We're going to go ahead and guess if you're in NYC for the holidays to see some theater, you're well aware of big Broadway hits like Hamilton and Dear Evan Hansen. So below, we wanted to highlight some recent openings you may not be aware of. Below, in no particular order, we have five new favorites from the fall theatrical season. 1. Torch Song This revival of sorts is the heartfelt and emotional story of a gay man in the '70s and early '80s wrestling with his place in the world and his family. Anchored by a powerful lead performance by Michael Urie (Ugly Betty) this is a play you won't be able to shake -- in the best way. From our original review: "Urie does an exceedingly stellar job at inviting viewers into his thoughts, drawing them in with measured looks and sly glances. It's never over-the-top, merely an ability to keep an audience hooked moment to moment, emotionally connecting not only with his scene partners but also, crucially, with the people watching." 2. The Prom Want to feel good? You can certainly do worse than The Prom. The musical tells the tale of what happens when a bunch of semi washed-up Broadway stars hear about a small-town Indiana girl who is banned from taking her girlfriend to the prom and come to town uninvited to help...and drum up some good press, of course. The songs are catchy pop, it's got a great message, and everyone looks like they're having the time of their lives.
3. What the Constitution Means to Me In her autobiographical work, Heidi Schreck recounts her experience speaking as a teenager to American Legion centers about the constitution for scholarship money -- but then goes deeper with the founding document, exploring the effect that powerful piece of paper has had on women for generations, both on her family and more broadly. If you're anything like me, you'll come away from the show both deeply moved and righteously angry about how this country has consistently failed women in need. Need more convincing? Hillary Clinton tweeted about her love for the show just last week. Hurry! It closes Dec. 30.
4. My Fair Lady We're making an exception here, because the lovely revival of this show opened last year, but starting in October, Tony winner Laura Benanti took over the role of Eliza Doolittle in the part she was born to play (non-theater fans may know the Broadway fave from her recurring role as Melania Trump on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert).
Her gorgeous soprano, combined with a slightly updated book and the hilarious Norbert Leo Butz as Alfred P. Doolittle make it as good a time at the theater as you can have, with moments big and broad as well as quietly emotional. Bonus: Martin from The Crown (Harry Hadden-Paton) is Henry Higgins.
5. What is truth, anyway? Truth! Any idea why that might be timely at this current moment? Producers knew what audiences were in the mood for and three different plays take on truth in some way. The quippy Lifespan of a Fact -- starring Daniel Radcliffe -- explores where exactly the line is when it comes to magazine essay work: What's technically true versus true in a larger sense?
Network -- based on the film and starring Bryan Cranston -- and To Kill a Mockingbird (a new play by Aaron Sorkin based on the classic) also wrestle with the all-too-relevant topic.
Disclosure: The CEO of Mashable's parent company j2 Global is an investor in The Prom.
