There are 19 shows scheduled for Broadway during the Fall 2012 season, which I detail, chronologically by opening date, in my Broadway Fall 2012 season preview. In the introduction to that preview, I point out:
You can look at the Broadway 2012-2013 season in terms of the movie stars that will be on the stage: Al Pacino and Katie Holmes and Debra Winger — or how about Paul Rudd, Michael Shannon and Ed Asner all in one show?
You can judge it by the number of literary and theatrical classics (Charles Dickens, Henry James, Ibsen, Albee) and revivals – or the shows with buzz (Matilda is a big hit in London) or fresh new voices. (Those you are of course more likely to find Off-Broadway). Or look for trends and patterns: Both Clifford Odets and David Mamet are getting two plays on Broadway (and one of each is starring Bobby Cannavale!), there are THREE musicals about a young girl overcoming adversity
Which are the most anticipated? According to my Broadway Fall poll, the answers among New York theatergoers (at least those who took my poll):
1. The revival of the musical "The Mystery of Edwin Drood," based on the unfinished novel by Charles Dickens and opening November 13th.
2. Chaplin, a new musical that follows eight decades in the life of the Little Tramp, which opens September 10th.
3. The third revival on Broadway of Edward Albee's "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf." The best-known production of this 1962 play is the movie starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, but there is excitement over the transfer of this production that originated in Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre, and stars Tracy Letts (better known as a playwright, author of August: Osage County) and Amy Morton. It's set to open October 13.
Two points to remember about this poll: It's only for the Fall. It doesn't include such Spring shows as Matilda, which already has a billboard up in the theater district, even though it won't be arriving until March:
And the poll is still open, the Fall season is still new. Things can -- things will -- change.
