Today on Broadway: Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Hosts: Matt Tammaneni, Grace Auke
Date: November 24, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode ushers in Thanksgiving week with a lively discussion of major Broadway and theater-related news, focusing chiefly on the blockbuster box office success of the Wicked film adaptation and news about upcoming stage productions, performances, and holiday events. The hosts offer insider takes on both Broadway and Off-Broadway happenings, interweaving personal anecdotes and recommendations amidst the latest schedule notes and casting news.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Wicked Movie Dominates the Box Office

• Wicked opened globally to massive success, not just as a Broadway movie adaptation but as a cinematic event in its own right.
  • Projected to make $151 million domestically and $228 million globally during opening weekend.
  • Breaks prior records for a Broadway musical movie, beating last year’s original Wicked film by $29–30 million.
  • Ranks as the third-largest opening for any musical film, and marks the second-biggest North American opening ever for Universal (after Jurassic World).
• Cultural Impact:
  • The hosts discuss how Wicked’s broad appeal—even outside theater circles—makes it a near-unrepeatable pop culture phenomenon.
  • Social media was “inundated” with content about Wicked, ranging from fun to analytical deep dives [01:58].
  • Quote [Matt, 02:40]:

    “It was obviously an event for people even beyond the theatrical world ... 22 years on Broadway, stories like this have been able to build up followings, even if it’s not from those of who live and occupy theatrical spaces all the time.”

  • Both hosts agree the unique combo of “one of the biggest pop stars in the world” and a massive IP is likely impossible to replicate, even with titles like Hamilton or Funny Girl [03:38, 04:31].
  • Quote [Grace, 03:38]:

    “It’s the combo platter ... one of the biggest pop stars in the world kind of owning this second film and the fact that it’s such a large property ... I can’t think of one [show] ... it’s just like the combo platter is too insane to be replicated. So yeah, I agree. I don’t know when it could happen again like this.”

2. New Play Announcement: ‘Kramer/Fauci’ at NYU Skirball

• Directed by Daniel Fish; dramatizes the famous 1993 televised clash between Dr. Anthony Fauci and playwright-activist Larry Kramer.
  • Stars Will Brill (as Fauci) and Thomas J. Ryan (as Kramer).
  • Runs at NYU Skirball Center, Feb 11–14 and Feb 18–21 (8 performances) [05:12].
  • The showdown was pivotal in AIDS history and their friendship became an important symbol for cooperation in public health [05:30].

3. Theatrical Schedule & Noteworthy Openings

Anna Christie at St. Ann's Warehouse (Brooklyn)

• Eugene O’Neill’s play begins Nov 25, directed by Thomas Kail, starring Michelle Williams, Tom Sturridge, Brian D’Arcy James, Mare Winningham [07:38].
  • Grace praises the Williams/Kail collaboration as “unmissable” [08:03].
    • Quote [Grace, 08:03]:

      “When you think about our great actors, we’re talking about Michelle Williams and I just think that her collaboration with Tommy Kail ... is going to be one of those great collaborations. So I feel like this is an unmissable thing.”

Gotta Dance at York Theatre Company

• Showcases iconic dance numbers from musical theatre, runs Nov 25–Dec 28.
  • Choreography from classics (West Side Story, Pippin, Singin’ in the Rain, etc.) and legendary choreographers.
  • Noted as a fun, engaging show well-suited for holiday audiences [08:56].

Queen of Versailles at St. James Theatre

• Sheri Renee Scott takes over as Jackie Siegel, first performance Nov 25 [09:31].
  • Discussion about cast (including Andrew Coper) and playful remarks about musical numbers [10:21].

4. Thanksgiving Day Parade: Broadway Performances

• Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade to air Thur., Nov 27.
  • Broadway musical performances from Buena Vista Social Club, Just in Time, Ragtime; Radio City Rockettes; K-Pop, Demon Hunters, Cynthia Errivo, and celebrity appearances [11:13].
• Personal story: Grace shares a nostalgic and serendipitous memory of dancing in the parade and subsequently meeting now-spouse “F” years later after both performed at the same parade [12:04–13:12].
  • Quote [Grace, 12:47]:

    “My favorite memory ... is the fact that F and I appeared in the same Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade ... didn’t know each other ... years later, we found this wild, wicked … connection.”

5. Broadway & Off-Broadway: Comings and Goings

Tartuffe at New York Theatre Workshop

• Matthew Broderick stars in a new adaptation of Molière’s comedic classic, with an ensemble cast including David Cross, Bianca Del Rio, Amber Gray, and more [13:18].
  • The team expects “nothing ... [to be] just a straightforward piece” when Lucas Hnath is involved [13:39].
  • Show runs through Jan 24.

Hadestown Non-Equity Tour in Florida

• Matt discusses his excitement to see Hadestown for the 13th or 14th time [14:25].
  • Notes unique aspects of the non-Equity tour but praises the “power and magic” of the performances [14:50].

Off-Broadway Closings:

• Kyoto at Lincoln Center Theater: Closes after strong run; Matt calls it “phenomenal,” one of his favorites of the year [15:15].
• Romy and Michele at Stage 42: Musical adaptation ending its engagement.

6. Wicked ‘For Good’—Country Version Release

• Former Glinda (Jenna Claire Mason) and Elphaba (Mary Kate Morrissey) reunite for a country rendition of “For Good” to mark Wicked4Good’s film release [16:09].
  • Jenna Claire is now a Hallmark star; Mary Kate is about to debut as Elsa at Papermill Playhouse.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I don’t know exactly what the rest of this week is going to foretell ... but for sure we will have [the travelogue] in the Patreon feed. So if you want to hear my thoughts on shows like Seat of Our Pants, Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York, Kyoto and more, make sure that you head over to patreon.”
  — Matt, [00:48]

• “It’s the combo platter ... one of the biggest pop stars in the world kind of owning this second film and the fact that it’s such a large property ... I can’t think of one, you know. So it’s all a testament to all of those things. ... The combo platter is too insane to be replicated.”
  — Grace, [03:38]

• “I just don’t think that it has all of those quadrants that you just mentioned. So I’ve heard some people talking about some fun things ... But I think it’ll be very, very long and far between before we get something on the level of Wicked.”
  — Matt, [04:31]

• “When you think about our great actors, we’re talking about Michelle Williams ... her collaboration with Tommy Kail ... This is going to be one of those great collaborations. ... this is an unmissable thing.”
  — Grace, [08:03]

• “My favorite memory of this ... is the fact that F and I appeared in the same Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade. Like 20 floats apart, didn’t know each other. They were in Peter Pan Live and I was ... on Idina Menzel’s float. ... Then a month later I saw them ... I just think that the world is a very funny place.'”
  — Grace, [12:04–12:59]

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Wicked Film Box Office & Cultural Analysis
  [00:38] – [05:00]
• ‘Kramer/Fauci’ Play Announcement
  [05:00] – [07:15]
• Upcoming Productions: Anna Christie, Gotta Dance, Queen of Versailles
  [07:15] – [10:32]
• Thanksgiving Parade Broadway Performances & Personal Anecdotes
  [10:32] – [13:18]
• Tartuffe, Hadestown Tour, Off-Broadway News and Closings
  [13:18] – [15:42]
• Wicked “For Good” Country Version Release
  [16:09] – [16:49]

Final Thoughts

The episode balances industry news with engaging stories, blending host expertise with insider anecdotes. Wicked's cinematic domination is celebrated as both monumental and singular, while the hosts’ anticipation for new and returning stage shows, especially during this busy holiday season, shines through. For those seeking Broadway’s pulse—onstage and off—this episode is essential, especially for fans tracking the intersection of theater and mainstream culture.