Last Week on Broadway: Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

Host: Matt Tiamineni (BroadwayRadio)
Date: January 5, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode marks the new weekly format of “Last Week on Broadway,” recapping key Broadway and theater news from mid-December 2025 through the first week of January 2026. Host Matt Tiamineni delivers a detailed rundown on upcoming Broadway openings, cast changes, industry rumors, notable national tours, and news from the broader theater world. The episode sets the tone for 2026’s Broadway season, highlighting both returning favorites and exciting developments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. New Broadway Radio Format and Offerings

[00:01-03:10]

• Transition: “Today on Broadway is no more,” but most of the same features will continue in new, more frequent forms.
• New Schedule Overview:
  • Weekly Monday recaps of theater news (or early for Patreon subscribers).
  • Weekly gross recaps.
  • Individual review recaps and special episodes for new shows and breaking news.
  • A revival of “This Week in Theater,” focusing on regional and touring productions, planned as a monthly feature.
  • Other contributor content, including Jan Simpson, Grace Aki, and more.
• Personal Note: Matt thanks listeners for their support and outlines the ambitions for the podcast in the new year.

2. Major Broadway News: Spring 2026 Announcements

Titanique Sets Sail for the St. James Theatre

[03:11-08:44]

• Confirmed: The off-Broadway hit Titanique will begin a 16-week Broadway run at the St. James Theatre starting March 26 through July 12.
• Cast & Creative Notes:
  • Marla Mandel returns as Celine Dion, reprising her award-winning role.
  • Notably missing: Constantine Rossulli (original “Jack”) will not join the cast; rumors abound about new, potentially starry cast members to attract broader audiences.
  • “If some of these casting rumors on the street are true, that would be a big old bazinga to the Broadway community. It would also be pitch perfect in terms of finding people to bring Glee to audiences as well.” (Matt, 08:00)
• Industry Context:
  • Titanique had a long, multi-location off-Broadway run but struggled to maintain strong box office in its later months.
  • The move to a large house like St. James (1,700 seats) means relying on star casting and new buzz.
  • Expect major casting announcements in the coming weeks as marketing gears up.

Beaches: Musical Adaptation Arrives on Broadway

[08:45-12:44]

• Opening: March 27 at the Majestic Theatre (the day after Titanique), running through September 6, followed by a planned tour.
• Cast: Jessica Vosk (as Cece, Bette Midler’s role from the original film) and Kelly Barrett (as Bertie, the book’s character; called Hillary in the film, originally played by Barbara Hershey).
• Creative:
  • Co-directing by Lonnie Price and Matt Cohort.
  • Score by Mike Stoler (of Lieber and Stoler fame).
  • Lyrics/book by Iris Rainier Dart; substantial musical changes from earlier out-of-town tryouts—“I think they completely threw out the original score and rewrote a new one for the Alberta, Canada tryout, so it’s very, very different show than it was in Chicago.”
• Notable:
  • The iconic “Wind Beneath My Wings” from the movie is part of the show.

Broadway House Inventory and Upcoming Productions

[12:45-14:31]

• Current Theater Availability:
  • Only the James Earl Jones Theatre remains for spring, pending the closure of Liberation (likely to end Feb. 1).
  • A new show led by a “very loquacious two-time Oscar winner” (previously staged in London) is expected to fill that slot.
• Implications: All Broadway houses will be occupied for the 2026 spring season unless there are early, unexpected closures.
• Looking Ahead: Matt teases “wild rumors” about potential fall 2026–2027 productions, promising ongoing updates.

3. Show & Casting News Roundup

Becky Shaw: Broadway Debut & Casting

[14:32-16:14]

• Premieres: Helen Hayes Theater, March 18 (opens April 6).
• Play: Written by Gina Gianfredo, directed by Trip Coleman.
• Cast Highlights: Alden Ehrenreich (“Weapons”), Patrick Ball (“The Pit”), Linda Emond (three-time Tony nominee).
• Background: Off-Broadway premiere in 2009, Pulitzer Prize finalist, now finally arriving on Broadway.

Oh, Mary!: Celebrity Replacement Cast

[16:15-17:36]

• New Cast:
  • Simu Liu (Marvel’s “Shang-Chi,” “Kim’s Convenience,” “Copenhagen Test”) steps in as “Mary’s teacher” Feb. 3–April 21, marking his Broadway debut.
  • John Andrew Morrison, Jen Harris, and Tony Mockt extend their runs through April 26.
  • John Cameron Mitchell joins as Mary Todd Lincoln (also begins Feb. 3).
• Praise: “Again knocking it out of the park in terms of casting over there at Oh, Mary.” (Matt, 17:32)

Off-Broadway: Heathers’ New ‘Heather Chandler’

[17:37-21:16]

• Heathers (New World Stages):
  • Peyton List (Disney Channel’s “Jessie,” Netflix’s “Cobra Kai,” Paramount+ “School Spirits”) joins as Heather Chandler on Jan. 26.
  • Matt references Mackenzie Kurtz’s abrupt departure and Jody Steele’s interim role.
  • Remaining cast includes Casey Likes, Kuhu Verma (now Veronica Sawyer), Jakira Davis, Elizabeth Teeter, Kerry Butler.
  • Scheduled through May 24, with possible extension depending on Peyton List’s star power.
• Trend Spotlight: Rise of Disney Channel alumni on NYC stages, following path set by Morgan Dudley, Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Jordan Fisher, Dove Cameron, Ryan McCarten, and others.
• Quote: "Expect to continue to see a lot of folks like this, especially if they end up doing well..." (Matt, 20:44)

Kristen Bell Heads New LA Musical Presentation

[21:17-23:22]

• Production: Three Months Later, LA (Jim Henson Studios), Feb. 19–21; industry presentation follows.
• Cast/Crew: Kristen Bell leads, joined by Lea Thompson; backed by Elizabeth Banks' production studio.
• Plot: Plane crash survivors stage Romeo and Juliet to lift morale.
• Potential: Plans for eventual Broadway run and film adaptation.
• Matt’s Excitement: “Getting [Kristen Bell] back to Broadway at some point would be really, really awesome.” (Matt, 23:18)

Chicago: Kate Baldwin Extension

[23:23-24:02]

• Kate Baldwin (two-time Tony nominee) extends as Roxie Hart through Feb. 1; succeeded by Whitney Levitt on Feb. 2.

A & Juliet (National Tour): Joey Fatone Returns

[24:03-25:00]

• Joey Fatone (of NSYNC, Broadway vet) rejoins A & Juliet for Orlando tour dates, Jan. 6–11, at Dr. Phillips Center.
• Matt’s Personal Excitement: Plans to see both shows; highlights Fatone’s extensive Broadway résumé.

4. Upcoming Theatrical Openings & Schedules

Broadway: Bug

[25:01-26:31]

• Opening: January 8 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.
• Play: Tracy Letts’s Bug, directed by David Cromer.
• Cast: Kat Harry Coon, Namir Smallwood, Randall Arney, Jennifer Engerstrom, Steve Key.
• Run: Short engagement through Feb. 8, with possible extension.

Off-Broadway:

• The Disappear (Audible, Minetta Lane Theatre):

  • Comedy by Erica Schmidt; opens Thursday.
  • Cast: Hamish Linklater, Miriam Silverman, Dylan Baker, Madeline Brewer, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Anna Meriden.
  • Focus: Power couple’s life unravels. Runs through Feb. 15; future Audible audio stream planned.

• Data (Lucille Lortel Theatre):

  • New play by Matthew Libby, directed by Tyne Rafaeli.
  • Explores Silicon Valley’s “darkest ambitions.”
  • Starts Friday, runs through March 29.

• Messy White Gaze (The Duke on 42nd Street):

  • Concludes Off-Broadway run on Jan. 11.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Titanique’s Broadway transfer and casting:

  “If some of these casting rumors on the street are true, that would be a big old bazinga to the Broadway community.” — Matt (08:00)

• On the star-power formula for Broadway success:

  “The best way to do that is with stars. And from what I understand... there are going to be a number of people with familiar names both to Broadway and larger Hollywood audiences...” — Matt (07:30)

• On the Disney Channel-to-Broadway pipeline:

  “Expect to continue to see a lot of folks like this, especially if they end up doing well, like a lot of the people from what I understand have done with Milo and Meg and obviously Jordan Fisher and and some of these other folks.” — Matt (20:44)

• On Broadway house scheduling:

  "...that means every theater on Broadway will have a show in the spring at some point. Sort. Hopefully things don't close before something else can come in." — Matt (14:20)

Important Timestamps

| Segment | Timestamp | |--------------------------------------------|---------------| | New show and episode structure explained | 00:01–03:10 | | Titanique Broadway news | 03:11–08:44 | | Beaches musical to Broadway | 08:45–12:44 | | House availability/spring 2026 previews | 12:45–14:31 | | Becky Shaw casting | 14:32–16:14 | | Simu Liu in Oh, Mary! | 16:15–17:36 | | Heathers casting & Disney-to-Broadway trend| 17:37–21:16 | | Kristen Bell LA project | 21:17–23:22 | | Kate Baldwin’s Chicago extension | 23:23–24:02 | | Joey Fatone joins A & Juliet tour | 24:03–25:00 | | Upcoming Broadway/Off-Broadway shows | 25:01–27:00 |

Episode Tone & Language

Matt’s delivery is conversational and knowledgeable, with a blend of dry humor and theater-insider insights. He frequently references industry rumors, context for decisions, and implications for both audiences and Broadway business. The tone remains upbeat and collegiate, aiming to engage long-time listeners and casual fans alike.

Final Thoughts

This episode offers an accessible but thorough dive into Broadway’s current landscape as of early 2026. With new show announcements, casting news, and industry trends, listeners get both facts and color commentary, making it a valuable resource for anyone who wants to stay in the know about theater—no Playbill required.