BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

Episode Overview

In this solo-hosted episode, Matt Tamanini delivers the latest Broadway and theater-related news and insights, covering cast changes in major shows, updates on new productions and readings, a significant business deal in the ticketing industry, and a heartwarming moment from the new Ragtime revival. With Grace running late and unable to join, Matt takes the reins for a brisk, informative morning rundown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Technical Glitch with Podcast Feeds

• Timestamps: 01:02–02:20
  Matt acknowledges a technical error that prevented recent episodes from appearing in standard podcast feeds. Episodes were uploaded, but not correctly linked to podcast platforms.
  • “That was my fault. ... I appreciate the emails that we got asking what was wrong. ... James figured it out as soon as I told him. ... So I fixed it. I apologize. I will be a little bit more cognizant of those little errors that pop up when loading episodes.” — Matt (01:14–01:38)

2. Death Becomes Her: Cast Change Announced

• Timestamps: 02:21–03:38
  Megan Hilty’s run as Madeline Ashton in “Death Becomes Her” ends January 4, 2026. Betsy Wolfe, praised for comedic performances like in &Juliet, will take over starting January 16, 2026. No news yet on possible other cast departures.
  • “When it comes to this type of musical theater comedy, Betsy Wolfe is fantastic. … As we’ve seen in Juliet, she is legitimately hilarious.” — Matt (03:15)

3. ‘Omar’ Cast Extension on Broadway

• Timestamps: 03:39–04:47
  Jane Krakowski, John Andrew Morrison, and Cheyenne Jackson will extend their runs in “Omar” at the Lyceum Theatre through January 4, 2026. Tony Mock returns to the cast November 18; Jen Harris continues as Mary’s chaperone. Matt describes his near-miss of attending an earlier performance.
  • “I would have loved to have been there, but hopefully this gives me enough time to head over there and check out this new administration before they wrap up in January.” — Matt (04:40)

4. Wonder: World Premiere Musical Adaptation Cast Announced

• Timestamps: 04:48–06:09
  The adaptation of R.J. Palacio's novel (and film) premieres at American Repertory Theatre in Cambridge MA, Dec 9, 2025 – Feb 8, 2026. Notable creatives: music by A Great Big World (Ian Axel & Chad King), book by Sarah Ruhl, direction by Tabi Magar. Melvin Abston, Raymond J. Lee, Alison Luff, Javier Muñoz, and others star.
  • “This is one that I’ve heard tremendous things about throughout the developmental process, so hopefully those reviews continue to be stellar.” — Matt (05:42)

5. Wicked: For Good – Colman Domingo Cast as Cowardly Lion

• Timestamps: 06:10–07:08
  Colman Domingo (Emmy winner, Tony and Oscar nominee) is confirmed as the voice of the Cowardly Lion in the upcoming “Wicked: For Good” film. The role is small and mostly voice acting, but Matt praises the casting.
  • “You might not even really be able to recognize Colman’s voice because he’s doing a Cowardly Lion voice. … Love anything that comes up Colman Domingo, because Colman is one of the absolute best.” — Matt (06:39 & 07:03)

6. Upcoming Charity Play Readings

• Timestamps: 07:09–09:13

a) Kenneth Lonergan’s “Hold On To Me Darling”
Oct 27 at West Park Presbyterian Church, benefiting church preservation. Star-studded reading with Matt Damon, Alec Baldwin, J. Smith-Cameron, Lucas Hedges, Gretchen Mol, and more.

b) “Moonstruck” One-Night Reading
Nov 10 at the Music Box Theatre, benefiting NY Stage and Film. Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Steve Buscemi, Patti LuPone, John Turturro and others star. Hosted by Peter Sagal, directed by Doug Hughes.

• “Absolutely bonkers that this is happening. Tickets begin at $150 and this will benefit the arts organization New York Stage and Film.” — Matt (09:10)

7. TodayTix Acquired by MARI (Ari Emanuel)

• Timestamps: 09:14–11:14
  Ari Emanuel’s MARI company acquires TodayTix from private equity. Brian Fenty (co-founder/CEO) and Merritt Baer will remain in leadership. Matt voices concerns based on Emanuel’s business track record (notably with WWE and UFC), about possible decline in consumer experience due to profitability focus.
  • “I don’t love this. Ari Emanuel is a venture capital guy… When they’re owned by Ari Emanuel, the quality tends to go down. One of those examples is the WWE…. So I’m a little concerned about what this might mean for TodayTix.” — Matt (09:40–11:01)

8. Ragtime Revival: Touching Torch Passing Moment

• Timestamps: 11:15–12:29
  On opening night of Lincoln Center’s new “Ragtime,” Joshua Henry (Coalhouse Walker, Jr.) received a moving letter and photo from Bryan Stokes Mitchell, original Coalhouse, symbolically passing the torch. Joshua Henry was visibly emotional and shared thanks on social media.
  • “[It] was a letter telling Josh that Coalhouse now belongs to him in all ways. ... You can see how emotional Josh is—he's crying and tearing up. He even says that it was a bad idea to to do this so close to performance.” — Matt (11:49)
  • “[Josh] also wrote a lovely tribute and thank you to Stokes, … helping younger Black performers find a path to the stage in musical theater. So it’s really lovely, very touching, and no greater person to pass a torch from and to than Stokes and Josh Henry.” — Matt (12:10)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Colman Domingo Casting:
  “Love anything that comes up Colman Domingo, because Colman is one of the absolute best.”
  — Matt (07:03)

• Concerns over TodayTix Acquisition:
  “I don’t love this. ... When they’re owned by Ari Emanuel, the quality tends to go down. ... I am a little bit concerned that the deals and the rushes and all of those things where – perhaps the ownership doesn’t make as much money as jacking up prices and charging higher fees and stuff like that – maybe that’s going to be something that we lose with TodayTix.”
  — Matt (09:40–11:01)

• Ragtime’s Emotional Opening Night:
  “It was a picture of Stokes, a little grandiose, but I think he’s earned that. ... Josh also wrote a lovely tribute and thank you to Stokes because of what he did, not only for this role, but also in helping younger black performers find a path to the stage in musical theater.”
  — Matt (11:49–12:10)

Important Timestamps

• Technical Glitch Explanation: 01:02–02:20
• Death Becomes Her Casting News: 02:21–03:38
• ‘Omar’ Cast Extension: 03:39–04:47
• Wonder Musical Premiere Details: 04:48–06:09
• Wicked – Colman Domingo Announcement: 06:10–07:08
• Charity Readings (Lonergan & Moonstruck): 07:09–09:13
• TodayTix Acquisition: 09:14–11:14
• Ragtime’s Opening Night/Passing the Torch: 11:15–12:29

Episode Tone & Takeaways

Matt delivers news in his signature, conversational Broadway-insider tone, mixing personal anecdotes (“I almost had the opportunity to go and see their first performance…”), candid opinions (clear skepticism about TodayTix’s new ownership), and moments of genuine warmth when recounting the Ragtime opening night. This episode is packed with updates for serious Broadway fans and professionals, rounded out with heart, humor, and critical perspective.