BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary: "Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025"
Release Date: January 29, 2025
1. Podcast and Patreon Updates
Host Matt Tammanini opened the episode by sharing exciting updates for Patreon supporters. He mentioned the release of his first travel log, detailing the initial six shows he attended during a recent trip. This content is now available in the Patreon feed for patrons at the Mezzanine Tier and above. Matt teased a forthcoming Patreon-exclusive episode set to discuss the remaining shows from his trip, promising "lots of great stuff" for listeners.
"By the time this episode is out, my first travel log will already be in the Patreon feed..." [00:08]
2. Dolly Parton Musical Announcement
The episode's highlight was the unexpected announcement of a new Dolly Parton-inspired musical.
Matt revealed that the initially announced search for a Dolly Parton actress evolved quickly into the creation of an original musical titled "It's Dolly Colon". The show, featuring new songs written by Dolly Parton alongside her iconic hits, is set to premiere in Nashville this summer.
"They've won changed the name of the show to now it's Dolly Colon, an original Musical..." [00:08]
Grace Locke expressed her excitement, emphasizing Dolly's multifaceted persona and the opportunity to see a more personal side beyond her "glitz and glamour."
"This is going to be an exciting opportunity to see a little bit past the glitz and glamour..." [02:53]
Key Details:
- Premiere Location: Fisher Center for the Performing Arts, Belmont University, Nashville
- Premiere Dates: Performances begin July 18, Opening Night on August 8, concluding August 17
- Broadway Transfer: Scheduled for Spring 2026
Matt also discussed the rapid development of the production, noting the involvement of director Bartlett Shearer and the use of Dolly's personal insights in the show's book.
3. Broadway Box Office Update
The hosts delved into the latest Broadway financials, noting a decline from the holiday surge.
Matt reported that last week, Broadway's 29 shows grossed $29,614,804, marking an 11% decrease from the previous week. The drop was attributed to a nearly $13 reduction in the average ticket price, which stood at $120.27, while attendance saw a modest increase to 246,230 visitors.
"Broadway's 29 shows grossed $29,614,804. That was down 11% from the previous week..." [03:45]
Top Grossing Shows:
- Wicked – $2,415,881
- Gypsy – $1.78 million
- The Lion King – $1.69 million
- Hamilton – $1.61 million
- Sunset Boulevard – $1.45 million
Other notable performances included Death becomes Her, MJ, Aladdin, The Outsiders, Great Gatsby, Cabaret, Hell's Kitchen, and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
4. "Redwood" Performance Insights
The conversation shifted to the performance of "Redwood" at the Nederlander Theater, which saw two previews grossing $197,117. Projected over eight performances, the show could potentially earn $1,588,468.
Matt questioned whether Adina, a star now a decade removed from her "Frozen" fame, could sustain such strong box office numbers.
"Do you think being this far removed from Frozen, Adina is still a big enough star..." [06:57]
Grace responded by highlighting Adina's enduring star power and the momentum from related projects like the Wicked film adaptation, expressing optimism about the show's prospects.
"She has such star power and, like, people really adore her..." [07:37]
5. Little Shop of Horrors Casting News
A significant portion of the episode was dedicated to the casting announcements for "Little Shop of Horrors".
Matt introduced the new leads:
- Audrey: Elizabeth Gillis, a 13-year-old musical and TV star known for "13, the Musical" and "Victorious".
- Seymour: Milo Manheim, recognized for his roles in Deaf West's "American Idiot" and the Disney Channel franchise "Zombies".
"Elizabeth Gillis... and playing Seymour will be Milo Manheim..." [07:37]
Grace praised the casting choices, noting their appeal to a younger, Gen Z audience and the strategic alignment with their existing fan bases.
"This is definitely that Gen Z audience..." [10:18]
Matt added that Elizabeth's diverse background, including roles alongside stars like Ariana Grande and Denis Leary, positions her well for the role.
"She was also in Victorious, the TV show that Ariana Grande was in..." [10:53]
6. Upcoming Theatrical Seasons and Shows
Matt shared several exciting updates from the broader theater landscape:
- Baryshnikov Arts 20th Anniversary:
- "A Mother" – A Brecht-inspired show written by Nina Beber, starring Jessica Hecht, running from March 29 to April 13.
- "Sissy" – A modern reimagining of Sisyphus featuring Ida Saki, Christopher Abbott, Aaliyah Shawkat, and Marisa Tomei for a three-performance run from April 24 to April 26.
"It will run from Saturday March 29 through Sunday April 13..." [10:18]
- PAC NYC's New Musical:
- "Julia. G(I)ulia: The Poison Queen of Palermo" – Written by Jennifer Nettles, directed by Rebecca Taichman, and choreographed by Mandy Moore. Performances are scheduled from November 25 to December 21.
"It is a new musical written by country music icon and Broadway vet Jennifer Nettles..." [13:45]
Matt emphasized the significance of country music artists like Jennifer Nettles venturing into Broadway, highlighting the storytelling prowess inherent in country music.
"I’ve often said that country music people are underrepresented on Broadway..." [14:06]
7. Casting News: Erika Jayne in "Chicago"
Matt announced that Erika Jayne extended her role as Roxie Hart in "Chicago" at the Nederlander Theater. Originally slated to perform until February 9th, she will now continue through February 23rd.
"Erika Jayne has extended her most recent run in Chicago..." [14:14]
8. Feel Good Recommendations
The hosts recommended recent Broadway-related performances from late-night shows:
- Tonight Show:
- "Death Becomes Her" – Megan Hilty performed the show's opening number, infusing humor into the piece.
"There was a performance from Death becomes her and Megan Hilty..." [15:30]
- Late Show with Stephen Colbert:
- Nicole Scherzinger delivered a rendition of "As If We Never Said Goodbye."
"Nicole Scherzinger performed as if we never said goodbye..." [15:30]
9. "Urinetown" Press Meet and Greet
Matt highlighted videos from the recent rehearsal of "Urinetown", featuring Keala Settle performing "It's a Privilege to Pee," showcasing a blend of humor and dynamic performance.
"Keala Settle sans British accent singing It's a privilege to pee..." [15:30]
Grace echoed the excitement, encouraging listeners to watch the upcoming videos for more behind-the-scenes action.
"If you are very excited about your in town coming up at Encores, you definitely want to take a look..." [15:38]
10. Closing Remarks
The episode concluded with invitations to follow BroadwayRadio on social media and a tease for future discussions on upcoming shows.
"Thanks for listening to today on Broadway. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram..." [16:09]
Connect with Hosts:
- Matt Tammanini: Instagram @bww.mattgrace
- Grace Locke: Instagram @GraceHocki
This episode of BroadwayRadio offered a comprehensive overview of current Broadway happenings, from exciting new musicals and casting news to box office insights and feel-good performances. Whether you're a seasoned theatergoer or new to the Broadway scene, the discussion provided valuable updates and engaging commentary on the vibrant world of musical theater.