Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

Host: Matt Tamanini
Podcast: BroadwayRadio
Date: December 3, 2025

Episode Overview

In this solo-hosted midweek episode, Matt Tamanini covers a packed slate of Broadway news, show and casting updates, regional theater happenings, and notable recommendations. In Grace's absence, Matt efficiently runs listeners through industry memorial events, casting headlines, regional seasons, and impressive Broadway box office results with his trademark witty, conversational style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broadway to Dim Its Lights: Tom Stoppard and Upcoming Memorials

[01:02-02:09]

• Tom Stoppard Honors:
  • Broadway dimmed its lights for Tom Stoppard in a solo tribute (unusual, as these are typically grouped).
  • This took place last night at 6:45pm following an announcement on Monday.
• Upcoming Group Memorial:
  • On December 9th, marquees will dim simultaneously at 6:45pm for industry figures including Jerry Adler, Robert Redford, Patricia Rutledge, Diane Keaton, June Lockhart, Diane Ladd, and Pauline Collins.

"Normally these things are done in groups and there will be another one happening next Tuesday..."
— Matt Tamanini [01:30]

2. “All Out” Broadway Casting & Original Music by Lawrence

[02:09-04:06]

• Casting News:
  • Final cast members announced for Simon Rich’s comedy “All Out.”
  • Newly added: Ike Barinholtz, Jenny Slate, Beck Bennett.
  • Previously announced stars include: Eric Andre, Abbi Jacobson, Jon Stewart, Jim Gaffigan, Ben Schwartz, Wayne Brady, Cecily Strong, Mike Birbiglia, Jason Manzoukis, Craig Robinson, Nicholas Braun, Ashley Park, Ray Romano.
  • The show features a rotating casting structure—only four actors perform at any one time, with company shifts throughout the run (Dec 12 – Mar 8).
  • Understudies: Kevin Del Aguila & Olivia Puckett.
  • First company: Eric Andre, Ike Barinholtz, Abbi Jacobson, Jon Stewart; Final company: Nicholas Braun, Ashley Park, Ray Romano, Jenny Slate.
• Music:
  • Grammy-nominated soul-pop band Lawrence will perform original music at every show, including songs from their album "Family Business."
  • Gracie Lawrence, a Tony nominee for “Just In Time,” is highlighted for her standout performance.

"Much like All In last season, the cast will consist of four actors at a time rotating through the entire run..."
— Matt Tamanini [02:42]
"Gracie... absolutely blew me away as somebody who didn't really know much about her before."
— Matt Tamanini [03:33]

3. The Muni’s 2026 Summer Season Announced

[04:06-06:06]

• Seven-show lineup running mid-June to late August, each show runs a week with three to four-day breaks between.
• Lineup:
  1. Hairspray (June 15-21)
  2. Shrek the Musical (June 25-July 2)
  3. South Pacific (July 6-12)
  4. Disney’s Newsies (July 16-22)
  5. Ain’t Too Proud (July 27-Aug 2)
  6. Meet Me in St. Louis (Aug 6-13)
  7. Something Rotten (Aug 17-23)
• Director announcements expected January; casting in spring.
• Matt speculates Rob McClure and Maggie Lakis may reprise their tour roles in Something Rotten, noting their comic chemistry and regular appearances at The Muni.

"I'm going to go on record here though and say... Rob McClure and Maggie Lakis will play Nick and Bea Bottom in Something Rotten. They've done it on tour..."
— Matt Tamanini [05:21]

4. Thanksgiving Week Broadway Box Office Report

[06:06-08:55]

• Thanksgiving Bump:
  • Grosses jumped 19%, up to nearly $8 million above the prior week.
  • Attendance rose by 7,500 (3%); average ticket price up 16% to $162.35.
• Hamilton Sets Record:
  • Topped the week with $4,877,800 gross, helped by the holiday and Leslie Odom Jr.'s final week.
• Other Notable Grosses:
  • Cursed Child and Wicked both topped $3 million.
  • Several shows surpassed $2 million: The Lion King, Chess, Mamma Mia (joins “2 million dollar club”).
  • 22 of Broadway’s 34 shows played at 90%+ capacity.
• Jonathan Groff Misses Performance:
  • Just In Time usually leads in capacity but dropped to 88.86% (from usual 100%+) due to Groff and Sarah Hyland both being out.

"Hamilton did $4,877,800... Even though it had a lower capacity... absolutely insane number over at the Richard Rodgers."
— Matt Tamanini [06:54]

"Just In Time came in at 88.86% capacity…for the very first time, Jonathan Groff missed a performance."
— Matt Tamanini [08:44]

5. Casting and Show News Round-Up

[08:55-13:06]

Little Shop of Horrors

• Joy Woods returns as Audrey (formerly an original Ronette and previous Audrey), opposite Joshua Bassett (Disney/Emmy’s “High School the … Series,” inspiration for Olivia Rodrigo’s "Driver's License").
• Starts Dec 19 – runs through Mar 1 at West Side Theatre.

The Great Gatsby Tour

• Sinzel Ahmadi (played Daisy in Korea opposite Matt Doyle) to star as Daisy Buchanan, with Jake David Smith as Jay Gatsby.
• Tour launches Jan 31 at Baltimore’s Hippodrome Theatre.

“The Naughty List” Industry Presentation

• Three-character festive play by Tawny Odell about Santa and Mrs. Claus reexamining their relationship.
• Cast: Daniel Breaker, Norbert Leo Butz, Michelle Federer (real-life couple, original Nessa Rose in Wicked).
• Dec 10 (invite-only industry showing).

“A Kidman Carol – A Gay Dementia on Australian Dames”

• Limited developmental run (Dec 17-21, Theater 511).
• Marla Mindelle as Nicole Kidman, Josh Sharp as Cate Blanchett.
• Plot: Cate visited by three “spirits of Kidman” to learn award season’s true meaning.

"It is a story that sees Blanchett being visited by three different spirits of Kidman in order to learn the true meaning of award season. I find this absolutely hysterical."
— Matt Tamanini [11:38]

“The Baker’s Wife” (CSC): Cast Change

• Steve Rosen (frequent BroadwayRadio guest) replaces Kevin Del Aguila as Antoin starting Dec 9 (Del Aguila joins “All Out”).
• Current cast: Ariana DeBose, Scott Bakula, Arnie Burton, Robert Cuccioli, Alma Cuivera, Nathan Lee Graham, Judy Kuhn, et al.
• Runs through Dec 21.

6. Recommendations & Memorable Performance Highlights

[13:06-end]

• Kristin Chenoweth with Stephen Schwartz on piano performed “This is Not the Way” (from The Queen of Versailles) on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Link in show notes.
• Jessica Vosk’s Final "Pawn It All" (Hell’s Kitchen): Social media accounts shared a clip of her “singing it down.” Link also in show notes.

"If you want to see Jessica sing it down, as the kids say, we will have that clip in the show notes."
— Matt Tamanini [13:32]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I'm going to go on record here though and say... Rob McClure and Maggie Lakis will play Nick and Bea Bottom in Something Rotten. They've done it on tour...” [05:21]
• “Just In Time came in at 88.86% capacity…for the very first time, Jonathan Groff missed a performance.” [08:44]
• “It is a story that sees Blanchett being visited by three different spirits of Kidman in order to learn the true meaning of award season. I find this absolutely hysterical.” [11:38]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:02] Broadway Memorials and Dim the Lights
• [02:09] "All Out" Full Cast & Lawrence Band News
• [04:06] The Muni’s 2026 Season Preview
• [06:06] Thanksgiving Week Broadway Box Office Breakdown
• [08:55] Show & Casting Updates (Little Shop, Gatsby, etc.)
• [11:29] “A Kidman Carol” Off-Broadway Announcement
• [12:19] “The Baker’s Wife” (CSC) Cast Change
• [13:06] Picks & Recommendations (Chenoweth, Vosk performances)

Conclusion

With energetic, sharp commentary, Matt Tamanini recaps a notable week on Broadway—from record-breaking box office stats and surprise castings to regional programming and playful prediction. The episode is a comprehensive, insightful digest for Broadway insiders or fans who want to stay in-the-know.