BroadwayRadio Podcast Episode Summary
Today on Broadway: Friday, Feb. 14, 2025
Release Date: February 14, 2025
Host: Matt Tamminini and Grace Aki
Podcast: BroadwayRadio

Introduction

In the Valentine's Day special of Today on Broadway, hosts Matt Tamminini and Grace Aki delve into the latest news, reviews, and updates from the Broadway scene. The episode covers a range of topics, including new musical releases, casting announcements, cancellations, and exciting upcoming events. Below is a detailed summary of the key discussions and insights shared during the episode.

Redwood: A New Broadway Musical Stirs Mixed Reactions

Overview of Redwood
At the heart of the discussion is the newly premiered Broadway musical Redwood, which debuted on February 14, 2025, at the Nederlander Theater. Starring the versatile Idina Menzel, who not only leads but also co-created the project, Redwood tells the story of a woman navigating a traumatic crisis. She makes a life-altering decision to drive across the country to the redwood forests in Northern California, where a chance encounter leads to a transformative leap of faith.

Key Contributors:

• Idina Menzel: Star and co-creator
• Tony Tina Landau: Director and lyricist
• Kate Diaz: Book and music writer
• Supporting Cast: Deidre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Peiser, Kayla Wilcoxson

Reviews and Critical Reception
The hosts discuss the spectrum of reviews Redwood has received:

1. Positive Highlights:

   • Jesse Green, The New York Times [00:03:10]: Named Redwood a "Critics' Pick," praising Menzel's powerful performance.

     "The musical Redwood, which opened on Thursday at the Nederlander Theater, features two great stars. One is an awe-inspiring force of nature, the other is a tree... Has anyone ever belted so much, so tirelessly and so hair-raisingly?"
     Green lauds the emotional depth and complexity Menzel brings to her character, describing her as "a walking panic attack, an avoidant over talker, an entitled princess, and a grief-stricken mother—all at once."

   • Frank Frizzo, Variety [00:04:15]: Commended composer Kate Diaz's work and the reflective nature of the score.

     "Her songs and underscoring are of a singular, reflective piece with rich melodies and evocative arrangements and orchestrations."
     Frizzo also notes that although some lyrics lean towards the generic, standout numbers like "Great Escape" and "No Repair" effectively utilize Menzel's vocal prowess. He praises the emotionally charged climax, especially the song "Heart Healing," performed by Peiser.

2. Mixed to Negative Reviews:

   • Grace Juan A. Ramirez, Theaterly [00:04:40]: Offers a more critical perspective, suggesting that while Menzel's passion shines, the show's ideas and characters lack depth.

     "Redwood doesn't feel like a disaster, nor did it have to be. There's enough genuine passion in Menzel's commitment to the role and the overall project to power a solid show, but none of its ideas or characters are given space to coalesce into anything meaningful."

   • David Cody, The Observer [00:05:00]: Takes a harsher stance, feeling that Menzel's talent is underutilized.

     "Redwood rhymes with deadwood, the derogatory term for people or things that no longer serve a function. Menzel has plenty to give. She could be the greatest squandered resource on Broadway in decades."

Discussion and Analysis:
Matt and Grace analyze the dichotomy in reviews, noting that while major publications like The New York Times and Variety offer support and highlight the show's strengths, other critics express disappointment, particularly regarding the development of the storyline and character depth. They acknowledge that Redwood is receiving a mixed to negative consensus overall but emphasize the potential positive impact of high-profile endorsements.

Matt [04:50]: "But when you have Variety and The New York Times giving positive reviews, you know, you can kind of see a path forward for the reviews to actually have a positive impact because the big name ones were the ones that were throwing Menzel on the show's flowers."

Grace expresses optimism about seeing the show despite the mixed reviews, highlighting personal excitement and anticipation.

Grace [04:53]: "I'm really excited to learn genuinely like how she connects to the digital nature behind her."

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast: Casting Announced for North American Tour

Disney reveals the casting for its upcoming North American tour of Beauty and the Beast, generating buzz among Broadway enthusiasts.

Key Cast Members:

• Kira Bell Johnson as Belle
  Ironically, Belle is her middle name, which adds a delightful personal touch to her casting.

• Fergie Philippe as the Beast
  Philippe's casting is met with excitement due to his powerful voice and stage presence.

Creative Team:

• Alan Menken: Original composer returning to enhance the musical’s legacy.
• Tim Rice: Book writer, bringing depth to the narrative.
• Linda Wolverton: Book writer contributing to the story adaptation.
• Matt West: Choreographer, ensuring dynamic and fresh dance arrangements.

Hosts’ Commentary: Matt expresses particular excitement about Fergie Philippe’s portrayal, praising his ability to embody the Beast’s complex character.

Matt [05:14]: "I'm excited about this Fergie as the Beast seems inspired. It seems great."

Grace echoes Matt's enthusiasm, highlighting Philippe's vocal power and presence as ideal for the Beast role.

Grace [06:22]: "I love Fergie. He is so good. He's such a good choice for this."

Cancellation of Finn: Kennedy Center Withdraws from Children’s Musical Tour

A disappointing development unfolds as the Kennedy Center cancels the upcoming North American tour of the children’s musical Finn.

Background on Finn:

• Premiere: December at the Kennedy Center
• Recognition: Nominated for multiple Helen Hayes Awards
• Storyline: Follows a young shark's journey to pursue his dreams

Announcement and Reaction: Creators Chris Knee, Michael Kuman, and Christopher Diamond announced the cancellation on Instagram, citing external pressures and challenges.

"Diamond and Kuman and Knee are sad to announce that the Kennedy center tour of our musical Finn has officially canceled yesterday. Well, not a surprise given the events of the last week... we will not abandon the kids we wrote this show for." [00:06:44]

Industry Response: Actors Equity voiced strong disapproval, criticizing the Kennedy Center's leadership for suppressing diverse viewpoints.

Actors Equity [00:06:50]: "We are outraged at the news that the Kennedy center has canceled the upcoming tour of Finn... it is disturbing to see the new leadership of this institution move so swiftly to suppress viewpoints they do not agree with."

Hosts’ Reflections: Matt expresses disappointment, viewing this as part of a broader trend of arts organizations retracting support for inclusive projects.

Matt [06:22]: "This is the first of many troubling and concerning and disappointing moves from the Kennedy center and across arts organizations..."

Grace concurs, emphasizing the impact on young audiences and the creative community.

Upcoming Broadway Musical: Regency Girls Announces Complete Cast

Regency Girls, set to premiere at the Old Globe with previews starting April 2, has unveiled its full cast and creative team.

Creative Team:

• Director and Choreographer: Josh Rhodes
• Book Writers: Jennifer Crittenden and Gabrielle Allen (both Emmy winners)
• Music: Curtis Moore (three-time Emmy nominee)
• Lyrics: Amanda Green

Cast Members:

• Isabella McCullough as Eleanor Benton
• Christina Alabado
• Kate Rockwell
• Ryan Redmond
• Nick Walker
• Supporting Cast: Kyla Stone, Marissa Rosen, Amy Jo Jackson, among others

Synopsis: The story follows Eleanor Benton, portrayed by Isabella McCullough, an unmarried pregnant woman in 19th-century England. Facing societal ruin, she embarks on a road trip with her best friends to seek help from a woman who could alter her destiny.

Hosts’ Commentary: Matt praises the cast, highlighting recent performances and the promise they bring to the production.

Matt [09:30]: "But knowing that these people are involved from Izzy and Christina and Kate and Nick and everybody else, like this is immediately on my radar."

Grace notes the familiarity of several cast members from recent shows, expressing enthusiasm for the musical's potential.

Grace [10:14]: "It sounds like a Casey Nicholaw show, but it's not. I'm really excited to see whatever this is."

West End Production of The Great Gatsby Cast Announced

The highly anticipated West End transfer of the Broadway success The Great Gatsby has revealed its complete cast, set to premiere at the London Coliseum on April 11, 2025.

Key Cast Members:

• Jamie Moscato as Jay Gatsby
• Francis Maylee McCann as Daisy Buchanan
• Corbin Bleu as Nick Carraway
• Amber Davies as Jordan Baker
• Joel Montague as George Wilson
• John Owen Jones as Meyer Wolfsheim
• John Robbins as Tom Buchanan
• Rachel Tucker as Myrtle Wilson

Hosts’ Insights: Matt highlights the strength and versatility of the cast, noting the blend of Broadway veterans and rising stars.

Matt [11:50]: "Like you throw in Corbin Bleu, you throw in John Owen Jones, you throw in Rachel Tucker... this is a legitimately dynamite cast for this production in London."

Grace appreciates the strategic casting choices, recognizing the potential for a successful West End run.

Grace [12:08]: "I really like it for the West End. I love that this is this successful... the fact that they're getting to have this run is really exciting."

Off Broadway Updates: Hamlet Extension and The Play That Goes Wrong Casting

1. Hamlet Extended at Lucille Lortel Theater
The Olivier-winning one-man production of Anton Chekhov’s classic, starring Andrew Scott, has seen its run extended by a week. Originally set to close on May 4, performances will now continue until May 11, with potential for further extensions based on ticket sales.

2. The Play That Goes Wrong Welcomes John Rapson
John Rapson, known for his roles in Sweeney Todd and Les Misérables, joins the cast of The Play That Goes Wrong at New World Stages. His arrival promises to elevate the comedic elements of the production.

Matt [12:08]: "John Rapson is hysterically funny and an incredible performer. So John Rapson is just another great reason to go see The Play That Goes Wrong."

Grace expresses excitement about Rapson’s involvement, recalling their previous collaboration.

Broadway's Chicago: Casting and Production Updates

Key Cast Members:

• Dilys Croman returns as Roxie Hart, maintaining her strong presence in the role for the past 16 years.
• Remo Webb steps into the role of Matron Mama Morton, bringing his signature flair to the character.

Performance Schedule:

• Chicago will begin performances on February 24, 2025, before moving to the Public Theater.

Matt and Grace commend the casting decisions, emphasizing the importance of continuity and fresh talent in long-running productions.

Matt [13:30]: "Dilys Croman has been a regular presence in this production over the past 16 years... Remo Webb will be taking on the role of Matron Mama Morton."

Broadway Backwards Event: Complete Casting Announced

The annual Broadway Backwards event, produced by Broadway Cares, has released its full list of performers. Scheduled for March 10, 2025, the event supports New York City’s LGBTQ+ Community Center.

Host:

• Jen Colella

Performers Include:

• Titus Burgess
• Lynn Cariou
• Jordan Fisher
• Anna Gasteyer
• Joshua Henry
• Gregory Jabarra
• Adam Lambert
• Tiffany Mann
• Kelly O'Hara
• Joy Woods
• And more...

Matt highlights the star-studded lineup, anticipating a memorable and impactful event.

Matt [14:50]: "If you want to get more information on that, you can check out the show notes."

Dolly Colon Musical: Star Search Competition Finalists Announced

In an innovative approach to casting, the creators of the original musical Dolly Colon have launched a competition to find stars for its upcoming first out-of-town tryout in Nashville, as well as the Broadway production.

Competition Details:

• Number of Finalists: 15
• Process: Finalists will attend in-person auditions in New York City.
• Casting Roles: Multiple performers may be cast to portray Dolly at different ages throughout the show.

Hosts’ Perspectives: Matt appreciates the transparency and marketing savvy of releasing finalist details, noting it keeps the momentum alive around the production.

Matt [16:43]: "It's really interesting that they released the full names, hometowns, not only, obviously, a great move from a marketing standpoint..."

Grace shares her excitement for the competitive aspect and the potential for discovering new talent.

Grace [16:43]: "I love these contests, and I obviously have been very excited about the Dolly of it all."

Recommendations: Must-Watch Performances

To conclude the episode, Matt and Grace recommend two standout performances for listeners to enjoy over the weekend:

1. Rainn Wilson in Urinetown

   • Performance: Singing "Don't Be the Bunny"
   • Highlight: Wilson’s rendition adds a comedic yet heartfelt layer to the character.

2. Helen Jason and Darren Criss in Happy Ending

   • Performance: Singing "Hitting the Road"
   • Highlight: Their chemistry and vocal performances promise an entertaining preview of the upcoming cast album.

Closing Remarks

Matt and Grace wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow BroadwayRadio on social media for the latest updates. They tease an upcoming interview in the Patreon feed and preview the return to the regular schedule for Today on Broadway.

Matt [17:48]: "Have a wonderful Friday, a wonderful weekend, and we will have an interview in the feeds on Monday."
Grace [17:50]: "You can find me at It's Grace Aki."

Stay tuned to BroadwayRadio for more in-depth coverage and exclusive insights into the world of Broadway. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to the scene, this podcast ensures you stay informed and entertained with the latest happenings from the stage.