Today on Broadway: Wednesday, April 2, 2025

BroadwayRadio presents a comprehensive episode hosted by Matt Tamminini and Grace Aki, delving into the latest Broadway happenings, including show reviews, opening night experiences, financial updates, casting announcements, and upcoming events. Below is a detailed summary capturing all key discussions, insights, and conclusions from the episode.

1. Reviews of Glengarry Glen Ross Revival

The episode kicks off with an in-depth analysis of the newly opened Broadway revival of David Mamet's Glengarry Glen Ross, which premiered on Monday night at the Palace Theater. The revival, directed by Patrick Marber and featuring a star-studded cast including Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, Bill Burr, Michael McKeon, Donald Weber Jr., Howard W. Overshone, and John Piricello, has garnered mixed reviews.

• Overall Reception: The review aggregator Did They Like It? compiles 20 reviews with 11 positive, six mixed, and three negative responses.

• The New York Times (Jesse Green) [03:15]: Green offers a mixed review, noting a shift in character dynamics. He observes, "In the weirdly limp revival... something has flipped," highlighting that Roma, portrayed by Culkin, appears more neurotic and less successful than in previous renditions. Green adds, "The winners, once glamorous, now have nothing new to show us," suggesting that the traditionally triumphant characters now lack depth.

• Theater Mania (Kenji Fujishima) [04:50]: Fujishima criticizes the revival for lacking the "knife edge despair" that makes the play both harrowing and darkly funny. He remarks, "This new Glengarry never quite makes a successful pitch for its bill of goods," though he concedes that attendees will still enjoy performances from well-known television and comedy stars.

• Positive Feedback:

  • Deadline (Greg Evans) [04:15]: Evans praises the cast's immersion and expertise, stating, "Their combined talents turn the latest revival... into something thrilling."
  • Variety (Daniel Daddario) [04:30]: Daddario describes the production as a "surprisingly humane Glengarry," noting its unexpected take.
  • Entertainment Weekly (Emilyn Travis) [05:00]: Travis appreciates the production's vitality and humor, even if it "doesn't exactly break the mold."

2. Opening Night Experience with Grace Aki

Grace Aki shares her firsthand experience attending the opening night of Glengarry Glen Ross:

• Celebrity Attendance [05:24]: Aki highlights the presence of notable figures such as Adam Scott, Jesse Eisenberg, Bobby Cannavale, and others, creating an atmosphere of support for the cast. She recounts, "It was just a really magical thing."

• Performance Insights [07:00]: Observing actors like Kieran Culkin and Michael McKeon, Aki notes their compelling performances and the dynamic interplay among the cast. She expresses admiration for Donald Weber Jr., mentioning, "He really is such a standout in the show."

• Personal Reflections [07:45]: Aki reflects on her long-standing support for Culkin, reminiscing about his previous work and expressing excitement for his current role.

3. Broadway Grosses Update

Matt Tamminini provides a detailed overview of Broadway’s financial performance for the 13th week of the year:

• Total Gross and Attendance [08:50]: Broadway grossed $43,839,272, up nearly $7 million from last year's $37 million in the same week. Attendance reached 311,399 with an average ticket price of $140.78.

• Top Grossing Shows [09:30]:

  • Good Night and Good Luck: $3,282,682 in seven performances.
  • Othello: $3,160,084.
  • Other notable mentions above $2 million include Wicked, Hamilton, The Lion King, and Glengarry Glen Ross.

• New Shows Performance [11:00]:

  • Old Friends: $638,000 in seven shows.
  • Boop: $544,000 in seven shows.
  • Stranger Things: $434,000 in two performances.
  • Floyd Collins: $350,000 in three performances.

• High Capacity Shows [12:00]: Twenty-nine shows reached 90% capacity or higher, with several exceeding 100%, including Floyd Collins, Stranger Things, Wicked, and Othello. Tamminini notes, "It seems like this is oddly good," reflecting on the optimistic Broadway trends.

• Grace's Insight [12:19]: Aki attributes the strong performance to seasonal factors like spring break and favorable weather, along with audiences' eagerness to experience live theater, both new and familiar.

4. Casting Announcements

The hosts discuss recent casting changes and upcoming performances:

• Walter Kerr Theater [13:08]:

  • Orpheus and Eurydice: Ali Lewis Borsgi joins as Orpheus, replacing Carlos Valdez, and Myra Malloy takes over as Eurydice from Hayley Kilgore, starting May 6th.
  • Cast Highlights: Borsgi is known for his roles in Tommy and We Live in Cairo, while Malloy gained recognition as the voice of Moana in the Thai version of the film and as an understudy in the national tour of Miss Saigon.

• Merrily We Roll Along Filming [14:30]: Sony Pictures Classics has acquired the live stage capture of the Tony-winning revival. Although a release date hasn't been announced, it's expected to premiere in theaters, offering audiences a cinematic Broadway experience.

• RuPaul's Drag Race Award [15:45]: Liza Minnelli is set to receive a lifetime achievement award during the Season 17 finale on April 18. Previous recipients include Bob Mackey and Elvira Cassandra Peterson. Minnelli’s iconic influence on the show and drag culture has been acknowledged, enhancing the event's prestige.

• Industry Reading Invitation [16:20]: An exclusive invite-only reading of the new play Dishon with Divine by Donnie is scheduled for Friday, featuring Josh Layman as Divine. This event is open to industry members, with details provided in the show notes.

5. Recommendations and Highlights

The hosts share exciting updates and previews:

• Video Feature [16:50]: Betsy Wolf performs "The Shape of Things" from Joy, a new musical set to premiere Off-Broadway this summer.

• Sara Bareilles' New Musical [17:00]: At a recent Maestra event at Sony Hall, Sara Bareilles debuted "Enough," the first song from her upcoming musical The Interestings. This sneak peek offers fans a glimpse into her creative process and the musical's development.

Notable Quotes

• Jesse Green, The New York Times [03:45]:

  "The losers make the biggest impressions. The winners, once glamorous, now have nothing new to show us."

• Kenji Fujishima, Theater Mania [04:05]:

  "This new Glengarry never quite makes a successful pitch for its bill of goods."

• Greg Evans, Deadline [04:20]:

  "Their combined talents turn the latest revival... into something thrilling."

• Emilyn Travis, Entertainment Weekly [05:10]:

  "The result is a zippy production that... still buzzes with life and unexpected humor all the same."

Conclusion

Matt Tamminini wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow BroadwayRadio on social media and Patreon for more in-depth discussions and exclusive content. Both hosts express enthusiasm for the vibrant state of Broadway, the strong performances, and the exciting developments on the horizon.

Connect with BroadwayRadio:

• Matt Tamminini: Instagram @bwwmatt
• Grace Aki: Instagram @itsGraceAki
• BroadwayRadio: broadwayradio.com | patreon.com/broadwayradio

Thank you for tuning into Today on Broadway. Until next time, enjoy the shows!