Second Stage Theater announced the Broadway premieres of a new play titled “Gloria” and a modern retelling of “The Fantasticks” this week.
The announcement signals the theater's intent to blend contemporary playwrights with classic revivals to maintain its momentum in the New York City theater scene.
These productions will anchor the theater's 48th season [1], which spans the 2026-2027 period [2]. The new play, “Gloria,” is written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. Alongside this work, the company will present a reimagined version of the musical “The Fantasticks” [3].
In total, the theater has announced five productions for the upcoming season [3]. This slate follows a prior season that featured productions of Gina Gionfriddo’s “Becky Shaw” and Jordan Harrison’s “Marjorie Prime” [1].
Second Stage continues to program works that challenge traditional Broadway structures. By pairing a new work from Jacobs-Jenkins with a modern update of a long-running musical, the organization aims to attract a diverse audience base across different generations of theatergoers.
The company's 48th season [1] reflects a strategy of diversifying its portfolio between original scripts, and updated classics. The inclusion of five distinct productions [3] suggests a robust schedule designed to capitalize on the success of its previous offerings.
“The theater's 48th season will feature Broadway premieres of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’s new play “Gloria””
The selection of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, a playwright known for dissecting racial and social dynamics, alongside a reimagined classic like 'The Fantasticks,' suggests Second Stage is positioning itself as a bridge between avant-garde contemporary theater and traditional Broadway appeal. By diversifying its 48th season with five distinct productions, the theater is attempting to stabilize its commercial viability while maintaining its reputation for artistic innovation.
