Today on Broadway: Friday, March 14, 2025

Summary

BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Friday, March 14, 2025

Host: Matt Timminenti
Release Date: March 14, 2025

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Introduction

In this episode of Today on Broadway, host Matt Timminenti dives deep into the latest Broadway news, including exciting show premieres, notable casting announcements, and upcoming publications. Additionally, Matt shares a delightful segment featuring Bernadette Peters' humorous appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This comprehensive summary encapsulates all the key discussions, insights, and announcements from the episode.

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Major Show Announcements

1. Cirque du Soleil's "Drawn to Life" at Disney Springs

Matt kicks off the episode by sharing his anticipation for Cirque du Soleil’s newest performance, Drawn to Life, scheduled to premiere at Disney Springs on Sunday. Describing it as a blend of Disney magic and Cirque's signature artistry, Matt expresses excitement about reconnecting with Cirque after a decade-long hiatus.

Matt Timminenti [02:30]: "I have not seen a Cirque show in well over a decade and this is a new show at Disney Springs. It’s definitely a Disney-influenced Cirque show, and I’m looking forward to seeing that."

2. US Premiere of "Two Strangers and Carry a Cake Across New York"

A significant highlight is the announcement of the US premiere of the West End musical Two Strangers and Carry a Cake Across New York at the American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts, starting May 20th for a five-week run until June 29th.

Matt provides an overview of the show’s success in London, where it enjoyed a 10-week run at the Kiln Theatre before transferring to the West End’s Criterion Theater. Written by Jim Barn and Kit Buchan, and directed/choreographed by Tim Jackson, the musical follows Dougal, a naive Brit, and Robin as they navigate the challenges of carrying a cake across New York City.

Matt Timminenti [04:45]: "It had a very successful 10-week run at the Kiln Theatre in London before transferring to the Criterion Theater in the West End. The cast album is available to listen if you want to hear about it."

This production replaces the iconic Tony-winning musical Passing Strange, which was canceled due to elevated production costs. Matt anticipates that Two Strangers might pave the way for a New York or even Broadway run.

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Notable Casting Announcements

1. Ashley Graham Joins Broadway's "Chicago"

In a surprising and exciting development, supermodel Ashley Graham is set to take on the role of Roxie Hart in the Broadway production of Chicago, beginning April 15th and running through May 25th. Matt highlights Graham’s illustrious career in modeling and her lack of traditional acting credentials, making her casting a bold and intriguing move.

Matt Timminenti [06:20]: "She has over 21 million followers on Instagram. It’ll be interesting to see if that translates into people showing up at the Ambassador Theater."

Despite her primarily modeling background, Ashley Graham brings immense star power and a massive social media following, which could attract a diverse audience to the production.

2. Joey Fatone Returns to Broadway's "Juliet"

Pop icon Joey Fatone is making his return to Broadway’s Juliet, concluding his first run on March 16th. He is scheduled to reprise his role starting April 22nd through July 31st, replacing Hayden Taylor, who will cover the interim period from March 18th to April 20th.

Matt applauds the show's strategy of incorporating talent from various international productions to enrich the show's dynamic.

Matt Timminenti [07:50]: "They are bringing in people from other productions to do this show, whether for short periods or longer periods. It’s a great way to connect the show to its history."

Fatone’s Broadway experience and enthusiasm promise to invigorate the production, maintaining its popularity and ensuring a memorable performance.

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Off-Broadway Highlights

1. "The Swamp Dwellers" – Off-Broadway Premiere

The Off-Broadway premiere of The Swamp Dwellers, written by Nobel Prize winner Wole Soyinka and directed by Obiwinner Ow ye Tempo, is set to run at Tifana from March 30th to April 20th. This 1958 play blends Nigerian myths with a mid-20th-century family drama, presenting a rich cultural narrative.

Matt Timminenti [08:10]: "It uses myths to integrate into a mid-20th century story that takes place during one day in the life of a Nigerian family."

Featuring a talented cast including Tony nominee Etou Blankson Wood and Leon Addison Brown, the production promises to deliver a powerful and evocative theatrical experience.

2. New York Theatre Company’s Workshop of "Machina"

Chelena Kennedy's New York Theatre Company is launching its first production with a workshop run of Sophie Treadwell’s iconic play, Machina. Scheduled for April 2nd, 6th, 12th, and 18th at the New York City Fringe, the workshop will be directed by Amy Marie Seidel.

Matt expresses personal enthusiasm for Machina, considering it one of his top five plays, and anticipates a compelling rendition led by Catherine Winter.

Matt Timminenti [08:50]: "I often tell people that Machina is one of my top five plays."

This production marks an exciting addition to the fringe scene, offering fresh interpretations of classic works.

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Upcoming Publications

"Hirschfeld's Sondheim" – New Poster Book Release

A highly anticipated publication, Hirschfeld's Sondheim, is set to release on September 9th. Creative Director David Leopold of the Al Hirschfeld Foundation curates this poster book, featuring art by the legendary Al Hirschfeld, an introduction by Bernadette Peters, and a foreword by Ben Brantley.

Matt Timminenti [09:20]: "There’s no question I will have this book. And if there are prints of these made available, I will probably get those for my wall as well."

The book offers a nostalgic and artistic homage to Stephen Sondheim’s illustrious career, making it a must-have for Broadway enthusiasts and collectors.

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Celebrity Appearances and Feel-Good Moments

1. Bernadette Peters on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

One of the episode's standout segments features Bernadette Peters’ charming and humorous appearance on The Tonight Show. While promoting Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater, Peters showcases her comedic talents by reluctantly agreeing to sing on-air.

Bernadette Peters [08:55]: "I haven’t rehearsed anything. Hit it."

Her playful interaction with host Jimmy Fallon, including improvisational lyrics, reveals a side of Peters that fans adore—her impeccable comic timing and versatility beyond her dramatic musical roles.

Bernadette Peters [09:27]: "Our wires, man."

Matt praises this appearance, highlighting Peters' multifaceted talent and her ability to effortlessly blend drama with comedy.

Matt Timminenti [09:52]: "Bernadette has such great comic timing and a wonderful voice. I cannot wait to see this show."

2. Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein, and Joy Woods on "The Kelly Clarkson Show"

Matt also touches on a delightful performance featuring Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein, and Joy Woods on The Kelly Clarkson Show. Their collaboration brings a warm and engaging dynamic, further enriching the current Broadway landscape.

Matt Timminenti [10:25]: "If you want to check out the video for that, we will have it in the show notes."

This segment underscores the vibrant community of Broadway performers continually showcasing their talents across various media platforms.

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Conclusion

Matt Timminenti wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to stay connected through social media channels and tune in for upcoming shows and episodes. With a blend of thrilling announcements, casting news, and heartwarming celebrity moments, this episode of Today on Broadway offers a comprehensive overview of the vibrant theatrical world.

Matt Timminenti [11:22]: "Have a wonderful Friday, a safe and unambitious Ides of March, and we'll be back to talk to you on Monday."

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Stay Connected:
Follow BroadwayRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for the latest updates and behind-the-scenes content.

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This summary encapsulates the key points and engaging discussions from the March 14, 2025 episode of Today on Broadway. Whether you're a seasoned theater enthusiast or new to the Broadway scene, these highlights provide valuable insights into the dynamic world of theater.

Transcript

[Matt Timminenti]

Welcome to Today on Broadway for Friday, March 14, 2025 on Broadway Radio's Matt Timminenti. Of course, tomorrow is a huge holiday for all theater nerds out there as it is the Ides of March. So either sit back, relax and enjoy Marlon Brando in a classic film, maybe read Julius Caesar, but whatever you do, watch your back, literally and figuratively. As we talked about on yesterday's show, Grace is in London on a work trip through the weekend and I am here in Orlando. I am actually going to see a theatrical production that's not really theater but is certainly performance. I'm going to see Cirque du Soleil's Drawn to Life on Sunday. I have not seen a Cirque show in well over a decade and this is a new show at Disney Springs. I think Lanuba used to be there. I saw Lanuba and this has been at Disney Springs, I think coming out of the Pandemic. Whenever it reopened after the Pandemic, it has been drawn to life, which is a Disney influenced Cirque show. So I'm looking forward to seeing that. I will talk about that probably on Tuesday's episode because we'll record before I go to that because it's an evening show but nonetheless, lots of things going on here and we are going to dive into the news and this is a pretty big story. Even though it doesn't sound like it is. The West End musical Two Strangers and then Parent parenthetically Carry a Cake Across New York has announced its US Premiere as the show will play the American Repertory theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts beginning on May 20th of this year. It is a very short run, like a five week run as it is currently scheduled to close on June 29th. This is a show that got a ton of acclaim. It had played in some smaller venues and eventually transferred to the West End where it had a very successful run. The reason it is coming to Art is because Passing Strange, which had originally been announced for the season, has been canceled due to elevated production costs. So they are replacing an iconic Tony winning musical with a show that is hopefully probably aiming for some sort of New York run. If you're unfamiliar with the show, it is written by Jim Barn and Kit Buchan and is directed and choreographed by Tim Jackson. It follows Dougal and Robin. Dougal is a young naive Brit who comes all the way over to New York for his father's second wedding where he encounters Robin who is the sister of the bride and as the title might suggest, they have to carry a cake across New York City as I said this had an incredibly successful 10 week run at the Kiln Theatre in London before it transferred to the Criterion Theater in the West End, and I know a ton of people who have seen it in London and just rave about it. The cast album is available to listen if you want to hear about it, but I would imagine that this is just a stop on the road to New York City where the show is set, but it will have an opportunity to play Art in Cambridge before making the move either Off Broadway or perhaps even to Broadway if things go well. Speaking of things on Broadway, yesterday it was announced that supermodel Ashley Graham is going to be joining the Broadway production of Chicago in the role of Roxie Hart. She will take over just a month from now on April 15, and she is currently scheduled to play the part through May 25. Graham has had a huge career as a model. She's been on the COVID of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. She has been one of Times 100 Most Influential People on Forbes 30 Under 30 list. She was named Glamour's Woman of the Year as well as GQ's International Female Model of the Year. But what she does not have on her resume is any acting. As far as I can tell, she has done a number of TV projects as a host or as a guest guest, but other than some music videos, I don't see anything in her resume where she has actually done any acting. So this will be an interesting opportunity for her to flex those muscles. But what's funny about is it's not only acting, but it's also, you know, you got to sing and dance with Roxy as well. So no doubt she will have a ton of people that'll be interested to find out what she's able to do in this role. She has 21.3 million followers on the Instagram. I'm not going to check other social media platforms, but she's a model and Instagram is for pictures, so I guess that would make sense. But she certainly has a ton of fans around the world and it'll be interesting to see if that translates into people showing up at the Ambassador Theater. Ashley Graham has over 21 million followers on Instagram. Somebody who I thought would have had maybe not that many, but would have had more than he actually has is Joey Fatone, who, believe it or not, only has 529,000 followers on Instagram. Granted, had Instagram been around when NSYNC was in its heyday, likely would have had a lot more, but nonetheless was surprised about that. But the reason I'M talking about the one and only Joey Fatone is because he is already planning a trip to come back to Broadway's and Juliet. He will end his first run in the show this Sunday, March 16, but he will come back to the show just over a month later on April 22, and he will plan to be in the show through July 31. Taking over the role of Lance in the meantime will be Hayden Taylor, who originated the role in the Australian production of the show. Hayden will be there from March 18 through April 20. I think this is one brilliant to have Joey Fatone in the show for as long as he possibly would want to be there. He's a guy who has Broadway experience before. They literally sing some of the songs that he helped create in the show and he just seems like he's having a ton of fun. But I also love the fact that they are bringing in people from other productions of Of Angelia from around the world to do this show, you know, either for short periods of time or for longer periods of time. It's a really great way to connect the show to its history. We, of course had Videla, who was an Olivier award winner for the original West End production. He came in there. Now you're getting Hayden and obviously Paulo Jot has gone in and out of the cast as well over time. So I think this is awesome. And hopefully Joey won't say bye bye bye to the role for too long. All right, let's move from Broadway, Off Broadway, in fact. We're going to leave the island of Manhattan and we are going to head over to theater for a new audience in Brooklyn where they will present the Off Broadway premiere of Nobel Prize winner Wole Schoenka's the Swamp Dwellers. It'll be directed by Obiwinner Ow ye Tempo and it is scheduled to run at Tifana from March 30 through April 20. Written in 1958, the show is one of Schoenka's earliest plays and it uses myths to integrate into a mid 20th century story that takes place during one day in the life of a Nigerian family. The cast will feature Tony nominee Etou Blankson Wood, Leon Addison Brown, Joshua Echeverri, Jenny Jules Jason Maena Chike Okonkwo and Oluwale Oyonola. If you remember, we've recently talked about this new kind of, like, artists collective called the New York Theatre Company that Chelena Kennedy was involved with. Well, they have announced their first production. It is a workshop run of Sophie Treadwell's iconic play Machina, which is in my top five plays list. It is going to be presented on April 2nd, 6th, 12th and 18th. Amy Marie Seidel will direct. Leading the cast will be Catherine Winter as young woman who is the central character in the show. The production will run at the New York City Fringe. If you would like tickets, we will have information in the show notes. And this is something from early in the week that we didn't cover. But coming out this fall will be a new poster book called Hirschfeld's Sondheim. A poster book. David Leopold, who I interviewed here on Broadway Radio three and a half, two and a half years ago, is the creative director of the Al Hirschfeld foundation and his new book will be released on September 9th. But Playbill has an exclusive look at the COVID The book is by Leopold, art by Al Hirschfeld, with an introduction by Bernadette Peters and a forward by Ben Brantley. Count me in. Like I'm getting this. Like, there's no question I will have this book. And if there are prints of these made available, I will probably get those for my wall as well. Speaking of Bernadette Peters, let's get into our feel good recommendations. And I have to tell you, if you were on social media at all on Thursday, you've seen this clip. But Bernadette Peters was on the Tonight show with Jimmy Fallon and she was of course promoting Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends that will begin performances at the end of this month at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater. And she's telling stories and all of that and that is great. But Jimmy coaxes her into singing. And of course, Bernadette, not liking to be the center of attention, says, oh, I don't know, I haven't warmed up, whatever. And she grabs the mic and as she's kind of demurring and saying she's not sure, you know, if she can do it without any preparation, she goes, I don't know.

[Bernadette Peters]

I haven't rehearsed anything. Hit it.

[Joey Fatone]

Someday, maybe if I stick it long.

[Bernadette Peters]

Enough, I can get to str. Walking for a night, man.

[Joey Fatone]

Like a jig bell.

[Bernadette Peters]

Our wires, man.

[Matt Timminenti]

Perfect comic timing, too. Like, I think that's something that if you only think of Bernadette from, like, her dramatic roles in musical theater, like, you forget that like in the 70s and 80s she was one of the funniest people on television and movies. So great comic timing, great voice. Cannot wait to see this show. Speaking of a role that Bernadette Peters has played in the past, Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein and Joy woods perform together wherever we go on the Kelly Clarkson show yesterday. So if you want to check out the video for that, we will have it in the show notes the star.

[Joey Fatone]

Wherever we are, it's together. Wherever I go, I know he goes. Wherever I go, I know she goes. No fits, no fights, no feuds and no egos, amigos, together.

[Matt Timminenti]

All right, everybody, that's all we have for today. Thanks for listening into today on Broadway. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Rodrigue, you can follow me on Instagram @bww met. Have a wonderful Friday, a safe and unambitious ides of March and we'll be back to talk to you on Monday.

[Joey Fatone]

Together wherever we sleep.

[Bernadette Peters]

If prices are steep, we'll always sleep cheaper.

[Matt Timminenti]

Together.

[Joey Fatone]

Whatever the vote, I roll Euro.

[Bernadette Peters]

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[Joey Fatone]

Let's go.

[Bernadette Peters]

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[Joey Fatone]

Brad, you're on mute.

[Bernadette Peters]

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