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Hi and welcome to Last Week on Broadway for Tuesday, August 4, 2026. I'm Broadway Radio's Matt Tammanini. I was out of town over the weekend, so I'm coming to you today today with a week's worth of very interesting news. Lots of tea being spilled and let's start over at the Walter Kerr Theater. There was news and then as my Latino and Latina friends here in Florida like to say, there was Chisme. We'll get to the Chisme here in a second, but last week Hadestown announced a new round of principles and as I teased last week, taking on the role of Hermes will be two time Tony Award winner Norbert Leo Butts. He will be joined in the cast by Amber Aman as Persephone Yellowjackets and Scream star Jasmine Savoy Brown as Eurydice and singer and songwriter Keiko in his Broadway debut as Orpheus. All of that is fine and normal and is still true now that we are speaking here on Monday, August 3rd. However, at the time they announced that actor Geno Seggers who has been in the Lion King out in Australia, they announced that he would be playing Hades. However, it did not take long for people to find some of these social media postings that Geno Seggers posted not only on his own social media channels like Instagram, but also an entire YouTube channel dedicated to what he might consider his beliefs. But what really, if you actually looked at them, turned out to just be transphobic and misogynistic postings. I am not going to get into all of the asinine and offensive things that he said. You are more than welcome to find those things on your own if you would like. However, as folks in the community started to become aware of his not only beliefs, but more importantly his very public full chested declarations, a social media outcry started to take effect. Nobody from the new cast said anything publicly, which is probably a good thing on their parts. We'll get to that here in a second. But many people were disappointed because Hadestown has, throughout its runs both on Broadway and in the West End, had not only championed women and people of color, but non binary actors in roles large and small. Currently on Broadway playing Hermes is J. Harrison G. Who of course became the first non binary performer to win a Tony Award in a lead acting category. Over in London, if you have seen the Hadestown pro tape, there is a non binary performer named Ali Daniels who absolutely blows you away as one of the Fates. So the fact that this show has a history of centering women, people of color, non binary and LGBTQIA performers and then to turn around and cast somebody who is outspoken, vocal and proud of the fact that he is anti transgender and bigoted and transphobic really calls into question some of the casting practices that is happening around Hadestown. Especially because currently over at the Walter Curb playing Hades is actor Gary Dorden, who 15 years ago was arrested for felony battery after breaking his girlfriend's nose. He was placed on five years probation and ordered to attend domestic violence counseling. Now, not to make light of that, that was when he was in the throes of addiction and he has since allegedly been clean since then. So it's probably not apples to apples, but it is not apples to hot dogs. And there is certainly something that probably needs to be looked at in terms of what's going on in the casting of Hadestown, especially for a show that has built a reputation and more importantly a fan base around its inclusivity. At this time, there has been no word as to who is going to take over the role of Hades during this run. I would be surprised if they get somebody completely new to the show, although they could. The cast isn't set to begin performances until September 1st, but I think in such a short turnaround we are much more likely to see somebody like Philip Boykin or Tom Hewitt or somebody else who has played Hades previously to fill in this sudden gap in the casting. So we will have to wait and see. And I hope that Hadestown producers Mara Isaacs, Dale Franzen, Hunter Arnold and Tom Kerdahy really take stock of the loss of trust that they have had with the community over the past week and then over the last two castings and figure out a way to make it right and to make their company and their actors feel whole and safe moving forward. Now, as I mentioned earlier, Amber Ma playing Persephone. After this was announced, she did reshare the announcement on social media and said I wasn't posting, but I was not quiet. Sometimes you gotta get off social media and demand answers. Cause I'll be damned if my husband is a clown and we're not at the circus. Onward. So clearly Amber and I would not be surprised if other members of the Hadestown Company were speaking up behind the scenes and and putting their foot down about whether or not they thought it was acceptable that Geno Seggers was going to be a part of this Broadway company. All right, from one somewhat salacious story to another one, but in a very different way. On Sunday it was announced that following her current Eternal Sunshine tour, this summer, Grammy Award winner, Oscar nominee and Broadway vet Ariana Grande is going to be taking a break due in part to ongoing public scrutiny. A rep told Deadline Ariana will be taking a step back from visibility after she completes the Eternal Sunshine tour. She looks forward to finishing the tour and ending it on a high note, both healthily and happily, and then taking a much deserved break from public facing work and appearances which has led to endless ongoing public scrutiny. This tour has been a beautiful experience for her. She loves her fans and has loved every minute of this tour so much. However, one of the casualties of this much deserved break is the fact that she will not appear in the Marianne Elliott directed production of Sunday in the Park With George opposite her Wicked co star Jonathan Bailey. The production is moving forward and will announce a replacement for her in the coming weeks. But obviously many theater fans were disappointed by this news. I had always heard that this was was just going to end up transferring to New York at one point or another. Whether that does or not, we don't know. If it does, could it potentially include Ariana maybe. I think that would be hard, especially if they're going to try to get somebody of some sort of name recognition to play Dot and Marie over in London. Obviously almost nobody is going to rise to the star power of Ariana Grande, but if they get somebody of notable name, I can't imagine they're going to only want to do it in London and not move with it to New York. Maybe I'm wrong, but it seems like from a theater fan standpoint, obviously a bit of disappointment whether you're in London or in New York, but from a human being standpoint, obviously want to wish Ariana the best. There has been a lot of speculation about her health recently, and while I never think that that is probably appropriate for public figures, I think many of the fans are coming from a place of legitimate concern and empathy. So if Ariana just wants to step away from the mental health issues that being the subject of those type of conversations brings on, or if she does have something with her health going on, we wish her the best and hope that we see her back doing whatever, whether it's on a concert stage and doing TV movies or hopefully back on a theatrical stage very, very soon. All right, into some less dramatic Broadway news. Last week it was announced that one of my favorites, Mikayla diamond and Will Pullen, will be added to the cast of the Manhattan Theatre Club's upcoming revival of Clifford Odette's 1935American classic, Awake and Sing. They join the previously announced Danny Burstein, Jessica Hecht and Jeremy Shamos. The show will begin performances on Tuesday, December 15th at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater with an opening night on January 7th. Tyne Raffaelli is set to direct. All right, before we get into a slew of show and casting news, let's take a second real quick to talk about our sponsor for this week, Factor. As listeners likely know, I have been on a little bit of a rejuvenated health kick leading up to my birthday that happened in June, and I'm continuing that moving forward, but it has been a little bit difficult. I've been traveling a lot over the summer, going to Los Angeles, Las Vegas on some cruises, and it's really hard to maintain your diet while you're out of your normal environment and habits while you're traveling. You don't always have as much control over what you eat or how much you work out and things like that. But one of the things I know is that when I am back home, I'm always able to get back to eating real food that is both delicious and nutritious. And that is all thanks to Factor. Factor makes chef crafted dietitian designed ready to eat meals so you don't have to waste time shopping, prepping, cooking or anything else that gets in the way of you having a delicious and nutritious meal in the most convenient way possible. Factor's meals are ready in two minutes and require no prep and no cleanup. So even on the days when my schedule is absolutely bonkers. Between work, going to the gym, commitments with family and friends, all of those things, I am still able to have a delicious and nutritious meal. And to be quite honest with you, often too, because I generally eat a Factor meal for both lunch and dinner every week. They have over 100 nutrient dense menu items to choose from. Some of my favorites coming up in my next box which I have just selected include an Italian sausage and sweet pepperonado. There's also a delicious Parmesan cream chicken that I'm looking forward to. So if you have health and diet goals that you want to get to, just like I do, let's eat real head to FactorMeals.com Broadway 50 off and use code Broadway50OFF to get 50% off and one free breakfast item per box for one year or while supplies last until October 31st of 2026. That's code Broadway 50 off at Factor Meals.com Broadway 50 off at Factor Meals dot com see website for more details. All right, let's run through a slew of showing casting news Last week it was announced that The Roundabout Theater Company's production of the Rocky Horror show has extended into 2027. It is now on sale through February 28th. Staying on Broadway we're going to talk a little bit more about cast the Jellicoe Ball here at the end of the show, but they have announced that they will be releasing a cast album via Atlantic Records. I'm still not okay with the fact that this show is closing this weekend, but at least we will have this album to celebrate all of the magnificence that is Cat's the Jellicle Ball. Moving off Broadway Spelling Bee has announced a third and final extension. The show will play at New World stages to through October 11th. Succeeding Kevin McHale who is moving over to Studio 54 in the Rocky Horror show will be Julian Sewell, who will be playing William Barfay. Beginning performances on August 18th. Moving from New World Stages I think over on like 50th down to the Duke on 42nd. Beginning performances on September 29th will be a new musical adaptation of David Copperfield called Copperfield, exclamation point comma, the new musical this One is being directed and choreographed by Gabriel Barr and will star Bobby Conte in the title role. Now just to be clear, this is Charles Dickens David Copperfield, not Las Vegas magician David Copperfield. The book, music and lyrics for the show are written by Jeffrey Scharf. Moving just up one block from the Duke, over to Studio Seaview A legend, A legend of her time will be doing what she is calling an Apology Tour on Sundays and Mondays at studio seaview from September 20 through October 5. That is the one and only September L. Davis. Now you might be asking yourself, Matt, who is this legend you speak of? I have never heard of September L. Davis. Well, if you have not been following social media during the awards season, September L. Davis is the alter ego of Tony nominee Anna Gasteyer. September L. Davis was allegedly the person who was supposed to play the role of Mildred Layton and Schmigadoon on Broadway, but because of some of her more scandalous approaches to the character, she was replaced by Anna Gasteyer. She has woven this incredibly complicated and yet hilarious backstory for this character that involves a near death experience. Actually she died for like 16 seconds, but it led to her being canceled via social media and now she is doing an apology tour. Septemberl Davis Colon the Apology Tour playing on dark nights for Schmigadoon over at studio seaview from September 20 through October 5. Sticking off stage but moving downtown last week. Last Week Classic Stage Company announced the cast for its upcoming production of Clifford Odette's Waiting for Lefty. It'll begin performances on October 15th and is currently scheduled to run through November 22nd. Steven Pasquale is making his directorial debut with the show. The cast will feature one of my favorites, Tala Ash, Adam Chandler, Barat M. Greg Hildreth, Conrad Rickamore, and one of the absolute greats, Tom Sesma and more in a show that we've talked about previously. Last week it was announced that the North American premiere of the play Shifters at the Cherry Lane Theatre has been extended. It will now play through September 13th. Moving outside of New York. Yesterday it was announced that Aaliyah Grace will take on the role of Betty Boop in the the national tour that'll begin performances in Rochester on on October 3rd. And wrapping up the news, apparently Sir Cameron McIntosh told New York 1's Frank DiLella that right on the heels of the big arena spectacular of Les Miserables closing at Radio City Music hall that within the next two years there will be, quote, a very exciting, entirely different plan for New York to happen in two years time. Not by me, but it's something that I wholeheartedly back. It's a wonderful idea and it would be utterly different, something to look forward to. Now I don't know what that may or may not be, but it certainly seems like the way to reinvent These Big Budget 1980s mega musical British Invasion shows and introduce them to a new audience is by going more intimate and more immersive. Could we be seeing a Les Miserables off Broadway somewhere and the audience members will be helping to build the barricade? I don't know. But as a Les Mis lover, I am looking forward to whatever this might be. All right, let's do a real quick run through this week's theatrical schedule. Unfortunately, all of the major things are closing. The aforementioned Cats, the Jellicoe Ball will wrap up its run over the Broadhurst theater on Saturday, August 8th. I am still bitter about this show closing. Not just because I wanted to to see it again or I wanted more people to see it. I just feel like this show deserved more support. It got great reviews. I am disappointed in the Tony Award voters for how it treated this show. I think that this was wholeheartedly the best revival of a musical that we have seen not only this past season but in many seasons. If this is not the type of show that we want to champion and celebrate and hold up as the epitome, epitome of what doing a revival of an incredibly well known and indelibly visual show can be, I don't know what is. So if you have an opportunity to get over to the Broadhurst, if there are still tickets available before the show ends its run, I could not recommend it more. If you want to hear my review for the show, you can check it out in the archives. Also on Sunday downtown at the Daryl Roth Theater, Rosie o' Donnell Common Knowledge will wrap up its two week Off Broadway Broadway run. And then on Sunday two shows will wrap up their Broadway engagements in alphabetical order. The first will be Death of a Salesman over at the Winter Garden Theater and the other will be Every Brilliant Thing at the Hudson. All right everybody, that's all I've got for you today. Thank you so much for supporting Broadway radio. If you want more Broadway radio, head over to patreon.com broadwayradio Jennifer McHugh and I will be recording a very special two month episode of Some Like It Pop because we did not get together to do one. And in July, looking back at June, I will also have an episode coming out later today in Patreon tomorrow in the regular feed where I spoke with the great Kennedy Cogle about her new album Just the Beginning. It's a fantastic listen. Keep an eye out on the feeds for that episode as well. All right everybody, thank you so much for listening. This has been Matt Tammanini and I'll talk to you soon.
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