USA TODAY International Edition
Fall theater preview list
USA TODAY offers a quick look at the fall season on Broadway.
Romeo and Juliet
In previews/ Opens Sept. 19 Richard Rodgers Theatre In David Leveaux’s new production, Shakespeare’s star- crossed lovers are separated not just by warring families but by race. Orlando Bloom makes his Broadway debut as Romeo; rising star Condola Rashad is his beloved.
The Glass Menagerie
Begins previews Sept. 5/ Opens Sept. 26 Booth Theatre American Repertory Theater’s acclaimed revival of the Tennessee Williams classic arrives in New York, with the formidable Cherry Jones tackling its daunting matriarch, Amanda Wingfield. Zachary Quinto and Celia Keenan- Bolger play her long- suffering children, Tom and Laura.
A Night With Janis Joplin
Begins previews Sept. 20/ Opens Oct. 10 Lyceum Theatre Broadway’s latest classic- rock homage already has enjoyed successful runs at regional theaters, earning praise for Mary Bridget Davies, who plays the late star and sings her music, including faves such as ‘ Piece of My Heart’ and ‘ Me and Bobby McGee.’
The Winslow Boy
Begins previews Sept. 20/ Opens Oct. 17 American Airlines Theatre Terence Rattigan’s 1946 play about a father’s battle for his son’s honor is being revived by the Roundabout Theatre Company under Lindsay Posner’s direction. Roger Rees, Michael Cumpsty, Alessandro Nivola and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio co- star.
A Time to Kill
Begins previews Sept. 28/ Opens Oct. 20 John Golden Theatre John Grisham’s best- selling novel tracing a racially charged murder trial has been adapted for the stage by Rupert Holmes. Ethan McSweeny directs a cast that includes actor/ lawyer/ politician Fred Thompson in his Broadway debut.
The Snow Geese
Begins previews Oct. 1/ Opens Oct. 24 Samuel J. Friedman Theatre Mary- Louise Parker returns to Broadway in a world premiere by Sharr White directed by Daniel Sullivan. Parker plays a newly widowed woman facing a changing world as her elder son is poised to serve in World War I.
Betrayal
Begins previews Oct. 1/ Opens Oct. 27 Barrymore Theatre Mike Nichols follows his celebrated 2012 staging of ‘ Death of a Salesman’ with this Harold Pinter favorite, starring husband and wife Daniel Craig and Rachel Weisz as Robert and Emma, a rather less- settled married couple.
After Midnight
Begins previews Oct. 18/ Opens Nov. 3 Brooks Atkinson Theatre This new staging of the off- Broadway hit ‘ Cotton Club Parade’ features Duke Ellington’s music, played by a 17- piece big band appointed by musical director Wynton Marsalis, and Langston Hughes’ poetry.
Twelfth Night/ Richard III
Begins previews Oct. 15/ Opens Nov. 10 Belasco Theatre Two- time Tony Award winner Mark Rylance brings the Bard back as he was staged in the old days, with male actors playing the men and women. Rylance will appear in repertory as the titular monarch in ‘ Richard’ and noble Olivia in ‘ Night’; he’ll be joined by fellow Brits Stephen Fry and Samuel Barnett, as well as other seasoned Shakespearean troupers, under Tim Carroll’s direction.
700 Sundays
Begins previews Nov. 5/ Opens Nov. 13 Imperial Theatre A return engagement of Billy Crystal’s autobiographical homage to his family and the colorful characters ( including jazz legends) who informed their lives, which won a 2005 Tony for special theatrical experience.
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder
Begins previews Oct. 22/ Opens Nov. 17 Walter Kerr Theatre Jefferson Mays, who earned a Tony for his shape- shifting performance in 2003’ s ‘ I Am My Own Wife,’ again tackles multiple characters in an Edwardian- era musical comedy based on the Roy Horniman novel ‘ Israel Rank.’ Darko Tresnjak directs.
Macbeth
Begins previews Oct. 24/ Opens Nov. 21 Vivian Beaumont Theater The Scottish play is back yet again, this time with Ethan Hawke in the title role and British actress Anne- Marie Duff making her New York stage debut as Lady Macbeth.
No Man’s Land/ Waiting for Godot
Begins previews Oct. 26/ Opens Nov. 24 Cort Theatre Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, who teamed on a West End ‘ Godot’ in 2009, now perform that Samuel Beckett masterwork with Pinter’s similarly bleak classic in rep. They’re joined in both plays by Billy Crudup and Shuler Hensley, under Sean Mathias’ direction.
Beautiful — The Carole King Musical
Begins previews Nov. 21/ Opens Jan. 12 Stephen Sondheim Theatre Rising singer/ actress Jessie Mueller plays the Brooklyn girl who grew up to be one of our most beloved singer/ songwriters in this musical account of King’s early life and career. Marc Bruni directs, with a book by Douglas McGrath, whose many film credits include ‘ Bullets Over Broadway’ ( also coming to the Great White Way, as a musical, in the spring).
Machinal
Begins previews Dec. 20/ Opens Jan. 16 American Airlines Theatre Rebecca Hall makes her Broadway debut in a Roundabout Theatre Company revival of Sophie Treadwell’s expressionist drama, inspired by the 1927 murder trial of Ruth Snyder. Under Lyndsey Turner’s direction, Hall plays an unfulfilled stenographer who embarks on an extramarital affair, with dire consequences.