Our guide to plays and musicals coming to New York stages and a few last-chance picks of shows that are about to close. Our reviews of open shows are at nytimes.com/reviews/theater.

Previews & Openings

‘AMERICAN UTOPIA’ at the Hudson Theater (in previews; opens on Oct. 20). Heaven, David Byrne once sang, is a place where nothing happens. But Broadway is not. And it is hosting the latest theatrical experiment from Byrne (“Here Lies Love,” “Joan of Arc: Into the Fire”). Byrne and 11 barefoot collaborators sing and discuss music and justice. Annie-B Parson does the choreography.

855-801-5876, americanutopiabroadway.com

‘BELLA BELLA’ at City Center Stage I (in previews; opens on Oct. 22). Bella Abzug, the radical lawyer and politician, had a signature style — jaunty hats, vibrant blouses, the occasional strand of pearls. Harvey Fierstein might not dress the same (well, he may don a hat), but he will channel her spirit in his affectionate tribute to Battling Bella, set at the close of a hard-fought senate campaign. Kimberly Senior directs.

212-581-1212, nycitycenter.org

‘DR. RIDE’S AMERICAN BEACH HOUSE’ at Ars Nova at Greenwich House (previews start on Oct. 21; opens on Nov. 5). Blasting into space, doable. Navigating gender and sexuality on Earth, harder. Liza Birkenmeier’s play, set in 1983, invites itself over as four friends (Susan Blommaert, Marga Gomez, Erin Markey and Kristen Sieh) enjoy a rooftop party the night before Sally Ride’s spaceflight. Katie Brook directs for Ars Nova.

arsnovanyc.com