BroadwayRadio: Last Week on Broadway - March 17, 2026
Episode Overview
This episode of "Last Week on Broadway," hosted by Matt Tamanini, offers a comprehensive roundup of recent Broadway and Off-Broadway news, with a deep dive into the opening and critical reception of Every Brilliant Thing starring Daniel Radcliffe. The episode also covers notable casting announcements, new production openings, upcoming show schedules, and significant theatrical events in New York City for the week of March 17, 2026.
1. Major Highlight: 'Every Brilliant Thing' Broadway Opening
[01:10]
- Every Brilliant Thing, Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe’s one-person show starring Daniel Radcliffe, opened at the Hudson Theatre on Broadway.
- Directed by Jeremy Herrin and Macmillan.
- The piece is described as an “intimate one-person show that also involves the audience quite a bit.” It follows a man reflecting on his life by listing the little things that make life worth living.
Critical Reception
Aggregate reviews (via "Did They Like It?")
- 17 reviews: 11 positive, 5 mixed, 1 negative.
Positive Highlights
- Helen Shaw, The New York Times [02:16]
“Radcliffe doesn't just do away with a fourth wall, he manages to expand his magical aren't-people-wonderful optimism to include the whole orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony.”
- Sarah Holdren, Vulture [02:35]
“He’s a human ping pong ball, a fizzing sparkler, a genuinely effervescent, generous and curious individual whose dynamic is less former star of $35 billion media franchise and more adorable nerd who just asked you to the They Might Be show... At the same time, his charm isn't hapless or floppy. It's given crispness and integrity by a quick brain and an apparently sound heart.”
Mixed & Negative Takes
- Adam Feldman, Time Out New York [03:09]
“Primo tickets for Every Brilliant Thing cost more than $400, and if you don’t mind spending top dollar on a dime-thin show, this one won’t disappoint... there may be better things on which to spend that money than 70 minutes of Radcliffe doing crowd work.”
- Robert Hoffler, The Rep [03:39]
“This kind of audience participation happens dozens of times... There’s applause for all these amateur performances. I’ve never understood why people applaud the performances of amateurs when they pay to see professional actors. This is Broadway, after all... Many of these responses are inaudible, even though some theatergoers’ voices sound amplified."
Host’s Take on Criticism
- Matt Tamanini [05:00]
“I am finding it more and more frustrating to hear critics who have clearly lost whatever joy they had for theater, lost whatever whimsy they had in their lives, and write reviews that say more about them as individuals than it actually does about the piece itself... Calling things twee is such a dismissive pejorative, I just don't get it.”
More Positive Reflection
-
Greg Evans, Deadline [06:04]
“Every Brilliant Thing is unsparing and clear-eyed in its presentation of the realities of depression and suicide, yet glows with a hopeful, life-affirming aura that convincingly depicts the value of struggle and the beauty in tenacity.”
-
Grace Aki’s Substack Piece on the show mentioned and linked in show notes.
2. Major Broadway & NYC Theater News
Maya Rudolph Cast as Mary Todd Lincoln in 'Mary'
[07:26]
- Maya Rudolph will take over the role from John Cameron Mitchell at the Lyceum Theatre, beginning April 28.
- Noted her big Oscars reunion and partner Paul Thomas Anderson's three Oscar wins.
- Host remarks on the excitement and ‘shenanigans’ Rudolph could bring to the role.
City Center Gala: 'In the Heights'
[08:36]
- NYC Center will host a gala production of In the Heights (Oct 28 - Nov 8, 2026), directed by David Mendizábal.
- The host muses on the show's rich Broadway history, dating back over two decades.
'Schmigadoon' Casting News
[10:18]
- Malik Pancholy (known from 30 Rock) announced as the Reverend for Schmigadoon’s Broadway run starting April 4.
- Joins a star-studded cast including Alex Brightman, Anna Gasteyer, Ann Harada, and more.
Michael James Scott Departs 'Aladdin'
[11:22]
- Will end a record run as Genie on May 3 after nearly 4,000 performances across four companies and three continents.
- Host celebrates Michael’s contributions.
3. Off-Broadway Happenings
'20 at 20' Ticket Deals
[12:36]
- Off-Broadway Alliance’s “20 at 20” returns: 20 minutes before curtain, $20 tickets at box offices for 28 shows (Mar 23–Apr 12).
- Notable participating shows: Burnout, Paradise Hotel, Heartbreak, Monte Cristo, The Play That Goes Wrong, Red Bull's Titus Andronicus.
Audible Theater and Together Theater Company Season
[13:50]
- Notable new productions:
- What Happened Was (Apr 14–Jun 14), starring Cecily Strong & Corey Stoll.
- Newborn by Ella Hickson, featuring Mariana Gallas, Zepita Moafi, and Hugh Jackman.
- Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes with Hugh Jackman and Ella Beatty begins Mar 17.
Other Off-Broadway News
[14:55]
- You Got Older by Clare Barron extended at Cherry Lane Theatre until Apr 26.
- Zan Baruby will succeed Peyton List as Heather Chandler in Heathers at New World Stages (beginning Apr 27).
4. This Week’s Theatrical Schedule
Tuesday, March 17 - Openings
[18:04]
- My Joy Is Heavy (New York Theatre Workshop), by and starring The Bengsons, directed by Rachel Chavkin.
- Red Bull Theater’s Titus Andronicus with Patrick Page (through Apr 19 at Signature Center).
- Sexual Misconduct of the Middle Classes (Audible Theater).
Wednesday, March 18 - Broadway Premieres
-
Becky Shaw (Helene Hayes Theater, Second Stage) [19:56]
- Directed by Trip Cullman, starring Patrick Ball, Madeline Brewer, Alden Ehrenreich, Linda Emond, Lauren Patten.
-
Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst Theater) [20:39]
- Co-directed by Zhailon Levingston & Bill Rauch; features Ken Ard, Andre De Shields, more.
-
City Center Encores! presents The Wild Party (Mar 18–29), starring Jelani Alladin, Jordan Donica, Tanya Pinkins, and Adrienne Warren. [21:10]
-
No Singing in the Navy at Playwrights Horizons. [21:46]
Thursday, March 19 - Broadway & Off-Broadway Openings
- The Fear of 13 (James Earl Jones Theatre)
- Written by Lindsey Ferrentino, based on documentary by David Singleton.
- Directed by David Cromer; starring Adrien Brody, Tessa Thompson, Eddie Cooper, Ephraim Sykes.
- Monte Cristo musical, featuring Sierra Boggess, Norm Lewis, and more (through Apr 5).
- True (Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Charlotte d’Amboise, House of the Redeemer).
Friday, March 20 - Off-Broadway
- Gotta Dance at Stage 42.
- Heartbreak Hotel at Dr. 2 Theater, starring Karen McCracken and Simon Leary.
Previews and Closures
- Seagull: True Story begins previews, with Gus Birney.
- Closing on Sunday: Marcel on the Train, The Monsters, The Office! A Musical Parody, The Reservoir.
5. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On critical division:
“Calling things twee is such a dismissive pejorative, I just don't get it.”
— Matt Tamanini, [05:20] -
On Maya Rudolph joining Mary:
“I can only imagine what type of shenanigans she will be able to get up to in this role.”
— Matt Tamanini, [07:48] -
On In the Heights Gala:
“It's incredible that we're going to get an incredible gala performance of one of my top five favorite shows of all time.”
— Matt Tamanini, [08:56] -
On Michael James Scott leaving Aladdin:
“Just an absolutely incredible run for Michael and congratulations to him.”
— Matt Tamanini, [11:54]
6. Additional Information and Recommendations
- Multiple links referenced in the episode are available in the show notes (notably for Oscar streaming and Grace Aki’s reflection).
- The host is enthusiastic about the busy week of openings, especially for long-awaited revivals and new works.
- Several new and returning programs and deals (like “20 at 20”) make this a great time for theater-going in New York.
7. Episode Tone & Style
Matt Tamanini maintains an informed, conversational, and candid approach, blending critical commentary, personal enthusiasm, and recommendations throughout. His appreciation for theater’s evolution and community is evident, engaging listeners deeply passionate about the Broadway scene.