← BroadwayRadio
BroadwayRadio
Today on Broadway: Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025
00:16:32
‘Ragtime’ replaces Dawson, ‘Beau the Musical’ to move uptown, Jodi Benson does exciting ‘Little Mermaid’ cover Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
Loading summary
Transcript30 lines
- [00:00]
A
Back to school is better with family freedom from T Mobile, we'll pay off four phones up to $3200 and give you four free phones all on America's largest 5G network. Visit your local T Mobile location or learn more@t mobile.com familyfreedom up to $800 per line via virtual prepaid card typically takes 15 days. Free phones via 24 monthly bill credits with finance agreement eg Apple iPhone 16128 gigabyte 820099 eligible trade in eg iPhone 11 Pro for well qualified credits end and balance due. If you pay off earlier, cancel contact.
- [00:29]
B
T Mobile welcome to Today on Broadway for Thursday, August 28, 2025. I'm Broadway Radio's Matt Tammanini and I'm.
- [00:37]
C
Tell Me on a Sunday Podcast Grace.
- [00:38]
B
Aki Grace, we are certainly getting close to Labor Day. The amount of news that we have is getting pretty thin as people are heading out. I know you are still working feverishly, but there are no press releases and announcements really coming out this week, at least not major ones. But I wanted to let everyone know that coming up this weekend, this is like the fifth Sunday of the month, so there will not be a Patreon exclusive episode this weekend. We will also be taking off the normal Labor Day on Monday, so there will not be an episode of Today on Broadway on Tuesday. So we will be back on Wednesday like normal. And then we'll be heading into the fall season. We'll get back to having Monday episodes like we normally do and everything will get kind of back to normal after we have ended our summer seasons. But we are looking forward to the Labor Day weekend. Hope everybody has a wonderful time as well. But get into the news that we do have today. Grayson we had recently talked about the fact that Ragtime announced its entire cast and had said that Charity Angel Dawson would be playing the role of Sarah's friend who has the standout moment singing the solo of Till We Reach that Day. Very soon after that announcement was made, Charity actually said that she would not be continuing with the production due to some medical issues that she has had going on for a number of months, dating back to when she was in and Juliet on Broadway. Well, yesterday Lincoln Center Theater announced that Alison Black will be taking over the role of Sarah's friend. She was most recently seen on Broadway, Grace in your beloved New York, New York. She's also been on Broadway in things like Pretty Woman in A Night with Janis Joplin, Porgy and Bess Lion King. She's joining that Company and I'm sure will bring down the Vivian Beaumont Theater as that song always does. And she's incredibly talented. So 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.
- [02:37]
C
Yeah, I'm really excited for her. Obviously, this is, it's a bummer for everybody, you know, just because I know that she probably wanted to be a part of this, but I do think that this is, you know, what you got to do. And I'm excited to see her in the park.
- [02:51]
B
The next story is something, Grace, that I know you have a lot of fondness for and a lot of connections to as well. And it is the fact that Bo the musical, which recently played Off Broadway from Out of the Box Theatrics, in association with the Storyline Project, is going to have a second life off Broadway. And we kind of, I think, talked about the possibility of this happening a while back because it had previously played at the Off Broadway home of out of the box theatrics at 154 Christopher street, the formerly new Ohio Theater. But a couple months ago, we found out that out of the Box Theatrics was going to be moving uptown to West 46th street at St. Luke's Theater. Coincidentally or not, that is where Bow the Musical is going to be returning later this fall. It is going to begin performances on October 13th with an opening night scheduled for October 27th. This does not say that it is a limited run. It does not say how long it is going to be playing at St. Luke. So I don't know if they just haven't announced that haven't decided on what the window is going to be for this production or if it's just going to stay open for as long as humanly possible. But this show, which had great reviews Off Broadway in its initial run, will be back for another one this fall. It was written by Douglas Lyons and Ethan D. Pakchar and stars Matt Rodin of company Fame & Social media fame as well. And this is really exciting, Grace, because I know you loved this. A lot of our friends that went and saw it love this as well. And I'm excited because now I have an opportunity to see it as well.
- [04:20]
C
I really liked this show. I'm excited for the movement of out of the Box Theatrics. I think that a lot of people are going to want to see this. So many people loved it Downtown So I'm very excited they're getting this chance.
- [04:31]
B
At St. Luke's what is the like for. For. For an Off Broadway theater company? Like, we often think of, like the heart of Off Broadway is downtown, but when a theater company moves from downtown to Midtown, I mean, they're, they're on 46th Street. Like, they're really close to Times Square at St. Luke's like, how important do you think that is for the growth of a theater company? Like, out of the box theatrics? We've talked about them for years. We both done interviews for their shows and all of that stuff. We've seen them and reviewed them. We really like this theater company. But how big of a step do you think it is to get a small growing company to have a footprint in Midtown so close to all of the other bigger theaters?
- [05:15]
C
You know, I'm still very much in support of downtown theater. I'm very much in support of Off Broadway theater. I just know that the markets are so difficult in different spaces. And I think in New York City, you. You do not have the same level of constant downtown community, the same way in terms of live entertainment that we used to have. Like, I believe that shows could have run for a really long time, and they obviously did at some of those downtown venues. And they aren't having the same life. Like now. You're seeing like a list celebrity plays with the same Broadway price point in some of those small theaters downtown and Off Broadway. So I think that they're very smart to like, move into some of these, you know, midtown spots. Hopefully to not get lost in the noise, but also to say that, like, you know, New World stages have established themselves in Midtown even though they're not Broadway. And then of course, like these other smaller venues as well. So I just, I think that everyone's just gotta pick the best options for them. And sometimes it's just venue based. Like both specifically has this kind of like immersive, like tavern style or like, you know, bar kind of setting. So I think that that's why they probably also wanted to go with this. But they were looking for, like a more established home, and they had been in the West Village for a second, but they can kind of go anywhere. So it just depends. But I don't think that we have the same, like, this is the downtown market, here's the uptown Midtown market.
- [06:42]
B
And you mentioned some of these, you know, a list productions that have been running at high costs downtown. A lot of those were produced by Seaview, which has also moved to Midtown. And has their own space in Midtown now with Seaview Studios. And that's obviously going to change a significant amount as to what the downtown community looks like in terms of those big, high dollar a list productions as well. But, Grace, something that you've talked about quite a bit recently is the mining of IP for stage musicals. And this is that. But it's also not that exactly. But yesterday we found out about two shows that are in Development from DreamWorks Theatricals and music Theater International's Emerging Writers Program. They are developing musical versions of DreamWorks animated films, how to Train youn Dragon and Trolls. But both of these are specifically being geared towards MTI's Broadway Junior collection. So these aren't things that are gonna be done on the West End, in the West End or on Broadway or anything like that. But you've talked quite a bit about. I mean, I think you've even talked about how to train your dragon. Like going from animated to live action, maybe musical is that next step. So it was really interesting to me. When we see stuff like this where they are doing that not the traditional commercial theater way, but a way to continue that ip, continue that brand, and to branch out into different mediums. It certainly seems like what you have always said is not only prophetic but insightful. But it's an interesting way to do that, eschewing the traditional capitalistic way of making money off of those. Those titles and gearing them more towards kids where they can still make a lot of money in the juniors and amateur circuits. But I thought it was a pretty interesting announcement nonetheless.
- [08:27]
C
You know, everyone's doing it, Matt. Everyone's doing it.
- [08:33]
B
Everyone's all right. Well, who's doing it? Tell me, Tell me some more that you think are either in the works or should be in the works.
- [08:41]
C
Like, in terms of, like, IP translation to stage. I mean, Paddington's happening right now, you know, and I'm excited about that in London. I think that there's a lot that's probably coming down the pipeline. And I think that. And I've said this before on the show, and this is not some kind of, like, inside baseball. 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. And so I think that's not like, oh, you know, like, I'm. You know, there's a secret wheelhouse of. Of people that are like, aha. In 1988, this movie was done. And therefore, because, like, look, 1986, back to the Future, that was like, you know, and that happened what, two years ago? You know, Broadway slash London. We're looking at every year it goes up a year and then you look at the direct correlation. I'm not joking. Like this is like I'm not good at math but like I am good at trending, you know, demographics of individuals. And I see that there is an actual trend in getting some IP based plays, musicals, et cetera in development and then on stage we're looking at a 40 year gap. So do with that as you will.
- [10:01]
B
I do know somebody who has long wanted or even started working on a musical adaptation of I don't know if it was late 90s, maybe early 2000s, music focused movie that was also originally a comic book spin off that. They've been working on that to turn that into a musical. Somebody who may or may not be on this podcast right now too. So are you maybe saying maybe someone should buy your script that you're working on?
- [10:30]
C
Yeah, obviously. But in the meantime I think that that is something that people should be identifying and looking out for.
- [10:38]
B
Yeah. Well, you mentioned Paddington as is in the works over in London. What are. I know because of your work you not only are paying close attention to what's happening in New York, but you're also paying close attention to things that happen in London. What are some other shows over there that people should have their eye on? Not necessarily like for transfers, but that too of course. But like what are some interesting shows that are happening or are going to be happening this season in the uk in the West End, in London that if people are going to London they should check out or potentially could have an opportunity to see at some point down the road in New York.
- [11:14]
C
You know, I, I'm hopeful for a lot of things. I've gotten a ton of ads for the immersive Greece. I don't know in what capacity that could ever come here. But like couldn't that be in like Queens? Like couldn't they do that at like Radial Park? Remember when that was like a little venue, you know. And then I'm also constantly looking at that some of the celebrity driven, like one person to you know, two hander plays. Like there's the, the couple at like the National, Soho Rep, Soho Playhouse. So like there's all of these kind of like small, small, small, small investment but probably big payout on Broadway that could happen that I'm seeing over there. There's inter alia that's happening. I think it's currently with Rosamund pike and she. I think that they filmed it also for the national. So I was looking at that as, like, oh, that could happen. You know, Susie Miller's had her play on Broadway fei she similar kind of layout, one woman show, etc. But, yeah, there's. 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. But, yeah, it's just, you know, good stuff.
- [12:25]
B
I. I feel like I might be just conflating things, and I might have just completely. My mind might be a mess, but did we get an announcement that Giant was coming?
- [12:37]
C
I thought we did.
- [12:40]
B
I thought we did, too, but I don't know that we've ever talked about it. It might have been one of those things where we were.
- [12:44]
C
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.
- [12:56]
B
Okay, right. Okay. That must be what it was because that was a day, one of the days when I was on the cruise ship with my brother, and so I wasn't really paying close attention, and we didn't have a show. And then when I went back to do the next day on Broadway, there article about it being announced. So. Okay, so Giant, another one with. With. With John Lithgow based on Raw Dahl. My aunt and uncle saw it when they were in London and loved it. So, like, that's another one that could certainly make the jump here. John Lithgow obviously is a. A major star here, as he obviously has been over there as well. So that's another one to keep an eye on. I have not heard one way or the other. I just kind of always assumed that it was going to happen. So we'll have to wait and see about that. All right, Grace, I've got a couple of recommendations that I want to give people. The first is another show that, like, could potentially come to New York. Like, I think that's the plan. And the reviews have been so all over the place for Burlesque that I think it could be fun. Our friend Ashley Hufford went and saw it and said, like, it's cheesy. It's ridiculous, but it's so much fun. So we have the first footage coming out of the London production of Burlesque, if you want to check that out. Tod Rawl or Faye Jess Foley, who is one of the co writers of the show, but also, like, in her mid-20s and the star, Ashley raved about how Great. She was. So we'll have that. But then the other one. I don't really know who these guys are, but I see them all over the place. It's Anthony Gargiula and Jonathan Tilkin. They do something called counter medleys where it's just them and a singer or a group of singers in the corner of a kitchen singing these great harmonies. And the most recent one they did with is part of World Princess week. They did it with the original voice of Ariel Jodi Benson singing Part of your World. And it is, as always, fantastic. I know. They've also had ali' I Cravalho on there. They've had Lea Salonga on there. So they have a history of Disney princesses. Nicole Scherzinger recently did one as well. So if you haven't seen this, check them out. They certainly deserve a follow. And I don't follow them, but I probably should at this point because every video I've seen them do is tremendous. But, Grace, I'm sure you're familiar with these guys. You know who I'm talking about, right?
- [15:04]
C
Yeah, yeah, yeah, absolutely. I mean, Anthony's a great content creator. He does a lot of singing content, a lot of stuff where he's, like, on the counter, does a lot of the, you know, in the. I think he does a couple in, like, parking garages where the acoustics are crazy, obviously. But he's got a great voice and, you know, a theater kid at heart. So I think this is awesome. And I love the one with Nicole Scherzinger as well. That one's just fantastic.
- [15:26]
B
Yeah. So this is definitely worth a deep dive. And I have long said, like, I've seen Jodi Benson do two shows down here in Florida. She lives in Florida. I saw her do Gypsy with her daughter. Saw her do hello, Dolly, and she still has it. I mean, maybe she doesn't have to work. I think she does voiceover work. She's still obviously a Disney legend, and so she is probably doing just fine. But, man, 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 like you were saying, Grace, Little mermaids from the mid-80s, early 80s or maybe 90s. Early 90s. And certainly in the vein where people still love that so much that I think she would still be great draw if she ever wanted to trek back up to New York to do another Broadway show.
- [16:11]
C
Ready to know what the people know.
- [16:15]
D
Ask them my questions and get some answers. What's a fire ant. What is it? What's the word? Bur when's it my turn? Wouldn't I love, love to explore that shore above.
- [16:35]
B
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, rodwayradio. If you want more BroadwayRadio, head over to patreon.com broadwayradio Grace, where can people find you?
- [16:43]
C
You can find me at graceaki.
- [16:45]
B
Alright, everybody, have a wonderful Thursday.
- [16:47]
D
We'll be back to talk to you tomorrow.