Thrillers. Memoirs. Musicals. Comedies anyone? The stage is set for a diverse season on Broadway. Here’s the lineup:
By Isa Goldberg
“A Steady Rain” opens September 29th
The Wolverine meets James Bond. And that’s just the season’s opener. Hugh Jackman of the “X-Men” returns to the stage with Daniel Craig from "Quantum of Solace" making his Broadway debut. The two play Chicago policemen who are longtime friends. Their loyalties and principles are tested when a domestic disturbance sends them on a harrowing journey.
"Superior Donuts" opens October 1st
Pulitzer and Tony-Award winning playwright Tracy Letts ("August: Osage County") sets his dark comedy in a run-down old donut shop in Chicago. Veteran actor/singer Michael McKean, the aging owner, and his sole employee an African American college student, played by Broadway newcomer Jon Michael Hill, form a unique friendship in which issues about the past and ethnicity come to light.
"Wishful Drinking" opens October 4th
Carrie Fisher’s celebrity autobiography is supposedly a humorous albeit sobering look at her Hollywood hangover. Written and performed by Fisher.
“Hamlet” opens October 6th
Starring Jude Law, this production was a sold-out, smash-hit in London. "Law sports tousled, out-of-bed hair and a deltoid-hugging T-shirt." (The Independent)
“The Royal Family” opens October 8th
George S. Kaufman and Edna Ferber’s witty and moving valentine to the theater opens the season at The Manhattan Theatre Club with a cast of theater royalty: Rosemary Harris, John Glover, Ana Gesteyer and Tony Roberts to mention a few.
“Oleanna” opens October 11th
The season boasts yet another Mamet double feature. This 1992 drama, described as a "power struggle" between a college professor (Bill Pullman,) and his student (Julia Stiles) makes its Broadway debut, while "Race", his latest work, sets its sites for a December opening: Kerry Washington, (Ray Charles wife in "Ray"), James Spader, Richard Thomas and David Alan Grier.
“Bye-Bye Birdie” Opens October 15th
The revival of the 60’s rock ‘n roll musical stars Nolan Gerard Funk (Conrad Birdie) as the teen idol with John Stamos (Albert Peterson) in the role that Dick Van Dyke originated, with Gina Gershon, Bill Irwin and Jayne Houdyshell. What a cast!
"Memphis" opens October 19th
Chad Kimball plays the white radio disc jockey who falls in love with the music he hears in the black bars of Beale Street. And one more thing, there’s a beautiful singer in Memphis played by Montego Glover. Music by David Bryan of Bon Jovi.
"After Miss Julie" opens October 22nd
Strindberg’s classic about passion and the battle of the sexes, adapted by Patrick Marber, is set in the English Countryside, 1945. Sienna Miller (Andy Warhol’s muse in "Factory Girl") makes her Broadway debut opposite Jonny Lee Miller ("Eli Stone").
“Brighton Beach Memoirs” opens October 25th
Neil Simon returns, but this time in the hands of the inspired director, David Cromer who rocked Off Broadway with his heartfelt revival of "Our Town", not to mention his operatic version of the 1923 play "The Adding Machine".
“Finian’s Rainbow” opens October 29th
This revival of the 1947 musical makes its much-anticipated move to Broadway from City Center’s Encore Series. Sexy A-lister Cheyenne Jackson shares the marquis with a celebrated cast.
“Ragtime” opens November 15th
After rave reviews at The Kennedy Center, Terrence McNally’s Tony Award-winning musical returns to Broadway. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s novel, the story captures the American dream through its iconic characters: Harry Houdini, Henry Ford, Booker T. Washington, and many more.
“In The Next Room” opens November 19th
Playwright Sarah Ruhl has been tickling us with psychological comedies since she premiered "The Clean Room" at Lincoln Center. Her new show about intimacy, marriage and the electricity that connects them stars a cast of Broadway stalwarts including Laura Benanti and Michael Cerveris.
“Fela!” opens November 23rd
Bill T Jones, the elegant and prolific dancer, co-wrote, directs and choreographs this musical about the hypnotic performer Fela Anikulapo Kuti (Sahr Ngaujah) and his valiant opposition to the military government in his native Nigeria. The Afrobeat band Antipbalas performs live.
