Theater Update: Thanksgiving edition (playlist included)

November 26, 2025

Dear Theater Fans,

What would Thanksgiving be without the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade — and, more specifically, the broadcast’s Broadway numbers? This year, Erik Piepenburg went to a late-night rehearsal at Herald Square to watch performers from three Broadway shows — “Buena Vista Social Club,” “Just in Time” and “Ragtime” — run through their revamped numbers ahead of Thursday’s festivities. (Read about how to watch the parade here.)

It’ll be a dream come true for Jonathan Groff, who, at 17, watched and recorded the “Thoroughly Modern Millie” performance, memorized the choreography, and later presented the dance at an open call for the show. This Thanksgiving, we get the gift of Groff performing a couple of songs (and some groovy choreography) from the Bobby Darin musical “Just in Time.” Here’s a taste.

Perhaps you will have some nonbelievers — as in musical theater nonbelievers — at your Thanksgiving table this year? Well, some major practitioners and some of our writers have written about 13 musical theater treasures to warm the hearts of believers and nonbelievers alike. Our 5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Musicals guide has a handy playlist, and small descriptions about each selection. (Considering the season, maybe one of us should have chosen “Feed Me,” from “Little Shop of Horrors”!)

Before you hit play on that playlist, or step away to start baking your holiday pies, I have a request from our theater reporter, Michael Paulson. He is looking to talk with those of you from suburban New York, New Jersey or Connecticut whose patterns of Broadway attendance have changed since the pandemic. If that describes you, and you’re willing to talk, please send him a note at michael.paulson@nytimes.com.

Please reach out to me at theaterfeedback@nytimes.com with suggestions for articles or to offer your thoughts about our coverage. And urge your friends to subscribe to this newsletter.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and holiday weekend,
Nicole Herrington
Theater Editor

Dolly Faibyshev for The New York Times

For the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Broadway Hits the Streets

We tagged along to a late-night rehearsal for performers from “Just in Time,” “Buena Vista Social Club” and “Ragtime.”

By Erik Piepenburg and Dolly Faibyshev

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FEATURES

Illustration by Gaia Alari

5 Minutes That Will Make You Love Musicals

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Sara Bareilles, Joshua Henry, Jeanine Tesori, Jason Robert Brown and New York Times writers and editors pick 13 songs to seal the deal.

James Bundy sits on the steps of a building with red doors.

A. Pearce for The New York Times

culture diary

Living, Breathing, Seeing and Teaching Theater

James Bundy leads the theater program at Yale while directing his own revival of “Hedda Gabler.” He told us about a week in his cultural life.

By Elisabeth Vincentelli

A production image shows a Willem Dafoe, who is supine on the floor, being pulled by his left arm by Ari Fliakos, who is kneeling and has thrown his head back.

Richard Termine for The New York Times

45 Years of Rock ’n’ Roll Theater at St. Ann’s Warehouse

In shows like “Black Watch,” “The Jungle” and “Oklahoma!,” the institution has affirmed the theater’s singular power to shock and illuminate our world.

By Ben Brantley

NEWS

Kristin Chenoweth, in a neon green shorts jumpsuit and matching boots, points to a grand painting that is bigger than her. Two men in hard hats and safety vests are carrying the artwork.

Julieta Cervantes, via Associated Press

‘Queen of Versailles’ to Close as New Broadway Musicals Struggle

The show, starring Kristin Chenoweth, will remain open through the holidays. The announcement comes just two weeks after the musical opened.

By Michael Paulson

A man standing on a table points a wand at a man standing in the foreground.

Matthew Murphy

With Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy, ‘Harry Potter’ Breaks Its Own Broadway Record

The actor is now playing an adult version of the sinister child he portrayed in the film series.

By Michael Paulson

Woven pillars of wood meet above a mask at the top of a stepped wooden altar.

via Railyard Park Conservancy, Santa Fe

Told to Avoid D.E.I., Arts Groups Are Declining Grants Instead

Even with arts funding at risk, some organizations are rejecting federal money because of censorship concerns.

By Michaela Towfighi

THEATER REVIEWS

Two actors in winter jackets laugh while holding cake boxes.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

Critic’s Pick

‘Two Strangers’ Review: Meeting Cute, Toting Baggage

The effervescent musical, a new London import, delivers lavishly on the promise of a rom-com: laughter, escape and fantasy.

By Laura Collins-Hughes and Sara Krulwich

Alexander Mejía, Bergamot

Critic’s Pick

Theater as a Safe Space? ‘Practice’ Demolishes That Idea.

Nazareth Hassan’s darkly witty satire follows an imperious director who pushes his eager actors to extremes.

By Tim Teeman

Onstage, a woman in a plaid shirt and jeans sits in front of a man in an oversize dirty white shirt and jeans.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times

‘Gruesome Playground Injuries’ Review: Does It Hurt?

Kara Young and Nicholas Braun star in the Off Broadway revival of Rajiv Joseph’s two-hander about best friends on parallel paths to self-destruction.

By Laura Collins-Hughes

Three actors dressed as teenagers in flannel shirts and baseball caps gather around a red picnic table.

Joan Marcus

‘Initiative’ Review: High School as an Epic Struggle

A new production at the Public Theater takes up five hours of stage time to tell the story of a group of friends from their first day to graduation.

By Elisabeth Vincentelli