Following a record-breaking season that saw Broadway fully rebound from the pandemic, the New York theatre scene is gearing up for another spectacular year. The 2024-2025 season became the highest-grossing of all time, with a staggering $1.89bn in ticket sales. While Hollywood star power helped drive those numbers, 2026 promises a compelling mix of major revivals, buzzy transfers from the West End, and exciting new material, all aiming to captivate audiences.
Star Power and Acclaimed Revivals
The new year on Broadway begins with a psychological punch. Tracy Letts's 1996 play 'Bug' opens officially on 8 January, directed by David Cromer and starring Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood. This tale of paranoia in a motel room arrives with strong word-of-mouth from its Chicago run.
In April, a heavyweight revival takes centre stage. Broadway legend Nathan Lane will portray the tragic Willy Loman in Arthur Miller's 'Death of a Salesman', directed by Joe Mantello. He will be joined by Laurie Metcalf and Christopher Abbott in this sixth revival of the Pulitzer-winning classic.
Fresh from his Tony Award win for 'Merrily We Roll Along', Daniel Radcliffe returns to the New York stage this spring. He will star in the one-person show 'Every Brilliant Thing', a poignant piece about depression and hope that has been an international hit since its Edinburgh Fringe debut.
West End Hits and Timely Stories
Several critically acclaimed productions are making the transfer from London. 'Giant', starring John Lithgow as Roald Dahl, arrives amidst heated cultural conversations. The play, which won three Olivier awards, explores a controversial episode in the late author's life concerning Israel and allegations of antisemitism.
Another London success, the wonderfully eccentric 'Titanique', finally docks on Broadway. This hilarious musical parody of the film 'Titanic', told through the songs of Céline Dion, recently won an Olivier award and promises maximalist fun.
From the classic repertoire, Noël Coward's once-scandalous comedy 'Fallen Angels' will be revived in March, starring Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara. The play, which caused a moral panic in 1925, follows two women toasting their past dalliances.
New Productions and Beloved Returns
The stage adaptation of the iconic film 'Dog Day Afternoon' brings 'The Bear' stars Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach back together in March. Stephen Adly Guirgis adapts the true story of a 1972 Brooklyn bank robbery for its first theatrical outing.
In a major event for musical theatre fans, the beloved Motown-inspired show 'Dreamgirls' returns to Broadway for the first time since 1987 this autumn. Five-time Tony nominee Camille A. Brown will direct and choreograph, with casting still under way.
Perhaps the most anticipated original musical is 'Dolly: A True Original Musical'. The country icon Dolly Parton, now 79, has penned the book herself for this biographical show tracing her journey from poverty in Tennessee to global stardom. It will feature her classic hits and new songs, directed by Bartlett Sher.
Further highlights include the Broadway debut of Ayo Edebiri in a revival of David Auburn's 'Proof' with Don Cheadle, and a revival of August Wilson's 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone' directed by Debbie Allen and starring Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer. Gina Gionfriddo's sharp dark comedy 'Becky Shaw' also gets a timely new production in March.
With this diverse and star-packed line-up, Broadway in 2026 is set to build on its record-breaking success, offering everything from intimate dramas to large-scale musical spectacles.
