Podcast Summary: BroadwayRadio – “Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2025”

Main Theme

This episode of Today on Broadway explores a bustling week in New York theater, with a focus on major Off-Broadway and Broadway news, the latest on upcoming productions, behind-the-scenes updates, box office numbers, and special theatrical events. Hosts Matt Tamanini and Grace Aki provide commentary, industry analysis, and a look ahead at both their personal theater plans and exciting developments on and off the Great White Way.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Off-Broadway: ‘A Christmas Carol’ Revival Cast Revealed

• [01:13] Matt shares excitement about the Off-Broadway revival of Jack Thorne’s A Christmas Carol at the Perelman Performing Arts Center, running Nov 23–Dec 28.
  • Michael Cerveris stars as Scrooge, joined by a “star-studded” cast including Nancy Opel (Ghost of Christmas Past), Julia Knitel (Belle), and Izzy Alina (Tiny Tim).
  • “Very cool conception for this show that has been done a number of times... Matthew Warchus directs it. Very cool visuals and all of that.” (Matt, 02:10)
  • Matt expresses his annual tradition: seeing A Christmas Carol every year.
• [03:22] Grace comments: “Even if it does not have Tom Sesma, we will be there... This is very cool.”
  • The hosts joke about Tom Sesma appearing in every version.
  • Matt reflects on regional productions and proposes an annual Broadway tradition for A Christmas Carol: “Let’s get that going every year, work this one back in, and I’m all for it.” (03:56)

2. ‘Damn Yankees’ Broadway Move & Production Backstory

• [04:17] Matt discusses Damn Yankees, now running at DC’s Arena Stage, and its prospects for a Broadway transfer.
  • Producer Hayley Swindell has raised an extra $1.8 million for the nonprofit production.
  • Notably, Swindell is the granddaughter of George Steinbrenner (the legendary Yankees owner), giving the show “an extra cool little connection between the real-life baseball world and the Broadway baseball world.” (Matt, 06:40)
  • The book has been updated by “Willpower Doug Wright and Lynn Ahrens.”
• [06:56] Grace, a self-professed “baseball girly,” is enthusiastic: “I am really excited about its prospects, for sure.”
• Matt and Grace share personal baseball connections: Matt is a Cincinnati Reds and Orioles fan; Grace recalls Cal Ripken Jr. as a former client and “the nicest, most wonderful dude in the world.” (07:36)
  • “I hope that he’s well. I know he’s had some, like, health things... all that to say, come on, Cal.” (Grace, 07:46)
  • Matt speculates that Cal Ripken Jr. might show up at opening night if the show reaches Broadway.

3. Box Office Report

• [08:00] Matt provides the weekly Broadway grosses:
  • 27 shows played (down one), but grosses rose by 2% to $31.42 million.
  • Attendance: 234,508; average ticket price: $134.02.
  • Top grossing shows:
    • Hamilton: $3.74M (“Leslie Odom Jr. still leading that company.”)
    • Wicked: >$2M
    • The Lion King: $1.9M
    • Waiting for Godot: $1.87M (8 shows)
    • Mamma Mia: $1.6M
  • 17 of 27 shows played to 90% capacity or higher, with Hamilton at 101.5% and Just in Time leading at 102.8%.

4. Keen Company’s Innovative 2025–2026 Season

• [09:40] Keen Company shifts from full productions to a “Mixtape Series” of one-night-only theatrical experiences, curated by individual artists or companies.
  • Monica Bell Barnes and Robbie San curate the first event (with Ira Glass, the Bengsons, David Cale).
  • Spring event curated by Adam Guan, featuring a new Rhona Siddiqui musical, Bryce Pinkham, and more.
  • Matt notes: “Interesting, cool way to do it. You know, it’s getting expensive to run new shows...feels like a really good idea.” (10:54)
• [10:59] Grace responds: “We’re big fans of Keen Company over here... I’m always in favor of it.”

5. Upcoming Reading: Alfred Uhry’s ‘Plays Without Walls’

• [11:15] A newly revised version of Plays Without Walls has a reading October 24, with Wayne Brady, David Iacono, and Amelia Yu starring.
  • “Yuri is updating the show and kind of bringing it into a more modern context.” (Matt)
  • Two industry performances are planned; sign up available via show notes.

6. Cruise News: Royal Caribbean’s Broadway Entertainment

• [11:55] Royal Caribbean’s new ship, Legend of the Seas (2026), will feature Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as its headlining theatrical show.
  • Matt asks Grace if friends would consider performing on a ship contract for that show.
  • Grace jokes: “They want to jump off a ship if they’re doing that? No.” (12:53)
• Matt highlights the range of Broadway shows on various Royal Caribbean ships: Hairspray, Wizard of Oz, Saturday Night Fever, and his intent to add the Legend cruise to catch Charlie.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• [01:45] Matt: “I feel like I have to see A Christmas Carol at least once every year, regardless of what version it is.”
• [03:31] Matt: “I kind of feel like they should all have Tom Sesma though. Like that would make it better.”
• [06:40] Matt: “That’s a kind of an extra cool little connection between the real life baseball world and the Broadway baseball world...”
• [07:36] Grace, on meeting Cal Ripken Jr.: “He was the nicest, most wonderful dude in the world. I miss seeing him, honestly.”
• [12:53] Grace, on performing Charlie and the Chocolate Factory at sea: “They want to jump off a ship if they’re doing that? No.”
• [10:59] Grace, on Keen Company: “...Continued investment in composers like Adam... I’m just always in favor of it.”

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 01:13 – A Christmas Carol Off-Broadway casting
• 03:56 – The annual tradition and wish for a Broadway holiday slot
• 04:17 – Damn Yankees DC run and Broadway prospects
• 06:40 – Steinbrenner connection & production background
• 07:36 – Grace’s Cal Ripken Jr. story
• 08:00 – Broadway grosses and attendance figures
• 09:40 – Keen Company 2025–2026 season updates
• 11:15 – Plays Without Walls reading announced
• 11:55 – Royal Caribbean’s new ship and Broadway-style shows
• 12:53 – Grace on cruise contracts and cast album mention

Tone and Style

Casual, witty, inside-baseball (and inside-theatre) banter, with plenty of industry knowledge, personal anecdotes, and genuine excitement for Broadway’s evolving landscape.

This summary captures the full richness and newsworthy items in the episode while preserving the rapport and insights of the hosts, making it an accessible recap for theater enthusiasts and industry insiders alike.