November means feasts, football and a slew of fantastic New York stage offerings. It can be tough to keep track of everything you want to see! That’s where we come in. On top of already keeping you up to date on all the latest theater news (and shenanigans), the Broadway.com Editorial staff is sharing what we’re looking forward to each month, so you can save the date. Whether you’re planning a night out at the theater or want to watch stage faves on TV while snug under your covers, here are the must-sees for November, in our humble opinions, of course.
November 2 - Sweet Charity Begins
Two-time Tony winner Sutton Foster is returning to the New York stage in this stripped-down production of Sweet Charity, which marks the Cy Coleman tuner’s 50th anniversary and has already been extended—twice. With Leigh Silverman at the helm and Joshua Bergasse choreographing, there’s probably nothing better than this.
Editor-in-Chief Paul Wontorek
“Sutton Foster has explored darker roles with Leigh Silverman in Violet and The Wild Party, so I’m curious to see where this bright musical about tarnished New Yorkers takes them.”
November 3 - A Bronx Tale Starts
Tony nominee Nick Cordero, Richard H. Blake and newcomer Bobby Conte Thornton are teaming up with a starry creative team that features Chazz Palminteri, Robert De Niro, Jerry Zaks, Alan Menken, Glenn Slater and Sergio Trujillo to bring this story of one kid navigating the mean streets of the Bronx to the Great White Way. Opening night is scheduled for December 1 at the Longacre Theatre.
Video Producer Lisa Spychala
“The story is already a moving classic. Now it’s a musical that combines the creative team of Robert De Niro and Jerry Zaks with Sergio Trujillo, Glenn Slater and Alan Menken? I’m there!”
November 7 - Adam Pascal in Rotten!
Tony nominee will be welcomed to the Renaissance as Something Rotten!'s Will Shakespeare, following in the swaggering steps of Will Chase and Christian Borle. With a Broadway resume that includes Disaster!, Memphis, Aida and, of course, Rent, Pascal has the experience and the golden pipes to bring audiences to their feet at the St. James Theatre.
Editorial Assistant Lindsey Sullivan
“Adam Pascal is so much more than one blaze of glory; I can't wait to see him flaunt his comedic chops. Come on—the quintessential theater dork crush playing a sexy William Shakespeare? Sign me up!”
November 11 - The Band’s Visit Begins
Composer David Yazbek (known for The Fully Monty and Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) collaborated with Itamar Moses for this stage adaptation of the acclaimed 2007 film. The musical stars John Cariani and Tony Shalhoub as members of the Alexandria Ceremonial Police Orchestra, which gets lost in Israel on the way to a concert and taken in by locals.
News Reporter Ryan McPhee
“This is the guy who wrote a love ballad about legs; David Yazbek is the perfect choice to capture both the quirkiness and poignancy of the film. I can’t wait to see how that dynamic plays out onstage.”
November 14 - Dear Evan Hansen Starts
A pitch-perfect Ben Platt stars in the new musical that had off-Broadway buzzing last spring. Get the tissues ready for a moving high school-set story scored by music duo Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The cast also features Rachel Bay Jones, Jennifer Laura Thompson, Laura Dreyfuss, Michael Park and more. Opening night is set for December 4 at the Music Box Theatre.
Senior Editor Imogen Lloyd Webber
“I saw Dear Evan Hansen off-Broadway; it truly touches the soul. The show’s definitely going to be a leading contender at the Tony Awards in June.”
November 17 - Dead Poets Society Opens
Screenwriter Tom Schulman won an Oscar in 1989 for penning the semi-autobiographical Dead Poets Society, which starred the late Robin Williams. Schulman has adapted his screenplay for this world premiere stage version, headlined by Jason Sudeikis. It plays off-Broadway's Classic Stage Company through December 11.
Managing Editor Beth Stevens
“I have a soft spot for the film Dead Poets Society, so I'm psyched to see Jason Sudeikis take on Robin Williams' role. With Tony winner John Doyle directing, I'm confident audiences will be yelling, ‘Carpe diem!’”
November 25 - Gilmore Girls Returns
Ready for copious amounts of coffee, Friday night dinners and the arrival of stage faves in Stars Hollow? Gilmore Girls is returning to the small screen for four hour-long episodes, and Broadway stars Sutton Foster, Christian Borle and Kerry Butler are set to appear in a show within a show composed by Tony winner Jeanine Tesori.
National Editor Ryan Gilbert
“My mom and I liked to imagine that Lorelai and Rory were our prettier but just as caffeinated and chatty TV counterparts. Adding Foster and Borle is just a bonus. Happy ThanksGilmore!”
Other events to mark on your calendar this month:
November 1 - Todrick Hall begins performances in Kinky Boots
November 4 - Women of a Certain Age starts previews
November 6 - Last chance to catch Lorenzo Lamas in The Fantasticks
November 9 - Ride the Cyclone begins previews
November 10 - In Transit starts performances
November 13 - Last chance to catch Kristin Chenoweth's Love Letter to Broadway
November 15 - Tiny Beautiful Things begins previews
November 16 - Broadway Loves Britney at 54 Below
November 21 - This Day Forward opens
November 22 - Judy Kuhn bows in Fiddler on the Roof
November 23 - Moana hits theaters
November 27 - Laura Osnes at 54 Below
November 29 - Lin-Manuel Miranda on Drunk History