13 Shows to See On and Off Broadway This Fall
Plus, how to get discount tickets.
The summer tourists may have come and gone, but New York theater’s scene is heating up this fall. There are tons of compelling new shows coming to Broadway this fall — so much so that people are already sweating about next year’s Best Actress Tony Awards race. There are also exciting new plays (and a few musicals!) opening Off-Broadway that I’m looking forward to, too.
So, what new shows should you look out for this fall? Here’s what you need to know (plus, ways to get discount tickets if available).
Yes, there’s still an official week of summer left — and many of the shows I was looking forward to this summer are still playing or recently opened. Check them out.
Yellow Face
Not to be confused with the novel of the same name, “Yellow Face” tells a story of yellowface in the arts. Written by Tony Award Winner and Pulitzer finalist David Henry Hwang, the show follows a man protesting yellowface casting in “Miss Saigon” — before that same man accidently casts a white actor as an Asian lead in his show.
When to go: September 13 – November 24
How to get discount tickets: Roundabout has a HipTix program for anyone under 40. Sign up for free, then purchase two tickets for $30. Fun fact — your guest can be any age!
Good Bones
I have such fond memories of seeing (Pulitzer prize-winning!) “Fat Ham” at The Public Theater. James Ijames’ writing is clever, moving, and hilarious. He’s now written a new show, “Good Bones,” which is also premiering at The Public. According to the show’s website, it’s about a woman who gets a work opportunity to revitalize her childhood neighborhood — exploring themes of gentrification, community, and home.
When to go: September 19 – October 20
How to get discount tickets: The Public offers rush tickets both in-person and over the phone and discounts for both students and idNYC cardholders.
Our Town
Maybe you had to read “Our Town” in school. Maybe you learned about “Our Town” from Ann Pachett’s book “Tom Lake.” Maybe you know “Our Town” because you played Mrs. Gibbs and have vivid memories of fake shelling peas on stage.
Regardless of how you know this historic play (or don’t!), it’s returning to Broadway with a very star-studded cast, including Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, and Katie Holmes. Kenny Leon is directing, who directed “A Raisin in the Sun,” and, most recently, “Topdog/Underdog” and “Purlie Victorious.”
When to go: September 17 – January 19
Romeo + Juliet
Shakespeare returns to Broadway in a distinctly modern, Gen Z way. Kit Connor, who did indeed stop hearts in “Heartstopper,” plays Romeo. Rachel Zegler, one of the most talented vocalists of our generation and also my fellow high school local theater award nominee, plays Juliet. There’s music from none other than Jack Anotonoff (yes, the Taylor Swift collaborator) and direction from Sam Gold (“Enemy of the People”). All of this is to say — “Romeo + Juliet” hasn’t opened yet, and this is already an incredibly tough ticket to get.
When to go: September 26 – January 19
Sunset Boulevard
I’ll admit I know very little about “Sunset Boulevard,” save for a couple of songs. Yet similarly to “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” this revival of an Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has taken over the internet by storm. The production is coming off a very successful West End run, including seven Olivier Awards. From clips I’ve seen, there’s exciting new design (live camera feeds!) and star performances, especially from leading actress Nicole Scherzinger.
When to go: Performances begin September 28.
Bad Kreyòl
More new work! Dominique Morisseau premieres her final new play as part of her three-year residency at Signature Theatre. The show follows Simone, a first generation Haitian American, as she returns to Haiti to reunite with her cousin Gigi after their grandmother's death.
When to go: October 8 – December 1.
How to get discount tickets: Signature has a Sig30 program that anyone 18-30 can sign up for for free! Members get $30 tickets to all shows. The theater also has student tickets for $20.
Maybe Happy Ending
If Helen J Shen has no fans, I’m dead. After seeing her rock out in both “Teeth” and “The Lonely Few,” I’m so excited to see her now star alongside Darren Chris. The duo each play robots in Seoul who become friends — and maybe fall in love? They’ve already released some music (that I got to hear it live at Darren Chris’ Elsie Fest!) that’s really unique and beautiful.
When to go: Performances begin October 16.
Teeth
I loved “Teeth” at Playwright’s Horizons so much I went back to usher a second time, and I’m pretty convinced that the cast album will make the top of my Spotify Wrapped. “Teeth,” based on the horror film of the same name, is a gory, hilarious, and moving musical about a Catholic girl who learns she has teeth in her vagina. I’m so glad “Teeth” is getting a permanent residence at an Off-Broadway home.
When to go: Performances begin October 18.
How to get tickets: Tickets start at $38.
Death Becomes Her
This musical adaptation of the film of the same name seems wacky, belty, and really fun. “Death Becomes Her” tells the story of two frenemies who drink a potion for eternal youth. Better yet, it’s got another cast of stars: Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams. You can get hyped by watching part of their Chicago performance here.
When to go: Performances begin October 23.
King Lear
Iconic Kenneth Branagh stars in a revival of “King Lear” at The Shed, which is a funky theater located in Hudson Yards. It’s apparently a pretty quick adaptation, coming in at just two hours.
When to go: October 26 – December 15
How to get discount tickets: The production does offer $25 tickets for people under 30, but they’re currently sold out. To get notified when more under 30 tickets are released, you can join the waitlist.
Ragtime
While this production technically isn’t a part of New York City Center’s Encores! programming, “Ragtime” will be another star-studded, short run revival.
I am excited about every single cast member in this, from Joshua Henry (“Into the Woods,” “Carousel,” the sweetest man who did a concert I saw in Little Island) and Joy Woods (“The Notebook”) to Shaina Taub (who will be taking a quick break from “Suffs”) and Ben Levi Ross (who I loved in “The Connector”).
When to go: October 30 — November 10
How to get discount tickets: New York City Center recently raised the age of their Access ticket program to 40! Anyone 40 and under can get $28 tickets to their shows. Be warned — this theater is steep, and you will be quite high up.
Swept Away
The folk-rock music of The Avett Brothers comes to Broadway in a new musical. This show tells the tale of four men who survive a storm that sinks their ship off the coast of Massachusetts in 1888.
From their harmonic and heartwarming performance I saw at Elsie Fest, this seems like a moving musical about brotherhood — and even though I am always wary of a jukebox musical, it had sold-out out-of-town runs, and I’m excited to hear this genre on Broadway.
When to go: Performances begin October 29.
Gypsy
Finally, the talk of the town is the upcoming revival of “Gypsy,” starring none other than Audra McDonald. If you’ve also only heard these incredible songs (and watched an edit on TikTok combining both Glee and Succession), “Gypsy” is about a stage mom who fights for her two daughters’ success in their vaudeville act.
When to go: Performances begin November 21.
What did I miss? Here’s to a theater-filled fall.