Amid the fall hustle and bustle, you might’ve forgotten to take time out and take advantage of the fact that we are living in the theatre capital of the country! But when there are so many masterpieces to choose from, deciding what to see a little overwhelming.
If you don’t know your stage right from your stage left, we’re here to help by giving you the lowdown on some new must-sees, some up and coming treasures, and some can’t miss picks that are closing up shop.
Hold your applause!
CLOSING SOON:
Just extended until October 29th, this expansive revue showcases the work of revolutionary director and producer Harold Prince.
Featuring choreography by five-time Tony winner Susan Stroman, a book by two-time Tony nominee David Thompson, and direction by the Prince himself, this musical blazes through fully-staged hits from the classics he helmed, among them West Side Story, Fiddler on the Roof, Cabaret, Evita, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, The Phantom of the Opera and more.
Highlights include Broadway veteran Emily Skinner's rendition of Company showstopper "The Ladies Who Lunch" and In The Heights’ darling Janet Decal’s smashing “Don’t Cry For Me Argentina”, but you won’t want to miss a moment of this jaw-dropping experience.
2. War Paint
Looking for the perfect musical to check out with a BFF or a GBF? This new show from the team behind 2006 smash Grey Gardens takes girl power and star power to a whole new level.
Two of Broadway’s fiercest and most renowned leading ladies, Patti Lupone and Christine Ebersole, take turns stealing the stage as dueling icons Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden while the show chronicles the pioneers’ rise to the top of the cosmetics industry, peddling their titular “paint” to women all over America. 💄💋
The show is ending its 7-month run this November 5th so don’t miss out on the chance to watch these divas strut their stuff!
3. Curvy Widow
This critically acclaimed quirky Off-Broadway comedy is based on the experiences of another badass lady, book writer Bobby Goldman.
The show encompasses Goldman’s real-life journey to rebuild her life and find new companionship and new booty after the death of her writer husband. In fact, the title is her Match.com username!
Tony nominee Nancy Opel gives a spot-on performance as Goldman, and rollicking numbers like “Age Height Weight” and the “Gynecologist Tango” are sure to have you in stitches. Catch it before November 5!
One of Off-Broadway’s more unique adaptations is only with us until December 10.
Returning to the Public Theatre after a critically acclaimed run last season, the play is based on no movie or book but on the Dear Sugar advice column written by author Cheryl Strayed of Wild fame and later published as Tiny Beautiful Things.
The show stars Nia Vardalos of My Big Fat Greek Wedding, who also co-conceived the piece with Hamilton director Thomas Kail. The cast of this moving play is rounded out by Natalie Woolams-Torres, Teddy Cañez, and Hubert Point-du Jour as a chorus of questioners who appear to query Vardalos’ Strayed about harrowing issues like miscarriage and grief and receive in response empathy and hope.
This little “thing” is sure to carve a special place in your heart!
5. Cats
Looking for something light-hearted to round out your theatregoing? This clawsome revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s record-breaking 1982 smash could be the purrfect evening for you.
Based on Old Possum's Book of Practical Cats by poet TS Eliot, the show features timeless hits like “Jellicle Cats” and “Memory” as well as some sprucing up of the original choreography by Gillian Lynne from Hamilton Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler.
The show is closing its doors on December 30th,so you’ve got no time for playing cat and mouse with this meownificient pick! 🐱🐱🐱
Want something a little more serious? This era-spanning drama by J. B. Priestley opened last week for its first Broadway stint since its 1938 premiere and explores the downfall of the once-flourishing Conway clan by framing a scene of their miserable 1937 present in between two acts of their vibrant, hopeful, 1919 past.
The star-studded cast of this metaphysical odyssey features Elizabeth McGovern of Downton Abbey as the matriarch of the titular clan and Pitch Perfect’s Anna Camp as daughter Hazel. It runs until only November 26th at the American Airlines Theater—so don’t run out of time!
JUST OPENED:
In the mood for something a little more rock-and-roll than your typical Broadway fare? Then Springsteen on Broadway, which officially opened a week ago at the intimate Walter Kerr theatre, may be just your cup of tea!
Onstage, the singer shares stories of his 50-year singing career interspersed with pared-down performances of hits like “Dancin in the Dark” and “Born in the USA” along with some of his lesser-known gems—his wife Patti Scialfa will also join in to harmonize on a few.
Though tickets are sold out, you can put your name into the hat for the show’s digital lottery, which offers a limited number of discount tickets per performance and will offer alerts if regular priced tickets become available.
Worth a shot, right?
Hey, droogs! Do you wanna viddy some horrorshow ultraviolence?
What do you mean you haven’t read the book? Ok, even if that last sentence went a little bit over your head, you don’t have to be fluent in Nadsak to enjoy this adaptation of Anthony Burgess’s legendary 1962 novella at off-Broadway’s New World Stages this season.
Described by the New York Times as “disturbing, stylish, and sexy”, this dark dystopian tale follows the authoritarian efforts to reform the violent protagonist—at all costs. It’s been making headlines for its ultrafit and often shirtless male cast members as well as its thrills, so there’s plenty for even the non-bookish to enjoy!
The show breezed in from a smash hit London run at the end of September, and you have until January 6, 2018 to catch it!
OPENING SOON:
Looking for something intense and exotic?
A limited run of this new political drama by House Of Cards Emmy nominee Beau Willimon begins previews on November 9 and stars Uma Thurman of Kill Bill fame as the titular foreigner and also features Josh Lucas, Marton Csokas, and Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo.
Taking place in Washington DC after the 2016 election, the play explores main character Chloe’s struggle to come to terms with her past, her marriage, and an uncertain future—we, on the other hand, are definitely intrigued!
Want to escape to a warm, tropical paradise without leaving Manhattan?
On November 9th, a revival of Once On This Island, a Caribbean fairytale from the songwriting team behind Ragtime and Anastasia opens its doors.
This musical tells the vibrant tale of island peasant girl Ti Moune, who receives help on her quest to reunite with her true love from powerful island spirits.
The show’s star-studded cast will feature the talents of Greenleaf’s Merle Dandridge, Glee’s Alex Newell, and Tony winner Lea Salonga, known outside of the theatre circuit for her roles as the singing voice of Jasmine in Aladdin and Fa Mulan in Mulan.
We can’t wait to check it out!
11. Spongebob Squarepants The Musical
Who lives in a pineapple under the…. stage lights? Just when we thought the intersection of Broadway and pop culture couldn’t get any weirder, we heard about Spongebob Squarepants the musical.
That’s right, the porous and yellow optimist of your childhood and all of your other Bikini Bottom favorites will be granted new life onstage thanks to rockin' pop score featuring tunes from David Bowie, Sarah Bareilles, They Might Be Giants, and tons more!
Ethan Slater, Gavin Lee, and Lilli Cooper will star as Spongebob, Squidward, and Sandy in performances beginning at the Palace Theatre on November 6th. No life vest or scuba gear required!
Want to bring some family-friendly Christmas cheer to your theatregoing but getting a little tired of the Rockettes? No worries!
Starring Candice Glover, winner of American Idol season 12, Josh Kaufman, winner of The Voice season 6, and Bianca Ryan, winner of America's Got Talent season 1, this revue will bring some bomb holiday tunes to the August Wilson Theatre from November 17th to December 30th.
On the setlist will be traditional hits like “O Come All Ye Faithful” and “O Holy Night” and radio faves like “All I Want For Christmas Is You”. Kaitlyn Bristowe of the Bachelorette will serve as host and actor Danny Aiello will be popping in for a special appearance. All we want for Xmas is tix!
You’ll be hearing from us again in January for a rundown of the hottest picks for the start of 2018. In the meantime, don’t forget to silence your cell phones!
[Feature Image Courtesy Instagram]