BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary
Episode: Today on Broadway: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Release Date: June 11, 2025
Host: Matt Tamineni & Grace Aki
1. Closing of Broadway's Smash
Matt Tamineni opens the episode with breaking news about the imminent closure of the Broadway production of Smash. The show is set to end its run on June 22 after 116 performances at the Imperial Theater.
"I thought it was incredibly mismanaged from the creators and the directors... the legacy of Smash deserved something better."
— Matt Tamineni [00:06]
Matt critiques the adaptation process, highlighting a disconnect between the original TV show's charm and the stage musical’s execution. He emphasizes that despite strong performances and memorable numbers, the show failed to resonate due to creative missteps and a dismissive attitude towards influencers—a key component of modern theater marketing.
Key Points:
- Smash closed despite fan support and talented cast.
- Criticism of the creative team’s handling of the transition from TV to Broadway.
- Negative interactions with influencers hindered community support.
- Matt encourages listeners to support the cast and catch the final performances.
2. Spotlight on Haven Burton and The Little Mermaid
Matt shares his recent interview with Haven Burton, who stars as Ursula in the Paper Mill Playhouse’s production of Disney's The Little Mermaid. He discusses Haven’s passion for the role and her long-standing association with voice acting in Pokemon.
"I became obsessed with her because I also got to voice like Gingy and Fiona when she did the same."
— Grace Aki [05:37]
Highlights:
- Haven Burton’s dedication to her roles in stage and voice acting.
- Excitement about seeing Haven in The Little Mermaid.
- Grace expresses her admiration for Haven’s voice work and performance.
3. Encores! New Artistic Direction and Upcoming Productions
Matt announces Jenny Gersten as the new Artistic Director for Encores! and outlines the exciting upcoming season:
- Bat Boy: Directed by Alex Timbers, running from October 29 to November 9.
- High Spirits: A musical adaptation of Noël Coward's Blythe Spirit, directed by Jessica Stone, scheduled for February.
- The Wild Party: Now directed by Lily Ann Brown, running from March 18 to 29.
- La Cage aux Follies: Featuring Billy Porter as Albin, running from June 17 to 28, marking an all-Black production of the classic musical.
"Billy Porter doing La Cage... why hasn't it ever been done before?"
— Matt Tamineni [10:20]
Grace praises the casting choice and the timely revival of La Cage aux Follies, noting its potential impact and importance.
4. Broadway’s Communal Light Dimming Tribute
Matt informs listeners about Broadway’s first communal light dimming event held on Tuesday night to honor 12 esteemed members of the theatre community who recently passed away, including luminaries like Gene Hackman and Quentin Jones.
"If you were in the theater community or in the theater district on Tuesday night, that was a moment to remember all of those folks."
— Matt Tamineni [06:11]
Highlights:
- 41 Broadway marquees dimmed at 6:45 PM.
- Tribute to influential figures in the past quarter year.
- A collective moment of remembrance for the community.
5. Tony Awards: Surge in Viewership and Streaming Success
Matt breaks down the impressive statistics from the Tony Awards:
- Overall Viewership: Increased by 44% year-over-year, reaching 5.1 million viewers.
- Key Demographics:
- 25-54 age group up by 99%.
- 18-49 age group up by 116%, making it the top non-sports program of the evening.
- Streaming: Paramount achieved a 208% increase in live-streamed viewership compared to the previous year.
"This is very, very good news... a strong audience across the board is exciting for Broadway."
— Matt Tamineni [10:04]
Grace highlights the supplementary viewership from CNN’s live stream of Good Night and Good Luck, which reached 7.34 million people, vastly surpassing its Broadway attendance.
"This was just an amazing opportunity... no better partnership in my mind than this one."
— Grace Aki [14:25]
Key Insights:
- Significant growth in both traditional and streaming platforms.
- Enhanced accessibility contributing to broader audience reach.
- Positive implications for Broadway’s visibility and popularity.
6. Broadway Grosses and Ticket Sales Overview
Matt presents a concise report on the latest Broadway grosses:
- Total Grosses: $45,788,192 from 40 shows.
- Attendance: Slight decrease to 329,886 attendees.
- Average Ticket Price: $100.
Top Performers:
- Good Night and Good Luck: $4,331,226 in its final week.
- Othello: $3,807,875.
- Other notable shows include Wicked, Glengarry Glen Ross, and The Lion King.
Attendance Highlights:
- Half of the shows achieved 90% capacity or higher.
- Goodnight and Good Luck, Othello, and Wicked reached 100% capacity.
Grace connects streaming success to ticket sales, noting significant increases in Spotify streams for Maybe Happy Ending and Sunset Boulevard following awards recognition.
7. Casting Updates at Al Hirschfeld Theater
Matt shares updates on the casting for the Al Hirschfeld Theater’s upcoming production:
- New Leads: Ashley Lauren returns as Satine, and Christian Douglas takes over as Christian.
- Previous Cast Members: Replacing Solea Pfeiffer and Jordan Fisher, who have new projects lined up.
- Extended Run: Death of Rasputin at Governor’s Island extended to June 28th.
"Grace, you can find me at... [Grace's contact information]."
— Matt Tamineni [25:42]
Key Points:
- Continuity and fresh casting for a beloved show.
- Extension of immersive shows indicating strong audience interest.
8. Conclusion and Recommendations
Matt encourages listeners to revisit the Tony Awards broadcasts through CBS and Broadway News, providing access to all performances and highlights in the show notes.
"My recommendation, of course, is all of the videos that CBS and the Tony Awards have officially made available."
— Matt Tamineni [23:19]
Final Thoughts:
- Emphasis on engaging with available Broadway content.
- Encouragement to support current productions and upcoming shows.
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This summary captures the essential discussions, insights, and conclusions from the "Today on Broadway" podcast episode, providing a comprehensive overview for those who haven't listened.