NEW YORK — Award-winning plays and acclaimed London shows. Superstar revivals, multicultural musicals and even Samuel L. Jackson — Broadway has it all this season.
In part 1 of Daily News’ guide to the theater, here are some of the plays, musicals and revivals to look out for.
“Cost of Living”: The 2018 winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama stars recent Tony Award nominee Kara Young, with original stars Gregg Mozgala and Katy Sullivan. Former NYPD cop-turned-actor David Zayas is also featured in the Martyna Majok-written play directed by Obie Award winner Jo Bonney. “Cost of living” examines the relationship dynamics between inexperienced caregivers and their patients, including a former truck driver who reunites with his ex-wife after she becomes a paraplegic, and a Princeton doctoral student with cerebral palsy who hires overworked bar worker Jess. Performances begin Sept. 13 at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre. (261 W. 47th St.)
“Leopoldstadt”: After a COVID-19 delayed Olivier Award winning run on London’s West End, Sir Tom Stoppard’s acclaimed play heads to Broadway with a 38-member cast, 24 from its original run. Set in Vienna over the course of several decades, the sweeping drama follows a singular Austrian Hungarian Jewish family from the beginning of the 20th century to the aftermath of the Holocaust. Limited engagement begins Sept. 14 at Longacre Theatre. (220 W. 48th St.)
“1776″: Like “Hamilton,” this musical with a multicultural cast retells American history — but without the hip-hop. In this version, all of the stars identify as female, transgender and nonbinary. Directors Jeffrey L. Page and Tony Award winner Diane Paulus bring a freshness to Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards’ American Revolutionary War narrative that was a smash when it premiered back in 1969. Performances begin Sept.14 at American Airlines Theatre. (227 W. 42nd St.)
“Death of a Salesman”: Arthur Miller’s 1949 classic “tragedy of the common man” will star an all-Black cast of main characters led by Olivier Award nominee Wendell Pierce and Olivier Award winner Sharon D. Clarke. The award-winning London transfer, helmed by Miranda Cromwell, brings a splash of color to the tried and true story of Willy Loman during the last 24 hours of his life. Broadway newcomers Khris Davis and McKinley Belcher III are in the cast, alongside Tony Award winner Andre De Shields. The 17-week engagement begins Sept. 17 at Hudson Theatre. (141 W. 44th St.)
“The Piano Lesson”: For her Broadway directorial debut, actress LaTanya Richardson Jackson delivers a new revival of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” starring her husband Samuel L. Jackson, Tony Award nominee Danielle Brooks and John David Washington in his stage debut. Set in Pittsburgh in 1936, the play revolves around a brother and sister embroiled in a war over what to do with a family heirloom — a piano with the faces of their ancestors etched into it. “Real Housewives of Atlanta” star Kandi Burruss serves as a producer of the production, which also features “Empire” star Trai Beyers, “Justice League” star Ray Fisher and April Mathis — who hit a home run in 2019′s biographical play about women’s baseball trailblazer Toni Stone. 17-week engagement begins Sept. 19 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre. (243 W. 47th St.)
“Topdog/Underdog”: Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play celebrated its 20th anniversary with a production directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon and starring Emmy Award winner Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Tony Award nominee Corey Hawkins. The darkly comic tale follows two brothers playing a deadly street con game — three card monte — and discovers the true nature of their history. 16-week engagement begins Sept. 27 at John Golden Theatre. (252 W. 45th St.)
“Almost Famous”: An adaptation by Academy Award winner Cameron Crowe of his 2000 film “Almost Famous” stars Tony Award nominee Anika Larense and Casey Likes. Jeremey Herrin directs the musical with a score by Tony and Pulitzer winner Tom Kit. Set in 1973, the coming-of-age tale is based on Crowe’s own experiences as a 15-year-old music fan who lands a Rolling Stone magazine assignment to follow an emerging rock band on tour. Performances begin Oct. 3 at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. (242 W. 45th St.)
“Kimberly Akimbo”: The wildly popular off-Broadway play features its original company, including Tony Award winner Victoria Clark in the lead role as a 17-year-old who takes on the appearance of a 72-year-old lady due to an aging disease. Family secrets, borderline personalities and possible felony charges are other challenges the Jerseyite has to endure. Pulitzer Prize winner David Lindsay-Abaire crafted the story that Tony Award winner Jeanine Tesori put music to. Performances begin Oct. 12 at Booth Theatre. (242 W. 45th St.)
“KPOP”: The Korean pop music invasion storms Broadway with this award-winning musical about the inner workings of the K-pop business. Top-selling recording artist and musical theater performer Luna stars in a story about how one singer’s inner turmoil threatens to upend one of the industry’s biggest record companies just as an internationally renowned group prepares for a special one-night-only event. “KPOP” stars BoHyung (formerly of SPICA and half of the duo KEEMBO) along with Min (formerly of Miss A) and Kevin Woo (formerly of U-KISS) in the Jason Kim-conceived production. Performances begin Oct. 13 at Circle in the Square Theatre. (235 W. 50th St.)
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