Today on Broadway: Friday, March 7, 2025

Summary

BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary
Episode: Today on Broadway: Friday, March 7, 2025
Release Date: March 7, 2025
Host: Matt Tammini & Grace Aki

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1. Exciting Announcements from Roundabout Theater Company

Matt Tammini kicks off the episode with thrilling news from the Roundabout Theater Company, highlighting their 2025-2026 season updates:

• Broadway Debut of Oedipus
  Roundabout is bringing the recently Olivier-nominated production of Oedipus, written and directed by Robert Icke, to Broadway's legendary Studio 54 this fall. The production stars acclaimed actors Mark Strong and Leslie Manville.

  "Oedipus Rock, Fallen Angels, whatever. What jumps out at you?"
  Grace Aki [03:51]

• Rocky Horror Show Revival
  In spring 2026, Studio 54 will also host a new production of The Rocky Horror Show, directed by Sam Pinkleton—the director behind the successful adaptation of Oh, Mary! Matt expresses excitement about this unconventional pairing:

  "The reason is because Sam Pinkleton is directing it. The director of Oh, Mary! That just feels so incredibly right."
  Matt Tammini [04:33]

• Revival of Fallen Angels
  Additionally, Roundabout will present a revival of Noel Coward's 1925 comedy, Fallen Angels, at the Todd Haymes Theater. Directed by Scott Ellis, the production stars Kelly O'Hara and Rose Byrne. Matt notes the ongoing renovations at the Todd Haymes Theater, ensuring a refreshed experience for attendees:

  "They are going to do a complete gut of the restrooms. They're going to replace the seating... it'll be great to have a refurbished Todd Haymes."
  Matt Tammini [05:05]

2. Off-Broadway Highlights

The hosts delve into several Off-Broadway productions set to captivate audiences:

• World Premiere of Hold Me in the Water
  Playwright Ryan J. Haddad's new solo show, Hold Me in the Water, will premiere at Playwrights Horizons' Judy Theater from April 10 to May 4. Directed by Danny Sharon, the show explores the complexities of newfound romance and underlying insecurities.

  "In Hold Me in the Water, Ryan finds himself ready for the romance of his dreams..."
  Matt Tammini [07:22]

• Ceremonies in Dark Old Men Revival
  Norm Lewis stars in the Off-Broadway revival of Loni Elder III's Ceremonies in Dark Old Men at the Theater at Saint Clements, running from April 11 to May 18. Directed by Clifton Turner Davis, the play is set in 1950s New York, focusing on a widowed father whose family's dynamics unravel amidst a son's criminal activities.

  "Lewis will be joined by Jeremiah Packer, Calvin M. Thompson, and Bryce Michael Wood."
  Matt Tammini [09:15]

• Andrew Scott’s Vanya
  At the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Andrew Scott-led production of Vanya is underway. Mariana Gaylis has been cast as Scott's understudy, a challenging role given the iconic nature of the performance.

  "Mariana Gaylis will be taking on that responsibility when the show begins performances on March 11th."
  Grace Aki [11:03]

• Grease Parody Vape
  The comedic Grease parody, Vape, will perform at Town Hall on March 11th. The cast includes notable talents like Rachel Dratch as the teen angel and Amy Spanger as Marty, alongside returning stars Kerry Butler, Ann Harada, Jackie Hoffman, Aisha Jackson, Joel Perez, and Jelani Remy.

  "This just seems so much fun. I hope that we not only get a lot of videos from this performance..."
  Matt Tammini [12:14]

• Developmental Reading of Dubbo Championship Wrestling
  Hosted by AMAS Musical Theater Lab, the developmental reading of Dubbo Championship Wrestling is scheduled for March 24-25. Directed by Will Nunziata, the musical features a stellar cast including Stacy Bono, Natalie Joy Johnson, David Joseph Berg, Suzy Mosher, Anneliese Scarpacci, Marty Thomas, and Cole Thompson. The narrative follows an angry high schooler grappling with family business turmoil in her rural hometown.

  "It is written by Daniel Cullen and James Cullen. It is a musical that follows an angry high schooler..."
  Matt Tammini [13:45]

3. Additional News and Updates

• Upcoming Monday Night Raw
  Grace mentions the anticipation for Monday Night Raw at Madison Square Garden, tying in the week’s events and the excitement surrounding upcoming performances.

  "Monday Night Raw is at MSG this coming Monday."
  Grace Aki [14:01]

4. Feel-Good Recommendation

To wrap up the episode on a high note, Matt Tammini shares a delightful performance celebrating Women's History Month, International Women's Day, and Theater in Our Schools Month:

• "Anything Can Happen" Performance
  A group of Disney on Broadway alumni, including Sonia Balsara, Ashley Brown, Anju Cloud, Bonita Hamilton, Ariel Jacobs, Pearl Quezzi, Kara Lindsay, Courtney Reed, and Kissy Simmons, performed "Anything Can Happen" from Mary Poppins.

  "They did the song 'Anything Can Happen' for Mary Poppins. So obviously, Ashley Brown originated that role on Broadway."
  Matt Tammini [15:08]

5. Notable Quotes

• Grace Aki [03:51]:
  "I mean, I was very excited by this Oedipus. Like, I love Mr. Strong. I think he's like one of the greatest stage actors of our time."

• Matt Tammini [04:33]:
  "The reason is because Sam Pinkleton is directing it. The director of Oh, Mary! That just feels so incredibly right."

• Grace Aki [11:03]:
  "It's really tough... It takes a lot of guts and a lot of confidence to take on that gig."

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Conclusion

Today on Broadway provided an extensive overview of the upcoming Broadway and Off-Broadway seasons, highlighting exciting new productions, esteemed casts, and noteworthy behind-the-scenes details. From Roundabout Theater Company's bold choices to the promising performances off Broadway, listeners are assured of a vibrant and dynamic year in theater. The episode concluded with an inspiring musical performance, reinforcing the community and celebratory spirit of Broadway.

For those who missed the episode, this summary offers a comprehensive glimpse into the latest happenings in the Broadway scene, ensuring you stay informed and engaged with the world of musical theater.

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Follow BroadwayRadio:

• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @broadwayrading
• Host Matt Tammini: Instagram @bwwmatt
• Host Grace Aki: Instagram @graceaki

Transcript

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[Matt Tammini]

Welcome to Today on Broadway for March 7, 2025 on Broadway Radio's Matt Tammini.

[Grace Aki]

And I'm Tell Me on a Sunday podcast.

[Matt Tammini]

Grace Aki Grace, we are oozing with anticipation with today's news. Yeah, there you go. You did it better than I did. You're an actor. We will get to the news today here in just a minute, but I wanted to make sure that we let you know about a cool thing that's in the Broadway Radio feed right now. It was something that had previously been over in Patreon but is now in the regular feed as of Wednesday. I believe that is Jan Simpson's latest episode of Stagecraft in which she speaks with the incredible Bess Wall about her play Liberation, which is currently running off Broadway and it was recently extended. So you have until I think the first week of April to head over to Roundabouts Off Broadway Home to check that one out. So a great interview with Bess. Anything that Jan does is always fantastic. So if you haven't listened to that, highly recommend it. But speaking of the Roundabout Theater Company, Grace, yesterday they announced their 2025, 2026 season and it featured something that I teased earlier this week. I didn't realize it would be announced this soon, but we now know that the recently Olivier nominated production of Oedipus, written by Robert Icke, will be making its Broadway debut at Studio 54 this fall. It'll be directed by Ike, who also did the adaptation, and it features Mark Strong and Leslie Manville, two incredible stars of both stage and screen. But some of the bigger things, Grace, are happening in the spring, as I referenced in the opening, in the spring of 2026. So a year from now is at Studio 54, we will get a new production of the Rocky Horror Show. And if I'm being honest with you, Grace, if you tell me the Rocky Horror show in Roundabout, which is something that has been rumored for decades at this point, I think Alex Timbers recently shared some stuff that he had done in preparation for this years ago. But when I think of Rocky Horror and I think Roundabout, those two things do not actually go together in my mind super well because I don't think of Roundabout as being a company that does shows like Rocky Horror, let alone does them well. But this is different. The reason is, is because Sam Pinkleton is directing it. The director of oh Mary. That just feels so incredibly right. And the fact that it's at Studio 54 just seems like kismet. That seems like the best way to do this show. I imagine they will get some pretty fun people to be a part of that. I have heard some rumors that feel impossible and just kind of even too wacky to mention. But we'll come back to the Rocky Horror show at the exact same time over the Todd Hames Theater. We will get a revival of Noel Coward's 1925 comedy, Fallen Angels. Roundabout. Scott Ellis will direct and it will star not only Kelly O'Hara, but Rose Byrne as well. We'll talk about the Off Broadway stuff here in a minute. But before we do that, Grace, let's talk about this Broadway season. Go wherever you want. Oedipus Rock, Fallen Angels, whatever. What jumps out at you?

[Grace Aki]

I mean, I was very excited by this Oedipus. Like, I love Mr. Strong. I think he's like one of the greatest stage actors of our time. And this is one that I had heard so much about on the West End that I'm excited that it is coming here. We've been talking about this Rocky Horror rumor forever with Roundabout. And I just want to remind you, they did do a hell of a job with Cabaret. And like, I was obsessed that that was at the 54. So I think that this just makes sense. I'm curious who that Frank N. Furter is going to. But you know, I've heard in the past Michael Shannon. I've heard a lot of different actors, but I don't know. Like, I've got no. No wherewithal on. On this one. But I am very curious. But I'm obsessed that it's Sam Pinkleton. Maybe we'll get a call. Escola Magenta.

[Matt Tammini]

That would be amazing. Here's. Here's the thing. Our friend Ashley Hufford, when I was talking about this with her, she said the rumor. She has no confirmation of this, but I will just say the rumor she heard and doesn't quite actually believe is that Frank N. Furter is somebody that you and I talked about on this show following the Oscars about wearing a very condiment colored suit. I don't believe that I would. I find that impossible to believe. But who knows, maybe that should be interesting. One thing I do want to mention about the Todd Haymes Theater, though, when we see Fallen Angels there in the spring, that will be after the Todd Haymes Theater shut down for eight months. Starting in August of this year, they are going to do a major renovation of pretty much all of the the areas in that theater. They're going to do a complete gut of the restrooms. They're going to replace the seating. They're going to make more accessible seating throughout the venue. So that'll be great to have a kind of a refurbished Todd Hames after it got a new name as well. So I'm very excited about that. That will happen effectively after the Penzance musical closes in that space. Real quick, let's talk about some things happening Off Broadway from Roundabout. A new play by Rajeev Joseph called Archduke is going into the Laura Palace Theater. It is going to be directed by Darko Tresnik and it will star Patrick Page. Hopefully he is able to walk by this fall when he is doing that. Also at the pel's next winner will be Alex Lin's play Chinese Republicans, directed by Cha Yoo. All right, Grace, let's take a real quick break to talk about our sponsor for this week. Factor as the weather gets nicer, I don't know what it's like wherever all of you listeners are, but it is starting to get really, really nice here in Orlando. So as things are getting nicer, I'm wanting to be outside more. I'm wanting to be away from home more. I'm wanting to do things more. I want to be in the sun and on a beach somewhere. That means one I want I'm not going to want to spend a whole lot of time cooking food. But also I want to make sure I'm eating food that's good for me so I can actually get out into the sun and not feel super conscious about feeling bloated and all of those things that happen when you don't eat well. Fortunately, Factor is here to make sure that you are covered in all aspects of your diet. They have chef made gourmet meals every single week that are dietitian approved. And what's even better is that even if you are on the go, you can take them with you, throw them in the microwave, you are ready to eat a hot and delicious meal in just two minutes.

[Grace Aki]

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[Matt Tammini]

So eat smart with Factor. Get started@Factor meals.com Factor podcast and use code Factor podcast to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping. That's Code Factor [e-mail] Factorpodcast and get 50% off plus free shipping on your first box. All right, Chris, I've got a bunch of little show and casting nuggets. Nothing that jumps out as like, oh, big breaking news. But if there's anything that you want to talk about, please feel free to jump in. We already knew that Playwrights Horizons would be presenting the world premiere of Ryan J. Haddad's new solo show, Hold Me in the Water. Now we know when it is going to happen and who is going to be directing it. Danny Sharon will direct the show that will begin performances Off Broadway at the Judy on April 10th and is currently scheduled to run through May 4th. In Hold Me in the Water, Ryan finds himself ready for the romance of his dreams with someone he's only just met. As their connection grows, he learns that new heights of joy can bring deep insecurities to the surface. Also sticking off Broadway yesterday we found out that Norm Lewis is going to be doing a new Off Broadway revival of a very rarely seen show called Ceremonies in Dark Old Men. The show, by Loni Elder III, will begin performances on April 11 and is currently scheduled to play through May 18. It is going to run at the Theater at Saint Clements with Clifton Turner Davis at the helm. The play is set in 1950s New York and it centers on a widowed father, a barber who used to be a vaudeville performer whose life is thrown into turmoil when his daughter's longstanding resentments come to a head as his two sons criminal enterprise unravels. Lewis will be joined in the company by Jeremiah Packer, Calvin M. Thompson and Bryce Michael Wood. Grace, I know for me and maybe for you as well, one of the highlights of this season is not happening on Broadway but is said happening. I don't even know if I think it's technically off Broadway, but it's out in Brooklyn. That is at the Brooklyn Academy of Music where the Andrew Scott led production of Vanya will be happening. Well, we now know who is going to be understudying Andrew Scott and that is a tough task in a one person show, especially one like this where it is a iconic show starring somebody who is a beloved star of stage and screen. But Mariana Gaylis will be taking on that responsibility when the show Begins performances on March 11th. It is currently running through May 11th as it's already been extended. I feel like this is something Grace that like that is such a tough responsibility to do. It's like trying to understudy Phoebe Waller Bridge in Fleabag. Like how do you do that when you know everybody is coming to see that person? That takes a lot of guts and a lot of confidence to take on that gig.

[Grace Aki]

Yeah, I agree. It's, it's kind of like, you know, when Mike Birbiglia was doing the new one and then people kept commenting, okay, if Mike's out, what happens? And he did this really funny thing where he asked people to send in their self tapes as Mike Birbiglia. Obviously it's not something that you can do here, but it's really tough. And so I commend anybody that is stepping into those shoes. I mean it's hard enough when you're like covering for in a list celebrity in any show but when it's like also the subject matter is indicative of that person. It's just, it's, it's a total, it's, it's totally different.

[Matt Tammini]

So I cannot imagine when you take to Free a Mockingbird to Broadway, who do you want to be your understudy?

[Grace Aki]

Oh my gosh. You know, people are going to be clamoring to, to be my standby. I think it only makes sense, you know, for it to be someone obviously Mike Birbiglia because he knows how to do that so well. He could very much play a young Japane American woman from the South. It just, I think brand wise it makes sense for him. But we'll have to obviously discuss it closer to time.

[Matt Tammini]

Yeah, I mean he would have to audition obviously. That goes without saying at this point.

[Grace Aki]

Yeah. Stephanie Hsu is what I'm trying to say. Stephanie Hsu is going to do it.

[Matt Tammini]

So it's fine. Even better. Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu. Yes. Perfect. All right. We had previously talked about this Grease parody, Vape, which is going to be having a performance at Town hall on Tuesday on March 11th. We talked about all the great stars who are going to be in it. Kerry Butler, Ann Harada, Jackie Hoffman, Aisha Jackson, Joel Perez, Jelani Remy. Now we know a few others who are going to be stepping into the show. They include Rachel Dratch as the teen angel and Amy Spanger as Marty. This just seems so much fun. I hope that we not only get a lot of videos from this performance, but also have a few more opportunities to see it in the future. And then finally, Grace. Ah. I'm so mad that this is happening the week before for I am in town because I got an invitation to this and I'm not gonna be able to go. But the AMAS Musical Theater and AMAS Musical Theater Lab will be doing a developmental reading of a new musical called Dubbo championship wrestling on March 24th and 25th. Former Broadway radio guest Will Nunziata is going to be directing that, but the cast is incredible. Stacy Bono, who I loved from when I saw Sweeney Todd at Barrow street, she was fantastic. Natalie Joy Johnson, David Joseph Berg, Suzy Mosher, Anneliese Scarpacci, Marty Thomas and Cole Thompson. Just absolutely fantastic group. It is written by Daniel Cullen and James Cullen. It is a musical that follows an angry high schooler who picks the wrong fight at school and is sent back to her rural hometown where she faces a battle for her struggling family business, Dubbo Championship Wrestling. Grace, as wrestling fans, like this feels like a musical that we should like. They should have waited for both of us to be there to see this reading.

[Grace Aki]

Yeah. But Monday Night Raw is at MSG this coming Monday. And I'm just saying.

[Matt Tammini]

Is it?

[Grace Aki]

Yes, it is. And I really want to be there. It is Dorian Gray's first preview, but you never know.

[Matt Tammini]

You never know. You never know. Awesome. That's amazing. Yeah, that's. That is theater. That is certainly theater. All right, let's wrap up the show today with a feel good recommendation. And this one comes from. From the View. But a ton of Disney on Broadway stars did a special performance in honor of Women's History Month, International Women's Day and Theater in Our Schools Month. The performance featured a ton of Disney on Broadway alums, a ton of women including Sonia Balsara, Ashley Brown, Anju Cloud, Bonita Hamilton, Ariel Jacobs, Pearl Quezzi, Kara Lindsay, Courtney Reed, and Kissy Simmons. They did the song Anything can happen for Mary Poppins. So obviously Ashley Brown originated that role on Broadway. So that is very, very cool. So head over to the show notes, check out that. And I'm probably playing a little bit of it under me talking right now.

[Unknown Singer]

Anything can happen if you let it.

[Matt Tammini]

All right, everybody, that's all that we have for today. Thanks for listening to Today on Broadway. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram broadwayrading. You can follow me on Instagram at bwwmatt. Grace, where can people find you?

[Grace Aki]

You can find me at graceaki.

[Matt Tammini]

All right, everybody, have a wonderful Friday, a wonderful weekend, and we'll be back to talk to you on Monday.

[Unknown Singer]

Open different doors you may find a.

[Matt Tammini]

You there that you never knew was.

[Unknown Singer]

Yours Anything can happen raise the curtain things you thought impossible will soon seem certain Though at first it may sound clownish See the world more upside downish Turn it on its head then hero and it Anything can happen if you let it if you reach for the stars when you get all the stars but we found a hole if you reach for the heaven get the stars thrown in the stars thrown in Anything can happen if you let it Life is out there waiting so go and get it grab it by the collar seated by the scrub Once you started living life you just can't get it all Anything can happen is official. You can choose a super for the superficial Sally for the way we're steering Obstacles are disappearing go and chase your dreams you won't regret it is anything can happen anything can happen Anything can happen if you let me.

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