BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: Today on Broadway: Monday, Nov. 25, 2024
Release Date: November 25, 2024
Join BroadwayRadio's Matt Tammini and Grace Aki as they delve into the latest happenings on Broadway in their episode of Today on Broadway aired on Monday, November 25, 2024. This comprehensive summary captures the episode's key discussions, insights, and announcements, complete with notable quotes and timestamps to provide a clear and engaging overview for both regular listeners and newcomers.
1. Introduction and Upcoming Schedule
Matt Tammini kicks off the episode by outlining the upcoming week's schedule:
- Thanksgiving Break: The hosts will take a short hiatus to celebrate Thanksgiving, with a Today on Broadway episode on Tuesday.
- Special Interview: An in-depth conversation with Mandy Gonzalez, scheduled for Wednesday.
- Thanksgiving-Themed Discussion: Matt and Grace will reflect on what they are thankful for in the theater world.
- Wicked Movie Review: On Friday, they will share their thoughts on the newly released Wicked movie, having both seen it twice.
"Grace, you have seen it twice, I have seen it twice and we'll be talking about that on Friday." ([00:07])
2. Spotlight on "Redwood" Musical
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to the announcement of the upcoming Broadway musical "Redwood."
- Premiere Details:
- Opening Date: January 24th
- Venue: Nederlander Theater
- Starring Idina Menzel:
- Cast Members: DeAndre Aziza, Michael Park, Zachary Noah Peiser (all originating their roles from La Jolla Playhouse), and Kalea Wilcox replacing Nkechi Obama Lekwe.
- Standbys: Jessica Phillips among others.
- Creative Team:
- Conceived by: Adina and Tina Landau
- Book: Tina Landau
- Music & Lyrics: Kate Diaz and Tina Landau
- Synopsis: The story follows Jesse, a woman confronting a life-altering event who seeks solace in the redwoods of Northern California.
Grace Aki expresses her excitement about the show despite having no prior involvement or out-of-town tryouts.
"I'm really excited. I'm hoping they maybe release a song or something just to like get, get, you know, some excitement going because I think that it'll be really cool once we all start to kind of like learn more about it." ([02:54])
Matt Tammini highlights the uniqueness of "Redwood" having a small cast and notes the significance of Idina Menzel returning to the Nederlander Theater, previously home to Rent.
"It's interesting because very rarely do we see a show on Broadway with five people or four people in the cast." ([03:39])
3. Weekly Broadway Highlights
A. New Shows Opening:
- "Eureka Day" at Samuel J. Friedman Theater:
- Production: Manhattan Theater Club's Broadway premiere
- Creative Team: Written by Jonathan Spector, directed by Anna Dee Shapiro
- Cast: Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, Bill Irwin, Thomas Middlejich, Chelsea Yakura Kurtz
- Synopsis: Navigates the complexities of vaccine mandates in a child's school.
- Opening Date: December 16th – Closing January 19th
"This show has a really fun and interesting cast. It features Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, Bill Irwin..." ([04:07])
B. Off-Broadway Productions:
- "Merchant of Venice" at Classic Stage Company:
- Adaptation: Directed by Igor Goliak
- Cast: Richard Topple (Shylock), Alexandra Silber (Portia), T.R. Knight (Antonio), among others.
- Note: Many cast members are part of a residency and repertory group at Classic Stage.
C. Holiday-Themed Performances:
- "Dead 1904" at Irish Repertory Theater:
- Cast: Kate Baldwin, Christopher Envar, Mary Beth Peele, and more.
- "A Christmas Carol" at Merchant's House Museum:
- Unique Feature: Period-appropriate setting with a Christmas reception involving "Mr. Dickens."
D. Upcoming Premieres and Closings:
- "Tender Napalm" at Theater Lab:
- Playwright: Philip Ridley
- Cast: Ben Ehlers, Victoria Pedretti
- Run: November 27th – December 15th
- Closing Shows on Sunday:
- "Bad Creole" at Signature Theater
- "Elevator Repair Services Gatsby" at The Public Theater: An eight-hour performance reading of The Great Gatsby.
- "Music City" by Bedlam Theater Company: A new musical receiving praise from the hosts.
4. Cast Updates and Performers to Watch
- "We Live in Cairo" Closing: New York Theater Workshop wraps up its run.
- Role Updates in "Norma Desmond":
- Caroline Bowman: Scheduled to make her debut as Norma Desmond on January 12th at the St. James Theater, replacing Nicole Scherzinger for additional dates.
"She's an incredible actor. Like, I really respect the hell out of her and I genuinely cannot wait to see her in this part." ([11:56])
Matt Tammini mentions the possibility of attending the Broadway opening of English in January, indicating the dynamic and overlapping schedules in the Broadway scene.
5. Special Features and Recommendations
- "Sinatra the Musical" Staged Reading:
- Venue: Apollo Theater
- Production Team: Directed by Kathleen Marshall
- Cast: Matt Doyle, Anavia Fane, and others
- Significance: Tina Sinatra advocates for its Broadway inclusion.
"I can't imagine this making it to Broadway this season, Grace, just because there's not a lot of houses open." ([13:50])
- Feel-Good Highlight:
- NSYNC’s JC Chase: Hosts a singalong performance of Ann Juliet, performing "Tearing Up My Heart" with the cast.
- Venue: Stephen Sondheim Theater
- Audience Reaction: Enthusiastic participation with high energy.
"People were tearing the roof off the place. Like, kudos to that." ([14:52])
Grace Aki adds her enthusiasm for the singalong, praising both the performances and JC Chase's talent.
"Grace yeah, the videos I saw out of that night were crazy... JC like, who is just a class act but also like so talented." ([15:25])
6. Closing Remarks
Matt Tammini and Grace Aki wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow BroadwayRadio on social media for updates and additional content. They express excitement for the upcoming week and the various shows and events discussed.
"All right, everybody, have a wonderful Monday and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow." ([15:34])
Key Takeaways:
- "Redwood" Musical: A highly anticipated Broadway debut starring Idina Menzel with a small, talented cast.
- Diverse Week Ahead: From new premieres like Eureka Day to unique holiday performances and notable closings.
- Cast Movements: Exciting updates with performers like Caroline Bowman stepping into prominent roles.
- Special Features: Engaging staged readings and energetic singalong events highlight the vibrant Broadway community.
- Industry Insights: Discussions on the impact of CBS's withdrawal from the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade broadcast and potential future shifts in Broadway media coverage.
Stay tuned to BroadwayRadio for more in-depth discussions and updates on all things Broadway!