The Biggest Stars on Broadway in 2026
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 May 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.
1. Cynthia Nixon in Marjorie Prime
Emmy winner Cynthia Nixon stars in Marjorie Prime, as this drama, a Pulitzer finalist, makes its Broadway debut following acclaimed runs in London and off-Broadway. Nixon is best known for her role as Miranda Hobbes on Sex and the City, but is also an accomplished stage actor and two-time Tony award winner. Nixon stars as Tess, who struggles to connect with her mother, Marjorie, following Marjorie's dementia diagnosis - that is, until Marjorie finds comfort in an AI recreation of her late husband.
2. Laurie Metcalf in Little Bear Ridge Road
Laurie Metcalf leads the cast of Little Bear Ridge Road as the “soul-wrenching, and [...] strikingly funny” (Chicago Reader) play makes its Broadway debut. Metcalfe is a Tony and Emmy award-winning actor known for her roles in Frasier, Hacks and Roseanne. Metcalf plays prickly nurse Sarah, who, during the COVID-19 pandemic, makes an unexpected connection with her estranged nephew Ethan, as the two sort through Ethan’s late father's estate, in this tender, moving work from Samuel D. Hunter, writer of Academy Award winner The Whale.
3. Jon Bernthal in Dog Day Afternoon
Emmy winner and The Bear, Punisher and The Walking Dead star John Bernthal heads up the cast of Dog Day Afternoon, playing Sonny Wortzik opposite his The Bear co-star, Emmy winner Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Sal Naturile. The two lead the first-ever stage adaptation of the iconic Oscar-winning 1975 movie, which starred Al Pacino as Sonny. Pulitzer winner Stephen Adly Guirgi, playwright of Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train and The Motherf**ker with the Hat, adapts the script, while award-winning British director Rupert Goold directs.
4. Luke Evans in The Rocky Horror Show
Luke Evans stars as Dr Frank-N-Furter in this new revival of the gender-bending cult classic, directed by Oh, Mary! director and Tony Award winner Sam Pinkleton. Evans is best known for his roles as Gaston in Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast, as well as performances in Clash of the Titans, The Hobbit and Hulu drama Nine Perfect Strangers - but he began his career in musical theatre, with roles in Rent, Miss Saigon, and Piaf. This immersive, party-atmosphere revival will have you doing the Time Warp again and again!
5. Rose Byrne in Fallen Angels
Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Rose Byrne stars in Fallen Angels, a sparkling new revival of the classic Noel Coward “comedy of bad manners”. Byrne is best known for her roles in FX drama Damages, as well as comedy films Bridesmaids and Neighbors, but is no stranger to theatre, having performed on Broadway and in her native Sydney, Australia. Byrne is joined by Tony winner and Emmy nominee Kelli O’Hara (Miss Saigon, The King and I) in this witty and fresh new production, directed by Tony nominee Scott Ellis.
6. Daniel Radcliffe Every Brilliant Thing
Tony winner Daniel Radcliffe leads this breathtaking play as it makes its Broadway debut. Best known for his role as the titular character in the Harry Potter series, Radcliffe is also an accomplished stage actor, with roles in Equus, Merrily We Roll Along and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. Radcliffe now tackles this solo play, in which a child’s mom is hospitalised following a suicide attempt, so he makes a list of “brilliant things” to cheer her up - a list which shapes the course of his life.
7. John Lithgow in Giant
Tony, Emmy, Golden Globe and SAG Award-winning actor John Lithgow, best known for his roles in Killers of the Flower Moon and as Winston Churchill on The Crown, reprises his outstanding performance as Roald Dahl. Beloved children’s author Dahl is embroiled in an anti-semitism scandal in this provocative, darkly funny re-examination of one of the UK's most celebrated writers. This critically acclaimed play transfers to Broadway following two sell-out runs in London. Don’t miss Lithgow’s towering performance - book now!
8. Nathan Lane in Death of a Salesman
Nathan Lane leads the cast in a brand new revival of Arthur Miller's great American Play. Lane is a SAG, Olivier, Drama Desk, Tony and Emmy award winner, perhaps best known for his roles in The Producers, The Lion King and The Birdcage, as well as numerous stage roles including Angels in America and The Iceman Cometh. Lane is joined by Emmy and Tony winner Laurie Metcalfe. Dont miss your chance to see these theatrical legends in one of the greatest plays of all time - book today.
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?
Wicked icon and Broadway legend Kristen Chenoweth leads in glitzy new musical The Queen of Versailles, while Roseanne star and Tony and Emmy winner Laurie Metcalfe leads the Broadway transfer of Steppenwolf Theatre’s acclaimed production of Little Bear Ridge Road, from The Whale writer Samuel D Clarke. Plus, Sex and the City’s own Miranda, Cynthia Nixon, heads up the cast of Pulitzer finalist Marjorie Prime, an AI drama about memory, loss and love, also making its Broadway debut this winter, and Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara head up a frothy revival of Noel Coward play Fallen Angels in the New Year.
Who are the most famous Broadway actors performing this year?
Productions with some of the most acclaimed male Broadway stars on stage this season include a star-studded revival of Yasmina Reza's pithy play Art starring Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden and Bobby Cannavale, a Bill and Ted reunion for Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter as they star in Waiting For Godot directed by Jamie Lloyd, and Succession’s Cousin Greg, Nicholas Braun, starring in off-kilter romcom Gruesome Playground Injuries off-Broadway this November. Upcoming performances for 2026 include Luke Evans in an immersive party style The Rocky Horror Show, Emy winning The Bear duo Ebon Moss-Bachrach and John Bernthal in a new stage adaptation of Dog Day Afternoon, Harry Potter star and Tony winner Daniel Radcliffe in solo show Every Brilliant Thing, blistering drama Giant starring Emmy winner John Lithgow, fresh from a sell-out run in London, and Death of a Salesman with three-time Tony winner Nathan Lane.
