1. James Franco, Of Mice and Men
What you know him from: Pineapple Express, 127 Hours, This Is the End, Spider-Man.
Where it's playing: Longacre Theatre; opens April 16.
What it's about: Based on John Steinbeck's novel of the same name, this show has James Franco playing the role of George Milton, a migrant ranch worker who moves from place to place in search of job opportunities during the Great Depression. Even though Franco had a bit of a scandal last week, audiences are still excited to see how the actor does in his Broadway debut.
2. Idina Menzel, If/Then
What you know her from: Frozen, Enchanted, Rent, Wicked.
Where it's playing: Richard Rodgers Theatre; now open.
What it's about: Idina Menzel, also recently known as Adele Dazeem, plays the role of Elizabeth, a woman faced with a moment in time that will decide her future depending on the path she chooses. She can either be Liz, the fun and outgoing person who falls in love, or she can be Beth, the career-driven woman who is bound for success. It's very Sliding Doors, and fans won't be disappointed by Idina's vocal chops.
3. Neil Patrick Harris, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
What you know him from: How I Met Your Mother; Harold and Kumar Go to White Castle; Doogie Howser, M.D.
Where it's playing: Belasco Theatre; opens April 22.
What it's about: Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical about a fictional rock 'n' roll band fronted by an East German transgender singer. The audience is just as much a part of the show as the actors are, and you'll feel like you're at a concert. If the above picture of NPH in heels and a wig doesn't convince you to see the show, nothing will.
4. Carly Rae Jepsen, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
What you know her from: "Call Me Maybe," "This Kiss," and "Good Time."
Where it's playing: Broadway Theatre; now open.
What it's about: Canadian pop star Carly Rae Jepsen is currently playing the role of Cinderella in this modern twist on the classic fairy tale. Carly will be on stage through June 2014. [Insert "Call Me Maybe" parody here.]
5. Denzel Washington, A Raisin In the Sun
What you know him from: American Gangster, Training Day, Flight, Malcolm X.
Where it's playing: Barrymore Theatre; now open.
What it's about: Set in Chicago's South Side in the 1950s, this story follows the Younger family and their struggle to achieve their dreams in a time of poverty. Walter Lee, Denzel Washington's character, is desperate to own his own liquor store, and when the money from his deceased father comes through, he seeks to build the business of his dreams. Originally produced in 1959, Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun was the first play written by an African-American woman to be produced on Broadway. The entire cast is so incredible and powerful — highly recommend!
6. Leighton Meester, Of Mice and Men
What you know her from: Gossip Girl, The Roommate, That's My Boy.
Where it's playing: Longacre Theatre; opens April 16.
What it's about: Leighton Meester moves from the Upper East Side to Midtown and makes her Broadway debut alongside James Franco. Meester stars as Curley's wife, a young, beautiful woman who is mistrusted by her husband. xoxo
7. Bryan Cranston, All the Way
What you know him from: Breaking Bad, Argo, Malcom in the Middle.
Where it's playing: Neil Simon Theatre; now open.
What it's about: Now that Walter White has quit the meth business, Bryan Cranston makes his Broadway debut as Lyndon B. Johnson in All the Way. The story follows President LBJ and the untold story of his role in the civil rights movement. Cranston is unbelievably brilliant, and you'll walk away with a new appreciation for theater. It's amazing, bitch. (Sorry.)
8. Vanessa Williams, After Midnight
What you know her from: Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, Into the Woods.
Where it's playing: Brooks Atkinson Theatre; now open.
What it's about: This smash-hit jazzy musical celebrates Harlem's legendary Cotton Club with Vanessa Williams as the Star Singer and Dulé Hill as the host. Williams will be in the show until May 11 and Fantasia will return from May 13 to June 8.
9. Alan Cumming, Cabaret
What you know him from: The Good Wife, X-Men 2, Macbeth.
Where it's playing: Studio 54; opens April 24.
What it's about: Reprising his performance 16 years later, Alan Cumming returns as the Emcee of Cabaret at Studio 54. This show tells the story of Kit Kat Klub, a sordid nightclub in 1930s Berlin, where the performers tantalize the crowd and leave their troubles outside. This is the type of show where you'll leave screaming, "YAAASS!"
10. Marisa Tomei, The Realistic Joneses
What you know her from: My Cousin Vinny, The Wrestler, What Women Want.
Where it's playing: Lyceum Theatre; now open.
What it's about: The Realistic Joneses is a new play about life, friendships, and neighbors. The production gives an inside look at the people who live next door and the secrets and truths we might share. Toni Collette and Tracy Letts are also a part of the cast.
11. Daniel Radcliffe, The Cripple of Inishmaan
What you know him from: Harry Potter, Kill Your Darlings, Equus.
Where it's playing: Cort Theatre; opens April 20.
What it's about: Daniel Radcliffe plays Billy Claven, a young Irish boy who lives with a disability. A film is being made on the neighboring island, and Billy makes it his mission to be cast in the movie. He sees this as his opportunity to escape his bleak life and find a way to America, a land he views as tolerant. The play as a whole is about how his decision to try to leave affects the community.
12. Fran Drescher, Rodgers + Hammerstein's Cinderella
What you know her from: The Nanny, The Beautician and the Beast, Hotel Transylvania.
Where it's playing: Broadway Theatre; now open.
What it's about: Fran Drescher makes her Broadway debut as Madame, Cinderella's stepmother. She is scheduled to be in the show until June.
13. Chris O'Dowd, Of Mice and Men
What you know him from: Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd, This Is 40, Girls.
Where it's playing: Longacre Theatre; opens April 16.
What it's about: Chris O'Dowd — along with co-stars Leighton Meester and James Franco — makes his Broadway debut in Of Mice and Men. He plays Lennie, a mentally disabled but physically strong man who travels with George and is his companion.
14. Michelle Williams, Cabaret
What you know her from: Dawson's Creek, Blue Valentine, My Week with Marilyn.
Where it's playing: Studio 54; opens April 24.
What it's about: Michelle Williams makes her Broadway debut in Cabaret as Sally Bowles, a headlining British singer at the alluring Berlin Kit Kat Klub.
15. Zach Braff, Bullets Over Broadway
What you know him from: Scrubs, Garden State, Oz the Great and Powerful.
Where it's playing: St. James Theatre; opens April 10.
What it's about: Zach Braff plays David Shayne, a young playwright in need of financing for his new show, God of Our Fathers. He agrees to hire the girlfriend of a gangster for money, even though she's demanding and talentless. This is Zach Braff's Broadway debut and he SINGS in it (who knew?).
16. Michael C. Hall, The Realistic Joneses
What you know him from: Dexter, Six Feet Under, Gamer.
Where it's playing: Lyceum Theatre; now open.
What it's about: Michael C. Hall joins Marisa Tomei, Toni Collette, and Tracy Letts in a new play about next-door neighbors and the secrets they share. Maybe it's Dexter in another life?
BONUS: Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, Off-Broadway's Annapurna
What you know him from: Parks and Recreation, We're the Millers, 21 Jump Street.
What you know her from: Will & Grace, Bee Movie, Date and Switch.
Where it's playing: Acorn Theatre; opens April 15.
What it's about: Real-life couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally come together for this play about love and loss. When Ulysses (Offerman) falls terminally ill, his estranged wife Emma (Mullally) tracks him down for a final reckoning. The play is 90 minutes long with no intermission, and it is slated to run until June 1. Please arrive with bacon for Offerman at the stage door.