Best of the First Half of the 2025-2026 Theater Season
By Joseph Cervelli
Since theater awards are given out in May or June the general cut off of nominations is late April. Here are the shows which I considered the best of the first half of the theater season--shows running from May to November. They are generally in the order of viewing.
1) "Black Wolfe Tone"is an energizing play written and starring in a solo performance the extraordinary Kwaku Fortune. His character suffering possibly from bi-polar disorder is in the courtyard of a mental institution where he is a patient. Wolfe Tone was an Irish separatist and he considers himself as someone who needs to separate from those who have driven him to a certain madness. Fortune's performance is unforgettable and exhausting.
2) "Goddess"--A fascinating musical set in Kenya at a club where this mysterious singer, Nadira, has everyone in rapture. She falls in love with a young man who has returned to his homeland from America. What no one knows is that she escaped her mother who is the goddess of evil. Amber Imam is glorious as Nadira and the entire cast is vibrant in their singing and dancing. With some revisions in the book would love to see this come to Broadway.
3) "Bus Stop"--William Inge's classic play had a stunningly good revival at Classic Stages this current season. Taking place in a diner in Kansas during a snowstorm it pits people of varied travelers together. Beautifully directed by Jack Cummings III the play boasts an excellent cast.
4) "Marjorie Prime"--I was not a huge fan of this show when I first saw it off Broadway about 10 years ago. But now with AI on the mind of many it is more relevant. The irrepressible 96 year old actress June Squibb portrays Marjorie suffering from dementia. Through the use of a robotic hologram of her late husband she can communicate with him. The cast could not be better with Danny Burstein and especially Cynthia Nixon as standouts.
5) "Meet The Cartozians"--A total delight and being half Armenian can attest to the authenticity of the characters. The first act which takes place in the early 1920's and deals with the issues of granting citizenship to an Armenian man because he does not really look white. The second act follows his descendants. A joyous cast with the always hilarious Andrea Martin.
6) "Two Strangers Carry a Cake Across New York"--The title says it all in this delightful musical about a young Brit and his first time in America hoping to attend his dad's wedding though his father walked out on him and his mother when he was a child. He meets a young woman who also is attending the wedding. Let's leave it like that. Both Sam Tutty and Christiani Pitts could not be more endearing.
7) "Oedipus"--A thrilling and jarring play based on the play by Sophocles. Only here turns into a political thriller created by Robert Icke. Both Mark Strong and the always superb Lesley Manville will have you riveted from start to finish.
8) "Little Bear Ridge Road"--I was astounded that this incredibly moving new play by Samuel D. Hunter cut its limited engagement short. Micah Stock and Laurie Metcalf portray nephew and aunt and their very difficult relationship when he comes to live with her after his father's death. So much is found here--humor, sadness, loneliness and a hope for the future. A lovely work with uncommonly realistic performances that deserved a much longer run.
9) "The Baker's Wife"--I always found Stephen Schwartz's score quite lovely and tender along with a sweet subject matter about a younger woman whose husband is older and she falls "in love" with a dashing younger man. Is it really love? While "Meadowlark" is the song most known from the show, my particular favorite in which the wife comes to realize about one finding true love is the beautiful "Where is the Warmth?" A delight having Scott Bakula as the baker back on stage and Ariana DeBose is perfect as his wife. And how could you quibble with two long standing Broadway stalwarts--Robert Cuccioli and Judy Kuhn. I rooted for this to come to Broadway in an expanded version.
10) "Ragtime"--This is the third and simply best version of three productions I have seen. It focuses on three groups of people in the early 20th Century hoping to find their American Dream. The score (their best may I add) by Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens is among the best of all time. Melodious throughout with lyrics that are pertinent to the story line. And let's not forget the relevant book by the late Terrence McNally. The cast is astounding led by the always brilliant Joshua Henry as Coalhouse Walker Jr. The weaving of historical and fictional figures works perfectly.
11) "Punch"--Will Harrison gives a frighteningly real performance (one of the best of the season) in a play that takes place in England outside a pub among other locations. Based on a true story Harrison portrays Jacob Dunne who in a drunken stupor punches and kills an innocent young man. Redemption and forgiveness play a big part in this amazing work by James Graham.
12) "Beau the Musical"--This terrific musical never seemed to have taken off as much as I wish it would have. It was brought to a larger theatre and still never succeeded to the extent it deserved. A true shame. It tells the tale of a queer young man superbly played by Matt Rodin and how deep family secrets help to change his life for the better. With book by Douglas Lyons who co-wrote the score with Ethan D. Pakchar it was one of the better scores this season. If on one of the streaming music apps I urge you to give a listen.
13) "Angry Alan"--John Krasinski gives an electrifying performance as an unhappy divorced man in this pertinent and scary show about how he falls into becoming radicalized by listening to some right wing commentator. Not quite a one man show but close to it.
14)" Lunar Eclipse"--I will be the first on line to see anything that Reed Birney and Lisa Emery are in. And they do not disappoint in Donald Margulies' unusual but tender tale about a long time married couple who speak about their life--good and bad times. It is told in a number of stages. Sweet and loving it stayed with me for a long time thereafter.
15) "The Brothers Size"--A mighty tale about two brothers. Oshooi Size released from prison and spends his time sleeping. The other, Ogun, is hardworking and finding it hard to accept his brother's laziness. Oshooi is visited by Elegba whom he met in prison and Ogun does not trust. West African mythology plays an important part in this outstanding play by Tarrell Alvin McCraney with two magnificent performances by Andre Holland (Ogun) and Alani iLOngwe (Oshoosi).
16) "The Honey Trap"--Anything that brings the under appreciated Michael Hayden back on stage is worth a visit. And this play certainly was. Told in flashback it tells about a British soldier in which he and his friend were seduced by two women from the IRA and the death of his friend. Thrilling and edge of your seat suspense throughout it was a stand out.
17) "Caroline"--Having seen this truly unforgettable play back in October I still cannot forget it. The storyline about a recovering addict, Maddie, going to visit her wealthy mother she has been estranged from with and her young trans daughter, Caroline, is deeply affecting and will keep you wondering what will happen throughout. The performances were simply breathtaking. The chemistry between Chloe Grace Moretz as Maddie and River Lipe-Smith as Caroline is extraordinary.
PHOTO CREDITS:
1) Carol Rosegg
2) Joan Marcus
3) Carol Rosegg
4) Joan Marcus
5) Julieta Cervantes
6) Matthew Murphy
7) Julieta Cervantes
8) Julieta Cervantes
9) Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman
10) Matthew Murphy
11) Matthew Murphy
12) Valerie Terranova
13) Jonny Cournoyer
14) Joan Marcus
15) Marc J. Franklin
16) Carol Rosegg
17) Emilio Madrid
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