Podcast Summary: MickeyJoTheatre – a HUGE Broadway casting update | Maybe Happy Ending, Death Becomes Her, Titaníque, Hadestown & more

Host: Mickey-Jo
Date: January 19, 2026

Overview

This episode is a comprehensive, fast-paced roundup of the latest and most buzzworthy Broadway casting updates. Host Mickey-Jo, an exuberant theatre critic and content creator, dishes on recent cast departures, new appointments, rumors, and the surprising trend of big-name performers returning to roles after brief absences. Shows covered include Wicked, Just In Time, Maybe Happy Ending, Operation Mincemeat, Death Becomes Her, Titaníque, The Great Gatsby, and Hadestown.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Broadway's "Miscellaneous" Updates – Wicked & Just In Time

[03:10]

• Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre welcomes two new witches:

  • Keri Renee Fuller (previous Elphaba stand-by) takes over as the principal Elphaba.
  • Emma Flynn, formerly Cher in the West End’s Clueless, joins as Glinda in her Broadway debut.
  • Quote: “Emma is one of the loveliest and most talented rising stars I have had the fortune of encountering in the last few years...I am so beyond thrilled for her.” (Mickey-Jo, 04:24)
  • Mickey-Jo reflects on the bittersweetness of Lencia’s trailblazing but now-short run as Elphaba.
  • Noted strategy of annual 12-month contracts for leads, keeping stars from overshadowing the brand.

• Just In Time at Circle in the Square:

  • Jonathan Groff is set to leave; the role is heavily tailored to his persona.
  • Replacement rumors swirl: Michael Bublé, Jeremy Jordan, Matthew Morrison – though none confirmed.
  • Quote: “While Michael Bublé would absolutely sound fantastic and it would sure sell a lot of tickets...he's not really known as an actor.” (Mickey-Jo, 08:25)

New Musical Updates: Fear of 13 & Two Strangers

__ [11:10]__

• Fear of 13 is Broadway-bound, with Adrien Brody and Tessa Thompson attached.
• Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York's addition of new standbys hints at their health and potential Tony front-runner status in a sparse season for new musicals.

Maybe Happy Ending: Major Casting Shifts

__ [12:55]__

• "My favorite musical right now on Broadway...Hell, my favorite show." (Mickey-Jo, 13:30)
• Helen J. Shen (Claire) leaves Feb. 15. Standbys Hannah Kevitt and Claire Kwan rotate in principal runs thereafter.
• Darren Criss (Oliver) remains until May 17; next principal casting TBA—show plans to continue.
• Andrew Barth Feldman’s previous casting was controversial due to the show’s commitment to Asian representation, tempered by his real-life relationship with Shen.
• Quote: “It's only really when a show can get past the excitement of its original cast that it can go on to become a long-running hit like Hadestown...” (Mickey-Jo, 15:45)
• Potential speculations for future casting include Stephanie Hsu and singer LØWE.

Operation Mincemeat: Full British Cast Exit, All-American Cast Incoming

__ [19:00]__

• The original five-member British cast (three of whom co-wrote the show, with Tony-winner Jack Malone) all leave February 22.
• New all-American cast starts February 24, which will lower running costs and possibly enhance accessibility for American audiences due to accent clarity.
• Quote: “If bringing in American performers who are maybe a little easier to follow for American audiences helps people enjoy the show a little bit more and it's cheaper, then it seems like a win-win.” (Mickey-Jo, 20:24)
• Mickey-Jo speculates on box office impact: Are British-originating stars still a draw, or has the show’s reputation taken over?
• Addresses speculation: the cast will still use British accents.

Death Becomes Her: A Diva Role Revolving Door

__ [21:15]__

• Megan Hilty, Tony winner and original Madeline Ashton, has just departed; Betsy Wolfe steps in for a limited run.
• Jennifer Simard continues as Helen.
• Death Becomes Her is noted as a rare show with strong comic diva roles; many stars rumored as future leads (Stephanie J. Block among them).
• Discussion of the new Broadway trend: high-profile stars taking brief, repeat stints in shows (Jeremy Jordan in Gatsby, Aaron Tveit in Moulin Rouge, Darren Criss in Maybe Happy Ending).
• Mickey-Jo observes increasing work-life balance for Broadway stars and how that affects these trends.
• Quote: “Jennifer Simard...has been waiting her entire career for a role like this on Broadway. It is so perfect for her.” (Mickey-Jo, 23:45)

Titaníque: Off-Broadway Cult Hit Sails to Broadway

__ [26:50]__

• Set to open at the St. James Theatre, Titaníque comes with surprises:
  • Marla Mindelle returns as Celine Dion (originator and co-creator).
  • Constantine Rousouli (Jack) and Frankie Grande (Victor Garbus/Luigi) confirmed. Grande, also a co-producer, brings box office draw—joined by drag royalty and prior reunions.
  • Deborah Cox plays Molly Brown; Jim Parsons (Ruth/Kate Winslet’s mother) adds star power and queer credibility.
• Role of Rose still unannounced. Rumors: Ariana Grande, Anna Kendrick, or another well-known name.
• Mickey-Jo stresses the importance of maintaining the show’s queer identity during this transition to Broadway.
• Quote: “My concern...was that we would get a slightly more heterosexual version...I’m hoping that they manage to sidestep that. Jim Parsons is a great solution...” (Mickey-Jo, 31:45)

Fresh Casting Announcements: The Great Gatsby & Hadestown

__ [33:35]__

• The Great Gatsby:

  • Eva Noblezada returns as Daisy Buchanan (Feb 5 onward).
  • Potential triple-cast Gatsby: Jeremy Jordan (Feb-March), Ryan McCarten (March 8-29), Reeve Carney (from March 30 and Noblezada’s real-life husband).
  • Quote: “If you see the show three times this year, you could see Eva alongside three different Gatbys. I'll let you decide which is the greatest.” (Mickey-Jo, 34:40)

• Hadestown:

  • Full new principal cast: Joshua Colley (Orpheus), Gary Dourdan (Hades), J. Harrison G. (Hermes), Gaby Moreno (Persephone), Jordan Tyson (Eurydice).
  • Praise for Hadestown’s group-cast transitions, which foster chemistry and fresh takes.
  • Both Orpheus and Eurydice will be notably young this iteration.
  • Notable moment: Lin-Manuel Miranda commented on the “must-repeat” nature of seeing Hadestown with each new cast.
  • Quote: “I'm just glad to see a show like Hadestown really turn into a successful long runner and continue to go from strength to strength with this recasting. Long live Hadestown.” (Mickey-Jo, 36:30)

Trends and Reflections

• Celebrity Revolving Door: There’s a clear uptick in stars leaving and returning for short stints, sometimes multiple times in a season (Jordan, Tveit, Criss, Hilty, Noblezada, Carney).
• Work-Life Balance: Post-pandemic Broadway sees stars taking self-care breaks and producers more open to it.
• Broadway’s Box Office Stars: The current landscape has more Broadway-specific celebrities than in over a decade.
• Casting as Event: Each replacement or temporary return is treated as marketing gold.
• Broadway’s Diversity and Representation: Ongoing conversation about authentic and diverse casting, especially with Maybe Happy Ending.
• Accent and Comprehension: Shows like Operation Mincemeat may become more accessible to American audiences with local actors.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Emma [Flynn] is one of the loveliest and most talented rising stars I have had the fortune of encountering in the last few years...” (04:24)
• “While Michael Bublé would absolutely sound fantastic...he's not really known, unless I'm mistaken, as something of an actor.” (08:25)
• “It's only really when a show can get past the excitement of its original cast that it can go on to become a long running hit like Hadestown has managed this now...” (15:45)
• “If bringing in American performers who are maybe a little easier to follow for American audiences helps people enjoy the show a little bit more and it's cheaper, then it seems like a win-win.” (20:24)
• “Jennifer Simard...has been waiting her entire career for a role like this on Broadway. It is so perfect for her.” (23:45)
• “My concern when [Titaníque] went to Broadway was that we would get a slightly more heterosexual version...I’m hoping that they manage to sidestep that. Jim Parsons is a great solution...” (31:45)
• “If you see [Gatsby] three times this year, you could see Eva alongside three different Gatsbys. I'll let you decide which is the greatest.” (34:40)
• “I'm just glad to see a show like Hadestown really turn into a successful long runner and continue to go from strength to strength with this recasting. Long live Hadestown.” (36:30)

Timestamps: Important Segments

• 03:10 – Broadway Miscellaneous: Wicked & Just In Time casting
• 12:55 – Maybe Happy Ending's rotating cast and future speculation
• 19:00 – Operation Mincemeat: the end of the original cast, American replacements
• 21:15 – Death Becomes Her: Megan Hilty exit, Betsy Wolfe steps in, diva pipeline
• 26:50 – Titaníque: Broadway transfer, star-studded (and queer) casting
• 33:35 – New casting in Great Gatsby and Hadestown; reflections on returnees

Final Thoughts

Mickey-Jo’s high energy, deep industry knowledge, and sharp (often self-deprecating) wit make this episode a must-listen for Broadway insiders and fans. He blends real-time news, rumors, and cultural commentary, creating both an information download and an opinionated, conversational theatre chat. The host continually invites listeners to weigh in with their own rumors, theories, and casting dreams—fostering an ongoing, interactive community dialogue.

For those looking to keep up with fast-paced, ever-changing Broadway gossip, this episode is an essential catch-up on current casting, trends, and the evolving nature of stardom on The Great White Way.