Here are some actors you can’t afford to miss on stage.

5 brilliant Broadway performances of 2026

Here are some actors you can't afford to miss on stage.

By Dalton Ross

Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. *Survivor* is kind of his thing.

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April 30, 2026 12:15 p.m. ET

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Alden Ehrenreich, Luke Evans, Abigail Onwunali, Rose Byrne, and McKenzie Kurtz on Broadway. Credit:

Julieta Cervantes; Evan Zimmerman; Sara Krulwich/The New York Times/Redux

All 17 plays and musicals — starting with the psychological thriller *Bug* and ending with the singing vampires of *The Lost Boys* — for Broadway’s spring season have now sprung, and accolades have abounded. Daniel Radcliffe (for *Every Brilliant Thing*) and John Lithgow (for *Giant*) in particular had critics swooning over their tour de force performances. But there are several other standouts that have hit the stage so far in 2026 — some in lead roles and others in a supporting capacity — that deserve a standing ovation. So let’s shine a spotlight on five actors who wowed me this spring on Broadway… as well as one bonus selection.

Rose Byrne in Fallen Angels

Rose Byrne and Kelli O'Hara in 'Fallen Angels'.

The recent Golden Globes winner (for *If I Had Legs I’d Kick You*) could be adding a Tony to her shelf come June. And it would be well deserved, as Rose Byrne gives hands down the funniest performance of the year so far. Starring opposite the always terrific Kelli O’Hara as two Londoners anxiously awaiting the arrival of a former joint flame in the revival of Noël Coward’s *Fallen Angels*, Byrne provides an intoxicating (pun intended) mix of brilliant timing and delivery with slapstick physical comedy that has audiences at the Todd Haimes Theatre guffawing in delight.

Luke Evans in The Rocky Horror Show

Luke Evans as Frank-N-Furter in 'The Rocky Horror Show'.

Sara Krulwich/The New York Times/Redux

No wonder Luke Evans’ codpiece is so big in *The Rocky Horror Show*. Because taking on the role of Frank-N-Furter that Tim Curry made famous certainly takes…well… you know. But Evans is a revelation. He’s sassy and brassy playing the self-proclaimed sweet transvestite from transsexual Transylvania — commanding the action in fishnets and a corset. But the action star also owns the Studio 54 stage by showcasing his character’s vulnerability in the emotional apex of the show by nailing his big solo number of "I’m Going Home.” It’s one thing to look great, and another to *be* great. Evans is both.

Abigail Onwunali in Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

(From left) Bradley Stryker, Abigail Onwunali, Cedric The Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Joshua Boone, Savannah Commodore, Nimene Sierra Wureh in 'Joe Turner's Come and Gone'.

Julieta Cervantes

She is only in one scene. One scene! You don’t even meet her till a few minutes before the show ends. Ah, but what a scene it is. Playing Martha Pentecost in this Debbie Allen-directed revival of August Wilson’s *Joe Turner’s Come and Gone*, Onwunali enters the Ethel Barrymore theatre fray like a lightning bolt, overcome with emotion over the reunion with her daughter and husband. The tears streaming down Onwunali’s face will soon become yours as she kicks the entire play into another gear. No other actor this season makes such an impact with so little stage time.

Alden Ehrenreich in Becky Shaw

Alden Ehrenreich in 'Becky Shaw'.

Marc J. Franklin

You would not know that this was Alden Ehrenreich’s Broadway debut by the way he stalks the Hayes Theater stage in the revival of *Becky Shaw*. The former Han Solo serves up one of the most charmingly and disarmingly arrogant jerks in recent memory — one you may find yourself simultaneously attracted to and repulsed by. But Ehrenreich gives off much more than simple cocky charm, also providing sad glimpses at the insecurities buried deep down under his character’s hard, protective exterior. It’s a performance you simply can’t take your eyes off of.

McKenzie Kurtz in Schmigadoon!

Alex Brightman and McKenzie Kurtz of 'Schmigadoon! '.

Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

She’s done it again! After throwing down last summer as Heather Chandler in *Heathers: The Musical**, *McKenzie Kurtz continues to show off her comedic chops, this time playing Betsy in *Schmigadoon!* As the flirty farmer’s daughter obsessed with making a love connection, Kurtz contorts both her face and voice to hilarious effect, stealing scenes and hearts (if not poor Josh Skinner’s) every time she steps on the Nederlander Theatre stage. As *Schmigadoon*’s secret weapon, she could even get us to start eating corn puddin’… which is the highest praise we can possibly lavish.

Off-Broadway Honorable Mention: Jack Holden in Kenrex

Jack Holden in 'Kenrex'.

I’m cheating here a bit by adding a sixth entry, and one that is not even on Broadway! But no roundup of tremendous performances this spring in New York City would be complete without a nod to the extraordinary work happening on the Lucille Lortel stage courtesy of Jack Holden, who plays 35 different characters in the thrilling true crime tale *Kenrex**.* It is a display that will leave you in awe, and it has already left Holden with an Olivier award for Best Actor. Go see why.

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