BroadwayRadio – Today on Broadway: Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2025
Hosts: Matt Tamanini & Grace Aki
Date: September 3, 2025
Episode Overview
This episode kicks off the Broadway autumn news cycle post-Labor Day. Matt Tamanini and Grace Aki recap the latest casting announcements, new tour news, and upcoming closing dates, while offering insights into broader industry trends—from star-driven recasting strategies to the evolving nature of national tours. They also spotlight Off-Broadway highlights and affordable performance opportunities for New Yorkers. Personal anecdotes and trademark banter keep the tone friendly, witty, and in-the-know.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Start of Broadway’s Fall News Rush
- Pace of Announcements:
- Matt queries if a “floodgate” of fall show announcements is imminent post-Labor Day or if news will trickle in ["Do you think...it's going to be a big floodgate is open now that we're in September, or... a small trickle...What do you think the volume of announcements is going to be here moving forward?" (00:55)].
- Grace predicts a gradual ramp-up for spring 2026, with current fall mostly settled:
- “The fall feels pretty sleepy ... Like, I feel like pretty good about the fall. ... I don't see any surprise outliers for the fall. ... most people are saying, okay, okay, okay, okay, let's do the spring” (01:29).
- Industry Context:
- Return from holidays means producers and teams are back at their desks; increased momentum from here onward.
2. Major Casting News: ‘Omar’ Brings Jane Krakowski On Board
- Star-Powered Rotations:
- Jane Krakowski will take over the role of Mary Todd Lincoln in Omar from October 14 to December 7 for an eight-week run.
- Recent Marys: Jinkx Monsoon (current, until Sept 28), Hannah So Hollow (understudy, Sep 30-Oct 12), and, soon, Krakowski.
- Hosts’ Reactions:
- Matt is effusive:
- "This is still an incredible way for this show to keep just bringing in more kind of perfect stars." (03:11)
- Grace offers classic comic takes:
- "It's such an unhinged, correct casting." (04:01)
- “I think this is such excellent casting and she's just so fantastic that of course I want to see her be a, you know, failed cabaret star.” (04:07)
- Matt is effusive:
- Fan Casting:
- Matt and Grace joke about potential future stars: Titus Burgess as Abe Lincoln, Carol Kane as The Chaperone.
3. ‘Chess’ Broadway Revival Complete Cast Announced
- Ensemble Revealed:
- Hannah Cruz will play Svetlana, joining previously announced Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher.
- Chess revives previous concert-cast members: Bryce Pinkham (the Arbiter—now a comic role), Bradley Dean (Molokoff), Sean Allen Krill (Walter).
- Robust ensemble suggests a dance-heavy production.
- BroadwayInsider Insight:
- Matt: “If you’re thinking … what kind of production is this going to be? Seems like there’s going to be a lot of dancing in this show…” (05:06)
- Grace’s Personal Shout-outs:
- Special mention for Michael Montcanan and the strength of the new generation of Broadway ensemble talent.
- “I am thrilled that they are joining this cast. It's just going to be such an incredible ensemble. And having never seen the show ... I can't wait to know what the show's about." (07:22)
- Matt: “It's about chess.” (07:57)
- Grace, deadpan: “Oh, for fuck's sake.” (07:58) (Memorable moment)
4. ‘Heathers’ to Embark on First U.S. National Tour (Spring 2027)
- Off-Broadway Redux Grows Legs:
- Spring 2027 marks Heathers’ first-ever U.S. national tour, alongside upcoming tours in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Will It Be a “Big” Tour?
- Matt muses whether the show will fill large venues or stick to smaller, regional houses given Off-Broadway roots.
- Grace on touring strategy post-pandemic:
- “What I'm noticing is that people are wanting to do much longer tours in like a bunch of cities. … I'm seeing shows do: all right, one week here, one week there, one week ... and then two years of that and I'm not seeing as much like three months in this spot.” (09:19)
- Industry Context:
- Road shows’ economic strategy is shifting; every market is different in its needs and resources.
5. Show Closings and Controversial Castings
- Jon Proctor is the Villain ends Sunday, Sept. 7 at the Booth Theatre.
- Oliver and Maybe Happy Ending brings in Andrew Barth Feldman for a nine-week run amid controversy, with Darren Criss returning Nov. 5.
- Matt: “Despite all of the controversy, despite all of the protests, despite all of the petitions, Andrew Barth Feldman is stepping into the role of Oliver … I was clearly wrong.” (11:35)
6. Off-Broadway Spotlight: ‘Schitt’s Probe’ Moves to Laurie Beechman Theater
- About the Show:
- Improv musical, every element created live, new special Broadway guest each time.
- Now has a regular home: twice a month at Laurie Beechman.
- Notable past guest stars: James Monroe Iglehart, Jessica Vosk, Jackie Hoffman, and more.
- Hosts’ Advocacy:
- Matt: “I think this is a really big opportunity for them to grow and continue to find an audience…” (12:52)
- Grace:
- “Here's the thing, I just want to remind everybody that people have to come from somewhere and you might see a person that you just, like, absolutely fall in love with...” (13:46)
- “If you love seeing performances and you don't always have premium ticket budget, you can see amazing talent … for less than $30 sometimes.” (14:23)
7. Play Reading Event: ‘I Know Why Iris Chang Died’
- Event Details:
- Public readings, Sept 4-7 at IRT Theater, produced by Moxie Arts NY.
- Cast includes Kelly Marie Tran; explores identity, trauma, and family.
8. Personal & Closing Notes
- Wedding Planning:
- Grace updates listeners about her own theatrical “production”—her upcoming wedding.
- “It's just producing another event, Matt. Only the budget is not up to someone else. It's up to me. And that is not fun.” (15:57)
- Grace updates listeners about her own theatrical “production”—her upcoming wedding.
- Relatable Producer Humor:
- Matt: “You did your show in Edinburgh, so that was almost like a trial run for producing your own wedding.” (16:07)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
-
On the Fall Broadway News Cycle
- Grace: “The fall feels pretty sleepy ... I feel like we generally know the landscape. I don't see any surprise outliers for the fall.” (01:29)
-
On Starry, Wacky ‘Omar’ Casting
- Grace: “It's such an unhinged, correct casting.” (04:01)
-
On Seeing ‘Chess’ for the First Time
- Grace: “I've only sung Anthem in high school chorus. I can't wait to know what the show's about.” (07:22)
- Matt: “It's about chess.” (07:57)
- Grace: “Oh, for fuck's sake.” (07:58)
-
On Touring Show Trends
- Grace: “...People are wanting to do much longer tours in ... a bunch of cities ... and then two years of that...” (09:19)
-
On Discovering Talent Off the Main Stem
- Grace: “As a reminder, there's talent in New York City beyond 8th Avenue, you know ... there are other opportunities and this [Schitt’s Probe] is an excellent piece of programming.” (13:46)
-
Wedding Planning Parallels:
- Matt: “You did your show in Edinburgh, so that was almost like a trial run for producing your own wedding.” (16:07)
- Grace: “No, it's 100% the same thing. It is exactly the same thing.” (16:14)
Timestamps for Important Segments
| Segment | Timestamp | |----------------------------------- |------------- | | Fall show/news announcement trends | 00:36 – 02:31| | ‘Omar’ casting news | 02:31 – 04:38| | ‘Chess’ full cast announcement | 04:58 – 07:57| | ‘Heathers’ US tour announcement | 08:00 – 10:21| | Show closings and replacements | 10:21 – 12:15| | ‘Schitt’s Probe’ Off-Broadway move | 12:22 – 14:49| | Play reading: ‘I Know why Iris Chang Died’ | 14:49 – 15:44| | Personal updates, wedding talk | 15:44 – 16:20|
Summary
This episode marks Broadway’s “back to school” period, as the industry returns from summer and the big fall/spring news cycle begins. Notable scoops include Jane Krakowski’s casting in Omar, the full cast reveal for Broadway’s Chess (amid banter about casting and show content), and Heathers: The Musical planning a major U.S. tour for the first time.
Matt and Grace stress the shifting landscape of national tours and the value of Off-Broadway discoveries, emphasizing that the post-pandemic era’s touring and programming require both flexibility and creative vision. Lighthearted asides about wedding planning, show content, and comic casting suggestions keep this episode accessible, humorous, and informative for both casual fans and Broadway insiders.