BroadwayRadio – Last Week on Broadway: Monday, Feb. 9, 2026
Host: Matt Tamanini

Episode Overview

This episode covers major Broadway and Off-Broadway news for the week of February 9, 2026. Highlights include a star-studded anniversary concert, major casting announcements, briefing on new and extended shows, plus a guide to upcoming theatrical openings and closings. Matt delivers lively, opinionated commentary, keeping listeners at the pulse of New York theater.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Concert Event: The Last Five Years 25th Anniversary

• Announcement: Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler to headline a concert staging of Jason Robert Brown's The Last Five Years at iconic venues: Radio City Music Hall, the Hollywood Bowl, and the London Palladium. (00:55)
• Dates: US performances in April 2026—April 3 (Hollywood Bowl), April 6 & 7 (Radio City).
• Director/Conductor: Jason Robert Brown himself.
• Casting Dynamics: Matt notes the surprising pairing, given Zegler’s fraught history with the Platt family over public controversies. (02:05)
• Critical Take: Matt is especially excited for a concert version, as opposed to a traditional staging:

  “If we're doing a concert of this show, these two are going to sing it incredibly well. … Sounds great. Do it and do an album.” (04:05)

2. Broadway Casting News

a. The Ballisters (David Lindsay-Abaire) at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre

• Change: Anika Noni Rose replaces Renée Elise Goldsberry, who had to withdraw due to a “scheduling conflict.” (05:35)
• Commentary:

  “We don’t get to see Anika Noni Rose nearly enough. … So the more Anika Noni Rose the better.” (06:20)

b. Becky Shaw at the Helen Hayes Theater

• Casting Update: Madeline Brewer (as Becky Shaw) and Tony-winner Lauren Patten (as Susanna) join the cast. (07:05)
• Other Casting: Patrick Ball, Alden Ehrenreich, Linda Ahmad.

c. Dog Day Afternoon Adaptation

• New Cast Members: Michael Kostroff, Elizabeth Canavan, Esteban Andres Cruz, Danny Johnson, and others join leads Jon Bernthal and Eben Moss-Bachrach. (08:05)
• Note: Many cast members have previously worked on Stephen Adly Guirgis plays.

d. & Juliet

• Notable Addition: Olympic gold medalist Laurie Hernandez joins the ensemble in a featured dance role (Charmian). (09:10)
• Background: Hernandez majored in theater after gymnastics; this marks her Broadway debut at 25.

  “She is delightful … wouldn’t be surprised if she ended up doing this a lot longer.” (10:44)

3. Off-Broadway & Extended Runs

a. Little Shop of Horrors at the Westside Theatre

• New Cast Members: Jordan Fisher (Seymour, from March 6), Nikki M. James (Audrey), Andy Karl (Dr. Orin, from March 10). (11:28)
• Outgoing: Joshua Bassett, Joy Woods, and Andrew Durand conclude their runs in early March.

b. 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at New World Stages

• Extension: Now running through September 6, 2026. (13:45)
• Personal Note: Matt is excited to see it later this spring.

c. Heated Rivalry Unauthorized Musical Parody

• Staged Reading: Sold-out performances expanded to The Laurie Beechman Theater (March 14–18) and The Bell House (March 23–24). (14:50)
• Cast Highlights: Jay Armstrong Johnson (Ilya), Zachary Noah Piser (Shane), Ryan Redmond, Shereen Pimentel, and Ryan Duncan.

d. Off Broadway Week (Feb 16–Mar 12)

• Description: Two-for-one ticket deals at numerous shows. (16:19)
• Notable Participants: 11 to Midnight, Bigfoot, Burnout Paradise, Heather's, Gazillion Bubble Show, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Perfect Crime, Singfeld, and others.
• “If you want more information on all of that, links will be in the show notes.” (17:45)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On The Last Five Years reunion drama:

  “Rachel Zegler has a fairly tumultuous history with the Platt family...it just was kind of ugly. So this is a very interesting thing to have Rachel and Ben performing this show together.” (02:18)

• On theater star Anika Noni Rose:

  “One of the best performances that I’ve ever seen was her doing Carmen Jones at Classic Stage Company and I will never forget that show.” (06:12)

• On Laurie Hernandez:

  “They start so young in gymnastics. But after she finished her gymnastics career, she went to school to be a theater major. … She is currently scheduled to play the part for just about three months. But…would not be surprised if she ended up doing this for a lot longer.” (09:20–10:44)

Episode Timeline with Timestamps

• 00:01–04:53 — Opening and The Last Five Years concert announcement
• 04:54–07:04 — The Ballisters & Anika Noni Rose joins
• 07:05–08:05 — Becky Shaw new casting
• 08:06–09:09 — Dog Day Afternoon full cast announced
• 09:10–10:44 — Laurie Hernandez joins & Juliet
• 11:28–12:46 — Little Shop of Horrors new cast (Jordan Fisher, Nikki M. James, Andy Karl)
• 13:45–14:32 — Putnam County Spelling Bee extended
• 14:50–15:42 — Heated Rivalry parody reading, additional dates
• 16:19–17:45 — Off-Broadway Week shows list
• 17:46–27:40 — Upcoming openings and closings:
  • 11 to Midnight at the Orpheum (Opening Feb 11)
  • The Monsters at City Center Manhattan Theatre Club (Opening Feb 11)
  • Bigfoot musical at Manhattan Theatre Club (Opening Feb 11)
  • Meat Suit or the Shit Show of Motherhood at Second Stage (Opening Feb 11)
  • The Unknown (Sean Hayes) Off-Broadway (Opening Feb 12)
  • You Got Older (Alyah Shawkat) Off-Broadway (Opening Feb 12)
  • Blood Love musical at Theater555 (Opening Feb 13)
  • Nightside Songs at Lincoln Center (Opening Feb 14)
  • Tragedy of Coriolanus at Theater for a New Audience, Brooklyn (Opening Feb 14)
  • The Waterfall at WP Theater (Opening Feb 15)
  • Broadway and Off-Broadway closings on Feb 15: Marjorie Prime, High Spirits, Honeytrap, Watch Me Walk
• 27:41–end — Closing remarks

Tone & Additional Notes

Matt’s delivery is candid and passionate, mixing pop culture asides and personal Broadway anecdotes. He particularly relishes surprising pairings, emerging talent, casting shakeups, and the diversity of the New York theater scene. Matt openly admits personal favorites (Anika Noni Rose, Nikki M. James) while expressing playful skepticism towards productions or casting choices that don’t resonate for him.

Conclusion

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking for a comprehensive, conversational roundup of the latest Broadway and Off-Broadway news, full of spirited opinions, insider tidbits, and practical, up-to-date details on what’s happening in NYC theater week-by-week.