Matt Tamenny (0:01)

Welcome to Today on Broadway for Monday, February 24, 2025 on Broadway Radio's Matt Tamenny. I am back in the United States after a whirlwind 72ish hours, probably a little more than 76 hours, not only in the UK in London, but also traveling. We were boots on the ground for just barely over 48 hours, and the rest of that time was spent in transit. But it was a fantastic trip. I'll talk a little bit about it at the end of the episode, but I will have a full travelog episode in Patreon in the next day or so. So if you want to hear all about that. Not only did I see Much Ado About Nothing starring Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, I also saw just the unbelievably heartwarming and delightful musical the Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which I have to be honest, I didn't know anything about Benjamin Button. Like I knew the basic premise of the story. I hadn't seen the film. I never read the short story. And apparently this musical is nothing like the movie, which is nothing like F. Scott Fitzgerald's short story either. So all you have to know about it from the previous works is that it's about a guy who ages backwards and nothing else from either of the other two stories really pertain. And then the reason that we went, of course, was to see the original Broadway Principles minus Patrick Page with Philip Boykin in there in Hadestown. All three of those were magical. Did a bunch of sightseeing. Also did what I guess was kind of a performance, the London Bridge Experience, which I'll throw some stuff in there on that as well. So check that out@patreon.com broadwayradio broadwayradio.com patreon all right, so here's the deal. We're starting with the news today, but the first story that I'm gonna talk about is embargoed. So if you're listening to this on Patreon, come back at 9:00am Eastern Time and I'll have a new episode uploaded that has that information there. I'll just dive into the story. And that story is that one of my favorite musicals that I've never seen in New York actually is coming back and that is Heather's the Musical. I have spoken with Lawrence O'Keefe on on this show before. Not only do I have unending amounts of love for Legally Blonde, which he co wrote with his wife Nell Benjamin, but he also co wrote Heather's this one with Kevin Murphy and this show is coming to New York where it started at New World Stages. This is the UK production directed by Andy Fickman. So if you've seen the live capture that is available on the Roku channel, streams for free. You have to watch commercials, but it does stream for free on the Roku Channel. This is that production. The only difference will be there will be a US cast for this production so they are not bringing over anybody from the uk or at least if they do it will predominantly be US based cast because it does say a new US cast and additional creative members will be announced in the coming weeks. It will begin performances at New world stages on June 22nd and will play a limited run through September 28th of 2025. I mean, look, I don't have any plans as of now for my birthday which is that week. It's a little early for press to get in, so I'm not sure. I might have to go up to New York, which I hate going up to New York in the summer because it's so busy and so hot. But love me some Heathers. So I'd have to check it out then, but we'll have to wait and see. Very excited about this. I haven't really spent a whole lot of time thinking about who these cast members could be if they will go with some Broadway names or if they will try to find some young up and comers to play Veronica, JD and the Heathers at all. So very excited about this. Cannot wait to see it in New York this summer. The second story that we have is much less exciting because it is yet another show that will not be playing the Kennedy Center. As we have previously discussed, Manhattan Theatre Club's recent Broadway production of Eureka Day was going to come to the nation's capital with primarily the entire understudy cast from the show, along with Chelsea Akira Kurtz, who had originally been an understudy and had stepped into the principal cast after the cast was originally announced, but MTC told the New York Times that it would not be going forward with the production due to financial circumstances. I'm going to guess that that had something to do with the fact that money was being pulled. They did not say that exactly, but of course this follows a string of cancellations of things happening at the Kennedy center following Donald Trump naming himself the chairman of the theater. We had previously talked about the fact that the musical Finn had been canceled. It was a tour that had previously played the Kennedy center as a children's show, so that that has already been canceled. The gay Men's chorus of Washington, D.C. and the National Symphony Orchestra. We're going to do an event together in late May to kick off Pride Month that has been postponed, but the National Symphony Orchestra did say that that was decided before Trump officially took over as chairman. But again, reading between the lines, it sounds like the decision was still made because of Trump, even if it did happen before he officially took over. Also, a number of other performers have canceled events there. Comedian Issa Rae backed out of an event there. The rock band Low Cut Connie canceled their upcoming shows there. Never heard of Low Cut Connie. I'm a fan now, though, and artistic advisors Renee Fleming, Ben Folds and Shonda Rhimes all stepped down from their positions within the organization. Obviously heartbroken for this cast that was going to have an opportunity to do Eureka Day at the Kennedy center and also disappointed for the audiences because while it was not my favorite show, I know that many people enjoyed it and now DC Audiences won't have that opportunity. We've talked about this a number of times before and we are truly through the looking glass at this point. You know, the old saying is that those who do not learn the past are doomed to repeat it. We are seeing the telltale signs of so many different authoritarian governments in the past happening here in the United States. And while the cancellations of art events is not anywhere close to being the worst thing that this administration has done and hopes to do, it is certainly one of the hallmarks of this type of leadership style that it seems like the Trump administration is trying to implement across the country. So hopefully artists and art loving people find ways to keep the arts alive, not only in Washington, D.C. but in communities across the country that are impacted by the grant changes and all of those things that the Trump administration has put forth. But most importantly, that those same people are able to inspire and encourage the compassion and the empathy and the acceptance that is truly at the heart of what this administration is trying to attack. All right, let's talk about this week's theatrical schedule. There's a lot of things on here, so what I'm going to talk about mainly is the Broadway stuff and then the Off Broadway openings. There are other Off Broadway previews that are beginning this week as well as as closings, of course. So if you want information on anything that I talk about, it'll be in the show notes, but I'm going to focus mainly on the Broadway stuff and the Off Broadway openings. Fortunately, I can just start with the first thing that's happening. And it's happening tonight over at the Ethelberry Moore Theater where the latest Broadway revival of Othello will begin performances. This one is directed by Kenny Leon and stars a couple guys you might have heard of the greatest living actor in my opinion, Denzel Washington. He is only rivaled by his often co star Viola Davis and Meryl Streep in terms of my opinion. He is joined by Jake Gyllenhaal and Molly Osborne as Iago and Desdemona respectively. Also in the cast are Andrew Burnap, Gene Gillette, Rob Heaps, Ezra Knight, Anthony Michael Lopez, Daniel Pierce and Kimber Elaine Sprawl. As we talked about last week, they are having some opportunities for you to do digital lotteries and in order to get some cheap tickets. And as Grace gave us some insight, it might be the only way to get affordable tickets to this show because they are selling very well apparently. So if you love Denzel, love Jake, love Kenny, love Billy Shakes, or love Othello, the more of Venice, you probably want to jump on that sooner rather than later. And then also happening tonight over at the Signature Theater is the Off Broadway opening of Samuel D. Hunter's new play Grangeville, directed by Jack Serio, who is one of the best directors working in New York City. He's also one of the youngest acclaimed directors working in New York City, so I'm fascinated to hear about how he does with a playwright like Samuel D. Hunter. This is a this is the show that was originally going to star Brendan Fraser opposite Brian J. Smith. Brendan Fraser had to back out and then Paul Sparks jumped in as his replacement. I had a friend, Ashley Hufford, who you all know because we've talked over here on Broadway radio a number of times. She went and saw this weekend and really seemed to enjoy enjoy it based off her social media posts. The show is described thusly. Across a void of thousands of miles and oceans of hurt, two half brothers tentatively reconnect over the care of their ailing mother. Grangeville is a new play about the fallibility of memory, the stories we tell to make sense of our suffering, and the complexity of forgiveness. The show is currently scheduled to play through March 23, but that of course can always be extended. Then on Tuesday, tomorrow night, we're gonna stick on the Broadway because the next Broadway show will begin performances on February 25th and that happens over at the Helen Hayes Theater. And this is Brandon Jacobs Jenkins new play Purpose. It is directed by the iconic Felicia Rashad, who had previously directed the show out in Chicago at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. The cast includes some of the all time greats Kerry Young, latonya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennox, along with Glen Davis, John Michael Hill and Alana Arenas. The show tells the story of the influential Jasper family who has been a pillar of Black American politics for decades. Civil rights leaders, pastors and congressmen. But like all families, there are cracks and secrets just under the surface. When the youngest son, Nazareth, returns home with an uninvited friend in tow, the family is forced into a reckoning with itself, its faith and the legacies of black political power, power and familial duty. As always with the Brandon Jacob Jenkins show like just expect to be floored by everything that he writes and then with a cast like this, I cannot wait to see it. And I'm assuming that this one will be a contender for a lot of awards come Tony time. Also happening on Tuesday night we have an Off Broadway opening of note and this is Curse of the Starving Child from the new group. It is happening over at the Signature center but is not a Signature center show is from the new group and it features some red letter names if there ever were some. Those include Kalista Flockart, Christian Slater, Cooper Hoffman, Stella Marcus along with Kyle Beltron, David Anzuello and Jeb Krieger. As we talked about last week, the show has been extended until April 6th. This is an award winning show by the late great Sam Shepard and is directed by Scott Elliott. With their family home on the verge of collapse and the creditors closing in, the Tate family white knuckles to their past while scratching and clawing their way towards a better future. Also happening on Tuesday night we have two shows Off Broadway beginning previews that we have talked about already and will continue to talk about. That is All Nighter that is happening at mcc. This is not an MCC show but it is happening at mcc so check that one out. And then we had a World which is the show happening from Manhattan Theater Club over at City center written by Josh Harmon. Grace did an interview with Andrew Barth Feldman about that show so check that one out. Then on Wednesday back at the Signature Center. Again, not a show from the Signature Theater but at the Signature Center. This is actually from Second Stages, the Next Stage Festival and it is called on the Evolutionary Function of Shame. So if you're interested in that, check out more information in the show notes. Then on Thursday we have an Off Broadway opening for a Manhattan Theatre Club, a show that is beginning to get a lot of buzz and that show is Dakar 2000. It is written by the great Rajiv Joseph and directed by May Andralis. It stars Abubakar Ali and Mia Baron In Senegal on the eve of Y2K, an idealistic peace Corps volunteer survives a mysterious car accident. An opposing State Department operative immediately takes command of the situation and his his safety. Though they couldn't be more different, they form an unlikely relationship. But when it becomes clear that they both have secrets, the volunteer is roped into a darker side of public service, one he can't come back from. I've heard absolutely phenomenal things about this show, and despite that premise, that sounds very Jason Bourney. I've heard it's really funny too. So I cannot wait to find out about the reviews for this one and hopefully get a chance to to see it whenever I'm back in town next. I don't know when I'm back yet. I might not be back before it closes, but it is currently scheduled to run through March 23rd. Then on Friday we have the first preview performances out of the Brooklyn Academy of Music for the acclaimed London production of Tennessee Williams A Streetcar Named Desire, starring Paul Mescal and Patsy Farren. This is only scheduled to run through April 6th, so if you have an opportunity, make sure to get tickets. Then on Sunday we have a quintet of closings starting first on Broadway over the Todd Hames Theater, where English will close. Definitely check that one out if you have a chance before it wraps up this weekend. Then we have Antiquities from Playwrights Horizons that is also a co production with Vineyard and the Goodman out in Chicago. Then Henry IV from Tofana, Music City from Bedlam and safe house from St. Anne's Warehouse. All right, real quick, just have a little bit of news here. Last week it was announced that the 50th anniversary concert of Pippin, which happened at Theater Royal Drury Lane, which I was just had to see much do about Nothing over the weekend, will stream on Broadway HD beginning on March 13th. The show was led by Alex Newell as the leading player, joined by Jack Yarrow as Pippen. Olivier winner Patricia Hodge, who actually originated the role of Catherine in 1973 in the West End production of Pippin, is playing Bertha. Lucy Jones is in the cast, Cedric Neal, ZZ Straland, Ryan, Brian Henan and more. So looking forward to that one. Love that. And then on Saturday afternoon over at the Eugene O'Neill Theater, the Book of Mormon became the 11th longest running show in Broadway history, passing Rent. And to celebrate, the cast sang Seasons of Love and it was introduced by two cast members, Jacques C. Smith and John Eric Parker, who both made their Broadway debuts in Rent. So that's a Great video. Check that one out. And just of note, the Book of Mormon will become the 10th longest running show on Broadway if it makes it to sometime in early to mid December. Beauty and the Beast currently is at 5461 performances. The book of Mormon is, depending on when you're listening to this is at 5,127. And then presumably in, I guess probably in mid November of 2026, Book of Mormon can become the 9th longest running show in Broadway history, passing Mamma Mia. And then sometime in 2027 could pass the 1976 revival of oh Calcutta to become number eight. Then again, about nine months later could pass A Chorus Line. And then it would have to wait a year and a half or so to get to number six with the original production of Les Mis. All right, my feel good recommendation will be very quick because it is a video of Jeremy Jordan singing the song the Call from the upcoming Broadway production of Floyd Collins that will begin performances on March 27th over at the V and Beaumont Theater from Lincoln Center. Now I just want to have some real quick thoughts on London in general. You can hear my thoughts on the shows over in Patreon. But I will tell you, I was staying in Trafalgar Square and just mostly stayed around the West End. Didn't go over to do the whole Big Ben and Tower Bridge and London Bridge and Buckingham palace stuff. But most of the time time we spent was just in the the West End area with all of the shops and the restaurants and the theaters and everything. And I gotta tell you, much cleaner than New York City. Much cleaner. Everybody was also incredibly nice. But here's the thing. Being an Orlando resident, I just felt like I was at a theme park the whole time. And that is not a knock on, on London. It's just like everything was so beautiful and so different and so unique and so filled with character. I just felt like I was walking around Epcot or the streets of Universal's Harry Potter stuff. It felt very weird for me, you know, and also I told my brother and niece this, like, I have to like, I had to physically remind myself once we first got there that like, oh, these people doing British accents, they're not just doing a bit like, that's actually how they talk. That was maybe a little bit of the sleep deprivement that happened on the flight over, but wonderful experience. Loved the theaters. The theaters were gorgeous that I went to. First went to Theater Royal Drury Lane, which is newly renovated thanks to Andrew Lloyd Webber. Went to the Ambassadors Theater for Benjamin button and went to the Lyric for Hadestown. All of them were gorgeous. And love, love, love the tradition of having a little ice cream at the interval. So if you want to hear more about the shows, specifically, you can head over to Patreon and that'll be in that feed sometime in the next day or so. 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 at Broadway Radian. You can follow me on Instagram @bww. Matt, thanks for listening. Have a wonderful Monday, a wonderful week, and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow.