BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: Today on Broadway – Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

Host: Matt Tamminini
Co-Host: Grace Aki
Release Date: December 17, 2024
Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Episode Title: Today on Broadway: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024

1. Recent Podcast Highlights

Grace Aki opens the episode by sharing updates on previous podcast releases:

• Fabian Alois on Sunset Boulevard
  Grace mentions a compelling conversation with Fabian Alois, the choreographer of Sunset Boulevard, urging fans of the production in London or New York City to give the episode a listen.
  Timestamp: 00:07

• Jan Simpson on The Great White
  Matt highlights Jan Simpson's episode that delves into the Pulitzer Prize-winning play The Great White from 1969, which was later adapted into a film starring James Earl Jones.
  Timestamp: 00:45

• This Week on Broadway – Cabaret
  Another episode covers the production of Cabaret featuring Adam Lambert and Ali'i Cravaglio, providing listeners with in-depth discussions on various Broadway topics.
  Timestamp: 00:47

2. Broadway Premiere: Eureka Day

Overview:
Eureka Day made its Broadway premiere at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater, produced by the Manhattan Theater Club. The play, written by Jonathan Spector and directed by Anna D. Shapiro, explores the contentious vaccine debate within a day school setting. The cast includes notable talents such as Ebony Flowers, Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, Bill Irwin, Thomas Middleditch, and Chelsea Akura Kurtz.

Reception:
The show has received predominantly positive reviews:

• Jesse Green, The New York Times [02:14]:
  Green praises the Broadway scaling of the production, highlighting the set design, costumes, and the cast's performance.

  "The library, which is the setting, is much bigger and brighter, the costumes telegraphic and the sociology and the bassoon heavy interstitial music are almost cartoonishly apt. The cast, too, hits the sweet spot beyond the broad and deep..."
  Timestamp: 02:12

• Sarah Holdren, Vulture [02:59]:
  Holdren commends the performances of Jessica Hecht and Amber Gray, as well as the overall direction by Shapiro.

  "Hecht and Gray are excellent here and throughout, as is Shapiro's whole company. They're not clowning..."
  Timestamp: 02:57

Criticism:

• Juan A. Ramirez, Theaterly [04:10]:
  Ramirez critiques the thematic execution of the play, suggesting that it struggles to maintain its comedic momentum.

  "The first monster it encounters is thematic... The jokes at their expense start off strong but lose steam quickly despite strong performances..."
  Timestamp: 04:10

Additional Praise:

• Adam Feldman, Time Out New York [04:55]:
  Feldman finds Eureka Day both timely and valuable in contributing to the public discourse on vaccines.

  "Eureka Day is often very funny, but it also contributes valuably to that discourse. Even as it needles the left, it offers an invigorating shot in the arm."
  Timestamp: 04:55

Host Reflection:
Grace expresses her intention to see the show despite initial reservations about its subject matter, reassured by the positive reviews.

"Grace, the reviews are great and the cast is awesome and they are pretty widespread reviews. If I'm going to get a positive review from both Jesse Green and Sarah Holdren, that makes me feel a little bit better..."
Timestamp: 05:32

3. Casting Updates in The Great Gatsby

Departures and Replacements:

• Matt Tamminini announces that two-time Tony nominee Obozada will conclude her role as Daisy Buchanan on January 30th.
  Timestamp: 07:03

• Jeremy Jordan's Departure:
  Matt mentions Jeremy Jordan will leave his role on January 19th, to be replaced by Ryan McCarten.
  Timestamp: 07:15

• Meyer Wolfsheim Replacement:
  Eric Anderson will finish portraying Meyer Wolfsheim by January 5th, succeeded by Terrence Mann.
  Timestamp: 07:20

Speculation on New Casting:

• Suggestions for Daisy Buchanan:
  Grace speculates potential replacements like Lorna Courtney or Haley Kilgore, praising their talents and fit for the role.

  "What about Lorna Courtney, like, would she not be really, really great in the role?... I think that she's, like, fresh."
  Timestamp: 08:06

• Unknown Speaker's Input:
  Adds enthusiasm for proposed casting choices, expressing confidence in the show's future.

  "What about Lorna Courtney... I think she's, like, fresh. I just, I don't know what they're going to do, but if they go kind of in the route of a young person..."
  Timestamp: 08:01

4. International Spotlight: UK Premiere of Here We Are

Production Details:

• Directed by Joe Mantello, the UK premiere of David Ives and Stephen Sondheim's musical Here We Are boasts an impressive cast including Tracy Bennett, Dennis O'Hare, Rory Kinnear, Chamisa Dornford-May, Richard Fleeshman, Cameron Johnson, Carrie Hayden Patton, Martha Plimpton, Jane Krakowski, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, and Paulo Jot.

Reception and Cast Dynamics:
Grace and an Unknown Speaker discuss the eclectic and star-studded cast, praising the diversity and talent each actor brings.

"It's so random, but... that is why the show works. And I think this is going to be fantastic."
"I love how kooky this cast is... it's absolutely there, if not more so on, like, the acting pedigree of it all."
Timestamp: 09:30 - 13:08

Director's Influence:
The collaboration between Joe Mantello and Sondheim is expected to attract a wide audience, enhancing the show's appeal in London.

5. Wicked Sequels Update

Announcement:
Grace reveals that instead of a direct sequel (Wicked Part 2), the production will release Wicked: For Good in November of the following year.

"We are getting Wicked: For Good, which I think is really smart, and I think that that is a really good way to juxtapose..."
Timestamp: 13:08

Discussion:
Grace and Matt humorously debate the naming conventions, expressing surprise and amusement at the unconventional sequel title.

"How the hell are they gonna call it 'For Good'? It's two. You're telling me you skipped two and three?"
Timestamp: 13:18 - 14:15

6. Broadway Schedule Highlights

Openings:

• Gypsy at the Majestic Theater:
  Directed by George C. Wolfe with choreography by Camille A. Brown, starring Audra McDonald as Madame Rose, Danny Burstein as Herbie, and a stellar supporting cast. The show is receiving high ticket sales and excellent previews.
  Timestamp: 14:16

• Comedy About Love on Sunday, Dec. 22:
  Written by Simon Rich and featuring songs from The Magnetic Fields, the show boasts a star-studded cast including John Mulaney, Fred Armisen, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Richard Kyne, and members of the Bengson family. Additional guests include Lin-Manuel Miranda, Annaleigh Ashford, Hank Azaria, David Cross, Jimmy Fallon, Chloe Fineman, Nick Kroll, Tim Meadows, and Andrew Randles.
  Timestamp: 16:12

Closings:

• On Broadway:

  • Hills of California concludes its run.
    Timestamp: 17:26

• Off Broadway:

  • Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now at New World Stages closes on December 20th.
  • Babe starring Marisa Tomei from the new group Give Me closes.
  • Hold on to Me Darling starring Andrew Driver ends.
  • Merchant of Venice starring Alexandra Silber at Classic Stage Company wraps up.
    Timestamp: 16:05 - 17:32

7. National Tours Announcement

• The Sound of Music National Tour:
  Directed by Jack O'Brien, the tour launches in September at the Kennedy Center and will traverse 55 cities through 2025 and 2026.

• Miracle on 34th Street Tour:
  Meredith Willson's classic is set to tour in 2025, running through the holiday season, directed and choreographed by Antoinette DiPietro Polo.

Grace expresses excitement for these tours, anticipating broad audience engagement.
Timestamp: 17:56 - 19:19

8. Feel-Good Recommendations

• CBS Sunday Morning Segment on Gypsy:
  Matt and Grace recommend watching a feature on the production, highlighting its excellence.

• Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson's Broadway Debut in Ann Juliet:
  Grace shares that Justice Jackson made her Broadway debut, which was even featured on Saturday Night Live's Weekend Update segment. This unique crossover between law and theatre garnered significant attention.

  "She sounded great. I genuinely thought it was going to be a walk-on... She sang 'Is This the Meaning of Being Lonely' exceptionally."
  "It got a mention on Saturday Night Live, which is very fun."
  Timestamp: 19:33 - 21:10

9. Closing Remarks

Grace and Matt wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow them on social media and stay tuned for future updates.

"Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Roddyradio. You can follow me on Instagram @bww. Matt, Grace, where can people find you?"
Timestamp: 21:37

"All right, everybody, have a wonderful Tuesday, and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow."
Timestamp: 21:46

Notable Quotes:

• Jesse Green, The New York Times on Eureka Day [02:14]:

  "The library, which is the setting, is much bigger and brighter, the costumes telegraphic and the sociology and the bassoon heavy interstitial music are almost cartoonishly apt. The cast, too, hits the sweet spot beyond the broad and deep..."

• Juan A. Ramirez, Theaterly on Eureka Day [04:10]:

  "Jonathan Spector's 2018 comedy Eureka Day mostly loses in its bright and bubbly Broadway premiere. The first monster it encounters is thematic..."

• Adam Feldman, Time Out New York on Eureka Day [04:55]:

  "Eureka Day is often very funny, but it also contributes valuably to that discourse. Even as it needles the left, it offers an invigorating shot in the arm."

• Grace Aki on Wicked Sequels [13:08]:

  "We are getting Wicked: For Good, which I think is really smart, and I think that that is a really good way to juxtapose..."

Conclusion:
This episode of Today on Broadway offers a comprehensive look into current Broadway productions, casting changes, international premieres, and upcoming national tours. Highlighting both critical acclaim and constructive criticism, Matt and Grace provide valuable insights for Broadway enthusiasts. Additionally, their feel-good recommendations add a delightful touch, celebrating unique moments where theater intersects with broader cultural milestones.