Summer may not be over, but the 2026-2027 Broadway season is upon us. The first show of the season, “Paranormal Activity,” is now in previews and is scheduled to open on Aug. 25. Astute readers will remember that the return engagement of the special “Celebrity Autobiography” began performances on May 18. While this date fell after the eligibility cutoff for the 2025-2026 Tony Awards, it landed in the 52nd week of the official season as designated by the Broadway League.
It can be tough to keep track of everything on offer, so Broadway News is offering a roundup of all the new Main Stem productions that will play this fall — from now through Dec. 31. As of the time of publication, nine plays (three originals and six revivals) and four musicals (three original and one revival) will start their runs. Here’s what to know about them:
Note: All dates are accurate as of Aug. 21 and will be updated as needed.
“Paranormal Activity,” August Wilson Theatre
Began previews: Aug. 14
Officially opens: Aug. 25
Scheduled to close: Jan. 3, 2027
The horror-film franchise comes to the Rialto, courtesy of “Grey House” playwright Levi Holloway and “Sleep No More” director Felix Barrett. Though the play exists within the “Paranormal Activity” canon, it is not an adaptation of any of the seven movies. The original story follows a young couple who moves from Chicago to London only to realize they are haunted — not their house, but them. The premise of the film series relies on the horror tropes of possession and demons; but Holloway said the stage play is a ghost story. The horror has already played successful runs in London, Chicago, L.A., Toronto and Boston.
“School Girls; Or, the African Mean Girls Play,” Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Begins previews: Sept. 8
Officially opens: Sept. 28
Scheduled to close: Nov. 1
Jocelyn Bioh’s debut play first bowed Off-Broadway at MCC’s then-home, the Lucille Lortel Theatre. The play launched Bioh’s impressive playwriting career and will now make its Broadway premiere, courtesy of nonprofit Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC). Bioh reunites with director Whitney White; the two collaborated on Bioh’s Tony Award-nominated comedy, “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding,” also with MTC. “School Girls” takes place at a girls’ boarding school in Ghana, circa 1986. A clique of teen girls are obsessing over the Miss Universe pageant, with queen bee Paulina (to be played by Denée Benton) certain she will be crowned Miss Ghana to represent her country. But when a light-skinned girl named Ericka (Tony nominee Jasmine Amy Rogers) matriculates at the school, Paulina’s status is threatened. Bioh weaves comedy and cutting truths in this play about “mean girls,” female friendship and beauty ideals. It also stars Tony winner Patina Miller, Heather Alicia Simms and four Broadway newcomers.
“The Imaginary Invalid,” Todd Haimes Theatre
Begins previews: Sept. 25
Officially opens: Oct. 22
Scheduled to close: Nov. 22
Roundabout Theatre Company presents this new adaptation of Molière’s satire by virtuosic comedian and clown Bill Irwin. The adaptation will mark Irwin’s first Broadway writing credit since 1993’s “Fool Moon” and the first time the play has been on the Main Stem since 1967. “The Imaginary Invalid” centers on Argan, a wealthy hypochondriac who spends exorbitant amounts on doctors and their treatments despite being quite healthy. His preoccupation with his “illness” distracts him from everything that’s actually going on. He’s forcing his daughter to marry a doctor, ignorant of how much she loves another man; he’s blind to the gold-digging of his new wife — until his maid convinces him to play a trick that reveals the truth. Molière played Argan in the original 1673 Parisian debut of the comedy. Irwin will follow in Molière’s footsteps, writing and playing Argan, as well. He’ll be joined onstage by Tony nominee Brooks Ashmanskas as the doctor, Emmy Award-winning “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” star and creator Rachel Bloom as the maid, Emmy-nominated television regular Dylan Baker as Argan’s brother and more. Brandon J. Dirden, a recent Tony nominee for his turn in 2025’s “Waiting for Godot,” will make his Broadway directorial debut with the piece — though he’s been directing for years in the regionals.
