BroadwayRadio – Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025

Hosts: Matt Tammenini & Grace Aki
Date: September 17, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Matt and Grace discuss the highly anticipated Broadway transfer of "Giant" starring John Lithgow, the legacy of the late Robert Redford, last week's strong Broadway box office numbers, the premium experience at the Hudson Theatre, upcoming theater events and workshops, and new musical/play announcements. The episode closes with a lighthearted discussion about Grace's recent viral Instagram moment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. John Lithgow Returns to Broadway in “Giant”

• Announcement: The West End hit "Giant" will transfer to Broadway this season, starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, with performances beginning March 11 at a Shubert theater for a 16-week limited engagement.
• Significance: Dahl is a beloved children’s author, but the play explores his complex, problematic anti-Semitic legacy.
• Notable creative team: Written by Mark Rosenblatt, directed by Nicholas Hytner, design by Rob Crowley.
• Anticipation: Both hosts and their sources—Matt mentions, “My aunt and her husband… saw it and said it was incredibly powerful,” (03:08)—expect the show to be an awards contender.
• Grace’s take:
  "The last time I saw John Lithgow was in a one person show at Roundabout...such a powerful performance and I'm very excited about this play." (02:21)

2. Remembering Robert Redford (1936–2025)

• Passing: Robert Redford has died at 89 in Sundance, Utah, on Tuesday morning (Sep. 16, 2025).
• Early Broadway Roots: Redford started on Broadway, notably in "Sunday in New York" (1961) and "Barefoot in the Park," before achieving film stardom.
• Film Legacy: Directed “Ordinary People” (Oscar winner), starred in “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Sting,” “All the President’s Men,” and more.
• Sundance Institute: Created the Sundance Film Festival, fostering generations of filmmakers.
• Grace's reflection:
  "He was such a theatrical actor...he cared about the art and the craft...this is such a seismic thing...I miss him." (05:15)
• Matt on Redford’s versatility:
  "He could do a little bit of everything...one of the most influential actors and directors and artists of our time and of any time as well." (05:47)

3. Broadway Box Office – Record Numbers Driven by Big Names

• General Trend: Last week, 28 shows grossed $33,128,088 with 240,283 in attendance.
• “Hamilton” Boom: The return of Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr led to a $1.6 million increase, grossing $3,779,453.
  "If you are finding a ticket, it is incredibly expensive...it is not any different than it was 10 years ago...I am incredibly excited to pay a ridiculous amount to see it next month." – Matt (06:36)
• Top 5:
  • Hamilton – $3.77M
  • Wicked – $2.00M
  • The Lion King – ~$1.7M
  • Ma – $1.58M
  • Death Becomes Her – $1.36M
• Shows on the Rise: “Art” is doing “very well” in previews; Matt predicts prices will increase after opening.

4. The Hudson Theatre: NYC’s ‘Boutique Star Vehicle’ Venue

• Major Event: “Waiting for Godot” with Keanu Reeves & Alex Winter played its first performance, grossing $367K for one show—projecting nearly $2.9M in a full week.
• Exclusive Experience:
  "Anytime a show goes into the Hudson, it's...this, like, high level, premium kind of exclusive ticket...a good opportunity...to say, this is the one time you get to see them." – Grace (09:38)
• Business Model: The smaller (975-seat) Hudson charges premium prices for prestige, star-driven runs.

5. Upcoming Events: ‘Celebrating Tom Kirdahy’ Panel

• Event: Free panel at NYPL (Sep. 19) honoring Broadway producer Tom Kirdahy, featuring Rachel Chavkin, Bill Condon, Jonathan Groff, Lamar Richardson.
• Kirdahy’s Impact: Produced “Just in Time,” upcoming “Ragtime,” “Hadestown,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” and more. Also known for championing Terrence McNally’s legacy.

6. New Project Announcements

• Babysitter’s Club Musical:
  • Based on Ann M. Martin’s beloved series, adapted by Kate Weatherhead & Mark Sonnenblake, set for industry presentations in Nov 2025, with a planned premiere in 2027.
• Off-Broadway:
  • "The Burning Cauldron of Fiery Fire" by Anne Washburn, opens Oct. 23 (Vineyard/Civilians); ensemble cast explores communal living after a sudden death.
• Training Opportunity:
  • Design Action’s Springboard to Design (2026 cohort): A tuition-free design mentorship intensive led by Clint Ramos and David Zinn for underrepresented students. Apps due Dec. 15.

7. Quick Preview: “Art” Opening Night

• Grace’s Initial Review:
  "Yeah. I like it when people argue." (15:43)
  Teasing a more in-depth review on the next day’s episode.

8. Viral Moment: Grace’s ‘Almost Famous’ Instagram Incident

• Context: Grace appears on Hollywood IQ’s viral “one-second movie” challenge, failing to instantly recognize a favorite film (“Almost Famous”). Matt ribs her on-air.
• Grace defends herself:
  "The screen that video is playing on was 15ft away from me in the dark...if I'd been as close as your eyes are to it, I could have known...also, they didn't prep me with what movies could be." (16:10, 17:11)
• Other movies guessed: Dreamgirls; The Secret Life of Walter Mitty
• Matt:
  "I'll have a link to that social media video in the show notes, and you can bombard Hollywood IQ and force them to release the other videos to save Grace's good cinephile name." (17:43)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On “Giant” and Lithgow:

  • "Anything with John Lithgow is certainly worth...not only watching in terms of quality, but also in terms of awards consideration." – Matt (02:38)

• On Robert Redford’s passing:

  • "He was such a theatrical actor...he cared about the art and the craft." – Grace (05:15)
  • "I think that his impact will be celebrated tremendously over the next few days, weeks, and over the next year..." – Matt (05:47)

• On the Hudson Theatre:

  • "Anytime a show goes into the Hudson, it's...this, like, high level, premium...exclusive ticket." – Grace (09:38)

• On “Art” (teaser):

  • "Yeah. I like it when people argue." – Grace (15:43)

• On Grace’s viral video:

  • "How dare you...The screen...was 15ft away from me in the dark...if I had been as close as your eyes are to it, I could have known..." – Grace (16:10)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:30] – John Lithgow/“Giant” Broadway transfer announcement
• [04:09] – Robert Redford’s passing & legacy
• [06:36] – Broadway grosses & Hamilton’s record week
• [09:38] – Waiting for Godot at the Hudson Theatre & premium ticketing
• [10:05] – The Hudson’s business model as an exclusive venue
• [11:45] – “Celebrating Tom Kirdahy” panel announcement
• [12:27] – New: Babysitter’s Club musical, Off-Broadway plays, Springboard to Design
• [15:43] – Grace’s preview comment on “Art”
• [16:04] – Grace’s Hollywood IQ video incident and friendly teasing
• [17:43] – Matt links to the viral video and wraps the episode

This episode expertly balances coverage of major Broadway news and cultural moments, with in-depth commentary on industry trends, production news, and personal anecdotes that keep listeners both informed and entertained.