NY Theater: 10 Shows to See

THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE (through June 17) Extended before previews even started, this dance play has some high-powered names at the helm — music is by four-time Tony winner John Kander (“Cabaret,” “Chicago”) with direction and choreography from Susan Stroman. The story is inspired by Henry James' 1903 novella about a man coming to grips with his personal demons. Vineyard Theatre, 108 E. 15th St. Tickets from $85 at vineyardtheatre.org or 212-353-0303.

THE BOYS IN THE BAND (in previews, opens May 31) Mart Crowley’s groundbreaking play, one of the first to focus on life in the gay community, celebrates its 50th anniversary with a limited-run, 15-week Broadway revival. Jim Parsons and Zachary Quinto star in the play, which takes place at a birthday party where faults in friendships turn ugly. Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St; tickets start at $69 at telecharge.com, 212-239-6200.

SKINTIGHT (Previews start May 31, opens June 21) Syosset’s Idina Menzel returns to the New York stage in Joshua Harmon’s new play about a divorcee with daddy issues (she finds out her famous father is in a relationship with a man who might be gay and might be an adult film star). At Roundabout’s Laura Pels Theatre, tickets from $99 at roundabouttheatre.org or 212-719-1300.

SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK (“Othello” runs May 29-June 24, “Twelfth Night” July 17-August 19) The Public Theater’s annual gift to the city starts with Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s staging of “Othello,” starring Chukwudi Iwuji as the noble general and Corey Stoll as the villainous Iago, The season continues with the lighter “Twelfth Night,” a re-imagined staging of last summer’s surprise hit Public Works presentation with music by Shaina Taub. Go to publictheater.org for information on obtaining free tickets.

ENCORES! OFF-CENTER The popular summer series honors the late composer and lyricist Michael Friedman, who served as the program’s artistic director for one season until his untimely death in 2017, with “Gone Missing,” July 11-12, featuring his music in a play by Steven Cosson’s about dealing with loss. The series opens with Jason Robert Brown’s “Songs for a New World,” June 27-30 and concludes with the Tony-nominated “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope,” July 25-28. At NY City Center, 131 W. 55th St. Tickets start at $25, nycitycenter.org, 212-581-1212.

MARY PAGE MARLOWE (Previews start June 19, opens July 12) An accountant from Ohio looks back on the successes and failures of her rather ordinary life in Tracy Letts’ play, with six different actresses (Blair Brown among them) portraying the title character in different stages of her life (this is getting to be quite the thing). Lila Neugebauer directs the 2ndStage production at the Kiser Theater, 305 W. 43rd St. Tickets start at $30 at or 212-246-4422.

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Previews start July 4, opens July 15). What, again? But there’s a twist — Joel Grey directs the National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene production of the beloved musical as it is performed entirely in Yiddish (boy, do I wish my grandmother were still alive!). There will be English (and Russian?) supertitles, but most of us know the story well enough to just enjoy the experience from a different perspective. At the Museum of Jewish Heritage, 36 Battery Pl. Tickets, from $52 during previews, then $58, at NYTF.org or 866-811-4111.

MOSTLY MOZART FESTIVAL (July 12-Agust 12, Lincoln Center) The annual festival has expanded this season, in part to make up for the loss of the canceled Lincoln Center Festival. Theatrical offerings include Yukio Ninagawa’s production of “Macbeth” in Japanese, complete with Buddhist chants, and a rare performance of Leonard Bernstein’s 1971 “Mass” for singers, actors and dancers. For a schedule and ticket information on the vast and interesting offerings (among them, a choral concert in Central Park for 800 voices), go to mostlymozartfestival.org or call 212-721-6500.

GETTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER (Previews start July 19, opens Aug. 13) So, you’re fired from your Wall Street job with a lot of time on your hands? Nothing to do but get your high school band back together, which is just what happens in this musical directed by John Rando. At the Belasco Theatre, 111 W. 44th St. Tickets, from $49.50 at telecharge.com, 212-239-6200.

PRETTY WOMAN (Previews start July 20, opens Aug. 16) Samantha Barks and Steve Kazee take on the roles made so famous by Julia Roberts and Richard Gere in the 1990 film. There’s been a lot of talk about whether the musical will present a tougher take on the subject matter in this #MeToo era. At the Nederlander Theatre, 208 W. 41st St. Tickets from $99 at ticketmaster.com, 877-250-2929.