From revivals of 20th century classics to brand-new musicals, the fall theater season is about taking chances on Broadway and off. Here’s a look at 17 shows to get excited about.
You Can't Take It With You
Theater: Longacre Theatre
Previews: Aug. 26
Opening: Sept. 28
What it's about: The eccentric Sycamore family, led by patriarch Grandpa Vanderhof (James Earl Jones), gets a visit from the straightlaced parents of daughter Alice's (Rose Byrne) new beau Tony (Fran Kranz).
Why we're excited: The George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play is a classic, having won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was also adapted into a 1938 film that took home the Academy Award for Best Picture. The thrill of seeing how You Can't Take It With You will work more than 75 years after its premiere is compounded by the exceptional cast, led by the always incredible Jones and featuring Byrne, equally adept at comedy and drama, and Masters of Sex standout Annaleigh Ashford.
Buy tickets here.
Joan Marcus / Via broadway.com
Tail! Spin!
Theater: Lynn Redgrave Theater at Culture Project
Previews: Sept. 18
Opening: Oct. 1
What it's about: The sex scandals of politicians Anthony Weiner, Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, and Mark Foley are detailed — all in their own words. Tail! Spin! quotes directly from emails, texts, and tweets, with SNL alum Rachel Dratch playing multiple women in these fallen men's lives.
Why we're excited: The inventive concept reflects the absurdity of these politicians' faux pas — there's no need to add anything when their own excuses for deviant behavior were so inherently silly. Add to that the talents of Dratch, an incredible improviser and comic performer, and you've got something even funnier than trying to claim your Twitter was hacked.
Buy tickets here.
Carol Rosegg
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Theater: Barrymore Theatre
Previews: Sept. 10
Opening: Oct. 5
What it's about: Based on Mark Haddon's best-selling novel, Curious Incident follows 15-year-old Christopher (Alexander Sharp), whose form of autism makes him very intelligent but ill-equipped at social situations, as he solves the murder of a neighborhood dog.
Why we're excited: The book did a tremendous job of putting the reader inside Christopher's unique and often frustrated mind, and it looks like the theatrical production will be doing the same. The production has already earned rave reviews for its insight and creativity, which suggests that the theater experience will be as transformative for the audience as reading the book once was.
Buy tickets here.
Brinkhoff/Mögenburg / Via curiousonbroadway.com
It's Only a Play
Theater: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
Previews: Aug. 28
Opening: Oct. 9
What it's about: It's opening night of a new play by Peter Austin (Matthew Broderick), who looks for comfort from his so-called best friend James Wicker (Nathan Lane), while also dealing with a drugged-up star (Stockard Channing) and a first-time producer (Megan Mullally).
Why we're excited: Aside from the fact that this comedy is written by the great and often searingly funny Terrence McNally, It's Only a Play's biggest selling point is likely that incredible cast, which reunites Producers stars Broderick and Lane, and brings Harry Potter's Rupert Grint to Broadway. It doesn't get much better than this cast, which also includes F. Murray Abraham and newcomer Micah Stock.
Buy tickets here.
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