BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "Today on Broadway: Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024"
Release Date: December 19, 2024
Hosts:
- Matt Tamminini
- Grace Aki
Health Update and Show Schedule Adjustments
The episode opens with hosts Matt Tamminini and Grace Aki addressing Matt's recent struggle with severe food poisoning. Matt shares his ordeal, stating, “Grace, we are a walking mash unit. We are alive, but just barely” (00:07). He details his five-hour emergency room visit and the subsequent morphine treatment that advised against traveling. Despite his condition, Matt assures listeners that the show will continue as scheduled, navigating through the challenges of the past 24-48 hours. He mentions upcoming changes to their regular programming during the holiday season, including additional episodes on Patreon and sporadic releases outside of major holidays like Christmas and New Year’s (00:27).
Hadestown’s London Cast Reunion
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the confirmation that the original Broadway principal cast of Hadestown—including Reeve Carney, Andre De Shields, Amber Gray, Eva Noblezada, and Patrick Page—will reunite for a limited run in London from February 11th to March 9th (03:48). Matt expresses immense excitement about the potential filming of this reunion, highlighting its significance for fans who may not have the opportunity to see the show on Broadway. Grace adds depth to the conversation by comparing this development to previous productions like Frozen, emphasizing the logistical complexities involved in reassembling the original cast and the strategic decision to film in London instead of Broadway (04:37).
Notable Quote:
Matt states, “If you're not gonna be able to do it on Broadway… film it over there. I'm just ecstatic about the possibility of that happening” (03:48).
Casting Changes in The Great Gatsby
The hosts delve into the recent casting announcement for The Great Gatsby on Broadway. Eva Noblezada is set to be replaced by Sarah Hyland, known for her role in Modern Family, beginning February 10th (06:07). Matt discusses the strategic casting choice, noting Hyland’s broad appeal and substantial fan base from television, which is expected to bolster ticket sales and attract a diverse audience. Grace concurs, highlighting the potential marketing and ticket sales advantages of pairing Hyland with Ryan McCartan, who replaces Jeremy Jordan, and Terrence Mann as Meyer Wolfsheim (06:30).
Notable Quote:
Grace remarks, “Like, this is a real slam dunk for them” when discussing Sarah Hyland’s casting (06:30).
Erika Jayne Returns to Chicago
Matt and Grace discuss the return of Erika Jayne, a star from The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, to the Broadway production of Chicago. Erika will reprise her role as Roxie Hart from January 20th to February 9th, 2025 (07:54). Despite her reality TV fame, Erika brings a legitimate musical background, including a Billboard number one dance hit, aligning well with Chicago's history of casting performers with diverse entertainment backgrounds. Grace humorously laments the absence of Pamela Anderson, another reality TV star who previously starred in the same role, but acknowledges Erika’s fitting return (09:04).
Notable Quote:
Grace states, “More of this. Am I sad that the last showgirl, Pamela Anderson, is not back? Of course I am” expressing her enthusiasm for Erika Jayne’s return (09:04).
Mystic Pizza Musical Cast Announcements
Transitioning to regional theater news, the hosts announce the full cast for the upcoming productions of the Mystic Pizza musical, which will premiere at the Riverside Theater in Florida in early January and later at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey on January 29th (09:17). The cast features Christina Alabado, Elena Anderson, and Deanna Gioletti, alongside veterans Ben Fankhauser, Vincent Michael, and F. Michael Haney. Matt and Grace express excitement about the collaboration between creative talents like Sandy Rustin and Casey Hession, emphasizing the significance of working with an all-female creative team for the production (10:56).
Notable Quote:
Matt enthuses, “I’ve got to get you Down. We' to get you down here to see the show” highlighting his eagerness to support the production (11:37).
Disney’s New EPCOT Experience
Concluding the episode, Matt shares exciting news about Disney’s upcoming addition to the 2025 EPCOT International Festival for the Arts. The new exhibit, Once Upon a Stage: 30 Years of Disney on Broadway, will celebrate Disney Theatricals' prominent shows such as The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast, as well as newer additions like Aida and Newsies (12:10). This museum-like exhibit is set to run alongside the festival from January 17th to February 24th. Matt anticipates attending the event, leveraging his Disney annual pass, and speculates about potential memorabilia from the Frozen tour being featured (12:11).
Notable Quote:
Matt shares his plans enthusiastically, “I plan on seeing every single one of those concert pairings that I can” emphasizing his commitment to engage with the new Disney experience (13:46).
Closing Remarks
Despite the challenges faced by Matt's health and the shifting schedules, the hosts maintain an upbeat and informative tone throughout the episode. They encourage listeners to follow them on social media for updates and express their dedication to delivering engaging Broadway content even during unforeseen circumstances.
Notable Quote:
Grace concludes with a light-hearted note, “I'll fight a person again,” underscoring the camaraderie and humor between the hosts (13:51).
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Note: Timestamps correspond to the podcast transcript provided and serve as reference points for the discussed topics.