BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "Today on Broadway: Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025"
Introduction In the January 30, 2025 episode of BroadwayRadio's "Today on Broadway," hosts Matt Tamineni and Grace Aki delve into the latest happenings in the Broadway scene. Despite a quieter news day, the duo engages in insightful discussions about upcoming productions, casting changes, and the evolving landscape of playwriting on Broadway.
1. Ariana DeBose’s Casting Changes in Jamie Lloyd’s Evita
Exclusive News from Variety The episode opens with Matt Tamineni addressing a significant casting update reported by Variety. Ariana DeBose, an acclaimed actress known for her Tony nomination, is set to miss her role in Jamie Lloyd's upcoming London production of Evita this summer due to scheduling conflicts.
Matt (00:09): "Variety mentions that DeBose is interested in returning to Broadway, 'when the time is right.'"
DeBose is currently filming Scarpetta, an Amazon Prime series adaptation starring Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis. The scheduling conflict is likely tied to the ongoing production of the second season of Scarpetta. Despite the disappointment, there's optimism that DeBose remains eager to headline Broadway productions once her schedule permits.
Potential Recasting and Industry Implications Matt and Grace speculate on possible replacements for DeBose, considering the high-profile nature of the production and the need for a star with both acting prowess and dancing ability. They discuss the likelihood of recasting with someone who embodies the role's dynamic demands, mentioning potential candidates from both theater and pop backgrounds.
Grace (03:34): "It wouldn't surprise me if they hold off from that plan… But you're saying that, like, in that stage, is there someone else? Maybe."
Matt adds that the choreography, influenced by Fabian Eloise's vision, demands a performer with substantial dance capability, akin to Beyoncé's performances at Coachella. This raises the bar for potential replacements, leaning towards performers with strong pop and dance credentials.
Matt (05:11): "They modeled their version of Ava after Beyoncé. You have to have somebody who has not only the singing chops but has the dancing ability to pull something like that off."
The hosts express excitement for the production's future and anticipation for how the casting change will unfold, given Jamie Lloyd's reputation for visionary direction and casting choices.
2. The State of Playwriting on Broadway: Insights from Eureka Day and Cult of Love
Review of Eureka Day Grace shares her experience attending Eureka Day at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater, highlighting its exploration of school board dynamics in a progressive Bay Area private school dealing with a vaccination issue—a theme pre-dating the COVID-19 pandemic.
Matt (07:39): "As I'm talking about the show before it opened… I was already cringing and tired of the idea of having to see an anti-vax focused show..."
Despite initial reservations, both hosts acknowledge the smart writing and humor present in the latter half of the play, though Matt admits to feeling discomfort during the first act due to the topical nature of the subject matter.
Current Trends in Broadway Playwriting Grace observes a trend where multiple plays tackle similar political and social issues, each offering different perspectives and narratives. She notes that while the themes—such as vaccinations, gun control, and social justice—are recurrent, each play presents a unique "font" or angle on these subjects.
Grace (11:46): "They are all really similarly rooted. And I'm fascinated that we are now in this like 20, 25 time of slotting them into seasons because you can kind of pinpoint the like models of it."
The conversation touches on how playwrights are strategically positioning their works within seasonal subscriptions, aligning closely with contemporary cultural zeitgeists. Matt and Grace discuss the balance between addressing urgent societal issues and the repetitiveness that can arise from similar thematic explorations across different productions.
Grace (15:19): "But I do think it's cool and exciting. I like when we can like, see where we are in that cultural zeitgeist as like a theater community."
Performance Highlights Grace lauds Jessica Hecht's performance in Eureka Day, emphasizing her nuanced portrayal of a well-meaning yet sometimes cringeworthy character. Matt echoes this sentiment, commending Bill Irwin's role as the progressive yet non-partisan school principal.
Grace (09:52): "I think that there's something about the way that that woman is able to portray, quote, 'well-meaning white woman in her 60s' better than anybody else."
3. Authenticity and Representation in Modern Playwriting
The hosts discuss the authenticity of dialogue and character interactions in contemporary plays. Matt questions whether the heightened language and situational exaggerations in Eureka Day reflect real conversations or are amplified for comedic effect.
Matt (16:28): "So, like, the people being, you know, it was very ironic that they at least once, if not multiple times, use the term holding space…"
Grace responds by explaining that while real-life discussions unfold over extended periods, the condensed time frame of a play necessitates a more intensified portrayal. This compression can lead to a blend of authenticity and theatrical exaggeration, enhancing both the comedic and dramatic elements.
Grace (16:59): "I experience all types of like, short, like, oh, this person said this. That was weird…"
Conclusion and Future Content
As the episode wraps up, Matt informs listeners about upcoming in-depth reviews of both Eureka Day and Cult of Love available on Patreon. He encourages the audience to subscribe for detailed analyses and further commentary on recent Broadway experiences.
Matt (18:09): "Over on Patreon, by the end of this week, I will have my full thoughts on both Eureka Day and Cult of Love."
The hosts sign off by inviting listeners to follow them on social media and anticipate their next episode.
Notable Quotes
- Matt (00:09): "Variety mentions that DeBose is interested in returning to Broadway, 'when the time is right.'"
- Grace (03:34): "It wouldn't surprise me if they hold off from that plan… But you're saying that, like, in that stage, is there someone else? Maybe."
- Matt (05:11): "They modeled their version of Ava after Beyoncé. You have to have somebody who has not only the singing chops but has the dancing ability to pull something like that off."
- Grace (11:46): "They are all really similarly rooted. And I'm fascinated that we are now in this like 20, 25 time of slotting them into seasons because you can kind of pinpoint the like models of it."
- Grace (09:52): "I think that there's something about the way that that woman is able to portray, quote, 'well-meaning white woman in her 60s' better than anybody else."
- Matt (16:28): "So, like, the people being, you know, it was very ironic that they at least once, if not multiple times, use the term holding space…"
- Grace (16:59): "I experience all types of like, short, like, oh, this person said this. That was weird…"
Final Thoughts This episode of "Today on Broadway" offers listeners a comprehensive look into current Broadway casting decisions and the thematic directions of contemporary playwriting. Matt and Grace provide nuanced perspectives on the interplay between real-world issues and their theatrical representations, making it a must-listen for theater enthusiasts eager to stay informed about the latest Broadway trends.