BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: Today on Broadway – Friday, May 30, 2025
Release Date: May 30, 2025
1. Tony Awards and the 'Hamilton' 10th Anniversary Celebration
BroadwayRadio kicks off the episode with an exciting update on the upcoming Tony Awards, highlighting a major reunion of the original Broadway cast of Hamilton to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary. Host Matt Tamineni shares the details:
“It was announced yesterday that a large majority of the original Broadway cast of Hamilton will be reuniting at the Tony Awards to celebrate the show's 10th anniversary.” [03:20]
The reunion will feature principal actors such as Lin-Manuel Miranda, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Jonathan Groff, among others. While notable absence Anthony Ramos was mentioned, Matt speculates his potential last-minute appearance:
“Not everybody. As I'm looking through here, just kind of scrolling through, I don't see Anthony Ramos. His name is not listed.” [03:20]
Grace Aki reflects on her personal connection to the Tony Awards and the significance of the Hamilton cast reunion:
“Grace: Listen, my first Tony Awards I went to was 2016 and now we are approaching Hamilton and now I've never felt older. So this is crazy. It's really amazing.” [03:20]
The hosts anticipate that Hamilton will continue to be a central topic in the Broadway scene, especially during the upcoming Tony season.
2. Excellence in Theater Education Tony Award
Matt Tamineni shares heartwarming news about Gary Edwin Robinson winning the Excellence in Theater Education Tony Award:
“Gary Edwin Robinson has won the Excellence in Theater Education Tony Award. This is co-presented by Carnegie Mellon and Robinson is the head of the Theater Arts program at Brooklyn's Boys and Girls High School...” [04:19]
Robinson's innovative program offers students shadowing opportunities with Broadway professionals, fostering the next generation of theater talent. This marks the first time a New York City teacher has received this honor, underscoring the value of educational contributions to the arts.
3. Broadway Show Extensions and Cast Changes
The episode covers updates on several Broadway productions:
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Brandon Jacobs Jenkins's Purpose: Matt announces the extension of this Pulitzer Prize-winning play by two months, now running until August 31st at the Helen Hayes Theater. The intact original cast, with five Tony nominations among them, remains a significant draw.
“Brandon Jacobs Jenkins's Pulitzer Prize winning play Purpose has extended by a full two months on Broadway.” [04:19]
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Cast Replacement in Max: David Thaxton, portraying Max, is set to conclude his role to return to family life in the UK. Jordan Donica will take over the role, ensuring continuity and vocal excellence.
“David Thaxton... is going to be ending his run in the show on Tony Sunday... Jordan Donica is going to step in.” [07:35]
Grace emphasizes the positive impact of the new casting:
“Grace: He's going to be excellent... it is going to be so damn good.” [08:31]
4. Celebrating Diversity in Broadway Casting
Grace passionately discusses the increasing diversity in Broadway, particularly highlighting the representation of women of color on 44th Street:
“Grace: All four of those principals, with the exception of Tom... three out of the four will be played by people of color... it's kind of extraordinary to see.” [08:43]
She advocates for celebrating these milestones and suggests a collaborative class photo to commemorate the achievements, reflecting the evolving and inclusive landscape of Broadway.
5. 'Ham for Ham' Concert and Audra McDonald Update
The podcast delves into the details of the Ham for Ham concert scheduled for the afternoon of May 30th at the Richard Rogers Theater. The event boasts a stellar lineup, including:
- Complete cast of Operation Mincemeat
- Three stars from Gypsy
- Audra McDonald
- Joy Woods
- Jordan Tyson
- Nicole Scherzinger
- Mandy Gonzalez
- Christopher Jackson
“Tonight, May 30th at 4:30pm will be the complete cast of Operation Mincemeat... Audra McDonald, Joy Woods, and others.” [11:03]
Additionally, Matt addresses recent tensions between Audra McDonald and Patti LuPone, referencing a New Yorker interview where Audra stated she hasn’t spoken to Patti in over a decade:
“Audra says that she hasn't seen or talked to Patti LuPone in about 11 years.” [14:55]
This revelation adds a layer of intrigue to the Broadway community's dynamics.
6. Show Recommendations
The hosts share their top picks for listeners to check out:
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Smash's Act 1 Finale: Highlighted by Grace for its emotional resonance and exceptional performance by Bella Coppola.
“...the Act 1 finale is Let Me Be Your Star... sung by Bella Coppola. And it is tremendous.” [13:00]
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Dead Outlaw's 'Normal Grace': Featuring Andrew Durand and Julia Nitel, praised for their captivating street performance.
“Andrew Durand in the coffin, propped up right there for people to walk by and look at... deserves awards as far as I'm concerned.” [14:55]
7. Weekend Plans and Personal Updates
Grace shares her weekend activities, balancing sports events and preparing for the intense Tony season:
“Grace: Saturday I'm going to a Red Bulls soccer game... we are going to need to dial it back.” [15:05]
Matt wraps up by encouraging listeners to enjoy their weekends, whether diving into sports, theater, or other passions.
Conclusion
Today on Broadway offers a comprehensive overview of the current Broadway landscape, from anticipated Tony Awards moments and celebrated educational achievements to dynamic casting changes and enriching show recommendations. Hosts Matt Tamineni and Grace Aki provide insightful commentary, ensuring listeners stay informed and engaged with the vibrant world of Broadway.
For more updates and detailed discussions, follow BroadwayRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or connect with Grace Aki directly on her Instagram.