Off-Broadway's got a dozen new shows opening this month. You want a one-person show? We've got that. You want a stirring revival of a theatrical classic, or a new play which may be one of tomorrow's classics? We've got those, too. You want a dirty-mouthed musical starring a bunch of puppets from Brooklyn? Yup, we've got that. too.
AVENUE Q
The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical about 20-something puppets and their human companions trying to find their way in the big bad city sets up new digs Off-Broadway. New World Stages. Previews begin October 9, opens October 21. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/avenue-q-off-broadway.html
BROKE-OLOGY
Lincoln Center Theater kicks off its 25th anniversary season with a stirring portrait about brothers who are called home to take care of their ailing father, and find themselves strangely at odds. Thomas Kail directs the world premiere of this new drama. Lincoln Center Theater/Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater. Now in previews, opens October 5. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/broke-ology.html
CIRCLE MIRROR TRANSFORMATION
When four lost New Englanders enrolled in Marty’s community center drama class experiment with harmless games, hearts are quietly torn apart and tiny wars of epic proportions are waged and won. The world premiere of Annie Gold’s comedy. Playwrights Horizons, Peter Jay Sharp Theatre. Now in previews, opens October 13. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/circlemirrortransformation.html
COUNTY OF KINGS: THE BEAUTIFUL STRUGGLE
Brooklyn hip-hop artist Lemon Andersen stars in the true story of finding passion and purpose against all odds. A vivid portrait of his difficult and sometimes humorous experiences growing up during the most influential cultural movement of our time, the birth of hip-hop.The Culture Project at The Public Theater. Now in previews, opens October 12. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/county-of-kings.html
THE EMPEROR JONES
An African-American man sets himself up as emperor on a Caribbean island after fleeing the United States following a prison escape. Lortel Award-winner John Douglas Thompson (Othello) stars in Eugene O’Neill’s 1920 drama, directed by Ciarán O’Reilly. The Irish Repertory Theatre. Previews begin October 7, opens October 18.
THE LADY WITH ALL THE ANSWERS
Beloved newspaper columnist Ann Landers comes to life, as embodied by two-time Tony Award-winner Judith Ivey, in the New York premiere of David Rambo’s biographical play drawn from Landers’ letters. Cherry Lane Theatre. Previews begin October 7, opens October 14. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/lady-with-all-the-answers.html
LET ME DOWN EASY
Anna Deveare Smith (Twilight: Los Angeles 1992) applies her documentary theatre style to a diverse group of characters including Lance Armstrong and Ann Richards in a timely exploration of the healthcare world, from both a practitioner and patient perspective. Second Stage Theatre. Now in previews, opens October 7. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/let-me-down-easy.html
LOVE CHILD
It's opening night: the cast is unruly, the crowd is restless, and the play is obscure, but Joel has a larger worry: his mother is in the front row. A madcap comedy starring Daniel Jenkins and Robert Stanton. New World Stages. Previews begin October 23, opens October 31.
LOVE, LOSS, AND WHAT I WORE
An intimate collection of stories by Nora and Delia Ephron, based on the bestselling book by Ilene Beckerman, featuring three rotating casts in four-week cycles of five stellar actresses. Scheduled performers include Samantha Bee, Kristin Chenoweth, Tyne Daly, Katie Finneran, Rosie O'Donnell, Mary Louise Wilson and Rita Wilson. The Westside Theatre Downstairs. Now in previews, opens October 1. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/love%20loss%20and%20what%20i%20wore.html
THE NIGHT WATCHER
Charlayne Woodard stars in the New York premiere of her new autobiographical play about mentoring young people and being childless only by biological standards, directed by Daniel Sullivan. Primary Stages. Now in previews, opens October 6.
THE PLAYBOY OF THE WESTERN WORLD
J. M. Synge’s comedy celebrates the grand poetry and reckless abandon of the Irish imagination, taking us to a hardscrabble corner of the world where murderers speak in earthy music, the underdog rules on high, feisty damsels are eager to be won, and it’s the tale well told that wins the day. The Pearl Theatre, New York City Center, Stage 2. Previews begin, October 2, opens October 11.
STILL LIFE
An internationally acclaimed photographer suddenly shuts down, but is interrupted by an unexpected romantic interest determined to help her move on even while facing his own uncertain future. Will Frears directs a funny, heartbreaking new play by Alexander Dinelaris, featuring Adriane Lenox, Sarah Paulson, Dominic Chianese, and Frederick Weller. MCC Theater at The Lucille Lortel Theatre. Now in previews, opens October 5. http://www.bestofoffbroadway.com/shows/still-life-off-broadway.html
