Carleigh Bettiol, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., and Anthony Ramos in The Public Theatre’s production of “Hamilton” (photo: Joan Marcus via The Broadway Blog.)
Touted as the greatest theatrical endeavor to hit Broadway since A Chorus Line, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop retelling of Alexander Hamilton’s life and times has raked in a whopping $30 million advance sale. Is it worth it? Absolutely. History never looked so good.
Hamilton
Richard Rogers Theatre
226 West 46th Street
Opening night: August 6
Patrick Page, Kate Burton, Hamish Linklater, and Teagle F. Bougere in ‘Cymbeline’ (photo: Carol Rosegg via The Broadway Blog.)
CYMBELINE
A Shakespearean fairytale, Cymbeline is the story of Princess Imogen’s fidelity that is put to the royal test when her disapproving father banishes her soul mate. Cross-dressing girls and boys, poisons and swordfights, and dastardly villains all take the stage in this enchanting romp about the conquering power of love. Plus, who can resist a free evening of theater under the stars in Central Park?
Cymbeline
The Delacorte Theatre in Central Park
Opening night: August 10
Waitress
If you’re looking for a reason to take a theatrical road trip, head to American Repertory Theatre to catch Tony Award winner Jessie Mueller in the new musical, Waitress. With a book by Jessie Nelson and music and lyrics by Grammy-nominated Sara Bareilles, the story follows a down-on-her-luck, small town waitress as she pursues big dreams when a pie contest (and the town’s new doctor) offers her a chance at her dreams. Directed by Pippin’s Diane Paulus, we’re expecting compelling musical drama but without the circus tricks.
Waitress
American Repertory Theatre
64 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA
Opening night: August 19
Matthew Wexler is the Broadway Blog’s editor. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @roodeloo.