The Top 10 Broadway Shows to See This Fall, According to a Theater Expert

As a former theater critic, a new season means a deluge of requests from friends, relatives, their friends, and so on, for suggestions about what to see. Luckily, this fall is abundant with choices, including shows starring some of the biggest celebrities on Earth. Oscar winner Robert Downey, Jr. makes his Broadway debut and is joined by Mia Farrow, Katie Holmes, and Rachel Zegler, all taking to the stage. Throw in some television and pop music heavy hitters — Jim Parsons, Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Nicole Scherzinger — and the season isn't just promising, it's positively A-list. And that's before you include true Broadway royalty, with Patti LuPone, James Monroe Iglehart, and six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald taking on some of musical theater's most iconic characters. Need specifics? Here are 10 shows you need to get tickets to right now.

"The Roommate"

Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St., theroommatebway.com

The New York Times calls this “the most unexpected double act of the New Broadway season.” Mia Farrow returns to Broadway for the first time since 1979, when she was seen in “Romantic Comedy” (we’re not counting two staged readings). And Patti LuPone is back, despite giving up her Equity card in 2022 (apparently, she’s still allowed to appear as long as the required fees are paid). The play by Jen Silverman explores an unexpected friendship between two middle-aged women who become unlikely roommates.

"McNeal"

Vivian Beaumont Theatre, Lincoln Center, 150 W. 65th St,  mcnealbroadway.com

Robert Downey Jr. makes his Broadway debut as a famed writer who becomes obsessed with artificial intelligence in this new play by Ayad Akhtar (“Disgraced”). The Academy Award winner shares the stage with Ruthie Ann Miles, Andrea Martin, and, interestingly, his own digital likeness as the play explores the complexities of intellectual technology.

"Our Town"

Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St.; ourtownbroadway.com

Thornton Wilder's play about day-to-day life in Grover's Corners, NH, "stands at the top of the Mount Rushmore of great American theater," said director Kenney Leon in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter. Jim Parsons stars in the show, along with Zoey Deutch and Katie Holmes, for added star power. This is the play's first revival in nearly 25 years, and it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1938.

"Left on Tenth"

James Earl Jones Theatre, 138 W. 48 St.; leftontenthbroadway.com

Two television actors take to the stage in this new play by Delia Ephron based on her bestselling memoir. Julianna Margulies (“The Good Wife”) plays the novelist and screenwriter who connects with a past romance, played by Peter Gallagher (“Gracie and Frankie”). As with any true story, it all turns out to be a little messy.

"Romeo + Juliet"

Circle in the Square,  235 W. 50th St.; romeoandjulietnyc.com

Rachel Zegler played Maria in the recent film version of "West Side Story." Now, she has the chance to explore the original material. She stars in director Sam Gold's new production of Shakespeare's iconic tragedy alongside Kit Connor ("Heartstopper"), who does some seriously impressive pull-ups in the show. 

"Sunset Boulevard"

St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44 St., sunsetblvdbroadway.com

Fresh from a run in London that swept the Olivier Awards (the Brit’s Tonys), Nicole Scherzinger, formerly the lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, gives a dazzling performance as the consummate diva Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s haunting musical. This is a bare-bones production with no lavish set or winding staircase. Rather than sweeping robes and turbans, Scherzinger spends most of the play barefoot, wearing a simple black slip. Ready for her closeup, indeed.

"A Wonderful World"

Studio 54, 254 W. 54 St., louisarmstrongmusical.com

James Monroe Iglehart (everyone's favorite on-stage genie in "Aladdin") plays renowned trumpeter Louis Armstrong with some behind-the-scenes backup from producer Vanessa Williams and orchestrator Branford Marsalis. The biographical musical, featuring songs like "When You're Smiling," is told by looking at his four wives' impact on his life.

"Tammy Faye"

Palace Theatre, 160 W. 47 St., tammyfayebway.com

“Broadway is the place where the greatest stories are told, and Tammy Faye’s story is made for the stage,” says Elton John, who wrote the songs for the new musical. Starring Katie Brayben as the late evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, the show also stars Christian Borle as her charismatic husband, preacher James Bakker.

"Death Becomes Her"

Lunt Fontanne Theatre, 205 W. 46 St., deathbecomesher.com

Based on the 1992 film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, the show unravels the relationship between two longtime frenemies — an aspiring novelist (Jennifer Simard, “Company”) and the actress who steals her husband (Megan Hilty, “Smash”). Is looking younger the answer for either one of them? The show has great fun trying to answer that question.

"Gypsy"

Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 44 St.; gypsybway.com

Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald takes on one of Broadway’s most iconic characters as Mama Rose, a role many fans have been waiting years to see. The Stephen Sondheim/Jules Styne classic, loosely based on the memoir of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, features some of Sondheim’s most beloved songs, including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and the show-stopping “Rose’s Turn.”

Off Broadway

One of the biggest names on stage this season is appearing off-Broadway. Academy Award winner Kenneth Branagh performs the title role in Shakespeare’s “King Lear” (Oct.26-Dec. 15 at the Shed, theshed.org). Other big names include Adam Driver, starring in Kenneth Lonergan’s play “Hold On To Me Darling (Sept. 24-Dec. 22, Lucille Lortel Theatre, holdontomedarling.com), and Jane Krakowski, Neil Patrick Harris, and Debra Messing, appearing in Robert O’Hara’s “Shit.Meet.Fan.” (Oct.10-Nov. 17, MCC Theater, mcctheater.org).