BroadwayRadio: Today on Broadway – Wednesday, December 10, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode, hosted by Matt Tamanini and Grace Aki, dives into the latest Broadway news, show closings and openings, notable casting announcements, and critical updates from the theater world. The episode particularly highlights the closing of The Queen of Versailles, discusses the upcoming New York City Center Encore! season, analyzes weekly Broadway grosses, and reviews the critically-hailed Marjorie Prime. Memorable conversations touch on issues like AI in art, international law, and the changing face of arts criticism.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. K-Pop Demon Hunters Event Recap (01:09–01:45)

• Grace Aki's Experience:

  • Attended a recent event for the new movie musical K-Pop Demon Hunters.
  • Observed many musical theater fans experiencing it for the first time.
  • Praised the film as “excellent” and accessible for all ages.
  • Quote:

    “I think it's for everybody and I think it's excellent. It's a great piece of theater in my opinion, and I'm hopeful that more fans of musicals, movie musicals, whatever, are going to get to see it now.” — Grace (01:22)

• Connection:

  • Mark Sonnenblick, previous BroadwayRadio guest, is now a Golden Globe nominee for songs in the film.

2. The Queen of Versailles Closing Early (01:45–04:03)

• Breaking News:

  • Previously scheduled to close January 4, The Queen of Versailles will now end its Broadway run on December 21.
  • Only 16 performances remain at St. James Theater.
  • Kristin Chenoweth has been in and out of the show due to injuries; Sheri Renee Scott filled in more frequently than planned.
  • Three Broadway houses (James Earl Jones, Majestic, St. James) will be open in the spring, but rumor has it all three are spoken for by incoming productions.
  • Discussion about the unpredictability of show runs over the holidays.

• Grace's Perspective:

  • The theater landscape can change rapidly during the holidays.
  • Predicting closures and openings is “like Tetris.”
  • “No, no, no, no… Also, the holidays can change everything for a show.” — Grace (04:03)

3. NYC Center Encore! 2026 Season Casting Announcements (04:28–06:46)

• Highlighted Stars:

  • Blythe Spirit: Rachel Dratch, Campbell Scott, Jennifer Sanchez join Philippa Soo, Steven Pasquale, Katrina Lenk.
  • Wild Party: Claiborne Elder, Evan Tyrone Martin, Joseph A. Bird join Jasmine Amy Rogers, Adrienne Warren.
  • La Cage aux Folles: Billy Porter (Albin), Wayne Brady (Georges); Michael McElroy joins ensemble.

• Optimism for the Season:

  • New artistic director anticipated to bring a “fresh” contemporary approach.
  • Quote:

    “I always think that they're positive moves. Even if… someone comes from another institution. I just think that those things always have to happen in order to keep things moving in a contemporary way. So I think I'm very excited for them.” — Grace (06:20)

4. Broadway Grosses Post-Thanksgiving (06:46–08:31)

• Overview:

  • Broadway grossed $42.6M across 34 shows, down slightly post-Thanksgiving.
  • Attendance dropped 2% (about 6,300 people).
  • Average ticket price fell 10% to $146.17.

• Top Performing Shows:

  • Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (#1 with $2.94M) — Tom Felton’s return lauded.
  • Hamilton (#2), Wicked, Lion King, Chess follow.
  • “Pretty healthy number of shows north of seven figures for last week.” — Matt (08:02)

5. Show & Casting News (08:31–13:32)

a. Pal Joey Reimagining at Arena Stage (08:31–09:37)

• Miles Frost to star; Samantha Massell, Alys Salinger, Angela Hall, Kevin Cahoon announced.
• Production co-directed by Tony Goldwyn and Savion Glover.
• Features classic Rodgers and Hart songs and new material from film adaptation.

b. Blue Moon Movie and AI in Art (09:37–10:59)

• Ethan Hawke’s CBS Sunday Morning interview highlighted.
• Quote:

  “He was just uninterested in artificial intelligence usage, especially… as a creative person. I was just really grateful that he said it in such a fabulous way." — Grace (10:31)

c. Come From Away at Paper Mill Playhouse (10:59–13:13)

• New production features actors playing their own instruments.
• Cast includes Jeanette Baerdel, Andrea Burns, John L Jor, Lisa Howard, Remo Webb.
• Interest in seeing new creative approaches to the acclaimed show.

d. Pen Pals Off-Broadway Casting (13:13–14:46)

• Recent casting additions: Brooke Adams, Mary Lou Henner.
• The show is notable for frequently rotating star pairings.

6. Jeremy O. Harris’ Detention in Japan (13:32–15:35)

• Incident:
  • Tony-nominated playwright Jeremy O. Harris detained in Japan for alleged drug smuggling (780 mg of ecstasy found).
  • Released; no charges filed; will remain in Japan for work.
  • Faced possible severe penalties given Japanese law.
  • Discussion:
    • Grace: Lamented how international law complicates personal matters and how pervasive drugs are in society.
    • “Everyone in the world is on something. It's just like whenever people are detained and stuff, I'm just like, oh, I hate that there's international law stuff... Moveon.org I don't know.” — Grace (15:18)

7. Changing of the Guard at The New Yorker (15:35–17:45)

• Announcement:
  • Emily Nussbaum, Pulitzer-winning TV critic, takes over as The New Yorker theater critic (replacing Helen Shaw, now at The New York Times).
  • Matt praises Nussbaum’s “insightful, funny” critical voice and hopes for a lighter, diverse approach to criticism.
  • Grace again emphasizes the importance of real diversity, not just “all white women.” (17:16)

8. New Works In Development – Readings (17:45–19:03)

• Plays:
  • Broken Snow by Ben Andron (reading includes Tony Danza, Michael Longfellow, Thomas Sadoski).
  • Small Town Boy (new musical with Orville Peck’s music, led by Jacob Carr).

9. Marjorie Prime Reviews & Personal Take (19:03–22:04)

• Critical Reception:

  • Marjorie Prime received 15 reviews: 10 positive, 5 mixed, none negative.
  • Cast: June Squibb, Christopher Lowell, Danny Burstein, Cynthia Nixon.

• Grace’s Impression:

  • Raved about cast performances (“June Squibb is an excellent actor”).
  • Christopher Lowell praised for collaboration and onstage chemistry.
  • “He collaborates with every single person that he's on stage with. And I don't know if it's because he's hot that he's not getting that amount of the same way, you know, someone else would, I don't know.” — Grace (20:17)
  • Cynthia Nixon’s return to Broadway “important.”
  • Play’s relevance heightened due to national dialogue around AI and memory.
  • Emphasized theater’s ability to provoke post-show conversation:

    “A great piece of theater makes you want to talk about it afterwards. And I think that theater that doesn't do that is the kind of theater that you want to talk about in three blocks.” — Grace (21:31)

Notable Quotes

• “It's a really great piece of theater. I'm not unique in saying that, and I think that the play aged even better throughout the years because now we're at a point where people are so optimistic about AI and we are equally as troubled…” — Grace on Marjorie Prime (21:14)
• “I'm excited for the furthering of new voices in the artistic spaces.” — Grace on Emily Nussbaum’s appointment (17:34)
• “Moveon.org I don't know.” — Grace, on international drug detentions and laws (15:34)
• “Everything to me seems pretty solid in at least trying to run through the spring.” — Matt, on the Broadway show schedule (04:28)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• K-Pop Demon Hunters discussion: 01:09–01:45
• Queen of Versailles closing and theater availability: 01:45–04:03
• NYC Center Encore! casting and season hopes: 04:28–06:46
• Broadway grosses breakdown: 06:46–08:31
• Show & casting roundup: 08:31–14:46
• Jeremy O. Harris/Japan: 13:32–15:35
• Emily Nussbaum appointment: 15:35–17:45
• Readings of new works: 17:45–19:03
• Marjorie Prime review: 19:03–22:04

Summary

This episode of Today on Broadway provides a brisk, insightful look at the current state of Broadway as the year ends: closures, big casting updates, the aftermath of the holiday rush, and the ongoing vibrancy of new works. Grace Aki brings warmth, humor, and critical acuity, especially in her discussion of Marjorie Prime and changes in arts criticism; Matt anchors with timely news and context. The episode’s notable soundbites and candid tone make it a must-listen for theater fans looking to keep up with Broadway’s ever-shifting landscape.