BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: Today on Broadway – Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2024
Host: Matt Tammini and Guest: Grace Ake
Final Curtain for "Tammy Faye" at the Palace Theater
[00:09]
Matt Tammini opens the episode by discussing the emotional final performance of Tammy Faye at the Palace Theater. Grace Ake shares her firsthand experience attending the last show on Sunday night.
Grace Ake highlights the electrifying atmosphere:
"Katy Brabin brought the house down, like, really incredible. The whole cast was delivering, and they were dancing their ass like it was an amazing final show to be at... the feeling of love was palpable in that room." [00:27]
Matt echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of a supportive final performance:
"That's all you can ask for in a closing performance... is for that last company to feel the love from the audience one more time."* [01:08]
Cara Young Returns to Broadway with "Purpose"
The hosts dive into exciting Broadway news, focusing on Tony Award winner Cara Young's upcoming role in Purpose.
[01:08]
Matt announces:
"Cara Young will be back on Broadway this season with the Broadway premiere of Tony winner Brandon Jacobs Jenkins' new play Purpose... directed by Felicia Rashad."*
[01:40]
Purpose is set to premiere at the Helen Hayes Theater on February 25, with an opening night on March 17. The play explores an Illinois family of civil rights leaders facing internal conflicts when their youngest son, Nazareth, returns home with an uninvited friend, challenging their faith and legacies.
Grace Ake expresses her excitement:
"I'm excited about Brandon's work, and I think that I love that we are spoiled rotten by Cara's talent... She's our queen. So, yeah, I'm very excited about this."* [02:46]
Matt adds speculative praise for Cara Young's continued success:
"She is a front runner to go four for four here. Like, four Broadway shows, four Tony nominations."* [03:20]
Star-Studded Casting Change in "The Great Gatsby"
Grace and Matt discuss a notable casting update in The Great Gatsby.
[03:20]
Matt reveals:
"Eric Anderson in the role of Meyer Wolfsheim is being replaced by the one and only Terence Mann, a Broadway legend. He will begin performances on January 8 and depart on April 20."*
Grace celebrates the addition:
"We are living because just actually... Terence Mann's wife, Charlotte D'Ambois, is in a Hallmark movie... Anytime we can see one of them on Broadway is great."* [04:49]
Matt connects this to broader media appearances:
"Terence Mann coming back to Broadway and another one in a Hallmark movie makes my heart very, very happy."* [04:49]
Vision for a Hallmark Movie Musical
Matt shares his enthusiasm for integrating Broadway talent with Hallmark productions.
[05:01]
Matt suggests:
"I think they need next season to do a Hallmark movie musical. Can you imagine how geeked up and excited I would be if they did that?"*
Grace Ake responds affirmatively, noting Matt's passion:
"That is very your brand. That is who you are as a person."* [05:58]
MCC Theater Announces "Trophy Boys"
The conversation shifts to the MCC Theater's upcoming American premiere of Trophy Boys.
[06:03]
Matt introduces:
"The MCC Theater... announced the final show of its 2024-2025 season. Trophy Boys by Emmanuel Matana will begin previews on June 5, directed by Tony Award winner Donya Taymor."*
[06:20]
Description of the play:
*A satire set in an all-boys prep school debate team addressing the prompt, "Feminism has failed women." Styled as a blend of Saltburn and Promising Young Women, the play uniquely casts female and non-binary actors in male roles.
Grace Ake expresses her excitement:
"One trillion percent. ... When I saw this announcement, I got very excited today as well."* [07:38]
Matt discusses MCC's reputation for innovative Off-Broadway productions:
"The opportunity for success is very, very high... theater that do interesting things that aren't necessarily focused on being big commercial successes."* [07:55]
Drew Gasparini's "We Aren't Kids Anymore" West End Premiere
The hosts highlight the West End debut of Drew Gasparini's new show.
[09:47]
Matt reveals:
"Grace happening on Saturday, 8pm Performance over at the Stephen Sondheim Theater... We Aren't Kids Anymore premieres at the Savoy Theater on April 28 with cast members including Sam Tutty, Amy Atkinson, and Dylan Mulvaney."*
Grace Ake delves into the show's background:
"This album was released during the pandemic... Drew's song cycle albums have taken on a life of their own... Now with We Aren't Kids Anymore, he developed this beautiful album that is becoming a larger story."* [09:47]
Matt adds personal excitement:
"I will obviously need to be there. But this is just really exciting stuff."* [11:20]
Developmental News: "Back Talk" by Rob Ackerman
The podcast covers upcoming industry readings for a new romantic comedy play.
[11:20]
Matt announces:
"Two industry readings happening on Thursday for Rob Ackerman's new play Back Talk... directed by Jeremy Webb with a cast including Kathy Fitzgerald, Frances Zhu, Sharia Moultrie, David Patterson, and Hiram Delgado."*
Description of Back Talk:
A romantic comedy about first dates and second thoughts, following a real estate developer falling for a plumber, with both characters navigating their inner voices.
Ketanji Brown Jackson's Walk-On in "Juliet"
A surprising casting inclusion is discussed, featuring Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson.
[12:43]
Matt highlights:
"There will be a one-night-only walk-on performance in Juliet by Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson."*
Grace Ake praises the range:
"That’s called range... Powerful black women... The show has a lot of literal social justice... We’re living in a different time and I'm very excited by that."* [13:19]
Matt references Jackson's memoir, Lovely One:
"In her memoir, Jackson said... I wished to attend Harvard as I believed it might help me to fulfill my fantasy of becoming the first black female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage."*
Listener Recommendations and News Highlights
The hosts share intriguing videos and performances for listeners to check out.
[14:00]
Matt Tammini recommends:
- Choreography Breakdown: What Is This Feeling? – A guide by Christopher Scott on performing Broadway choreography.
- Paul Mescal on SNL: A musical skit parodying his film Gladiator 2, plus his upcoming projects like A Streetcar Named Desire at BAM and the film adaptation of Merrily We Roll Along.
- Ricky Lindholm's New Song: So Long Farewell – A comedic breakup anthem for Baroness Schrader, reimagining her relationship with Captain Von Trapp.
Grace Ake adds her enthusiasm, particularly for Ricky Lindholm's work:
"I'm a big fan of Ricky Lindholm, and you should all definitely check that one out."* [16:03]
Closing Remarks
Matt and Grace wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow them on social media and stay tuned for future episodes.
Matt Tammini:
"Thanks for listening to Today on Broadway. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram... Have a wonderful Tuesday and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow."*
Grace Ake:
"You can find me at It's Grace Ake."*
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