Recently, the New York Times ran an essay from a staffer who has seen Operation Mincemeat 13 times. That level of fandom isn't new for Broadway shows; we have a Playbill staff member who's seen Oh, Mary! 12 times. Broadway shows encourage repeat viewings; not only is it a different show every night due to the unique energy in the room, there may also be different cast members in the roles as well—shining a whole new light on the production. And luckily this month and next, there's quite a bit of changeover, with many shows getting new leading players. 

Read below to see which shows are getting some fresh faces, and are definitely worth returning to.

And don't forget, Broadway Week is currently underway, with two-for-one tickets to almost every show on the Main Stem. So if you're going to the theatre in the new few weeks, take a friend with you.

New Leads

The hit musical comedy Death Becomes Her recently welcomed a new Madeline Ashton: Tony nominee Betsy Wolfe, who is taking over for Megan Hilty in a challenging role that sees her doing six costume changes in one musical number, getting her head chopped off, and stage fighting with Jennifer Simard. It's not a role for the faint of heart, which is why it's ideal for the always energetic Wolfe. Click here for tickets.

Reality TV fans should get themselves to Chicago as Secret Lives of Mormon Wives cast member Whitney Leavitt plays Roxie Hart February 2–March 15. And if you're worried about whether or not Leavitt has the chops, fear not—she performed a routine to the "Cell Block Tango" on Dancing With the Stars. Click here for tickets.

Then over at the Gershwin, Wicked on Broadway is about to get a new Elphaba and Glinda. Beginning March 3, Keri René Fuller, who is currently the standby for the role of Elphaba, will assume the role full time, while Emma Flynn, who played Cher in the West End musical Clueless, will make her Broadway debut as Glinda. Anyone who plays those witches will have impressive vocals so get a ticket to see who will be the next buzz-worthy voice on Broadway. Click here for tickets.

RuPaul's Drag Race Queens

If you're a fan of RuPaul's Drag Race, rejoice, because there's not just one but two queens doing Broadway shows this month (three if you count Off-Broadway). Two-time Drag Race winner Jinkx Monsoon is currently playing a deranged Mary Todd Lincoln in the hit comedy Oh, Mary! on Broadway, through February 1. It's an encore engagement from Monsoon, whose last run in the show sold out quickly and whose performance has been described, by Playbill's resident Oh, Mary! expert, as "Joan Crawford meets Judy Garland and Miss Piggy in a theatrically comedic tornado." Click here for tickets.

Then just an avenue away, fellow Drag Race winner Bob the Drag Queen makes his Broadway debut as Harold Zidler in Moulin Rouge! The Musical, swinging from the chandelier January 27—March 22. It's another indicator how brightly RuPaul's girls "can can can" shine on Broadway. Click here for tickets.

Returning Cast Members

Some shows are so special that cast members want to return to them. This month, beginning January 27, Brandon Victor Dixon returns to Hell's Kitchen, to the role that earned him a Tony nomination: piano-playing father of the main character Ali. The show will close February 22, so you'll have until then to see Dixon's smooth take on Alicia Keys' hit songs "Fallin'" and "If I Ain't Got You." Click here for tickets.

Then, turn the green light on because two-time Tony nominee Eva Noblezada is returning to The Great Gatsby February 1 to play the much-sought-after Daisy Buchanan, the role she originated in the hit musical. Noblezada will reunite with her leading man Jeremy Jordan as Jay Gatsby, before playing opposite her real-life husband Reeve Carney in the role beginning March 30. You'll be a beautiful little fool to miss Noblezada's return engagement. Click here for tickets.

Fresh Faces

If you're the type who goes to shows to discover new talent, then get to Maybe Happy Ending and Aladdin. Agrabah is getting a new lead on Broadway, with Rodney Ingram taking over the title role February 1. The young actor does have some experience in the show, having starred in the Mexico City production. But if you've seen the musical before, every new Aladdin definitely offers a whole new world of performances. Click here for tickets.

The original Broadway cast of Maybe Happy Ending is about to hit the road—as in depart the show. Original cast member Helen J Shen will play her final performance as Claire February 15. The role will then be played by current standby Hannah Kevitt February 17–April 2, followed by current standby Claire Kwon April 3–May 17. Standbys and understudies are the unsung heroes of the theatre, rarely knowing in advance when they will get to perform; now's a great chance to show some appreciation for these hardworking actors. Click here for tickets.

Entire Turnover

Attention, agents! The entire original Broadway cast of Operation Mincemeat will depart at once on February 22, having starred in the show since its West End run. That means that beginning February 24, there will be an entire new cast in the musicals. Can an all-American cast retain the charm of this British story? We're looking forward to finding out. Click here for tickets.

Beginning March 3, long-running hit Hadestown welcomes an all-new principal cast: Tony and Grammy winner J. Harrison Ghee as Hermes, Disney Channel and Broadway actor Joshua Colley as Orpheus, The Notebook and Gypsy star Jordan Tyson as Eurydice, TV and film actor Gary Dourdan in his Broadway debut as Hades, and Grammy and Latin Grammy winner Gaby Moreno in her Broadway debut as Persephone. This casting caused so much of a tizzy that even Lin-Manuel Miranda himself responded: "Guys, I have to see the new shows and I have shows to write, I CAN'T KEEP COMING BACK to alright fine take my money." You heard the Tony winner. Click here for tickets.

2026 is bringing some new and familiar faces to SIX: The Musical. Beginning February 16, Tik-Tok star Dylan Mulvaney is stepping into the role of Anne Boleyn, and Abigail Barlow (The Unofficial Bridgerton Musical Album) is taking over as Katherine Howard. Original Six cast members Adrianna Hicks and Anna Uzele will return as Catherine of Aragon and Catherine Parr, respectively; and 2024 cast member Olivia Donalson will return as Anna of Cleves. Casting for the role of Jane Seymour is to be announced. There's no (no no no no no) way you should mix this next lineup of queens. Click here for tickets.