A complete guide to fall theatre in NYC

Find out more about the shows playing on Broadway, off Broadway, at the opera, and more.

Fall means the start of many things: school, the changing of the weather and the leaves, and another New York theatre season. The 2022-23 Broadway season officially kicked off over the summer with The Kite Runner and Into the Woods, but fall is when lots of new shows begin to open. And it's not just Broadway shows — Off-Broadway theatres and opera companies make grand returns in the fall after summer hiatuses.

All this means that no matter where you are in New York City, be it the Theatre District or beyond, there are new shows to discover at every turn. Here's a brief rundown of the fall theatre New York has to offer, with links to more detailed information about all the shows you can choose from this season. Once you've found a show (or multiple) that you want to make time for in between school events and leaf-peeping weekend trips, get your tickets right here on New York Theatre Guide.

Which Broadway shows are playing this fall?

Of course, Broadway's old standbys are still going to be around this fall. So if you've still never seen a show like The Phantom of the Opera, Chicago, Wicked, or The Lion King during their decades-long runs, you still can! On the flip side, this fall is also your last chance to catch the long-runners Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away, which are closing in the fall. But there are plenty of new Broadway shows to check out, too, as they open throughout the fall season.

New musicals like Kimberly Akimbo, KPOP, and & Juliet are making their Broadway debuts this fall after acclaimed Off-Broadway and London runs. You can also check out Pulitzer-winning plays like Topdog/Underdog or Cost of Living, or a star-studded revival of August Wilson's The Piano Lesson with Samuel L. Jackson and Danielle Brooks. Oldies fans might enjoy Some Like It Hot, a musical adaptation of the classic film, or A Beautiful Noise, which brings Neil Diamond's life and music to the stage.

Read more about all the new Broadway shows opening this fall, and browse all the Broadway musicals and plays with tickets available below.

Get tickets to a Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.

Which Off-Broadway shows are playing this fall?

Many Off-Broadway theatre companies start up their seasons in earnest in the fall, which means lots of new theatre to see. If you want to be the first to discover a show by an emerging playwright or see a celebrity up close in a small venue, off Broadway is the place to go.

One of this fall's celebrity offerings is Ralph Fiennes as city planner Robert Moses in Straight Line Crazy, playing at The Shed in the hip Hudson Yards district of Manhattan. On the new musicals front, there's a dance show, Only Gold, conceived by Tony-winning Hamilton choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler. And if you want to see a celebrity in a musical? Check out A Man of No Importance at Classic Stage Company, starring The Big Bang Theory's Jim Parsons, or New York Theatre Workshop's Merrily We Roll Along revival with Daniel Radcliffe.

This is just a small sampling of this fall's Off-Broadway offerings, though. Read more of our picks for Off-Broadway theatre for all types of theatre fans, and browse all our Off-Broadway listings below.

Get tickets to an Off-Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.

Which operas are playing this fall?

The Metropolitan Opera's season starts back up in the fall after a summer hiatus. There are many time-honored and new operas to see, from the classic tragedy La Traviata to a reimagined version of the comedy Rigoletto by a Tony-winning Broadway director. Read about all the operas with tickets available this fall, and learn more about why theatre fans should check out the opera and what to expect.

Get tickets to an opera on New York Theatre Guide.

What Covid protocols are in place for theatre this fall?

Currently, Broadway theatres do not require proof of vaccination to attend, and mask-wearing in the theatre is optional, but encouraged. However, these guidelines are subject to change month to month, and certain theatres still require mask-wearing for patrons sitting in the seats closest to the performers. Learn about the most up-to-date Covid protocols at Broadway shows.

Many Off-Broadway theatres have dropped their vaccine requirement, but many still require masks. Check your individual venue's website to learn what its current Covid protocols are.

At most theatres, the same guidelines apply to audiences of all ages, including young children. Learn more about Covid protocols at family-friendly shows on and off Broadway.

^{Photo credit: Kai Pilger via Unsplash}