BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary Episode: Today on Broadway – Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Introduction and Patreon Updates
Hosts: Matt Tammani and Grace Aki
The episode kicks off with Matt Tammani discussing upcoming changes to their Patreon feed. Matt emphasizes the importance of establishing a regular schedule for content releases, stating, “If I don’t have a schedule, I am worthless” (00:07). He encourages listeners to visit their Patreon page at patreon.com/broadwayradio to stay informed about these updates. Due to the holiday season, the hosts anticipate a quieter week with fewer news updates, inviting listeners to submit topics or questions via email for potential discussion (01:30).
UK Premiere of "Mary Page Marlowe" at Old Vic
Matt shares exciting news from the UK regarding the premiere of Tracy Letts' play Mary Page Marlowe at London's Old Vic Theatre. This production, directed by Matthew Warches in his final season as artistic director, will run from September 23rd to November 1st. Highlighting the star-studded cast, Matt mentions, “It will star Susan Sarandon and Andrea Riseborough” (02:15). Grace expresses her enthusiasm for Tracy Letts' work, affirming, “anytime there's a Tracy Letts play, I'm usually there” (02:42). They discuss previous performances, noting the original off-Broadway cast featured talents like Blair Brown and Mia Sinclair Genes, and Matt shares his personal viewing experience with actress Tatiana Maslany (03:10).
Broadway Grosses Overview
The hosts delve into the recent Broadway financials, noting a decline in grosses this week. The total revenue dropped to $39,314,834 from the previous week’s figures, with total attendance at 298,509. Despite the drop, the average ticket price saw a slight increase to $131.70 (03:50).
Top Grossing Shows:
- Wicked – $2,435,607
- Glengarry Glen Ross – $2,000,000
- The Picture of Dorian Gray – $2,090,000
- The Lion King – $2,070,000
- Hamilton – Approaching $2,000,000
Matt highlights that 23 out of 35 Broadway shows operated at 90% capacity or higher, with Oh Mary and Wicked reaching full capacity (04:15). He remarks, “Lots of red numbers last week, of course, as things were already at a super high the previous week” (04:30), reflecting on the typical fluctuations in Broadway grosses during this period.
Summer Attendance and Marketing Strategies
As summer approaches, Matt and Grace discuss the impact of holidays on Broadway attendance. They note that major vacations, like the Fourth of July, typically see a dip in theater attendance as people seek outdoor activities. Matt asks, “What are the goals here? What are the expectations for shows… compared to the rest of the year?” (05:45), prompting a discussion on marketing strategies.
Grace responds by highlighting the challenges posed by current global and domestic factors, leading to more last-minute ticket purchases. She states, “People don't know where their money is coming from right now. They don't know where they'll need to put it in the event of an emergency” (08:10). This unpredictability makes it difficult for new shows to secure advanced ticket sales and invest in substantial marketing efforts.
Matt shares his personal experience planning trips and securing tickets in advance, mentioning, “I'm going to go see Leslie Odom Jr. in Hamilton… we already bought tickets to a couple of shows that we wanted to see” (09:15). This highlights the importance of securing tickets early amidst a fluctuating market.
Upcoming Events and Recommendations
Broadway Barks:
The hosts announce the upcoming 27th Annual Broadway Barks on July 12th, hosted by Bernadette Peters and Beth Leavel. They list several Broadway stars participating, including Allie Lewis, Danny Bradley, Victoria Clark, Audra McDonald, Bebe Neuwirth, and more. Matt encourages listeners to attend for a chance to meet these stars and adopt pets from NYC area adoption agencies (11:04).
New Musical "Elephant Shoes":
Matt recommends the new musical Elephant Shoes, a collaboration between Deaf West Theater Company and Two River Theater. Written by Ivan Menshell and Caroline Kaye, the show features the song “Safety in Numbers,” performed by Kay with ASL interpretation by Daniela Malser. The narrative centers on Psy, an inventor revolutionizing communication between spoken English and ASL (13:00).
Muny's Production of "Come From Away":
Grace highlights the Muny’s rendition of Come From Away, featuring a star-studded cast including Heidi Blickenstaff, John Bolton, Ashley Brown, and others. She remarks on the unique aspects of this production, noting its massive stage and large audience of 11,000, offering a fresh take on the beloved Broadway show (13:45).
Conclusion and Contact Information
Matt wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to follow BroadwayRadio on social media platforms and to submit questions or topics for future shows via mattroadyradio.com. A humorous exchange ensues when Grace corrects Matt on her social media handle, adding a light-hearted end to the episode (14:30).
Notable Quotes:
- Matt on Patreon scheduling: “If I don’t have a schedule, I am worthless.” (00:07)
- Grace on Tracy Letts plays: “Anytime there's a Tracy Letts play, I'm usually there.” (02:42)
- Grace on ticket buying trends: “People don't know where their money is coming from right now. They don't know where they'll need to put it in the event of an emergency.” (08:10)
- Matt on securing tickets: “I'm going to go see Leslie Odom Jr. in Hamilton… we already bought tickets to a couple of shows that we wanted to see.” (09:15)
Stay Connected:
- Website: broadwayradio.com
- Patreon: patreon.com/broadwayradio
- Social Media: Follow Matt and Grace on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @mattroadyradio and @GraceAki
Whether you're a Broadway enthusiast or just getting started, this episode of Today on Broadway offers insightful updates, engaging discussions, and recommendations to keep you connected to the vibrant world of theater.