Cinderella
This totally charming stage adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein's TV musical has a fairy godfather in out playwright Douglas Carter Beane, who gave the classic a fresh new book and added depth to its kingdom of characters. The political, post-feminist makeover allows for a more independent Cindy and a wickedly complicated stepfamily, now led by NeNe Leakes. You'll have a ball -- and gag over the Tony-winning gowns by famed gay designer William Ivey Long.
Broadway Theatre, through January 3.
Once
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova's soulful soundtrack -- rest assured you'll hear the Oscar-winning ballad "Falling Slowly" twice -- shines anew in this intimate and inspiring Tony-winning musical based on the 2007 indie film. When Guy and Girl look for a loan to record a demo, the Dublin busker and Czech immigrant connect with a quirky bank manager (a hilarious Andy Taylor), who turns out to be a closeted musician and a not-so-closeted gay man.
Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, through January 4.
Pippin
Stephen Schwartz's 1972 musical about King Charlemagne's conflicted son gets a Tony-winning, high-energy revival courtesy of Hair's Diane Paulus, who turns the show-within-a-show into a thrilling big-top circus. At one point, egged on by the androgynous Leading Player, young Pippin -- The Voice season 6 winner Josh Kaufman -- comes of age, so to speak, at the center of a pansexual cage orgy with an attractive ensemble of very limber guys and gals.
Music Box Theatre, through January 4.
Side Show
Darker and brighter, deeper and sharper, out director Bill Condon's reimagining of out composers Henry Krieger and Bill Russell's Tony-nominated 1997 musical stars rafter-rattling marvels Erin Davie and Emily Padgett as conjoined twins Daisy and Violet Hilton. Matthew Hydzik charms as Buddy, now a closeted gay choreographer who courts one sister, and carnival misfits like the Half-Man Half-Woman have never looked better. American Horror Story: Freak Show, it ain't.
St. James Theatre, through January 4.
