BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Friday, Oct. 24, 2025
Overview
In this episode, hosts Matt Tamminini and Grace Aki dive into breaking labor news from Broadway, including newly reached deals for both Musicians Local 802 and Actors Equity. They analyze how these agreements affect wage, health, and workplace standards for musicians, actors, and stage managers. The conversation then shifts to major casting updates, the arrival of new true-crime-inspired musicals, and upcoming Wicked promotions. The show rounds out with highlights from Arena Stage’s “Damn Yankees” and a casual chat about what the hosts are watching this weekend.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Musicians Local 802 & Broadway League Strike Averted
[01:08 – 02:57]
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Big News: A potential Broadway musicians strike was narrowly avoided after a tentative multi-year deal was reached early Thursday morning.
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Deal Details:
- Three-year agreement.
- Provides “meaningful wage and health benefit increases.”
- Bolsters access to healthcare and maintains strong contract protections.
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Industry Implications:
- Both hosts express relief, emphasizing the importance of unions and cooperation.
- Matt observes the likelihood of a strike earlier in the week, highlighting the stakes for Broadway’s operation.
- “If one side leaves happy, like, completely happy about everything in a negotiation, the other side really screwed up.” – Matt [07:24]
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Quote:
- “I do feel like in this situation... I don't think either of them striking would have been good for anybody and I think the producers and the theater owners in the Broadway League really recognized that and got this done.” — Matt [01:50]
2. Actors Equity Negotiations: Salary & Health Fund Changes
[02:57 – 06:53]
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Outline of New Deal:
- 3% annual raises for performers and stage managers for the next 3 years.
- Immediate salary increase from $2,638 to $2,717 (Broadway minimum), ~$4,100 more annually.
- Increased employer health fund contributions: +$25/year for three years (from $150 to $225).
- 3% annual raises for performers and stage managers for the next 3 years.
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Comparisons:
- The annual increase is less than the previous contract (prior: 5% first year, 4% subsequent years).
- Equity emphasizes the health fund contribution offsets the lower raise percentage.
- “...this salary increase taken on its own is smaller than what was achieved in the last cycle. In combination with the rest of our package, including the significant health fund contribution increases, this is an enormous overall financial package for Equity workers.” — Actors Equity communication [04:27]
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Other Protections:
- Improved medical leave flexibility.
- New limits on consecutive show performances.
- Better protections for swings.
- Blocked the move to fully digital playbills, though cast change slips will now be QR codes.
- This move supported by Broadway Green Alliance.
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Controversial Concession:
- Principals can now do more “unidentified work”—playing ensemble roles or more offstage singing.
- Prior limit: 2 numbers; now expanded with “firm fences” around usage.
- Equity notes members can negotiate their boundaries; some discomfort about its impact on ensemble casting.
- “I think it's very polarizing and it has a history of being really challenging...” — Grace [06:53]
3. Show & Casting News
[07:24 – 10:58]
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Off-Broadway Anna Christie:
- Full cast announced for the Brooklyn revival, led by Michelle Williams (with Brian d’Arcy James, Tom Sturridge, and others).
- Directed by Williams’ husband, Tommy Kail. Performances begin Nov. 25 at St. Ann’s Warehouse.
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New True Crime Musical Reading: "Like Father":
- Private reading Halloween week, directed by Tinashe Kajasi Bolden.
- Plot: A teen’s life upended by a podcast revealing her father’s crime—dance with the true crime craze.
- “This is a true crime based narrative... we really haven't seen to a great extent on theatrical stages... especially from musicals.” — Matt [09:38]
- Grace connects the trend to other podcast-based true crime musicals like “Kathy and Stella Try to Solve a Murder.”
- “...you’re gonna see quite a few podcast-based true crime... it takes about five years for people to catch on.” — Grace [10:13]
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K-Pop Demon Hunters Speculation:
- Playful debate over whether a live-action K-pop Demon Hunters project could hit Broadway or other media.
4. Wicked Movie & Special Promotions
[10:58 – 12:42]
- NBC’s Wicked Rollout:
- Two major events:
- "Wicked Part 1" TV debut: Nov. 19 (2 days before movie release).
- "Wicked One Wonderful Night" concert special: Nov. 6 (streaming on Peacock next day).
- Integration across network lines surprising, especially ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars” getting its own Wicked Night.
- “Normally things stay in the NBC universe.” — Grace [12:33]
- “...to have it on a Disney show was a little bit surprising to me.” — Matt [12:22]
- Two major events:
5. Arena Stage’s “Damn Yankees” Headed to Broadway
[12:42 – 13:46]
- Performance Highlight:
- Alicia Umphress performs “Shoeless Joe from Hannibal Mo” in the Arena Stage revival, which has Broadway buzz.
- Matt reminisces about his family’s Missouri roots and the lasting impact of classic musical numbers.
- “This was in the regular rotation for me as a kid before I even cared about musical theater.” — Matt [13:32]
- Grace praises the production’s video content for sharing the magic with broader audiences.
6. What Are the Hosts Watching?
[13:46 – 14:09]
- Classic BroadwayRadio sign-off with talk of weekend TV:
- Grace is watching "Only Murders in the Building."
- Matt catching up on "Only Murders," "Slow Horses," and "The Great British Bake Off."
- “Always good stuff to watch this time of year.” — Matt [14:09]
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
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On Union Negotiations:
- “I don't think either of them striking would have been good for anybody...” — Matt [01:50]
- “It's a worthy understanding between the actors and musicians... their bodies are going through eight shows a week and more with rehearsal.” — Grace [02:38]
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On Salary & Health:
- “This salary increase taken on its own is smaller... but in combination with health fund contribution increases, this is an enormous package.” — Actors Equity [04:27]
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On Principal "Unidentified Work":
- “It's very polarizing and has a history of being really challenging...” — Grace [06:53]
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On True Crime Musicals:
- “You’re gonna see quite a few podcast-based true crime... it takes about five years for people to catch on. That’s just how cycles work in pop culture.” — Grace [10:13]
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On Wicked Media Crossovers:
- “To have it on a Disney show was a little bit surprising to me.” — Matt [12:22]
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On Broadway Childhood Memories:
- “This was in the regular rotation for me as a kid before I even cared about musical theater.” — Matt [13:32]
Important Timestamps
- 01:08 – Musicians 802 strike averted: details & implications
- 02:57 – Actors Equity deal: salary, health fund, and other changes
- 06:53 – Discussion: Principal performers taking on ensemble work
- 07:24 – Off-Broadway Anna Christie and Like Father musical announcement
- 10:01 – True crime and podcast musical trends commentary
- 10:58 – K-pop Broadway potential and Wicked TV/movie promotions
- 12:42 – Arena Stage’s “Damn Yankees” heads to Broadway
- 13:46 – What are Grace & Matt watching?
- 13:51 – End: Personal recommendations and lighthearted wrap-up