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Once again, it’s fall, and Broadway is roaring back into full gear with its second season since reopening after the pandemic shut down. By the time you read this Lea Michele will have started performances as Fanny Brice in Funny Girl (August Wilson Theatre, open ended) and word on the street will be abuzz with literally everyone and their grandmother’s opinion on how she’s doing. I wish the future me could send me a signal letting me know what I’m going to think. If you prefer your musical theater original, you need no time machine to know Kimberly Akimbo (Booth Theatre, previews October 12) slaps. I’m still kicking myself for missing last fall’s Off-Broadway premiere of David Lindsay-Abaire’s musical adaptation (in collaboration with Jeanine Tesori) of his acclaimed 2000 play. I hear Tony winner Victoria Clark has never been better. Or better yet, how about a musical “from scratch,” not based on any source material? The 2017 Off-Broadway sensation, KPOP (Circle in the Square Theatre, previews October 13), makes its much-anticipated debut in the big leagues. Bookwriter Jason Kim and songwriters Helen Park and Max Vernon take mainstream audiences on a guided tour into the heart of the global phenomenon with legitimate legend of the genre, Luna, leading the cast. https://www.instagram.com/p/CjnkmSvMtCt/ For something with less pizazz but plenty of heart, look no further than Walking with Ghosts (Music Box Theatre, previews October 18). Gabriel Byrne adapts and stars in this solo play incarnation of his acclaimed memoir chronicling his journey from early life in Ireland to Hollywood and Broadway stardom amid political turmoil and personal struggles. Directed by Lonny Price. Last spring’s hit revival of Richard Greenberg’s popular gay baseball play Take Me Out (Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, opening October 27) is back on deck with returning MVPs Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jesse Williams. Also continuing to pack ‘em in from last season: the acclaimed transfer of the City Center Encores production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s 1987 classic, Into the Woods (St. James Theatre, through October 16). The new cast now features real life marrieds Sebastian Arcelus and Stephanie J. Block, as the Baker and Baker’s Wife, with Gavin Creel, Krysta Rodriguez, Joshua Henry, Annie Golden, and Ann Harada, plus Patina Miller and Montego Glover splitting weeks as the Witch. Broadway will welcome another new twist on a classic story in the form of London import, & Juliet (Stephen Sondheim Theatre, previews October 28). This West End smash wonders what would’ve happened if Juliet didn’t die via the songs of Swedish pop sensation Max Martin. Hollywood’s classic Some Like It Hot (Shubert Theatre, previews November 1) is coming to Broadway as a new musical by Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin with songs by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman. Hitmaker Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs what’s sure to be a good time. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cf9f2uOgBQz/ If you thought Neil Diamond was overdue for the jukebox musical treatment (a la Jersey Boys) then you’re in luck because it’s happening. A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical (Broadhurst Theatre, previews November 2) contextualizes Diamond’s songs in a biographical book by Anthony McCarten and features Will Swenson in the title role, directed by Michael Mayer. Anthony McCarten is also the playwright behind The Collaboration (Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, previews November 29) which explores the artistic partnership between Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. As if that weren’t intriguing enough, the cast features Paul Bettany as Warhol and Jeremy Pope as Basquiat. I can hardly wait. Off-Broadway will see a revival of the 2002 McNally/Ahrens/Flaherty musical A Man of No Importance (Classic Stage Company, previews October 11). I missed this one the first time around and am very eager to see it this time around, especially since it will star Jim Parsons. Another Off-Broadway revival not to miss is the Public Theater’s new production of Lorraine Hansberry’s landmark A Raisin in the Sun (Newman Theater, through November 6), directed by the great Robert O’Hara. The cast is led by Francois Battiste, Mandi Masden, and Tony winner Tonya Pinkins. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cjn3sH9P5W9/ Of course, New York leads the world in intimate venue for experiencing a performance up close and personal and the fall cabaret season is kicking off to an exciting start at some of the best venues in town: Joe’s Pub Alysha Umphress and things… like this October 1-3 The Bowery Boys: Ghost Stories of Old New York October 30-31 Penny Arcade: The Art of Becoming November 29-December 1 54 Below Linda Eder October 4, 8, & 11 Marilyn Maye October 2-12 Karen Mason November 1-2 Amy Jo Jackson: The Brass Menagerie November 1 Leslie Uggams November 10-12 Liz and Ann Hampton Callaway November 22-26 The Green Room 42 John Coons & Matt Aument October 4 Tim Murray October 4 & 5 Villain DeBlanks with Kathleen Turner, Randy Graff and Marc Kudisch October 18 Scarlet Envy & Daphne Always November 5 James Jackson, Jr. November 7 Chelsea Table & Stage Eden Espinoza October 6 & 7 Photo: Good Morning America

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Broadway is in Full Swing this Autumn

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