Fall arts preview: 24 must-sees, from theater to dance to comedy

Because this is New York City, let’s accept right off the bat that a fall arts preview couldn’t possibly include every potentially wonderful thing happening in museums and galleries and on area stages this season.

Further, let’s hope you’ll have the good grace to forgive the exclusion of most concerts, even though the upcoming months include shows by Billie Eilish and Vampire Weekend at Madison Square Garden, Jon Batiste and Barry Manilow at Radio City Music Hall, St. Vincent and Sting at the Paramount in Brooklyn, Usher and Kacey Musgraves at the Barclays Center, Lupe Fiasco at Terminal 5, Rufus Wainwright at Carnegie Hall and many more.

And, to add a further caveat, let’s recognize that there are still events and shows yet to be announced.

Even so, an abundance of arts activities are scheduled for the next few months. And with only so many hours in the day (and, depending on your resources, only so much money in your pocket), you’ve got some decisions ahead of you. That’s what happens when you take a star-packed theater season; mix in inventive new operatic work, celebratory dance pieces, top-notch comedy and creative museum shows; and sprinkle it all with cute dogs and John Waters.

Here, then, are two dozen events you should have on your cultural radar.

• September

"McNeal": The downside of a movie star’s Broadway debut is that a percentage of the audience won’t be there to immerse themselves in the play but, rather, to be able to boast for time immemorial that they saw said movie star live. The upside for the rest of us, though, is that we get to, we hope, lose ourselves in a terrific performance. In this case, the actor is one you may have heard of — Robert Downey Jr. — and he’s signed on to a new play by Ayad Akhtar (“Junk,” “Disgraced”). This one concerns a writer and what is described as his “unhealthy fascination with artificial intelligence.” Bonus: The undercard on this one is strong, with a cast that includes Andrea Martin and Ruthie Ann Miles. Previews begin Sept. 5; more information

"Our Town": Director Kenny Leon is on a roll with revivals, recently giving theater audiences the gifts of “Purlie Victorious” and “Topdog/Underdog,” among others. This time, he’s guiding an eclectic cast that includes Jim Parsons, Ephraim Sykes, Richard Thomas and Katie Holmes for the first Broadway revival of Thornton Wilder’s classic in nearly a quarter of a century. Even a good-enough production of “Our Town” is likely to make you appreciate your world a little more. A terrific one can be life-changing. Previews begin Sept. 17; more information

Upright Citizens Brigade's grand reopening: It’s back! The comedy showcase and training center founded by Amy Poehler, Matt Besser, Ian Roberts and Matt Walsh was once a seven-nights-a-week staple on West 26th Street. Then 2020 happened and, well, you know. Now, under new management and in new digs on East 14th Street, it’s returning to a full schedule, including sketch shows, improv madness and, of course, its signature “Asssscat” show, during which an audience suggestion leads to a story from a guest monologist, which then leads to a series of made-up-on-the-spot scenes. Included in the reopening week is a Saturday show by the Please Don’t Destroy trio from “Saturday Night Live” and, we’re guessing, visits from many of the comics that rose through the storied system. Runs Sept. 13-19; more information

"Grounded": In this operatic adaptation of George Brant’s acclaimed play, a fighter pilot played by mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, earthbound due to a planned pregnancy, is tasked with piloting warfare drones. Jeanine Tesori (best known for musical theater’s “Fun Home” and “Kimberly Akimbo”) composed the score, and Michael Mayer provides the high-tech visuals — including the drone’s-eye view. Note: If you attend the Oct. 16 or Oct. 19 performance at the Metropolitan Opera, you may find yourself on movie screens around the country, because those performances will be taped for the Met’s Live in HD cinema transmissions. Runs Sept. 23-Oct. 19; more information

"All Peck": The New York City Ballet celebrates a decade of resident choreographer Justin Peck’s work with a program that includes his first NYCB dance, “In Creases,” as well as “Everywhere We Go,” a collaboration with composer Sufjan Stevens, whom Peck also partnered with on Broadway’s “Illinoise.” Also included is a live version of Peck’s “Solo,” which was first seen as a short film made by Sofia Coppola during the pandemic lockdown. Runs Sept. 24-Oct. 13; more information

"Hold on to Me Darling": Adam Driver has been musical in films before — hilariously as a folkie in “Inside Llewyn Davis” and cryptically in the operatic “Annette.” In this play by Kenneth Lonergan (“This Is Our Youth” and the film “Manchester by the Sea”), Driver plays a country music star who tries to simplify his life by heading back home to Tennessee. If that sounds like the makings of a Hallmark holiday movie, then you don’t know Lonergan. Previews begin Sept. 24; more information

New York Philharmonic opening gala: Dynamic singer Cynthia Erivo has already snared an Emmy, a Grammy and a Tony and has come close to solidifying an EGOT thanks to two Oscar nominations (for Best Actress and Best Song in “Harriet”). This year, with the film version of “Wicked,” she has another chance. Before the big publicity push on that one, she’s in concert with the Philharmonic for its season-launching gala. The program promises Great American Songbook tunes as well as operatic works with Manfred Honeck, music director of the Pittsburgh Symphony, conducting. Sept. 24; more information

"Edges of Ailey": In addition to gallery space, there will be a performance program included in this first large-scale exhibition celebrating Alvin Ailey, the acclaimed choreographer and founder of one of the country’s leading dance companies. The multimedia exhibition also will feature workshops, classes and panels that give context to the work of the movement groundbreaker. Runs Sept. 25-Feb. 9; more information

"Sunset Boulevard": This will be the third visit to Broadway for Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical adaptation of the classic film. But this one promises to be very different from the Glenn Close editions. The West End hit has been celebrated for its reimagined, more psychologically focused approach and for the lead performance by Nicole Scherzinger, a former member of The Pussycat Dolls. Scherzinger may not be as well-known of a last name as McDonald, Chenowith, Menzel, Peters or Salonga — who all have shows this season — but if the London reviews are accurate, that could change very soon. Previews begin Sept. 28; more information

New York Film Festival: You want an intense Paul Schrader character study? There’s “Oh, Canada,” reuniting the director with Richard Gere for the first time since “American Gigolo.” How about the latest David Cronenberg horror flick? There’s “The Shrouds,” which involves new tech that allows the monitoring of decaying corpses. Or if you are a fan of Pedro Almodóvar, you can catch his 15th NYFF selection — and first English-language feature — “The Room Next Door,” starring Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore. Then there’s Steve McQueen’s period film “Blitz” with Saoirse Ronan, and Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths,” among others. Runs Sept. 29-Oct. 15; more information

• October

"Encanto": The Sing-Along FIlm Concert: Keeping kids quiet at a concert isn’t easy. Here, it isn’t necessary, and making noise is, in fact, encouraged … as is dressing up. A live band and a hostess will lead the crowd at Brooklyn’s Lehman Center for the Performing Arts through an enhanced screening of the hit film that includes the songs “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” and “Surface Pressure.” Oct. 5; more information

"Floridas": Two distinct sensibilities of the same subject but from two generations share the spotlight in this duo show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The work of famed photographer Walker Evans (1903-1975), best known for his images of the Great Depression, has been paired with Russian American, Miami-based photographer Anastasia Samoylova (born 1984), who also works in mixed-media paintings. The exhibit promises two unique perspectives on a state “where fantasy and reality collide,” one that Evans described as both “ghastly and very pleasant.” Runs Oct. 14-May 11; more information

PaleyFest NY: The Paley Center for Media — formerly the Museum of Television & Radio — is waiting until Sept. 9 to release a full lineup for this East Coast version of its West Coast fest. But it promises panels, screenings and conversations featuring the “biggest stars and hottest shows.” Early announcements include programming devoted to HBO’s “Somebody Somewhere,” the “Walking Dead” spinoff “Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol” and the 10th anniversary of Starz’s “Outlander.” Runs Oct. 16-27; more information

"Vladimir": He’s coming back to Broadway! OK, technically, Erika Sheffer’s new play, “Vladimir,” isn’t a sequel to Peter Morgan’s “Patriots,” last year’s Broadway show that concerned how Russia’s current president was enabled into power. But there’s certainly connectivity. This one, presented by the Manhattan Theatre Club, focuses on a reporter (Francesca Faridany) during Putin’s first term who uncovers a story with dangerous implications. Two-time Tony winner Norbert Leo Butz also stars. Opens Oct. 16; more information

"Pets and the City": Yes, you will see artwork, memorabilia and film clips of adorable urban creatures. But this New York Historical Society exhibition also will address issues of pet adoption, the trafficking of exotic animals and the role of service beasts while also going way back to show how animals were included in the lives of the Lenape and the Haudenosaunee. Runs Oct. 25-April 20; more information

"King Lear": What is the ideal age at which to play the lead in Shakespeare’s epic tragedy? Stamina is certainly required, including the ability to carry daughter Cordelia. But fragility is also necessary for maximum impact as this “weak and despis’d old man.” The question will surely arise again as Kenneth Branagh, in his early 60s, both stars in and directs this production of the classic tragedy/actor tester. When Branagh staged it in London, it ran a brisk two hours with no intermission, which may raise the eyebrows of scholars but please those easily intimidated by the Bard. Previews begin Oct. 26; more information

"Crime and Punishment": Music by Isobel Waller-Bridge (who also composed the scores for her sister Phoebe’s TV hit “Fleabag” as well as the screen’s “Emma”) fuels American Ballet Theatre’s new adaptation of the Dostoevsky classic, choreographed by Helen Pickett. In case it has been a while since your lit class, here’s the nutshell: The plot concerns a young man wrestling with the question of whether murder can be justified. Runs Oct. 30-Nov. 3; more information

"Ragtime": There are those who accuse City Center’s Encores series of mission creep — that its origins as a place where lost musicals could be heard has given way to well-known shows being tested for Broadway (see recently “Parade,” “Into the Woods” and “Once Upon a Mattress”). Where at one time it provided the likely only chance to hear “Allegro,” “DuBarry Was a Lady” and “Do Re Mi,” now we get a redo of “Ragtime,” which has had productions around the country as well as a Broadway revival. But with its glorious score played by a large orchestra and a strong lineup of talent — including Joshua Henry, Shaina Taub and Caissie Levy — why complain? Runs Oct. 30-Nov. 10; more information

• November

New York Comedy Festival: In addition to watching a parade of standup comics — including Tracy Morgan, Gabriel Iglesias, Dave Attell and Ms. Pat — at this year’s fest, you can catch some of the genre’s most popular podcasters doing their podcast thing, including the bonkers trio of hosts for “How Did This Get Made,” which specializes in skewering Hollywood misfires. Runs Nov. 8-17; more information

“Harmony and Dissonance: Orphism in Paris, 1910–1930”: The term Orphism comes from poet Guillaume Appollinaire, who used it to describe physically and spiritually transcendent art. And the Guggenheim Museum will be devoting five levels of its gallery space to exploring that definition in greater detail. The show will feature about 100 abstract works from the movement, born in Paris in the early 1910s, including pieces by Robert and Sonia Delaunay, Marcel Duchamp and Mainie Jellett. Runs Nov. 8-March 9; more information

“Lillie P. Bliss and the Birth of the Modern”: Even avid visual arts aficionados may not recognize Lillie Plummer Bliss' name. But as one of the founders of The Museum of Modern Art, who donated a significant part of her collection to the institution, she was key in both its creation and its continuation. This exhibition features 40 of those pieces, including works by Seurat, Cézanne and Picasso. Runs Nov. 17-March 29; more information

"Gypsy": Hold your hats and hallelujah, Audra McDonald is taking on the landmark role of Mama Rose in this George C. Wolfe-directed revival of what is considered by many to be Broadway’s greatest musical. What mark she’ll make on the show — which previously won acclaim with Ethel Merman, Angela Lansbury, Bernadette Peters, Tyne Daly and Patti LuPone starring — is just part of the thrill. Previews begin Nov. 21; more information

• December

"Journey Live": No, it’s not the “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” band. This “Journey” refers to the hugely popular — and visually praised — video game. At the Brooklyn Academy of Music, experience creators Ode to Joy and composer/conductor Austin Wintory harness the forces of the American Composers Orchestra for a concert/gaming experience in which live musicians will respond in real time to the action of live game players. Runs Dec. 6 and 7; more information

"A John Waters Christmas": Tired of sugar plum fairies and Scrooge visitors? John Waters has a show for you. City Winery will host the king of outrageous cinema for an evening of “holiday jeers.” Past monologues have included rants against gift cards and the Easter Bunny, anecdotes about opening strangers’ presents and explicit jokes involving Alvin and the Chipmunks. You’ve been warned. Dec. 15; more information