BroadwayRadio – Today on Broadway: Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025

Hosts: Matt Tamanini and Grace (of Tell Me on a Sunday Podcast)
Episode Date: October 28, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Today on Broadway delivers the latest news, announcements, and insights from the Broadway and Off-Broadway scene as October comes to a bustling close. Hosts Matt and Grace discuss hotly anticipated revivals, landmark concerts, a jam-packed theatrical schedule, and some juicy behind-the-scenes stories. The mood is upbeat but practical, filled with enthusiastic endorsements, sharp industry commentary, and a touch of Halloween spirit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Broadway Announcements

a. Proof Revival at the Booth Theater

[02:00–03:37]

• The long-awaited revival of Proof will play a 16-week engagement at the Booth Theater, beginning previews March 31, 2026, opening April 16.
  • Starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, directed by Tommy Kail.
• Potential cast leak: Samira Wiley and Jin Ha appeared on Telecharge’s site.
  • Samira Wiley is best known for Orange is the New Black and her Emmy-winning turn in Handmaid’s Tale.
  • Jin Ha last seen in Only Murders in the Building and Sondheim’s Here We Are Off-Broadway.
• Kara Young was originally rumored for Wiley’s role, but she's now engaged elsewhere Off-Broadway.
• Matt sums up the excitement:

  "People were not looking forward to going back to the Booth Theater...Now they will have an opportunity to do so later this season with a phenomenal all star cast of four incredible, incredible actors." (03:28)

b. The Last Five Years 25th Anniversary Concert in London

[03:50–05:43]

• At the London Palladium, March 24–29.

• Directed and music-directed by Jason Robert Brown himself.

• Headlined by Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler.

• Produced by Jamie Lambert (noted for his Songs for a New World anniversary concerts).

• Matt notes the all-American casting:

  "Jrb likes revisiting his own work, so he is going to be working on this concert as well. Well, and if you're gonna ask for this score to be sung, well, Ben and Rachel are about as great of voices as you could possibly hope for." (05:18)

• Grace adds:

  "I know we're all last five years to out, but I have to say this is good and it's juicy and I like it." (05:30)

• They joke about the “meta” family drama between Ben Platt and Rachel Zegler adding to the show’s messy, gossip-fueled appeal.

2. This Week's Theatrical Schedule

[05:43–16:46]

a. Broadway Openings & Transfers

• Liberation opens at the James Earl Jones Theater (formerly Off-Broadway, directed by Whitney White, starring Susanna Flood and more)

  • Grace describes it as funny, lively, and poignant, not just heavy:

    "Don't think that you're going to like a history lesson. You're going to like a great night of theater..." (07:17)

  • Matt affirms,

    "I think that is one of the best plays that I've seen all year and I'm looking forward to it being on Broadway so more people have an opportunity to check it out." (07:52)

• Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests, the Muppets opens at the Broadhurst Theater

  • Rob Lake headlines, with Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy making Broadway appearances (not a Muppets show per se).

• Romy and Michele launches Off-Broadway at Stage 42

  • Stars Laura Bell Bundy, Kara Lindsay, Jordan Kai Burnett, and more.

• Richard II at Astor Place Theater with Michael Urie (Red Bull Theater Company).

• Bat Boy: The Musical at New York City Center, October 29 – November 9.

  • Taylor Trensch stars alongside a top-notch ensemble (Kerry Butler, Alex Newell, Marissa Jaret Winokur, Christopher Sieber, and others).
  • Matt:

    "This feels like one. Like, if you really want to see it, you need to make sure that you get to New York City center over the next two weeks." (11:01)

  • Grace echoes:

    "...that's the point of City center, is to revive these great things for a couple of weeks only. That's why it's so special." (11:17)

• Little Bear Ridge Road opens Thursday at the Booth Theater

  • Written by Samuel D. Hunter; stars Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock.
  • Matt notes controversy: produced by Scott Rudin, replacing the successful John Proctor is the Villain.

• Oedipus at Studio 54 opens Thursday

  • Adapted and directed by Robert Icke, starring Mark Strong and Leslie Manville (her Broadway debut).
  • Matt lauds the marketing campaign:

    "When I would see advertisements that said, like, Oedipus on Broadway, politics is a motherfucker, how that had not been used before...that is just such great marketing that I hope that it pays off." (13:12)

  • Grace reveals her team worked on that campaign:

    "...when, you know, my amazing coworkers have these concepts, you never know if it's going to make its way to the people. And so I think it has." (13:44)

b. Off-Broadway Openings

• Meet the Cartosians at Signature Center (Second Stage; Will Brill, Andrea Martin).
• Practice at Playwrights Horizons (Nazareth Hassan, director Kenan Tyler Oliphant).
• This World of Tomorrow at The Shed
  • Written/adapted by Tom Hanks (from his short stories, also starring), with Kelly O’Hara and directed by Kenny Leon.
• Vape: The Grease Parody at Theater555.

c. Closings & Limited Runs

• Mexico musical off Broadway at Manetta Lane Theater closes Saturday (an Audible production—hopes for more life as streaming audio).
• Messy White Gaze by Drew Droege opens at the Duke on 42nd Street Sunday.
• Reunions (musical) opens at NYC Center, with a star cast (Brian Fankart, Joanne Glushek, Chelina Kennedy, etc.).
• And Then There Were More by Tim Blake Nelson closes Sunday.

3. Notable Quotes & Moments

On Theater Schedules:

• Matt:

  "The end of October is nuts for you, especially professionally. So let's dive into this week's theatrical schedule..." (05:46)

• Grace:

  "I'm basically just trying to keep my head above water. I've got Justin Sargent's Halloween concert at the adorable Laurie Beekman Theater..." (16:46)

On Diversity of Content:

• Grace (on Liberation):

  “...play is funny, it's lively, it's poignant. My biggest takeaway...is just to say: don't think that you're going for a history lesson. You're going for a great night of theater.” (07:17)

• Matt (on Oedipus marketing):

  “...politics is a motherfucker, how that had not been used before...such great marketing that I hope that it pays off.” (13:11)

4. Special Features & Events

• I Put a Spell on You 10th Anniversary Concert (fundraiser for the Ali Forney Center)
  • Brainchild of Jay Armstrong Johnson, co-stars Allison Godleski & Amanda Williams as the Sanderson Sisters; in-person show raised $310,000.
  • Available to stream Oct. 31–Nov. 2 for $30 (proceeds to charity).
  • Features celebrity video cameos (Ariana DeBose, Jinkx Monsoon, etc.).
• Alicia DeLaru “My Days” Video (from The Notebook tour) shared in show notes—Matt’s excited for the tour.

5. Important Timestamps

• [02:00] — Proof revival at the Booth: dates, cast leak, excitement
• [03:50] — The Last Five Years anniversary concert in London
• [05:46] — Weekly theater schedule rundown begins
• [07:10] — What to expect from Liberation
• [10:30] — Bat Boy at City Center preview
• [11:26] — Little Bear Ridge Road and Oedipus previews, discussion of marketing campaign
• [14:09] — Quick fire Off-Broadway show rundown for Thursday openings
• [16:46] — How Grace is surviving a packed theater week
• [17:06] — I Put a Spell on You streaming info, concert fundraising total

Conclusion

This episode blends detailed news reporting with snappy, knowledgeable commentary and a sense of affection for both Broadway and Off-Broadway scenes. Whether it’s a major high-profile revival, a buzzy concert, or a niche off-Broadway opening, Matt and Grace deliver the “need-to-know” for theater lovers, all while capturing the excitement (and exhaustion) of New York theater in late October.

Hosts:

• Matt Tamanini: @BroadwayRadio
• Grace Aki: @Graceaki

For more episodes and show details, visit BroadwayRadio’s social channels or Patreon.