The Biggest Stars on Broadway in 2024-2025
Who needs Hollywood when you have the bright lights of New York City at your fingertips? Movie stars, chart-topping singers, TV legends and more celebs on Broadway light up the stage every year, with audiences racing to see their favorite celebs treading the boards. New York isn’t just the place to see some of the most famous Hollywood actors; you can enjoy several of the biggest Broadway stars on stage this year too. Broadway shows in September and beyond have even more showbiz attached to them, as the new season gets underway!
Find out which famous actors are on Broadway right now below, and book tickets quickly: their busy schedules mean they’ll be in town for a limited time only.
Find out which famous actors are on Broadway right now below, and book tickets quickly: their busy schedules mean they’ll be in town for a limited time only.
1. Robert Downey Jr. in McNeal
Marvel Cinematic Universe legend and Academy Award-winner Robert Downey Jr. has, incredibly, never appeared on Broadway before. But this year that all changes, as he takes on the lead role in a fast-paced and intriguing new thriller from playwright Ayad Akhtar. Downey stars as an egotistical novelist who's obsessed with AI; while the character archetype might sound familiar to Iron Man fans, this is a wildly different project that asks difficult questions about ethics, competition and humanity in an age of technology.
2. Patti LuPone in The Roommate
Patti LuPone is an undisputed icon of Broadway, but after handing in her Equity membership, we weren’t sure when we’d see her on stage next… turns out, the wait wasn’t long! Tony Award-winner Lupone stars opposite long-time friend Mia Farrow for the premiere of this new play about two women who couldn’t seem more different - until they become roommates and expand each others’ lives.
3. Sutton Foster in Once Upon a Mattress
Two-time Tony Award winner Sutton Foster has performed in some of the biggest new and classic musicals around - Anything Goes, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Sweeney Todd, Shrek - and this year she adds a hilarious fairytale number to her repertoire! Starring as Princess Winnifred the Woebegone, Foster reprises her "perfectly goofy" (New York Times) role in New York City Center Encores!' acclaimed revival of this quirky take on The Princess and the Pea.
from $60.50
4. Nicole Scherzinger in Sunset Boulevard
Nicole Scherzinger gained prominence as a former member of the Pussycat Dolls, but she has also proven her formidable acting skills in shows including Cats. She is now poised to reprise her award-winning turn in another of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musicals, as director Jamie Lloyd's stark and modern revival of Sunset Boulevard comes to New York. It was the talk of the town in London, so book early to see Scherzinger's career-defining performance now!
from $70.00
Save up to $11.505. Andrew Scott in Vanya
Head Off-Broadway to see one of the most magnetic performances in New York! Andrew Scott is best known for his scene-stealing roles as Hot Priest in Fleabag and Moriarty in Sherlock, and more recently broke hearts in tragic love story All of Us Strangers. Now, New York theatergoers can catch him on stage, as he plays every role in this acclaimed one-man version of Chekhov's drama. Scott’s charisma and chameleon-like skills produce a real tour-de-force event that will have you glued to your seat.
6. Adam Driver in Hold on to Me Darling
Adam Driver is famous to a wide audience for his big screen roles in Star Wars, Marriage Story and House of Gucci, but he also has an impressive stage resume. Following roles in Burn This and Man and Boy, he now returns to the Off-Broadway scene as a bereaved country musician in a major revival of Kenneth Lonergan’s tragicomedy about fame and self-discovery. This is set to be a vibrant and popular show, combining Lonergan’s eye for hilarity amongst pain with Driver’s impassioned and committed acting.
7. Kit Connor in Romeo and Juliet
He plays one half of a lovestruck teen couple in Netflix’s Heartstopper, and now Kit Connor makes his Broadway debut in another famous story of young love - with a much more tragic ending. Starring opposite Rachel Zegler (Snow White) as Juliet, Connor is the latest young actor to play Romeo in Shakespeare’s most famous tragedy. This new revival, directed by Tony Award winner Sam Gold (Fun Home), has an original score by pop producer Jack Antonoff, and brings the story roaring into the 21st century.
Can I meet famous Broadway actors after the show?
Meeting stars on Broadway at the stage door (or “stagedooring”) is a huge NYC theater tradition. Many actors love meeting fans to sign Playbills and briefly chat about the show. It is a great way to share your appreciation for the performance and even get a photo with your favorite actors. The cast usually meet fans after the evening show rather than matinees because of the quick turnaround between performances, but this can vary.Some Broadway theaters may have restrictions on stagedooring, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic. If you are unsure about stage door policies, it is worth asking at the venue’s official box office or social media channels.
How should I prepare to meet actors at the stage door?
Theatergoers usually visit the stage door after they have seen a show, and you may be asked to present your ticket as proof of attendance. This is to prevent overcrowding.If you want to stagedoor and meet stars on Broadway, here are our top tips:
Bring a pen and something to sign. Playbills are free and getting one signed is a great souvenir! The best pens to bring are felt tips, because signatures can be easily written and read with thicker ink.
Respect safety measures at the theater. Some theaters may ask you to keep your distance or wear a mask, to ensure the comfort and safety of you, the actors and venue staff.
Be prepared to wait. Actors may not come out right away if they are getting changed, eating, or entertaining guests. You might have to wait for a while, but many theater fans enjoy the community aspect of this, as they can chat to other people about the show.
Listen to theater staff. Security and ushers at the theater have your safety in mind, so any directions they give are to make sure the stage door is well-managed.
Be respectful of other theatergoers and the actors. Line-cutting, interrupting conversations and other disruptive behavior is frowned upon, and can make the stage door experience a lot less fun for everyone. A polite thank you to the actor and staff is always welcome as well, as they often take time out of their day to meet fans.
Be polite if an actor can’t stagedoor. If an actor is unable to meet fans at the stage door, it can be very disappointing, but fans will be informed as soon as possible to ensure they are not waiting outside.
Can you send gifts to actors on Broadway?
The policy for sending gifts and cards to Broadway performers varies from theater to theater and food items may be prohibited for safety reasons. If you intend to meet an actor at the stage door, they may be able to accept small gifts in person. It is best to email or phone the venue’s box office in advance to ensure you are not disappointed.What happens if an actor does not appear at a performance?
The appearance of any actor on Broadway is subject to scheduling, illness, injury, holiday entitlement and unforeseen circumstances. Your ticket is primarily for the show rather than for an actor, but in some cases refunds or exchanges may be possible if a star billed above the show name is not at a scheduled performance. This is entirely down to the venue’s discretion and you are not entitled to a refund.If you have booked tickets to see a famous actor on Broadway, it can be disappointing if they are unable to perform. However, most shows have fantastic understudies who work hard to deliver a performance you won’t forget. Some of the biggest names in theater started as understudies, so you might be watching a future Broadway star!
Many shows publish holiday dates for the leading actors, so you can check which dates they will not be performing on. Check our production page for dates that celebrities are not appearing on.
Who are the biggest Broadway actresses right now?
Tony Award winner Patti LuPone is currently appearing in one of the hottest shows in town, The Roommate. Coming up soon, you can also see Tony Award winner Audra McDonald in classic musical Gypsy, and Nicole Scherzinger in Jamie Lloyd's acclaimed revival of Sunset Boulevard at the St James Theatre.Who are the most famous Broadway actors performing this year?
Some of the most acclaimed male Broadway stars on stage right now include Robert Downey Jr. in McNeal; Downey is an Academy Award-winning actor who is making his Broadway debut in a tense new thriller about Artificial Intelligence.Other popular Broadway actors to watch include Adam Driver in Hold on to Me Darling. Driver is best known for playing Kylo Ren in Star Wars and has appeared in Marriage Story and House of Gucci.
