened at the Winter Garden Theater, directed by Joe Mantello, with Nathan Lane as Willy Loman and Laurie Metcalfe as Linda Loman.
  • This production marks producer Scott Rudin’s second return to Broadway following his ostracization due to bullying and abuse allegations.
• The cast also features Christopher Abbott, Ben Ehlers, K. Todd Freeman, John Drea, Joaquin Consuelo’s Car, Tasha Lawrence, and others.
• The play’s plot centers on a traveling salesman and his family struggling under the weight of the American Dream’s delusions and pressures.

Critical Reception:

• Out of 16 reviews collected by aggregator "Did They Like It?": 13 positive, 1 mixed, 2 negative
• Notable critic highlights:
  • Helen Shaw (NY Times):
    "Mantello has leaned into the play's sense of abstraction... a beautiful, atmospheric production full of exquisitely calibrated performances." [02:20]
  • Sarah Holdren (Vulture):
    "A worthwhile revival will always give you the feeling even more significant than re-seeing an astonishing play of truly hearing it. And that’s what happens here again and again as Lane moved with desperate, waning vitality..." [03:00]
    • Memorable moment: Lane's delivery of “Once in my lifetime I would like to own something outright before it’s broken” was especially noted.
  • Greg Evans (Deadline):
    "Lane takes his place among the best, his Willy Loman a powder keg of frustration and disappointment and deep, deep sadness… Lane uses his loud outside voice to excellent effect..." [04:10]
  • Joey Sims (Theaterly, Mixed):
    "This salesman tries to be a few too many things, and the intended emotional clarity proves just out of its reach." [05:05]
  • David Rooney (Hollywood Reporter):
    "Down to the smallest roles, this production is astutely cast, and its arresting design elements add a suitably shabby grandeur..." [05:35]
  • Naveen Kumar (Variety, Negative):
    "Nathan Lane is undoubtedly gifted and capable in the part… but buying him as an end-of-his-rope everyman taxes the imagination." [06:20]
  • Johnny Oleksinski (NY Post):
    "That was the best Death of a Salesman I have ever seen." [07:05]
• For a full review roundup, Matt will link to the aggregator page in show notes.

2. Breaking News: Broadway Upcoming and Tony Awards Update

Rosamund Pike's Broadway Debut in "Inter Alia"

[08:55 – 11:00]

• Rosamund Pike will star in Susie Miller’s Inter Alia, a one-woman legal drama, opening this fall at the Music Box Theater.
  • Directed by Justin Miller, following the creative team from London’s acclaimed Prima Facie.
  • Explores themes of motherhood, modern masculinity, and family.
  • Matt notes positive early word-of-mouth and personal excitement for Pike’s Broadway debut.

Tony Awards 2026: Host & Eligibility Rulings

[11:05 – 13:50]

• Grammy-winning pop icon Pink will host the Tony Awards on June 7, 2026.

  • Interesting because Pink has not formally appeared in a Broadway show, although her song "Your Effing Perfect" is in & Juliet.
  • Pink started hosting the Kelly Clarkson Show, her daughter is a huge Broadway fan, and she’s often been present in the Broadway community.
  • Matt speculates that, despite tradition, the Tonys wanted a bigger name this year.

• Recent Tony Administrators’ Rulings:

  • Every Brilliant Thing (Broadway debut this season) will be considered a revival due to its established Off-Broadway and regional theatre history.
  • Playwrights Johnny Donahoe and Duncan Macmillan are still Tony-eligible despite the revival classification.
  • At Dog Day Afternoon, Epinmas Bacharach will be considered featured actor despite being above the title on Playbill.

3. Olivier Awards 2026: Major Winners & Broadway Implications

[14:00 – 17:10]

• Key winners and crossover news:
  • Best New Musical: Paddington
  • Best Musical Revival: Into the Woods
  • Best New Play: Punch (already been on Broadway)
  • Best Revival of a Play: All My Sons
  • Best New Entertainment/Comedy Play: Oh Mary
  • Best Actress: Rosamund Pike (Inter Alia)
  • Best Actor: Jack Holden (Ken Rex; opening Off-Broadway soon)
  • Best Actor/Musical: James Hamid and Artie Shaw (Paddington)
  • Best Actress/Musical: Rachel Zegler (Evita)
• Noteworthy Broadway connections: Many Olivier winners will either transfer to, have already been on, or are slated to open on Broadway next season.
• Matt highlights the continuing trans-Atlantic flow of award-winning theater.
  • All My Sons starred Bryan Cranston; producer Oliver Roth is now an Olivier winner.

4. Broadway Shows & Casting Updates

[17:15 – 23:05]

Moulin Rouge! Extension

• The show at Al Hirschfeld Theater extends five weeks, with the new closing date of August 30.
  • Megan Thee Stallion’s run ends May 17 (due to illness); Eric Anderson returns May 19.

Six on Broadway

• Dylan Mulvaney concludes her run as Anne Boleyn on May 31.
• Kirsten Maldonado (Pentatonix, Kinky Boots) will assume the role starting June 1.

5. Off-Broadway News: Extensions & New Casts

[23:10 – 25:30]

• Claire Barron’s You Got Older extends at Cherry Lane Theater through May 3.
• True starring Jesse Tyler Ferguson extended Off-Broadway through May 10.
• Ulster American with Matthew Broderick extends at Irish Repertory Theater through May 24.

6. West End & London Theater Highlights

[25:35 – 26:25]

• Cabaret (London):
  • Jamie Moscato (Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby) and Joy Woods are the new MC and Sally Bowles, starting May 24.

7. This Week’s Theatrical Openings, Closings, and Highlights

(With Timestamps for Key Events)

Tuesday, April 14

• The Adding Machine at Theater at St. Clement’s – Sarita Chaudhry, Michael Searle Creighton, Daphne Rubin Vega, Jennifer Tilly [27:00]
  • Extended through May 17
• Rheology at Playwrights Horizons [27:55]
  • Written and directed by Shayok Misha Chaudhry, collab with physicist Bulbul Chakraborty (his mother)
  • Explores science, parent/child relationships, the mystery of sand
• What Happened Was at Minetta Lane Theater [28:55]
  • Starring Corey Stoll, Cecily Strong, running through June 14
  • "Two coworkers meet for a first date... small talk unravels into an achingly tender chamber piece."
• Kimberly Akimbo National Tour begins at Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando [29:35]
  • Stars Ann Morrison

Wednesday, April 15

• The Fear of 13 by Lindsey Ferrentino at James Earl Jones Theater [30:30]
  • With Adrien Brody, Tessa Thompson, Eddie Cooper, Ebony Flowers, Ephraim Sykes
  • Matt will cover reviews as they are released
• Ken Rex at Lucille Lortel Theater (Off-Broadway) [31:10]
  • True crime thriller by Jack Holden and Ed Stamboulian, music by John Patrick Elliot
  • On sale through June 27
• The Receptionist by Adam Bock at Second Stage [32:00]
  • Jet black comedy about bureaucracy
  • Stars Katie Finneran, Will Polin, Nael Nacer

Thursday

• Proof (revival) at Booth Theater [32:50]
  • Directed by Tommy Kail
  • Cast: Don Cheadle, Io Adebri, Jin Ha, Kara Young
• Matt will provide review roundups pending review timing.

Sunday

• Fallen Angels (Noel Coward) at Todd Haimes Theater—revival [33:40]
  • Directed by Scott Ellis
  • Cast includes Rose Byrne, Kelli O’Hara, Tracy Chimo, Christopher Fitzgerald, Asif Monvi, Mark Consuelos
• Hamlet at Brooklyn Academy of Music [34:15]
  • National Theatre, directed by Robert Hasty, through May 17
• Othello (Bedlam) opens Off-Broadway

Closings

• Heartbreak Hotel Off-Broadway at Dr. 2
  • Matt interviewed two stars in a recent episode
• How My Grandparents Fell in Love musical closes at 59 East 59th

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Sarah Holdren (Vulture):
  “A worthwhile revival will always give you the feeling even more significant than re-seeing an astonishing play of truly hearing it. And that’s what happens here again and again as Lane moved with desperate, waning vitality from home to office to an almost unbearably painful dinner.” [03:00]
• Greg Evans (Deadline):
  “Lane takes his place among the best, his Willy Loman a powder keg of frustration and disappointment and deep, deep sadness.” [04:10]
• Matt Tamanini on Pink as Tony Host:
  “To be a host of the Tony Awards you have to have appeared on Broadway before… [but] it just feels to me like they needed a star and… they decided to go for an even bigger name and Pink will host the Tonys when it comes to us from Radio City Music Hall…” [12:20]
• Johnny Oleksinski (NY Post) closing review on Death of a Salesman:
  “That was the best Death of a Salesman I have ever seen.” [07:05]

Episode Flow & Tone

Matt Tamanini maintains an engaging, authoritative, and friendly conversational tone throughout the episode, blending critical analysis with personal excitement and insider context. He efficiently moves between high-level overviews and detailed breakdowns, providing both quick news bites and in-depth commentary for major stories and critical reviews.

Resource Links Included

Matt references show notes and links for full review roundups, Olivier Award lists, and show information for those who want more detail on discussed topics.

For Further Updates

Follow BroadwayRadio and check their Patreon for exclusive content and deeper dives into NYC theater news.