Hollywood has descended upon the Great White Way for a season of remarkable new shows and revivals starring Big Screen A-Listers. We have highlighted some of the most anticipated productions and given the likelihood of success for these celebrities on Broadway:

 

The Gin Game

Golden Theatre

Opened October 14

Stars: James Earl Jones, Cicely Tyson

 

What makes us so excited about this just-opened play about two friends playing gin rummy at a nursing home? James Earl Jones and Cicely Tyson. The two stars’ performances in D.L. Coburn’s 1976 play have earned the revival a spot on The New York Times list of Critics’ Picks, and we’re not at all surprised. Jones has performed in six Broadway shows in the last decade alone (winning a Tony in 2012), and Tyson is fresh off a Tony Award from 2013.

 

Celebrity Success Likelihood: Given

The reviews are out, these two actors are giving standout performances yet again.

 

Thérèse Raquin

Studio 54

In previews now; opens October 29

Stars: Keira Knightley, Judith Light

 

Keira Knightley is making her Broadway debut in this new adaptation of Émile Zola’s nineteenth-century play. The story about love, lust and guilt is a classic period piece, and if there’s one thing we know Knightley is good at, it’s classic period pieces. (Although we love her in almost anything.) Further sign of success is two-time Tony winner Judith Light, who plays Knightley’s domineering mother-in-law and aunt.

 

Celebrity Success Likelihood: High

Knightley earned a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for her West End performance of The Misanthrope in 2009. She’s got the genre down, and we think she can command American audiences too.

 

Allegiance

Longacre Theatre

In previews now; opens November 8

Stars: George Takei, Lea Salonga

 

George Takei is boldly going where no Star Trek star has gone before: his very own Broadway musical. And he’s enlisted Broadway doyenne Lea Salonga to co-star. The new musical tells the story of a Japanese-American family’s torn allegiances when forcibly relocated to an internment camp in Wyoming during WWII. If you don’t know Salonga from her stage roles in Miss Saigon and Les Miserables, you might recognize her voice: She is the voice of Disney’s Princess Jasmine and Pocahontas in the movies.

 

Celebrity Success Likelihood: High

We have high hopes for this one, especially since Takei’s own experiences in an internment camp were the inspiration. He’s sung before, and Salonga is about as safe a Broadway bet as you can make.

 

China Doll

Schoenfeld Theatre

Previews start October 21; opens November 19

Star: Al Pacino

 

Don Michael Corleone is coming to the Great White Way, so take notice. He’ll be starring in a new two-person play from David Mamet about a billionaire preparing to leave the office for retirement when he takes one last phone call.

 

Celebrity Success Likelihood: High

The Godfather A-Lister is no stranger to Broadway—he won Tonys in 1969 and 1977, and was nominated in 2011 for The Merchant of Venice.

 

Misery

Broadhurst Theatre

Previews start October 22; opens November 15

Star: Bruce Willis

 

Die Hard star Bruce Willis is making his Broadway debut in this chilling drama about a romance novelist held captive by his “number one fan.” We’re hoping audiences will be saying “Yippee-ki-yay” after seeing him on stage.

 

Celebrity Success Likelihood: Hopeful

The actor got his start off-Broadway in the early 80s, and our sixth sense tells us he still has the talent.

 

Color Purple

Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre

Previews start November 9; opens December 10

Star: Jennifer Hudson

 

When Oprah Winfrey is the producer, you know in for some serious star power. This time, she’s called on Academy- and Grammy-award-winning actress and singer Jennifer Hudson. Hudson is making her Broadway debut as Shug Avery, a sultry lounge singer in 1930s Georgia who strikes up a surprising relationship with a sheltered and oppressed poor woman (played here by Cynthia Erivo).

 

Celebrity Success Likelihood: High

Hudson is a stellar singer and actress. We’ve got zero doubts that the Dreamgirl star will succeed on Broadway.

 

Contact our concierge for tickets, and be sure to visit Charlie Palmer for a drink after the show!