MickeyJoTheatre Podcast Summary

Episode Title: What to see on BROADWAY in 2026 | Mickey-Jo's guide to the plays and musicals of the New York theatre season
Host: MickeyJoTheatre
Date: January 6, 2026

Episode Overview

Mickey Jo delivers a comprehensive, enthusiastic guide to the must-see shows—both musicals and plays—on and around Broadway for the 2026 season. With his characteristic wit and insight, Mickey Jo discusses the current Broadway landscape (noting its lack of spark compared to prior years), gives his recommendations for current hits and anticipated openings, and shares candid opinions on the state of industry conversations, power structures, and the necessity of both supporting and critiquing the scene. Also included are Off-Broadway picks and speculation on rumored productions waiting in the wings.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Broadway’s 2026 Atmosphere and Season Assessment

• Mickey Jo notes that, “not to start 2026 on a pessimistic note, but it has been becoming apparent for some time now that the current Broadway season is looking just a little bit, how do I say it? Irredeemably dull. With a handful of exceptions.” (02:42)
• Recognizes a contrast with the “brilliant new plays and new musicals of last year,” asserting that there are still worthy experiences to be had, even if the field feels sparser.

2. Top Currently Open Musicals and Plays (03:55–12:52)

A. Must-See Musicals

• Maybe Happy Ending and Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York
  • Both praised for their intimate romantic stories:
    • “Each of these shows captures small romantic stories with dynamic scores and fantastic charming performances. Two Strangers in particular…New York City is itself sort of a character in the musical.” (05:11)
    • Both bear the “Mickey Jo Theatre seal of approval.”
• Operation Mincemeat
  • Lauded for wit, intelligence, and original West End cast featuring Jack Malone:
    • “One of the smartest musicals, one of the wittiest currently on Broadway.” (06:44)
• Death Becomes Her and Moulin Rouge!
  • Cited as options for those seeking “big and lavish and spectacular…new principal casting coming in.” (07:09)
• The Great Gatsby at the Broadway Theatre
  • Classic, splashy adaptation:
    • “Sort of the perfect first Broadway show…There are big, bold, huge vocals, declarative love songs…visually impressive.” (07:44)
• & Juliet and Mamma Mia!
  • For jukebox musical lovers; Mamma Mia described as “a Marmite thing—you’re either a Mamma Mia person or you are not.” (08:30)
• Hell’s Kitchen and Buena Vista Social Club
  • The latter praised as “great storytelling, gorgeous music, great choreography…a lovely way to spend an evening.” (09:16)
• Six the Musical
  • Defended as “deceptively clever, witty…great vocals…one of your safest bets on Broadway.” (09:41)
• Hadestown
  • Recent cast changes bring new energy, especially the dynamic between Jack Wolfe and Kurt Elling:
    • “A paternal bond that they find was beautiful and heartbreaking.” (10:07)
• MJ the Musical and Chicago
  • Both recommended for dance lovers and those interested in exciting casting changes:
    • About Chicago: “They will pull you back into the Ambassador Theatre.” (10:38)
• Chess and Marjorie Prime
  • Chess: “Powerhouse performances…vocal talents.”
  • Marjorie Prime: “Talks about artificial intelligence, which is obviously a really topical thing.” (11:00)
• Liberation
  • Praised as “one of my favorite shows…not getting the audience it deserves…brilliantly well written, incredible performances.” (11:24)
• Oedipus at Studio 54
  • “Compelling, engaging, gripping, dare I say brilliant performances from Mark Strong and Leslie Manville.” (11:48)
• Ragtime at Lincoln Center
  • Classic, resplendent cast, “increasingly and troublingly very important now.” (12:16)
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow at Marriott Marquis
  • Accessible regardless of prior fandom, “a lot of the visual effects are really impressive…genuinely terrifying.” (12:31)
• O Mary at Lyceum (comedic) & Just In Time at Circle in the Square (Jonathan Groff)
  • O Mary: “Hilarious…”
  • Just In Time: “None would be quite as great, as brilliant, as joyous, as fantastic in the role as Jonathan Groff.” (12:41)

3. Upcoming & Anticipated Shows (14:11–31:07)

A. Noteworthy Spring Openings

• Bug (Tracy Letts) at Samuel J. Friedman
  • “This has proven…to be incredibly polarizing…I need more things to be generating conversation.” (14:29)
• Every Brilliant Thing (Daniel Radcliffe) at Hudson
  • Interactive, heartfelt:
    • “Creates a sort of a theatrical congregation…a play about humanity and choosing life and joy.” (15:34)
• Death of a Salesman revival
  • Touches on Scott Rudin’s controversial return:
    • “I am still disinclined to promote and support any of these shows…indicative of many of the industry's problems…culture of power and abuse.” (16:04)
    • Honest debate about whether absence/silence is the right form of protest, stressing the need for critical voices.

B. More Upcoming Plays & Musicals

• Dog Day Afternoon at August Wilson—potentially relevant “important queer themes” and “cinema on stage” energy. (18:07)
• Giant at Music Box Theatre (John Lithgow as Roald Dahl)
  • “Terrific piece of writing…brilliant performance…timely play unpacks allegations of anti-Semitism.” (19:00)
• Becky Shaw at Hayes Theatre
  • Admits he knows little but encourages audience curiosity: “Sometimes that's the most fun thing to do.” (19:45)
• Cats: The Jellicle Ball & Rocky Horror Show
  • Cats is highlighted as a likely “musical theatre event of the season…going to platform so much exciting, diverse, new talent.” (20:35)
  • Rocky Horror Show: “Let Sam Pinkleton cook…wait and see who’s in the supporting cast before we judge.” (20:59)
• Titanique at St. James
  • “Absolutely has the Mickey Joe Theatre seal of approval…hope it still feels inherently queer…important to the identity of the show.” (22:03)
• Beaches at Majestic
  • Cautiously optimistic, expects Jessica Vosk to shine: “I do find it a little bit interesting…from the home of long running Phantom to the Broadway home of Beaches.” (23:06)
• Fallen Angels (Noel Coward revival) at Todd Haymes—“all signs point towards…classy, witty delight.” (24:00)
• Joe Turner’s Come and Gone (August Wilson) at Barrymore Theatre—with Taraji P. Henson and Cedric the Entertainer. (24:17)
• The Lost Boys at Palace Theatre—“most anticipated new musical…could be a really exciting…very cool show.” (24:52)
• The Ballisters (David Lindsay Abaire) at Samuel J. Friedman—potential “best new play” Tony dark horse. (25:42)
• Proof revival (IO Edebiri, Don Cheadle)—anticipated as “Prestige Theatre.” (27:14)
• Schmigadoon adaptation—“an awful lot of fun…delivers what a lot of people maybe wanted Smash to be.” (28:46)

4. Rumors, Speculation, and the Next Season (31:39–37:11)

• Rumored and delayed arrivals: Kowalski, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil (Jason Robert Brown/Taylor Mac), The Heart (La Jolla), Mythic, Sugar Daddy (Sam Morri).
  • “A lot of things…heading for Broadway, but not necessarily at the fastest pace. I think we might see a more exciting season next year than this one, but there's still an awful lot to get excited about.” (34:03)

5. Off-Broadway and Other Recommendations

• 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee—“If you’ve never seen it…go sign up to be a guest speller. Have an utterly unique theatrical experience.” (34:44)
• Little Shop of Horrors—“Quintessential production of a brilliant show…always worth seeing.” (35:11)
• Heathers continues at New World Stages.
• Upcoming/Intriguing: Chinese Republicans, Marcel on the Train, Bigfoot!, Mother Rush
• New York City Center Encores: “A rare opportunity to hear LaChiusa’s The Wild Party… High Spirits—musical adaptation of Blithe Spirit.” (36:08)
• Mickey Jo: “Generally, I'm a little late to the party when it comes to great and exciting off and off-off Broadway shows, but I will hope to catch a few over the next few months and let you know what I think.” (36:36)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Broadway’s current state:
  • “It has been becoming apparent for some time now that the current Broadway season is looking just a little bit, how do I say it? Irredeemably dull. With a handful of exceptions.” (02:42)
• On personal recommendations:
  • “Both of those bear the Mickey Jo Theatre seal of approval.” (05:36)
• On casting for Chicago:
  • “Just when you think you don’t need to see Chicago. They will pull you back into the Ambassador Theatre.” (10:38)
• On “Mamma Mia!” lovers:
  • “You’re either a Mamma Mia person or you are not a Mamma Mia person. And there is just no overlap in that Venn diagram. Those are two distinct state of minds.” (08:38)
• On "Death of a Salesman" and Scott Rudin:
  • “I’m still disinclined to promote and support any of these shows…indicative of many of the industry’s problems of a culture of power and abuse.” (16:04)
• On the new "Cats":
  • “This truly, I think is going to be the musical theatre event of the season…going to platform so much exciting, diverse, new talent.” (21:08)
• On Titanique:
  • “I hope that they don’t try and appeal too much to a more heteronormative audience. I hope it still feels inherently queer…I think that’s important to the identity of the show.” (22:38)
• On Off-Broadway participation:
  • “Go see it if you’ve never seen it before. Go sign up to be a guest speller. Have an utterly unique theatrical experience.” (34:44)
• On speculative and delayed shows:
  • “A lot of things…heading for Broadway, but not necessarily at the fastest pace. I think we might see a more exciting season next year than this one, but there's still an awful lot to get excited about.” (34:03)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• [02:42] Broadway’s dull season & main recommendations preamble
• [03:55–12:52] Current open shows: musings, recommendations, highlights
• [14:11–31:07] Upcoming & newly announced productions (topical commentary, candid industry takes)
• [31:39–37:11] Rumored shows, Off-Broadway picks, future season speculation

Conclusion & Final Notes

Mickey Jo provides an expert, accessible, and refreshingly candid take on the 2026 New York theatre scene:

• Not shy about flagging industry problems or productions with problematic provenance, he also champions new, diverse, and under-the-radar voices.
• Listeners are given practical choices—whether looking for spectacle, intimacy, wit, or innovation.
• He encourages engagement: “If you have a recommendation for me for something you want me to go and see, then definitely let me know about that as well.” (36:52)
• “There's still an awful lot to get excited about,” he summarizes, inviting fans to share the adventure of discovering and debating theatre together. (34:03)

Signature sentiment:
“As always, I hope that everyone is staying safe and that you have a stagey day.” (End)

Missed a show? Want to know what’s next? Mickey Jo’s round-up is your essential Broadway companion for 2026.