What to see on Broadway in January
NEW YORK — A sizable flock of Broadway productions are taking their final bows in January — which happens, reliably, at this point in the season. This is what normal looks like: Most of this year’s bunch were always limited runs, not meant to stick around forever; others are closing sooner than they might have liked. Tempted to catch them before they go? Then keep your eyes peeled for ticket deals — because those are a winter perennial on Broadway, too.
‘Death of a Salesman’
For Wendell Pierce and Sharon D Clarke, this revival of Arthur Miller’s quiet tragedy is a reunion. Their performances as Willy and Linda Loman won acclaim — and in Clarke’s case, a third Olivier Award — in prepandemic London. Directed by Miranda Cromwell, the Broadway cast also includes André De Shields as Ben, the tantalizingly successful older brother who appears in the memories and mirages crowding Willy’s disordered mind. (Through Jan. 15 at the Hudson Theater; salesmanonbroadway.com.)
‘The Music Man’
Hugh Jackman, aka Wolverine, returns to the stage as charlatan Harold Hill opposite Sutton Foster as Marian the librarian in Jerry Zaks’ revival of Meredith Willson’s canonical musical comedy. (Through Jan. 15 at the
Winter Garden Theater; musicmanonbroadway.com.)
‘Ohio State Murders’
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald stars in this autobiographical drama by master experimentalist Adrienne Kennedy, making her Broadway debut at 91. Directed by Kenny Leon, it’s about a Black writer returning to her alma mater to discuss the “violent imagery” in her work, and about the savage racism she suffered there back then. (Through Jan. 15 at the James Earl Jones Theater; ohiostatemurdersbroadway.com.)
‘The Old Man & the Pool’
Onstage, comedian Mike Birbiglia comes across as mild, approachable — a totally regular guy except for his sky-high levels of anxiety and a sneaky-sharp talent for wringing laughter from an audience. Last seen on Broadway four years ago in his monologue “The New One,”he’s taking aim this time at his own fear of mortality. (Through Jan. 15 at the Vivian Beaumont Theater; mikebirbigliabroadway.com.)
‘The Piano Lesson’
Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Brooks headline the Broadway revival of this August Wilson classic about a Black family in 1930s Pittsburgh, wrestling with how to honor their ancestors, banish white ghosts and claim a piece of the American dream. John David Washington also stars as Southern schemer Boy Willie — Jackson’s role in the play’s 1987 premiere — who is determined to sell off the family piano. LaTanya Richardson Jackson directs. (Through Jan. 29 at the Ethel Barrymore Theater; pianolessonplay.com.)
‘A Strange Loop’
In Michael R. Jackson’s surreal comedy, which won the 2022 Tony Award for best musical, a young, Black, queer artist working as a Broadway usher wrestles with the myriad thoughts in his head — about sex and acceptance, religion and identity — as he tries to write what he calls a self-referential musical. Starring an endearing Jaquel Spivey in his Broadway debut. (Through Jan. 15 at the Lyceum Theater; strangeloopmusical.com.)
‘Topdog/Underdog’
Kenny Leon directs this Broadway revival of Suzan-Lori Parks’ wry two-hander about a pair of Black brothers whose names bind them together and set them up for rivalry. Corey Hawkins plays Lincoln, a threecard monte hustler-turnedAbraham Lincoln impersonator, opposite Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the boastful, envious Booth. (Through Jan. 15 at the John Golden Theater; topdogunderdog.com.)
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