BroadwayRadio: Last Week on Broadway — Jan. 26, 2026

Episode Overview

Host Matt Tammanini of BroadwayRadio recaps the past week’s major Broadway and theater news, highlighting significant casting announcements, novel staging developments, and updates both on and off Broadway. The episode also addresses broader cultural issues intersecting with theater, such as online backlash against casting choices and ethical concerns about major franchises.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Casting Updates

• Jeremy Jordan Steps into Bobby Darin (Circle in the Square)
  • Jeremy Jordan will replace Jonathan Groff in the role of Bobby Darin starting April 21st, following Groff’s final performance on March 29th.
  • Matt Magnussen, Groff's standby, is likely to cover the role during the interim.
  • “I have been teasing this now for weeks… but the one and only Jeremy Jordan will take over the role beginning on April 21.” (Matt Tammanini, 02:00)
• Fallen Angels at Todd Haimes Theater: Full Casting Announced
  • Rose Byrne and Kelli O’Hara to star, joined by Mark Consuelos in his Broadway debut, Tracy Chimo, Christopher Fitzgerald (Tony nominee), and Aasif Mandvi.
  • Production directed by Scott Ellis, beginning March 27, running through Tony Sunday (June 7).
  • “The big one, at least perhaps for me, is the fact that actor and daytime talk show host Mark Consuelos will be making his Broadway debut…” (Matt, 04:00)
• Dog Day Afternoon on Broadway
  • Jon Bernthal stars as Sonny; Evan Moss Bacharach as Sal. John Ortiz, Jessica Hecht, and Spencer Garrett join the cast. Additional casting forthcoming.
  • Runs at the August Wilson Theater, March 10–June 28, directed by Rupert Goold.

2. Staging Innovations & Seating News

• Jellicoe Ball at the Broadhurst Theater: ‘Runway’ Seats
  • The production adapts its unique catwalk from the off-Broadway PAC NYC run to Broadway by:
    • Adding on-stage ‘runway’ seating
    • Creating banquet seating where the pit usually is
    • Judges’ table now placed upstage of the catwalk for better sightlines
  • “They are going to bring seating up onto the stage… so we are going to get something similar to what we had off Broadway. It's not the exact same, but I think it's going to be really interesting.” (Matt, 09:30)

3. "Six" Broadway: New Queens and Backlash

• Jasmine Forsberg & Cast Changes
  • Jasmine Forsberg confirmed as returning Jane Seymour.
  • New cast members include Dylan Mulvaney (Anne Boleyn), Abigail Barlow, as well as returning original stars Adrianna Hicks and Anna Uzele.
  • Kelsey Watts will not return and is pursuing other opportunities.
• Dylan Mulvaney’s Casting and Social Media Backlash
  • Mulvaney, a trans actress, faces targeted harassment after being cast.
  • Producers quickly denounce bullying and limit social channels.
  • Statement from producers: “Aggressive, threatening or abusive behavior is never acceptable…We unequivocally condemn bullying in all its forms…” (Producers' Statement, 28:45)
  • Mulvaney’s response:

    “Being a trans person in 2026, when this world is working against us in what feels like every way... I think it’s a miracle. So miracles are possible.” (Dylan Mulvaney, 29:45)

4. Touring & Off-Broadway Highlights

• Omar National Tour
  • Kicks off in Hartford, CT; with major stops announced, including Boston, Chicago, L.A., S.F., D.C.
  • Anticipation of diverse audience reactions noted.
• Chicago: New & Returning Cast
  • January 26: Sophie Carmen Jones (Velma Kelly), Jacqueline B. Arnold (Matron Mama Morton)
  • February 2: Greg Hildreth (Amos Hart), Michael Kilgore makes Chicago debut (Mary Sunshine, billed as M. Kilgore)
• Mexicus & Music City Return Off-Broadway
  • Mexicus: Extended run at Daryl Roth Theater, March 6–May 17.
  • Music City: New immersive venue (The Wicked Tickle); opens March 23, official opening April 8, features songs by J.T. Harding.

5. Other Notable Openings & Announcements

• Magic Mike Live (near Times Square, from October 8): Las Vegas and London hit opens NYC residency, promising dance, athleticism, comedy, and empowerment. “It is a 90-minute show described as a combination of world-class dance, athleticism, and acrobatics…”
• Lincoln Center Theater: Nightside Songs (Claire Tow Theater, opening Feb. 14): Directed by Tabi Megar, featuring Robin DeJesus, Brooke Ishibashi, Mary Testa, and more.
• Masquerade: Phantom-themed show extends 14 weeks to July 5, introduces new cast members.

Broader Cultural Commentary

Harry Potter & the Cursed Child (Tour Opening in Orlando)

• Host shares personal and professional conflict regarding attending and reviewing the show in light of J.K. Rowling’s anti-trans advocacy.
• “I cannot condone or encourage anybody spending money on anything Harry Potter related... please keep that in mind.” (Matt, 52:10)
• Encourages listeners to make informed, conscientious choices regarding their support of the franchise.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Mark Consuelos’s Broadway debut:
  “I first became aware of Mark Consuelos when he played Mateo Santos on All My Children... Pretty cool. I’ve been a fan of his for a long time.” (Matt, 04:15)
• Defending Mulvaney’s casting in Six:
  “Having a trans actress in this role, especially the most controversial of all queens, I think is really a casting stroke of genius.” (Matt, 32:00)
• Harry Potter/Rowling critique:
  “J.K. Rowling… uses the money she makes from everything, but especially the Harry Potter extended universe, to pump funds into bigoted anti-trans campaigns…” (Matt, 53:00)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Topic/Announcement | |-----------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 - 02:00 | Opening, Snowmageddon talk, segue to Broadway casting news | | 02:00 - 04:00 | Jeremy Jordan replaces Jonathan Groff (Bobby Darin) | | 04:00 - 08:00 | Fallen Angels full cast announcement (Mark Consuelos, et al.) | | 09:30 - 15:00 | Jellicoe Ball staging, ‘Runway’ and ‘banquet’ seating | | 15:00 - 20:00 | Dog Day Afternoon casting update | | 20:00 - 30:00 | Six casting update, Jasmine Forsberg/Jasmine and Dylan Mulvaney backlash | | 30:00 - 33:00 | Mulvaney’s response and commentary on trans casting | | 35:00 - 37:30 | Omar national tour | | 37:30 - 41:00 | Chicago cast changes, Michael Kilgore | | 41:00 - 46:00 | Mexicus and Music City off-Broadway returns | | 46:00 - 47:30 | Magic Mike Live NYC opening | | 47:30 - 49:00 | Lincoln Center’s Nightside Songs | | 49:00 - 51:00 | Masquerade extension | | 51:00 - 54:00 | Upcoming: 11 to Midnight, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (Orlando) | | 54:00 - end | Harry Potter anti-trans discussion, show wrap-up |

Summary

This episode provides a thorough round-up of Broadway and off-Broadway news and commentary, balancing enthusiastic show coverage with incisive reflection on larger cultural currents in the theater world. From headline-grabbing casting (Jeremy Jordan, Mark Consuelos, Dylan Mulvaney) to inventive staging solutions and returning hit productions, Matt Tammanini delivers both information and perspective — especially on issues of representation, backlash, and industry ethics.

Listeners will walk away well-informed on the week’s must-know theater news, as well as the social conversations entwined with today’s Broadway scene.