17 Broadway And Off-Broadway Shows We're Excited To See

From revivals of 20th century classics to brand-new musicals, the fall theater season is about taking chances on Broadway and off. Here's a look at 17 shows to get excited about.

1. You Can't Take It With You

Joan Marcus / Via broadway.com

Theater: Longacre Theatre

Previews: Aug. 26

Opening: Sept. 28

What it's about: The eccentric Sycamore family, led by patriarch Grandpa Vanderhof (James Earl Jones), gets a visit from the straightlaced parents of daughter Alice's (Rose Byrne) new beau Tony (Fran Kranz).

Why we're excited: The George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart play is a classic, having won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was also adapted into a 1938 film that took home the Academy Award for Best Picture. The thrill of seeing how You Can't Take It With You will work more than 75 years after its premiere is compounded by the exceptional cast, led by the always incredible Jones and featuring Byrne, equally adept at comedy and drama, and Masters of Sex standout Annaleigh Ashford.

Buy tickets here.

2. Tail! Spin!

Carol Rosegg

Theater: Lynn Redgrave Theater at Culture Project

Previews: Sept. 18

Opening: Oct. 1

What it's about: The sex scandals of politicians Anthony Weiner, Mark Sanford, Larry Craig, and Mark Foley are detailed — all in their own words. Tail! Spin! quotes directly from emails, texts, and tweets, with SNL alum Rachel Dratch playing multiple women in these fallen men's lives.

Why we're excited: The inventive concept reflects the absurdity of these politicians' faux pas — there's no need to add anything when their own excuses for deviant behavior were so inherently silly. Add to that the talents of Dratch, an incredible improviser and comic performer, and you've got something even funnier than trying to claim your Twitter was hacked.

Buy tickets here.

3. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Brinkhoff/Mögenburg / Via curiousonbroadway.com

Theater: Barrymore Theatre

Previews: Sept. 10

Opening: Oct. 5

What it's about: Based on Mark Haddon's best-selling novel, Curious Incident follows 15-year-old Christopher (Alexander Sharp), whose form of autism makes him very intelligent but ill-equipped at social situations, as he solves the murder of a neighborhood dog.

Why we're excited: The book did a tremendous job of putting the reader inside Christopher's unique and often frustrated mind, and it looks like the theatrical production will be doing the same. The production has already earned rave reviews for its insight and creativity, which suggests that the theater experience will be as transformative for the audience as reading the book once was.

Buy tickets here.

4. It's Only a Play

itsonlyaplay.com

Theater: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre

Previews: Aug. 28

Opening: Oct. 9

What it's about: It's opening night of a new play by Peter Austin (Matthew Broderick), who looks for comfort from his so-called best friend James Wicker (Nathan Lane), while also dealing with a drugged-up star (Stockard Channing) and a first-time producer (Megan Mullally).

Why we're excited: Aside from the fact that this comedy is written by the great and often searingly funny Terrence McNally, It's Only a Play's biggest selling point is likely that incredible cast, which reunites Producers stars Broderick and Lane, and brings Harry Potter's Rupert Grint to Broadway. It doesn't get much better than this cast, which also includes F. Murray Abraham and newcomer Micah Stock.

Buy tickets here.

5. While I Yet Live

Ben Gabbe / Getty

Theater: The Duke on 42nd Street at Primary Stages

Previews: Sept. 24

Opening: Oct. 12

What it's about: Kinky Boots star Billy Porter takes us into his experiences growing up in this new autobiographical play about coming of age as a gay, black man in Pittsburgh, surrounded by strong women.

Why we're excited: Porter has long been a dynamic force on Broadway — before his turn as drag queen Lola in Kinky Boots, he dazzled in Angels in America — and this is an exciting opportunity to dive into his life in an intimate and personal show. And it's always wonderful to see well-drawn, three-dimensional characters of color onstage, especially when they're played by such wonderful talents as S. Epatha Merkerson, Sharon Washington, and Lillias White, among others.

Buy tickets here.

6. Found

Kevin Thomas Garcia

Theater: Linda Gross Theater at Atlantic Theater Company

Previews: Sept. 18

Opening: Oct. 14

What it's about: Like Found Magazine, which inspired this new musical, Found is based on many, many true stories. Davy Rothbart founded the magazine stumbling on a note meant for someone else: Here, we track Davy (Nick Blaemire) on his journey motivated by a stranger's words.

Why we're excited: Anyone who has pored over the pages of Found Magazine knows what a thrill it can be to discover other people's stories — and that's largely what brings people to the theater. This musical, from the great minds behind [title of show], looks to combine the hilarious and the poignant. It's also Community's Danny Pudi's stage debut, but be on the lookout as well for Heathers' breakout star Barrett Wilbert Weed and exceptionally talented cabaret performer Molly Pope.

Buy tickets here.

7. On the Town

Kevin Sprague

Theater: Lyric Theatre

Previews: Sept. 20

Opening: Oct. 16

What it's about: Three sailors — Gabey (Tony Yazbeck), Chip (Jay Armstrong Johnson), and Ozzie (Clyde Alves) — have 24 hours of shore leave in New York City. They're determined to make the best of their day in the big city, especially if that means finding love along the way.

Why we're excited: There's nothing quite like an old-school Broadway musical. The pure exuberance and classic style of On the Town, which debuted on Broadway in 1944, can't be matched. The show also includes classic numbers, most notably the iconic "New York, New York." While this production promises to breathe new life into a 70-year-old show, there's also something wonderful about taking a trip back to the '40s for some good-hearted escapist entertainment.

Buy tickets here.

8. Billy & Ray

vineyardtheatre.org

Theater: Vineyard Theatre

Previews: Oct. 1

Opening: Oct. 20

What it's about: Billy is Billy Wilder (Vincent Kartheiser) and Ray is Raymond Chandler (Larry Pine). Together, the two set about adapting Double Indemnity for the big screen, creating the film noir genre in the process.

Why we're excited: The real-life Billy Wilder and Raymond Chandler were both larger-than-life figures, so it should be riveting to see them depicted onstage. Pine won over audiences in Casa Valentina, but it will be especially exciting to see Mad Men's Kartheiser show off his range. He's long been easy to loathe as Pete Campbell, but there's a certain oddness and volatility to him that director Garry Marshall is sure to coax out.

Buy tickets here.

9. The Fortress of Solitude

Karen Almond

Theater: Newman Theater at Public Theater

Previews: Sept. 30

Opening: Oct. 22

What it's about: Two young men, Mingus Rude (Kyle Beltran) and Dylan Ebdus (Adam Chanler-Berat), come of age together in 1970s Brooklyn. Despite their differences, they're drawn together by, among other things, their passion for superheroes.

Why we're excited: Jonathan Lethem's 2003 novel is exciting and honest, two qualities that playwright Itamar Moses and composer Michael Friedman (of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson fame) seem to be bringing into the theatrical adaptation. In fact, theater is the perfect venue for magical realism: Onstage, Fortress can embrace the combination of actual superpowers with the harsh realities that Mingus and Dylan face, and the often-heavy themes explored.

Buy tickets here.

10. Disgraced

disgracedonbroadway.com

Theater: Lyceum Theatre

Previews: Sept. 27

Opening: Oct. 23

What it's about: Lawyer Amir Kapoor (Hari Dhillon) and his wife Emily (Gretchen Mol) are hosting a dinner party. He was raised Muslim but has largely suppressed his identity for the sake of his career, while Emily is an artist with a distinct focus on Islamic themes. At dinner, issues of religion, heritage, and politics come to a head.

Why we're excited: There's a lot of buzz around this Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and with good reason — it's intense, relentless, and more relevant than ever. There's also a lot to love about the cast, including the fantastic Hari Dhillon alongside Boardwalk Empire's Gretchen Mol and How I Met Your Mother's Josh Radnor, who — like his HIMYM co-star Neil Patrick Harris — can now show off his impressive range on Broadway.

Buy tickets here.

11. The Last Ship

Joan Marcus

Theater: The Neil Simon Theatre

Previews: Sept. 29

Opening: Oct. 26

What it's about: Gideon Fletcher (Michael Esper) leaves behind his small-town life in the seafaring town of Wallsend. When he returns 15 years later, he finds that the shipyard — and the entire Wallsend way of life — is in danger of collapsing.

Why we're excited: Sting's first foray onto Broadway is also an incredibly personal story, as he brings his childhood memories of the local shipyard closing to the stage. The show earned rave reviews when it debuted in Chicago, which bodes well for its New York arrival. In addition to Sting's involvement, the creative team also includes John Logan, whose most recent project is Showtime's Penny Dreadful, and Brian Yorkey, who wrote the book for Next to Normal.

Buy tickets here.

12. Lips Together, Teeth Apart

2st.com

Theater: Second Stage Theatre

Previews: Oct. 7

Opening: Oct. 29

What it's about: Two straight couples — Sally (America Ferrera) and Sam (Michael Chernus), John (Austin Lysy) and Chloe (Tracee Chimo) — spend the weekend in the largely gay community of Fire Island, staying at a house inherited from Sally's brother, who has recently died of AIDS.

Why we're excited: There is more to Lips Together, Teeth Apart than the specter of AIDS, but given that the play is set on Fire Island in 1991, that's of course a major factor. It also makes for a fascinating and devastating time capsule — the characters here won't go swimming because they're afraid they'll contract HIV from the shared pool. The cast alone will make this an exciting production of Terrence McNally's work, but the work itself offers much-needed insight into a time many have forgotten.

Buy tickets here.

13. The River

newyorkcitytheatre.com

Theater: Circle in the Square Theatre

Previews: Oct. 31

Opening: Nov. 16

What it's about: The plot details of The River are largely a mystery. Suffice it to say, The Man (Hugh Jackman) takes a woman (Laura Donnelly) to his remote fishing cabin, where his intentions — outside of fishing — are unclear.

Why we're excited: Hugh Jackman. While plenty of A-list actors have made the transition to Broadway, some more successfully than others, Jackman's theater background gives him a distinct edge. He has proven in past productions, including The Boy From Oz and A Steady Rain, that he is a dynamic and breathtaking stage performer. The fact that The River is such a mystery naturally adds to the anticipation of this production.

Buy tickets here.

14. Side Show

Joan Marcus

Theater: St. James Theatre

Previews: Oct. 28

Opening: Nov. 17

What it's about: Based on a true story, Side Show follows conjoined twins Daisy (Emily Padgett) and Violet (Erin Davie) Hilton, who find fame in the worlds of carnival and vaudeville thanks to their unique condition, while also searching for the genuine romantic love that continues to elude them.

Why we're excited: Side Show is a difficult show to pull off, which is perhaps why the original 1997 production went largely unappreciated. Nevertheless, it has a gorgeous score — "I Will Never Leave You" and "Who Will Love Me As I Am?" are standouts — and this new reimagining of the show has already gotten a great response. Here's hoping a fresh take on Side Show will help it find its long overdue theater audience.

Buy tickets here.

15. A Delicate Balance

adelicatebalancebroadway.com

Theater: The John Golden Theatre

Previews: Oct. 20

Opening: Nov. 20

What it's about: Married couple Agnes (Glenn Close) and Tobias (John Lithgow) open their home to their recently divorced daughter (Martha Plimpton), Agnes' alcoholic sister (Lindsay Duncan), and their best friends (Bob Balaban and Clare Higgins).

Why we're excited: No one does family drama quite like Edward Albee — the playwright behind Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? is dark, challenging, and often bitterly funny. A Delicate Balance is no exception, and this is a superb cast to take on the material. Close and Lithgow are adept at commanding the stage, but let's not discount the the exceptional character work of Balaban and Plimpton, among others.

Buy tickets here.

16. A Particle of Dread (Oedipus Variations)

Ros Kavanagh

Theater: Signature Theatre

Previews: Nov. 11

Opening: Nov. 23

What it's about: This modern-day take on Oedipus Rex transports the classic tragedy to Derry, Ireland, and offers up a complex, non-linear approach to the story, complete with the shocking conclusion. (Spoiler alert: Oedipus accidentally kills his father and marries his mother.)

Why we're excited: The multi-talented Sam Shepard serves as playwright here, bringing his unique perspective to a tale that's been told time and time again. Modern iterations of the classics are hit or miss, but Shepard's A Particle of Dread was well-received when it first premiered in the late '90s. This production has Stephen Rea in the title role: If the gory production photos are any indication, he will be throwing himself into a brutal performance.

Buy tickets here.

17. The Elephant Man

T. Charles Erickson/Williamstown Theatre Festival

Theater: Booth Theater

Previews: Nov. 7

Opening: Dec. 7

What it's about: The Elephant Man tells the true story of John Merrick (Bradley Cooper), whose serious disfigurement led him to a role in a traveling "freak show." Although relegated to life as an attraction, Merrick struggles to find dignity and be treated as a human being.

Why we're excited: While The Elephant Man has been done before, both onstage and in the memorable 1980 film, this revival promises to bring something different to Merrick's tragic tale. It's not Cooper's first foray into theater, though it will likely be one of his most memorable, as he fully contorts his body to fill Merrick's considerable shoes. We've seen Cooper commit to film roles before, but this intense physicality is something new, especially because it will be live.

Buy tickets here.