BroadwayRadio – Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

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This episode, hosted solo by Matt Tamnini, delivers a late-night catch-up on the day’s biggest Broadway news and box office, show closings, notable casting updates (including headline-making Muppets!), an in-depth review of the new play "Caroline" at MCC Theater, and a spotlight on a memorable TV performance by the cast of "Chess." The tone is conversational, passionate, and occasionally sentimental, especially when celebrating theatrical community moments.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Major Show Closing: "Rob Lake Magic with the Muppets"

• [00:50] "We did get the unfortunate news that Rob Lake Magic with special guest the Muppets is going to close early and it's closing this weekend. It is actually going to wrap up shop on November 16 this Sunday."
  • The show, intended as a 12-week limited holiday engagement, is closing much earlier after only 24 performances (20 previews, 4 regular).
  • Notable for featuring beloved Muppets (Kermit, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Rowlf, Animal, and Miss Piggy) in their Broadway debut, as well as illusionist Rob Lake.
  • Poor box office performance cited as a primary reason for closure: "…has not done especially well over at the Broadhurst Theater…"
• Recommendation: "If you want to make sure that you get the chance to see the Muppets in their Broadway debut...get over to the Broadhurst before the end of the week." ([02:10])

2. New Project: "Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou"

• [03:12] Debbie Allen announced as director for a new play-with-music about Maya Angelou, titled "Phenomenal Woman."
  • Written by Angelika Sherry; aiming for 2028 premiere to coincide with Angelou’s 100th birthday.
  • "The title takes its name from a poem by Maya Angelou about female empowerment..."
  • Debbie Allen is a two-time Tony nominee and bringing directing acclaim, hoping to lure the show toward Broadway.
  • Angelika Sherry's previous works and upcoming Broadway credentials noted for context.

3. Broadway Grosses Analysis

• [05:15] Weekly box office report highlighted significant increases.
  • "The grosses came in at $40,693,000. That is the highest that Broadway has been since just around before the Tonys time."
  • Attendance leapt to 305,502 seats filled, average ticket price rose by $11 to $133.20.
  • "Every single show on Broadway last week saw week to week increases…"
  • Top shows by gross:
    • "Hamilton" ($3.88M)
    • "Wicked" ($2.29M)
    • "Chess" ($2.01M)
    • "Lion King," "Waiting for Godot," and others fill out the top five.
  • "Rob Lake Magic" saw its biggest week but still lagged, only $276,904.

Notable attendance/capacity numbers:

• "23 of Broadway’s 34 shows played to capacities of 90% or more."
• "Wicked and Ragtime were right at 100%... Hamilton came in at 101.51%... Just in Time continues to lap the field at 103.3% capacity." ([07:39])

4. Off-Broadway & Regional Updates

"Slam Frank" Extension

• [08:00] The intersectional, genderqueer, hip-hop "Anne Frank" story keeps extending at Asylum NYC, now running through December 28th.

The New Group Finds a Home

• [08:45] The New Group secures a 30-year lease at Theater at St. Clement’s; announces 2026 season feat. a revival of "The Adding Machine," "Baching" by Preston Crowder, and Adam Rapp’s "Jackals."
  • Host's personal excitement: "Those are some very interesting shows, especially the Adding Machine, which I’ve never seen."

Sabrina Carpenter’s "Alice in Wonderland" Musical Film

• [09:50] Former Mean Girls star Sabrina Carpenter to headline and produce a new Universal musical film adaptation of "Alice in Wonderland."
  • Directed and penned by "Hustlers" writer/director Lorene Scafaria.
  • "Serena [Sabrina] Carpenter doing a musical, whether it's on stage or screen, is exciting to a lot of folks."

5. Review: "Caroline" at MCC Theater

• [10:40] Matt Tamnini gives an in-depth, heartfelt review of Preston Max Allen’s new play, "Caroline," closing this week at MCC Theater.

Key Details:

• Cast: Amy Landecker, Chloe Grace Moretz, River Life Smith.
• Director: David Cromer
• "Caroline, who is the daughter, the youngest of the three characters in the show, is a trans nine year old girl and that plays into a lot of the inciting action." ([12:10])
• Includes content warnings for anti-trans violence.

Review Highlights:

• "The show was actually quite lovely and Ashley and I were talking afterwards like we expected it to be a lot more dark and challenging…"
• Praises the writing: "All of the characters are well-rounded...very flawed as we all are, but also very sympathetic. And...the pain that has led them to be who they are and how they react to things is palpable, but it's also understandable." ([14:00])
• On performances:
  • "Chloe Grace Moretz...does a remarkable job in this very, very complex and complicated character."
  • "Amy Landecker...is just a remarkable actor."
  • "River Life Smith is a young nonbinary actor. And River does a remarkable, remarkable job." ([15:10])
• Memorable moment: "There was one moment when…I would be okay just kind of living with these characters and hearing them kind of hash out the problems that have plagued them personally and interpersonally and with their families."
• "It was just such a lovely look at conversations that I think people are having in homes across the country when dealing with trans people coming out, non binary people coming out."
• Quick: 90 minutes, no intermission. "Would highly recommend that you get over to MCC and check it out." ([17:30])

6. TV Spot: Stars of "Chess" on The Tonight Show

• [18:15] Nicholas Christopher, Aaron Tveit, and Lea Michele performed a medley from "Chess" on The Tonight Show (video links in show notes).
• "They sat on the couch and did some talking, but they also performed a medley."

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Broadway's resilience:
  "Every single show on Broadway last week saw week to week increases..." ([06:22])
• On "Caroline":
  • "All of the characters are well rounded, especially the two adult characters...they're fully fleshed out human beings that are not only very flawed as we all are, but also very sympathetic. And like you feel the pain..." ([14:00])
  • "I would be okay just kind of living with these characters and hearing them kind of hash out the problems..." ([16:00])
• On Debbie Allen directing "Phenomenal Woman":
  • "Debbie Allen, of course, is a two time Tony nominee as a performer...she previously directed Cat on a Hot Tin Roof...now with Debbie Allen at the helm, it is looking to come to a stage in just a little over two years time..." ([04:11])
• On Sabrina Carpenter's musical film:
  • "Sabrina Carpenter doing a musical, whether it's on stage or screen, is exciting to a lot of folks." ([10:12])

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:50 – "Rob Lake Magic with the Muppets" closing announcement
• 03:12 – Debbie Allen to direct "Phenomenal Woman, Maya Angelou"
• 05:15 – Broadway grosses, top shows, capacity analysis
• 08:00 – "Slam Frank" extension Off-Broadway
• 08:45 – The New Group’s new home and season lineup
• 09:50 – Sabrina Carpenter’s "Alice in Wonderland" announcement
• 10:40 – "Caroline" review discussion
• 12:10 – On show’s content and representation
• 14:00 – On the show’s nuanced, empathetic writing
• 18:15 – Stars of "Chess" on The Tonight Show

Final Notes

• Host wraps with a promise to discuss Grace’s “theatrical” wedding event when she returns and teases spectacular performances at the celebration.
• Encourages listeners to follow on social and check Patreon for more BroadwayRadio content.

For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This episode offers must-know news for Broadway fans—closing dates for a high-profile show ("Rob Lake Magic with the Muppets"), a look ahead to a Maya Angelou centennial musical, strong post-holiday box office numbers, a rare personal review of an acclaimed trans-centered play, and a celebration of Broadway on late-night TV. Host Matt’s candid, thoughtful opinions make the news both informative and warmly personal.