2025 is rounding home and heading to close out the year over the next two months with some impressive choices. As you’ll find in Best Bets: October 27th – November 2nd:
LITTLE BEAR RIDGE ROAD – Booth Theatre – New York, NY – Now – December 21st OPENING NIGHT: October 30th
Given how great the reviews were for this Samuel D. Hunter play that began its life at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago in 2024, it was inevitable that it would ultimately transfer to Broadway. And it has with its original cast and director in tact.
Laurie Metcalf (a reason to see any play) stars as Sarah. She is the aunt of Ethan (Micah Stock). They are both estranged from their family but don’t have a close relationship. Ethan’s father/Sarah’s brother’s death is what brings them together. Over the course of this 95-minute play they try to navigate loss, their past and their own loneliness.
John Drea plays James/Kenny and Meighan Grachis plays Paulette/Vickie. Joe Mantello (Here We Are) directs.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
LIBERATION – James Earl Jones Theatre – October 28th – February 1st OPENING NIGHT: October 28th
Playwright Bess Wohl’s Grand Horizons was nominated for Best Play in 2020. If the reviews for new play, Liberation, from its off-Broadway run are any indication, she may well be on her way to another nomination in this Broadway transfer.
Set in 1970, a group of women in Ohio come together to talk about being women. Also set in the present day, Lizzie’s daughter (Lizzie being one of the women in the earlier part of the story), works to comprehend how the battle for equal rights for women ending up failing. It’s a memory play that made both male and female critics reach for superlatives.
The cast includes Betsy Aidem, Audrey Corsa, Kayla Davion, Susannah Flood, Kristolyn Lloyd, Irene Sofia Lucio, Charle Thurston and Adina Verson. Whitney White directs.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
THE RAILWAY CHILDREN – Glyndebourne – East Sussex, United Kingdom – October 30th – November 1st // Southbank Centre – London, United Kingdom – November 8th
Composer Mark-Anthony Turnage and librettist Rachael Hewer are the creators of this opera having its world premiere. It is based on Edith Nesbit’s serialized story and novel from 1906.
The story surrounds a couple who get caught up in a raid. The father, David (Edward Hawkins), is apprehended. His wife, Cathy (Rachael Lloyd), escapes. She takes her children, Bobbie (Jessica Cale), Peter (Matthew McKinney) and Phyllis (Henna Munn), away for safe keeping until David can be released. A passing train might hold the key for the children to get their wish of having their father’s return. But will it be as simple as all that? Of course not.
After its world premiere at Glyndebourne, there will be a one-night only concert presentation at London’s Southbank Center.
Stephen Langridge directs. Tim Anderson conducts the Glyndebourne Sinfonia..
CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA & PAGLIACCI – Lyric Opera of Chicago – Chicago, IL – November 1st – November 23rd
These two one-act operas are commonly paired. It’s the casting that makes this production so compelling.
For Cavalleria Rusticana, Santuzza is sung by Marjorie Owens (November 1st, 4th, 7th and 9th) and Yulia Matochkina the other performances, Turiddu is sung by SeokJong Baker, Alfio is sung by Quinn Kelsey, Lola is sung by Camille Robles and Lucia is sung by Lauren Decker
In Pagliaccci, Russell Thomas sings the role of Canio. Nedda is sung by Gabriella Reyes and Tonio is sung by Quinn Kelsey.
The opportunity to see Thomas as Canio and Kelsey in both operas makes this one of our Best Bets.
This is the Elijah Moshinsky production. Enrique Mazzola conducts.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
ORGY & BESS: DEEP THROATS & HIGH NOTES – Heartbeat Opera – New York, NY – October 30th – November 8th
That’s not a typo in the name of this event. Innovative independent opera company Heartbeat Opera celebrates their 10th annual drag show with a party guaranteed to thrill open-hearted opera lovers. But mostly entertain.
As the title suggests, Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess is the starting point. What did Bess do t the end of the opera? She runs into other classic characters from the opera world as she travels through time from 1920 to 2025.
She starts with Cio-Cio-San from Madama Butterfly and continues with Lucia from…well you know. From there, it’s a dizzying journey for Bess.
Performing are Mezzzo-soprano Sishel Claverie, tenor Bernard Holcomb, Soprano Jamilyn Manning, bass John Taylor Ward and soprano Angela Yam.
The show was created by Ethan Heard and Jacob Ashworth. Heard directs with Ashworth sharing music director duties with Dan Schlosberg. David Quinn is the costume designer.
That’s all for Best Bets: October 27th – November 2nd.
Have a great week and go see a show!
Main Photo: Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock in Little Bear Ridge Road (Photo by Julieta Cervantes)