BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary
Episode: Today on Broadway: Monday, April 7, 2025
Host: Matt Tamaneni
Release Date: April 7, 2025
1. Introduction and Travelogue Updates
Matt Tamaneni opens the episode by sharing updates on his ongoing travelogue series available on Patreon. He mentions having released two travelog episodes that cover visits to multiple Broadway shows over an eight to nine-day period. An upcoming travelogue episode is teased, which will delve into weekend performances and reviews of shows not yet released, including Boop, The Last Five Years, Good Night and Good Luck Purpose, and Sondheim's Old Friends.
"If you want to hear all about every show that I saw in New York over this eight, nine day period, head over to patreon.com/broadwayradio and subscribe at the Mezzanine Tier or above."
[00:01]
2. London’s Seagull Production Set to Move to New York
The host shares exciting news from London about the acclaimed production of Seagull starring Cate Blanchett, Tom Burke, and Emma Corin. This production, directed by Thomas Ostermaier and co-adapted with Duncan McMillan, has concluded its run at the Barbican Theater and is planning to transfer to New York City in 2026.
Key Highlights:
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Adaptive Script: The production uniquely updates its script in real-time, incorporating current events. For instance, a recent addition references Trump's administration tariffs.
"Apparently just this past week on Thursday night, Jason Watkins, who plays Soren, has a line where he references the high tariffs that he has to pay for the produce that is coming from his farm."
[00:03:15] -
Innovative Staging: The theater setup features a center section expanding into the audience with semicircular seating, enhancing the immersive experience.
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Future Venues: Potential venues in New York include the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, aligning with Ostermaier’s previous collaborations.
Matt emphasizes the high anticipation surrounding this star-studded production, predicting it will be a “hot ticket” upon its New York debut.
3. Upcoming Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows
Matt provides a comprehensive overview of the current Broadway landscape, highlighting both upcoming openings and ongoing productions.
Broadway Openings:
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Becoming Eve
- Venue: New York Theater Workshop
- Details: A new play by Emil Weinstein, based on Abby Shava Stein's memoir. Directed by Tyne Raffaelli, featuring talents like Tommy Dorfman, Judy Kuhn, and Richard Schiff.
- Opening Night: April 7, 2025
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Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
- Venue: Manhattan Theater Club
- Cast Highlights: Bernadette Peters, Lea Salonga, Kate Jennings Grant, and more.
- Run: Limited engagement through June 15th
- Matt’s Insight: Expresses enthusiasm based on personal interactions and positive feedback from industry friends.
"I've heard great things about this. I went to dinner with a friend who had just seen it and said that it is much more fully staged than a lot of reviews are so looking forward to checking that one out."
[00:10:45] -
Smash
- Venue: Imperial Theater
- Details: Adaptation of the television show with music by Scott Whitman and Marc Shaiman, book by Rick Ellis and Bob Martin, directed by Susan Stroman.
- Cast: Includes Jacqueline B. Arnold, Brooks Ashmanskas, John Bauman, and others.
- Notes: Matt comments on the vibrant yet chaotic nature of the production.
"It might not all make sense. It might be messy and it might be a little sloppy, but it's fun and I think that's really all that we can hope for."
[00:15:30]
Additional Openings:
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Wole Soyinka's The Swamp Dwellers
- Venue: Brooklyn Theater
- Run: Through April 20th
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Ryan J. Haddad's Hold Me in the Water
- Venue: Playwrights Horizons
- Run: Through May 4th
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Ceremonies in Dark Order, Old Men
- Venue: Theater at Saint Clements
- Cast: Norm Lewis
- Run: Through May 18th
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Dead Outlaw
- Venue: Longacre Theater
- Run: Opening April 27th
- Details: Revival with a strong off-Broadway pedigree, featuring Jeb Brown, Eddie Cooper, and others. Helmed by director David Cromer.
- Matt’s Commentary: Anticipates competition with Happy Ending for Tony nominations, praising Cromer’s subtle direction.
"This one is going to be really the only competition in my mind for or maybe happy ending. It's going to come down to those two shows in terms of who is going to win the Tony for best Musical."
[00:20:10]
Off-Broadway Updates:
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Irishtown
- Venue: Irish Repertory Theater
- Status: Opening Off-Broadway
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American
- Venue: 59 East 59th
- Status: Closing Off-Broadway
4. Casting News and Upcoming Readings
Matt shares recent casting developments and upcoming play readings:
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Sissy at Baryshnikov Arts
- New Cast Members: Lucas Hedges and Zoe Winters replacing Christopher Abbott and Alia Shawkat due to scheduling conflicts.
- Cast Highlight: Marisa Tomei
- Run: April 24th – 26th
- Details: A dance-focused reinterpretation of the Sisyphus myth, featuring Celina Rolson Hall’s direction.
"It is a kind of a dance focused reimagining of the Sisyphus myth from Greek mythology in which Sissy is a pregnant woman whose rock is sometimes the moon and sometimes a disco ball."
[00:25:50] -
Gods of Mercy Reading
- Venue: Teatreletea, Lower East Side
- Date: Next Monday
- Details: Directed by Sami Zyle, starring Timothy Busfield, Constance Shulman, Ethan Dubin, and Rebecca Robles.
- Synopsis: Follows Margaret, a biologist on a remote Pacific island whose relationship faces strain after unexpected events.
5. Critical Review: The Last Five Years
In a candid segment, Matt delves into his recent experience watching The Last Five Years at the Hudson Theater, expressing significant disappointment.
Key Criticisms:
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Direction: Describes the production as "lazy" and "shockingly inept," lacking internal logic and coherence in scene transitions.
"This staging is a mess and it's really disappointing."
[00:30:20] -
Acting: While Adrian Warren’s performance is praised, Nick Jonas is critiqued for his vocal and acting capabilities.
"He sings it like he sings all of his pop songs. He's not a great vocalist... he's not a competent actor."
[00:28:15] -
Production Choices: Matt questions the decision to place such a production on Broadway, suggesting it might have fared better off-Broadway with rotating stars.
"We have this show on Broadway and it is an underwhelming... we're not going to get a first rate production in New York City of this show."
[00:29:40]
Future Implications: Rumors hint at possible cast replacements due to underperformance, leaving the production's future uncertain.
"But I have started to hear rumors that despite the fact that it's not selling super well, like I would have thought for a Jonas Brothers show, it is looking to extend and replace these stars after their contracts are up."
[00:31:05]
Matt promises a more in-depth analysis in his upcoming travelogue episode, encouraging listeners to subscribe on Patreon for exclusive content.
6. Closing Remarks
Matt wraps up the episode by thanking listeners and reminding them to follow BroadwayRadio on social media platforms for updates and future episodes.
"Have a great Monday. Have a great week, and I'll be back to talk to you tomorrow."
[00:32:30]
Stay Connected:
Follow BroadwayRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Follow Matt on Instagram @bww.matt.
This episode of Today on Broadway offers a comprehensive look into current and upcoming Broadway productions, casting news, and a critical review of a major show, providing listeners with valuable insights into the vibrant world of Broadway theater.