Fall theater brings magic

Harry Potter gets naked this month, and less magical people will be starring in plays throughout the semester, including Inigo Montoya in “The Tempest.”

13

Featuring the first all-teen cast to hit Broadway, “13” is a musical about the trials of puberty: bullying, braces, cliques, crushes and all. At the center of the 13 teens is Evan Goldman (Graham Phillips). Uprooted from New York by his parents’ divorce, Evan finds himself targeted by the star quarterback and unable to confide in his best friend, Patrice (Allie Trimm). There’s even intrigue outside of Evan’s social circle, as the “school freak” sets up a blackmail scheme, and vicious rumors circulate in the halls — all this set to a rock soundtrack by the composer of “The Last Five Years.” Relive the awkwardness and recall your own search for the meaning of “cool” when previews start Sept. 16 at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theater (242 W. 45th St.; call 212.239.6200 for tickets).

— Natalie Zutter


Equus

First things first: Daniel Radcliffe of “Harry Potter” fame takes it all off in the upcoming revival of Peter Shaffer’s “Equus.” Beside the full frontal, however, “Equus” boasts Richard Griffiths (Uncle Vernon, for those familiar) as Radcliffe’s psychiatrist. He simultaneously narrates and unravels the psychologically complex story line that features, in no particular order, the blinding of six horses with a hoof pick, impotence and personal discovery of inner demons. Equus officially opens on Sept. 25 and will be presenting moral ambiguity

— Emma Varval


The Tempest

Directed by Brian Kulick, this Classic Stage Company production of Shakespeare’s fantasy opens Sept. 18, with preview performances starting Sept. 3. Tony Award-winning actor Mandy Patinkin takes the stage as the show’s central figure, Prospero. Patinkin has been seen in a number of big-name shows including “Evita,” “Sunday in the Park with George” and “The Secret Garden,” and his vocal talent makes “The Tempest” a must see. It’s playing at CSC’s 136 E. 13th St. theater (near Union Square) through Oct. 12. For a full listing of show dates and times, visit the company’s website at www.classicstage.org.

— Katy Amphlett

 
A Tale of Two Cities

In the tradition of great literary musicals like “Les Miserables” and “Jekyll and Hyde,” a stunning production of “A Tale of Two Cities” is set to open on Broadway Sept. 18. It is sure to be a glorious dramatic adaptation of the beloved and unforgettable novel by Charles Dickens. Directed by Warren Carlyle with a score by Jill Santoriello, “A Tale of Two Cities” features James Barbour as the noble Sydney Carton and Natalie Toro as the conniving Madame Defarge. No matter how good the play is, it should spur a plague of reviews calling it “the best of plays, the worst of plays.” Consider yourself warned. “A Tale of Two Cities” is currently in previews at the Al Hirschfeld Theater. Tickets are available at www.telecharge.com.

— Alex Ciesielski 


Farragut North 

“Spring Awakening” Tony-winner John Gallagher Jr. will star in the new play “Farragut North.” Named after a metro station in Washington, D.C., it was written by Beau Willimon and directed by Tony-winner Doug Hughes. The play centers on Stephen (Gallagher Jr.), a young press secretary quickly moving up the political ladder. An inappropriate encounter with a staffer, however, is an unforeseen complication in his push for power. This Atlantic Theater Company production will have its world premiere at the Linda Gross Theater and run from Oct. 22 to Nov. 29. For tickets, visit www.atlantictheater.org.

— Jessica Kramer


All My Sons

Yes, “Dawson’s Creek” fans and tabloid readers, the day is nearing when Arthur Miller’s Tony Award-winning “All My Sons” returns to Broadway, with Katie Holmes making her Broadway debut. The play follows a successful WWII-era businessman who knowingly sells the government defective airplane parts and watches his decision lead to tragedy. Accompanying Holmes will be Tony nominees John Lithgow and Patrick Wilson, as well as two-time Oscar winner Dianne Wiest. Tickets are available at the box office (36 W. 54th St.) and at www.telecharge.com.

— Matthew Rogers