BroadwayRadio – Last Week on Broadway: Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026

Host: Matt Tamanini
Release Date: January 20, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of Last Week on Broadway dives into a transformative week for the spring Broadway season, with major show news, casting announcements, and a preview of the week’s theatrical highlights. Matt Tamanini offers not only updates on shifting theater real estate and upcoming productions but also delivers insight into how these changes will shape Broadway’s immediate future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broadway Theater Availability and Rumored Shows

• Hell’s Kitchen Closing: The musical Hell’s Kitchen will close in February, freeing up the Shubert Theatre for potential new arrivals (00:52).
• Fear of 13: The play starring Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson, Fear of 13, will open at the James Earl Jones Theater (01:09).
• Show Rumors – Galileo: There’s speculation that the musical Galileo, which starred Raúl Esparza in its out-of-town tryout, could move into the Shubert. Its size previously excluded it from larger houses (01:35).
  • “The Shubert is smaller by about 300 seats than those theaters. I don’t know if that's small enough for what Galileo was trying to do, but it is smaller.” – Matt (02:05)

2. Exciting Cast Announcement: Six “5.0” at the Lena Horne Theater

• Full Cast Refresh (03:20)
  • The fifth new ensemble for Six debuts February 16.
  • Notably includes both major “star casting” from social media/influencer spaces and former “Queens” returning.
• Principal Cast Breakdown (04:15):
  • Catherine of Aragon: Adrianna Hicks (original cast member returning)
    • “Original cast member Adrianna Hicks is going to reprise that role, which she originated…” – Matt (04:25)
  • Anne Boleyn: Dylan Mulvaney (TikTok star and activist)
    • “She has become a very influential social media influencer, but… people do often forget that she has appeared in the national tour of Book of Mormon as well.” – (05:00)
  • Anna of Cleves: Olivia Donaldson (returning, performed in 3.0 cast and on tour)
  • Jane Seymour: TBA – Current onstage queen Kelsey Watts rumored to possibly stay (06:30)
    • “I did feel like if that was the case, they would have just said it in the press release.” – Matt (07:34)
  • Katherine Howard: Abigail Barlow (Grammy-winning Bridgerton co-creator making Broadway debut)
    • “She is the co-writer and co-creator of the Unofficial Bridgerton Musical, which won her and her co-writer Emily Baer a Grammy Award.” – (08:20)
  • Catherine Parr: Anna Uzele (original Broadway star returning)
• Why Star/Influencer Casting?
  • Matt observes grosses for Six are “slipping,” so the mix of nostalgia and social media draw may broaden appeal (09:12).
  • Sibling fun fact: Abigail Barlow’s sister is currently on Broadway in Ragtime.

3. Major Casting Updates Elsewhere

• The Great Gatsby on Broadway (10:00)

  • Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney (real-life spouses, former Hadestown/Cabaret stars) will both join, but at different times.
    • Eva returns as Daisy Buchanan Feb 5, reuniting briefly with Jeremy Jordan (Jay Gatsby), who leaves March 7.
    • Ryan McCartan will fill in, then Reeve Carney takes over as Gatsby March 30.

• Hadestown New Cast (12:02)

  • Heads into the Walter Kerr with a new principal slate starting March 3:
    • J. Harrison G (Hermes), Joshua Colley (Orpheus), Jordan Tyson (Eurydice), Gary Dourdan (Hades), Gabby Moreno (Persephone)
  • Personal take: Matt names favorites from outgoing cast, urging listeners not to miss the current team before March 1.
    • “Kurt Elling was honestly probably my favorite Hermes… Alison Russell is my favorite non-Amber Persephone…” (13:48)

• Maybe Happy Ending (15:00)

  • Darren Criss and Helen J. Shin departures finalized:
    • Helen exits Feb 15, Darren finishes May 17; standbys step in during interim.
    • “Now you might be thinking, why is Helen leaving so much earlier than Darren? I don't know...” (15:37)

• Wicked (16:27)

  • Carrie Renee Fuller to become Elphaba starting March 3; Emma Flynn steps in as Glinda.

4. Industry Buzz: The Wanderer Musical

• Upcoming Industry Presentation (17:09)
  • The Wanderer – jukebox musical about Dion DiMucci
  • Directed by Kenneth Farron with a much younger cast for its reading: Joshua Bassett (Dion), Olivia Holt (Susan), Diego Andrés Rodriguez (Johnny), among others.
  • “What's interesting about this is that it really seems like they are going much younger in the casting than they did at Paper Mill…” (17:53)

5. What to Look for This Week: Broadway & Off-Broadway

• Broadway Week Begins (20:00)

  • “Two-for-one” ticket deals through Feb 12 with code NYCBW250. Dozens of shows participate.

• Manhattan Theatre Club’s Monsters (21:02)

  • Off-Broadway preview begins Friday at New York City Center.
  • Written/directed by Ngozi Anyanwu, starring Aigner Mizzelle and Okieriete Onaodowan.
  • Story focuses on sibling dynamics in the world of MMA fighting.
  • “The plot description reads thusly: For a long time Lil has been obsessed with fighting and one fighter in particular, her older brother Big...” (21:43)

• Three Off-Broadway Openings Sunday (Alphabetical)

  • Data (or Data) at Lucille Lortel Theatre
    • Silicon Valley’s dark side explored; stars Karen Brar (from Disney’s Jessie).
  • James Joyce’s Ulysses at The Public Theater (Elevator Repair Service presents)
    • Known for creative, high-energy adaptations.
    • “If you have any interest in seeing how they do theatre... definitely check this one out.” (23:45)
  • Watch Me Walk at Playwrights Horizons (Soho Rep/Under the Radar)
    • Anne Gridley’s personal, disability-focused solo show.

• Final Curtain for Tartuffe

  • The Matthew Broderick-led production at NYTW closes Sunday.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On MLK Jr. Day and Activism:

  • “Perhaps assessing where we are in achieving the dreams that he spoke of so eloquently of during the Civil Rights era and maybe seeing what we can be doing in our own worlds…” (00:15)

• On Six’s Cast Refresh Strategy:

  • “They are going to not only hit some of the nostalgia of previous casts… also reaching different demographics that also probably would fit into the normal fandoms by bringing in social media stars like Dylan and Abigail.” (09:12)

• On Keeping Up with Industry Moves:

  • “Keep an eye and ear out for who is going to be playing Jane Seymour. The current alternates will all remain with the show as well, so congratulations to them.” (09:54)

• On Personal Favorites in Hadestown:

  • “Kurt Elling was honestly probably my favorite Hermes, I think Paulo Jot is probably my favorite non-Patrick Hades that I've seen on Broadway.” (13:48)

• On The Wanderer’s New Approach:

  • “It really seems like they are going much younger in the casting than they did at Paper Mill out in Millburn, New Jersey in 2022.” (17:53)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:01 | Opening remarks, MLK Jr. reflection, recap of last week’s news | | 01:00 | Fear of 13 and Hell’s Kitchen reshuffle Broadway schedule | | 01:35 | Shubert Theatre rumors, discussion of possible Galileo transfer | | 03:20 | Big announcement: Six 5.0 cast revealed at Lena Horne Theater | | 04:15 | Full cast breakdown, star/influencer casting strategy | | 06:30 | Jane Seymour casting uncertainty and rumor | | 08:20 | Abigail Barlow's Broadway debut and family trivia | | 09:04 | Host’s analysis of refreshed Six casting strategy | | 10:00 | Great Gatsby Broadway cast changes: Eva Noblezada, Reeve Carney | | 12:02 | New cast at Hadestown and host’s personal cast favorites | | 15:00 | Updates on Maybe Happy Ending departures | | 16:27 | New witches at Wicked announced | | 17:09 | Details on The Wanderer industry reading and cast | | 20:00 | Broadway Week kicks off: schedule, two-for-one ticket info | | 21:02 | Off-Broadway and festival openings this week | | 23:45 | Elevator Repair Service’s Ulysses at The Public Theater | | 25:01 | Tartuffe closing, show notes, and closing remarks |

Summary

This lively episode captures a threshold moment for Broadway’s 2026 spring season. Host Matt Tamanini deftly walks listeners through theater openings and closings, major casting shifts, and new projects coming to the stage, all while providing personal perspectives and inside scoops. From the star-studded new Six lineup to the evolving musical chairs of Great Gatsby and Hadestown, and previews of Off-Broadway’s most intriguing plays, the episode offers a vibrant, detailed window into the ever-evolving theater landscape.

If you want more Broadway news, Matt invites you to check out their Patreon for additional content.