Looking Forward to Fall: September - November 2026

Fall is my favorite time of year, I think. I love that it gets cooler, and the leaves change color. New York City is my favorite place, and so fall in The Big Apple is the best of all possible worlds for me. This fall on the theater scene looks to be a rich and busy time, and I'm excited for several productions that are starting in the coming months!

As always, before we look forward, we look back at the season that was. Over the summer months, we didn't get to as many things as we had hoped to - just two to be exact, both on Broadway - Becky Shaw (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️) and a return visit to The Lost Boys (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️), an average of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½⭐. Not bad!

This fall, we are looking to catch up on a show we missed previously, some off-Broadway shows, Broadway revivals and new shows, and even something regional!

Looking Forward to Fall:

September - November 2026

(** - We have tickets!)

Catching Up From Summer:

** Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody (off-Broadway at The Culture Club) Well, we didn't find the time to see this in the heat of summer, but as luck would have it, they extended, and now we'll get to it before it closes this fall. And, though I'm disappointed that we won't be seeing Jimin Moon, I am super excited to see Troy Iwata as Shane Hollander! I've been crushing on him since his charming turn in Netflix's Dash and Lily. Of course, as our loyal readers know, we are serious Jay Armstrong Johnson fans, so we are thrilled we won't be missing him as Ilya Rozanov. (Have you seen the video for "The Gym Song"? 🔥🔥🔥)

Regional:

Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares (At Baltimore Center Stage) This season, Maryland's State Theater is bringing the Broadway divas! First up is one of my favorite musical actresses who is great at both drama and comedy, Laura Benanti. I love her self-aware, self-depricating humor. Throw in a few songs, and I am there!

Mama I'm a Big Girl Now (At Baltimore Center Stage) How fun to have three of Broadway original cast members of Hairspray coming here with their acclaimed act. "Good Morning, Baltimore" will take on a special meaning for sure. I've probably seen each of these spectacular women more than a dozen times, but only once together when I saw them in Hairspray. I really hope I get to see them this time around!

New Shows:

Galileo (On Broadway at The Shubert Theatre) At first blush, it is yet another bio-musical. But here is not a trip down memory lane, but rather a modern look at an historic figure - no jukebox hits to be found. Instead, a rock musical a la Jesus Christ Superstar, Evita and Hamilton with a fresh score and a kick ass cast that includes the long awaited Broadway return of Raul Esparza, along with Jeremy Kushnier and always thrilling Joy Woods. I know nothing beyond the very basics about Galileo, so who knows? Maybe we will learn a thing or two to boot!

** The Heart (off-Broadway at The Laura Pels Theatre) Here's a show that snuck up on me - apparently it has been building up to its New York debut, with eyes on Broadway in the future. The story about the heart of a victim being transplanted into another person and everything that comes after sound intriguing. Well, when they announced that Heidi Blickenstaff and Joaquina Kalukango, Drew Gheling and Jason Tam would be heading the off-Broadway company, getting tickets was a no-brainer. And the preview price was just right, too!

Wanted (On Broadway at The James Earl Jones Theatre) Our October Trip was going to include this show, but budget and seat selection wasn't the best for when we were going, so we are shelving it until later in the fall. The premise intrigues me in the same way Galileo does. And who doesn't love Solea Pfeiffer and a stacked cast of powerhouse vocalists? Even though we put it off, it is definitely a production I am excited to see.

Revivals:

** A Few Good Men (On Broadway at The Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center) I saw the original production's first national tour, and remember the extreme tension that filled the theater. In the years since, of course, the film version has cemented its place in American culture. "You can't handle the truth!" has taken on a life of its own. Perhaps the element of surprise will be gone, but I have confidence that Michael Arden and his esteemed company of actors headed by Bradley Whitford, Tom Blyth and Krysta Rodriguez will find ways to make it exciting and current.

Much Ado About Nothing (On Broadway at The Winter Garden Theatre) This is one of Shakespeare's plays I've never seen, so there's that to look forward to. And if anyone can make it fun, exciting and riveting, it is director Jamie Lloyd. Throw in legit British actors like Tom Hiddleston and Hayley Atwell, and I don't see how we can miss it!

** The Fantasticks (On Broadway at The Hayes Theatre) We saw this perfect little jewel of a show a few years ago off-Broadway. It is utterly charming, life-affirming and sweet. These days, it is the perfect antidote to a world on fire. With a tweaking of the story to center on two gay boys and their scheming mothers, it sounds fresh again. I do hope they don't do too much to it, though. It is just wonderful as is. But I have full trust in Christopher Gattelli, and an amazing cast that includes no less than Tony-winner Ruthie Ann Miles and the riotous Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer. I can't wait for this one!

If Money and Time Were No Object:

Other Desert Cities (On Broadway at The Hudson Theatre) Saw the original Broadway production. Twice. Love this play, and the cast can't be beat this time around. But even the cheapest seats aren't. And the view from up there for a play seems less than ideal.

School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play (On Broadway at The Samuel J. Friedman Theatre) I have heard nothing but solid raves about this play, and I really hope we can squeeze it in. The cast is very exciting. Fingers crossed for an open slot in our fall itineraries and maybe a decent discount.