BroadwayRadio – Today on Broadway: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025

Host: Matt Tamanini
Date: December 9, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode offers a comprehensive look at the latest happenings on and around Broadway, including reviews of the just-opened “Marjorie Prime," a roundup of theater-related Golden Globe nominations, major casting and show announcements, and an enthusiastic recommendation for “Paddington the Musical” in London. Matt brings sharp analysis and personal anecdotes, infusing the episode with a conversational tone and clear love for the theater community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Personal Updates & Weekend Recap (03:47)

• Matt thanks listeners for accommodating the previous day’s break, sharing he was covering the Big Ten Football Championship (“my Ohio State Buckeyes lost 13 to 10” [02:01]).
• Despite the loss, Ohio State remains in the College Football Playoff and Matt shares expectations for upcoming matches.

2. Podcast Highlights and New Content (03:02)

• Jan Simpson’s Patreon episode “All the Drama” covers “Hamilton.”
• Latest “This Week on Broadway” episode features Jasmine Amy Rogers, currently starring in “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” Off-Broadway.

3. ‘Marjorie Prime’ Broadway Debut & Review Roundup (4:01–8:16)

• About the Show:

  • Broadway debut at Helen Hayes Theater, presented by Second Stage Theater, directed by Anne Kaufman.
  • Stars 96-year-old June Squibb (Marjorie), Cynthia Nixon (Tess), Danny Burstein (John), and Christopher Lowell (Walter).
  • Described as a meditation on aging, AI, memory, mortality, love, and legacy.

• Critical Reception:

  • The New York Times – Elizabeth Vincentelli

    • “Harrison has a dream collaborator in Kaufman, who is a master at creating emotion without hitting an audience over the head...all four actors marvelously economical, an approach that...lingers in audience members’ hearts and minds.” [04:38]
    • Vincentelli calls the production a Critics’ Pick.

  • Vulture – Sarah Holdren

    • Mixed feelings: Praises timeliness and elegance but craves more emotional punch:
      • “I kept wanting to feel, well, more. More rapt, more heartbroken, more rattled...” [05:24]
      • Describes the play as “an extremely palatable version of the thing it has studied how to be.” [05:41]

  • Time Out New York – Adam Feldman

    • “Much of the pre-opening press...has revolved around the 96-year-old Squibb...She merits that attention with a remarkable performance that combines frostiness and fogginess into a firm coat of rhyme.” [05:41]
    • Also singles out Nixon’s and Burstein’s moving performances.

  • Entertainment Weekly – Shayana Russell

    • Gives a B; “For all the grief boiling over in ‘Marjorie Prime,’ I walked away yearning to be more thoroughly wounded. But Harrison’s script is less interested in piercing the heart than it is the mind...There is no replacement for the power of human love and connection.” [07:32]

  • New York Post – Johnny Oleksinski

    • “Harrison’s story is topical, that’s for sure, frighteningly so...It’s so profoundly human and lump-in-the-throat relatable without ever toppling over into boohoo sentimentality.” [07:44]
    • High praise for June Squibb: “How fortunate we are to be here during June's prime.”

• Meta-Analysis:

  • The critical consensus revolves around effectiveness of Kaufman’s subtle directorial choices and the play’s emotional versus intellectual impact.

4. Golden Globe Nominations with Theater Ties (08:16–10:27)

• Musical Theatre in the Spotlight:

  • Wicked For Good:

    • Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande both nominated (Lead Actress, Supporting Actress).
    • Stephen Schwartz nominated in Original Song for “No Place Like Home” & “Girl in the Bubble.”
    • Nominated for Cinematic and Box Office Achievement.

  • Blue Moon (Lawrence Hart biopic):

    • Up for Best Motion Picture (Musical/Comedy). Ethan Hawke nominated for Best Actor.

  • Hamnet:

    • Adapted from Maggie O’Farrell’s novel. Multiple nominations: Best Motion Picture (Drama), Directing (Chloe Zhao), Screenplay, and Jessie Buckley for Leading Performance.

  • K Pop Demon Hunters (Movie Musical):

    • Nods for Best Picture (Animation), Best Original Song.

  • Other nominees include Steve Martin, Martin Short, Sarah Snook, Michelle Williams, and Carrie Coon for television.

  • Quote:

    • “Of course the biggest thing, at least from our perspective, is the fact that Wicked for Good got a slew of nominations." [08:25]

  • The awards ceremony is on January 11, airing on CBS.

5. Show & Casting News (10:27–15:15)

• Off-Broadway Musical ‘Bigfoot!’ (Manhattan Theatre Club):

  • Creatives: Amber Ruffin (lyrics/books), David Schmoll (music), Danny Mefford (director/choreographer).
  • Cast highlights: Grey Henson (Sasquatch), Alex Moffat, Crystal Lucas Perry, Katarina McCrimmon.
  • Synopsis:
    • Set in “Mud Dirt,” a town plagued by corruption, paranoia, and a misunderstood 8ft tall youth – a “can’t miss can’t myth musical comedy.”
  • Quote:
    • “Very excited about this. I love that Amber Ruffin is getting more and more into musical theater...” [11:25]

• A24’s Revival of ‘You Got Older’ at Cherry Lane Theater:

  • Stars Alia Shawkat in her stage debut.
  • Directed by Anne Kaufman.
  • Follows May, a woman returning to her hometown to care for her ill father post-job loss and breakup.

• ‘Lost Boys’ Broadway Update:

  • Shoshana Bean replaces Caissie Levy as Lucy Emerson, due to Levy’s participation in “Ragtime” and family priorities.
  • Previews start March 17 at Palace Theater.

• ‘Masquerade’ (Immersive ‘Phantom of the Opera’ Off-Broadway) Extension:

  • Directed by Diane Paulus.
  • Extended by two months through March 29, tickets selling fast and pricey ($250+).

6. Paddington the Musical in London: A Must-See (15:15–end)

• Matt gives an enthusiastic recommendation for “Paddington the Musical” at the Savoy Theatre in London.
  • Quote:
    • “Apparently, from everything that I've heard, this is incredible. Not only is it a phenomenal technological feat, but...the score is pretty great as well.” [15:22]
  • Tom Fletcher wrote music and lyrics; performed live with Paddington Bear on “Strictly Come Dancing.”
  • Highlights the believability of the Paddington Bear effect:
    • “You are looking at it and you're like, this can't be real. This is a Paddington Bear who was maybe 4ft tall...” [15:38]
  • Extended through end of 2026.
  • Predicts Broadway transfer likely by the 2026-27 season.
  • Suggests viewers watch the video of the performance online for a sneak preview.

Notable Quotes

• On Marjorie Prime’s Direction:
  “Her approach looks as if it is detached, almost clinical, but that only means she does not overplay her hand when navigating emotional stakes.” – Matt (quoting NYT/Elizabeth Vincentelli) [04:38]

• On AI & Humanity in ‘Marjorie Prime’:
  “It resembles one of its own artificial humans. It's an extremely palatable version of the thing it has studied how to be a play.” – Matt (quoting Vulture/Sarah Holdren) [05:41]

• On June Squibb as Marjorie:
  “How fortunate we are to be here during June’s prime.” – Matt (quoting NY Post/Johnny Oleksinski) [07:44]

• On Paddington the Musical:
  “Apparently, from everything that I've heard, this is incredible...it is remarkable...and cannot wait to see it on New York stage very soon.” – Matt [16:40]

Timestamps for Main Segments

• Christmas Tree Banter/Ad (skip): 00:00–01:00
• Personal & Weekend Updates: 01:00–03:02
• Podcast Feed Highlights: 03:02–04:01
• Marjorie Prime Opening & Review Roundup: 04:01–08:16
• Golden Globe Nominations: 08:16–10:27
• Show & Casting Announcements: 10:27–15:15
• Paddington the Musical Recommendation: 15:15–end

Tone & Final Thoughts

Matt Tamanini’s tone is energetic, knowledgeable, and deeply engaged with the theater world. He mixes reverence for major Broadway moments and artists with a down-to-earth, fan-to-fan perspective. The episode is a thorough digest of essential Broadway news, offering both practical info and broader enthusiasm for what’s new and noteworthy onstage.