BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary Episode: Today on Broadway: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
Release Date: February 27, 2025
Host: Matt Tamanini & Grace Aki

1. New York Theater Workshop's Upcoming Musical: Saturday Church

Overview:
BroadwayRadio kicks off the episode with exciting news about the New York Theater Workshop (NYTW) announcing its 2025-2026 season. The highlight is the new musical, Saturday Church, adapted from Damian Cardassis's independent film of the same name.

Key Details:

• Creative Team:

  • Director: Whitney White
  • Book: Damian Cardassis & James I.
  • Music & Lyrics: Sia
  • Additional Music: Honey Dejon (Grammy Winner)

• Plot: The story revolves around Ulysses, a devoted churchgoer in New York City, whose life changes after encountering Saturday Church, a sanctuary for LGBTQ youth.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [00:10]:
  “Pairing people like James Imes and Sia is like, oh, this is like something that has greatness potentially mixed in.”

• Grace Aki [02:20]:
  “I agree. I was really excited to see it and I see it, but I'm interested in whatever that project might be.”

Speculations:
The hosts discuss whether Sia will contribute original music or utilize her existing catalog, leaning towards the possibility of new compositions.

2. Adam Guettel's New Musical: Millions

Overview:
Moving from NYTW, the podcast highlights Adam Guettel's forthcoming musical, Millions, set to premiere at the Alliance Theater in Atlanta.

Key Details:

• Premiere Dates: May 9 – June 15, 2025

• Creative Team:

  • Book: Bob Martin
  • Director: Bartlett Shear

• Cast Highlights:

  • Schuler Hensley (Tony Winner)
  • Ruthie Ann Miles (Tony Winner)
  • Stephen Pasquale
  • Keenan Barrett, Yair Kedar, Leigh Ellen Jones
  • Billy Harrigan Ty

• Plot: Centers on two brothers coping with the loss of their mother who discover a duffel bag filled with cash, leading to unforeseen adventures.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [03:00]:
  “With a cast like this, it'll certainly be something to keep an eye on.”

• Grace Aki [04:41]:
  “I want to see any show that Billy Harrigan Ty is in. I'm just going to say that, you know what I mean.”

3. Kennedy Center's Fin Musical Revival Amid Administration Changes

Overview:
The hosts address the tumultuous changes at the Kennedy Center under the new administration, focusing on the recently canceled and now rescheduled performance of the children's musical, Fin.

Key Details:

• Original Plan: National tour sponsored by the Kennedy Center was canceled.

• New Arrangement: A one-night-only live-streamed performance at Town Hall on March 17, 2025.

• Notable Participants:

  • Andrew Rannells
  • Andrea Martin
  • Kelly O'Hara
  • Bonnie Milligan
  • Jesse Mueller
  • Nikki M. James
  • Jose Lana
  • Lea Salonga
  • Hennessy Winkler

• Special Features:
  Performance by the Gay Men's Chorus of Washington D.C. and New York City Gay Men's Chorus in solidarity.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [05:01]:
  “This should be a must-see event whether you're in New York or not next month, Grace.”

• Grace Aki [06:46]:
  “This is a really gorgeous pivot... Seth is allowing for platforms for companies like this, for creators like this, for artists.”

Additional Notes:
The event celebrates the fifth anniversary of Stars in the House, recognizing creators Seth Radetsky and James Wesley Jackson for their community support.

4. Chicago's Goodman Theater Highlights: Ice Boy

Overview:
Shifting focus to Chicago, the Goodman Theater announced its 2025-2026 season, featuring a standout new musical, Ice Boy.

Key Details:

• Director & Choreographer: Kathleen Marshall

• Star Cast: Megan Mullally

• Music: Mark Holman (co-writer of Urinetown)

• Lyrics: Jay Reese (25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee)

• Book: Jay Reese & Aaron Quinn Purcell

• Plot:
  Megan Mullally stars as Vera Vim, a Broadway star who adopts a 4,000-year-old Neanderthal from the Arctic, only to be upstaged by him.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [05:01]:
  “Megan Mullally in an absolutely batshit bonkers crazy musical with those writers and those creatives. Grace, that seems like pure delight.”

Anticipation:
The hosts express enthusiasm for the show's whimsical premise and Mullally's involvement, slated to begin performances in Chicago in June 2025.

5. Off-Broadway Premiere: The Imaginary Invalid

Overview:
The Red Bull Theater Company is set to premiere a new adaptation of Molière's classic, The Imaginary Invalid, Off-Broadway.

Key Details:

• Adaptation By: Jeffrey Hatcher
• Dates: May 21 – June 9, 2025
• Director: Jesse Berger
• Cast Includes:
  • Mark Lynn Baker
  • Sarah Stiles
  • Arnie Burton
  • Russell Daniels
  • Manuel Falciano
  • Emily Kuachu
  • Emily Swallow
  • John Yee

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [05:01]:
  “This is one that I will definitely have to be checking out if I'm in town during the run.”

6. High Prof: Improv Under Hypnosis to Hit Screens

Overview:
The podcast briefly mentions the release of High Prof, an improv show under hypnosis featuring comedian Colin Mochrie.

Key Details:

• Origin: Played in Ontario, Canada, Las Vegas, and a previous Off-Broadway run.
• Availability: Filmed earlier in February 2025, set for future TV broadcast.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [09:00]:
  “We will keep you up to date when that happens.”

7. The Hunger Games Stage Adaptation Announcement

Overview:
Contrary to earlier delays, an announcement is expected regarding the stage adaptation of Suzanne Collins's The Hunger Games, adapted by Connor McPherson.

Key Details:

• Adaptation: Connor McPherson's stage adaptation.
• Release Timing: Announcement expected on February 27, 2025, at 8:00 AM Eastern Time.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [10:30]:
  “There will be an announcement. Presumably it'll be coming to the stage in London sometime after that announcement.”

8. Upcoming Event: Kaleidoscope Dreams

Overview:
An event titled Kaleidoscope Dreams: Unlocking the Potentials in Musical Theater is scheduled for tonight at 5 PM, featuring Alicia Keys and Lilly Ling.

Key Details:

• Organizers: Maestra and Rise
• Speakers:
  • Alicia Keys (16-time Grammy Winner)
  • Lilly Ling (Music Director for Hell's Kitchen)
• Format: One-hour Zoom event, free and open to the public.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [11:05]:
  “The event is free and it's open to anybody if you want more information about it.”

• Recommendation:
  Listeners are encouraged to check the show notes for the Zoom link.

9. New Short Film Release: 8 Minutes 20 Seconds

Overview:
The hosts recommend the newly released short film, 8 Minutes 20 Seconds, showcased at several film festivals and nominated at the Atlanta Film Festival.

Key Details:

• Cast Includes:
  • Brandon Uranowitz
  • A Two Blank in Wood
  • Julia Chan
  • Nadia Quinn

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [11:07]:
  “If you want to watch that, you can check it out in the show notes.”

10. Grace Aki's Return to Hell's Kitchen

Overview:
Grace Aki shares her experience revisiting the Broadway show Hell's Kitchen, highlighting the new cast members and her excitement for the show's evolution.

Discussion Highlights:

• Grace Aki [12:27]:
  “It's really a great cast. The company was excellent. ...the rebirth, the re-energizing of some of these new companies.”

• Matt Tamanini [14:07]:
  “Tell me all about Hell's Kitchen. Other than the fact that you work on the show, why did you go back? What do we need to know?”

Notable Cast Updates:

• Philip Richards as Nuck
• Jessica Vosk as Jersey (joined two months prior)

Grace emphasizes the phenomenal performance and collaborative spirit of the new cast, recommending audiences to revisit the show.

11. Smash on Broadway Social Media Success

Overview:
A brief mention of the Smash on Broadway social media team’s clever handling of cast members' responses during promotions.

Discussion Highlights:

• Matt Tamanini [14:07]:
  “They could film a dressing room tour or do a get ready with me. And every single person had the same response... no, I can't. I'm in tech.”

• Grace Aki [15:01]:
  “I was not a fan of season one. I was a fan of season two.”

Matt commends the social media team for their timely and humorous engagement with fans.

12. Closing Remarks

Overview:
The hosts wrap up the episode by directing listeners to their social media platforms and expressing gratitude for their audience.

Final Thoughts:

• Matt Tamanini [15:23]:
  “Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram BroadwayRadio.”

• Grace Aki [15:25]:
  “You can find me at... It's Grace Aki.”

Stay Connected:
Follow BroadwayRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Matt Tamanini Instagram: @BW.Matt
Grace Aki Instagram: @GraceAki

Note:
For more detailed information, including links to events and shows mentioned, refer to the show notes.