Upcoming Stars on Stage in Spring 2017

The first Broadway opening of 2017 has already taken place and also marked the Broadway debut of one of the biggest stars on the planet. Two-time Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett garnered great praise from critics for her performance in the Sydney Theatre Company's production of The Present, which continues at the Barrymore Theatre until March 19, 2017.

With so much buzz around Ms. Blanchett gracing the New York stage, we thought we would take a look ahead to the Spring and let you know which star turns we're most looking forward to. Check out our Top 10 below...

10) RAMIN KARIMLOO (in Anastasia)

Ever since Ramin Karimloo wowed audiences and critics alike with his Broadway debut as Jean Valjean in the 2014 revival of Les Misérables, he has been one of our theatre favourites. He rightfully earned a Tony nomination and Drama League nomination and won a Theatre World award for his efforts, which he adds to his previous Olivier nomination in 2011 for originating the role of The Phantom in the troubled sequel Love Never Dies in London. This Spring, Ramin takes over the role of Gleb from Manoel Felciano (who originated the role at the Hartford Stage world premiere) in the equally anticipated Broadway premiere of Anastasia. We won't have to wait for "Once Upon a December" for this one though, as previews begin on March 23 at the Broadhurst Theatre!

9) PHILLIPA SOO in (Amélie)

The smash hit that is Hamilton has made household names out of a number of Broadway performers, not least Phillipa Soo, who earned a Tony nomination last year for her heart-wrenching performance as Eliza Hamilton. Her love affair with Broadway looks set to continue this year as she will return to tread the boards in the title role of the Broadway premiere of Amélie. Soo was attached to the project during the initial workshop phase, but had to give up the role to Samantha Barks for the world premiere at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in September 2015 due to her Hamilton commitments. She assumed the role for the Los Angeles engagement at the Ahmanson Theatre, which began last month on December 4 and is scheduled to end this Sunday. Next stop Broadway as previews begin on March 9 at the Walter Kerr Theatre!

8) CYNTHIA NIXON / LAURA LINNEY in (The Little Foxes)

This will certainly be an intriguing venture for these two stage and screen veterans. For the first time in the Manhattan Theatre Club's history, lead actors will alternate the lead roles at every performance. Laura Linney and Cynthia Nixon will take on the roles of Regina Hubbard Giddens and Birdie Hubbard in Lillian Herman's 1939 classic The Little Foxes, which begins previews at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on March 29! If past Broadway outings are anything to go by, this could be the theatrical dark horse of the season. Linney has received Tony nominations for Time Stands Still, Sight Unseen, and The Crucible, whilst Nixon won a Tony for Rabbit Hole in 2006 and earned nominations for Wit and Indiscretions. Don't miss your chance to experience this unique theatrical experiment!

7) JAKE GYLLENHAAL in (Sunday in the Park with George)

The Hollywood heartthrob is well-known for his hard-hitting blockbusters on the silver screen and even more widely known for his Oscar-nominated performance in the emotionally charged Brokeback Mountain, but recently Jake Gyllenhaal has been adding another feather to his cap... musical theatre! He was critically acclaimed for his performance in the New York City Center's concert staging of Little Shop of Horrors (Encores!) in the summer of 2015 and he returned to the same venue this past fall for another Encores! production - this time, Sunday in the Park with George. Thanks to ATG, the Sondheim musical will now head to Broadway and re-open ATG's newly acquired Hudson Theatre. Previews begin on February 11! Thank God for Sundays!

6) PATTI LuPONE / CHRISTINE EBERSOLE in (War Paint)

We are actually salivating at the prospect of witnessing Broadway royalty going head-to-head this Spring, as icons of the stage and multi-Tony winners Patti LuPone and Christine Ebersole take on the roles of Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden, respectively, in the Broadway premiere of War Paint. The fierce showdown between these two titans of the cosmetic industry could deliver the knockout blow of the entire season. From Gypsy to 42nd Street and from Evita to Grey Gardens, these two divas have delivered some of the finest performances in Broadway history, so we can't wait to see what they will do with this brand new musical. Getting to see one Broadway legend on stage is an event in itself, but getting to see two at the same time, is almost too much for hardened musical theatre aficionados. Previews begin at the Nederlander Theatre on March 7!

5) DANNY DeVITO / MARK RUFFALO in (The Price)

Finally, after decades of patiently waiting, we will get to see a Hollywood icon make his Broadway debut. He may be short in stature, but his personality makes him a heavyweight to be reckoned with, and we can't wait to see Danny DeVito's signature charisma on the New York stage. The Golden Globe and Emmy winner will also be joined by three-time Oscar nominee Mark Ruffalo, who has shot into superstardom since taking over as Bruce Banner (and the Incredible Hulk) in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. They will play Gregory Solomon and Victor Franz in the Arthur Miller classic The Price and if that wasn't enough, they'll also be joined by stage veterans Tony Shalhoub and Jessica Hecht in perhaps the most star-studded ensemble cast of the Spring. The Roundabout Theatre Company has outdone themselves this time. Previews begin at the American Airlines Theatre on February 16!

4) KEVIN KLINE in (Present Laughter)

We haven't seen Kevin Kline on the Broadway stage in almost a decade, so we were ecstatic about the news that he will once again be treading the boards in NYC. Even better news is the fact that he'll be taking on one of Noël Coward's most cherished characters - Gary Essendine in Present Laughter. Hilarity is bound to ensue when Kline gets his hands on this overwhelmingly self-absorbed actor in the midst of a midlife crisis. And just to whet our appetites even more, the "A Fish Called Wanda" Oscar winner will also be joined by another Marvel Cinematic Universe star in Cobie Smulders (aka Maria Hill)! We presently predict future laughter at the St. James Theatre, where previews begin on March 10!

3) SALLY FIELD in (The Glass Menagerie)

There are a few roles that seem to be reserved for A-Listers on Broadway or in the West End these days. Whilst two-time Tony winner Cherry Jones will be taking her Tony-nominated performance as Amanda Wingfield to the West End this Spring, here on Broadway, two-time Oscar winner Sally Field will take on the same role in one of Tennessee Williams' most acclaimed dramas The Glass Menagerie. Ms. Field has only been seen on Broadway once before in a brief stint in 2002 in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?, so this stage comeback is long overdue. Previews begin at the Belasco Theatre on February 7... and yes, we do like her... we really like her!

2) GLENN CLOSE in (Sunset Boulevard)

Everything's as if we never said goodbye! Who could forget Glenn Close's infamous interpretation of Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber's hit musical Sunset Boulevard, which earned her a Tony Award back in 1995. Last year Close made her West End debut at the London Coliseum and reprised the same role some 20 years later, once again capturing the hearts of London audiences "with one look." Thank heavens that this semi-staged ENO revival, which will boast the largest orchestra currently on Broadway, is crossing the pond! Previews begin at the Palace Theatre on February 2 and if all goes to plan, this just might be "The Perfect Year" for Ms. Close (and for die-hard theatre fans)!

1) BETTE MIDLER in (Hello, Dolly!)

With the onsale date for Hello, Dolly! breaking box office records as the largest grossing onsale date in Broadway history, it goes without saying that a lot of buzz this season is centring around the Broadway return of one lady... the incomparable Bette Midler! She has been nominated for two Oscars, won four Golden Globe, three Emmy Awards, three Grammy Awards and received a special Tony Award in 1974, but now takes on Dolly Gallagher Levi in the most anticipated production of the season. Hello, Dolly! begins previews at the Shubert Theatre on March 15! Put on your Sunday clothes and get yourselves down to the Shubert for the theatrical event of the year!

So that concludes our Top 10 of the stars we are most looking forward to seeing grace the Broadway stage this Spring, but who are you most looking forward to?