La Cage aux Folles (Encores!) (2026)

Encores is sometimes hit-or-miss. The whole conceit is they revive lesser known shows. But La Cage was revived on Broadway not that long ago. It's a show that deserves revival. It's hilarious, the melodies are lush and hummable and with Republicans attacking gay rights, it's unfortunately timely (and it's Pride!). Billy Porter plays a phenomenal Zaza. He of course won a Tony for Kinky Boots, and the Zaza character is not so dissimilar, including the heels. He sings a show-stopping I Am What I Am and The Best of Times. And with not much rehearsal, he was on-book for one book scene and also missed an entrance and hilariously ordered the orchestra to start again. Wayne Brady too is excellent. The two of them make a convincing pair. It's a huge all-black cast, paying homage to the black divas: Whitney, Beyonce, Rihanna, Grace Jones, etc. The hair and costumes are great. That opening number is so much fun with the choreography and all the showgirls on stage. I think this may have been the most enjoyable Encores production I've ever seen. Loved it. 

The Balusters (Manhattan Theatre Company) (2026)

I enjoyed The Balusters very much. It's hilarious. I haven't laughed this hard since Oh Mary. It's about a toxic HOA, a nine-person board with feuds about stop signs and balusters. And the Vernon Point Neighborhood Association gave me PTSD thinking about my co-op board. It hits on a lot of relatable petty squabbles. From the sound of it, a bit about dog poop really resonated with one person sitting in the orchestra. The plot is sort of predictable but it's really well executed. I's about all of our modern identity sensitivities; no one is safe. Kenny Leon very deftly balances the themes about race with Anika Noni Rose leading the cast and hosting the HOA meeting as the newbie. Richard Thomas plays the president of the HOA, deservedly nominated for a Tony, coming off as genuine and sincere but a conniving bastard. Loved this show. 

The Rocky Horror Show (Broadway) (2026)

Roundabout Theater's production of Rocky Horror at Studio 54 starts from the moment you walk in. The decor of the theater looks like a Spirit Halloween threw up all in there. There are these garish green lights all over. There are mannequins and castles and a working bathroom right next to the sage. It's all in such bad taste, it's the height of camp. It carries into the set and the costumes and everything but it had me snickering before the curtain even went up. 

Even though I wasn't particularly familiar myself, thankfully much of the audience belonged to the cult of Rocky Horror. It's interactive, with some call and response. They bring up audience members to dance the time warp. The show is a lot of fun, a nice reminder what a night at the theater can be. Luke Evans plays transvestite Frank-N-Furter; I didn't know he had it in him but he's fabulous. I know Stephanie Hsu from Everything Everywhere All At Once, but she's a great theatrical musical actress. Rachel Dratch plays the droll narrator in her characteristic way, similar to the maid she played in High Spirits. I really liked the unrecognizable but vocally distinct Amber Gray too. And Juliette Lewis's opening (and closing) number as Usherette is seductive.  The second act is wild nonsense but Dammit Janet, who cares when it's this fun.