Must-See Plays and Musicals Hitting New York This Fall

The stage is set, and this fall is all about the divas! From Nicole Scherzinger taking on Sunset Boulevard to Audra McDonald starring in Gypsy, and the comedic showdown of Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard in Death Becomes Her, Broadway is packed with star power. And it’s not just the divas—Hollywood’s serious men are making their way to New York, with Robert Downey Jr. hitting Lincoln Center and Adam Driver and Kenneth Branagh heading Off-Broadway. Plus, new shows like The Hills of California and Tammy Faye are all about chasing fame, while others might catapult emerging names into the spotlight. Here’s what’s on our radar:

September

• Romeo + Juliet (Circle in the Square, previews from Sep 26):
  Synopsis: Sam Gold’s bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragic love story stars screen newcomers Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler. Expect a fresh twist with music by pop guru Jack Antonoff, bringing a modern vibe to this classic tale.
• Hold On to Me Darling (Lucille Lortel Theatre, Sep 24–Dec 22):
  Synopsis: Adam Driver stars as Strings McCrane, a country-western superstar in crisis, as he ditches fame to rediscover his roots in Tennessee, grappling with his identity and the life he left behind.
• Safety Not Guaranteed (BAM Harvey Theater, Sep 17–Oct 20):
  Synopsis: This quirky new musical, adapted from the indie film, tells the story of a magazine intern who gets involved with a man claiming he can time travel. With a nostalgic score by Guster’s Ryan Miller, it’s a geeky, heartfelt journey.
• Yellow Face (Roundabout, Todd Haimes Theatre, Sep 13–Nov 24):
  Synopsis: David Henry Hwang’s sharp semi-autobiographical comedy tackles race, identity, and the chaos of miscasting when an Asian American playwright accidentally casts a white actor in an Asian role.
• The Hills of California (Broadhurst Theatre, previews from Sep 11):
  Synopsis: Jez Butterworth’s latest play is a heartfelt family drama about four sisters, once a childhood singing group, reuniting in their hometown as their mother lies dying.
• McNeal (Lincoln Center Theater, Sep 5–Nov 24):
  Synopsis: Robert Downey Jr. stars as Jacob McNeal, a once-great novelist consumed by AI and ambition in Pulitzer Prize-winner Ayad Akhtar’s dark exploration of humanity and obsession.
• Sunset Boulevard (St. James Theater, previews from Sep 28):
  Synopsis: Nicole Scherzinger steps into the iconic role of Norma Desmond, the delusional silent film star plotting her comeback, in this stripped-down, modernized revival of the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic.

October

• Swept Away (Longacre Theatre, previews from Oct 29):
  Synopsis: The Avett Brothers bring their folk-rock sound to Broadway in this haunting musical about shipwrecked sailors facing life-or-death choices, based on a true 19th-century maritime disaster.
• King Lear (The Shed, Oct 26–Dec 16):
  Synopsis: Kenneth Branagh stars as the tragic monarch who loses everything when he divides his kingdom among his daughters, in this intense new production co-directed by Rob Ashford and Lucy Skilbeck.
• Reconstructing (BAM Fishman Space, Oct 24–27):
  Synopsis: Rachel Chavkin’s ensemble show explores the legacy of American slavery through a multi-layered, evolving performance centered around a symbolic house that is both new and ruined.
• Death Becomes Her (Lunt-Fontanne Theater, previews from Oct 23):
  Synopsis: Megan Hilty and Jennifer Simard star as frenemies fighting over the secret to eternal youth in this campy musical adaptation of the cult classic film.
• Tammy Faye (The Palace Theatre, previews from Oct 19):
  Synopsis: This new musical, with songs by Elton John and Jake Shears, follows the rise and fall of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, blending camp, glamour, and high drama.

November

• Eureka Day (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, previews from Nov 25):
  Synopsis: Set in a progressive California school, this timely comedy dives into a heated debate over vaccinations, blending humor with poignant social commentary.
• Gypsy (Majestic Theatre, previews from Nov 21):
  Synopsis: Audra McDonald takes on the role of Momma Rose, the ultimate stage mom, in this iconic musical about ambition, motherhood, and showbiz dreams.
• Cult of Love (Hayes Theater, previews from Nov 20):
  Synopsis: Leslye Headland’s darkly comedic family drama explores the tensions within a fractured, ultra-religious family reuniting for the holidays.
• Gatz (The Public Theater, Nov 1–Dec 1):
  Synopsis: Elevator Repair Service brings back its acclaimed word-for-word staging of The Great Gatsby, a unique and immersive theatrical marathon.
• Ragtime (New York City Center, Oct 30–Nov 14):
  Synopsis: This sweeping revival of the 1990s musical captures the intersecting stories of three families in early 20th-century America, against a backdrop of social upheaval and hope.

Coming Soon

• This Is My Favorite Song (Playwrights Horizons, fall 2024):
  Synopsis: Brooklyn comedian Francesca D’Uva delivers a surreal, musical exploration of sex, grief, and Shakira in this unconventional, laugh-out-loud solo show.

Photo Credit: DepositPhotos.com