Episode Overview

Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025
Host: Matt Tammanini
Co-host: Grace Aki

This episode returns with Matt Tammanini and the newlywed Grace Aki, who discuss major casting and production news on both sides of the Atlantic, Off-Broadway and developmental updates, and Grace's experience at the star-studded "Wicked for Good" New York City premiere. The conversations mix industry insights with personal anecdotes, offering both breaking news for theater fans and an insider’s sense of fun.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Grace Aki’s Theatrical Wedding

• Grace describes her wedding as “a performance of love” rather than a traditional ceremony, incorporating writing, music, and friends’ talents to produce a fully staged event.
  • Quote: “If you dissect what a wedding is, it is a performance of love... we created 45 to an hour worth of material, and we asked our friends to contribute with their talents and love.” (00:49 – Grace)
• Matt is impressed by the production value, likening it to an off-Broadway show.
• The pair hint at a future episode to delve deeper into Grace’s creative wedding.

2. West End News: Sadie Sink in "Romeo and Juliet"

• Sadie Sink (Stranger Things, John Proctor is the Villain) will make her London stage debut as Juliet in a new adaptation by Robert Icke, opposite Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place, Honey Boy).
  • Performances: March 16 – June 6, 2026.
  • Quote: “Not only is she staying in London for the stage, but after that, she’ll start filming the new Avengers movie, being introduced into the Spider man universe.” (02:44 – Matt)
• Discussion of Noah Jupe’s impressive performance in "Honey Boy."
  • Quote: “His performance in that film should not be overshadowed by other people. Like, he is so extraordinary.” (03:53 – Grace)
• Theatrical analysis: Matt asks if the UK’s rich Shakespeare history makes a new "Romeo and Juliet" less ‘eventful’ compared to the US. Grace reiterates its universal, perennial popularity.
  • Quote: "Romeo and Juliet can be adapted and replayed... every single month of the year. And people will go because it’s such an incredibly timeless, beautiful, tragic story." (04:56 – Grace)

3. Broadway News Roundup

a. Jinkx Monsoon Returns to "Omar" as Mary Todd Lincoln

• Jinkx Monsoon takes over from Jane Krakowski for 30 performances (Jan 8 – Feb 1, 2026) at the Lyceum Theater. Cheyenne Jackson and John Andrew Morrison extend runs through this period.
• Matt speculates this is a “bridge” before a new cast is announced in February.
  • Quote: “It feels… like it’s one of those, hey, we need somebody to fill in a gap here because we have somebody else scheduled to come in…” (05:43 – Matt)

b. "Operation Mincemeat" Extends for the Fifth Time

• The musical, initially planned as a limited run, is now extended through April 26, 2026.
• Discussion on the marketing semantics of “extensions” versus open-ended runs.
  • Quote: “By being able to say that they extended six times is so much stronger than saying it’s an open-ended run.” (08:03 – Grace)

4. Off-Broadway and Downtown News

• "The Disappear" at Minetta Lane/Audible:

  • New Erica Schmidt play begins Jan 8, 2026. Audible will record and stream the production, as it did with her previous play, "Lucy".
  • Quote: “It’s one of those rare occasions that…having any kind of play, especially new work, preserved is pretty cool.” (09:29 – Matt)

• Heathers Casting Updates at New World Stages:

  • Mackenzie Kurtz returns from leave; Olivia Hardy’s leave as Heather Duke is now permanent (replaced by Jakira Davis from Dec 11). Kuhu Verma steps in as Veronica Sawyer (replacing Lorna Courtney, who’s headed to "The Greatest Showman" in London).
  • Quote: “So lots of changes over there, but it's extending and everything. So…people are excited about Off Broadway.” (11:40 – Matt)

5. Developmental and Reading Announcements

• Industry Readings Announced:
  • Every Wednesday Night, a new musical by John D’Agostino and Michael August, features a pop-rock score. Reading on Friday, with an impressive cast.
  • Life is Small, a play by Douglas Gearhart, directed by Austin Pendleton; Reading features Thomas Sadoski and others.

6. "Wicked for Good" NYC Premiere at Lincoln Center

• Grace attended and shares effusive highlights:
  • Dressed “in all silver in support of Act 2 Bach’s turn as the Tin Man.”
  • Describes a magical atmosphere, seeing many familiar faces and past Wicked alumni.
  • Quote: “It was so beautiful. It was so magical. I’m very grateful to Universal Pictures for inviting me… I wanted to be in all silver in support of Act 2 Bach’s turn... It was a really magical night, and people should be so proud of their work." (12:19 – Grace)
• Matt asks about former Wicked stars in attendance.
• Shoutout to Gina Claire Mason as a Hallmark movie regular.
  • Quote: “Gina Claire Mason… now, like, a Hallmark regular… She does some great movies over at Hallmark, so always glad to see her in one of those films and hopefully we get to see her on stage again soon.” (13:53 – Matt)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On weddings as performance:
  “If you dissect what a wedding is, it is a performance of love… We just did it in a more entertaining way.” (00:49 – Grace)
• On Romeo & Juliet’s timeless appeal:
  “I have never seen a Romeo and Juliet… not be something that people flock towards.” (04:56 – Grace)
• On the semantics of extensions:
  “By being able to say that they extended six times is so much stronger than saying it’s an open-ended run.” (08:03 – Grace)
• On Wicked’s NYC premiere:
  “It was just… a really magical night, and people should be so proud of their work. It’s such a nice thing to have, like, this legacy piece that is currently still running on Broadway.” (12:19 – Grace)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:01 — Welcome & Grace's Theatrical Wedding Recap
• 02:04 — Sadie Sink's London Stage Debut & Noah Jupe in "Romeo and Juliet"
• 05:43 — Jinkx Monsoon Returns to "Omar" on Broadway
• 07:29 — "Operation Mincemeat" Fifth Broadway Extension Debate
• 09:08 — "The Disappear" Audible/Audible Minetta Lane Premiere
• 10:37 — Heathers Off-Broadway Casting Updates
• 11:45 — New Developmental Reading Announcements
• 12:19 — "Wicked for Good" New York City Premiere Recap

Conclusion

The episode weaves major casting and Broadway industry news with personal snapshots from Grace, notably her theatrical wedding and the dazzling "Wicked" premiere. Whether discussing the nuances of marketing a Broadway run, hyping anticipated West End debuts, or reporting the scene at a film premiere, the hosts’ energy and authenticity make this episode lively and accessible for fans who missed the latest in theater.