Yes, there are other new musicals playing on Broadway other than “Hamilton.” From fiddlers to rockers, tap-dancing dames to Irish step-dancing lords -- and the life story of a conga-dancing, Grammy-winning icon -- the fall season on Broadway has plenty of buzzworthy new musicals and revivals to keep you going well after that “Hamilton” buzz wears off.
Not sure how to sort it all out? Our 2015 Fall Broadway Musicals Guide is here to help.
“Spring Awakening”
Currently in previews at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. Opens Sept. 27. Limited engagement ends Jan. 24, 2016.
Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater’s eight-time Tony-winning musical returns to Broadway, in a new production from the Los Angeles-based Deaf West Theatre and the theater collective Forest of Arden. The 2006 musical is retold using a mix of hearing and deaf performers, including Oscar-winning actress Marlee Matlin (in her Broadway debut) and Andy Mientus and Krysta Rodriguez -- stars of NBC’s “Smash.” Bring tissues -- this beautiful production is a tear-jerker.
“Dames at Sea”
Performances begin Sept. 24 at the Helen Hayes Theatre. Opens Oct. 22.
The 1968 off Broadway and community theater staple “Dames at Sea” will set sail to the Great White Way in its first ever Broadway production. Jim Wise, George Haimsohn and Robin Miller’s musical, itself about the making of a 1930s musical -- will star Lesli Margherita (“Matilda”) and Mara Davi (“A Chorus Line”), among others. Direction and choreography will come from Randy Skinner (“42nd Street”). This will be the first time “Dames at Sea” has ever been heard in New York with a full orchestra -- which will make those tap shoes sounds all the better.
“On Your Feet”
Performances begin Oct. 5 at the Marquis Theatre. Opens Nov. 5.
Emilio and Gloria Estefan have won 26 Grammy Awards and sold over 100 million records between them. “On Your Feet” documents their journey to the top, with an original book by Oscar winner Alexander Dinelaris (“Birdman”). The show includes Estefan’s most iconic songs, including “Conga,” “Get on Your Feet,” “1-2-3” and “Coming Out of the Dark.” Direction comes from two-time Tony winner Jerry Mitchell (“Kinky Boots”), with newcomer Ana Villafañe starring as Gloria alongside “Lysistrata Jones” vet Josh Segarra’s Emilio. The rhythm? It’s probably gonna get you.
“Allegiance”
Performances begin Nov. 6 at the Longacre Theatre. Opens Nov. 8.
George Takei will make his Broadway debut in the new musical which tells the story of an often-ignored time in American history, when tens of thousands of Japanese-Americans were forced into internment camps by President Roosevelt from 1942 to 1946. The “Star Trek” star has a connection to the material, having spent four years of his childhood in two camps. Music and lyrics come from Jay Kuo, with a book by Marc Acito. Lea Salonga (“Miss Saigon”) and Telly Leung (“Godspell”) also star. Looks like “Hamilton” is not the only history-making musical this season.
“Lord of the Dance: Dangerous Games”
Performances begin Nov. 7 at the Lyric Theatre. Opens Nov. 10. Limited engagement through Jan. 3.
"Riverdance" creator Michael Flatley will make his Broadway debut, bringing his acclaimed show to the Great White Way after a sold-out run in London. It’ll surely be a bittersweet debut for Flatley, who is billing the show as his swan song as a performer. Flatley will appear in the show at the end of each evening performance. “Dangerous Games” marks the 20th anniversary of Flatley’s “Lord of the Dance” global enterprise. What a way to go out.
Broadway
“School of Rock -- The Musical”
Previews begin Nov. 9 at the Winter Garden Theatre. Opens Dec. 6.
Andrew Lloyd Webber returns to the Winter Garden Theatre, where his “Cats” ran for 18 years. But this time, Webber’s ready to rock with “School of Rock,” the stage adaptation of the hit 2003 film. Alex Brightman will star as wannabe rocker Dewey Finn (played by Jack Black in the film), who poses as a substitute teacher at a prestigious prep school, and ends up forming a rock band with his fifth-graders. Oscar-winner Julian Fellowes (“Gosford Park,” TV’s “Downton Abbey”) will pen the book for the musical, with lyrics coming from Glenn Slater (“Sister Act,” “The Little Mermaid”). This will be the first new Broadway musical for Webber since 2005’s “The Woman in White.” Get ready to rock.
“The Color Purple”
Previews begin Nov. 10 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Opens Dec. 10.
The 2005 musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will return to Broadway in a reimagined production from Tony-winning director John Doyle, straight from London’s Menier Chocolate Factory. Oscar and Grammy-winner Jennifer Hudson, Danielle Brooks (Taystee from Netflix’s "Orange Is the New Black”) and British breakout Cynthia Erivo will all make their Broadway debuts in the musical, which features music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and a book by Marsha Norman. The original Broadway production closed in 2008, after playing 30 previews and 910 regular performances, making this one of the fastest revivals Broadway’s seen in years.
“The Illusionists -- Live on Broadway”
Performance begin Nov. 19 at the Neil Simon Theatre. Limited engagement ends Jan. 3, 2016.
Following a hit Broadway run last year, magic supergroup returns to New York City with a whole new show with new magic. The cast will feature returning Illusionists Yu Ho-Jin (The Manipulator), Jeff Hobson (The Trickster), Dan Sperry (The Anti-Conjurer) and Adam Trent (The Futurist), as well as new Illusionists Jonathan Goodwin (The Daredevil), James More (The Deceptionist) and Raymond Crowe (The Unusualist). Be prepared to be wowed.
“Fiddler on the Roof”
Previews begin Nov. 20 at the Broadway Theatre. Opens Dec. 20.
Jerry Bock, Sheldon Harnick and Joseph Stein’s classic musical will have it’s fifth Broadway revival, this time with Bartlett Sher (“South Pacific”) at the helm. Danny Burstein (“Cabaret”) will tackle the lead role of Tevye, alongside a cast that includes Jessica Hecht (“The Assembled Parties”), Adam Kantor (“The Last Five Years”) and Samantha Massell (“The Hunchback of Notre Dame”). The most recent revival of “Fiddler” was in 2004, with Alfred Molina (and eventually, Harvey Fierstein) as Tevye. Expect Sher to bring a whole-new take on this “Tradition.”
