1. Emma Stone, Cabaret
What you know her from: Easy A, The Amazing Spider-Man, The Help
Where it's playing: Studio 54; currently open, Stone starts her role Nov. 11
Why you should be excited: Emma Stone is making her Broadway debut this November in Cabaret as Sally Bowles, a headlining singer at the alluring Berlin Kit Kat Klub. If this Easy A "Knock on Wood" performance is any indication of what's to come, then we're in great hands.
2–3. Bradley Cooper and Patricia Clarkson, The Elephant Man
What you know Cooper from: The Hangover, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Guardians of the Galaxy
What you know Clarkson from: Easy A, The Maze Runner, Shutter Island
Where it's playing: Booth Theatre; previews begin Nov. 7, opens Dec. 7
Why you should be excited: Bradley Cooper returns to the Broadway stage as Joseph Merrick in The Elephant Man, a play based on a true story about a man who becomes a star in a traveling freak show. It seems strange to have one of People's Sexiest Men Alive take on this role, but we have a feeling his performance will reveal a side of his talent we haven't seen before. Patricia Clarkson plays Mrs. Kendal, an actress who is fascinated by Joseph Merrick. Clarkson is a both witty and brilliant and will likely be flawless in this show.
4. Hugh Jackman, The River
What you know him from: The Wolverine, The Prestige, Les Miserables
Where it's playing: Circle in the Square; previews begin Oct. 31, opens Nov. 16
Why you should be excited: Broadway vet and Tony Award host Hugh Jackman will star in this new play that promises to be "erotic, chilling, and poetic." We've seen Jackman work his magic before, so there's no doubt he'll enchant audiences this time around.
5–7. Glenn Close, John Lithgow, and Bob Balaban, A Delicate Balance
What you know Close from: Damages, Guardians of the Galaxy, The Simpsons, 101 Dalmatians
What you know Lithgow from: 3rd Rock From The Sun, Dexter, Rise of the Planet of the Apes
What you know Balaban from: Moonrise Kingdom, Ghost World, Monuments Men
Where it's playing: John Golden Theatre; previews begin Oct. 20, opens Nov. 20
Why you should be excited: A Delicate Balance is about a longtime couple who must maintain their balance in one weekend when they welcome home their heartbroken daughter and help shelter their friends. We can always use more Glenn Close in our lives so this will be good.
8. Michael C. Hall, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
What you know him from: Dexter, Six Feet Under, Gamer
Where it's playing: Belasco Theatre; now open, Hall starts his role Oct. 16
Why you should be excited: Following in the steps of Neil Patrick Harris and Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall will hit the stage complete with glitter, pumps, and an array of wigs. The story follows a transgender German rock singer and her life in America after a botched operation that leaves her with an "angry inch."
9–10. Rose Byrne and James Earl Jones, You Can't Take It With You
What you know Byrne from: Bridesmaids, X-Men: First Class, Neighbors
What you know Jones from: The Lion King, Return of the Jedi, Conan the Barbarian
Where it's playing: Longacre Theatre; now in previews, opens Sept. 28
Why you should be excited: Byrne will make her Broadway debut in the comedic play about love, life, and the Sycamore family. She was perfect as Helen in Bridesmaids and it will be so exciting to see how her talents translate to the stage. Joining Byrne this season is James Earl Jones. Basically, just buy your tickets now.
11. Mia Farrow, Love Letters
What you know her from: Rosemary's Baby, Hannah and Her Sisters, The Great Gatsby
Where it's playing: Brooks Atkinson Theatre; now open
Why you should be excited: In what could be only be described as a 90-minute reading, Farrow and Brian Dennehy read each other love letters that tell the story of two people who kept in touch by post since they were kids. Other celebs that will switch off this season are Carol Burnett, Alan Alda + Candice Bergen, Stacey Keach + Diana Rigg, and Anjelica Huston + Martin Sheen.
12. Blythe Danner, The Country House
What you know her from: Meet the Parents, The Commons of Pensacola, Huff (Also, Gwyneth Paltrow's mom)
Where it's playing: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre; now in previews, opens Oct. 2
Why you should be excited: A group of creative artists and fame hopefuls gather at a Berkshire summerhouse for the Williamstown Theatre Festival, but when a twist interrupts their weekend, they're forced to improvise...inciting a lot of drama. Blythe Danner is a fabulous human and a Tony Award winner so there's no doubt she'll be mesmerizing on stage.
13–15. Ewan McGregor, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Cynthia Nixon, The Real Thing
What you know McGregor from:Trainspotting, Moulin Rouge!, Big Fish
What you know Gyllenhaal from: The Dark Knight, Donnie Darko, White House Down
What you know Nixon from: Sex and the City
Where it's playing: American Airlines Theatre; previews begin Oct. 2, opens Oct. 30
Why you should be excited: This show follows a playwright named Henry (McGregor) and his wife (Nixon), the leading actress in his play about a crumbling marriage. When Henry has an affair with the couple's mutual friend (Gyllenhaal), Henry finds that life is imitating art, and he can't tell what's real and what's not. I think it's safe to say we'll be in good hands with this killer cast.
16. Tony Danza, Honeymoon in Vegas
What you know him from: Who's the Boss, Taxi, Don Jon
Where it's playing: Nederlander Theatre; previews begin Nov. 18, opens Jan. 15
Why you should be excited: What has been described as a "classic" Broadway musical, this show tells the story of Jack Singer (Rob McClure), a guy who has a deep fear of marriage, and the courage it took to propose to his girlfriend Betsy and head for Vegas to get hitched. But when they arrive, charismatic gambler Tommy (Danza) falls for Betsy, and everything takes a turn. Sounds fun enough, especially since there are not many new musicals hitting the Great White Way this fall.
17–18. Michael Cera and Kieran Culkin, This Is Our Youth
What you know Cera from: Superbad, Juno, Arrested Development
What you know Culkin from: She's All That, Igby Goes Down, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Where it's playing: Cort Theatre; now open
Why you should be excited: Set in 1980s New York, This Is Our Youth follows the story of three misguided young people and their 48-hour journey of chaos (drugs, hookups, theft, etc.). Cera plays his typical awkward kind of guy and it’s just as funny on stage as on screen. Joining Michael Cera and Tavi Gevinson on stage, Culkin delivers a stellar performance and is the true star of this NY-centric show. If Cera isn't enough to convince you to see this show, we can promise you'll love Kieran!
19. Jake Gyllenhaal, Constellations
What you know him from: Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, Prisoners
Where it's playing: Samuel J. Friedman Theatre; previews start Dec. 16, opens Jan. 13
Why you should be excited: To be honest, there's not a lot of info on this show (other than it being a romantic play about falling in love), but the important thing here is that you get to see Jake Gyllenhaal in person, on stage for two whole hours. Yes, take our money.
20–25. Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, Rupert Grint, Stockard Channing, and F. Murray Abraham, It's Only a Play
