Michael McElroy, Rachel Dratch, Wayne Brady, More Join 2026 Encores! Season | Playbill

Encores! News Michael McElroy, Rachel Dratch, Wayne Brady, More Join 2026 Encores! Season

The revival series will present new stagings of High Spirits, The Wild Party, and La Cage aux Folles next year.

Michael McElroy, Rachel Dratch, and Wayne Brady

New York City Center Encores! has unveiled additional casting for their upcoming season, which includes new stagings of High SpiritsThe Wild Party, and La Cage aux Folles.

Newly joining High Spirits (performing February 4-15, 2026) are Rachel Dratch (POTUSSNL) as Edith, Campbell Scott (House of Cards) as Dr. Bradman, and Jennifer Sánchez (Real Women Have Curves) as Mrs. Bradman, along with ensemblists Brandon Block, Delphi Borich, Marcus Byers Jr., DeMarius R. Copes, Deanna Cudjoe, Lili Froehelich, Katie Griffith, Benjamin Howes, Caroline Kane, Ross Lekites, Devon McCleskey, Michael Pesko, Jeremiah Valentino Porter, Sean Stack, Halli Toland, Kamille Upshaw, and Kristin Yancy. As previously announced, the musical will be led by real-life husband-and-wife team Phillipa Soo and Steven Pasquale as Ruth and Charles Condomine.

Jessica Stone (Kimberly Akimbo) is directing and Ellenore Scott is choreographing, with Mary-Mitchell Campbell music directing. Adapted from Noël Coward's Blithe Spirit, the rarely-seen musical features a score by Hugh Martin and Timothy Gray. This upcoming production will feature a concert adaptation by Billy Rosenfield, along with scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Jennifer Moeller, lighting design by Bradley King, and sound design by Megumi Katayama.

Michael John LaChiusa and George C. Wolfe's The Wild Party is set to play the Manhattan venue March 18-29, now with newly announced stars Claybourne Elder (The Gilded Age) as Jackie, Evan Tyrone Martin (44) as Eddie Mackrel, and Joseph A. Byrd (Chicago Med) as Phil D'Armano joining the previously announced Jasmine Amy Rogers as Queenie and Adrienne Warren as Kate.

Lili-Anne Brown is directing and Katie Spelman will choreograph, with guest music director Daryl Waters at the baton. The production will feature scenic design by Arnel Sancianco, costume design by Linda Cho, and sound design by Alex Neumann.

The series will close with Jerry Herman and Harvey Fierstein's La Cage aux Folles June 17-28, which has picked up Wayne Brady (The Wiz) as Georges, Alaman Diadhiou (Jelly's Last Jam) as Jean-Michel, Lance Coadie Williams (Kiss Me, Kate) as Renaud, James Jackson Jr. (A Strange Loop) as Jacob, Michael McElroy (Sunday in the Park With George) as Francois, and Sharon Washington (The Scottsboro Boys) as Marie. As previously announced, Billy Porter will star as Albin. Robert O'Hara is directing the all-Black revival, with choreographer Edgar Godineaux, tap choreographer Dormeshia, and guest music director Joseph Joubert also on the creative team. The revival will feature scenic design by David Zinn, costume design by Clint Ramos, lighting design by Adam Honoré, and sound design by Katayama.

Casting for the Encores! season is by The Telsey Office. Additional casting is to be announced.

Tickets are on sale at NYCityCenter.org.

 
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