Looking Forward to Spring: March - May 2026

Daylight is lasting longer. Temperatures are climbing. And the Broadway openings calendar is crowded. That can only mean one thing: spring is here!

Looking Forward to Spring:

March - May 2026

Like we always do, before we look ahead, we take stock of the recent past. The winter was a slow one, theater-wise for us, but that doesn't mean it was necessarily a bad one. We saw just two productions over the past three months, and they really showed the extremes that theater can be. 2025 ended with The Queen of Versailles, a show we really did not like (we weren't alone!), though it wasn't a complete loss. We saw the return of Sherie Rene Scott, which was a great thing. 2026 started with seeing Chess, one of our favorite imperfect shows with a fabulous score and, now, a glorious cast. So winter was a 50-50 for us.

This spring looks much busier, and kind of exciting!

Regional Theater

Next to Normal (Iron Crow Theatre Company - Baltimore, MD)

Long time readers know that any chance I get to see one of my favorite shows, I take it! Add to that, the production is by a local, somewhat new, rapidly growing professional theater company that emphasizes queer inclusion, and they got an easy ticket sale. I'm looking forward to a more diverse cast and an exciting, new (to me) venue! Look for our review very soon!

West Side Story (Washington National Opera - Baltimore, MD)

I am so looking forward to supporting this world class company, displaced by their conviction to not support the Trump regime at the Kennedy Center. How fortunate for us that they found a home at a local Baltimore venue, the Lyric. I've never seen this venerable production done by an opera company, so that's exciting. I'm also looking forward to hearing the WNO orchestra under the baton of Marin Alsop, and starring Broadway's Ryan McCartan and Shereen Pimentel (who we missed in the 2020 Broadway revival) as Tony and Maria.

Off-Broadway

The Wild Party (Encores! - New York City Center)

My favorite LaChuisa show, I have longed to see it ever since I got the chance to see it on Broadway 25 years ago! We are looking forward to the all-star cast and the City Center orchestra. I am especially excited to finally get to see Jasmine Amy Rogers, and to see Adrienne Warren, Jordan Donica, Claybourne Elder and the great Tonya Pinkins in a new role! 

Broadway

Beaches (Majestic Theatre)

Whenever I need a good, guaranteed cry, I pop in the movie Beaches. I will bring a couple of tissues with me to the Majestic to be safe. But if I'm honest, what I've seen and heard so far from this stage adaptation I'm feeling kind of meh about it. Still, I'd like to see what Jessica Vosk can bring to the role made iconic by Bette Midler. We shall see.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball (Broadhurst Theatre)

Just when I thought I'd had enough of the junkyard kitties, along comes this so crazy it works version of the 80s mega-musical. We managed to miss it off Broadway, so I'm glad the transfer happened after hearing so much about it. Hard to believe, but I know very little about this genre of entertainment, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing masters of this craft, while being able to concentrate on them and not the plot or score, which I already know like the back of my hand.

Schmigadoon! (Nederlander Theatre)

From everything I've heard about this property, it should be right up my alley. I will be going into this one blind - I haven't seen or heard anything from this show or the TV series upon which it is based. I don't have Apple TV. Still a parody of classic musical theater sounds fun, and the cast is full of people I love, including Ann Harada, Alex Brightman, Ana Gasteyer, Brad Oscar and McKenzie Kurtz. So this is one I'm pretty interested in!

The Lost Boys (Palace Theatre)

I adored the film, and it reminds me of my youth. Who doesn't need a dose of youth these days? What I've heard of the score, I like, and I'm interested in seeing all of the spectacle. I already love Shoshana Bean and Ali Louis Bourguiz, and it has been fun watching Benjamin Pajak grow up live on stage. Will this break the Broadway vampire musical curse? I hope so! After Queen of Versailles, Michael Arden could use a win.

The Rocky Horror Show (Studio 54)

I am not a Rocky Horror cult member, but I did enjoy its last Main Stem outing. I'm most looking forward to seeing what Sam Pinkleton does with it. And that cast? Damn it, Janet, it is aces! Top of my "Excited to See" list are Luke Evans, Rachel Dratch, Juliette Lewis, Stephanie Hsu and Andrew Durand. I'm ready to do The Time Warp!

Titanique (St. James Theatre)

I'm not sure how we missed this off-Broadway! I mean, I love the movie Titanic, I love Celine Dion, and I love a good parody. But here we are. I'm paying Broadway prices to see something everyone else has already seen. At least I'll get to see some terrific heavy-hitters in Jim Parsons, Deborah Cox, John Riddle and co-stars/co-creators Marla Mindelle and Constantine Rousouli. 

There are several plays that we hope to catch up on this summer. More to look forward to!