Today on Broadway: Friday, August 22, 2025

BroadwayRadio’s Daily News Podcast

Episode Overview

Main Theme:
This episode covers an exceptionally eventful week of Broadway and Off-Broadway news, focusing on major casting announcements, new productions, and the evolving landscape of plays versus musicals in the upcoming season. Hosts Matt Tamminini and Grace discuss headline-grabbing revivals, intriguing casting choices, and reflect on the growing momentum around plays on Broadway.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. REVIVAL: "Proof" Returns to Broadway

• Announcement: First-ever New York revival of David Auburn’s Proof coming Spring 2026.
  • Directed by Tommy Kail.
  • Previews start March 31 at a Shubert theater (venue TBA).
  • Starring Ayo Edebiri (Broadway debut) and Don Cheadle (Broadway debut).
  • Rumor of a Tony-winning performer joining the cast.
  • Plot Center: Catherine, a math genius, struggles with family and mental illness amid the discovery of a mysterious mathematical proof.
• Host Reactions:
  • Matt: “The fact that Ayo Edebiri is finally making her Broadway debut after just an unbelievably star-making turn on The Bear is fantastic... This is thrilling. This is exciting. This is going to be another incredible show...” [02:41]
  • Grace: “...an excellent play schedule announcement week. ...With the cast announcement, proof coming back to Broadway. Excellent news. The cast, even better.” [03:38–04:22]

2. NEW TO BROADWAY: "Marjorie Prime" with June Squibb

• Details: Jordan Harrison’s Marjorie Prime to debut at the Helen Hayes Theatre (Second Stage); previews from November 20.
  • Cast: June Squibb (96), Cynthia Nixon, Danny Burstein, Christopher Lowell.
  • Directed by Ann Kaufman.
  • Story: An aging woman has conversations with a hologram of her late husband, examining memory and identity.
• Category Debate: Is it a "revival" or "new play"? (Last Off-Broadway: 2015)
  • Matt: “This is going to be an interesting one, Grace, because this is the first time that the show will be on Broadway. But we know that that doesn't necessarily mean that it's going to be a new show. ...I’m wondering if it will be put into the revival category...” [04:22–05:54]
  • Grace: “...these revivals, quote unquote, where it’s like, okay, maybe 10 years ago, five years ago, 20, 30 years ago... all of these kind of like non brand new plays that are gonna be fighting for those slots come the spring. So I'm really excited about all these prospects because normally it is all the chatter about the musicals, the play kind of left in the dust. This year it's starting to feel really great.” [06:11–06:43]

3. OFF-BROADWAY: "25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Revival

• Run: November 17, 2025 – February 15, 2026 (possible extension).
• Venue: New World Stages.
• Cast Highlights:
  • Kevin McHale (Glee) as William Barfay
  • Justin Cooley as Leif Conybear
  • Jasmine Amy Rogers as Olive Ostrovsky (“absolutely crush that role”)
  • Others: Felipe Arroyo, Liana Rae Concepcion, Autumn Best, Matt Manuel
  • Still to be announced: Vice Principal Panch and Rona Peretti.
• Hosts’ Remarks:
  • Matt: “That is...one of the most interesting and compelling roles in musical theater of the past...that goes under the radar...Jasmine’s talents...will just absolutely crush that role.” [07:44]
  • On New World Stages: “...people are going to have to start setting up shop over at New World Stages...there’s some really exciting things happening at that venue.” [08:26]
  • Grace (wordplay): “We could go see Bea.” [08:40]

4. BROADWAY: "The Queen of Versailles" Standby Announcement

• News: Sheri Renee Scott to standby (and serve as alternate) for Kristin Chenoweth in the role of Jackie Siegel.
• Discussion:
  • Matt: “She is as beloved as anybody [inside the Broadway fandom].” [09:52]
  • Grace: “Grace, when I tell you I dropped my phone at that announcement, I am so excited. I also don’t think that there could be two more different blondes...I think she’s going to be incredible.” [10:18]
  • Matt on contrast: “But they are very different both like physically and in terms of demeanor and the type of vocal style that they sing...So that is very interesting.” [10:50]

5. OFF-BROADWAY: "Little Shop of Horrors" New Seymour

• News:
  • Nicholas Christopher departs (joining "Chess" on Broadway).
  • Thomas Doherty (Disney’s "Descendants" and HBO Max’s "Gossip Girl") to debut as Seymour from September 5, alongside Madeline Brewer (The Handmaid’s Tale).
  • Trend: “Descendants” and “Zombies” actors moving to the NY stage (e.g., Morgan Dudley in "Hadestown").
• Hosts’ Take:
  • Matt: “There’s a lot of young musical theater talent that grew up doing these films...as they start to become of age, I would not be surprised if we see even more people from those franchises...on New York Stages.” [11:42–12:50]
  • Grace: “A lot of young people, a lot of people. ...Sorry, they’re doing Kenny Ortega choreography, that earns you a place on Broadway in my book.” [12:50]

6. REGIONAL: "Purple Rain" Stage Adaptation at Minnesota State Theater

• Key Points:
  • Starring Chris Collins (the Kid) and Rachel Webb (Apollonia).
  • Features Leon Addison Brown, Christina Jones, Gian Perez, Grace Yu.
  • Runs October 16 – November 16.
  • Notable for focusing on Prince’s legacy rather than star casting.
• Matt: “...they’re doing this show about a film but really closely identified with...Prince as the writer and star of the film...leaning into that being the biggest marketing point...” [14:13]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “[‘Proof’]...another incredible show in the best revival of a play category that we are not going to want to miss come spring.”
  — Matt, [02:41]

• “I said, Oh, buckle up, you. You have no idea.”
  — Grace, responding to a friend unfamiliar with Proof [03:54]

• "...I think someone of Jasmine's talents and stature will just absolutely crush that role [Olive Ostrovsky]."
  — Matt, on Spelling Bee casting [07:44]

• “...I also don't think that there could be two more different blondes. ...It's very exciting.”
  — Grace, on Sheri Renee Scott and Kristin Chenoweth sharing a role [10:18]

• “Sorry, they're doing Kenny Ortega choreography, that earns you a place on Broadway in my book.”
  — Grace, on “Descendants” alumni making Broadway debuts [12:50]

Important Timestamps

• 00:28 — Show intro and podcast programming note
• 02:41 — Announcement and discussion: "Proof" revival with Ayo Edebiri & Don Cheadle
• 03:38–04:22 — Grace’s excitement and context for "Proof"
• 04:22–06:11 — "Marjorie Prime" details and category debate
• 06:11–06:43 — Reflection on play revival category and the season’s play lineup
• 06:43–08:26 — "Spelling Bee" Off-Broadway revival detailed casting
• 09:52–10:18 — Sheri Renee Scott as Queen of Versailles backup/alternate
• 10:50–12:50 — More on Scott vs. Chenoweth and "Little Shop" casting
• 14:13–15:22 — "Purple Rain" stage adaptation details
• 15:22–16:36 — Quick hit: "Songs of the Summer" concert and the rise of the "Los Culturistas Awards"
• 16:36 — Closing

Final Thoughts

The episode highlights a resurgence and deepening of Broadway’s play slate, an influx of star power (especially noteworthy debuts), and the creative adaptation of film and television talent onto the stage. The hosts’ dynamic mix of fan excitement, industry analysis, and playful rapport keeps the focus on the vibrancy of upcoming productions—assuring theater fans this is a season not to be missed, whether their tastes run to revivals, new plays, cult musicals, or star-driven events.