Critic’s Pick
Swept Away
Inspired by the true story of three starving survivors of a 19th-century shipwreck who killed and ate a fourth, this new musical is set to songs by the folk-rock band the Avett Brothers. Directed by Michael Mayer (“Spring Awakening”), with a book by John Logan (“Moulin Rouge!”), the show has scenic design by Rachel Hauck (“Hadestown”). (Through Dec. 29 at the Longacre Theater.) Read the review.
Elf the Musical
In this song-filled adaptation of the Will Ferrell movie, a preternaturally festive, Christmas-loving misfit named Buddy travels to New York in search of his human father after a childhood spent on the North Pole, where he was raised as an oversize member of Santa Claus’s work force. Grey Henson, who received a Tony nomination for his exuberantly show-stealing performance in “Mean Girls,” plays Buddy, with Sean Astin (sweet, loyal Sam in “The Lord of the Rings”) as Santa Claus. Philip Wm. McKinley directs this new production. (Through Jan. 4 at the Marquis Theater.) Read the review.
Back to the Future: The Musical
The DeLorean is the star attraction in this Olivier Award-winning adaptation of the 1985 comedy about a teenager who time-travels to the 1950s and meets his parents when they were his age. With Roger Bart as the eccentric inventor Doc Brown — a.k.a. the Christopher Lloyd role — and Casey Likes (“Almost Famous”) in the Michael J. Fox role of Marty McFly, John Rando’s production boasts scenic design by Tim Hatley (“Life of Pi”) and video design by Finn Ross. (Through Jan. 5 at the Winter Garden Theater.) Read the review.
Suffs
Shaina Taub is nothing if not a politically minded artist, so it’s apt that her Broadway debut came during a presidential election year. The show, about American women’s fight for the right to vote, won two Tonys, for Taub’s book and score. In a cast that includes Jenn Colella, Nikki M. James, Grace McLean and Emily Skinner, Taub plays the suffragist leader Alice Paul. Significantly different from the 2022 version at the Public Theater, the musical is directed once again by Leigh Silverman. (Through Jan. 5 at the Music Box Theater.) Read the review.
Critic’s Pick
Stereophonic
David Adjmi’s riveting rock drama with songs by Will Butler, formerly of Arcade Fire, won five 2024 Tony Awards, including best play and best featured actor, for Will Brill. Set in the mid-1970s inside a pair of California recording studios (David Zinn’s meticulous set design also received a Tony), it follows a British-American band on the cusp of fame through the delicate, drawn-out, drug- and sex-fueled process of making their new album. (Through Jan. 12 at the John Golden Theater.) Read the review.
Critic’s Pick
Our Town
Kenny Leon brings Thornton Wilder’s microcosmic drama back to Broadway, starring Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) as the Stage Manager. Zoey Deutch and Ephraim Sykes play the young lovers, Emily Webb and George Gibbs, with Richard Thomas and Katie Holmes as Mr. and Mrs. Webb; Billy Eugene Jones and Michelle Wilson as Dr. and Mrs. Gibbs; Donald Webber Jr. as Simon Stimson and Julie Halston as Mrs. Soames. (Through Jan. 19 at the Barrymore Theater.) Read the review.
Critic’s Pick
Cult of Love
Second Stage leans right into holiday-season angst with this dramedy by Leslye Headland (“The Acolyte,” “Russian Doll”) about a dysfunctional clan gathering for Christmas in Connecticut at the home of their parents (David Rasche and Mare Winningham), where the only harmony is in the carol singing. Trip Cullman, who staged the play last winter at Berkeley Rep, directs a strong cast that includes Zachary Quinto and Shailene Woodley. (Through Feb. 2 at the Helen Hayes Theater.) Read the review.
Critic’s Pick
Eureka Day
In Jonathan Spector’s sharp social satire, a mumps outbreak at an ultra-precious private elementary school in Northern California exposes the rift between vaccine advocates and skeptics, challenging the board’s unctuous commitment to valuing each community member’s perspective equally. Anna D. Shapiro (“August: Osage County”) directs an ensemble cast: Amber Gray, Jessica Hecht, Bill Irwin, Thomas Middleditch and Chelsea Yakura-Kurtz. (Through Feb. 2 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater.) Read the review.
Left on Tenth
Julianna Margulies and Peter Gallagher star in this quasi romantic comedy by Delia Ephron, who with her sister Nora wrote a classic of the genre, the 1998 movie “You’ve Got Mail.” Directed by Susan Stroman, the play is adapted from Ephron’s 2022 memoir of the same name, about falling in love again after her husband’s death and fighting for her life against leukemia. (Through Feb. 2 at the James Earl Jones Theater.) Read the review.
All In: Comedy About Love by Simon Rich
Alex Timbers directs a starry rotating cast in this program of shorts, led by John Mulaney (through Jan. 12) and then by Lin-Manuel Miranda (Jan. 14-Feb. 16). First up, with Mulaney: Fred Armisen, Renée Elise Goldsberry and Richard Kind. Slated for later: Annaleigh Ashford, Hank Azaria, Aidy Bryant, David Cross, Jimmy Fallon, Chloe Fineman, Nick Kroll, Tim Meadows and Andrew Rannells. The playwright, a former writer for “Saturday Night Live” and a son of the critic Frank Rich, is making his Broadway debut. (Through Feb. 16 at the Hudson Theater.)
Romeo + Juliet
Kit Connor (Netflix’s “Heartstopper”) and Rachel Zegler (Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story”) play the impetuous, star-crossed, adolescent lovers in this revival of Shakespeare’s bloody tragedy. Directed by Sam Gold (“An Enemy of the People”), with music by Jack Antonoff and movement by Sonya Tayeh (“Moulin Rouge!”), this is a production that emphasizes youth. Bonus: Gabby Beans doubles as Mercutio and the Friar. (Through Feb. 16 at Circle in the Square Theater.) Read the review.
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