BroadwayRadio — Last Week on Broadway: Monday, Feb. 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Matt Tamminini runs through the latest news and updates from Broadway, Off-Broadway, and London, providing detailed casting announcements, production updates, Tony Awards eligibility decisions, and a comprehensive look at the theatrical schedule for New York City. The episode is shaped by a significant snowstorm affecting performances and features several notable castings, new show announcements, and industry insights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Broadway Cancellations Due to Snowstorm

• Time: 00:16–03:30
• All Broadway shows canceled Sunday evening performances due to a major snowstorm expected to drop 1–2 feet of snow in NYC and surrounding areas.
• Shows canceled include: Andrew Liet, All Out, Book of Mormon, Chicago, Oh Mary, Stranger Things: The First Shadow, Wicked, and Operation Mincemeat.
• Memorable Moment: “It’s a little disappointing for Operation Mincemeat because this was to be the final performance of the original Broadway cast—that will not happen.” (Matt Tamminini, 01:20)
• The Operation Mincemeat cast improvised with a streamed concert from Laurie Beechman Theater, turning the canceled evening into a celebratory digital event for fans.

Major Casting Announcements

Titanique on Broadway

• Time: 03:31–06:08
• Melissa Barrera (In the Heights, Scream) makes her Broadway debut as Rose.
  • Quote: "I don't think Melissa Barrera is a big enough star to really move the needle for this show... I like Melissa Barrera, I'm not sure she is really going to sell many tickets on her own, but hopefully the show does all of the heavy lifting." (Matt Tamminini, 06:00)
• John Riddle returns as Cal; Leighton Williams reprises his Olivier-winning role as the Iceberg.
• Other returning cast: Marla Mendel, Constantine Rousouli, Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande.
• Interesting casting rumors (not realized): Matthew Morrison (now in Just In Time), Anna Kendrick.

Death of a Salesman Revival

• Time: 06:09–08:22
• Star-studded cast led by Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf.
• Extended run through August 9th.
• Notable ensemble: Joaquin Consuelos (son of Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos).
  • Quote: "As somebody who literally has been watching his parents on screen for most of my life, I feel very, very, very old reporting that he is going to be on Broadway now." (Matt Tamminini, 07:57)

Tony Awards Eligibility Rulings

• Time: 10:25–13:30
• Tony Administration Committee released eligibility decisions for five shows:
  • Bug and Marjorie Prime: Considered Best Revival of a Play (though never appeared on Broadway before).
    • Authors Tracy Letts and Jordan Harrison are eligible for Tonys as their plays are in revival category for their theatrical canon status.
  • Chess: Danny Strong eligible for Best Book (having written a new book for this revival).
  • Oedipus: Best Revival of a Play. Recent translator/director Robert Icke, not Sophocles, eligible for a Tony if the show wins.
  • Casting/performer eligibility confirmed for lead categories, including Carrie Coon, Namir Smallwood (Bug); Christiani Pitts, Sam Tutty (Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York).

Off-Broadway and UK Announcements

Second Stage’s "The Receptionist"

• Time: 13:31–14:19
• Cast: Katie Finneran, Mallory Johnson, Nael Nacer, Will Poulin.
• Directed by Sarah Benson, opens April 15th.

The Public Theater’s “Seagull, Cole and True Story”

• Time: 14:20–14:57
• Cast includes Gus Birney, Andrei Burkovsky, Ohad Mazur, and more.
• Described as a “semi-autobiographical piece” inspired by director Molochenkoff’s experience with Chekhov’s The Seagull.

"The Office! A Musical Parody"

• Time: 14:58–15:24
• Will close its 7-year run at the Jerry Orbach Theater on March 21st.

"Game of Thrones: The Mad King"

• Time: 15:25–17:07
• New play premiering at Royal Shakespeare Company, Stratford-upon-Avon, summer 2026.
• Set 15 years before the show, focusing on young Ned Stark, his sister, Jaime Lannister, Robert Baratheon.
• Written by Duncan Macmillan, directed by Dominic Cook.
  • Quote: “Grace Aki has often talked about how theater is the next area of expansion for these mega franchises... Don’t be surprised if this continues to happen with more and more things that we are used to thinking of as exclusively on screen properties.” (Matt Tamminini, 16:50)

Detailed Theatrical Schedule (All Off-Broadway Focus This Week)

• Time: 19:50–22:33

Monday

• "You Got Older" (Cherry Lane Theater) opens — starring Alia Shawkat and ensemble.

Tuesday

• "Mother Russia" (Signature Theater; Lauren Yee, Teddy Bergman, closing March 15th).
• "Night Butterflies" (Written by Jake Brash, directed by Shelley Butler, starry cast, plays through March 15th).
• "Bug House" (Vineyard Theatre, world premiere, directed by Martha Clarke, script by Beth Henley, about outsider artist Henry Darger, plays through March 29th).

Wednesday

• "Meat Suit or the Shit Show of Motherhood" (Pershing Square Signature Center, Second Stage).
• "My Joy is Heavy" (NY Theatre Workshop, new musical by the Banksons, directed by Rachel Chavkin, through April 5th).

Thursday

• "Chinese Republicans" (Alex Lin, Chay Yu; runs through April 5th).
• "Antigone (this play I read in high school)" (Public Theater, reimagined by Anna Ziegler, cast features Tony Shalhoub, Celia Keenan-Bolger, plays through March 29th).

Saturday

• "Blackout Songs" closes at MCC.

Sunday

• "Bigfoot" (NYC Center, Manhattan Theater Club, new musical with lyrics by Amber Ruffin, directed/choreographed by Danny Meffert, cast includes Gray Henson, Jade Jones, Alex Moffat, Jason Tam).
• Elevator Repair Service’s "Ulysses" closes at the Public Theater.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You want everyone to be safe and you’re glad that all of the producers made the decision not to push things, but obviously disappointing for that incredible original cast and all of the fans that wanted to see that final performance.” (Matt Tamminini, 01:58)
• “As Grace has told us, don’t be surprised if this continues to happen with more and more things that we are used to thinking of as exclusively on-screen properties.” (Matt Tamminini, 16:50)
• "This show does come with a warning. Motherhood is not for the faint of heart and neither is this play.” (Matt Tamminini, 21:15)

Additional Insights

• The episode underscores a transitional week with Broadway largely shut down due to weather and spring previews on the horizon.
• Strong Off-Broadway presence with a wide stylistic range: from Chekhov-inspired works to world premieres about outsider artists to musicals exploring grief and motherhood.
• Commentary on the increasing trend of adapting major franchises for the stage (“Game of Thrones,” “Stranger Things,” “Harry Potter,” and “Hunger Games”).
• Reflective tone: The host often embeds personal reactions and industry analysis, such as the commercial challenges facing Titanique and skepticism about star power in Broadway casting.

Episode Flow & Tone

• The tone is conversational, informative, and lightly humorous, characteristic of industry insiders speaking directly to theater enthusiasts.
• The summary omits sponsored content, focusing purely on theatrical news, trends, and detailed schedules.

For more BroadwayRadio content, listeners are encouraged to follow the show on Patreon and consult show notes for further details and archived streams (e.g., Operation Mincemeat's final-cast concert).