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Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025
00:18:20
‘Beetlejuice’ announces Broadway cast, Alicia Keys to do ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ concerts, hear ‘Two Strangers’ Since 2016, “Today on Broadway” has been the first and only daily podcast recapping the top theatre headlines every Monday through Friday.
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Matt Tmanini
Broadway for Wednesday, September 10, 2025 on Broadway Radio's Matt Tmanini and I'm Tell.
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Grace Aki
Me on a Sunday podcast.
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Matt Tmanini
Grace Aki I have booked a really fun interview for our next Patreon exclusive episode that'll come out sometime this weekend. Grace earlier this week I had kind of talked about the fact that it seems like the Evita transfer that we had been told was happening is no longer happening because Jamie Lloyd and Andrew Lloyd Webber have had a falling out. I booked the best person I know to talk about all things London theater and especially getting the inside dirt, and that is Mickey Jo Theatre. So Mickey Jo is going to join me later this week and we're going to talk about this. And then one of the things that Gracie, you and I love to talk about is the things that could potentially transfer from London to New York and then great shows coming to London. So we'll have a very London centric conversation, but focusing primarily on the Evita controversies and infighting over there at that production. So you want to hear that? Head over to patreon.com broadwayradio broadwayradio.com patreon and sign up at the Mezzanine tier and above. Grace for people who don't know Mickey Joe from his great commentary and criticism, mostly on YouTube, what do they need to know about Mickey Joe?
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Grace Aki
Oh, Mickey Jo is just such a light. I think that he's so excitingly progressive in the theater commentary and review space, especially on YouTube. So if you've never checked out his channel, you absolutely should.
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Matt Tmanini
Yeah, he is fantastic and I'm looking forward to having him on Broadway radio for the first time. All right, let's dive into some news. Grace and yesterday we got the complete cast announcement for the upcoming Broadway return engagement for Beetlejuice the Musical the third time. Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice. That the show will be on Broadway. Beetlejuice is going to play the palace theater for a 13 week run beginning on Wednesday, October 8th and currently scheduled to play through January 3rd. The vast majority of of the cast is coming from the national tour almost wholly intact. That includes Justin Collette as the ghost with the most as well as Isabella Essler as Lydia. However, for certain performances, Madison Mosley will be playing Lydia. Both of those women have played the part on tour, so they didn't say if this is going to be like an alternate situation, like Isabella is only going to do certain performances or if she's going to be out for a certain amount of time. But I did see Isabella on tour and she was fantastic. So either way I think you're probably in good shape there. Will Burton will be playing Adam. Megan McGinnis is playing Barbara. Jenny Barber is playing Delia. Jesse Sharp is playing Charles. Vanessa Aurora Sierra is playing Miss Argentina. Remember in the original Broadway version, Delia and Miss Argentina were played by the same person, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer. That was not the case on tour and I'm not even sure if it was the, I think the third or the second return engagement on Broadway. It wasn't like that. So it is a different track there for those women. Patrick Oliver Jones is playing Otho. Travis Mitchell is playing Maxi Dean. And then we'll have the rest of the cast in the show notes as well. But Grace, this is one that people love. We've seen Grace these tour stops. Most recently it was the Wiz that was a little bit different. But we're seeing it with Mamma Mia. Now as well where these have been really well received. There are shows that people love and for a limited time only, like I think that this could be a really fun way to not only hit spooky season but also get, you know, the nice tourist bump in the holidays for the Palace. Otherwise, you know, maybe it would have sat empty until a new show comes in in the spring.
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Grace Aki
No, listen, I know a lot of people have a lot to say about these shows that are doing, you know, the, the out of towns and the tours and making it a part of their stop. If the theater is renting, that makes the happy. So I completely understand everyone doing this. I'm just curious about the attendees of Broadway shows. Obviously not always being able to decipher the difference of like a tour has come through on this leg, you know, of it just depends. It's very, it's confusing and I know.
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Matt Tmanini
You'Re concerned about maybe the tours not having as high of production values and then people thinking oh, that's what Broadway looks like if that's the only thing they go to. And it could potentially hurt their impression of what all of Broadway has to offer. Similar conversation as we've had in the past with like, a lot of these encores transfers, which are not completely, but in many cases just kind of like park and Bark concerts. So it is something to consider, but I think Mamma Mia. Has done really well with that. The Wiz. I don't think that that was necessarily a bad impression of what Broadway will be. So hopefully this does really well. And I saw it on tour. I thought the magic of that show was pretty well maintained. So hopefully that'll be the same when it comes back to New York at the Palace. All right, Grace, earlier this week we talked about the fact that Cabaret was going to be closing early and that Billy Porter would have to withdraw from his role as the MC due to ailing health. Yesterday we found out when the MC understudies Marty Lauder, obviously also known as Marshall Marshall, Marcia and David Marino would be playing the part. Marshall. Marsha. Marsha will be doing performances from September 12th through the 18th, while Marino will do September 9th through 11th and then the 19th through 24th first. So if you want to see one or both of them, make sure that you plan your attendance at the Kit Kat Club accordingly. All right, let's dive in to last week's Broadway grosses, Grace. And not only did things decline a little bit because of the overall attendance being down because of the tourists being gone from Labor Day weekend, but we're also down one show from 28 to 27. In total, the Broadway grosses came in at $25,137,042, while attendance declined 9% at 215,095 people. The average ticket price, down 9%, was at $116.86. Despite all of those declines, two shows were still north of $2 million, led off by Hamilton. I cannot imagine what next week's grosses are going to look like, Grace, when Leslie Odom Jr. Is back, because those were averaging like three to $400 a ticket will be absolutely crazy. But last week, Hamilton came in at $2,150,026. Then the only other show north of 2 million was Wicked at 2,005,000. Mamma Mia was actually third, but all the way back at 1.5 million, followed by the Lion King at 1.45. And then over at the Music Box Theater, art was in fifth place at 1.25 million in its first eight show week. Can only imagine that's going to get even more expensive as those star studded shows start to gain word of mouth. Next up was maybe Happy Ending, followed by Just In Time. Oh, Mary Death becomes Her. John Proctor is the villain and its final week came in at $1,054,847. And then MJ rounded out the Seven Figures Club. In total, 11 of Broadway's 27 productions played a 90% capacity or more. Wicked and Omar were at 100%. Hamilton was a little bit over 101%. John Proctor as the villain was at 102.51. And then just In Time continues to lead the way at 102.88. All right, let's talk about some fun Broadway news. First off, let's head over to the Ambassador Theater where Chicago will welcome in a new matron, Mama Morton as Angela Grovey, who originally made her Broadway debut in Leap of Faith and can also be seen on the Kerry Washington produced Reasonable Doubt on Hulu. She will step into the role of the matron on September 15. She was also seen on Broadway in Escape to Margaritaville, the national tours of the play that Goes Wrong and Newsy as well as Jocelyn Bio's Merry Wives. So she should be a lot of fun to join that production. And then Grace over at the Shubert, maybe you can tell us a little bit more about that. But coming up later this month, for two nights, the one and only 15 time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys will do some special live concert performances following performances of Hell's Kitchen. They're going to take place on September 26th and 27th and they will feature not only Keys herself, but members of the cast. Those will obviously be incredibly hot tickets. Grace, what do you know about these special post show concerts?
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Grace Aki
I'm just so excited that this is again, just another cool opportunity that only Hell's Kitchen could do. You know what I mean? Like I know that so many people enter that theater going, a lot of people go like, oh, I know some of these songs. And then they end up going, I think I know all of these songs. So yeah, I think it's just a really cool thing. Ms. Keys being involved in any capacity is always exciting, but her being in the theater is, is kind of life changing. So if you know Christopher Jackson wasn't already getting you back at Hell's Kitchen, I feel like this is.
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Matt Tmanini
Are you contractually obligated to refer to her as Ms. Keys?
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Grace Aki
No, but I do like to call her Ms. Keys because calling her Alicia sounds like I'm A fake fan.
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Matt Tmanini
Yeah, that's fair. Ms. Keys. I like that.
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Grace Aki
My boss.
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Matt Tmanini
Yeah, in one way or another. Absolutely. So again, coming up on the 26th and 27th of Friday and Saturday later this month. So if you haven't got tickets already, you better hurry because who knows if by the time this episode comes out, there will be any left. All right, Grace. Saturday Night Live has been in the news quite a bit lately. Not only have we just heard about the cast changes for this upcoming season, but there have been documentaries, there have been movies about that first season, especially with celebrating the 50th anniversary now that is coming to the New York stage as the Off Broadway show Not Ready for Prime Time will begin performances on October 5th at the MCC Theater Space ahead of an October 20th opening night. Connor Bagley is directing and we got the cast announced for some very, very familiar names, including Ian Bullion, who is playing Lorne Michaels. Ryan Kraut is playing John Belushi, Jared Grimes is playing Garrett Morris, Caitlin Houlihan is playing Jane Curtin, Nate Janis is playing Bill Murray. Christian Lugo is playing Dan Aykroyd, Woodrow Proctor will be seen as Chevy Chase. Taylor Richardson is playing Lorraine Newman, and Evan Rubin will be playing Gilda Radner. My hope for this, Grace, the only hope that I have for this is that Hannah Einbinder shows up in the audience with her mother to see this show because her mother is of course, the original SNL cast member, Lorraine Newman. So I would love to watch them watch this show.
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Grace Aki
Yeah, I've been excited about this show for a while. I'm famously a huge fan of mc. I feel like this is going to be a show that people want to watch like they want to watch out for in terms of potential transferability just because only. And I only say that because it just feels like such a large gamble when you're doing something that is so. Especially after SNL 50, that's a massive, massive, like, choice to do. So I feel like in terms of getting the rights and the ability to tell that story on stage, I don't think that it will be limited to Off Broadway. Not that I will ever say that MCC is limited, because it isn't.
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Matt Tmanini
It is important to note that while this is being done at mcc, it is not an MCC production. It is a rental. So just keep that in mind, as if you are an MCC subscriber, that this will not be part of your tickets. Speaking of another show that I think could potentially have some, some movability, some transferability that you would have Much more insight on than I would. Yesterday was announced that New York Theater Workshop's new musical Saturday Chur has extended by an extra week. The show was originally scheduled to play through October 12th and it is now going to play through October 19th. Previews are now in their, what, two and a half weeks? Second week now, second full week. Directed by Whitney White, this is a show that features both some incredibly well known songs by the singer songwriter Sierra, as well as some new ones. Grace, this one is one of the hottest things of this fall season. If people don't know the movie or don't even really know Sia, what is the vibe they can get from Saturday Church? Like what are they going to be in for if they head down to New York Theater Workshop and check this one out.
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Grace Aki
I haven't seen it yet, so I don't know, but I'm trying to see it. I'm really excited that people are going to have this opportunity to be connected to this piece of material. If you aren't familiar with the award winning independent film of the same title, you absolutely should, you know, watch it. I think you can rent it on Amazon Prime. But it's just such an incredible piece of work and I love Sia's music. I have heard nothing but exciting things about the direction, about the, the content and the performers themselves. A lot of people that people might be unfamiliar with in the theatrical space, but are incredible performers. So I think it's worthwhile to say that because of that kind of extension, like you, you should be there. And I hope I am too.
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Matt Tmanini
All right, Grace, the last little bit of news that I want to wrap up with is specifically for you because yesterday Deadline exclusively reported that the new play what We Did Before Our Moth Days will play at the Greenwich House Theater beginning performances on February 4th ahead of a March 5th opening night. Grace, do you know who wrote what We Did Before Our Moth Days?
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Grace Aki
No.
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Matt Tmanini
It is the one and only Wallace Shawn. Wallace Shawn wrote this new play and is being directed by somebody he has collaborated with before and Ray Gregory. The cast includes some incredible names. Hope Davis, Maria Dizzia, John early and Josh Hamilton. And it focuses on, quote, an urban world of intelligent and somewhat genteel middle class people. A father, mother, son and the longtime mistress of the father who tell the intimate story of their lives. All of that is great. The one drawback is that Scott Rudin is producing. But note that I figured it was important to note that as well. Grace, explain to people your love and connection with with Wallace.
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Grace Aki
Sean, I don't Think we really have time for it, Matt. I mean, it's actually quite extensive. My dinner, from my dinner with Andre to Princess Bride to just kind of anything he's ever done. Clueless. Like, I'm just such a fan of his. I think that we would be very good friends. Even his voiceover in a goofy movie. I am obsessed with that man. So I thought I saw him in the village once. I'm glad that I didn't run over to him. He probably would have been very scared. But I hope that there's a day where I can be in a general 20ft of space at one point and.
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Matt Tmanini
Maybe it still is. Wasn't one of your social media profiles like that you had won a Wallace Shawn lookalike contest?
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Grace Aki
No. Okay. I know what you're referencing. So what you're referencing is when I was doing a bit where I was maybe or taking out a person who was in a lot of red carpet photos with me and substituting for people I would have liked to have been seen with. And one of those people is Wallace Sean.
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Matt Tmanini
Okay, I. I have a. This might be a Mandela effect, but I. I really thought that at some point you had Wallace. Wallace Sean lookalike contest winner in a social media bio. So maybe I'm just making that up. Nonetheless, Wallace Sean is one of the best.
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Grace Aki
That was my Twitter bio. Matt, you're not crazy. You're not crazy. That was my Twitter bio.
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Matt Tmanini
That's what I thought. Okay.
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Grace Aki
Six years ago. That was my Twitter bio.
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Matt Tmanini
Okay. I. What I thought, like, that stuck in my head. So I'm glad that I didn't completely just make that up out of nowhere, but okay, great. All right, let's wrap it up with a new video from the forthcoming Broadway show Two Strangers Carry a cake across New York. They have released. Released a video of, like, a studio session with the two stars, Sam Tutty and Cristiani Pitt, singing the song New York from the show. It will begin performances at the Longacre Theater on November 1, ahead of an opening night on November 20. I will maybe play it underneath the show as we are talking now so you can hear what this show sounds a little bit talking to me.
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Grace Aki
Nope.
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Sam Tutty or Cristiani Pitt
New York, I'm already talking to talking New York. I'm already popping the coke. Cause I'm ready. I'm ready to be in New York. And they're ready. Are you ready for me in New York?
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Matt Tmanini
All right, everybody, that's all that we have for today. Thanks for listening to today on Broadway. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and instagram Rodri Radio. And if you want more Broadway radio, head over to patreon.com broadway radio. Grace. Where can people find you?
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Grace Aki
You can find me at Grace Hockey.
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Matt Tmanini
All right, everybody, have a wonderful Wednesday and we'll be back to talk to you tomorrow.
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Sam Tutty or Cristiani Pitt
The home of the free, the Liberty City where even my father to hang out with me Home. There's snow in the city tomorrow to see it come twinkling down and that's why they all call it Tinsel town. There's hundreds of thousands of people just living the dream out there and there's love in the air.
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Grace Aki
Okay, we're about to leave the train and then we're gonna be in New York.
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Matt Tmanini
Yes.
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Grace Aki
You're not gonna freak out?
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Sam Tutty or Cristiani Pitt
No. New York. I'm already talking to talking. I'm already bombing the go. Cause I'm ready. I'm ready to be in New York. And they're ready. I've been ready for me in New York for two whole days. I'll literally be in New York. NYCG of K&B I C IAC I'm already talking and talking. I'm ready. I'm ready to be in New York. Yes. I'm ready. Is it ready for me? Are they ready for me? Are you ready for me in New York?