Broadway's 'Bess' and brightest for 2012

A new year means next to nothing on the theater calendar, which, like school, operates on a September-June cycle. I can squint and look way ahead to productions promised for next fall. (A revival of "Annie"? An anthology of major works by director-producer Harold Prince?) But, really, when we talk about the start of a new year, we're really talking about plans from now through the end of April (cutoff for the Tony nominations), followed by the Tonys in June.

So indulge me with a 2012 list that focuses on the upcoming work for the winter and spring. As always, I'm sure that expectations will be turned on their bellies as the season continues. For now, here are the productions I'm most anticipating, arranged in chronological order.

THE GERSHWINS' PORGY AND BESS (in previews for a Jan. 12 opening, Richard Rodgers Theatre, 226 W. 46th St.)

After all the controversy during this radically revised revival's premiere at American Repertory Theater in Cambridge, Mass., you may be forgiven for thinking Diane Paulus' production has been open on Broadway for months. We finally get our chance to take sides on the Gershwin masterwork, starring Audra McDonald, Norm Lewis and David Alan Grier.

THE ROAD TO MECCA -- AND THE WHOLE ATHOL FUGARD SEASON (in previews for a Jan. 17 opening, American Airlines Theatre, 227 W. 42nd St.)

Off-Broadway's invaluable Signature Theatre is devoting its season to the work of the master South African playwright. Before that starts, the Roundabout Theatre kicks off the festivities with a revival of Fugard's drama about the efforts to pry an elderly widow (the marvelous Rosemary Harris) from the home she turned into a shrine for her husband. Jim Dale and Carla Gugino co-star.

RICHARD III (opens Jan. 18, through March 4, Brooklyn Academy of Music's Harvey Theater, 651 Fulton St., Brooklyn)

Kevin Spacey, whose Old Vic in London is a co-producer of Sam Mendes' Brit-American Bridge Project, is Shakespeare's dazzling deformed villain.

WIT (previews begin Thursday, opening Jan. 26, Friedman Theatre, 261 W. 47th St.)

When Margaret Edson's stunning drama won the Pulitzer Prize in 1999, the production, starring the riveting Kathleen Chalfant, never made it to Broadway. That oversight is corrected now with Cynthia Nixon playing the brilliant, unsentimental poetry professor facing the emotions of cancer.

DEATH OF A SALESMAN (opens March 15, Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St.)

Mike Nichols directs this revi- val of Arthur Miller's masterwork, with Philip Seymour Hoffman as Willy Loman and Andrew Garfield (the next Peter Parker in "The Amazing Spider-Man") as his not-so-amazing son Biff.

ONCE (opens March 18, Jacobs Theatre, 242 W. 45th St.)

This enchanting musical adaptation of the 2006 film transfers from Off-Broadway's New York Theatre Workshop to Broadway, where the intimate story of an Irish street musician and a mysterious Czech immigrant takes its chances with a broad commercial audience.

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR (opens March 22, Neil Simon Theatre, 250 W. 52nd St.)

Stifle that yawn. This revival of the 1971 musical by babies named Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice was a big success in Toronto and Los Angeles. The revival, directed by Des McAnuff ("Jersey Boys"), comes with celestial pop buzz.

NEWSIES (opens March 29, Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St.)

The Disney film about an 1899 newsboy strike was not a smash, but the musical adaptation arrives on Broadway with terrific advance word -- and a book by Harvey Fierstein.

GORE VIDAL'S THE BEST MAN (opens April 1, theater TBA)

Check out this cast. The latest revival of Gore Vidal's 1960 melodrama about a ruthless presidential campaign stars James Earl Jones, Angela Lansbury, Candice Bergen, Eric McCormack, John Larroquette and Michael McKean. Could be more exciting than the election.

EVITA (opens April 5, Marquis Theatre, 1535 Broadway)

I hereby throw down the gauntlet and swear I will not use the words "don't cry for me" in any stories about the revival of this 1978 musical by (yes, again) Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Ricky Martin plays Che, with Elena Rogers (a triumph in the London production) as the Argentine first lady and Michael Cerveris as Juan Perón. Michael Grandage, who staged this in London, again directs.

NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT (opens April 24, Imperial Theatre, 249 W. 45th St.)

The irresistible Kelli O'Hara (Nellie Forbush in "South Pacific") teams up with Matthew Broderick in this new "screwball romantic comedy" using the music of George and Ira Gershwin. Joe DiPietro ("Memphis") wrote the book. Kathleen Marshall directs and choreographs.