BroadwayRadio Episode Summary: Today on Broadway – Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Release Date: June 17, 2025
Host: BroadwayRadio (Matt Tam & Grace Aki)
Description: Broadway's Premier Podcasts

Introduction

In the June 17, 2025 episode of Today on Broadway, hosts Matt Tam and Grace Aki delve into the latest Broadway news, including reviews of new productions, upcoming show announcements, and casting updates. The episode also features recommendations and commentary on notable events within the Broadway community.

Main Discussions

1. Reviews of "Call Me Izzy"

The hosts begin by discussing the latest Broadway production, Call Me Izzy, which premiered at Studio 54 to kick off the 2025-2026 Broadway season. The show is a one-person performance by Jean Smart, written by Jamie Wax and directed by Sarna Lapine.

• Production Details:

  • Call Me Izzy features Jean Smart in a tour de force role, portraying a writer navigating personal and professional challenges.
  • The show runs until August 17th on Broadway.

• Critical Reception:

  • Jesse Green, The New York Times [03:10]: "Though well paced, Lapine's staging doesn't really fight that tendency, leaning into the pretty merc instead. Interstitial music by T Bone Burnett aptly suggests the Deep South, but might as well be the soundtrack of an arty ghost story. Yet spousal abuse isn't arty as deep as Smart digs into the horror of it."
  • Greg Evans, Deadline [05:15]: "The first production of the new Broadway season, Call Me Izzy, blesses 2025-2026 with a terrific beginning. One only hopes Tony voters have very, very long memories."
  • Jackson McHenry, Vulture [07:30]: "Jean Smart has plenty of talent. The trouble is, she's stuck in a production that has little idea what to do with it other than subject her character to grim and unenlightening suffering."
  • Naveen Kumar, The Washington Post [09:45]: "Smart returning to Broadway after some 25 years brings astonishing clarity and depth to the part. She delivers a performance that feels deceptively feather light while demonstrating total command."

Grace and Matt analyze these reviews, highlighting the mixed responses and acknowledging Jean Smart's compelling performance despite some criticisms of the production's direction.

2. Upcoming Shows and Announcements

a. 25th Annual Platinum Connie Spelling Bee

• Details:

  • A 14-week limited run Off-Broadway at New World Stages starting November 7th.
  • Directed and choreographed by Danny Mefford, who previously directed the Kennedy Center’s production.
  • The original Kennedy Center cast included stars like Beanie Feldstein, Kevin McHale, and Taran Killam, though the current casting remains undisclosed.

• Hosts' Views:

  • Matt Tam [11:00]: Expresses excitement about the potential casting and the move to New World Stages.
  • Grace Aki [08:00 – 09:33]: Advocates for the show's placement at New World Stages, emphasizing the venue's intimacy and suitability for smaller, engaging productions.

b. New Adaptation of Molière's "Tartuffe"

• Production Details:

  • An adaptation by Lucas Nath.
  • Star-studded cast including Matthew Broderick, David Cross, Emily Davis, Bianca Del Rio, Amber Gray, Ryan J. Haddad, Francis Zhu, Lisa Crone, and Aike Ufumadu.
  • Directed by Sarah Benson.
  • Scheduled to open in late fall.

• Hosts' Enthusiasm:

  • Matt Tam [15:00]: Praises the exceptional cast and anticipates the show's success.
  • Grace Aki [15:26 – 15:45]: Shares excitement about Lucas Nath's work and the adaptation’s potential impact.

c. 50th Anniversary Celebration of "A Chorus Line"

• Event Details:
  • Scheduled for July 27th at the Shubert Theater.
  • Features original 1975 cast members Kelly Bishop, Wayne Cilento, Bayork Lee, Priscilla Lopez, and Donna McKechnie.
  • Additional performers include Charlotte Damiano, Jessica Lee Golden, Robin Herder, Francis Zhu, Christa Rodriguez, Jessica Vosk, Anthony Wayne, Tony Yazbeck, and Lee Zimmerman.
  • Tickets go on sale June 30th at noon.

d. "Kimberly Akimbo" National Tour Update

• Casting News:
  • Anne Morrison will take over the title role from Carolee Carmelo as the tour enters its second year.
  • Anne Morrison is renowned for her role as Mary in Merrily We Roll Along and her performance as King Herod in Jesus Christ Superstar at Orlando Rep.

3. Recommendations and Current Events

a. Jessica Vosk's Health Update

• Details:
  • Jessica Vosk of Hell's Kitchen has undergone back surgery and will be taking an extended leave from the show.
  • Wish her a speedy recovery as she manages her health challenges.

b. Jamie Lloyd's "Evita" Production in London

• Discussion Points:

  • Controversies surrounding the production's similarities to Jamie Lloyd’s Sunset Boulevard.
  • Rachel Zegler's performance of "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" outside the theater has sparked widespread attention and debate.

• Hosts' Opinions:

  • Matt Tam [19:00]: Expresses cautious optimism based on Lloyd’s previous successful productions, despite some concerns about originality.
  • Grace Aki [20:44]: Frustrated with spoilers and information overload from social media, urging for more discretion until broader audiences can experience the show firsthand.

Sponsor Segments

1. Cash App

• Overview:
  • Matt shares a personal story about using Cash App during a family cruise, highlighting its convenience for managing shared expenses.
• Notable Quote:
  • Matt Tam [10:00]: "It's easy, it is fast, and it's such a breeze to set up Grace that it really is the answer to a lot of financial arguments that people get into unnecessarily."
• Promotion:
  • New users can use the exclusive code Broadway to earn additional cash through referrals.

2. Surfshark VPN

• Overview:
  • Grace discusses the importance of using a VPN for accessing geo-restricted content and enhancing online security.
• Notable Quote:
  • Grace Aki [12:08]: "I think that VPNs are absolutely the way to go."
• Promotion:
  • Visit surfshark.com/tob for four extra months using the code to b@surfshark.com.

Closing Remarks

Matt and Grace wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow Today on Broadway on social media and Patreon for more updates. They express enthusiasm for the upcoming Broadway season and the diverse array of shows and talents set to grace the stage.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Aki [08:06]: "I think that it's a genius move on their end and hopefully opens the door, continues to open the door for other fun, engaging shows that are more intimate."
• Matt Tam [22:20]: "So I feel like I'm being a bit of a curmudgeon and a bit of an old ... but I just wanna say in kind lovingness, shut the hell up."
• Grace Aki [22:29]: "Be kind. And you can find me scrolling past videos at. It's graceaki."

This episode of Today on Broadway offers a comprehensive overview of the current Broadway landscape, balancing critical analysis with exciting announcements and personal insights from the hosts. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to the Broadway scene, Matt and Grace provide valuable perspectives to keep you informed and engaged.