BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "Today on Broadway: Friday, Jan. 17, 2025"

Release Date: January 17, 2025

1. Weekend Highlights and Epcot’s Disney Festival of the Arts

Host Matt Tiamineni kicks off the episode by sharing his personal plans for the weekend before embarking on a hectic travel schedule. He recommends listeners in the Central Florida area to attend the Disney Festival of the Arts at Epcot, highlighting the Broadway concert series launching on Friday. Matt enthusiastically mentions performances by notable Broadway talents:

"Disney on Broadway stars. It is starting off with Patty Murin and John Rowe, obviously the first Anna and Hans from Frozen and they are alternating nights with Casey Levy and Jelani Remy."
— Matt Tiamineni [00:29]

He lists additional performers such as Adam Jacobs, Kissy Simmons, Josh Strickland, Kara Lindsay, and Michael James Scott, emphasizing the event's vibrant lineup and encouraging attendance for an enjoyable evening.

2. Casting Announcements for "Real Women Have Curves" Broadway Adaptation

Grace Aki segues into exciting casting news for the upcoming Broadway adaptation of "Real Women Have Curves," based on Josefina Lopez's play and the subsequent film. The production had an out-of-town tryout at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Key casting announcements include:

• Justina Machado as Carmen, the mother of the protagonist, Anna. Justina, renowned for her roles in Jane the Virgin and One Day at a Time, brings warmth and depth to the role.

• Tatiana Cordoba as Ana, the ambitious high school senior and Anna's daughter, marking her Broadway debut.

"Anytime you have Justina Machado in anything, she is just so warm and loving and fantastic."
— Matt Tiamineni [01:30]

The production is set to premiere at the James Earl Jones Theater on April 1st. Grace expresses her excitement, especially having seen composer Joy Huerta perform at an Epcot concert, suggesting a seamless blend of creativity and talent for this Broadway venture.

3. "Six" Cast Updates: New Queens Take the Stage

The conversation shifts to the popular musical "Six," with Grace sharing updates on the cast changes for the upcoming production, referred to as "Six Cast 4.0." Several original queens are departing, including Jasmine Forsberg, Dee Dee Romero, Adriana Hicks, Storm Lever, Aubrey Madelon, Olivia Donaldson, and Gabriella Carrillo, with their final performances scheduled through mid-February.

New additions to the cast at the Lena Horne Theater include:

• Naja Hetzberger as Catherine of Aragon
• Gianna Yannelli as Anne Boleyn
• Kelsey Watts as Jane Seymour
• Crystal Hernandez as Anna of Cleves
• Kay Sibel as Kate Howard
• Taylor Marie Daniel as Katherine Parr

Notably, Kelsey Watts and Crystal Hernandez are making their Broadway debuts, with Watts and Cybill having backgrounds as contestants on The Voice. Grace highlights the fresh energy these new queens bring to the production.

"Not necessarily as many names maybe in this cast as had been in the past, although there are a number of people with Broadway credits and stuff like that. But I'm always excited for a new group of Queens."
— Matt Tiamineni [02:10]

Grace adds personal excitement for the new cast members, especially Gianna Yannelli's transition from Mystic Pizza to a pivotal role in "Six."

4. Casey Likes Returns to Regional Theater with "Spring Awakening"

The podcast spotlights Casey Likes, a rising Broadway star known for roles in Almost Famous and Back to the Future. Despite his Broadway success, Casey is dedicating time to the Scottsdale Community Players in Arizona, where he will star, co-produce, and direct a production of Spring Awakening. The cast includes:

• Carson Stewart from The Notebook
• Johanna Diaz Watson from Wednesday
• Britta Filter, a star from RuPaul's Drag Race

Matt praises Casey's commitment to nurturing local theater and providing opportunities for emerging artists.

"It's really cool that not only his community, but this company specifically is important to him enough that he's going to go back on a fairly regular basis and do shows that he would have probably been doing had he not, you know, had the ascent that he had on his career."
— Matt Tiamineni [05:00]

Grace echoes this sentiment, highlighting the importance of multifaceted roles in the arts and celebrating Casey’s initiative.

5. Annie Potts to Star in Industry Readings for "White Lies"

Grace announces that Annie Potts, beloved for her role in Designing Women, will headline industry readings for a new play titled "White Lies." Written by Elizabeth Dewberry and directed by Tamara Tunney, the one-person show delves into the complex relationship between Sarah and her dying mother amidst the backdrop of the Black Lives Matter protests in Manhattan and suppressed memories of Sarah's evangelical Southern upbringing.

"She is an icon for many reasons."
— Matt Tiamineni [10:30]

Grace expresses her admiration for Annie Potts and her eagerness to witness this compelling performance.

6. "Wicked" Film Achieves $700 Million Global Box Office Milestone

Matt delivers exciting news about the film adaptation of the hit musical "Wicked," which has surpassed the $700 million global box office mark as of Wednesday. The domestic earnings stand at $460.6 million, with international revenues reaching $240.4 million. Notably, the film has yet to release in Japan, a significant market, with plans to launch on March 7th in China.

"It's now pushed past that with 460.6 million coming domestically, 240.4 million internationally."
— Matt Tiamineni [10:00]

This achievement underscores "Wicked’s" widespread appeal and cultural impact.

7. "Mystic Pizza" Transitioning from Florida to Paper Mill Playhouse

Grace alerts listeners about the rapid transition of the musical Mystic Pizza from Florida’s current run to the Paper Mill Playhouse in New York City by the end of January. She urges fans to secure tickets promptly due to high demand and swift scheduling.

"It's... selling out right now. So go. If that is something that is on your radar, it's online."
— Grace Aki [12:53]

Matt and Grace discuss the show's quick turnaround and the importance of acting swiftly to attend performances.

8. Personal Insights and Closing Thoughts

In a more personal exchange, Matt and Grace discuss their preferences for experiencing theater, with Grace emphasizing her desire to approach shows with minimal prior knowledge to fully immerse herself. They share lighthearted banter about upcoming performances and the joys of supporting beloved actors and productions.

Notable Quotes:

• Matt Tiamineni [00:29]: "Disney on Broadway stars. It is starting off with Patty Murin and John Rowe, obviously the first Anna and Hans from Frozen and they are alternating nights with Casey Levy and Jelani Remy."

• Matt Tiamineni [01:30]: "Anytime you have Justina Machado in anything, she is just so warm and loving and fantastic."

• Matt Tiamineni [02:10]: "Not necessarily as many names maybe in this cast as had been in the past, although there are a number of people with Broadway credits and stuff like that. But I'm always excited for a new group of Queens."

• Matt Tiamineni [05:00]: "It's really cool that not only his community, but this company specifically is important to him enough that he's going to go back on a fairly regular basis and do shows that he would have probably been doing had he not, you know, had the ascent that he had on his career."

• Matt Tiamineni [10:00]: "It's now pushed past that with 460.6 million coming domestically, 240.4 million internationally."

• Grace Aki [12:53]: "It's... selling out right now. So go. If that is something that is on your radar, it's online."

Conclusion

"Today on Broadway: Friday, Jan. 17, 2025" offers a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the Broadway scene, from exciting casting announcements and community theater initiatives to major box office milestones. Hosts Matt Tiamineni and Grace Aki engage listeners with insightful commentary, notable quotes, and enthusiastic recommendations, making this episode a valuable resource for theater enthusiasts eager to stay informed about the vibrant world of Broadway.

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