I know you can’t feel it yet, but believe me, spring is coming. The proof is in the plethora of productions previewing on Broadway. Will they all be good? Hell, no. But some will be decent and there will be one or two that stay in your heart forever as a highlight of your theatergoing life. Of course, one person’s cherished memory may be another’s left-at-intermission, but that’s part of the joy of being a theater queen. But remember, it’s not about which show was better, but which fan argues the loudest at brunch. Here are a few shows starting up that should animate your debates.
Everyone’s favorite abusive-priest-or-possibly-not-abusive-priest play, Doubt (American Airlines Theatre, previews February 2), is back. Maybe, between Cherry Jones and Brian F. O’Byrne on Broadway and Meryl Streep and Philip Seymour Hoffman in the movie, you didn’t need another revival of this John Patrick Shanley classic just yet, but then they go and hire Tyne Daly and Liev Schreiber and it’s like – think again!
There’s sort of a cliché of campy off Off-Broadway comedies with titles like this, but My Son’s a Queer (But what can you do?) (Lyceum Theatre, previews February 27) promises to be something different. Rob Madge’s solo show – the darling of the Edinburgh Fringe, acclaimed in its West End transfer, comes to Broadway with a pedigree far beyond what you might expect. (Featured Photo Credit: Mark Senior)
Holy crap, I’m old. Feels like yesterday I was a spry show pony glued to my TV for the 1993 Tony Awards. I can’t believe it’s been more than 30 years since the premiere of the stage adaptation of The Who’s Tommy (Nederlander Theatre, previews March 8) and it’s being revived. The first time out, director Des McEnuff was something of a whiz kid ensuring the Broadway version of the quintessential rock opera would actually rock. Lucky for us, he’s back at the helm of the revival.
Heralded at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and La Jolla Playhouse, Lempicka (Longacre, previews March 19), comes to Broadway. Based on the life of Polish painter Tamara de Lempicka, the musical is directed by Tony winner Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown, Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) and stars the leather lunged Eden Espinoza (one of everybody’s favorite Elphabas on YouTube) in the title role with bawdy cabaret diva Natalie Joy Johnson as lesbian chanteuse Suzy Solidor.
After a short run downtown at the Public Theater, Alica Keys’s Hell’s Kitchen (Shubert Theatre, previews March 28) is heading uptown where big lights will inspire you.
But you wanna know which show I’m most excited for this season? Ever since I was a little kid addicted to the VHS of the movie starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Lena Horne, I’ve been dying to see a full-scale production of The Wiz (Marquis Theatre, previews March 29) and now’s my chance. I’m glad Amber Ruffin is punching up the script because she did fantastic work on Some Like It Hot last year and this wonderful Motown flavored score deserves every chance to succeed and finally be recognized as the quintessential Broadway musical it is.
Cabaret is up close and personal and here are your best bets for the boîtes.
Cafe Carlyle:
- Isaac Mizrahi Feb 6 – 17
- Jennifer Holliday Feb 20 – March 2
Joe’s Pub:
- Kim David Smith, Mostly Marlene Feb 6
- Tamika Lawrence Feb 12
- Isaac Oliver Feb 13
- Xavier Smith Feb 15
- Marcus Paul James Feb 16
- Joseph Keckler Feb 25
- Amy Jo Jackson Feb 27
- Ryan Raftery, Titans Of Media Trilogy Of Female Empowerment Feb 27 – March 14
The Green Room 42:
- Mamie Parris, Surrender (Time Out New York’s “Best Cabaret Show 2023”) Feb 8
- Ginger Minj & Gidget Galore Feb 10 – 12
- Mink Stole & Peaches Christ Feb 16-17
- Sally Mayes Feb 21
- Joseph Thor and Friends, Norman Fucking Rockwell Feb 22
- Aidan S. Wells, The Music of Steven Universe Feb 23
- Amanda Ferguson Feb 27
- Melissa Errico March 22
- Reeve Carney March 29
54 Below:
- Christine Andreas March 8 – 9
- Leslie Uggams March 20 – 23
- Nicole Henry March 26 – 27
- Andrea Mcardle March 29 – 30
Last modified: February 1, 2024
