TDF Stages

The 12 shows bowing on Broadway next month

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In September after an 18-month shutdown, 16 shows (re)started on Broadway, including long-running favorites The Lion King, Wicked and Hamilton. But the (re)opening party is far from over. This October, a dozen additional productions join the Broadway lineup, including the return of Ain't Too Proud, Jagged Little Pill and Tina alongside new entries such as Caroline, or Change, Trouble in Mind and a fresh edition of Freestyle Love Supreme. If you're a planner and want to see a complete list of every production scheduled to open during Broadway's 2021-2022 recovery season, we've got that, too.

In terms of COVID-19 safety protocols, all Broadway productions require theatregoers to show proof of full vaccination with an FDA or WHO authorized vaccine. Exceptions will be made for children under 12 since they are not yet eligible to be vaccinated, as well as for people with medical conditions or closely held religious beliefs that prevent vaccination. Everyone who falls into those categories must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of showtime, or a negative COVID-19 antigen test taken within six hours of when the curtain rises. Masks are mandatory for audiences inside theatres regardless of vaccination status.

If you're a TDF member, be sure to log in to your account to see what we're selling as ticket inventory changes frequently. Not a TDF member? Our Times Square TKTS Discount Booth has reopened and sells same-day tickets up to 50% off to many Broadway shows.

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MUSICALS (RE)OPENING IN OCTOBER

Freestyle Love Supreme - October 7
Booth Theatre, 222 West 45th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Resumes performances October 7. Closes January 2, 2022. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

Since Lin-Manuel Miranda is one of Broadway's biggest cheerleaders, it's fitting that he and his rapping pals are bringing Freestyle Love Supreme back for a limited engagement. This improvised hip-hop comedy show has been around since the mid-'00s and had a successful Broadway run in fall 2019. Hamilton director Thomas Kail will once again helm the anything-can-happen evening. While there's a talented core company, there are also special guest stars every night such as Christopher Jackson, Daveed Diggs, James Monroe Iglehart, Wayne Brady and, of course, Miranda himself. Come prepared to shout out suggestions!

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Tina: The Tina Turner Musical - October 8
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 West 46th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue

Resumes performances October 8. Open run

This bio-musical about the Queen of Rock 'n' Roll opened on Broadway in fall 2019 and star Adrienne Warren won a well-deserved Tony Award for her jaw-dropping performance. While she's simply the best as the title diva, you have to act fast if you want to see her critically acclaimed turn: Her final performance is on October 31, after which her longtime alternate Nkeki Obi-Melekwe takes over the role. In addition to a slew of Tina Turner hits such as "Proud Mary," "Private Dancer" and "What's Love Got to Do With It," the show boasts a feminist bent, with co-book writer Katori Hall and director Phyllida Lloyd working closely with the music icon to make sure her tumultuous life story—including her abusive relationship with her first husband Ike—is handled with sensitivity and insight.

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Caroline, or Change - October 8
Studio 54, 254 West 54th Street between Broadway and Eighth Avenue

Previews begin October 8. Opens October 27. Closes January 9, 2022.

After a hit run in London, this acclaimed revival of Tony Kushner and Jeanine Tesori's musical is finally coming to Broadway courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company. British stage star Sharon D Clarke is reprising her searing, Olivier Award-winning performance as a Black maid in 1963 Louisiana, who's trying to raise up her children while serving as a surrogate mother to the young son of the Jewish family that employs her. The eclectic score fuses spirituals, blues and klezmer music, while the story explores issues of race and class in compelling ways.

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Girl From the North Country - October 13
Belasco Theatre, 111 West 44th Street between Broadway and Seventh Avenue

Resumes performances October 13. Closes January 23, 2022.

The last Broadway show to officially open before the shutdown, this poetic evocation of life during the Great Depression features haunting renditions of Bob Dylan tunes. Set in 1934, the show takes place in a Duluth, Minnesota boarding house, where an eclectic assortment of strangers connect and, at times, clash. The loose story serves as a framework for the emotional songs, but don't expect to hear all the hits. Writer-director Conor McPherson values ambiance over familiarity. Most of the original ensemble cast is returning, including Todd Almond, Robert Joy, Marc Kudisch, Luba Mason, Jay O. Sanders and Mare Winningham.

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Ain't Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations - October 16
Imperial Theatre, 249 West 45th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Resumes performances October 16. Open run. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

Inspired by the career of the popular Motown quintet, this jukebox musical doesn't need to beg—pre-pandemic it was a sold-out smash. The show features a slew of hits ("My Girl," "Just My Imagination," "Papa Was a Rolling Stone") by the legendary R&B group woven into a book by Dominique Morisseau that traces their rise to fame, and the personal and political conflicts that plagued them. Nik Walker, James Harkness, Jawan M. Jackson, Matt Manuel and Jelani Remy return as The Temptations.

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Jagged Little Pill - October 21
Broadhurst Theatre, 235 West 44th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Resumes performances October 21. Closed December 17. 2021. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

This politically charged musical inspired by Alanis Morissette's seminal album of the same name returns to rage another day. With a book by Tony winner Diablo Cody and direction by Diane Paulus, the woke show explores the trauma of rape culture and addiction as a seemingly perfect suburban family is forced to confront their dark sides. Despite the many hits included in the score ("Ironic," "You Oughta Know," "Hand In My Pocket"), this isn't a nostalgic sing-along. Instead, the musical touches on a slew of pressing issues, including racism, sexual orientation and gender identity, though the production has received backlash for its messy handling of that last one. Most of the original stars are set to return, including Tony winner Lauren Patten, Kathryn Gallagher, Derek Klena and Sean Allan Krill. Heidi Blickenstaff is filling in for Elizabeth Stanley, who is on maternity leave, and Morgan Dudley is taking over the role of Frankie. 

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Mrs. Doubtfire - October 21
Stephen Sondheim Theatre, 124 West 43rd Street between Sixth Avenue and Broadway

Previews begin October 21. Opens December 5. Open run.

Humor is on the way! After being shut down during previews in spring 2020, this musical based on the beloved 1993 Robin Williams comedy returns to Broadway. Tony nominee Rob McClure stars as a divorced actor who disguises himself as an eccentric British nanny in order to spend time with his kids. Written by the team behind Something Rotten! and directed by four-time Tony winner Jerry Zaks, Mrs. Doubtfire boasts brand recognition and family appeal. (Note: Due to COVID-19, the musical is taking a hiatus from January 10 to April 13, 2022.)

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The Phantom of the Opera - October 22
Majestic Theatre, 247 West 44th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Resumes performances October 22. Open run. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

The longest-running Broadway show ever (since 1988!) returns to seduce audiences with its thorny love triangle between a mad musical genius, his nubile protégée and her childhood friend-turned-crush. Ben Crawford, Meghan Picerno and John Riddle headline this international favorite. Let the chandelier falling recommence!

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PLAYS (RE)OPENING IN OCTOBER

Thoughts of a Colored Man - October 1
John Golden Theatre, 252 West 45th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Previews begin October 1. Opens October 13. Closes December 22. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

After critically acclaimed runs at Syracuse Stage and Baltimore Center Stage, Keenan Scott II's new American play arrives on Broadway. Set on an action-packed day in Brooklyn, the show fuses spoken word, slam poetry and rhythm to explore the vibrant inner lives of seven Black men whose hopes, joys, sorrows, fears and dreams reverberate far beyond the barbershops and basketball courts of their community. Steve H. Broadnax III directs Tony nominee Forrest McClendon, Dyllón Burnside (FX's Pose), Luke James (Showtime's The Chi), Bryan Terrell Clark (Hamilton on Broadway), Da’Vinchi, Esau Pritchett and Tristan "Mack" Wilds in this of-the-moment production.

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Dana H. - October 1
Lyceum Theatre, 149 West 45th Street between Sixth and Seventh Avenues

Previews begin October 1. Opens October 17. Closes November 28. If you're a TDF member, log in to your account to purchase discount tickets.

The Vineyard Theatre's acclaimed production of Lucas Hnath's one-woman play about his mother's real-life abduction transfers to Broadway, where it will run in repertory with Is This A Room. Stage vet Deirdre O'Connell will reprise her harrowing performance, in which she lip-syncs to recordings of candid interviews with Hnath's mom about her five-month ordeal. It's a riveting and unsettling work that pushes the boundaries of theatre.

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To Kill a Mockingbird - October 5
Shubert Theatre, 225 West 44th Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Resumes performances October 5. Closes January 16, 2022. 

One of the most financially successful plays in Broadway history, Aaron Sorkin's stage adaptation of Harper Lee's landmark novel about racism in 1934 Alabama returns with original stars Jeff Daniels and Tony winner Celia Keenan-Bolger as crusading lawyer Atticus Finch and his precocious daughter Scout. Someone who won't be returning: disgraced producer Scott Rudin. Orin Wolf is slated to take over his duties. Although the play closed at the Shubert in January 2022, the producers promised to bring it back at the Belasco Theatre in June 2022. 

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Trouble in Mind - October 29
American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street between Seventh and Eighth Avenues

Previews begin October 29. Opens November 18. Closes January 9, 2022.

Tony winner LaChanze stars in Roundabout Theatre Company's mounting of Alice Childress' 1955 play, a prescient examination of racism in the theatre industry that's making its belated Broadway debut. The satire centers on a Black actress starring in an anti-lynching drama on Broadway who challenges the show's all-white creative team. Talk about timely! Charles Randolph-Wright directs.

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Raven Snook is the Editor of TDF Stages. Follow her at @RavenSnook. Follow TDF at @TDFNYC.

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