Top Celebrities Shine on Broadway: Must-See NYC Performances

The big stage is drawing major star power. Even the most famous Hollywood figures—whether movie stars or television regulars—like to brush up their skills with live performances every so often. The coming season in New York City will include an A-list movie star making her Broadway debut and several TV regulars returning to live theater.

The actors’ strike might have played a part in all this—Emmy winner Sarah Paulson, who opens on Broadway in November, was supposed to be working on a new series based on Glennon Doyle’s memoir, “Untamed.” However, Rachel McAdams says she committed to Broadway (she stars in “Mary Jane” next spring) well before the strike. In any case, if you want to see Harry Potter sing and dance, or Ray Donovan play a priest, now’s the time.

Daniel Radcliffe

“Merrily We Roll Along”

Hudson Theatre, 141 W. 44th St.; merrilyonbroadway.com

The Harry Potter star has had several starring roles on Broadway since making a name for himself as a 12-year-old in the hit film franchise, including “Equus” and “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Consequently, Radcliffe headlined the sold-out production of “Merrily” off-Broadway last year, almost assuring a move to Broadway. The Stephen Sondheim musical traces the life of three friends in the entertainment industry over three decades. The story is told in reverse order—it starts with the friends at rock-bottom and ends with them in youthful exuberance. Best known songs include “Old Friends” and “Not a Day Goes By.” (Now open)

John Turturro

“Sabbath’s Theater”

Pershing Square Linney Theatre, 480 W. 42nd St.; thenewgroup.org

Adapted from Philip Roth’s novel, which won the National Book Award, the play will star John Turturro, most recently seen in the Apple TV hit Severance. It’s an erotic story of a debauched puppet maker as he gradually sinks into madness. Furthermore, Turturro worked on the adaptation, expressing his enthusiasm through a quote from Playbill, stating he was drawn to what might be Roth’s “filthiest” novel due to its “morality, tenderness, and comic intensity.” (In previews, opens Nov. 2)

Danny DeVito

“I Need That”

American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St.; roundabouttheatre.org

Everyone’s favorite Taxi driver Danny DeVito comes to Broadway this season, previously having starred in Arthur Miller’s “The Price.” Sharing the stage with the star of movies like “Throw Momma from the Train” and “Get Shorty” is his daughter, Lucy DeVito. She’s making her Broadway debut in Theresa Rebeck’s new play about a hoarder facing eviction unless he cleans up the mess. (In previews, opens Nov. 2)

Barry Manilow

“Harmony”

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

The prolific songwriter did a Broadway concert in 2013, but this time he’s just doing the songs for this biomusical about the Comedian Harmonists—the six-member group performed in Germany in the ‘20s. This production showcases a poignant story as the group was forced to disband as the Nazis came to power. (In previews, opens Nov. 13)

Alicia Keys

“Hell’s Kitchen”

Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St.; publictheater.org

First, the bad news: Alicia Keys won’t be appearing in this show. However, the songs belong to her—many of the ones she’s known for, along with some new ones. While not the story of her life, it is based on her memories of growing up in a cramped apartment, searching for her dream, and testing boundaries as she deals with family tension. “There’s not anything that happens in this piece that moves without me completely immersed in it,” she told The New York Times last June. (In previews, opens Nov. 19)

Aubrey Plaza

“Danny and the Deep Blue Sea”

Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St.; dannyandthedeepbluesea.com

The Emmy nominee for White Lotus makes her stage debut off-Broadway this season, starring in John Patrick Shanley’s “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea.” The part is “an actor’s dream,” Plaza told Vanity Fair. Plaza, also known for her role in Parks and Recreation, will share the stage with Christopher Abbott (Girls), portraying a troubled woman who meets a brooding truck driver by chance in a Bronx bar. Consequently, sparks fly, but this is no rom-com. (Previews start Oct. 30, opens Nov. 13)

Sarah Paulson

“Appropriate”

Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St.; 2st.com

Sarah Paulson won an Emmy and Golden Globe for her portrayal of Marcia Clark in The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story, but she’ll play a fictional character on Broadway this winter. Starred alongside Corey Stoll (Billions, House of Cards), she joins Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ play about a dysfunctional family discovering a troubling past while dealing with the death of their patriarch. (Previews start Nov. 29, opens Dec. 18)

Liev Schreiber

“Doubt”

American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St.; roundabouttheatre.org

The Ray Donovan star and Tony winner (“Glengarry Glen Ross”) returns to Broadway this winter, joining Tyne Daly (Cagney & Lacey and Tony winner for “Gypsy”) in a revival of John Patrick Shanley’s play. This gripping drama about a priest accused of sexually abusing a student won a Tony and a Pulitzer Prize in 2005. (February 2024)

Laurence Fishburne

“Like They Do in the Movies”

PAC NYC, 251 Fulton St.; pacnyc.org

The Matrix star is no stranger to Broadway, having won a Tony award in 1992 for “Two Trains Running,” and appearing most recently last year in a revival of “American Buffalo.” Therefore, the Academy Award nominee (“What’s Love Got to Do with It?”) is appearing as both playwright and performer. He describes his new one-man show as “the stories and lies people have told me. And that I have told myself.” (March 10-31, 2024)

Angelina Jolie

“The Outsiders”

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St.; outsidersmusical.com

There’s a major Hollywood star connected with this show, but Angelina Jolie won’t be on stage. She’s making her debut as a Broadway producer after seeing an earlier production at the La Jolla Playhouse. The new musical, set in Oklahoma in the late ‘60s, is based on S.E. Hinton’s novel and the Francis Ford Coppola film. The story revolves around a group of alienated teens, and reviews from that earlier production suggest it gets pretty bloody—“It’s a fistfight, not a dance,” said The New York Times. (March 16, 2024)

Wayne Brady

“The Wiz”

Marquis Theatre, 210 W. 46th St.; wizmusical.com

The affable host of Let’s Make a Deal comes to Broadway this spring in one of literature’s most iconic roles. The five-time Emmy winner plays the title role in this funky take on “The Wizard of Oz,” after previous Broadway appearances in “Kinky Boots” and “Chicago.” (March 29, 2024)

Rachel McAdams

“Mary Jane”

Samuel Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St.; manhattantheatreclub.com

The star of movies like “Mean Girls” and “Spotlight” hasn’t been on stage since her student days, but she told The New York Times, “It’s like riding a bike… I hope my training will support me.” Thus, she will make her Broadway debut in Amy Herzog’s riveting play about a single mom’s efforts to care for her chronically ill son. McAdams expressed that she couldn’t stop thinking about the play; it’s “beautifully written.” (April 2, 2024)

Jessica Lange

“Mother Play”

Hayes Theatre, 240 W. 44th St.; 2st.com

The Oscar, Emmy, and Tony winner is a master at portraying women with issues (remember her in the TV series Feud playing Joan Crawford). She returns to Broadway in Paula Vogel’s new play, with a role that should be right in her comfort zone. She plays the mother of two teens who struggles to negotiate her family’s move to a new apartment. (April 25, 2024)