The Rocky Horror Show (Broadway)

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Newly engaged couple Brad (Andrew Durand) and Janet (Stephanie Hsu) go on a road trip to celebrate their most recent milestone in life but their car gets them stranded in the middle of nowhere. They see a castle not so far away and decide to go there to ask for help. They are welcomed by a weird butler named Riff Raff (Amber Gray) who introduces them to the other househelp Magenta (Juliette Lewis) and Columbia (Michaela Jae Rodriguez). It doesn’t take long for them to get spooked out by the ambiance of the place, but there probably isn’t anything more unsettling than meeting the master of the house himself. Dressed in a tight corset and, later on, a nurse’s uniform, Frank-N-Furter (Luke Evans) welcomes his guests and eventually introduces them to Rocky (Boy Radio), a sort of Frankenstein-ish muscle man he has created in his laboratory down there in the basement.

Chess (Broadway)

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Serving as the narrator, the Arbiter (Bryce Pinkham) reflects on the role of Chess as a game and as a tool of diplomacy. Amidst the Cuban missile crisis, the United States and the Soviet Union are on the brink of war, but most of the battles are fought via other channels through showcases of soft power. One such event is a chess tournament in Merano, Italy, where arrogant American champion Freddie Trumper (Aaron Tveit) is to face Russian contender Anatoly Sergievsky (Nicholas Christopher) who must confront the threat of a possible state-sponsored disappearance should he lose the match. Freddie’s romantic partner and coach Florence Vassy (Lea Michele), a refugee from Hungary, is tired of her boyfriend’s bipolar tirades and ends up in a romantic fling with Anatoly. More problems arise when Anatoly’s estranged Russian wife Svetlana (Hannah Cruz) is sent by their government to coerce Anatloy to go back home via emotional blackmail.

Fallen Angels (Broadway)

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Julie Sterroll (Kelli O’Hara) and Jane Banbury (Rose Byrne) have been friends since they were single ladies. Nowadays they are both married and playing the role of the bored housewife. Julie’s husband Fred (Aasif Mandvi) is always taking care of business or playing golf with Jane’s husband Willy (Christopher Fitzgerald). Suffice it to say that the honeymoon phase of their marriage is now but a distant memory, which is why it doesn’t require much to excite the two women lately. Perhaps this is the reason why the prospect of a French debonair, with whom they’ve both had an affair that one summer in Italy, coming over for a visit turns them into shrieking high school girls. Anxious, both indulge in wine kept in abundant supply by the Sterroll’s all-around housemaid Saunders (Tracee Chimo), a woman of many talents and too many opinions. By the time Maurice Duclos (Mark Consuelos) arrives, both women are already wasted. What shenanigans will they all get themselves into this time around?

Drunk Shakespeare (Broadway)

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The concept of Drunk Shakespeare is simple: You have five professional actors in the group and one of them is required to take shots of liquor, in this case whiskey, before performing one of Shakespeare’s plays. For this particular season, Romeo and Juliet is the chosen material. Gracie Lee Brown was the designated actor to get drunk and she played a variety of roles, but mostly, Juliet’s nurse. Romeo was portrayed by Ryan Farnsworth while Sarah Ann Leahy played Juliet. Another two actors join them, one given the role of Mercutio and the priest while the other serves as the narrator and sort of the audience’s surrogate within the play. Two royal seats are auctioned before the play begins and the two members of the audience who sit there can dictate quick changes within the play. They can also decide whether the designated drunk actor needs more shots. For this particular production, I believe Gracie ended up with six or seven shots all in all.

Dog Day Afternoon (Broadway)

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Sonny Amato (Jon Bernthal) and Sal DeSilva (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) decide to rob a bank with another companion who chickens out when shots are fired. They haven’t planned this well, and it shows. Bank tellers Lorna (Wilemina Olivia-Garcia), Alison (Andrea Syglowski), Guadalupe (Paola Lázaro), and Roxxanna (Elizabeth Canavan) are traumatized at first but learn to co-exist with their captors in the small space they momentarily have to share, perhaps even developing Stockholm Syndrome in the long run. Head teller Colleen (Jessica Hecht), in particular, is quite headstrong and goes toe to toe with the bank robbers, ever protective of her girls. Detective Fucco (John Ortiz) is eventually brought in to negotiate, but his lack of progress prompts FBI agent Sheldon (Spencer Garrett) to step in and use Sonny’s boyfriend Leon (Esteban Andres Cruz) as bait. After an entire afternoon of negotiations, who will come out on top? Will Sonny and Sal get out of that bank alive?

Just in Time (Broadway)

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Walden Robert Cassotto opts for the stage name Bobby Darin (Jeremy Jordan) to up his chances of becoming a breakout star, but stardom has been quite elusive. He settles for composing songs and one of his first clients is 50’s songstress Concetta Rosa Maria Franconero, more popularly known as Connie Francis (Isa Briones). The two soon start dating and end up in a relationship but marriage plans are foiled by her father, who does not approve of Bobby. Bobby finally scores a hit with Splish Splash, but dreams of more artistic control and success outside jingles and novelty songs. He gets his wish when he finally scores some legit hits with Dream Lover and Mack the Knife. And then he meets actress Sandra Dee (Carrie St. Louis) who becomes the wife he eventually divorces. Bobby fades into obscurity but manages to get back into the limelight, his comeback cut short by his longtime heart ailment.

Oh, Mary! (Broadway)

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Mary Todd Lincoln (John Cameron Mitchell) is not really having a good time at the presidential palace. Mary’s Husband (John-Andrew Morrison) is always busy dealing with the war in the south and flirting with his Assistant (Tony Macht). He also finds Mary to be insufferable, what with all of her daytime drinking and cruel behavior toward her Chaperone (Jenn Harris). Mary wants to be a cabaret star, but her Husband believes it is a bad idea for publicity considering how the country is currently at war. Even then, he hires an unsuccessful actor to serve as Mary’s Teacher (Julian Manjerico), finding an opportunity to finally get her off his back. A love affair blossoms between Mary and her Teacher, which quickly escalates to a plan for them to secure an audition slot for Mary in a play and eventually flee north of the border to Canada. However, destiny seems to have other plans.

Every Brilliant Thing (Broadway)

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Every Brilliant Thing follows the main character (Daniel Radcliffe) who, in an attempt to dissuade a parent from succumbing to depression and suicide, comes up with a list of every brilliant thing that makes life worth living. The list evolves over time, from something as simple as ice cream to start it off to more specific occurrences in life. As he reaches adulthood and goes through various life challenges, he loses sight of what the list stands for. Even then, life always finds a way to remind him of the list, leading it to consistently grow and even include submissions from other people. As he goes through his own trials and tribulations, he adds even more items to the list and ends up collating them, deciding to put it in a form that is more accessible to readers who might also be in constant need of inspiration to get through life.

Becky Shaw (Broadway)

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Max Garrett (Alden Ehrenreich) and Suzanna Slater (Lauren Patten) grow up together; her father making a promise to his that he would take him under his wing and be like his own son. His upbringing leads to a profitable university degree and eventually an important role taking care of the family’s finances, even now that the patriarch has died. Susan Slater (Linda Emond) is difficult to deal with and smitten with a much younger man, refusing to discuss the dwindling assets of her husband’s estate. Max and Suzanna give in to the sexual tension they have always felt for one another but they immediately ghost each other afterward. A few years later, Suzanna is married to Andrew Porter (Patrick Ball), an academic he met at a ski trip. Looking out for Max, the couple pairs him with Becky Shaw (Madeline Brewer), Andrew’s eccentric officemate who doesn’t seem to have any luck with men.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Broadway)

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Rona Lisa Peretti (Vanessa Magula) is the number one realtor in Putnam county but today her role is to moderate the 25th annual Putnam county spelling bee. As she gets ready for the event, she recalls her time as champion of the 3rd annual event, winning the event after spelling “syzygy” correctly. She is joined by Vice Principal Douglas Panch (Brandon L. Armstrong) who has his own professional grudges. The competitors start to rush in. There’s: Olive Ostrovsky (Jasmine Amy Rogers) who seeks the attention of her absentee parents; William Barfee (Kevin McHale) who is notorious for his “magic foot” spelling method; Logainne Schwartzandgrubenierre (Cecilia Snow) who doesn’t shy away from political commentaries despite her young age; Marcy Park (Leana Rae Concepcion), an overachiever fluent in six languages; Leaf Coneybear (Justin Cooley), the third option from his district who is just happy to be there; and Chip Tolentino (Philippe Arroyo), last year’s champion returning to defend his title.

Hell's Kitchen (Broadway)

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It’s Manhattan of the 90’s and seventeen year old Ali (Lulu Oro Hamlett) is serving a full course of teenage angst. She lives in dangerous Hell’s Kitchen but it’s all good since her mother Jersey (Jessica Vosk) is white and friends with all the security guards and police men. The single mother household is cooped up in Manhattan Plaza, in an artist housing that exposes Ali early on in life to the performing arts, considering all their neighbors are involved in fostering creativity. Ali has a crush on African American youth Knuck (Phillip Johnson Richardson) yet any chance of a possible relationship is blocked by racial stereotypes as well as the fact that she is underage. And then she meets Miss Liza Jane (Angela Birchett), a piano virtuoso who takes her under her wing at the first sign of potential talent. There begins her journey to becoming a musical prodigy.

Stranger Things : The First Shadow (Broadway)

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1959. Socially awkward weirdo Henry Creel (Louis McCartney) moves in with his family from Nevada to a new house in Hawkins after an incident at his old school. There he is met by a diverse high school population: small town girl with big city dreams Joyce Maldonado (Alison Jaye) and her boyfriend Lonnie Byers (Logan Gould); town sheriff’s son James Hopper Jr (Burke Swanson); sexually hyperactive teens Karen Childress (Dora Dolphin) and boyfriend Ted Wheeler (Jamie Martin Mann); blabbermouth Walter Henderson (Ian Dolley); method actor wannabe Alan Munson (Neil McCaffrey) as well as class radio DJ Bob Newby (Patrick Scott McDermott). However, it is with Bob’s adoptive sister Patty (Ayana Cymone) who is  considered as the school outcast that he forms a bond. The problem is that Henry has a unique ability that leans towards violence as well as an eerie connection to a parallel dimension threatening to bleed into theirs.

Waiting For Godot (Broadway)

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Vladimir (Alex Winter) and Estragon (Keanu Reeves) meet up and seem to have no clear idea as to what they are doing or where they are. One complains about lack of sleep and getting beaten up by somebody. One complains about his boot, which he can’t manage to remove. The two of them discuss random topics about life while waiting for someone named Godot. They can’t recall whether they have already met the guy but they are positive that he will be swinging by to meet them later that day. And then they witness the arrival of another duo, Pozzo (Brandon J. Dirden) and Lucky (Michael Patrick Thornton). Pozzo is abusive to wheelchair-bound Lucky who is treated more like a pet than a companion. Vladimir and Estragon wonder if Pozzo is Godot, but he doesn’t clarify. A Boy (Eric Williams) also appears saying he is sent by Godot, but fails to provide any useful answers.

Operation Mincemeat (Broadway)

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World War 2 is a complicated chess game and Johnny Bevan (Zöe Roberts) is running out of ideas to outwit Hitler and his forces. He encourages his subordinates at MI6 to pitch ideas but he is down on his luck, until the right mind comes along. Charles Cholmondeley (David Cumming) has a weird but brilliant plan. They will dump a body off the coast of Spain planted with documents of a fake invasion of Sardinia in lieu of Sicily, hoping that the Nazi spies littered around Spain will take the bait. Naval intelligence officer Ewen Montagu (Natasha Hodgson) backs him up and soon they are collaborating with secretary Hester Leggatt (Sam Hartley) and new clerk Jean Leslie (Jessi Kirtley) furnishing a fake life for the dead body that might just win the Allied Forces the war that will end all wars. But is a spy within their ranks going to ruin their brilliant plan?

MJ the Musical (Broadway)

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King of Pop Michael Jackson (Brett Grey) is preparing for his concert and making a lot of demands that outstrip their production cost, much to the chagrin of his finance guy Dave (Joey Sorge). Meanwhile, reporter Rachel (Bailey McCall) worms herself into the dance rehearsals, keeping Michael on edge due to his trauma with the press. With a camera rolling most of the time, Michael recalls his childhood starting out in showbiz with his brothers in a band called the Jackson Five. He also reminisces the abuse he suffered from his demanding father Joseph Jackson (Michael Andreaus) as well as the unwavering support of his mother Katherine (Sasha Allen). Motivated both by his love of music and fear of becoming irrelevant in the midst of younger musical acts coming and going, Michael offers his best, but not giving himself some much needed slack might just take a toll on his body and his life.

Death Becomes Her (Broadway)

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Aging diva Madeline Ashton (Megan Hilty) has had two Oscar nominations so far but nobody really escapes from the clutches of ageism in Hollywood. She also has a mean streak, particularly toward her long-time frenemy Helen Sharp (Natalie Charle Ellis) who pays her a visit backstage just to flaunt her cosmetic surgeon fiance Ernest Menville (Christopher Sieber). This proves to be a mistake because Madeline has a bad record of flirting with Helen’s boyfriends, and Ernest is no exception. Months later, Madeline and Ernest are getting married and Helen is locked up in a mental institution vowing revenge. Years later, she returns with a successful book launch and a voluptuous figure while Madeline withers. The latter gets an invitation from a certain Viola van Horn (Michelle Williams), CEO of Siempre Viva, whose clientele comprises young, fit, and seemingly ageless individuals. Is Madeline ready to trade her soul for eternal youth?

Maybe Happy Ending (Broadway)

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Helperbot-3 Oliver (Andrew Barth Feldman) resides in his own apartment at Helperbot Yards in Seoul, a sort of retirement home for humanoid robots no longer needed by their owners. Oliver is positive that his owner will be coming back for him. In the meantime, he receives his Jazz Monthly subscription and takes care of the potted plant he gave him which he names HwaBoon. Years pass and Oliver still believes that his situation is temporary as he goes through his daily routine. His tranquility is bothered when the robot living in the unit across from him knocks on his door to borrow his charger because hers just broke. Claire (Helen J. Shen) is a Helperbot-5 model who seems to be more in tune with their reality. As they spend more time together, she convinces him to finally make the trip to Jeju Island together so he can find his owner, once and for all.

The Queen of Versailles (Broadway)

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Jackie (Kristin Chenoweth) has always belonged to the working class and as she passes by gigantic mansions on the way home from work, she vows to one day build a huge house of her own. The answer to her prayers eventually comes in the person of David Siegel (F. Murray Abraham), a wealthy old man who has made his fortune after discovering the magnetic pull of time shares among the American middle class. He proposes to Jackie even if she already has a young daughter in tow. On their honeymoon in Paris, the newlyweds visit the Palace of Versailles, which serves as Jackie’s inspiration. She will build the largest home in America when they go back home to Florida. It appears nothing can hold Jackie back from achieving her dreams. And then the stock market crashed. David, in an effort to liquidate assets and cut losses, contemplates the future of his wife’s pet project, but she isn’t going down without a fight.

Romeo + Juliet (Broadway)

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Romeo (Kit Connor) is a Montague and Juliet (Rachel Zegler) is a Capulet. Those two families just do not mix, or else there will be conflict. And conflict there was, indeed. From the moment the two lovebirds set eyes on one another, it was love they felt, and they became inseparable since then, but in secret. Nobody could know about their budding relationship or else there will be trouble, but there is no hiding a secret for long. Juliet’s Nurse (Tommy Dorfman) can’t be supportive knowing the consequences. When the secret is revealed and people start getting wind of the situation, tensions run high leading to some deaths, like that of Mercutio (Gabby Beans) who is Romeo’s friend or Tybalt (Tommy Dorfman), Juliet’s cousin. In a world that is persistent in tearing them apart, will romance be enough of a deterrent for a happy relationship between star-crossed lovers of two feuding clans?

Cabaret (Broadway)

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The Emcee (Adam Lambert) of the Kit Kat Club welcomes us to Weimar era Berlin, where merrymaking and hedonism know no bounds. He introduces us to the girls and boys of the club but saves the best for last. Sally Bowles (Gabi Campo) is your stereotypical 20’s flapper, a cultural refugee from the British Isles who moves to Germany for a life of pleasure and penury. Soon to join the ranks is penniless American writer Clifford Bradshaw (Calvin Leon Smith) with whom she forms a platonic bond. Eventually they all end up under the roof of Fraulein Schneider (Bebe Neuwirth), a German spinster who relies on rent money for subsistence. Clifford makes ends meet by offering English lessons as well as doing errands for his friend Ernst (Henry Gottfried), a political upstart quickly rising within the ranks of the emerging Nazi party. As Hitler ascends into power, dynamics change and loyalties shift. Will it be a quickly passing tide or are they soon going to drown in a sea of prejudice?