Are we again to regular? Feels prefer it. Masks are elective on Broadway, regardless that smaller venues nonetheless require them. On Broadway there’s a wholesome mixture of traditional revivals, performs, and one or two hopeful new musicals. However let’s not child ourselves: vacationers are hitting the big-name reveals and displaying warning. Nonprofit establishments are balancing variety on stage whereas attempting to develop it within the viewers. This spring, for these on a finances, we provide a dozen ideas: a present per week for the subsequent three months.
Sweeney Todd on the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (previews Feb 26; opens Mar 26)
Bucking the development of reviving Sondheim with lowered musical forces, right here comes an orchestra of 26 and two beloved singers: Josh Groban because the vengeful barber Sweeney and Annaleigh Ashford as his daffy, pie-making confederate, Mrs. Lovett. Director Thomas Kail of Hamilton fame phases this Everest of musical theater. Let’s hope for a feast.
Arden of Faversham on the Lucille Lortel Theatre (Mar 6–Apr 1)
Not a well-known title, is it? Depart to Purple Bull Theater to unearth a theatrical relic and provides it thrilling new life. Billing itself as “English-speaking theater’s first true-crime story,” this 1592 home tragedy considerations a spouse and her lover conspiring to homicide her husband. Jesse Berger directs a sterling solid, together with Cara Ricketts because the spouse and Thomas Jay Ryan because the focused cuckold.
Camelot on the Vivian Beaumont Theater (previews Mar 6; opens Apr 13)
The one to take your mother and father (or grandparents) to for his or her birthday. Director Bartlett Sher (My Truthful Woman) returns to Lincoln Middle to breathe recent life into Lerner & Loewe’s 1960 traditional about King Arthur, his queen, and the dreamy knight who will get between them. Aaron Sorkin medical doctors the e book for up to date ears, and the beauteous Phillipa Soo performs Guenevere.
Lunch Bunch at 122CC, 2nd Ground Theatre (Mar 15–Apr 8)
After a sold-out 2019 run with Clubbed Thumb, Sarah Einspanier’s office comedy returns for an extended nosh. Centered round a gaggle of public defenders who take turns making ready fancy lunches for one another, the witty, hourlong piece examines how we use meals (for well being, for advantage signaling) and the way it makes use of us. The toothsome ensemble contains Ugo Chukwu, David Greenspan, and Julia Sirna-Frest.
Fats Ham on the American Airways Theatre (previews Mar 21; opens Apr 12)
After a triumphant run final spring on the Public Theater, this Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy transfers to Broadway. Giving Hamlet a Black, queer, and comedic makeover, James Ijames relocates the mopey character to modern-day suburban North Carolina, as a chubby and morose son bemoans his mom marrying his uncle. Count on barbeque, karaoke, and a Laertes who’s prepared for RuPaul’s Drag Race.
The Thanksgiving Play on the Hayes Theater (previews Mar 25; opens Apr 20)
And also you thought the Addams Household Values Turkey Day pageant was fireplace. Right here comes a savage satire by Larissa FastHorse (Sicangu Lakota Nation), wherein a gaggle of white, well-meaning liberals attempt to placed on a culturally delicate faculty drama for Thanksgiving Day. Rachel Chavkin (Hadestown) directs a solid that features two insanely humorous girls—D’Arcy Carden (A League of Their Personal) and Tony-winner Katie Finneran.
New York, New York on the St. James Theatre (previews Mar 26; opens Apr 26)
Impressed by the 1977 Martin Scorsese image, this present makes historical past by being the ultimate “collaboration” between composer John Kander and lyricist Fred Ebb, who handed away in 2004. With extra lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, a brand new e book, and staging by hitmaker Susan Stroman, this nostalgic extravaganza takes place in our honest metropolis simply after WWII, as a younger saxophone participant and aspiring singer discover love and chase fame.
Night time Keeper on the Chocolate Manufacturing facility Theater (Mar 29–Apr 8)
In the event you’re watching a play and the lights exit, you may assume an influence failure, however Aaron Landsman’s new efficiency invitations the darkness. Performing in dim or no illumination, Jehan Younger and Jess Barbagallo discover time and reminiscence all through the Chocolate Manufacturing facility Theater in Lengthy Island Metropolis. Guitarist Norman Westberg accompanies with a stay rating of loops and samples. Oh, and Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew did design the lights.
The Spouse of Willesden at BAM Harvey Theater (Apr 1–16)
Novelist and essayist Zadie Smith turns playwright with this replace of the Spouse of Bathtub’s Story, by Chaucer. Updating 14th-century pilgrims to Twenty first-century barflies, the bawdy verse comedy is dominated by Alvita, a Jamaican-born British girl who has gone by means of 5 husbands. She tells all concerning the intercourse and extra, in unsparing, hilarious element. Indhu Rubasingham brings her London manufacturing to Brooklyn, starring an exceptional Clare Perkins.
Good Night time, Oscar on the Belasco Theatre (previews Apr 7; opens Apr 24)
Will & Grace veteran Sean Hayes headlines a brand new interval play by Doug Wright. Set throughout a TV interview with Jack Paar, Hayes performs pianist and wit Oscar Levant (1906–72), recent from astay at a psychological establishment and popping capsules to maintain him vertical. Increasing on this historic showbiz footnote, Wright probes problems with superstar, censorship, and psychological well being. All this, plus Hayes really performs a little bit of Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue.”
Prima Facie on the John Golden Theatre (previews Apr 11; opens Apr 23)
You realize her because the impish worldwide murderer Villanelle from 4 seasons of Killing Eve. Now the magnetic Jodie Comer goes it solo (no corpses) as a British legal professional named Tessa who defends males accused of sexual assault—till she herself turns into a sufferer. Suzie Miller’s button-pushing monologue, a London import, seeks to unsettle our acquired concepts about justice.
Willa’s Genuine Self at MITU580 (Could 11–26)
Lisa Clair reimagines the Jewish Golem delusion as a fable of creativity and transformation that spreads from the person artist to a complete metropolis. The writer performs Willa, who is presented a lump of clay that, with just a little work, turns into a daughter (incarnated by the sensational Juliana Francis Kelly). However what occurs when the lady gained’t cease rising? Shannon Sindelar directs this feminist monster story for the long run.