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[0:00] Jeff Malone: Welcome to Half Hour with Jeff and Richie, the podcast where we explore the latest shows we see, sharing our insights and opinions on the performances, storylines, and everything in between. In today's episode, we're discussing the Broadway and Off-Broadway productions opening in Fall 2026 in New York City. Whether you cannot catch any of these shows in person coming up, or you just want to hear your thoughts of what we think about some of these upcoming shows, then this episode is definitely for you. So if you're ready to dive into these productions, stick around with us. I'm Jeff.

[0:30] Richie Grasso: And I'm Richie, and we're thrilled to be your hosts for this episode today. But before we start the conversation about the Fall 2026 Broadway and Off-Broadway Preview, here are a few words from our advertisers. Welcome everyone to a new episode of Half Hour with Jeff and Richie. Today we're discussing the Fall 2026 Broadway and Off-Broadway season. That means that we will be talking about the shows that are opening before January 2027. Can you believe it? I know. And we have a lot of Broadway plays to talk about, a lot of Broadway musicals to talk about, and then Off-Broadway plays and musicals we'll mention towards the end. So this is a Fall Preview episode. This is an opportunity for our listeners to just hear what's coming up in the next few months. We're in a new Tony season now especially, and the Fall is when we start seeing some shows pick up again until that big rush in the Spring.

[1:14] Jeff Malone: So we're going to start off by just talking about the Fall plays that are coming to Broadway. We're going to start with that segment first. We'll mention the show a little bit about it. We'll kind of talk a little bit about it. There's not really many spoilers here because everything we're talking about today is things that have already been announced, and we haven't seen any of these shows except for one. Which is already stalled. And we're going to start with that one. So that one is Paranormal Activity. It's a Broadway play. It opened at the August Wilson Theatre in late August. This is the first show of the 2026-2027 Tony season. We saw this already. We have a separate episode out about this already if you want to hear everything we thought about that.

But this is starting off the Fall plays. So for Paranormal Activity, the synopsis is James and Lou move from Chicago to London for a fresh start. But as the young couple settles into their new home, Lou is certain that something is off. Eventually they both have to grapple with the same truth. Places aren't haunted, people are. The production is an entirely new story inspired by the Paranormal Activity film series arriving on Broadway after acclaimed runs in Chicago, Los Angeles, and London. As I said, it opened already August 25th. It's running until November. You can hear our thoughts about it on our separate episode. But this was spooky scary. Great for the Fall. If you're looking for something spooky, check it out.

[2:27] Richie Grasso: Yeah. I mean, I totally agree. I think right now this show is coming at the perfect time. So I would highly recommend getting your tickets to see it. It is selling well. It is a new version of a Paranormal Activity franchise written by Levi Holloway, which we've had on the podcast before. So, you know, I think it's great to go and check this show out right now. So coming up next in with an opening night of September 28th at the Samuel J. Friedman Theater with MTC is Schoolgirls or the African Mean Girls play. This is a one act play. It's actually billed as a revival because this did have a run before this Broadway run here. The synopsis Becoming Miss Ghana 1986 would mean fame, fortune and prosperity.

At least that's what Paulina, the Queen Bee of Aburi Girls Boarding School, believes. When the pageant recruiter comes to school, Paulina and her crew pull out all the stops. But a new transfer student from America kicks the competition into a higher, far more personal gear. This marks the show's first time on Broadway, arriving nearly a decade after its off-Broadway premiere and reunites the team behind Jaja's African hair braiding. So we have a notable cast here. We have Danae Benton, Patina Miller, Jasmine Amy Rogers, Heather Alicia Sims, among many others. Very, very excited for this.

[3:42] Jeff Malone: I'm really excited for this one. This might be at the top of my list right now of the shows that I'm very excited to see because I think, you know, when you're reading the synopsis, I'm like, oh, I get why they call it like or the African Mean Girls play because it is kind of like the opposite of what happens in the actual Mean Girls film and musical where she comes from Africa to the States. So, you know, I think it's interesting. So I'm excited to see this. We also have Tony nominee Jocelyn Bayou as the playwright and Tony nominee Whitney White as direction and Queen Jean, Tony award winner, Queen Jean as the costume designer. So I'm very excited for this. This has already started previews. We're in September right now. So just make sure you check this out because it is a limited run. I believe it's only running until November at Manhattan Theatre Club.

[4:22] Richie Grasso: Right. Up next, we have The Imaginary Invalid. This is a play also billed as a revival through Roundabout Theatre Company. Professional patient Argan indulges his every ailment and schemes to marry off his daughter to a doctor to save on medical bills. But she has another life in mind. Tony award winner Bill Irwin returns to Broadway and to Moliere to head the cast of his own razor sharp new adaptation, proving hypochondria never goes out of style and that real life is what happens while you and your family are making other plans. This is a famous Moliere play. We have Bill Irwin here adapting this from Moliere. We have a Beowulf for its set. We have Brendan J. Dernan directing Rachel Bloom of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend making her Broadway debut here.

I always think Roundabout does this. They kind of take older shows and revive them like this. I also noticed the marketing of this is like the game of operation. I kind of love that. That's like the marketing side of this. So it's very intriguing to go see. I'm very excited for this. I've always loved what Roundabout does. Moliere is Moliere. So I think it's going to be awesome.

[5:27] Jeff Malone: Yeah. And very busy in the revival season here already with the plays. So yeah, I'm excited. That's got first preview of September 25th with an opening night of October 22nd. Awesome. Up next, we have Other Desert Cities, which is also a play and a revival. Another revival here. Synopsis here. On Christmas Eve, the sunlit Palm Springs home of a politically connected family becomes a battleground of memory, loyalty and legacy when a daughter returns with a memoir and the power to expose the explosive truth they've kept hidden. With cutting insight and razor sharp wit, the family excavates all wounds and long buried secrets, raising the question of not just what happened, but who owns a family story and what it costs to tell it.

Tagline, every family has a secret. Not every family survives. This is a first preview of September 29th with opening night on October 18th with a star studded cast. Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Polly. Wow. I mean, like an awesome. Ed Harris is Lyman. Allison Janney is Silda. We have Joe Keery as Trip, who's from Stranger Things. And Lily Rabe is Brooke. So like already, I mean, like, I don't know who I'm more excited for, but I am a huge Allison Janney fan. And so like, I think that would be epic. But we have just Scott Pask on scenic design, Natasha Katz, lighting design, John Benjamin Hickey, director. This is a Tony Award winning play. This is a revival. I think this is going to be a very hard ticket to get this fall.

If you like some of these names, you want to go see a good play on Broadway with big names. You really got to buy those tickets in advance before the holiday rush, because I think this is going to be a hard.

[6:58] Richie Grasso: Yeah, I you know, we always talk about the big star studded cast that come, you know, in each Broadway season. This is just one of the many that have already been announced. So I am very excited to see this. It looks like it's going to be interesting. I mean, we did not see it before. I've seen some chatter in the Broadway space about some people are like, oh, you know, this is a great cast, but also the play is a little bit not their favorite. So I'm intrigued to see why it might be there. All right. I don't know the play either. So interesting to check it out. Next up, we have 860, which is a solo play at the Imperial Theater by the one and only Billy Crystal, who wrote it and is performing in a solo piece with a first preview of October 1st opening night, October 21st. It's billed as, quote, Home is more than a street number, end quote.

In the aftermath of the Palisades fires that took his home, Billy relives his memories in the moments that matter most, reflecting on how the power of laughter can overcome even the hardest of times. A hilarious and intimate solo story about friendship, family, love, luck and loss. Limited 14 week engagement running through January 2nd, 2027.

[8:01] Jeff Malone: I mean, who doesn't love Billy Crystal? I think he's got a fan base in many generations. He's been working for so long. We all know him from so many things. He's got this awesome stage presence to him. I just think this is going to be a nice change of pace with the season. Have something like this. And you're in the Imperial Theater. I mean, a solo show in these big theaters. Good for you. You know, I think this is going to be great. And I feel like we haven't had a one person show in a while. So I think it's going to be exciting to see something like this and change up the pace that's happening on Broadway. It's going to be great. And Scott Ellis is directing that as well. Moving on to the Vivian Beaumont Theater at Lincoln Center, we have A Few Good Men, another play revival here.

I'll read the synopsis for this one again. Military lawyer Daniel Caffey is known for his wit, charm and uncanny talent for closing cases before they ever get to trial. When assigned to defend two young Marines accused of murder, his typical strategy is upended by Lieutenant Commander Joanne Galloway, a sharp attorney determined to prove the man's innocence. But the evidence soon leads them to a cover up, putting them on a collision course with the entire chain of command. Aaron Sorkin's breakout 1989 hit returns to Broadway in a bold new production, and it is a limited engagement running for 13 weeks because it's got a first preview October 8th with an opening night of October 29th.

[9:12] Richie Grasso: Yes. Big, big names already in this cast. We have Bradley Whitford, who's of The West Wing and The Handmaid's Tale. We have Tom Blythe, Krista Rodriguez, Billie Eugene Jones, Michael Oberholzer. Michael Oberholzer. I think, yeah, I mean, this is going to be great. I think it's Lincoln Center, so. Yeah. And you have a great team here. Aaron Sorkin, playwright and Michael Arden, director, Dane Laffrey, scenic design. I think this is going to be great for Lincoln Center. I think this is a great play. It's nice to see it revived at any time you can go to Lincoln Center. Up next, we have Downstate original play coming here to the Booth Theater with a first preview of October 17th opening night, November 15th.

[10:04] Jeff Malone: Welcome back to "Half Hour with Jeff & Richie." Today, we're diving into the exciting new plays and musicals set to debut this fall on Broadway and Off-Broadway.

[10:29] Richie Grasso: That's right, Jeff! There's so much to look forward to, and we want to give our listeners a comprehensive preview of the shows that are worth watching.

[10:54] Jeff Malone: Let's start with some of the new plays. One that has been generating a lot of buzz is "Downstate." It's a powerful piece that tackles some heavy themes and has a strong cast.

[11:20] Richie Grasso: Absolutely, and another one to keep an eye on is "Here There Are Blueberries." The concept is intriguing, and it promises to deliver a unique theatrical experience.

[11:45] Jeff Malone: And we can't forget about the star revivals coming up! "Other Desert Cities" is making a return, and it features some incredible talent.

[12:10] Richie Grasso: Yes, and "A Few Good Men" is also being revived. It's such a classic, and I think audiences will be thrilled to see it back on stage.

[12:34] Jeff Malone: Not to mention "Much Ado About Nothing." It's always a treat to see Shakespeare brought to life, especially with a fresh cast.

[13:02] Richie Grasso: Speaking of fresh, there are some new musicals that are generating excitement as well. "Wanted" is one that I've heard a lot about.

[13:31] Jeff Malone: And "Galileo" is another one that has caught my attention. The story is fascinating, and I can't wait to see how they bring it to life on stage.

[13:57] Richie Grasso: Plus, there’s a wave of new Off-Broadway musicals opening this fall. It's such a vibrant scene, and I love how Off-Broadway often takes more risks with storytelling.

[14:27] Jeff Malone: Exactly! And for our listeners, we want to highlight which long-running Broadway hits are closing soon, so you know what to catch before it's gone.

[14:57] Richie Grasso: Yes, it's always bittersweet when a show closes, but it also opens the door for new productions.

[15:26] Jeff Malone: So, let’s dive deeper into the specifics of these shows and what makes them stand out this season.

[15:56] Richie Grasso: I’m excited to break it all down with you, Jeff. There’s so much talent and creativity coming to the forefront this fall.

[16:26] Jeff Malone: Absolutely! Let’s start with "Downstate." The themes it explores are quite relevant and thought-provoking.

[16:56] Richie Grasso: And the cast is stellar! I think audiences will really connect with the characters and their journeys.

[17:21] Jeff Malone: Moving on to "Here There Are Blueberries," the concept is so unique. It’s not just a play; it’s an experience.

[17:51] Richie Grasso: Right! And I think that’s what makes this fall season so exciting—there’s something for everyone.

[18:21] Jeff Malone: Definitely! And as we continue our preview, let’s not forget about the revivals. They bring a sense of nostalgia while also introducing new audiences to classic stories.

[18:51] Richie Grasso: Exactly, Jeff. Shows like "Other Desert Cities" and "A Few Good Men" have such rich narratives that resonate across generations.

[19:21] Jeff Malone: And with the new musicals like "Wanted" and "Galileo," we’re seeing fresh stories that push boundaries and challenge norms.

[19:51] Richie Grasso: It’s a thrilling time for Broadway and Off-Broadway, and we can’t wait to see how these productions unfold!

[20:37] Jeff Malone: So definitely want to check that out this fall. We do have a special engagement show coming to Broadway this fall. It's called Now You See Me Live. It's a magic show, one-act original magic show at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre where Moulin Rouge just closed. So it sounds like this is playing a winter run or a holiday run, filling the space for whatever is next coming to Al Hirschfeld. I wonder what's coming to Al Hirschfeld next. I think Paddington's going there in the spring. So this is just a rental, I guess, for a rented room. Yeah. It has a first preview and an opening date of November 11. It closes January 3. The synopsis is from the producers of The Illusionists, inspired by Lionsgate worldwide blockbuster film franchise comes Now You See Me Live.

Four world-class illusionists unite as the Horsemen, transforming the magic of the films into a live-stage spectacle with never-before-seen feats of wonder. An explosive mix of hi-tech illusion, solo stunts, and jaw-dropping spectacles. The acclaimed stage illusion spectacular has captivated audiences across the globe, with sellout residencies on Broadway, Australia, Asia, London, Las Vegas, coming to New York for eight weeks only.

[21:39] Richie Grasso: Okay. I think this is kind of exciting. I mean, it's similar. We did have somewhat of a magic show last year when the Muppets were doing that show, and then it kind of didn't last long. So I hope this will sell. I mean, this might be, I'm assuming this is family-friendly. We don't really have any holiday shows other than the Radio City Rockettes really. So maybe this is a show that families will bring kids to and see as something a little different.

[21:58] Jeff Malone: Yeah. I mean, we actually have not seen any of the magic shows that have come to Broadway. So maybe this might be our first one that we get to this time.

[22:06] Richie Grasso: Exactly. That would be really great.

[22:08] Jeff Malone: Yeah, definitely. So we have one more segment to talk to you about, which is a lot of off-Broadway. So we're going to take a quick break. When we come back, we have some off-Broadway musicals and plays we want to mention. We'll be right back.

[22:17] Richie Grasso: Okay. And we're back. So we did want to include some off-Broadway musicals and plays that we're excited for this season. And why don't we kick things off with...

[22:25] Jeff Malone: Well, we'll go right to Midnight. It's an original off-Broadway musical coming to the Daryl Roth Theatre with a first preview September 12, opening night September 27, billed as At Its Heart. Midnight asks one unforgettable question, what if the life you inherited had belonged to someone else? The show turns that question into an epic theatrical journey, exploring empathy, identity, love, and redemption through a thrilling score that spans gospel, pop, R&B, rock, folk, opera, and contemporary musical theatre.

[22:51] Richie Grasso: Throw it all in there.

[22:52] Jeff Malone: We also have Todrick Hall as the director, the book writer, music and lyrics, and performing in this as well.

[22:57] Richie Grasso: Wow.

[22:58] Jeff Malone: Great cast. I've heard a lot about this. I'm very, very excited to see this. This is one of the first off-Broadway original musicals coming this season. I really, really can't wait to check this out.

[23:07] Richie Grasso: Yeah, I can't wait to check this one out.

[23:10] Jeff Malone: Moving on to Slam Frank, a musical comedy and one-act original off-Broadway show at the Orpheum Theatre. Synopsis, in 2022, a viral tweet asked, did Anne Frank ever acknowledge her white privilege? End quote. Slam Frank imagines what happens when a progressive theatre company asks themselves that same question, applying the rules and tropes of progressive theatre to The Diary of Anne Frank. Transcending all taste and decency, they transform Anne Frank's true story into an intersectional, multi-ethnic, genderqueer, decolonized, anti-capitalist, hyper-empowering, Afro-Latin hip-hop musical.

[23:40] Richie Grasso: Okay. I think this is going to be... I've heard this was running somewhere now. It's kind of going to go to a more mainstream off-Broadway theatre with the first preview of September 17th, opening night of October 4th. This has got a lot of buzz. I'm really interested to see how this is. I think it'll be very, very interesting to see how the community picks this up. And does this have a potential Broadway transfer? Same with Midnight. Does that have a potential Broadway transfer? I'm very curious to see.

[24:03] Jeff Malone: We're going to have some theatres opening up after the holidays. But yeah, this was all over social media, Slam Frank. So I can't wait to see this. I need to see this.

[24:16] Richie Grasso: It'll be interesting, yeah.

[24:19] Jeff Malone: We have The Curious Case of Benjamin Button next, an original off-Broadway musical playing at the public theatre with the first preview of October 8th, opening night, October 21st. Synopsis. Under the light of a full moon, something most curious occurs. Benjamin Button is born old, bound to the fate of growing younger each day. Benjamin wants nothing more than to live a little life. But will he ever find a place to belong? Only time and tide will tell. This marks the acclaimed UK's musical's North American premiere. So, interestingly enough, it's coming from the UK and it's doing an off-Broadway run first. Because of the buzziness of this title, I have a feeling that this has a high transfer to Broadway rate after the off-Broadway run. I love when things run at the public. You know, Hamilton ran at the public. A lot of things have started at the public theatre and then come to Broadway. So I'd love to see if that's going to happen with this.

[25:03] Richie Grasso: And I don't know much about this yet. I haven't listened to a lot of it for a reason.

[25:08] Jeff Malone: You know, I was going to say, fun fact about this. I've actually never watched the film.

[25:11] Richie Grasso: Yeah, same. I've never seen the film either.

[25:13] Jeff Malone: So I feel like we probably should.

[25:14] Richie Grasso: And also, we have never seen a show at the public.

[25:18] Jeff Malone: Yeah, yeah, yeah. We've seen concerts there. And we've seen the public theatre Shakespeare in the Park. We've seen that, but we've never actually gone and seen a production. There's always shows that we want to see and we never end up getting there. So I feel like maybe this will be our first time that we're getting there.

[25:33] Richie Grasso: And we also have The Heart, an original musical off-Broadway at the Laura Pels Theatre, with a first preview October 8th, opening night October 29th. This is billed as, A young surfer's life is cut short. A stranger suddenly has a second chance. And the life force of one beating heart drives two families and a medical team through 24 hours that couldn't matter more.

[25:52] Jeff Malone: This is so intriguing to me. I think this is really, really exciting to see what's going on here with this. An original musical. Could this have a, you know, I always say, could these musicals transfer to Broadway? A lot of the times they want to, but maybe they don't always want to. But I wonder with this. We just announced the cast. We have Joaquin Okolokongo, who's a Tony award winner. Heidi Plekenstaff, Jason Tam, Drew Gehling, Brie Jackson, Max McKenna. What a cast. I think this is going to be really exciting.

[26:17] Richie Grasso: I agree. I think actually with all four of these musicals that we're talking here, I like seeing that the more newer original works are doing an off-Broadway run first, because maybe we'll see, what does that build? Does it get them to Broadway? And they're not immediately saying, no, we need to go straight to Broadway. I know that was one of the things that they were talking about Benjamin Button. Benjamin Button wants the more smaller, intimate space for people to really experience the show. So maybe Broadway's too big. Maybe it's going to run well at the public theater and they might just keep it there for a little bit. Who knows? But I'm excited to see all four of these. And there's a few more off-Broadway shows that we are excited for to see.

And on our list, we have Kramer Fauci, Good Time Charlie, Copperfield, a new musical, The Unbelievers, Encores in the Heights, 222, A Ghost Story, Imitation of Life, The Conversation, a new musical, and Wild Rose, which is also a musical. There's a lot of musicals. There's a lot. I wish we could have spent this whole time talking about all the off-Broadway coming too. And there's probably even more off-Broadway shows that we could be mentioning as well. There'll be more coming in the winter and spring. But if we have made this clear in this 30-minute episode, go see some theater this fall. There's a lot of new things. There's fresh new things. Of course, a lot of revivals as well. But I think there's something for everyone.

There's the high, large spectacle shows. There's the smaller things. Plus, not to mention, we have Stranger Things announced to closing for January. We have Six announced to closing for January. And we have...

[27:43] Richie Grasso: And Juliet announced to closing for January. So there's a lot of things that are finishing up their runs. If you want to go check them out one more time, there's so much to see in the fall on Broadway. And those shows had great runs too. That's one thing we definitely want to talk about on the podcast here. Six and Juliet had great runs. And now those shows are going to go and live on. And they're going to be able to be performed by high schools and regional theaters. And it's not just going to be that show that's in the Broadway space anymore. Now we also have three big Broadway houses that are opening now with the Stephen Sondheim, the Lena Horne, and the Marquis all open for the spring.

[28:19] Jeff Malone: Totally. So I definitely think when we do our spring preview, there's going to be a lot more announced. Because that actually, looking ahead, a lot of musical revivals, a lot of new musicals are announced for the spring, but we don't have a lot of plays yet. So I feel like they're all going to come in at the end and be like, okay, we're taking that theater. We're taking that theater. So I'm excited for it. And with all this theater, if you're trying to see a lot of theater, remember every show, even off-Broadway, has so many rush options. Last minute standing room, you can go on Today Tix and some of the other apps that Celtic has resold.

[28:50] Richie Grasso: Yeah, use the theater app. Use Hip Tix. There's so many different ways. Link Tix with Lincoln Center. There's so many ways that if you plan in advance and you look out, there are ways to get seats to shows. If you're a planner like me and you can really look ahead and put things weeks in advance, I know that's hard for some people, but I always believe where there's a will, there's a way, especially for seeing live theater. So go support as many of these shows as you can. We're looking forward to seeing them and reviewing them for you and talking about them here and bringing some special guests on as well throughout the fall and into the winter.

[29:16] Jeff Malone: Yeah. And to round it all up there, just so everyone knows, this fall we have a total of 13 new shows opening. And like you said earlier, five are original plays, five are play revivals, two are original musicals, and one is a musical revival. So a lot of limited runs. Yes. A lot of these shows we just mentioned today are closing by January. So make sure you check them out if you really are interested in them.

[29:39] Richie Grasso: Definitely. Cool. Oh my gosh, just about out of time. Well, that does wrap up our discussion for this fall preview episode. We hope you enjoyed our deep dive into the Broadway and off-Broadway fall 2026 preview. And remember, we want to hear from you. Continue the conversation with us on our Instagram and TikTok at Half Hour Podcast and drop us a comment on Spotify and let us know your thoughts on the 2026 fall Broadway, off-Broadway season and what your favorite shows are or what you're most excited for. Please also leave us a review. Your reviews mean so much to us. And remember to subscribe to our channel for all past and future episodes. Until next time, I'm Jeff.

[30:11] Richie Grasso: And I'm Richie saying ta-ta for now. Bye.