October is here – pumpkins, pumpkin spice, Halloween…and a whole host of new Broadway shows! October often marks a real ramp-up on Broadway after a slower summer after the Tony Awards. SEVEN shows are starting performances this month, including old favorites, critically acclaimed plays, starry new musicals, and even an appearance by the universally acclaimed Muppets!
Here’s what’s new, what’s still running, and what’s especially perfect for a spooky Halloween season:
Little Bear Ridge Road, written by Samuel D. Hunter, directed by Joe Mantello, and starring Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock, had its world premiere at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago, where it received rave reviews. Now it comes to Broadway at the Booth Theatre. The play is set in Idaho and follows a woman and her estranged nephew as they find themselves thrown together unexpectedly and forced to examine the past. The Chicago Sun-Times called it “a deeply beautiful piece of writing.”
Starts Performances: October 7
You can’t get more into the Halloween spirit than Beetlejuice the Musical. It’s back on Broadway for the THIRD time, and audiences just can’t get enough! Based on the Tim Burton film of the same name, this musical comedy follows teenager Lydia who is grieving the loss of her mother. When she and her father move into a new place, she is startled to discover it already has a few inhabitants: a recently deceased couple, and a demon named Beetlejuice!
Starts Performances: October 8
Liberation, written by Bess Wohl and directed by Whitney White, transfers to Broadway’s James Earl Jones Theatre after its hit run at the Roundabout Theatre Company, where it won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Play and the Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics Circle award for Best Ensemble. This memory play about a daughter trying to better understand her mother jumps back and forth in time, from the 1970s to today. Funny, powerful, and about the legacies we leave behind, New York Magazine called it, “extraordinary,” and “the best play I’ve seen this season.”
Starts Performances: October 8
Kristin Chenoweth comes back to Broadway! Based on the documentary of the same name, The Queen of Versailles is directed by Michael Arden with a book by Lindsey Ferrentino and music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Chenoweth plays Jackie Siegel: she’s a mother, a billionaire, a pageant winner, and she has a dream…to build a hugely expensive home that rivals the Palace of Versailles. The Arts Fuse says, you’ll “get a shiver down your spine when she throws her head back in song…this, my friends, is what a capital D Diva looks like…Chenoweth will sell out Broadway houses as long as she’s still standing.”
Starts Performances: Oct 8
Aaron Tveit, Lea Michele, and Nicholas Christopher star in Chess at the Imperial Theatre. This highly anticipated revival directed by Michael Mayer is set during the Cold War and follows rival grandmasters competing for glory - and the same woman - in a high-stakes tournament. In this world, love, politics, and betrayal are all part of the game. The music is by ABBA’s Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, and lyrics are by Tim Rice.
Starts Performances: October 15
Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests The Muppets stars Rob Lake, an award-winning magician who became known to wider audiences after his appearance on America’s Got Talent. He’s played in venues all over the world, wowing audiences in over 60 countries. He is also a sought after magic and illusion consultant who has worked on Broadway productions like Harry Potter, Aladdin, and Death Becomes Her. Now he’s coming to Broadway with a few friends, the iconic Muppets! This show is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for the whole family.
Starts performances: October 28
Mark Strong and Lesley Manville star in Oedipus at Studio 54 after the play’s hit run on London’s West End. Directed by Robert Icke, this production takes Sophocles’ classic tragedy and brings it into the present, setting it on an election night, on the eve of what is predicted to be a triumphant victory. The Guardian said, “Lesley Manville and Mark Strong electrify…Robert Icke’s modern retelling is riveting from beginning to end, the formidable leads supported by a stellar ensemble cast.”
Performances Start: October 30
Art: Bobby Cannavale, James Corden, and Neil Patrick Harris star in this revival by Yasmina Reza. When one friend buys a piece of abstract art and another deems the purchase idiotic, tensions rise and friendships start to fray.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Winner of the 2018 Tony Award for Best Play, this magical production has thrilled audiences for years and remains a Broadway standout. Set after the events of J.K. Rowling’s iconic series, it follows Albus Potter, son of Harry, and Scorpius Malfoy, son of Draco, as they grapple with friendship, family legacies, and the enduring secrets of Hogwarts.
Oh, Mary!: A disillusioned and hard-drinking Mary Todd Lincoln dreams of becoming a cabaret sensation—much to the frustration of her husband, Abe. Following a smash Off-Broadway debut, the show has quickly become one of the season’s hottest tickets. Jane Krakowski, Cheyenne Jackson, and John-Andrew Morrison join the cast on October 14th!
James Graham’s Punch, directed by Adam Penford, plays at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre after its hit London run. Based on Jacob Dunne’s book Right from Wrong, the play tells the true story of a young man who threw a punch that ended up putting him in prison. This is a coming-of-age story of redemption by an Olivier Award–winning playwright.
Stranger Things: The First Shadow: Travel back to where the mystery began in this gripping prequel to Stranger Things. Set decades before the Netflix series, the play uncovers hidden secrets, unexpected connections, and the origins of the darkness that haunts Hawkins, Indiana.
Waiting for Godot: This classic by Samuel Beckett is directed by Jamie Lloyd and plays at the Hudson Theatre starring Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter. This iconic comedy about two friends waiting for Godot has been revived many times, and the reunion of Reeves and Winter (they previously starred in the Bill & Ted movie franchise) makes this production especially exciting for Broadway audiences.
& Juliet: What if Juliet’s story didn’t end the way Shakespeare wrote it? & Juliet is a high-energy pop musical that reimagines her journey of self-discovery, set to chart-topping hits by Max Martin like “Baby One More Time” and “Roar." This Tony-nominated show regularly sells out.
Aladdin has been playing on Broadway since 2014. Featuring dazzling sets, unforgettable songs like “A Whole New World,” and a scene-stealing Genie, this Broadway spectacular brings the beloved animated classic to life.
Buena Vista Social Club is the winner of five Tony Awards and follows a group of Cuban musicians from the 1950s through their acclaimed 1997 album. Inspired by the legendary Cuban ensemble, Buena Vista Social Club celebrates the rhythms of Havana, the power of memory, and the music that connects generations.
Chicago has been running since 1996 and follows two inmates who team up with a lawyer in their quest for freedom. With show-stopping numbers and plenty of razzle dazzle, it’s Broadway’s longest-running American musical for a reason.
One of Broadway’s funniest new musicals, Death Becomes Her is based on the cult classic film and is a darkly hilarious musical about two rivals who discover the secret to eternal youth, with outrageous, undead consequences. Glamorous, twisted, and wildly fun, it’s a show that refuses to age gracefully.
Hadestown is the winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical and intertwines the ancient myths of Orpheus and Eurydice with the tale of Hades and Persephone in a haunting, jazz-infused journey to the underworld.
Hamilton, created by Lin-Manuel Miranda, is one of Broadway's biggest blockbusters. Telling the story of Alexander Hamilton and the founding fathers, it blends hip-hop, R&B, and Broadway. Leslie Odom Jr. reprises his role as Aaron Burr through November 23rd!
Hell’s Kitchen is inspired by the childhood of Alicia Keys and follows a young woman, Ali, in one of the most famous neighborhoods in Manhattan. Ali discovers music, community, and a sense of belonging in this coming-of-age story that is especially great for mothers and daughters.
Jonathan Groff is delighting audiences in Just in Time, all about the life and career of Bobby Darin. With songs like "Splish Splash" and "Mack the Knife," this is one of Broadway's most popular tickets.
Mamma Mia! is one of the most popular musicals in the world and launched a global franchise. Now it's back on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre playing to sold out houses. Featuring the songs of ABBA, get a ticket to this jukebox musical while you still can!
Winner of the 2025 Tony Award for Best Musical, Maybe Happy Ending follows two retired robots on an unforgettable journey, uncovering the deepest and most unexpectedly human of connections.
MJ the Musical follows Michael Jackson as he prepares for a world tour. Featuring iconic songs like "Beat It," "Smooth Criminal," and "Thriller" as well as his signature dance moves, this musical is a real crowd-pleaser.
Based on the film of the same name, Moulin Rouge! is a whirlwind of love, music, and spectacle set in the glittering Parisian cabaret. Passion, heartbreak, and unforgettable songs collide in this theatrical extravaganza.
Based on the true World War II espionage story, Operation Mincemeat is a clever, fast-paced musical full of intrigue, daring plans, and unexpected twists. Truth is stranger than fiction, and you won't believe this true story that involves fake plans, subterfuge, and a corpse.
Ragtime, featuring a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, and directed by Lear deBessonet, plays at Lincoln Center Theater’s Beaumont Theatre. Based on Doctorow’s book of the same name, the musical follows three families chasing the American Dream at the start of the 20th century. Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz star in this buzzed about revival.
Six turns history on its head, transforming the six wives of Henry VIII into pop stars as they sing, dance, and reclaim their stories in a fierce, high-energy concert-style spectacle.
Hilariously irreverent and outrageously bold, The Book of Mormon follows two young missionaries as they navigate faith, culture, and unexpected challenges in a remote Ugandan village. It's had audiences in stitches since 2011.
Set in the roaring ’20s, The Great Gatsby plays at the Broadway Theatre and is a dazzling musical about love, ambition, and the glittering pursuit of the American Dream.
Disney’s The Lion King brings the beloved animated classic to life on stage with breathtaking puppetry, unforgettable songs, and an epic tale of courage, family, and the circle of life.
Based on S.E. Hinton’s classic novel, The Outsiders is a powerful coming-of-age musical that explores friendship, family, and loyalty amidst the struggles of rival gangs in 1960s Oklahoma.
Wicked plays at the Gershwin Theatre and tells the untold story of the witches of Oz, exploring friendship, ambition, and the choices that define us. Come see Glinda and Elphaba before the events of The Wizard of Oz, way back when they were friends at school.
On Broadway, grab a ticket to Beetlejuice, Death Becomes Her, Hadestown, Harry Potter, Stranger Things, or Wicked to see supernatural, mythic, and witchy spectacle. But don’t forget Off-Broadway! Here are some spooktastic shows to see all month long:
Drunk Dracula: Straight (or on the rocks) from the team that brings you Drunk Shakespeare, this October grab tickets to Drunk Dracula! The show starts with an actor taking five shots of whiskey before trying to tell the story of Transylvania’s most famous resident. Get 10% off if you go with a group, or book the Royal Experience to have even more involvement in the show – as well as champagne, cocktails, and the place of honor as Count and Countess seated on an elevated throne.
Exorcistic: The Rock Musical: a hilarious retelling of the famous movie, this campy, cult classic returns to the Asylum after winning the Best New Musical Off-Off-Broadway at the BroadwayWorld Awards in 2024. Possession, cabaret, ego, and pea soup combine to make a one-of-a-kind experience you’ll never forget.
Bat Boy the Musical: Playing October 29 to November 9 as part of Encores!, Taylor Trensch and Kerry Butler star in this cult classic inspired by a tabloid. Edgar is a half-human, half-bat longing to be understood. Meredith Parker is a veterinarian’s wife who helps Edgar adjust and try to fit in. In a world where the new is often frightening, what could possibly go wrong?
Looking to see what's coming to Broadway later this year and in 2026? Check out our article about Upcoming Broadway Shows or read our article about Celebrities on Broadway to find out when stars like Tom Felton, Jane Krakowski, Tom Hanks, and more hit Broadway and Off-Broadway stages.
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