Today on Broadway: Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

Summary

BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Friday, Oct. 3, 2025

OVERVIEW

This episode focuses on the latest Broadway and Off-Broadway news, ticketing initiatives to make theatre more accessible, notable casting updates, and unique theatrical events happening in and outside New York City. Hosts Matt Tamminini and Grace Aki share insider commentary, recommendations, and personal anecdotes, capturing the pulse of the current theatre scene.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Patreon Live Recording Update & Cast Completion for "Spelling Bee"

• Patreon Announcement

  • "This message goes out to all of our loyal live Patreon this week on Broadway listeners..." ([01:08])
  • The live recording for "This Week on Broadway" is rescheduled to Sunday at noon due to Peter’s travel.

• Casting Complete for "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" Off-Broadway Revival

  • Performances begin November 7 at New World Stages.
  • Known cast: Jasmine Amy Rogers, Felipe Arroyo, Autumn Best, Liana Rae Concepcion, Justin Cooley, Matt Manuel, Kevin McHale, plus Mitch Mahoney.
  • Newly announced: Two key adult roles—
    • Rona Lisa Peretti: Lily Cooper
    • Vice Principal Douglas Panch: Jason Kravitz
  • Hosts’ Excitement:
    • "I was already excited about this with the other cast members, Grace, but these two seem to hit it out of the park with completing the cast." – Matt ([02:36])
    • "This is very important to me personally. I am so excited for Jason Kravitz. He's truly one of my favorite actors I’ve ever gotten to work with..." – Grace ([02:51])

2. Off-Broadway 20 at 20 Ticket Initiative

• Affordable Access
  • From Oct 20–Nov 9, $20 tickets to 43 Off-Broadway plays and musicals, available 20 minutes before curtain at the box office.
  • Examples: “And Then There Were More” at LA Mama, “Drunk Shakespeare,” “Friends: The Musical Parody,” “Jamie Allen's Amaze,” “Not Ready for Primetime: SNL,” “Pen Pals,” “Richard III” starring Michael Urie, “Romy and Michele The Musical,” plus cabaret/concerts at The Laurie Beechman Theatre.
  • “A great way to see some off Broadway theater without spending a ton of money.” – Matt ([05:04])

3. Streaming Theatre: "Good Night, and Good Luck" Live On Broadway

• Magnolia Pictures releases a filmed version for digital streaming (Prime Video, Apple, etc.).
• Matt: "Having the opportunity to watch live theatre or, you know, live to tape theatre at home...just hopefully opens the door for more of that to happen." ([06:34])
• The hosts agree on the importance of accessibility but discuss timing around union news:
  • "Feels like everything’s a...I mean, I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I’m like, everything’s a distraction from what's going on with the Equity things." – Grace ([07:40])

4. New Off-Broadway Musical: "Reunions"

• Premiere at New York City Center (Oct 24) for seven weeks
  • Musical adaptation based on two one-acts: “The Twelve Pound Look” (J.M. Barrie) & “A Sunny Morning” (Quintero Brothers); both connected by themes of rediscovering life.
  • Notable cast: Brian Fenkart, Joanna Glushak, Chelina Kennedy, Courtney Reed, Chip Zien.
  • "Anytime you have Chip involved or, you know, Courtney or Chalina or Brian, like, I’m like, okay, I’m willing to go along with this one just because of the talent." – Matt ([09:33])

5. "Hell's Kitchen" Cast News

• Christopher Jackson (C. Jack) departing as Davis on Nov 9; Darrell "Tank" Babbs returns to the role.
  • “You literally have to. It's so good. It's insane...they are so extraordinary together.” – Grace on seeing Christopher Jackson and Jessica Vosk ([10:34])

6. International News: "A Beautiful Noise" heads to Australia

• Will Swenson will reprise his Neil Diamond role in Melbourne, August 2026.
  • “It’s crazy to me that this show premiered on Broadway in 2022, which is absolutely wild.” – Matt ([11:14])

7. Experiential Theatre: "Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail"

• At New York Botanical Gardens
  • Produced by Jeffrey Seller (of "Hamilton" fame).
  • Ideal for families or friends seeking alternatives to traditional theatre or bar outings.
  • “A beautiful walkthrough… I do recommend it. I think it was a great experience.” – Grace ([12:39])

8. Touring Review: "The Wiz" National Tour

• Opening of the Dr. Phillips Center, Orlando, touring season
  • Matt found the touring production more lively and enjoyable than its recent Broadway run:
    • “I just had a ball seeing this show...there was just a life and an energy to it...” ([13:19])
    • “Amber Ruffin’s script is very, very sharp and the music is just great. Like, you forget how many great songs are in here...” ([13:46])
  • Tour continues across Florida: Miami, Tampa, West Palm Beach.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the "Spelling Bee" Casting
  • "I'm the biggest Jason Kravitz fan in the whole entire world...him being in this show is absolutely getting my butt in a seat for sure." – Grace ([03:46])
• On Accessible Theatre
  • "The more we can get these things to happen and to be out there...can only help theater as an art form and the excitement for shows on stage." – Matt ([06:43])
• On "Hell’s Kitchen"
  • “How lucky am I? How lucky are we to hear this?” – Grace ([10:39])
• On "Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail"
  • "Everything was super interesting...I really enjoyed that I got to walk around for an hour and a half, two hours, and I was never bored." – Grace ([12:28])
• On "The Wiz" Tour
  • “I was really, really taken by this production...if you're in the central Florida area or within driving distance, definitely head over...” – Matt ([14:00])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Live Recording & "Spelling Bee" Full Cast Announcement: [01:00]–[02:51]
• Off-Broadway 20 at 20 Ticket Initiative: [04:10]–[06:07]
• Streaming "Good Night, and Good Luck": [06:07]–[08:13]
• New Musical "Reunions" & "Hell’s Kitchen" Update: [08:13]–[10:59]
• "A Beautiful Noise" Australian Announcement: [10:59]–[11:59]
• "Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail": [11:59]–[13:12]
• "The Wiz" National Tour Review: [13:12]–[15:25]

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Podcast’s Tone

The hosts are upbeat and conversational, blending news delivery with personal enthusiasm, backstage anecdotes, and recommendations for both theatre insiders and fans. Their exchange is warm, knowledgeable, and celebratory of theatre in all its forms.

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For full details and a dynamic rundown on what's hot in Broadway and Off-Broadway this week, this episode offers both substance and a peek behind the curtain—no tickets or NYC ZIP required.

Transcript

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Welcome to Today on Broadway for Friday, October 3, 2025. I'm Broadway Radio's Matt Tamminini and I'm.

[D]

Tell Me on the Sunday Podcast Grace.

[C]

Aki Grace, this message goes out to all of our loyal live Patreon this week on Broadway listeners. James sent out an email on Thursday letting people know that there has been a change in schedule for when they're going to record. They're going to record at noon on Sunday because Peter is traveling and wouldn't be able to record until then. So if you want to listen live, he sent out the information. Send out all the details. It is in your email from Patreon, so check that out. If you want to be a part of that. Head over to patreon.com broadwayradio and broadwayradio.com patreon all right, but let's get into the news. Grace, and this is one that I know that you are excited about, but yesterday we finished out the casting for the upcoming Off Broadway revival of the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee that will begin performances in a 14 week engagement at New World Stages on November 7th. We already knew all of the kids that were going to be a part of it. Jasmine, Amy Rogers, Felipe Arroyo, Autumn Best, Liana, Rae Concepcion, Justin Cooley, Matt manuel and Kevin McHale. And there's also Mitch Mahoney mixed in there as well. But we found the two teachers that are going to be involved in this production and they are as Ronalisa Peretti, Lily Cooper, and as Vice Principal Douglas Panch, star of stage and screen, and friend to our own Grace Aki. Jason Kravitz, who I think this is perfect for him. He was in the Drowsy Chaperone. It feels like a very similar style of humor for this. Lily is great. I think she's going to sing the hell out of Ronalisa Peretti. I was already excited about this with the other cast members, Grace, but these two seem to hit it out of the park with completing the cast.

[D]

This is very important to me personally. I am so excited for Jason Kravitz. He's truly one of my favorite actors I've ever gotten to work with. He has an extensive film and television career. He actually has the new movie out right now with Margot Robbie. So a big beautiful journey, whatever that one is.

[C]

Yeah. And is it Jude Law?

[D]

No.

[C]

Oh, Colin Farrell.

[D]

Colin Farrell, Colin Farrell. And he's just such an incredible collaborator, an amazing player. I've also talked about his cabaret improv show that he does off the Top a lot at Joe's Pub. So anytime that's in New York City, we recommend it on the show because I've been to so many of those performances. Last time I was there, I was sitting next to some of your favorite actors and it's like, yeah, because he's worked with everyone, the amount of times he's like, collaborated with like Nicole Kidman and like, oh, it's just. It's kind of insane. So, yeah, I just. I'm the biggest Jason Kravitz fan in the whole entire world. There's actually an episode of Tell Me on a Sunday that is now lost from a previous laptop that never aired. So I'm going to have to re record with him at some point. Maybe this is the perfect time. But he's truly. He's such a special person and I'm such a fan of his that him being in this show is absolutely getting my butt in a seat for sure.

[C]

Yeah. These are two really interesting additions to the cast. When they did this show in Washington D.C. at the Kennedy center, it was Bonnie Milligan and Taran Killam who played these parts. So while they aren't continuing with it, there are a number of people who aren't continuing with it. I think they've got found some pretty fun and compelling folks to take over those roles. So. Already looking forward to it and more so even now, speaking of Off Broadway shows. We are getting ready to start the 202520 at 20 initiative from the Off Broadway Alliance. So how this works is is that for from October 20 through November 9, they are offering $20 tickets to 43 participating off Broadway plays and musicals when they are purchased at the box office 20 minutes prior to curtain. It sounds complicated, but you go to the box office for one of these shows, if it's 20 minutes before the show and they have tickets available, they will give them to you for $20 no matter what the cost of them is. We will have a link in the show notes to all 43 of the shows that are participating, but they are some really fun and exciting shows including and then there Were More at LA Mama. You've got some like regular ongoing things like Drunk Shakespeare and Friends, the musical parody. You've got Jamie Allen's Amaze that I know people love. The Not Ready for Primetime Saturday Night Live show is going to be involved with that pen pals with that great rotating cast of leading ladies, Richard III starring Michael Urie, Romy and Michelle, the Musical with Laura Bell Bundy and Carol Lindsay and some other really cool stuff. So if you want to check that out, we will have a link in the show notes. And what's cool about this is also the Laurie Beachman Theatre will be participating in this as well with some of their concerts and cabaret shows, including Justin Sargent's Broadway horror show, Kiki Ball Change, Lorna Luft is going to be there, Joe Iconis, Christina Bianco. So some really fun stuff in there and a great way to see some off Broadway theater without spending a ton of money. Another way, Grace, to see some awesome theater without having to spend a ton of money because you don't actually have to leave your couch is the fact that starting on Friday today, the filmed version of Goodnight and Good Luck live on Broadway will be available to stream. Magnolia Pictures is distributing it and it'll be available on all of your digital platforms, Prime Video at Apple, wherever you kind of rent and buy digital movies. It of course aired on CNN Live on Broadway, which was still I can't believe that that actually happened. So if you want to relive that or if you missed it on CNN or missed it on Broadway, this will be a way to check out that show. And I think this is awesome, Chris. Like the more we can get these things to happen and to be out there and I know this was such a unique circumstance because of the Clooney of it all, but I think having the opportunity to Watch live theater or, you know, live to tape theater at home. Just hopefully opens up the door for more of that to happen. And I'm, you know, I know there's a lot bigger problems going on with the Broadway League and Actors Equity negotiations right now, but I'm hoping that this is something that can be worked into those discussions because I think it only can help theater as an art form and the excitement for shows on stage.

[D]

Of course, I don't think that anybody would ever discount, like, the idea of accessibility being in TV and film formats. Like, I totally agree with, with that. I think that a lot of times these kinds of moments and announcements are coming at a very interesting time. Feels like everything's a. I mean, I sound like a conspiracy theorist, but I'm like, everything's a distraction from, from, you know, what's going on with the Equity things.

[C]

The false flag.

[D]

Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, I'm on. On the very positive note, I too agree with you. Like, I'm excited for more opportunities for other audiences to be able to see these shows that they might not have seen on Broadway when they were running due to 1000 reasons. But I think on the. And I'm also, like, mindful of all of this news coming at a very opportune time.

[C]

Going off Broadway, we got a pretty exciting cast announcement for an Off Broadway musical that I honestly had not been aware of at all. But starting on October 24th will be a new musical called Reunions. It'll be playing at New York City Center. It's gonna have a seven week limited engagement. And what it is, is it is a musical adaptation of two separate one acts. One by J.M. barrie, the creator of Peter Pan, called the Twelve Pound look, and the other by the Quintero brothers called A Sunny Morning. They are Spanish playwrights and they will feature music by Jimmy Collier and a book and lyrics by Geoffrey scharf. And the 12 pound look takes place in the early 20th century in London. Harry is about to be knighted until his past catches up with him. And then A Sunny Morning takes place in a park in Madrid where the hope of love springs eternal even among septuagenarians. They merge these two plays into a musical and kind of focus them on the common theme of rediscovering life. And they're still the two separate stories, but they have, you know, consistent themes running through them. But the cast is pretty fantastic for this grace. In the cast, amongst other people will be Brian Fenkart, Joanna Glushak, Chelina Kennedy, Courtney Reed, Chip Zion is in there as well, and just a really interesting group for a musical that I hadn't heard of. But anytime you have Chip involved or, you know, Courtney or Chalina or Brian, like, I'm like, okay, I'm willing to go along with this one just because of the talent. At the very least, if you have not had a chance to get over to the Shubert Theater to check out Christopher Jackson in Hell's Kitchen, you have just over, well, about five weeks now. Because he will wrap up his run in the show as Davis on November 9th. He is currently playing opposite Jessica Vosk, but when he leaves, Tank will return. Darrell Tank Babs will return after having done it in June. So if you haven't seen C. Jack do this show, I'm like, I've seen Hell's Kitchen a couple times now. I'm thinking about if I have a slot in my October trip, which I might. At this point, I might have to put that in there just to see Chris and Jessica together, because I feel like that's probably a pretty fantastic combo. Grace.

[D]

No, Matt, you literally have to. It's so good. It's insane. It's literally insane. You, like, leave for a second. You're like, how lucky am I? How lucky are we to hear this? And I do. I mean, I. I know I've been a part of the show for a long time, but I just very truthfully have to say that, like, they are so extraordinary together. And so I'm very sad that he's departing, but only for, like, dumb, selfish reasons. I mean, I'm very excited to have Tank back. He's excellent as well.

[C]

Yeah, that should be very, very fun. All right. Moving as about as far away from New York City as you could possibly get. Yesterday it was announced that when A Beautiful Noise, the Neil diamond musical hits Australia, Will Swenson will be recreating the role he originated, both in Boston and then on Broadway. The show is going to begin performances in Melbourne in August 2026. It's crazy to me that this show premiered on Broadway in 2022, which is absolutely wild. But he will be back involved with Production down under next year. The rest of the cast for the Australian production will be announced in the coming weeks, but that should be a ton of fun. I think this is a show that probably travels really well around the world, and we'll be looking forward to that. Now, Grace, you have something that is kind of theatrical but kind of not coming up this weekend. That sounds very, very cool. What is that all about?

[D]

So I got to attend an early walkthrough of the Nightmare Before Christmas Light Trail, which was at the New York Botanical Gardens last. I didn't get to see it. This is produced by Jeffrey Seller. Obviously. I have his Theater Kid book that just came out. He's kind of on top of the world. I'm obsessed, but especially with the Hamilton of it all. It's just everything's coming up Jeffrey. And it was a beautiful walkthrough. A bunch of families were enjoying it. Me walking by myself, I enjoyed it. I was able to really enjoy all the things that they created for this kind of Halloween holiday season experience. I think a lot of times families or just like friends are always looking for things to go do that aren't, you know, a bar that aren't, you know, a physical show where you're sitting. Like, I really enjoyed that. I got to walk around for an hour and a half, two hours, and I was never bored. Everything was super interesting. And of course, I'm a big Tim Burton slash Disney fan. So all of it was like really gorgeous to see in person. And I just wanted to say, like, I do recommend it. I think it was a great experience. So if you're in the New York City area and you've never gotten to go, this is your opportunity. It's a brilliant exhibition. But yeah, I was really, really excited to go.

[C]

Very cool. Earlier this week, I got to open the 20252026 Broadway touring season at the Dr. Phillips center for the Performing Arts with the national tour of the Wiz. This is a show that I'd seen on Broadway and I was kind of lukewarm to it. I thought it was fine. I will tell you, the tour that I saw on Tuesday night and that I'm going to see again on Sunday was better than what I saw on Broadway or I enjoyed it more than I did on Broadway. I don't know if there was any substantive changes whatsoever. There might have been, but my memory isn't great. But I just had a ball seeing this show. Dana Simone is playing dorothy. Alan Mingo Jr. Still in there as the Wiz, having done the pre Broadway national tour and then kind of split the role on Broadway with Wayne Brady after Wayne left. She Herzade, I think is how you say her name is playing Glinda. Kayla Jade is Aunt Em and then Evileen D. Jerome is Tin Man. Elijah Ahmed Lewis is the Scarecrow and Cal Mitchell is the Lion. They were all fantastic. I really am looking forward to going back and seeing it again on Sunday because I don't know, there was just a life and an energy to it, Grace, that I didn't remember it having on Broadway. And that might just be my memory, but was really, really taken by this production. It was funny. Amber Ruffin's script is very, very sharp and the music is just great. Like, you forget how many great songs are in here because there's so much of the ease on down the road of it all that you forget Home or My lion or some of those other really, you know, fantastic tunes. So if you're in the central Florida area or within driving distance, definitely head over to the Dr. Phillips center this weekend to check it out. It'll also be in Florida for the next three weeks, basically the rest of October in Miami, Tampa and then West Palm Beach. But I really had a great time and I know that was a show that you enjoyed, Grace, when it was on Broadway. So I'm hopeful that people are seeing it here in Orlando to kick off our season and then people are getting into the theater to see it across the country as well. All right, that's all that we have for today. Thanks for listening to TODAY on Broadway. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram rodwayradio. And if you want more Broadway radio, head over to patreon.com broadwayrad Grace where can people find you?

[D]

You can find me @Grace Aki all.

[C]

Right, everybody, have a wonderful Friday, a wonderful weekend. We'll be back to talk to you on Monday.

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