Pre-Fall Picks 2026
Dear theatre friends,
Finally, there are a few serious plays on the horizon. Here are several that look promising:
“Degenerates” , sub-titled “Sex and Politics Onstage” is a world premiere by Else Went at Playwrights Horizons. Offering a peek into the epidemic of male loneliness, it begins September 16th.
It seems Marin Ireland is as brilliant a playwright as she is an actor– her “Pre-Existing Condition” will be at Greenwich House Theatre next month. When it opened in 2024 it was given a New York Times Critics Pick review . We have another chance for “potent playwriting” and a “shattering production.”
For an updated version of “The Cherry Orchard” run to The Park Avenue Armory to see Simon Stone’s, relocated to Seoul and performed in Korean with live English captions. The production in a transparent glass home may remind you of Stone’s previous masterpiece, “Yerma” — unforgettable!
The Public is presenting “Good Time Charlie” by Obie Award winner, Ryan J. Haddad, directed by Danny Sharron from September 24th. It’s described as a theatrical love letter which spans more than thirty years.
Minetta Lane and Audible will be showing the immersive “A Ghost In Your Ear” by Jamie Armitage, previously performed in London. Here’s The Guardian’s tantalizing review which may encourage you to purchase a dose of “headphone horror.”
For a touch of irreverence, do go to The Gym at Judson for “The Body of Mary” , subtitled “A Play in Three Acts (OF GOD)” written and directed by Katie Cappiello. Described as a comedic look at controlling the means of reproduction– and Mary.
After a sold-out run at Under the Radar, New York Theatre Workshop will be bringing “In Honor of Jean-Michel Basquiat” written and directed by Roger Guenveur Smith about his friend and collaborator. Smith also performs his one man show.
Lastly, do see The Irish Rep’s production of “The Hairy Ape” an iconic work by Eugene O’Neill. Although a large-scale revival was seen in 2017 at The Armory, this intimate stage will offer a very different experience, directed by Ciaran O’Reilly.
Many more will be opening in October, so please save your pennies and look out for my next email!
Thank you for reading,
Carol
Carol Tambor
http://www.bestofedinburgh.org
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If you’d like to keep up your end of the conversation — please email me at carol@bestofedinburgh.org  ; tips about fabulous theater you’ve seen. There’s too much for me to catch everything— -I need my sources!
Carol Tambor publishes a monthly newsletter, which announces worthy shows coming to New York, along with occasional information about London theatre and, of course, the Edinburgh Fringe.