BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary Today on Broadway: Wednesday, April 23, 2025
Hosts:
- Matt Tammanini
- Grace Hockey
1. Introduction and Award Nominations
The episode kicks off with Matt Tammanini welcoming listeners to Today on Broadway [00:01]. He and co-host Grace Hockey delve into the recent Drama League Award nominations announced the day before. Grace highlights the distinct categories of the Drama League Awards, noting their focus on production and direction rather than multiple performance categories typical of other award bodies like the Tonys or Drama Desk.
Notable Quotes:
- Matt Tammanini [01:30]: "They only do production categories, direction categories, and then they have one single performance category."
- Grace Hockey [02:50]: "There's no, like, actual, like, factual. Yes, we know this to be true, but how can it not?"
The hosts discuss the extensive list of 50 nominees, including both Broadway and Off-Broadway talents. Matt expresses mixed feelings about the inclusivity of celebrity nominations, pointing out that not all nominees may necessarily deserve their spots. However, both agree on the importance of recognizing emerging and lesser-known talents within the nominations.
Highlighted Nominations:
- Plays: Antiquities Becoming Eve, English, Good Bones, Good Night and Good Luck, among others.
- Outstanding Revival of a Play: The Cherry Orchard, Eureka, Day Ghost, etc.
- Musicals: Boop. The Musical, Buena Vista Social Club, Dead Again, etc.
- Outstanding Revival of a Musical: Cats, the Jellicle Ball, Floyd Collins, etc.
2. Impact on Tony Awards
Grace and Matt explore how these Drama League nominations might influence the upcoming Tony Awards. Grace emphasizes the interconnectedness of award bodies, suggesting that early nominations can set the tone for later voting processes.
Notable Quotes:
- Grace Hockey [03:15]: "It's really smart. So you all will start to see, like, those announcements popping up, surprise performances at benefits, all of those things that I think are a part of the community."
- Matt Tammanini [05:00]: "To me, Grace, like I it's hard for me to always take this one especially because they do so often favor celebrity."
They discuss how nominations can serve as marketing tools, potentially boosting a show's visibility and success in the Tony race. Matt points out specific performances he believes stood out, such as those in Stranger Things and Sunset Boulevard, emphasizing their significance in the current theatrical landscape.
Notable Dissent:
- Matt Tammanini [05:10]: "Robert Downey Jr. ... but he is nominated here."
- Grace Hockey [05:55]: "I think that they are phenomenal."
3. Casting and Show News
The conversation shifts to recent casting announcements and show updates:
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Jeff Ross’s One-Man Show: Matt shares that comedian Jeff Ross is embarking on a national tour with his show, Take a Banana for the Ride on the Road, planning a Broadway engagement post-tour [07:20].
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Rob Madge’s Premiere: Rob Madge’s My Son’s a Queer but What Can You Do? is set for its New York premiere at the New York City Center from June 13-15 as part of Pride programming [08:15].
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Hadestown Casting Changes: Due to injuries, Philip Boykin and Casey Dela Cruz will temporarily take over roles in Hadestown, with Boykin resuming as Hades in June after covering until May 20 [09:00].
Notable Quotes:
- Matt Tammanini [10:00]: "This is finally your opportunity to see the show in New York."
- Grace Hockey [11:00]: "Okay, so let's say that you have access to that."
4. Broadway Grosses Week
Matt presents last week's Broadway grosses, which saw a significant increase of over $6.5 million, totaling $50,874,940—the highest for the year to date. Key highlights include:
- Top Grossing Shows:
- Good Night and Good Luck – $3,882,090
- Wicked – $3,300,000 (over 9 performances)
- Othello – $3,100,000
Other notable performances include The Lion King, Glengarry Glen Ross, Hamilton, and Aladdin, all surpassing the $2 million mark. Matt attributes the robust numbers partially to the holiday weekend boosting attendance and ticket sales.
Notable Quotes:
- Matt Tammanini [12:00]: "Good Night and Good Luck still led the way at $3,882,090."
- Grace Hockey [14:00]: "Audiences are a lot smarter than you give them credit for."
5. Upcoming Tour Announcements
The episode covers exciting news about upcoming tours:
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Death Becomes Her National Tour: Announced to launch in fall 2026 from Cleveland's Playhouse Square, with stops in major cities like Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, St. Louis, and Charlotte [10:30].
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Wicked National Tour Casting: New principal cast members include Zoe Jensen as Glenda, Jesse Davidson as Elphaba, and Eileen Takei as Madame Morrible, among others. The tour begins May 20 in Salt Lake City [13:10].
Notable Quotes:
- Matt Tammanini [12:35]: "Good is good. If it's a good show, people are gonna like it."
- Grace Hockey [14:20]: "Audiences are a lot smarter than you give them credit for."
6. Recommendations and Miscellaneous News
The hosts share their top recommendations for Broadway enthusiasts:
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Wonderful Town at New York City Center Encores: Featuring standout performances by Inika Noni Rose and Aisha Jackson [14:35].
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Audra McDonald’s NPR Tiny Desk Concert: Audra McDonald and the Gypsy cast performed "Mama Was Married Together," a strategic move likely aligned with Tony campaigning [15:20].
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Variety’s Actors on Actors Series: The first episode features George Clooney and Patti LuPone, promising engaging conversations between Broadway legends [15:50].
Notable Quotes:
- Matt Tammanini [15:45]: "Patti LuPone and George Clooney, like, what an absolute hoot."
7. Conclusion
Matt and Grace wrap up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow them on social media and tune in for the next day’s discussions, signaling an engaging and informative continuation of Broadway news and insights.
Final Remarks:
- Matt Tammanini [16:45]: "Have a wonderful Wednesday, and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow."
This episode of Today on Broadway offered a comprehensive overview of the current theatrical season, touching on award nominations, casting changes, financial performances, and upcoming tours. The hosts provided insightful commentary on how industry movements might influence major awards, while also keeping listeners informed about essential shows and performances to watch. Notable quotes and timestamps offer a glimpse into the dynamic discussions, making the summary valuable for those seeking to stay updated on Broadway’s vibrant scene.