BroadwayRadio Episode Summary: Today on Broadway – Thursday, April 3, 2025
Released on April 3, 2025
Introduction and Host’s Personal Updates
Host: Matt Tamaneni
Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Episode Title: Today on Broadway: Thursday, April 3, 2025
In this episode of BroadwayRadio, host Matt Tamaneni dives deep into the latest happenings in the Broadway scene, ranging from award nominations and new productions to personal experiences attending shows. Recording on a bustling Wednesday filled with performances, Matt shares his firsthand insights and upcoming plans, setting the stage for a comprehensive update on Broadway's vibrant landscape.
Personal Anecdotes and Upcoming Travelogue Episodes
Matt begins by recounting his hectic recording day:
“I had a two show day. I did not come back to my hotel in between shows thanks to new friend Jay who took me to the Players, which was an unbelievable experience.” [01:10]
He hints at an upcoming Travelogue episode focusing on the Players, a historic social club originally established by Edwin Booth, where Matt had the unique opportunity to explore Booth’s preserved bedroom. This personal touch offers listeners a glimpse into Matt’s immersive experiences within the Broadway community.
Further personal updates include attending performances with his companion Grace:
- Tuesday Night: Watched Vanya starring Andrew Scott.
- Wednesday: Enjoyed two shows, Redwood and Glengarry Glen Ross.
Matt encourages listeners to visit his Patreon page for more detailed discussions and exclusive content:
“I talk about that as well as other things over on patreon@patreon.com broadwayradio broadwayradio.com patreon.” [04:20]
2025 Lucille Lortel Awards Nominations
The episode transitions into the heart of the podcast: the latest Lucille Lortel Awards nominations, marking the commencement of the New York Theater Awards season. Announced on Wednesday, the ceremony is scheduled for May 4th at the NYU Skirball Center.
Major Nominations:
-
Outstanding Play:
- Here There are Blueberries by Moises Kaufman and Amanda Gronitch
- Liberation by Bess Wall
- Sumo by Lisa Sineadring
- The Antiquities by Jordan Harrison
- We Had a World by Joshua Harmon
-
Outstanding Musical:
- Drag, the Musical
- Madea Reversed
- The Big Gay Jamboree
- Three Houses
- We Live in Cairo
-
Outstanding Revival:
- Beckett
- Briefs
- Ghosts
- Hold On to Me Darling
- R Class
- Wine in the Wilderness
-
Outstanding Solo Show:
- 300 Paintings
- A Knock on the Roof
- Vanya
-
Outstanding Director:
- Igor Goyak for R Class
- Moises Kaufman for Here There are Blueberries
- Xylon Livingston for Table 17
- Whitney White for Liberation
- Sam Yates for Vanya
Performance Categories:
- Outstanding Lead Performer in a Play: Includes stars like Adam Driver (Hold On to Me Darling) and Marisa Tomei (Babe).
- Outstanding Feature Performer in a Play: Features talents such as Betsy Adam (Liberation) and Stephanie Berry (Staff Meal).
- Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical: Highlights performers like Marla Mendel (The Big Gang Jamboree) and Alaska Thunderfuck (Drag, the Musical).
- Outstanding Feature Performer in a Musical: Includes Jujubee and Eddie Corbich from Drag, the Musical.
- Outstanding Ensemble: Nominated shows are Here There Are Butterflies, Our Class, and We Live in Cairo.
Honorary Awards:
- Playwright Sidewalk Inductee: Alice Childress
- Outstanding Body of Work: New Federal Theater
- Edith Oliver Service to Off Broadway: Carol Fishman
Matt emphasizes the extensive nature of the nominations, encouraging listeners to explore the full list via the show notes.
New Stage Musical: Waking Ned Devine
A standout announcement in the episode is the development of a new stage musical adaptation of the beloved 1998 Irish comedy, Waking Ned Devine.
Key Details:
- Director: John Doyle
- Book Writer: David Hein (Come From Away)
- Score: Marquita Ergo and Glenn Hansard (Once)
Matt provides an overview of the plot:
“Waking Ned Devine tells the story of a man who wins the lottery in a small Irish village, and as everyone is trying to figure out how they are going to get a piece of Ned's wealth, they have to figure out how they're going to get over the fact that Ned died from the shock of winning the lottery.” [06:15]
The production is poised to be Broadway-bound, though no specific timeline has been set. Matt draws parallels between this upcoming musical and John Doyle’s previous work on Once, speculating on potential similarities in musical integration and performance style.
“There's a lot of similarity between the stage musical version of Once and a lot of the work that John Doyle has done where everybody in the show is a musician and plays instruments.” [07:00]
Matt expresses optimism about the collaboration between Doyle and Hein, anticipating a compelling addition to Broadway’s repertoire.
Upcoming Show: Ava the Secret Conversations
Another exciting announcement is the forthcoming Ava the Secret Conversations, a new play centered on the legendary actress Ava Gardner.
Key Details:
- Writer and Lead Actress: Elizabeth McGovern (Downton Abbey)
- Director: Moritz von Stupenagel (Tony Nominee)
- Co-Star: Aaron Costa Gannis
- Performance Dates: July 30th to September 13th
- Venue: New York City Center
The play is based on over 25 years of published interviews with Ava Gardner, authorized by her estate. It delves into her personal relationships with notable figures such as:
- Peter Evans
- Mickey Rooney
- Artie Shaw
- Frank Sinatra
- Howard Hughes
Matt highlights the significance of Elizabeth McGovern bringing Ava Gardner’s story to life on stage, anticipating critical and audience acclaim.
Little Island's Second Annual Summer Programming
Matt shifts focus to Little Island, a prominent outdoor performance venue located on a small island in the Hudson River. The second annual summer season promises a diverse array of performances:
Season Details:
- Dates: May 29 – September 28
- Performance Spaces: The Amph and The Glade
- Ticket Pricing:
- The Amph: $25 per show
- The Glade: Free admission
Highlighted Performances:
- The Counterfeit Opera:
- Adaptation of: The Beggar's Opera by John Gay (1728)
- Book and Lyrics: Kate Tarker
- Music: Dan Schlossberg
- Director: Dustin Willis
- Cast: Damon Duano, Lauren Patton, Zenzi Williams, Anne Harada, Dorcas Leung, Emma Ramos, Henry Stram, and more.
- Performance Dates: May 29 – June 15 at The Amph
- Performance Time: 8:30 PM
Matt expresses particular excitement for The Counterfeit Opera, noting its blend of classic and contemporary elements.
Other notable performances include:
- Gospel of Colonus: Starring Grammy nominees Kim Burrell and Devon Tynes.
- Bluegrass Adaptation of Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin: Directed by Rachel Chavkin.
- The Case of the Stranger: A Shakespeare-inspired song cycle by Whitney White.
Listeners are encouraged to explore more details through the provided show notes.
Judd Apatow’s Documentary and Companion Book on Godspell
A significant highlight discussed is Judd Apatow’s new documentary on the celebrated Toronto production of Godspell. This production is notable for featuring future stars such as Eugene Levy, Martin Short, Gilda Radner, Victor Garber, Andrea Martin, Dave Thomas, and Paul Shaffer.
Key Points:
- Companion Book: A blue book accompanying the documentary is slated for early 2026 release.
- Director: Nick Davis
- Co-Writer: Jane Mendelsohn
- Release Timeline: The documentary will debut at the end of the year, aligning with awards considerations.
Matt underscores the cultural and historical significance of this production, marveling at the breakout careers of its cast members:
“When you look at just the amount of people from that cast who went on not to just have careers or even just to be stars, but to be like huge mega stars is really kind of fascinating.” [10:50]
He eagerly anticipates both the documentary and the companion book, deeming them essential viewing for theater enthusiasts.
Upcoming Industry Readings: Unlocked
Matt highlights an industry reading of Unlocked, a romantic coming-of-age musical originally premiered Off-Broadway in 2013 by the Prospect Theater Company.
Details:
- Book and Lyrics: Sam Karner
- Music: Derek Greger
- Director: Michael Barnard
- Cast: Troy Iwata, Storm Lever, Heather McElhenny, and others.
Matt expresses enthusiasm for witnessing the evolution of Unlocked through its latest incarnation, reflecting his passion for observing shows in development:
“I love seeing things in process and as they are developing.” [11:45]
He also mentions another reading, Edition with Divine, indicating a busy schedule catering to diverse theatrical explorations.
Upcoming Travelogue Episodes and Future Shows
Concluding the episode, Matt teases upcoming Travelogue episodes on Patreon, where he will delve into his recent theater experiences. Planned discussions include:
- The Picture of Dorian Gray
- The Last Five Years
- Good Night and Good Luck
- Purpose
- Sondheim and Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends
He emphasizes the value of these episodes for listeners eager to gain deeper insights into ongoing productions and his personal perspectives.
Closing Remarks and Social Media Engagement
Matt wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support his Patreon for exclusive content and to stay connected via social media platforms:
“Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram broadwayrading. Follow me on Instagram at bwwmatt.” [12:10]
He extends his gratitude to the audience and looks forward to engaging with them in future episodes.
Notable Quotes with Timestamps:
-
Personal Experience:
“I had a two show day. I did not come back to my hotel in between shows thanks to new friend Jay who took me to the Players, which was an unbelievable experience.” [01:10] -
Lucille Lortel Awards:
“There are tons of other categories in here, including all of the technical ones.” [05:30] -
New Musical Excitement:
“There's a lot of similarity between the stage musical version of Once and a lot of the work that John Doyle has done where everybody in the show is a musician and plays instruments.” [07:00] -
Judd Apatow’s Documentary:
“When you look at just the amount of people from that cast who went on not to just have careers or even just to be stars, but to be like huge mega stars is really kind of fascinating.” [10:50]
Final Thoughts
This episode of BroadwayRadio serves as a comprehensive update for theater aficionados, blending award news, new productions, and insider insights from the host’s personal experiences. Matt Tamaneni’s engaging commentary and anticipation for upcoming shows and projects make this a must-listen for anyone passionate about Broadway and the evolving landscape of theater.
For more detailed information and links to discussed shows, visit broadwayradio.com or support the podcast on Patreon.