Today on Broadway: Thursday, April 24, 2025 BroadwayRadio
Introduction
In today’s episode of Today on Broadway, hosted by Matt Tiumnini, listeners are treated to a comprehensive overview of the latest happenings in the Broadway scene. Matt provides insights into upcoming shows, reviews, industry awards, and noteworthy events, ensuring that both theater aficionados and casual fans stay informed and engaged.
Spotlight on "Stranger Things: The First Shadow"
Overview
At the heart of today's discussion is the newly opened Broadway prequel, Stranger Things: The First Shadow. Premiering on Tuesday night at the Marriott Marquis Theater, this production delves into the origins of the beloved Netflix series. Crafted by Kate Treffery with contributions from Jack Thorne and the Duffer Brothers, and directed by Stephen Daldry, the play is set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana. It explores the Creel family’s pursuit of a fresh start and centers on teenage protagonist Henry Creel, who becomes entangled in a series of shocking crimes that challenge his past and the power of his friendships.
Critical Reception
The show has garnered mixed reactions, as reflected by 17 reviews on the aggregator site Did They Like It: 7 positive, 5 mixed, and 5 negative.
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Elizabeth Vincentely, New York Times [02:45]: “The First Shadow fulfills its franchise requirements in terms of spectacular art direction and compliance to the series canon, to which it adds tantalizing tidbits. Whether it is satisfying as a piece of theater is a dicier proposition.”
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Kobe Castle, Theater Elite [04:30]: “Enough can’t be said that this production doesn’t change the game of Broadway. It smashes the game board and shoots it into a new dimension. Stranger Things: The First Shadow may just be the best production, visually speaking, to ever hit Broadway. Well, in this universe anyway.”
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Sarah Holdren, Vulture [06:15]: “If the First Shadow is purely an act of fan service, at least it's an unapologetic one... An extravagant TV meets theater meets theme park hybrid that has probably not entirely heartening implications for the future of Broadway? For sure. Is it also so unrelentingly absurd that it's hard to be mad at? Absolutely.”
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Matt Winman, AME New York [08:00]: “A three-hour fan wiki brought to life, complete with origin stories, stilted dialogue, lame jokes and sequences seemingly constructed only to set up the next visual effect.”
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Emilyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly [09:45]: “Immersive, heartfelt and exhilarating, The First Shadow is a must-see spectacle for the Stranger Things obsessive as much as it is for the theater aficionado who wants to see the medium taken to new heights.”
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Adam Feldman, Time Out New York [11:30]: “The First Shadow doesn't offer much by way of characters or plot, adding meager flesh to already familiar bones and patting a skeleton doesn't make it scarier, just bulkier.”
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Brittany Samuel, Broadway News [13:15]: “Three hours into Stranger Things: The First Shadow universe passes and in a blink by the end you're convinced they've pulled off another trick, an exorbitant spectacle wrapped around the scrappy, gushy heart of the original.”
Matt highlights that Grace and Ashley Hufford noted significant changes from the London and West End productions to the Broadway rendition. While initial reactions from London were lukewarm, the Broadway version seems to have refined its approach, making it a visually stunning yet polarizing addition to the Broadway lineup.
Dramatist Guild of America 2025 Awards
The Dramatist Guild of America announced its 2025 award recipients, honoring outstanding contributions to theater beyond typical production and acting accolades.
- Frederick Lowe Award: Shayna Taub for her work on Suffs.
- Flora Roberts Award: Pete Parnell, recognizing his distinguished work in theater.
- Lanford Wilson Award: Co-recipients Morgan Maguire and Christina Rae Colon, honoring early career writers.
- Horton Foote Playwriting Award: Clarence Koo and C. A. Johnson, awarded for their profound exploration of life’s ineffable nature.
- Hall Warner Award: Itamar Moses for The Ally, recognizing plays that tackle controversial political, religious, or social subjects.
For a complete list of awardees and their achievements, listeners are encouraged to check the show notes.
New Musical Announcements
"So Call Me Maybe"
Broadway veteran and pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is set to make her mark on the stage with a new musical adaptation of 10 Things I Hated About You, itself a retelling of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Collaborating with Lena Dunham and Jessica Huang, the musical promises an original score composed by Jepsen and Grammy winner Ethan Gruska. Christopher Wheeldon will direct and choreograph, while Tom Kitt oversees music supervision, arrangements, and orchestrations.
Matt shares his enthusiasm: “I’m also really glad this is not being a jukebox musical because while you could definitely do that with songs from the era that the movie was released in the late 90s, this feels like it should be one with an original score. Especially, you know, just the fact that it was based on a play. So let's, you know, treat it with respect and give it a fully fleshed adaptation.”
New Production Company Launch
Producers Michael McFadden and Katie Lipson have launched TRW Production, a full-service theatrical production company in partnership with Theatrical Rights Worldwide. Currently, they are developing two projects:
- Stage Version of "Music and Lyrics" (2007): A rock romantic comedy centered around the music industry.
- Stage Adaptation of "Joyful Noise" (2012): Originally a musical film starring Dolly Parton and Keke Palmer, this adaptation is being penned by Todd Graff, known for the beloved film Camp.
These projects signal an exciting expansion of beloved films into the theatrical realm, with TRW Production poised to bring fresh narratives to the Broadway stage.
Theater Updates
Extension of "Goddess"
The Public Theater has extended its run of the new musical Goddess prior to the commencement of performances. The show, directed by Sahim Ali and starring Amber Aman, will now run through June 8, following its initial launch on April 29.
Off Broadway Musical Casting Announcement
Casting for an upcoming Off Broadway true musical has been revealed, introducing new talents Gabriella Carrillo and Paul Witty to join previously announced performers Betsy Wolf, Charl Brown, Adam Grouper, Mauricio Martinez, Jill Abramovic, and Honor Blue Savage. Performances begin on June 21st with an official opening on July 20th.
Special Events
Broadway Bears 2025
Equity Fights AIDS is returning with this year’s edition of Broadway Bears, an annual burlesque spectacular. Scheduled for June 22nd at the Hammerstein Ballroom, this year's theme is a Wizard of Oz twist, promising a blend of classic allure and contemporary flair. A teaser video is available in the show notes for those interested in a sneak peek.
Impromptu Concert at Belasco Theater
During a performance of Maybe Happy Ending at the Belasco Theater, a medical emergency paused the show. In response, Darren Criss, Helen J. Shin, and Des Duran graced the stage with an impromptu concert, performing classics like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “Fly Me to the Moon.” Video footage of this heartfelt performance is available in the show notes, capturing the resilience and community spirit of Broadway performers.
"Floyd Collins" at Broadway at Lincoln Center
Marking a historic moment, Floyd Collins opened its first Broadway production at Lincoln Center earlier this week. Featuring Jeremy Jordan and Lisa McAlpine, the show has received early praise for its compelling storytelling and dynamic performances. Highlights from the opening night are accessible in the show notes, offering a glimpse into this much-anticipated production.
Tonight’s Shows and Podcast Schedule
Upcoming Opening: "Pirates the Penzance Musical" Tonight marks the opening of Pirates the Penzance Musical at the Tudor Theatre. Matt Tiumnini will be attending the national tour of The Lion King in Orlando, and as a result, both he and co-host Grace will handle upcoming episodes differently:
- Patreon Subscribers: Grace and Matt will release a standard episode without live reviews.
- Regular Feed: A standalone episode featuring Matt’s reviews of Pirates the Penzance Musical will be uploaded separately to ensure timely coverage of the new show, alongside reviews for Just In Time, Dead Outlaw, and Real Women Have Curves.
Listeners are encouraged to follow BroadwayRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay updated with the latest episodes and Broadway news.
Closing Remarks
Matt concludes the episode by expressing his excitement for the remaining days of the 2024-2025 Broadway season and assures listeners that more engaging content is on the way. He thanks the audience for tuning in and invites them to enjoy the vibrant world of Broadway.
Notable Quotes:
- “Stranger Things: The First Shadow may just be the best production, visually speaking, to ever hit Broadway.” — Kobe Castle, Theater Elite [04:30]
- “Immersive, heartfelt and exhilarating, The First Shadow is a must-see spectacle for the Stranger Things obsessive as much as it is for the theater aficionado who wants to see the medium taken to new heights.” — Emilyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly [09:45]
- “If you are good with this type of storytelling, I think that this one sounds like it should be a lot of fun and I'M looking forward to seeing it in a couple weeks.” — Matt Tiumnini [18:30]
For more detailed information, including links to videos and additional resources, please refer to the show notes accompanying this episode.
Enjoy these last few days of the 2024-2025 Broadway theatrical season, and tune in tomorrow for more updates and reviews!