November is a busy time with holidays and family obligations, but make the time to see these 10 standout plays, musicals and concerts.
1. The Tony-winning Best Musical Jersey Boys
turns 10 years old on November 6, and they are celebrating in style like only Garden State rock stars can do. Oh, what a decade—and there’s still no thrill like the music of The Four Seasons bringing audiences to their feet at the August Wilson Theatre. For that (and the horn section in “Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You”), Jersey Boys is our November Show of the Month.2. The Broadway revival Sylvia
is beyond fun, and a total must-see for anyone who has shared their home with a dog. Tony winners Annaleigh Ashford and Julie White are playing on the top of their game, and Robert Sella steals every scene he’s in. Warning: It’s impossible to see Sylvia and not bark in Annaleigh Ashord “heys” for at least week.
3. Buzz is at a fever pitch for the Broadway transfer of Ivo van Hove’s A View from the Bridge
. Mark Strong garnered glorious notices in London, Russell Tovey is bae and the rest of the cast is killing it in this complete re-imagining of the Arthur Miller classic. It’s going to be one of those shows that you’ll pity your friends for missing its limited run.
4. Bob Saget joins the company of the jaw-dropping Broadway comedy Hand to God
, and really any excuse to get back to the Booth Theatre to see Tyrone spew filth, hate, and obscenities is reason enough for me.
5. There’s so much talk about Second Stage’s Invisible Thread. Diane Paulus and Sergio Trujillo team up to present this true new musical about a man who leaves NYC to volunteer in Africa. The score is pop infused with African beats and the cast is on fleek. Just check out this sample then get your tickets while you can.
6. The cast of the new off-Broadway Gigantic
is crazy-good and we know the material is great because the musical won awards already for its previous incarnation. This is for sure going to be one of those cult off-Broadway shows that you play out the cast recording of for years to come.
7. $hit’s getting real over at LCT where the new play Dada Woof Papa Hot takes marriage, parenthood and fidelity head on in a quick 90-minute gut punch. John Benjamin Hickey leads a stellar ensemble in a play that will definitely leave an impression.
8. I would swim the moat like Winnifred the Woebegone to get to Abrons Arts Center to see Transport Group’s revival of Once Upon a Mattress
. There hasn’t been a proper NYC revival in nearly 20 years, never mind one with this caliber of talented and funny actors. Expect a surplus of Jackie Hoffman GIFs because those faces are going to be priceless.9. Chances are by late November, you’ll be going through Project Runway withdrawal and so the perfect cure is MTC’s rip-roaring fashion comedy Important Hats of the Twentieth Century.
10. This November, I’m thankful for so many concert events including but not limited to: Lesli Margherita’s Broad
at Birdland on Nov. 30 & Dec. 7 (a musical celebration of the controversial women of yesteryear); Tony winner Lena Hall's 54 Show The Villa Satori Growing up Haight Ashbury running Nov. 28-Dec 7; the New York Pops’ Sophisticated Ladies on Nov. 13 (Montego Glover, Capathia Jenkins & Sy Smith pay tribute to Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald & others); Andrea Burns at 54 Below on Nov. 9 & 16; Brad Simmons singing Paul Simon in In the Company of Strangers at the Metropolitan Room on Nov. 8 & 9; Award-winning Brit Sally Ann Triplett in My American Dream at 54 on Nov. 21 & 27; and Broadway au Carré in From Paris to New York on Nov. 4 (an evening that blends top Parisian and Broadway performers).
