BroadwayRadio — Today on Broadway: Thursday, December 4, 2025

Overview

In this episode, hosts Matt Tamineni and Grace Aki dive into the latest happenings in the world of Broadway and theater. The episode opens with a playful holiday gift chat before transitioning into significant news from the New York theater scene, highlighting Helen Shaw's appointment as the New York Times’ new chief theater critic. They also analyze Spotify Wrapped data for musical theater in 2025, discuss high-profile casting news for “Moulin Rouge” on tour, share updates on new and upcoming theatrical workshops and readings, and end with some personal theater recommendations and a chat about comedy talent joining the “All Out” cast. The conversation is warm, insightful, and filled with personal anecdotes.

Highlights & Key Discussion Points

1. Holiday Gift Recommendations

[01:09-01:38]

• Matt asks Grace what theatrical gift she'd give or want to receive this season.
  • Grace: “I feel like I would give like a drama bookshop, like three play recommendations set… This is a package of plays that you might not have read that I would recommend.”
• Both hosts remark on the oncoming holidays and the rush for timely gift shopping.

2. Helen Shaw Named Chief Theater Critic at The New York Times

[01:45-04:49]

• Major news: Helen Shaw is officially named the New York Times’ new chief theater critic.
  • Matt expresses that while Shaw is highly respected, the "radical new direction" touted by the Times seems limited so far, aside from hiring a woman for this pivotal role.
    • Matt: “She isn't necessarily somebody who screams outside the box for me, Grace. Especially when they were talking about all of the different social media and video aspects of this job.” [02:31]
  • The hosts note that though social media elements may not be visible yet, Shaw’s appointment is a progressive step.
    • Grace: “I think it just means that they’re naming their chief critic and then they’re going to keep it moving. A lot of business. You know, there's been a lot up in the air. They needed to name one and I think this is super smart.” [03:44]

3. Spotify Wrapped and Theater in 2025

[05:23-08:43]

• Both hosts discuss their underwhelming listening stats.
  • Matt: “Spotify told me that my listening age was 63 because of my mix of show tunes and classic rock. But my top album was the EP from the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” [05:33]
  • Grace: “I didn’t listen to a lot of music this year and that’s just a travesty.” [05:23]
• BroadwayWorld’s exclusive report on the most streamed cast albums and songs:
  • Hamilton takes top honors as the most-streamed cast album, marking its 10th anniversary.
  • All top 5 most streamed theater songs are from Hamilton: “Wait For It,” “Satisfied,” “Non-Stop,” “Alexander Hamilton,” and “Schuyler Sisters.”
    • Matt: “It shows us why Hamilton and Leslie Odom Jr. made $4 million last week.” [08:13]
  • Heathers, Hadestown, Wicked, and Dear Evan Hansen round out the top albums.
  • Hosts reflect on the influence of social media on streaming patterns.
    • Grace: “Spotify feeds into streamed music, which includes social media. So if you look at trends that blew up especially for Hamilton… I think is an important factor.” [08:19]

4. Moulin Rouge National Tour — New Principal Cast

[08:43-10:00]

• New principal cast announced for the ongoing Moulin Rouge national tour:
  • Ryan Vasquez (Christian) and Gabriela Carrillo (Satine) join beginning December 23 in San Francisco.
  • Host excitement at renowned Broadway talent touring at this stage.
    • Matt: “It’s a little wild to me that this far into the run, I feel like both of these people could be leading the show on Broadway.” [09:10]
  • Adia Michele Simmons joins as Le Chocolat.

5. Developmental News — Workshops and Readings

[10:00-11:42]

A) Satellites Workshop (Ars Nova)

• Zach Zadik’s new musical Satellites gets a workshop, starring Philippa Soo, Ro Hartrampf, Beth Leavel, Michael Park, Cesar Samoya, and Morgan Dudley, directed by Maggie Burrows.
  • Plot teasers are minimal: “Rachel Connors arrives in New Jersey as a mysterious event is underway…” [10:49]
• The impressive cast sparks curiosity for future productions.

B) Yesterday’s Bread Reading

• Theater for the New City presents a one-night reading of Russ Pastina’s new play Yesterday's Bread (dec. 8).
  • Cast includes Mary Testa, Annie Golden, Joe Barbara, Josh Davis, Cara Rose DiPietro, Stephanie Gibson, Alec Ludaca.
  • Story: Set in the 1980s, a New Jersey baker and her nephew whip up a lethal loaf to protect their family.

6. Audible’s Minetta Lane Theater — The Disappear

[11:42-12:21]

• Erica Schmidt’s comedy The Disappear set to play Minetta Lane starting January 8.
  • Cast: Dylan Baker, Madeline Brewer, Kelvin Harris Jr., Hamish Linklater, Miriam Silverman, Anna Meridien.
  • Hosts are enthusiastic about the strong casting for this Audible production.

7. Cast News: “All Out” — Comedy Talent Hits Broadway

[12:21-14:14]

• Jenny Slate, Ike Barinholtz, and Beck Bennett (ex-SNL) join the cast of All Out.
  • Grace: “They have two, I think, understudy slash like swing support actors — Kevin Del Aguila and Olivia Puckett. And I just want to say Kevin Del Aguila, like, once again, God’s gift to the theater. I’m such a fan of his.” [13:54]
  • Grace shares a backstage anecdote about Beck Bennett’s kindness and humor, highlighting excitement for his Broadway participation.
    • Grace: “Beck Bennett... I got to do a couple of [scenes] when I was doing some SNL stuff, and he was so kind to everyone on set, like, even at 2:00 a.m.” [13:07]
  • Matt reminisces about Kevin Del Aguila’s backstage antics and his positive presence both onstage and off.

8. Quick Recommendation

[12:21]

• Matt recommends checking out highlights from the Encores! production of The Baker’s Wife, featuring Ariana DeBose and others.

Notable Quotes

• Matt Tamineni (on Helen Shaw):
  “She isn't necessarily somebody who screams outside the box for me, Grace. Especially when they were talking about all of the different social media and video aspects of this job.” [02:31]

• Grace Aki (on NYT’s decision):
  “I think it just means that they’re naming their chief critic and then they’re going to keep it moving… They needed to name one and I think this is super smart.” [03:44]

• Matt Tamineni (on streaming habits):
  “Spotify told me that my listening age was 63 because of my mix of show tunes and classic rock. But my top album was the EP from the Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” [05:33]

• Matt Tamineni (on “Hamilton”):
  “It shows us why Hamilton and Leslie Odom Jr. made $4 million last week. Because this show is still very much at the forefront of the popular idea as to what Broadway is in 2025.” [08:13]

• Grace Aki (on Beck Bennett):
  “He was so kind to everyone on set, like, even at 2:00 a.m. and, you know, everyone's, like, exhausted, and he was just like, all right, let's be silly. Like, he's just. He's a great guy.” [13:07]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 01:09 – Holiday theatrical gift recommendations
• 01:45 – Helen Shaw named NYT chief theater critic & analysis
• 05:23 – Personal Spotify Wrapped reactions
• 06:34 – 2025’s top streamed Broadway albums and songs; “Hamilton” dominance
• 08:43 – Moulin Rouge national tour: new cast announcement
• 10:00 – Satellites (Ars Nova workshop) and Yesterday’s Bread (reading) updates
• 11:42 – The Disappear at Audible’s Minetta Lane Theater news
• 12:21 – The Baker’s Wife highlights recommendation
• 12:21-14:14 – Jenny Slate, Ike Barinholtz, Beck Bennett join “All Out”; comedy talent on Broadway

Memorable Moments

• The surprise and delight over Helen Shaw being the first woman to lead NYT’s theater criticism (while wishing for even more innovation).
• A candid discussion on how much (or little) music the hosts listened to in 2025.
• Playful banter about Broadway’s presence on social media and streaming lists—a reminder of Hamilton’s continued cultural impact.
• Grace’s warm, first-hand Beck Bennett story, lending a backstage feel to Broadway fandom.

Tone

Friendly, conversational, and slightly irreverent—full of both industry analysis and pop culture savvy, with generous admiration for the artists discussed.

This summary captures all significant discussion points and notable personalities from the episode, with timestamps and context for listeners new and seasoned alike.