BroadwayRadio Podcast Summary
Today on Broadway: Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Hosts:

• Matt Tammaneni
• Grace Aki

1. Welcome and Guest Introduction

Matt Tammaneni kicks off the episode by welcoming listeners to Today on Broadway. He introduces Grace Aki, a guest who recently produced and performed her solo show, "To Free a Mockingbird," off-Broadway at the Soho Playhouse. Grace shares her enthusiasm for reconnecting with listeners and fans who attended her Sunday night shows.

Grace Aki expresses gratitude for the support:
"Thank you all for letting me be out for a minute. But also I got to meet some of you, so who knows? Like, it was great." [00:44]

2. Tony Awards Update

As the Tonys draw near, Matt shares exciting news about upcoming content:

• Glenn Davis: Dual nominee for Best Featured Actor in a Play for "Purpose" and a Tony nomination as Co-Artistic Director of the Seven Wolves Theater Company.
• Kip Williams: Writer and director of the stage adaptation of "The Picture of Dorian Gray," discussing the intense production process.

Matt mentions upcoming interviews and predictions on BroadwayRadio’s platforms: "We have a bunch of Tony content coming up and it's going to start later today." [00:52]

3. Honoring Terrence McNally

A significant announcement was made to honor the late playwright Terrence McNally:

• A section of East 9th Street in Manhattan will be renamed Terence McNally Way.
• Location: Between Broadway and University Place, where McNally resided for over 25 years.
• Special Ceremony on May 30 featuring appearances by Jonathan Groff, Brian Stokes Mitchell, and performances by Casey Levy and Brandon Uranowitz.

Matt encourages listeners to join the celebration:
"If you want to be a part of that, you can head over to the Show Notes and get more details there." [04:26]

4. Extension of "John Proctor is the Villain"

Matt shares exciting news about Grace’s show:

• "John Proctor is the Villain" at Broadway's Booth Theater is extending its run until July 13.
• Increased enthusiasm from audiences, evident from interactions at stage doors and local hotspots.

Matt observes the growing buzz:
"There's a lot of very passionate folks about this show and the fact that it is extending." [04:26]

Grace adds her perspective on potential future casting changes and hopes for a memorable closure:
"I want them to be able to have like a very successful run and then like close up shop." [05:00]

5. Montego Glover Steps into "Gypsy"

Matt reports that Montego Glover, nominated for Tonys in multiple categories, will temporarily replace Audra McDonald as Rose in "Gypsy":

• Duration: June 30th through July 6th.
• Grace discusses the strategic marketing insights behind this casting choice, highlighting Montego’s talent and Tennessee roots.

Grace praises Montego:
"She has an unbelievable voice, she has an unbelievable stage presence." [07:15]

Matt expresses admiration for the casting decision:
"She would be a great person in this role for a week." [08:15]

6. West End News: "Burlesque" and Casting Highlights

Matt transitions to West End news, focusing on the stage adaptation of the movie musical "Burlesque":

• Orfeh joins the cast as Tess, previously portrayed by Cher.
• Connection: Orfeh has a history with Cher, often sharing photos and supporting her on social media.

Grace reveals a personal connection:
"Several years ago I worked on like a pitch of some kind for this show... one of the in situ's... did Orfeh in this role." [12:38]

She commends Orfeh’s fit for Tess, highlighting her powerful vocals and stage presence.

7. New Casting in "Little Shop of Horrors"

Matt shares casting news for "Little Shop of Horrors" at the West Side Theater:

• Graham Phillips replaces previous actors in the role of Seymour.
• Notable pairing with Elizabeth Gillies, who extends her run until July 17, reuniting the two from their time on Broadway.

Grace reflects humorously on the reunion:
"That it's not 13." [14:53]

8. Evolution of Off-Broadway Spaces

Discussion on the changing landscape of Off-Broadway theaters:

• Astor Place Theater: Leased long-term to No Guarantees Productions, signaling a shift towards more commercial productions.
• Grace elaborates on the economic challenges faced by independent theater companies, emphasizing the move towards owning spaces for sustainability.

Grace explains:
"It's just becoming such a difficult venture to get the main theater owners to do xyz." [17:04]

9. Tiny Desk Concerts Featuring Broadway Casts

Matt highlights NPR’s inclusion of Broadway productions in Tiny Desk Concerts:

• Example: Buena Vista Social Club performs, bridging theater and music audiences.
• Grace appreciates the fresh exposure:
  "It brings such a different vibe to these shows and also opens it up to even more audiences." [17:04]

10. Grace Aki’s Off-Broadway Journey with "To Free a Mockingbird"

Bringing the focus back to Grace Aki, she shares insights from her recent two-week run:

• Challenges and Achievements:
  • Self-producing the show required extensive hustling and adaptability.
  • Marketing strategies included personalized promotions and leveraging collaborations.
• Collaborations:
  • Dina handled paid media.
  • Mark J. Franklin provided key art, known for his work on "Gypsy" and Audra McDonald’s promotional photos.
• Future Aspirations:
  • Hopes for an extended run to achieve eligibility for awards.
  • Emphasizes gratitude towards the Soho Playhouse’s technical team and supportive community.

Grace shares heartfelt thanks:
"I'm so grateful to every single person that came and a lot of you that are listening did come to the show, which meant the world to me." [20:03]

Matt praises her dedication and the show’s improvement over multiple viewings:
"The work that you have put into the show, like, every time I see it, I feel like it gets better, it gets tighter, it gets funnier." [22:10]

11. Closing Remarks

Matt wraps up the episode by encouraging listeners to support Grace’s work and stay connected through BroadwayRadio’s social media channels. He also briefly mentions the possibility of an extended run for Grace's show depending on future interest and support.

Grace provides her social media handle for fans to follow:
"You can find me at its gracethaki." [23:08]

Matt concludes with well-wishes:
"Have a wonderful Wednesday. We'll be back to talk to you tomorrow." [23:10]

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Grace Aki: "I'm so grateful to every single person that came and a lot of you that are listening did come to the show, which meant the world to me." [20:03]

• Matt Tammaneni: "The work that you have put into the show, like, every time I see it, I feel like it gets better, it gets tighter, it gets funnier." [22:10]

Conclusion

In this episode of Today on Broadway, Matt Tammaneni and Grace Aki delve into significant Broadway news, from Tony nominations and street namings to exciting casting changes and the evolving Off-Broadway scene. The heartfelt discussion culminates with an inspiring look into Grace’s own off-Broadway production, celebrating independent artistry and the collaborative spirit of the theater community.

For more updates and detailed discussions, visit BroadwayRadio.com or support through their Patreon.