Podcast Summary: Last Week on Broadway – Monday, Jan. 12, 2026

Host: Matt Tamminini (BroadwayRadio)
Air Date: January 12, 2026
Podcast: BroadwayRadio – Last Week on Broadway

Episode Overview

This episode of "Last Week on Broadway" provides a comprehensive roundup of recent developments on Broadway, spotlighting new casting announcements, upcoming show schedules, Off-Broadway premieres, and unique revivals. Host Matt Tamminini shares insights, behind-the-scenes context, and personal commentary on trending theater news for the week of January 12, 2026.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Casting Announcements for Titanique at the St. James Theater

(Starting ~00:32)

• Second Round of Casting Revealed:

  • Marla Mandel reprises her Off-Broadway role as Dion.
  • Constantine Rossulli returns as Jack, which he originated Off-Broadway.
  • Frankie Grande, an original cast member, returns in a comedic meta-turn as "Victor Garber" (an in-joke, since Victor Garber played Titanic’s architect in the movie).

• Notable Additions:

  • Deborah Cox joins as the "unsinkable Molly Brown."
  • The "biggest star": Jim Parsons as Rose’s mother, Ruth.
    • Matt describes this as "very interesting casting," referencing last week's hint about Parsons with a "bazinga reference" ([02:30]).

• Implications of Star Casting:

  • Large St. James Theater needs big names to succeed:

    "The only way that would really have a shot is if it brought in stars to round out this cast." (Matt, [03:02])

  • Cautiously optimistic about box office potential but notes even starry recent plays (e.g., Parsons in Our Town) had underwhelming sales.

• Rumors and Upcoming Announcements:

  • Hints at additional major casting announcements in coming weeks, including:
    • A mysterious "Mr. Shu" likely to play Cal, not Jack.
    • An Oscar and Tony nominee with a history of movie musicals may return to Broadway after 27 years.

• Concerns About the Transfer:

  • Matt expresses skepticism:

    "I'm hoping for the best for Titanique... but concerned it's a little too small for the St. James and it ran so long off Broadway that it won't have the same pull for New York audiences." (Matt, [04:35])

  • Comparing Titanique’s transfer to Oh, Mary!—a show that had a short Off-Broadway run before transferring, unlike Titanique’s long engagement.

• Run Dates:

  • Previews begin March 26th at St. James Theater for a 16-week limited engagement through July 12th, with the possibility of extension if the show is a hit.

2. The Fantasticks: A New Broadway Adaptation

(~06:25)

• First Broadway Premiere for a Legendary Show:

  "The longest running musical in history, The Fantasticks, is looking to make its Broadway premiere." (Matt)

• Reimagined Version:

  • Directed/choreographed by Christopher Gattelli, produced by Daryl Roth (among others).
  • New take: The young lovers are now Matt and Lewis (not Louisa); narrative retold through a gay lens.
  • The parents, formerly fathers, are now mothers.
  • Original writers Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt completed new lyrics/book before Jones’ 2023 death.
  • Previous out-of-town runs: Flint, MI (2022), Provincetown, CA’s Coachella Valley Rep.

• Personal Reflections:

  • Matt loves The Fantasticks, but cautiously comments:

    "I'm, you know, always concerned about drastic rewrites of shows." ([07:50])

    • Approves when context shifts (as in Company), wary of full-scale overhauls.

  • Nostalgic share:

    "Saw the Off Broadway production, my very first ever trip to New York City and have loved it ever since." ([08:30])

• Production Timeline:

  • No set Broadway date yet, but expect more casting/creative news in coming months; likely aiming for 2026–2027.

3. Operation Mincemeat: Original Cast Extension & Departure

(~09:05)

• Extension & Upcoming Departures:

  • The original cast extends their run by one extra week, now leaving February 22.
  • No replacements named yet; speculation on whether standbys, UK stars, or Broadway veterans will step in.

• Show Longevity and Achievements:

  • Has been running since last season at the Golden Theatre, with five extensions—tickets on sale until April 26th.

• Superfan Culture:

  • Reference to NYT Magazine feature:

    "Why on earth have I seen the same Broadway show 13 times: an investigation."

    • Taffy Brodesser-Akner covers fandom surrounding Operation Mincemeat ([10:24]).

4. Bug (by Tracy Letts) – Off-Broadway Run Extended

(~11:00)

• Recent Reviews and Conversation:
  • Starring Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater.
  • Run extended by two weeks; now closing February 22 (had been scheduled to close February 8).
  • Possible squeeze for another week's extension depending on theater load-in for The Ballisters.

5. New Off-Broadway World Premiere: Spare Parts

(~12:00)

• Production Details:

  • Written by David J. Glass, directed by Michael Hurwitz.
  • World premiere at Theater Row; runs Feb. 26–Apr. 10.

• Cast Highlights:

  • Headliner: Rob McClure (two-time Tony nominee, BroadwayRadio guest).
  • Also features Michael Ginnett, Matt Walker (more casting TBA).

• Show Themes:

  • Set amid radical aging research funded by a billionaire’s quest for eternal life.
  • Explores "blurred lines between science, identity, and morality." ([13:05])

6. This Week’s Theatrical Schedule: Key Events

(~13:25)

• Tuesday, Jan. 13:

  • Ulysses (Elevator Repair Company) at The Public Theater.
    • Notably moderate run time (2h 45min).
    • Matt: “This is actually a fairly normal runtime…” ([13:40])

• Thursday, Jan. 15:

  • The Disappear at Minetta Lane Theater

    • Audible production, strictly limited 6-week run.
    • Cast: Dylan Baker, Madeline Brewer, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Hamish Linklater, Anna Meriden, Miriam Silverman.
    • Story: A “smoldering comedy about how keeping it together sometimes means letting it all go.” Audible will stream it post-run.

  • Blackout Songs at MCC (not an MCC production)

    • Written by Joe White, directed by Rory McGregor.
    • Intimate look at addiction, love, and recovery across a decade.
    • Marks American stage debut of Abby Lee (Black Rabbit) and NY debut of Owen Teague (Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes).

• Saturday:

  • Picnic at Hanging Rock closes at Greenwich House Theater
    • Musical adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s novel.
    • Book/lyrics by Hilary Bell, music/arrangements by Greta Gertler Gold.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Meta-Casting in ‘Titanique’:

  "Frankie Grande is playing Victor Garber. Also joining the cast will be star of stage and screen Deborah Cox as the unsinkable Molly Brown." (Matt, [02:01])

• On Jim Parsons’ Casting:

  "Jim will be playing the role of Rose's mother, Ruth. I think this is very interesting casting." (Matt, [02:37])

• Star-Studded Strategy:

  "St. James Theater, which is a fairly large house, I figured the only way that would really have a shot is if it brought in stars to round out this cast." (Matt, [03:02])

• On The Fantasticks' Legacy:

  "The Fantasticks ran for 42 years off Broadway. Now it is looking to come to the Great White Way, but with a slightly different angle." (Matt, [06:30])

• On Risk of Drastic Rewrites:

  "I'm, you know, always concerned about drastic rewrites of shows." (Matt, [07:50])

• On Superfan Culture:

  "She dives into kind of like the super fandom of shows and how she has become obsessed with Operation Mincemeat." (Matt, [10:24])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:32] - Episode proper begins: Host intro and show focus preview
• [00:45] - ‘Titanique’ Broadway casting news (Mandel, Rossulli, Grande, Cox, Parsons)
• [04:40] - Commentary on the show's prospects and further casting rumors
• [06:25] - ‘The Fantasticks’ reimagined for Broadway, gay lens adaptation
• [09:05] - ‘Operation Mincemeat’ cast extension and fan culture article
• [11:00] - ‘Bug’ extension update
• [12:00] - ‘Spare Parts’ Off-Broadway announcement and casting
• [13:25] - This week’s show openings: ‘Ulysses’, ‘The Disappear’, ‘Blackout Songs’, ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ closing

Episode Summary

Matt Tamminini delivers the week's essential Broadway news with a blend of reporting, personal perspective, and light humor. The episode provides valuable updates on major casting for anticipated transfers (Titanique), noteworthy revivals (The Fantasticks), evidence of show longevity (Operation Mincemeat, Bug), and fresh Off-Broadway fare. Particularly engaging are the tidbits on the lure of star casting, anxieties around drastic show rewrites, and profiles of Broadway’s unique fan culture. The episode is a must-listen for fans seeking a concise yet entertaining briefing on what's hot—and what's in the works—on the New York stage.