There's something extremely comforting, yet exciting, about a revival. If you know the show, it's an opportunity to see how a new group of artists will make their mark on something you love. If you don't know the show, it's a chance to see what all the hype is about and expand your theatrical knowledge.
Below are five well-loved theatrical titles, including two that are ABBA-related, that are getting a new production this fall on Broadway.
Mamma Mia!
If this is your first time to Mamma Mia!, welcome dancing queen. If this is a repeat visit, here we go again! There's a reason this musical has been a theatre fan favorite ever since it premiered in the West End and then quickly transferred to Broadway: it's not just the ABBA songs (which naturally lend themselves to the singalong experience). It's also the hijinks-filled story about a daughter trying to figure out who her father is, and a heartwarming tale about a mother trying to figure out who she is. And this production on Broadway is a slightly scaled down version of the original Broadway production, directed by Phyllida Lloyd, so you get a close recreation of what the show looked like 25 years ago. Though you don't go to Mamma Mia! for spectacle, you go for songs. And the vocals are impressive, with Christine Sherrill earning mid-show standing ovations for "The Winner Takes It All" and Jalynn Steele bringing down the house with "Does Your Mother Know." This production will leave you wanting to get up and sing, and also bring a tear to your eye.
Mamma Mia! is currently running on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre. Tickets are on sale through February 1, 2026. Click here for tickets.
Waiting for Godot
Broadway is never lacking in celebrities wanting to put their own spins on classic theatrical texts. This fall gives us Keanu Reeves and Alex Winter's version of Samuel Beckett's classic Waiting for Godot, directed by today's go-to director for reimagined revivals: Jamie Lloyd (of last season's Sunset Blvd.). Similar to Sunset, Lloyd has reimagined Beckett's play—gone is the tree, enter a gigantic wooden cylinder. The barebones stage also allows Reeves and Winter to truly show off their theatrical chops, and they'll impress you with how funny yet personal they make Godot. And for those of you reading who are fans of the Bill and Ted franchise, the duo pepper in plenty of references to their excellent adventure. You wouldn't think air guitars work with Beckett, but you'd be surprised.
Waiting for Godot is currently running at the Hudson Theatre through January 4, 2026. Click here for tickets.
Ragtime
If you don't know Ragtime, you should really fix that. Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty's 1996 musical is widely considered to be one of the best and most important musicals of the 21st century. There's the sweeping narrative about Black, white, and immigrant communities trying to find the American dream in the early 20th century. Then there's also that epic score. And Lear deBessonet's revival currently running at Lincoln Center Theater is utterly fantastic and not to be missed. If you're not full-tears crying when you hear Joshua Henry and Nichelle Lewis sing "Wheels of a Dream" or when Caissie Levy sings "Back to Before," are you even a musical theatre fan? And in our humble opinion, any time is the perfect time for Ragtime and the current moment is even moreso.
Ragtime is currently running at the Vivian Beaumont Theater. Tickets are on sale through January 4, 2026. Click here for tickets.
Beetlejuice
Sure, Beetlejuice the musical is about being dead, but the musical has continually defied death since its inception. It first opened on Broadway in 2019, but then closed in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Then after the pandemic, the show lost its theatre, so it had to move to another venue. Then when it closed on Broadway for good in 2023, the show stayed alive through its national tour. And now it is that tour which is returning to Broadway (just in time for Halloween). And throughout, the musical has amassed a rabid young fanbase attracted to Eddie Perfect's rock score, the eye-popping visuals, and the story of a teenage girl coming of age with her demon friend. So if you have a young person in your life, take them to Beetlejuice.
Beetlejuice begins performances October 8 at the Palace Theatre. Click here for tickets.
Chess
Chess the musical is one of those works where, even though it's not widely popular, those who love it really love it. Part of it is the pop score from ABBA's Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus, which includes the hit song "One Night in Bangkok," and the other part is the out-there concept: a musical about a chess match between Russia and America, with a love triangle. The musical has been continually revised since it first premiered in the West End in 1986. This revival—starring Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher—has a whole new book. Theatre fans are wondering: Will this production finally fix Chess? Let's find out.
Chess begins performances at the Imperial Theatre October 15. Click here for tickets.
Plus, show off your love for Broadway by purchasing Playbill stickers. We have a wide range of stickers from various shows past and present, including some for popular revivals such as ART, Sunset Blvd., Gypsy, Othello, Chicago, and more. Buy 10 or more single stickers and get two free stickers! Visit PlaybillStore.com.
