BroadwayRadio – "Today on Broadway: Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025"

Hosts: Matt Tamanini & Grace Aki
Release Date: August 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of "Today on Broadway" marks the end of the summer season, with hosts Matt Tamanini and Grace Aki recapping late August Broadway news amid the customary slowing of industry announcements ahead of Labor Day. The pair cover notable casting updates, Off-Broadway movements, the rise of IP-driven musicals, and share insights on West End shows and recent content creator highlights.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Programming Notes and Upcoming Breaks

• No Patreon episode this weekend and the team will take Labor Day off (no episode Tuesday), before returning to standard programming after the holiday.
  • [00:37] Matt: “We are looking forward to the Labor Day weekend...we will be back on Wednesday like normal.”

1. 'Ragtime' Casting Update: Alison Blackwell Steps In

• Background: Originally, Charity Angel Dawson was set to play Sarah's friend in the upcoming Lincoln Center Theater revival. Due to ongoing medical issues, she had to step back (issues dating from her time in "& Juliet").
• New Casting: Alison Blackwell announced as her replacement.
  • Blackwell's previous credits: "New York, New York," "Pretty Woman," "A Night with Janis Joplin," "Porgy and Bess," "The Lion King."
• Both hosts express excitement about Blackwell’s casting, recognizing her talent and acknowledging the bittersweet nature of Charity Angel Dawson’s withdrawal.
  • [01:40] Matt: “While sad not to see...Charity Angel Dawson...if you’re going to get somebody to replace those two stars, Alison Blackwell is certainly somebody who can step into their shoes.”
  • [02:36] Grace: “Yeah, I’m really excited for her...I do think that this is, you know, what you got to do. And I’m excited to see her in the park.”

2. ‘Bo the Musical’ Gets an Uptown Transfer

• Production Details: Off-Broadway’s "Bo the Musical" (by Douglas Lyons and Ethan D. Pakchar, starring Matt Rodin) returns on October 13 at St. Luke’s Theatre, with opening night October 27. Produced by Out of the Box Theatrics and The Storyline Project.
• Background: Previously at 154 Christopher Street (formerly New Ohio Theatre), moves uptown as Out of the Box Theatrics relocates to West 46th Street.
• Importance of the Transfer: Matt and Grace discuss the shift from downtown to midtown for Off-Broadway venues, citing market differences and the significance for a small company to secure a Times Square-adjacent presence.
  • [04:19] Grace: “I really liked this show. I’m excited for the movement of Out of the Box Theatrics...So many people loved it downtown, so I’m very excited they’re getting this chance.”
  • [05:15] Grace: “I’m still very much in support of downtown theater...But I think that they’re very smart to like, move into some of these, you know, midtown spots...So it just depends. But I don't think we have the same, like, this is the downtown market, here's the uptown Midtown market.”

3. The Trend: IP-Based Musicals for Young Performers

• Announcement: DreamWorks Theatricals and MTI's Emerging Writers Program are developing musicals based on "How to Train Your Dragon" and "Trolls"—specifically for the MTI Broadway Junior collection (intended for schools/community theaters, not commercial runs).
• Discussion: Hosts reflect on the ongoing trend of adapting recognizable IP for the stage, especially targeting youth circuits, rather than the main commercial market.
  • [07:30] Matt: “It was really interesting to me...not the traditional commercial theater way, but a way to continue that IP, continue that brand, and to branch out into different mediums.”
• IP Mining & Demographics Analysis: Grace drills into how commercial theater targets properties from “late 80s, early 90s films,” aligning with current ticket-buyer demographics.
  • [08:41] Grace: “Everyone should be looking at late 80s, early 90s films because that is the core demographic of the new ticket buyer...We're looking at a 40 year gap. So do with that as you will.”
  • [09:20] Matt: (playfully references Grace working on her own IP adaptation script)

4. What’s Hot in London & West End Transfer Potentials

• Grace’s UK Recommendations: Reports on exciting shows and trends in London, highlighting immersive and celebrity-driven productions.
  • Immersive "Grease": Get "a ton of ads," and ponders if this could work in NYC at somewhere like Radial Park.
  • Celebrity-Driven Plays: Cites one- and two-hander plays, referencing the National Theatre and Soho venues.
  • Inter alia with Rosamund Pike: Noted as a filmed production that could transfer.
  • Totoro: High hopes for a transfer.
  • [11:13] Grace: “There’s just so much that I think has the potential. I am always hopeful for Totoro. Like, I think that that would be exciting.”
• Giant (Roald Dahl/John Lithgow): Unconfirmed rumors of a Broadway transfer; both hosts admit confusion but mention a Broadway World article (Aug 11).
  • [12:44] Grace: “No, no. There was a. On August 11, there was a Broadway World article. Is Roald Dahl play Giant coming to Broadway? But I don't think that there's been a confirmation of that by any means.”

5. Fun Content Recs & Social Media Hits

• London "Burlesque": Early footage released, reviewed as “cheesy...but fun.” Praised by Ashley Hufford.
• Counter Medleys (Anthony Gargiula & Jonathan Tilkin):
  • Viral kitchen performances with Disney icons; latest features Jodi Benson ("Part of Your World"), also recent appearances by Auli’i Cravalho, Lea Salonga, Nicole Scherzinger.
  • [15:04] Grace: “Anthony's a great content creator...He's got a great voice and, you know, a theater kid at heart ...I love the one with Nicole Scherzinger as well.”
  • [15:26] Matt: “She [Jodi Benson] still has it...I would love to see her do more theater because she is truly still brilliant and one of the great talents of any generation, but certainly for people...Little Mermaid...people still love that so much.”

Memorable Quotes

• On Alison Blackwell stepping in for 'Ragtime':
  • Matt [01:40]: “While sad not to see either Tiffany Mann, who did it at City Center, or Charity Angel Dawson who was originally announced, if you’re going to get somebody to replace those two stars, Alison Blackwell is certainly somebody who can step into their shoes.”
• On Off-Broadway venue dynamics:
  • Grace [05:15]: “You do not have the same level of constant downtown community...now you’re seeing like a-list celebrity plays with the same Broadway price point in some of those small theaters downtown…sometimes it’s just venue based.”
• On the IP adaptation trend:
  • Grace [08:41]: “Everyone should be looking at late 80s, early 90s films because that is the core demographic of the new ticket buyer that you are considering.”
• On IP lag time:
  • Grace [09:10]: “I am good at trending...I see that there is an actual trend...We're looking at a 40 year gap. So do with that as you will.”
• On Jodi Benson and legacy performers:
  • Matt [15:26]: “She is truly still brilliant and one of the great talents of any generation...I would love to see her do more theater.”

Timestamps for Notable Segments

• [00:28] Labor Day schedule update
• [01:00] ‘Ragtime’ casting news and Charity Angel Dawson’s withdrawal
• [02:36] Grace reacts to Alison Blackwell’s casting
• [02:50] "Bo the Musical" move to St. Luke’s Theatre
• [05:15] Downtown vs. Midtown Off-Broadway discussion
• [06:42] IP musicals for MTI Junior program; “How to Train Your Dragon” and “Trolls”
• [08:41] Grace identifies the IP-to-stage trend (late 80s/early 90s focus)
• [11:13] London/West End shows and New York transfer speculation
• [12:44] Status of “Giant” (Roald Dahl/John Lithgow) transfer rumors
• [13:40] “Burlesque” London production and content creator recommendations
• [15:04] Anthony Gargiula/Jonathan Tilkin “counter medley” discussion
• [15:26] Jodi Benson’s enduring talent and appeal

Tone and Style

The episode features the duo’s signature conversational rapport, blending insider knowledge, enthusiasm for the community, and light-hearted banter. They balance industry analysis, heartfelt show recommendations, and playful asides, making the episode accessible to Broadway enthusiasts at any level.

For Listeners: What’s Most Important

• Cast updates for major revivals (especially "Ragtime").
• Off-Broadway movement trends and the strategic significance of venue geography.
• IP trendwatch: The ongoing pipeline of childhood properties being adapted for new generations, particularly as theater for young performers.
• Insider West End picks for travelers and transfer speculators.
• Fresh content creator spotlights for musical theater fans online.

Next Episode: The show returns after Labor Day with more regular updates as the fall Broadway season kicks off.