BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Thursday, July 3, 2025

Host: Matt Tammanini
Guest: Grace Akey
Release Date: July 3, 2025

1. Upcoming Broadway Screening Event

Grace Akey kicks off the episode by announcing a special screening event for the "Vim Vendors Criterion Collection documentary about Buena Vista Social Club". Scheduled for Monday, July 7th at 7 PM, the event will feature a Q&A session with Javon Moody, known for his portrayal of young Kampai in the recent Tony Awards introduction of Buena Vista Social Club. Grace emphasizes the documentary's significance and her excitement to collaborate with Nighthawk Cinema once again.

"[...] this documentary is so good and it does not get screened. Like this is really, really special."
— Grace Akey [00:39]

2. Rachel Zegler’s Evita Revival in London

The hosts delve into the highly anticipated Rachel Zegler-directed revival of Evita at the London Palladium. With a limited 12-week run ending on September 6th, the show has garnered mixed to positive reviews, drawing comparisons to the reception of Sunset Boulevard.

Critical Reception Highlights:

• The Telegraph (London):
  "Zegler makes Lloyd Webber's music sound better than ever. The talent demands our rapture."
  — The Telegraph [02:15]

• The Daily Mail:
  "It's an audiovisual tsunami. Will anyone care? Probably not. Go to be knocked out by Zegler alone."
  — The Daily Mail [03:00]

• The Stage:
  "Zegler's astonishing vocals, swooping between sweetness and grit, are as undeniable as her megawatt charisma."
  — The Stage [04:00]

• The Guardian:
  "Zegler and her West End debut is phenomenal; however, if you feel denied of the subtleties of story, character, and commentary on populist power, you will still have an eye-popping night out."
  — The Guardian [05:00]

• The Times:
  "Rachel Zegler's character is reduced to a blank-eyed marionette for virtually the whole show. Her voice is fine, but it has to compete with the musical director Alan Williams's wildly amplified orchestra."
  — The Times [05:45]

• Timeout London:
  "Coherence isn't this Evita's strong suit. But there is so much that is good about it, from Zegler to the choreography to the timely antifascist sentiment."
  — Timeout London [06:15]

Matt Tammanini draws parallels between the Evita revival and his experience with Sunset Boulevard, suggesting that despite some directorial choices that might not align perfectly, the overall production remains compelling.

"It seems like it is hitting in very similar ways to how Sunset did when it first premiered over in London as well."
— Matt Tammanini [07:00]

Grace Akey reflects on previous Evita productions, noting Rachel Zegler’s praised performance amidst public scrutiny and expressing curiosity about how she will perceive the show upon viewing.

"I think that those seem to be a lot of nuanced Conversation about direction and like, what's being you know, conveyed on stage versus just kind of like arbitrary."
— Grace Akey [07:40]

3. Broadway Transfer and Production Updates

Matt Tammanini provides updates on the potential Broadway transfer of Evita, citing reports from Baz Bamba Boy of Deadline. Initially slated for a 2027 Broadway debut, the transfer is now anticipated to occur in Spring 2026, contingent on readiness and strategic scheduling alongside other Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice productions.

Additionally, Evita's transfer mitigates concerns about overlapping with Cats on Broadway, which has been reverted to an Off-Broadway run, thus avoiding direct competition.

4. Other Broadway News

• Romy and Michelle the Musical:
  The musical is set to premiere Off-Broadway at Stage 42 on October 14th, with an opening night on October 28th. The production features a book by Robin Schiff, music and lyrics by Gwendolyn Sanford and Brandon Jay, and is directed by Kristen Hange. Previous Seattle runs received mixed reviews, raising hopes for refinements in the New York debut.

• Sunset Boulevard Casting Changes:
  Grace Hodgett Young announces her final performance as Betty Schaeffer on July 13th, just before the show's extended closing. Sydney Jones will take over the role from July 15th to 20th. Matt notes the unusual timing of principal cast departures nearing the show's end.

• The Picture of Dorian Gray:
  The production successfully recouped its Broadway investment, largely attributed to Sarah Snook’s Tony Award-winning performance.

• Cancellation of Girls Will Be Girls:
  The Off-Broadway run at Pershing Square Signature Center has been canceled without a provided explanation. Ticket refunds will be issued to purchasers.

5. NTLive’s Upcoming Theater Schedule

Matt Tammanini shares NTLive’s upcoming releases:

• "The Fifth Step"

  • Release Date: November 27
  • Starring: Jack Lowden (Slow Horses) and Martin Freeman (Sherlock, The Hobbit)

• "Mrs. Warren's Profession"

  • Release Date: October 23
  • Starring: Imelda Staunton and daughter Bessie Carter
  • Directed by: Dominic Cook

• "Hamlet"

  • Release Date: January 26, 2026
  • Directed by: Robert Hastie
  • Starring: Hiran Abeysekera (Life of PI)

6. Adapting Screen to Stage: Insights from Grace Akey

A deep dive into what makes successful screen-to-stage adaptations, Grace Akey shares her perspective on maintaining the essence of the original work while transforming it for the stage. Using "Death Becomes Her" as a case study, she emphasizes the importance of:

• Captivating Performances:
  The heart of an adaptation lies in the actors’ ability to embody and expand upon the original characters, ensuring that performances resonate with audiences just as they did in the film.

• Collaborative Creativity:
  Successful adaptations result from a harmonious blend of the book writer, music composers, and actors, preserving the original's spirit while infusing new life into the narrative.

• Respecting Original Elements:
  Understanding and retaining what made the source material beloved—be it iconic performances, memorable music, or specific thematic elements—is crucial for an adaptation's success.

"The success of Death becomes her the musical is also rooted in the fact that they understand these characters and these actors who created their version of these characters rooted in comedic Personas."
— Grace Akey [16:26]

7. Upcoming Screenings and Collaborations

• Buena Vista Social Club Screening:
  Featuring Devon Moody from the Broadway company, set for Monday, July 7th at 7 PM.

• Death Becomes Her Screening:
  Slated for Monday, July 14th at 7:15 PM, accompanied by a Q&A session with a distinguished panel. Grace Akey expresses her enthusiasm for the event and the opportunity to uplift the Broadway community alongside her passion for film.

"I'm super excited. The lineup that we're announcing on Social is really excellent of my panel of guests for the Q and A."
— Grace Akey [20:21]

8. Conclusion and Follow-Up

Matt Tammanini wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow BroadwayRadio on social media platforms and visit their Patreon for more content. Grace Akey shares her contact information, inviting listeners to connect with her.

"Grace, where can people find you?"
— Matt Tammanini [21:00]

"You can find me at graceaki."
— Grace Akey [21:02]

Stay Connected:

• Facebook, Twitter, Instagram: @roadwayradio
• Patreon: patreon.com/broadwayradio
• Grace Akey: @graceaki

Next Episode: Tune in tomorrow for more Broadway insights and updates.

This summary captures the essence of the "Today on Broadway" episode, highlighting key discussions, notable quotes, and essential information for enthusiasts who couldn't listen to the full podcast.