New York’s theatrical landscape is abuzz with a flurry of exciting announcements this August 21st, ranging from highly anticipated Broadway returns and star-studded debuts to innovative Off-Broadway premieres and significant industry celebrations. Today’s major Broadway news confirms the future of a recent Tony-winning hit, heralds the arrival of Hollywood heavyweights on the Great White Way, and promises a unique magic experience featuring beloved characters.
Darren Criss Back in ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ Amidst Casting Dialogue
Tony Award winner Darren Criss is set to reprise his celebrated role as Oliver in the hit musical Maybe Happy Ending, returning to the production on November 5 following a nine-week leave of absence. His return comes after Andrew Barth Feldman, whose run is scheduled from September 2 to November 2, temporarily stepped into the role.
The initial casting decision regarding Feldman, a white actor taking on the character of Oliver—a “helperbot” from South Korea—sparked significant discussion within the theater community, prompting statements of disappointment from groups like the Asian American Performers Action Coalition. The show’s writers, Hue Park and Will Aronson, addressed the concerns by clarifying that the robotic characters were conceived as products of a global company, not specifically Korean. Criss himself made history earlier this year as the first Asian American actor to win Best Actor in a Musical for his portrayal in Maybe Happy Ending, which also secured the Best Musical Tony Award and five other accolades at the 2025 ceremony. The musical, which premiered on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre in November 2024, is also planning a multi-year North American tour commencing in the fall of 2026.
Ayo Edebiri & Don Cheadle Set for Broadway Debut in ‘Proof’ Revival
In another significant casting news development, Emmy-winning actress Ayo Edebiri (from the acclaimed TV show The Bear) and Oscar-nominated actor Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda) are slated to make their Broadway debuts in the first New York revival of David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play, Proof. Directed by Thomas Kail, the Tony-winning helmer behind Hamilton, this highly anticipated limited engagement will begin previews on March 31, 2026, with opening night set for April 16, 2026. The specific Shubert theater for the production is yet to be announced.
Proof, a powerful drama that explores themes of genius and mental illness, centers on Catherine (Edebiri), a brilliant but emotionally guarded woman grappling with the legacy of her recently deceased mathematician father, Robert (Cheadle), after a groundbreaking mathematical proof is discovered among his papers. The play originally ran on Broadway from 2000 to 2003 and was adapted into a film in 2005. The creative team for this new revival includes Kris Bowers for original music, Teresa L. Williams for scenic design, Dede Ayite for costume design, and Amanda Zieve for lighting design.
Muppets Make Magical Broadway Debut with Rob Lake
The iconic Muppets are finally making their Broadway debut in a new and enchanting way. Illusionist Rob Lake, lauded as “The World’s Greatest Illusionist” by NBC, will bring his show Rob Lake Magic with Special Guests The Muppets to the Broadhurst Theatre. This unique limited engagement, featuring Kermit the Frog and other beloved Muppet characters alongside Lake’s illusions, is set to begin performances on October 28, with an opening night on November 6. The show will run through January 18, 2026, offering a fresh holiday entertainment option for families.
Off-Broadway & Cabaret Highlights
Beyond Broadway, the Off-Broadway scene is also buzzing. THE PITCH, a darkly comedic new play by Tom Alper, will make its New York premiere at the Actors Temple Theatre, with previews starting October 9 and an official opening on October 16, 2025. The play, described as “Glengarry Glen Ross for a new generation,” features comedy legend Phil Hendrie and delves into the cutthroat world of a high-pressure sales office, based on Alper’s own experiences.
Meanwhile, Tony winner Sutton Foster will return to the intimate setting of Café Carlyle as part of its 70th anniversary season, headlining “Christmas at the Carlyle” from November 25 to December 6. The legendary cabaret supper club, which opened in 1955, is celebrating its milestone with a diverse lineup of performers throughout the fall season.
HOLA Celebrates 50 Years of Latiné Excellence
The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors (HOLA) has unveiled the theater nominees for its 50th-anniversary HOLA Awards. The milestone 50th Anniversary HOLA Awards Gala is scheduled for Monday, October 13, 2025, at HK Hall. The event will honor internationally renowned artist Lin-Manuel Miranda with the Raúl Juliá HOLA Founders Award, recognizing his profound contributions to the performing arts and his unwavering advocacy for Latin voices. Additionally, Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose will receive the 2025 HOLA Rita Moreno Award for Excellence, highlighting her groundbreaking achievements and commitment to advancing Hispanic and Latin representation across film, TV, and stage. INTAR Theatre will also be recognized with the HOLA Excellence in Theater Award.
These announcements paint a vibrant picture of an active and evolving theatrical landscape, from groundbreaking revivals and star-studded premieres to important cultural recognitions, setting the stage for an exciting fall and spring season across Broadway, Off-Broadway, and beyond.
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