BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025
Host(s): Matt Tamanini & Grace Aki
Main Theme: Opening night of Punch on Broadway, major casting and production news, and upcoming events in the 2025–2026 Broadway season.
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the opening of the new play Punch at Manhattan Theatre Club, examining critical reactions and broader implications for the season. The hosts also discuss industry news, including the probable transfer of Schmigadoon! to Broadway, a special reunion concert for The Bridges of Madison County, casting updates, and upcoming stand-up/comedy events at Lincoln Center.
1. Punch Opens on Broadway: Reviews and Reflections
[00:09–05:22]
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Background:
- Punch, written by James Graham, directed by Adam Penford, is based on Jacob Dunn’s memoir Right From Wrong.
- The story follows Jacob, a young man whose reckless lifestyle leads to a tragic incident, prison, and ultimately an extraordinary act of restorative justice with the victim’s parents.
- Lead: Will Harrison as Jacob; strong ensemble cast.
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Critical Roundup:
- Did They Like It? aggregator shows: 13 reviews (8 positive, 4 mixed, 1 negative).
- New York Times (Elizabeth Vincentelli): Mixed.
“Punch comes up short in capturing the exchange between the victim’s family and the perpetrator because it always leans on Jacob’s perspective down to an ending that shows him happily moving on in his life...”
— Elizabeth Vincentelli, [02:02] - Vulture (Sarah Holdren): Positive.
“It’s quite a story, though not necessarily the kind that makes for the most astonishing theater... Graham, Penford, and the company have done just about all they can to build an engaging stage event, and if the play can’t avoid feeling a bit like an embodied pamphlet for restorative justice, then at least we’re all gathering to hear about something that this world inarguably needs.”
— Sarah Holdren, [02:52] - The Wrap (Robert Hofler): Negative.
“Good intentions aren’t enough to make a good play... The resolution here is much too easy and pat...”
— Robert Hofler, [03:19] - Entertainment Weekly (Emilyn Travis): Positive.
“Bold and deeply human, Punch is initially a bit slow on the wind up, but its stellar cast help weave together an almost unbelievable story of compassion and empathy in its second act that left many theatergoers sniffling in their seats.”
— [03:46] - Time Out New York (Adam Feldman): 3/5 stars.
“While story itself is inspiring, some central emotional focus seems missing from the way it unfolds in Punch, which winds up feeling less like a full blown play and more like a digressive PSA about the dangers of street fighting and the value of restorative justice... Harrison’s performance aside, the play’s blows are hit and miss, connecting here, grazing there, but not quite landing a proper hit.”
— Adam Feldman, [04:12] - Daily Beast (Tim Teeman): Positive.
“Flawed and also powerful. Punch tells an astonishing story and is a chastening corrective in this era of terrible human behavior... The real tragedy is that its display of decency, its proposal that as part of the human contract we forgive, understand, heal and repair, is so rare.”
— Tim Teeman, [04:45]
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Hosts’ Take:
- Matt: “...sounds like a pretty moving and impactful show as generally everything from Manhattan Theater Club is.”
- Grace: Shares excitement from theater creators who attended, noting emotional impact.
“They really were moved by the piece. So I’m really excited to see what everyone has to say.” — Grace, [05:22]
2. Major Broadway News & Upcoming Projects
Schmigadoon! Teasing a Broadway Run
[05:29–08:15]
- The Instagram account for Schmigadoon! teased a major announcement (not Season 3). Likely a Broadway run for the musical adaptation, following a Kennedy Center world premiere and subsequent readings.
- Noted cast in past productions includes Alex Brightman (hinted to return), Sarah Chase, and others.
- Matt: “This show ... is the polar opposite to Punch ... finally going to add a musical comedy to the 2025, 2026 season...” [05:31]
- Breakdown of the season's new musicals and the scarcity of pure musical comedies, highlighting the potential impact and excitement of Schmigadoon! on Broadway.
- Grace: “That would be really cool. I would love that to happen.” [07:51]
Notable, Lighthearted Moment:
- Banter about Matt’s involvement in the promo art for Schmigadoon!
- Matt: “Maybe the art in question is a very nice picnic basket ... might be corn pudding, might be something else, who knows.” [08:15]
The Bridges of Madison County: Benefit Reunion Concert
[08:15–09:52]
- Announced: One-night-only concert at Carnegie Hall in December, with a 20-piece orchestra and original leads Kelli O’Hara and Steven Pasquale.
- Creative team includes composer Jason Robert Brown and director Bartlett Sher.
- Matt: “The outpouring of excitement that so many theater people had on social media... it is pretty clear that a lot of people love this show.” [09:23]
- Grace: Loves reunion events and has “listened to that cast album a lot,” despite not seeing the original production. [09:35]
Upcoming Tartuffe Revivals
[09:52–11:16]
- Previously, an Off Broadway revival with Andre De Shields announced; now, a Matthew Broderick-starring production at New York Theatre Workshop, directed by Sarah Benson.
- Star-studded cast includes David Cross, Bianca Del Rio, Amber Gray, Ryan Haddad, and more. Choreography by Raja Feather Kelly; music by Heather Christian.
- Matt marvels: “I don’t know that there is one that is more star studded than this one this season.” [11:01]
- Grace: “There’s a lot of that ... I think you’re very excited and that’s all that matters.” [11:01]
Lincoln Center Comedy Series
[11:16–12:49]
- LCT & Seaview announce stand-up and solo show acts: Jerrod Carmichael, Sam Jay, and Vir Das at Claire Tow Theater this fall.
- Mention of Jenny Slate’s prior involvement, which appears to have changed.
- Matt remarks on their interest in blending one-person shows and stand-up with Off Broadway theater.
New Musical Reading: Desa Parecidas
[12:49–13:41]
- Creative team: Georgina Escobar (book), Jaime Lozano, Florencia Quince (songs; also starring and directing reading).
- Set at a Mexican State Fair; explores “strategic erasure of female voices” and borderland disappearances.
- Previously presented as a concert in 2024.
3. Recommendations & Notable Segments
[13:41–14:14]
- Masquerade Off Broadway: Behind-the-scenes and portraits of Phantoms and Christines from recent opening.
- Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter discuss Waiting for Gadot on CBS Sunday Morning.
- Leslie Odom Jr. reflects on returning to Hamilton on Sunday Today with Willie Geist.
- Show notes contain links to these features.
4. Memorable Quotes
- “Punch comes up short in capturing the exchange between the victim’s family and the perpetrator because it always leans on Jacob’s perspective...”
— Elizabeth Vincentelli, NYT [02:02] - “It’s quite a story... Graham, Penford, and the company have done just about all they can to build an engaging stage event... at least we’re all gathering to hear about something that this world inarguably needs.”
— Sarah Holdren, Vulture [02:52] - “Good intentions aren’t enough to make a good play. The suspense leading up to the first meeting between parents and Jacob is palpable... The resolution here is much too easy and pat.”
— Robert Hofler, The Wrap [03:19] - Matt: “...sounds like a pretty moving and impactful show as generally everything from Manhattan Theater Club is...” [05:19]
- Grace: “They really were moved by the piece. So I’m really excited to see what everyone has to say.” [05:22]
- On Schmigadoon!: “...finally going to add a musical comedy to the 2025–2026 season because we’re a little light on new musicals and musical comedies in particular.”
— Matt, [05:31] - On upcoming comedy/solo show programming: “Blending Off Broadway theatre, one-person shows and stand-up comedy is something right up your alley.”
— Matt, [12:49]
5. Timestamps for Key Segments
- [00:09] – Punch Broadway opening news and critical roundup
- [05:29] – Schmigadoon! Broadway tease and 2025–2026 season musical comedy landscape
- [08:15] – Bridges of Madison County reunion concert at Carnegie Hall
- [09:52] – Matthew Broderick in Tartuffe: star-studded revival casting
- [11:16] – Lincoln Center’s fall comedy series
- [12:49] – Desa Parecidas reading announcement
- [13:41] – Recommendations: Masquerade portraits, Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter, Leslie Odom Jr.
6. Tone and Style
Conversational, informative, with moments of fan enthusiasm and industry insider perspective. Affectionately critical and celebratory of Broadway news and community developments, maintaining a balance of excitement and thoughtful skepticism.
Summary prepared for those seeking a rich, thorough briefing on Broadway’s latest headlines and the critical reception of its new releases, as discussed by BroadwayRadio’s seasoned hosts.