BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: Today on Broadway – Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025

Hosted by Matt Tamaneni and Grace Aki

1. Opening Remarks and Recent Updates

Matt Tamaneni welcomed listeners to the latest episode of Today on Broadway, highlighting the recent hiatus during the holiday break. He mentioned a wealth of pre-recorded content available in the podcast feed, including episodes featuring:

• Jan Simpson discussing resolutions and predictions
• An all-drama episode by Jan Simpson
• Jennifer Ashley Tepper’s “Best of 2024”
• Interviews with stars from Florida’s productions of Frozen and Mystic Pizza, as well as the upcoming Mystic Pizza at Paper Mill Playhouse.

2. In Memoriam: Linda Lavin and Aziza Barnes

The hosts began with somber news about the passing of two notable figures in the theater community.

Linda Lavin, a Broadway legend, passed away on December 29 at the age of 87 due to complications from lung cancer. Lavin's illustrious career spanned from her Broadway debut in A Family Affair (1962) to her last credit in 20 Our Mother's Brief Affair. She earned six Tony nominations, winning one for Broadway Bound, and garnered eight Drama Desk nominations, winning three. Beyond stage, Lavin was a television icon, best known for her role in the TV adaptation of Alice, based on the Martin Scorsese film Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore.

Grace Aki reflected on Lavin’s impact, stating, “She will be at the front of the list” when the Broadway League honors distinguished artists in 2025.

Aziza Barnes, a talented poet, playwright, and TV writer, tragically died by suicide at the age of 32. Barnes was known for her work on the TV show A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms, Snowfall, Rap Sht*, and Teenage Bounty Hunter. Her acclaimed theater work includes the 2019 MCC production of Blacks, directed by Robert O'Hara.

Matt expressed heartfelt condolences: “We want to send our best to everybody who knew and loved these two artists, either personally or professionally” [00:55].

3. Imperial Theater’s Potential Renovations

The episode delved into the Imperial Theater’s future, with the Shubert Organization filing plans for significant interior renovations. Notably, the theater is only protected internally by the New York Landmarks Preservation Commission, allowing the Shuberts to modify the exterior at their discretion.

Matt detailed the extensive renovation plans, which include:

• Upgrading the interior space
• Acquiring the adjacent empty lot for new facilities
• Installing a new ticket lobby, commercial spaces, and updated restrooms.

Grace expressed enthusiasm for the potential enhancements, drawing parallels to the James Earl Jones Theater, which transformed an alley into a vibrant space featuring a bar, lounges, and rehearsal areas. She envisioned similar or even more ambitious developments for the Imperial, benefiting both the Shuberts and theatergoers alike [06:24].

4. Golden Globe Awards Highlights

The hosts celebrated recent accolades from the Golden Globe Awards, particularly noting Wicked’s groundbreaking win in cinematic and box office achievements—a first for a stage musical.

Matt shared the highlights:

• Wicked surpassed Mamma Mia! as the number one stage musical adaptation globally, boasting impressive box office numbers: $601,256,000 combined domestic and international earnings [11:38].
• Jean Smart won Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy for Hacks.
• Baby Reindeer secured Best Television Limited Series or Motion Picture Made for Television, based on Richard Gad’s autobiographical solo stage show from the Edinburgh French Festival.
• Kieran Culkin was honored with Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role.

Grace humorously recounted the moment Kieran Culkin won, mentioning a cutaway featuring Jeremy Strong: “Nothing was funnier than the cutaway on the CBS telebroadcast of Kieran Culkin winning” [09:15]. She praised Culkin’s performance and expressed excitement for his upcoming role in Glengarry Glen Ross, emphasizing Broadway’s enduring cultural influence [10:13].

5. Wicked’s Box Office Triumph

Wicked achieved a milestone by becoming the top-grossing stage musical adaptation globally, eclipsing Mamma Mia! with:

• Domestic Earnings: $450,752,000
• International Earnings: $230.5 million
• Total: $601,256,000

While Matt pondered its potential to reach a billion, he acknowledged the show's robust performance and availability for digital rental or purchase [11:38].

6. Upcoming Theater Projects

Ariana DeBose’s Potential Role in Evita

Post-Golden Globes, it was confirmed that Ariana DeBose is in advanced talks to lead the Jamie Lloyd-directed production of Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita at the London Palladium this summer. Currently filming for an Amazon series with Jamie Lee Curtis and Nicole Kidman, DeBose noted that the project is “about 70% close to being done” and awaits final approvals to join the Evita production [11:38].

Bess Wolves Liberation

The Roundabout Theater Company announced the cast for the upcoming world premiere of Bess Wolves Liberation, set to premiere Off-Broadway on January 13 and run until March 30. Directed by Whitney White, the play features a dynamic ensemble including Betsy Adam, Kayla Davion, Susanna Flood, Kristalyn Lloyd, Irene Sophia Luccio, Adina Verzen, Audrey Corsa, and Charlie Thurston. The narrative revolves around a group of women whose conversations spark a movement to transform their lives and the world over five decades [15:12].

Brendan Fraser’s Departure from Grangeville

Initially slated to make his Off-Broadway debut in Samuel D. Hunter's Grangeville at the Signature Theater, Brendan Fraser has been replaced by Paul Sparks. Matt and Grace expressed disappointment over this unforeseen change, though no specific reasons were provided beyond “unforeseen circumstances” [15:26].

Greg Hildreth Joins Chicago on Broadway

Congratulations were extended to Greg Hildreth for joining the Broadway production of Chicago, with his first performance on Monday night [15:26].

7. Hollywood Bowl’s Jesus Christ Superstar Production

Though neither host has visited California, Matt expressed enthusiasm for the Hollywood Bowl’s announcement to stage a star-studded production of Jesus Christ Superstar later this year. While details on dates, casting, and creative teams are yet to be disclosed, Matt reminisced about the 2018 NBC concert version and eagerly anticipates a return to grand musical productions at the iconic venue [16:26].

Grace voiced her hopes for authentic casting, advocating for performers with strong vocal abilities akin to original cast members: “I want to hear Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Murray Head type vocals on those” [16:43]. She suggested potential casting of artists like Adam Lambert to bring the necessary vocal prowess to the production [17:12].

8. Recommendations and Final Thoughts

Matt recommended the new tour of Parade, which begins official performances on January 11 in Schenectady, New York, before its opening at the Orpheum Theater in Minneapolis. He highlighted exclusive rehearsal promo footage featuring Trevor James and cast members Talia Suskower and Max Chernin performing standout musical numbers [17:43].

Grace encouraged listeners to see Mystic Pizza in Florida or New York City/New Jersey, emphasizing its unique rendition of “The Power of Love” and its significance as a rare live theatrical experience [19:28].

The episode concluded with a mutual appreciation for Broadway’s resilient and vibrant community, despite its niche status compared to broader cultural phenomena like the Golden Globes.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Aki on Sleep Schedule: “Grace, you messed up your sleep cycle a little bit from these past couple weeks, huh?” [00:07]

• Matt Tamaneni on Linda Lavin: “She will be at the front of the list” when honoring distinguished artists in 2025 [00:55].

• Grace Aki on Kieran Culkin’s Win: “Nothing was funnier than the cutaway on the CBS telebroadcast of Kieran Culkin winning” [09:15].

• Matt Tamaneni on Wicked’s Success: “Will it get to a billion? Ah, that's probably pretty tough” [11:38].

• Grace Aki on Evita Casting: “She is in Conversations and fingers crossed that it will happen” [11:38].

• Grace Aki on Jesus Christ Superstar Casting: “I want to hear Ted Neeley, Carl Anderson, Murray Head type vocals on those” [16:43].

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Summary compiled based on the January 7, 2025 episode of BroadwayRadio's "Today on Broadway."