BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway — Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025

Hosts:

• Matt Tamanini (BroadwayRadio)
• Grace Aki (Tell Me on a Sunday Podcast)

Episode Overview

This episode of "Today on Broadway" commemorates the solemn anniversary of September 11th and dives into the latest Broadway news, including Leslie Odom Jr.'s headline-making return to Hamilton, casting announcements for City Center’s Bat Boy, and exciting Off-Broadway and industry updates. The hosts also highlight a new Al Hirschfeld/Sondheim exhibition at the Algonquin, delve into changes for the Chess production, and sprinkle in Broadway recommendations and personal anecdotes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Commemorating 9/11

[00:37–01:37]

• The episode opens with heartfelt reflections on the September 11th anniversary.
• Matt extends thoughts to all affected:

  "For everyone who lived in New York on September 11th of 2001, for everybody who was impacted by losses...our hearts are going out to you." — Matt ([00:37])

2. Leslie Odom Jr.’s Return to Hamilton & Ticket Frenzy

[01:38–04:23]

• Leslie Odom Jr. has returned to his Tony-winning role of Aaron Burr for a nine-week run at the Richard Rodgers Theatre.
• Premium tickets have set records at $1,525; even obstructed view seats are selling for $400+.
• Matt shares a personal struggle to get tickets:

  "The only two seats we could get were two different obstructed view seats on opposite sides of the theater and they were both over $400." — Matt ([02:38])

• Grace recalls high prices in past years and shares the electrifying excitement surrounding Odom's return, even experiencing FOMO while seeing Harry Styles leave another show nearby:

  "I've never had FOMO like that in a while." — Grace ([03:38])

Memorable Moment

• Standing ovation for Leslie’s first entrance was so prolonged he had to wait to begin but stayed in character:

  "[Leslie] definitely had to seem to kind of wait it out." — Matt ([04:23])

3. Hamilton on the Big Screen

[04:23–05:04]

• The original filmed version of Hamilton debuted in cinemas, landing at #2 at the box office with nearly $10 million for its opening weekend.

4. Bat Boy at New York City Center: Full Casting Announced

[05:05–06:59]

• Full cast list revealed; Taylor Trensch in title role. Noteworthy is Gabby Karuba as Shelly Parker.
• Matt laments missing the show's performance window due to travel:

  "A little annoyed at myself that I didn’t plan that out a little bit better." — Matt ([06:35])

• Grace praises Gabby Karuba, recalling her Dear Evan Hansen days and artistic versatility:

  "She’s a deeply creative, exciting person and I think that she needs to be on everybody’s radar." — Grace ([06:59])

5. Off-Broadway Updates: Pen Pals and Prince F

[07:16–09:50]

• Tony winner Priscilla Lopez joins Pen Pals’ rotating cast at DR2.
• Prince F at Studio Seaview extends through November 9th due to popular demand.

6. Industry Presentation: Golden

[09:25–09:51]

• New musical Golden (about storytellers and Rumpelstiltskin) holds presentations next week with a cast including Cicily Daniels and Nathan Sal Stone (Grace’s friend).

7. Al Hirschfeld’s Sondheim Exhibit at the Algonquin

[09:51–11:01]

• Grace describes attending the opening, calling it "probably the most gorgeous Hirschfeld presentation of collected works in many, many years." ([09:52])
• Memorable guests included John Leguizamo and Danny Burstein.
• Exhibit is free and open daily from 12–7 until September 20 at the Algonquin Oak Room.
• New Hirschfeld poster book also available.

8. Chess Revival: Song Assignment Shakeup

[11:02–13:10]

• Snippet of "Someone Else’s Story" posted by the official Chess account, sung by Lea Michele (Florence) rather than traditional singer, Svetlana.
• Matt explains the history of the song’s assignment and laments a great number being taken away from Hannah Cruz (Svetlana):

  "Taking away a major song from Svetlana doesn’t give her a whole lot to sing ... I’m going to be really interested to see how they break these things up." — Matt ([12:15])

• Grace jokes about her unfamiliarity with the show:

  "Yeah, it could have fooled me. I don’t know it either way." — Grace ([13:10])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "Our hearts are going out to you." — Matt, reflecting on 9/11 ([00:37])
• "I've never had FOMO like that in a while." — Grace on missing Leslie Odom Jr.’s return ([03:38])
• "She’s a deeply creative, exciting person..." — Grace on Gabby Karuba ([06:59])
• "Probably the most gorgeous Hirschfeld presentation of collected works in many, many years." — Grace on the Algonquin exhibit ([09:52])
• "Taking away a major song from Svetlana doesn’t give her a whole lot to sing." — Matt on Chess ([12:15])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:37—01:37: 9/11 Reflections
• 01:38—04:23: Leslie Odom Jr./Hamilton ticket prices and excitement
• 04:23—05:04: Hamilton film’s box office success
• 05:05—06:59: Full Bat Boy casting, Gabby Karuba spotlight
• 07:16—09:51: Off-Broadway and developmental news; Pen Pals, Prince F, Golden
• 09:51—11:01: Hirschfeld/Sondheim Algonquin exhibit review
• 11:02—13:10: Chess revival, song reassignment, and its implications

Additional Details

• For more: Visit BroadwayRadio’s social media or Patreon; the Hirschfeld exhibit runs through Sept 20 at the Algonquin Oak Room (free admission, 12–7 PM daily).

This episode is essential listening for Broadway fans, offering both poignant commemoration and energetic reporting on some of the most exciting and resonant happenings on (and off) the Great White Way.