BroadwayRadio: Last Week on Broadway – Tuesday, March 23, 2026

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Matt Tamineni breaks down all the latest Broadway and West End theater news, focusing on casting announcements, production updates, and the packed schedule of upcoming Broadway and Off-Broadway openings in late March and early April 2026. The highlights include major West End casting for "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", Shakespeare in the Park’s upcoming "Romeo and Juliet", Lea Michele’s impending departure from "Chess", the delayed Off-Broadway engagement of "Music City," and a detailed look at the dense slate of show openings on Broadway this week.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. West End: "Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" Casting (01:45)

• Announcement: Marianne Elliott will direct a new West End revival starring Gillian Anderson (Martha) and Billy Crudup (George), with Josh Dylan (Nick) and Phoebe Horne (Honey).
• Dates: Performances run at @SohoPlace from September 21 – December 19, 2026.
• Notable Insight: Matt speculates about the potential for a Broadway transfer:

  "With names like that and a director like Marianne Elliott, it should not be out of the realm of possibilities, one would not think." (03:08)

2. Shakespeare in the Park: "Romeo and Juliet" Casting (04:14)

• Leads: Daniel Bravo Hernandez (Romeo), Ramya Leta Akins (Juliet), with Tony winners Francis Jue (Friar Lawrence), LaChanze (Lady Capulet), Deirdre O’Connell (Nurse).
• Dates: May 22 – June 28 at the Delacorte Theater, Central Park.
• Observation: Less "star-studded" than previous years, but strong theatre community names.
  • Matt notes:

    "We are so used to seeing A-list movie and TV stars being a part of this... I’m interested to see if this has an impact on who’s lining up to get these free tickets." (05:48)

• Comment on Popularity:

  "This is a title that everybody knows and everybody wants to see." (07:19)

3. Broadway: "Chess" – Lea Michele’s Departure (07:36)

• Announcement: Lea Michele leaves the revival on June 21, 2026, after an approximately 9-month run.
• Replacements: Not yet announced; speculation about casting and the status of other leads (Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher).
• Box Office Impact:

  "Lea Michele is a pretty substantial draw at the box office for shows." (08:35) "When Lea Michele was on vacation recently, understudy Samantha Peñapilino took the stage and to all reports...was tremendous. But she’s not going to sell very many tickets outside of the theatre community." (09:20)

• Casting Speculation: Possibility that Tveit and Christopher might change roles rather than leaving.

4. Off-Broadway: "Music City" Delay (10:25)

• Production Details: Critically acclaimed, country-music themed musical, previously extended three times.
• Current Issue: Delayed due to venue legal issues. Producers state:

  "As we were preparing to go into tech for the production, we were made aware of legal issues with the venue that have proven to be challenging. We are taking a brief pause while we regroup." (11:25)

• Audience Information: Ticket holders can contact their point of purchase for refunds.

5. Preview of Upcoming Broadway & Off-Broadway Openings (15:00–17:53)

Monday, March 23 – "Giant" Opens at the Music Box Theatre

• Playwright: Mark Rosenblatt
• Star: John Lithgow as Roald Dahl
• Synopsis/Theme: Explores Dahl’s beloved children’s literature and controversial antisemitism.
• Matt’s Note:

  "Despite being one of the most beloved children's book authors of all time, Roald Dahl also is known for his raging anti-Semitism and that is at the center of this story..." (15:26)

Tuesday, March 24

• Off Broadway Openings:
  • "Heartbreak Hotel" at Doctor 2 (through April 19)
  • "The Adding Machine" – Off-Broadway revival with revisions, starring Sarita Chaudhry, Michael Cerveris, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Jennifer Tilly (through May 10)

Wednesday, March 25

• Off Broadway: "Public Charge" at the Public Theater (through April 12)

• Broadway: "Titanic" at St. James Theatre

  • Creators: Book by Ty Blue, Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli
  • Stars: Marla Mindelle (as Celine Dion), Melissa Barrera, Deborah Cox, Frankie Grande, Jim Parsons, John Riddle, Leighton Williams

• Broadway: "The Rocky Horror Show" at Studio 54

  • Stars: Luke Evans (Dr. Frank N. Furter), Rachel Dratch (Narrator), Amber Gray, Harvey Guillén, Stephanie Hsu, Juliette Lewis, Michaela J. Rodriguez, etc.
  • Matt:

    "This is such a bonkers group of stars and creators that it just feels right... this is the group to bring this show to Broadway at this time." (17:24)

Friday, March 27 – Three Broadway Shows Begin Performances

• "Beaches" (Majestic Theatre)

  • Stars: Jessica Vosk (Cece), Kelly Barrett (Birdie)
  • Matt’s Outlook:

    "With talents like Jessica Vosk and Kelly Barrett, you know no matter what the show is like, that it’s at least going to sound good. So holding my breath on this one." (17:51)

• "Fallen Angels" (Todd Haimes Theatre)

  • Comedy by Noel Coward
  • Stars: Rose Byrne, Kelli O’Hara, Tracy Chimo, Mark Consuelos, Christopher Fitzgerald, Asif Mandvi
  • Matt:

    "A Noel Coward comedy...with a cast like this feels like this could be a fun, fizzy way to spend a couple hours indoors this spring." (18:07)

• "The Lost Boys" (Palace Theatre)

  • Musical Adaptation of the Film
  • Director: Michael Arden
  • Music: The Rescues
  • Stars: Shoshana Bean, LJ Bennett, Ally Lewis, Paul Alexander Nolan, Benjamin Pajak, Maria Wirries
  • Matt’s Excitement:

    "This is a show about teenage vampires, and I feel like if they nail it, this could be incredible. But I could also see it going the complete wrong direction..." (18:57) "If they nail this one, this feels like it is probably the front runner for Best Musical..." (19:18)

6. Weekend Openings & Closings (Sunday, March 29)

• Openings:
  • "No Singing in the Navy" (Playwrights Horizons)
  • "Titus Andronicus" (Red Bull Theater, starring Patrick Page)
• Closings:
  • "The Wild Party" (Encores, NY City Center)
  • "Nightside Songs" (LCT3)

Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the Shifting Landscape of Star Casting in Shakespeare in the Park (05:48)

  "We are so used to seeing A-list movie and TV stars being a part of this... Might make it a little easier for people, you know, normal theater goers to have an opportunity to check out performances at the Delacorte this summer." — Matt Tamineni

• On Lea Michele’s Box Office Power (08:35)

  "Lea Michele is a pretty substantial draw at the box office for shows, so it will be interesting to see which direction they decide to go with that."

• On "The Lost Boys" Musical’s Potential (19:18)

  "If they nail this one, this feels like it is probably the front runner for best musical because of where it's positioned on the schedule, the prestige of the director, and Shoshana being one of the stars of the show."

• On "Beaches" Broadway Run (17:51)

  "...I'll be holding my breath on this one... but with talents like Jessica Vosk and Kelly Barrett, at least you know it's going to sound good."

Notable Timestamps

• 01:45 – West End "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" major casting
• 04:14 – "Romeo and Juliet" in Shakespeare in the Park cast revealed
• 07:36 – Lea Michele to depart "Chess"
• 10:25 – "Music City" Off-Broadway delay and issues
• 15:00 – Broadway/Off-Broadway shows opening this week
• 15:26 – "Giant" (John Lithgow as Roald Dahl) opens
• 17:24 – Star-studded "Rocky Horror Show" Broadway revival
• 17:51 – "Beaches," "Fallen Angels," and "Lost Boys" Broadway previews
• 19:18 – "Lost Boys" considered a Best Musical front-runner if successful

Conclusion

Matt Tamineni’s rundown offers both a comprehensive catch-up on recent major theater news and an exciting preview of the bustling pre-Tony season calendar. From star casting and high-stakes departures to adaptations and anticipated world premieres, this episode is a snapshot of a Broadway moment filled with big transitions and even bigger hopes. With insightful speculation and a finger on the pulse of what's driving ticket sales (and critical conversation), this episode serves as an essential briefing for anyone trying to keep up with Broadway's fast-moving spring.

For more Broadway news and schedule links, Matt encourages listeners to check the show notes and BroadwayRadio’s Patreon.