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Today on Broadway: Monday, Sept. 29, 2025
00:18:18
Keanu and Alex open ‘Godot’ on Broadway, Meg Donnelly to make Broadway debut, Alicia Keys and Jessica Vosk post-show performance Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday ...
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Welcome to Today on Broadway for Monday, September 29th, 2025. I'm Broadway Radio's Matt Tamminini and I'm.
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Tell Me on a Sunday Podcast.
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Grace Ake Grace, we are recording late because on Sunday night the latest revival of Samuel Beckett's Waiting for Godot, which apparently is how they're pronouncing it in this production. Different productions pronounce it differently. This is apparently Godo. So Waiting for Godot officially opened at the Hudson Theater. We're going to talk about all of those reviews. You just got home from the opening night and opening night party, so we're going to talk about that as well. But before we do, our next Patreon exclusive episode will come out over the next few days where Grace and I answer your questions and talk about some other things going on in the world of theater and some of our random thoughts about that and more. So if you want to hear that, head over to patreon.com broadwayradio and broadwayradio.com patreon now, one of, if not the first big star studded vehicle of the 2526 Broadway season did officially open at the Hudson last night. And that is the Jamie Lloyd directed production of Waiting for Godot and it stars as the two main clowns in the show, Estragon and Vladimir, Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter, obviously having had a connection of over 35 years dating back to their days as Bill and Ted in the iconic time traveling stoner buddy comedies of that franchise. But they are joined in this production by Brandon J. Dearden and Michael Patrick Thornton along with Zayn Aurora and Eric Williams alternating as the boy and as of recording time, did they like it has not posted its review roundup, but I will have a link to that to the main site in the show notes and then I'll also have a link to the Broadway World Review Roundup as well. But let's start over at the New York Times where Laura Collins Hughes reviewed the show and she started talking about the fact that like because Jamie Lloyd is Jamie Lloyd, he threw in a little air guitar bit, harkening back to the Bill and Ted days. And she said, quote, if the show briefly acknowledges what it means for much of the audience to see Reeves and Winter together again, echoing their big screen history as they portray a different pair of friends, what of it? Clowns are meant to color outside the lines? Then, she continues, Jamie Lloyd's pristinely chic looking production, which opened on Sunday night at the Hudson Theater, breaks some other rules too, right from the start. There is no customary tree as part of the scenery, for one thing, and no country road. This Dee Dee and Gogo while away their endless days inside a kind of tapering tunnel that has an enormous gaping mouth at the downstage end where they perch on its lip nice and close to the orchestra seats. What's curious in Waiting for Godot is that the textual distillation that we have come to expect from Lloyd is largely missing. So is his interpretive stamp. For the most part here, he doesn't seem to have anything to say. That's disappointing on its own, because the play needs strong directorial focus to land with any force, but particularly so at a time when surely a good chunk of the populace could identify with Dede and Gogo's sense of exhaustion, futility and despair in the face of a relentlessly brutal world. Lloyd's skill as something of a star whisperer isn't much in evidence either. For Reeves, who initiated this production, and Winter, the stage is not a usual habitat. These feel like performances that are still taking shape, Winters in particular, with Dee Dee Grimm visaged throughout. Reeves has a tentativeness too, but his Go Go is endearing in a familiar way, with a puppyish vulnerability. The thing to keep in mind is that even on Broadway, not every show enters the world fully baked. The theater evolves performance by performance. It's not a static product. So while it isn't a sure thing that Reeves and Winter can rise to the level of Durden and Thornton, their two co stars in the show, bringing a necessary balance to the production. There certainly is a chance. Like Dee Dee and Gogo trying afresh each new day, they have time. Heading over to let's go to Adam Feldman from Time out in New York, who gave the show three out of five stars. He says, quote, the pleasant prospect of seeing Reeves and Winter together makes this production to some extent critic proof. And anyhow, this is a play in which critic is the worst insult that Estragon can think up. But although Reeves and Winter are the main reason most people will go to see this Gadot, it is this Revival's other assets, the direction, the set, and above all, Durden and Thornton, that keep it from being an exercise in metastasis. For me, those elements make the production worth seeing. While I don't do this very often, let's go to the New York Post with Johnny Oleksinski because he brings an interesting point to this that I think is worth noting. He said, quote, acting aside, this is one of Lloyd's better dramatic efforts. He boldly does away with the typical Gadot aesthetic of gray emptiness and an ominous tree in the back. Instead, designer Sutra Gilmour's set is a bright giant wooden cylinder that looks like something Timothy Chalamet might pilot in Dune. There are none of Lloyd's usual screens or alfresco adventures either. Unlike what the director did to Jessica Chastain in A Doll's House, he generally allows Reeves and Winner to. To actually walk around. But cool scenery doesn't go very far when one of the actors on it simply cannot handle Beckett. And I'll let you read the rest, but he is talking about Keanu Reeves here. Grace, you've seen the show. You were at opening night. As you've said before, you do work on the show, so, you know, conflict of interest and grain of salt and all of those things. But give me your thoughts about opening night, about this show, about Keanu and Alex. Everything Godot centric here.
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You know, news to me, Matt, but this is actually not waiting for Guffman Part three. This is. This is actually the original source material. And so I just. In full transparency, I've never seen it on stage and it was kind of a delight. So I'm just taking it in, honestly, as I'm an hour out from having seen it for the very first time. Even though I'm familiar with the material, I understand the subject matter. I really did like, kind of like the voided space space that Jamie evokes here. It's not even like a set that I would call like, you know, it's very clear, it's very much open to interpretation. I see it as kind of this like, liminal, never ending skate park into abyss, which I think feeds itself well into the show. But who knows? Who am I to say what is or isn't the thing? But I think that Brandon and Michael, Michael, who I know worked with. I was really privileged to get to work on the Doll's House that happened in the Hudson a few years back with Jamie as well. And I think that Michael is so good with Jamie's work that I want to see the Next show where he is either the star focal point or something, because I think that they are such a great match. I really, really enjoy his performance every time I see him in something, and he is, without a doubt, just. Just an incredible highlight of this production as well.
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What was the party like? What is it? What is a Waiting for Godot, Jamie Lloyd, Keanu Reeves, post show, post opening night party.
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Like, you know, I'll tell you what it was like in. In the theater was very funny that I was, you know, sat at the very end of the third row. And so what I guess could have been perceived as, quote, partial view due to, like, the, you know, the seismic nature of the. Of the stage. I didn't feel like it was partial view. So if anybody, like, sees partial view online and it's a. It's a more inexpensive ticket, I got to see the show and you know how tall I am. So I was. I was pleasantly surprised by my seat, actually, not being as obstructed as I kind of thought it might be. But it was. I mean, it was really cool to see, you know, all these people that I know have either, like, worked with Jamie before or, you know, have similarly done a show this season. If I see Kieran Culkin one more time and don't get to talk about CM Punk, I don't know what I'm gonna do with myself.
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You saw him at SummerSlam and didn't talk to him about doing this.
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It's so awful. I'm like, we're meant to be friends. But, yeah, it was so funny. Just like, so many people in that building were just like, people that really love theater and people that really love play. Lin Manuel was in my row. Danielle Brooks was behind me. If you're caught up on Peacemaker, God, did I want to give her a hug. It was just. It was just a really special evening of people that probably did this show in college or have done it in scene study or something. It was just kind of a nice filled theater with theater folk. Ethan Hawke was there, and I did cry a little just because. Also, shout out to the Lowdown on fx. He's promoting the hell out of that show, so make sure that you see that. So, yeah, it was just people. People that are starry, obviously, but also a lot of people that really love theater. My friend Mason park got to be there. It was really lovely to see them. And, you know, it was just. You could tell that everybody that was there really likes theater. I mean, they're starry, but also they really love theater. And that was nice.
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All right, well, let's dive into the rest of the news, and we're going to start over at the Al Hirschfeld Theater because Moulin Rouge has announced its next star coming in, beginning on November 11th and playing into March. Actually, March 1st. As I said last week, like, originally, I had been told this show was going to be posting a closing notice. That has not happened because they are continuing to bring in stars. And this one is exciting for a lot of people, but I'm going to have my same complaint I have with a lot of people cast as Satine. But we'll get to that here in a second. The new Satine, starting in just like, a month and a half, will be Meg Donnelly. Now, if you don't know who Meg Donnelly is, there's a pretty good chance that a young person in your life does, because she is the star of the zombie movies on Disney Channel, the musicals. She co starred opposite Milo Manheim, who we talked about a lot because he did Little Shop off Broadway and then was in Jesus Christ Superstar at the Hollywood Bowl. She was Also on the TV show American Housewife on ABC. She is going to be playing Satine. She's 25 years old. I know it doesn't matter, but anytime Satine is that young, especially compared to a Christian, like, I don't think that that doesn't jive with the script, but that's neither here nor there. She's incredibly talented. I'm excited about this. And, Grace, maybe this is another opportunity for you to head back to the Hirschfeld and see Moulin Rouge one more time.
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Oh, yeah. I think that the show becomes way weird on the flip of a lot of those dynamics, but I'm excited for her. I know that, you know, casting Milo in Little Shop was really great for them, and so, you know, if they're going to continue with that kind of, like, Franchi Ties performer. Also, she posted this really sweet video of her singing, I think, from Wicked or something, on her social of being like, my theater kid. Dreams are coming true. Anybody? If Kenny Ortega has selected you for a Disney Channel original film, I trust you. I just. I do. You know what I mean? And so I think she's going to be stunning. Obviously, Ashley, Lauren's final performance is going to be November 9th. She announced that. So if you are excited to see her finish out her run, you should do so.
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All right, I'm gonna run through this week's theatrical schedule. Because of the reviews, we're running long, so I'm just gonna hit these really quickly. I will have obviously all of the links in the show notes, but let's start tonight with another Broadway opening. This one is going to be happening at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater from the Manhattan Theater Club as James Graham's play Punch officially opens. Directed by Adam Pinford, the show stars Camilo Cano, Flavia Victoria Clarke, Kim Fisher, Will Harrison, Cody Castro, Peter Merrick, Jacob Orr, Sam Robards, Lucy Taylor and Amber Rauschen Williams. It is actually also currently running in London as well. I've heard a lot of people really liked it, were really moved by this and I think it might have something to say about the modern world. It is based on the nonfiction book Right from Wrong by Jacob Dunn. That'll be interesting to see those reviews on Monday night. Also happening on Monday night we have the official opening of Masquerade Off Broadway, the Phantom of the Opera immersive thing. They had their like big gala performance on Sunday night. Lots of our friends were there dressed to the nines and tens to attend the gala performance. I will be fascinated to hear what these reviews are like because the word of mouth is incredible, so I cannot wait. Another show that will be opening this week will be over at mcc. And that is Caroline, the new three hander from one of my favorite favorite musical theater up and coming writers, but now writing a straight play as well. It is written by Preston Max Allen and directed by David Cromer. It stars Amy Landecker, River Lipe Smith and Chloe Grace Moretz. This one is currently scheduled to play through November 2nd. This is one I've got to have on my list to see when I'm in town as well. Also happening on Tuesday night, the first preview for the Off Broadway return engagement for Heather Christian's Oratorio for Living Things, directed by Lee Sunday Evans. This is happening over at the Signature Theater, currently scheduled to play through November 16th. One of the highlights of my upcoming season. I cannot wait to see that then Grace. Over at House of the Redeemer is going to be this uber intimate production of Moliere's Tartuffe starring Andre de Shields and a bunch of other fantastic theater artists. This is only going to be open to 100 guests per night, so if you want to get tickets, I would hurry up and do that now. Then Playwrights Horizons On Thursday night we'll have the first preview performance for the new play written by Jen Tullock and Frank Winters, performed by Jen Tullock called Nothing Can Take youe From the Hand of God. It is currently scheduled to play through October 26th. Then off Broadway on Sunday, we have the opening for the Pride and Prejudice adaptation kind of thing called Are the Bennett Girls okay? From the Bedlam Theater Company. We talked about last week that it was extended. It is now going to play through October 19th. And then also on Sunday, Grace, we have the first preview performance Off Broadway for the Saturday Night Live focused play not ready for Primetime. It is playing at MCC, although it is not at McCarthy Performance. It is a rental there. So lots going on, Grace. But next week, as you well know, everything begins performances and starts opening on Broadway. Like next week starting on, I guess that would be what, October 6th. Things start to get busy. How crazy is your October, Matt?
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I don't want to talk about it. I don't. I. I don't think that anybody listening right now needs to have secondhand anxiety from me every time someone's like. And we like, I will see you in January. I'm getting married in November. I have 100 events for work in October. I'm working on a theater event for the day after my wedding. I can't handle it. I am. I. Matt, it's. It's all great stuff. I'm so privileged. I'm so grateful to even have that work. But it is work and I am taking every moment that I possibly can to relax. I do have to say it is opening night at the Cherry Lane Theater right now as we are recording this. I did see that show and I'm going to save that conversation for our next episode. So make sure that you are listening on the next day.
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It's called Were We're. Is that what it's called?
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We're. We're.
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We're. Okay. All right, great. All right, let's hit some real quick show and casting news. Sophie Carmen Jones, who has played Nene in both London and Broadway's production of Moulin Rouge, will be returning to Chicago on today, September 29th. She will be stepping into the role of Velma Kelly opposite Mira Sorvino and Tam Mutu as well as others. Then the Off Broadway production of Mike Bartlett's Bull has announced an extension. This is a hyper, intimate play that focuses on three employees faced with impending layoffs to one of their team members. It is currently scheduled to play now through October 12th. And then, this is fascinating to me. Former Olympic gymnast and actress Cathy Rigby, who has played Peter pan in over 3,000 performances on Broadway and on tour, has joined the upcoming La Mirada Theater production of Peter Pan Goes Wrong. She's going to play the narrator, which is you might remember that Neil Patrick Harris did that on Broadway for a little bit. She is going to be joining a production that involves Steven Booth, Reggie De Leon, Josh Grisetti, Nicole Parker and others. The show is going to run from October 31st through November 23rd. So absolutely geeked about that. That should be a lot of fun. And then I have two recommendations. Grace the first one comes to us from the Shubert Theater where last week we had the two Alicia Keys post show concerts following performances of Hell's Kitchen. The video that I have is Alicia Keys and Jessica Vosk singing together, which is very, very fun. And then the other performance I have comes to us from the Bitter End like this iconic New York City rock club. And they did the national tour preview kickoff event for Stereophonic there where they did a couple performances. I will have the video for for their performance of Masquerade. So if you want to check that out, we will have it in the show notes. 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 broadwayrad. More Broadway Radio. Head over to patreon.com broadwayradio. Grace, where can people find you?
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You could find me at Grace Aki.
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All right everybody, have a wonderful Monday, a wonderful week and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow.