4 big musicals for 25/26

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 10:24am

Heading into the season there were the big 4 musicals....buzz, theater commitments and budgets.

Dolly at 29 million 

Queen of Versailles at 27 million 

Purple Rain at 30 million

Lost Boys at 25-30 million

Well over a 100 million dollars total. Any updates or predictions?

 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 10:56am

Both Versailles and Lost Boys are over 30 now.

[Theatrefanboy1]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 11:31am

Someone distantly involved in the Dolly! Musical. Didn’t think it would be opening now for that March previews opening April timeline.  Apparently they are retooling a bunch of the show (and potentially a new director), before it makes it to Broadway.  I was told to plan on going to see it in the fall of 2026 not the early part of it. I’m curious, as they really haven’t announced anything. One would think if a big show like this was coming in the spring we’d hear something in the next couple weeks. 
it’s incredible to think only 20 years ago Shrek was seen as a HUGE budget show and now it’s almost the baseline for a musical. Or spiderman 10 years ago at 75 million- only double the cost today 

[malcs98]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 11:35am

Theatrefanboy1 said: "Someone distantly involved in the Dolly! Musical. Didn’t think it would be opening now for that March previews opening April timeline. Apparently they are retooling a bunch of the show (and potentially a new director), before it makes it to Broadway. I was told to plan on going to see it in the fall of 2026 not the early part of it. I’m curious, as they really haven’t announced anything. One would think if a big show like this was coming in the spring we’d hear something in the next couple weeks.
it’s incredible to think only 20 years ago Shrek was seen as a HUGE budget show and now it’s almost the baseline for a musical. Or spiderman 10 years ago at 75 million- only double the cost today"

Also I may be wrong here but I think I heard recently that Galileo (starring Raùl Esparza and Joy Woods) is coming in the spring. 

[The8re phan]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 1:03pm

I'm thinking the producers of "Two Strangers Carry a Cake........" were wise to open this fall.  Gives them some time to find an audience with little competition from other New Musicals and build buzz for awards season much like Maybe Happy Ending.

Too bad their theater is jinxed :)

 

Updated On: 10/24/25 at 01:03 PM

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 1:36pm

Also I may be wrong here but I think I heard recently that Galileo (starring Raùl Esparza and Joy Woods) is coming in the spring."

 

 

Updated On: 11/4/25 at 01:36 PM

[Bloomgarten]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 1:37pm

I predict another new musical sneaks in. Midnight in the Garden? What's New Pussycat? Working Girl? Is Purple Rain supposed to be fall?

[DaveyG]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 1:41pm

This is the lamest batch of new musicals we've had in a while. 

[Kad]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 1:42pm

Midnight has been fairly quiet recently- I'm not aware of any readings or workshops, though they may have happened or are scheduled. The vibe I got from its out-of-town was that a good deal of work was needed (not that that seems to be stopping shows these days).

Working Girl is a big question mark- it could conceivably transfer this spring but I would imagine it would need an excellent reception at La Jolla. It starts performances next week so we'll soon see. It's been oddly low-key thus far, though. 

Updated On: 10/24/25 at 01:42 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 6:03pm

Yeah this is a pretty sad year for anything new. I’m assuming Wanted is still coming in? There doesn’t seem to be much down the line either. Chicago usually gets some tryouts but there’s nothing coming up. 

[OuttaTowner]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 7:09pm

Have we heard rumblings of any readings or out-of-town tryouts for The Interestings, or is Sara still working on it?

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 7:49pm

 

OuttaTowner said: "Have we heard rumblings of any readings or out-of-town tryouts for The Interestings, or is Sara still working on it?"

 

Updated On: 11/3/25 at 07:49 PM

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 7:50pm

RippedMan said: "Yeah this is a pretty sad year for anything new. I’m assuming Wanted is still coming in? There doesn’t seem to be much down the line either. Chicago usually gets some tryouts but there’s nothing coming up."

 

Updated On: 11/4/25 at 07:50 PM

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 9:40pm

Ensemble1711444445 said: "

Did a workshop a few months ago ....very much a work in progress. Music is great. Book it tricky. I think Arden may have added it to his crazy schedule.

OuttaTowner said: "Have we heard rumblings of any readings or out-of-town tryouts for The Interestings, or is Sara still working on it?"

"

I listen to “enough” via YouTube like once a week. 

[CoffeeBreak]

Posted: 10/24/25 at 11:39pm

Is the Majestic going to just sit empty?

[DaveyG]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 9:02am

Shows are having trouble raising. It's going to be a very lean year for new musicals. I'm rooting for Benjamin Button to make the crossing so there's something of quality in the season. 

[KrupYou]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 9:19am

it is a wonder any shows get produced at those costs. 

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 1:32pm

CoffeeBreak said: "Is the Majestic going to just sit empty?"

Rumor is Purple Rain 

[Chaz Hands]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 1:38pm

I also don’t think we can rule out Bull Durham or The Devil Wears Prada transferring in this season. Both shows have a lot of money behind them

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 2:14pm

Chaz Hands said: "I also don’t think we can rule out Bull Durham or The Devil Wears Prada transferringin this season. Both shows have a lot of money behind them"

 

Updated On: 11/4/25 at 02:14 PM

[Kad]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 2:21pm

Durham is likely more hurt by the fact it’s not even selling very well at Papermill and has poor WOM on top of it. The Times review was likely just the nail in that coffin. 

[merle57]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 2:32pm

Has Dolly Parton's recent health issues put a hold on her musical bio coming in this season?  

[GottaGetAGimmick420]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 3:14pm

Ensemble1711444445 said: "Galileo looks like 23 million and is giving off Lempicka vibes from it's out of town. Hopefully not. Does it have a theater?


Also I may be wrong here but I think I heard recently that Galileo (starring Raùl Esparza and Joy Woods) is coming in the spring."

I caught the presentation of this and was bored to tears. That's money wasted if they are really coming in (and I thought Lempicka was the better show...)

"

 

[CLC3]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 4:35pm

One new musical I'd love to see sneak in this spring is Mythic, directed by Kathleen Marshall, which just finished a sold-out run in Cincinnati and is in terrific shape. Word-of-mouth is also strong: I know multiple people who saw it twice in Cincinnati they loved it so much. 

 

[Ensemble1711444445]

Posted: 10/25/25 at 4:51pm

Hearing they have scheduling issues with their team and cant come in this season. 

CLC3 said: "One new musical I'd love to see sneak in this spring is Mythic, directed by Kathleen Marshall, which just finished a sold-out run in Cincinnati and is in terrific shape. Word-of-mouth is also strong: I know multiple people who saw it twice in Cincinnati they loved it so much.

"