I’ve received many incredible gifts over the years. I don’t remember most of them. But one that’s etched in my mind is a winter road trip to Toronto with my parents. The year was 1986. Our purpose: Cats at the Elgin Theatre.
Canada was closer to my suburban Cleveland home than New York City. So we piled into the Chevrolet Caprice and set out on the icy road. I watched those dancing felines from the balcony, mesmerized when that oversized tire rose to the Heaviside Layer. Never in my wildest dreams could I predict that a reimagined CATS: The Jellicle Ball would arrive on Broadway 40 years later.
The gift of live theater and cultural experiences—art exhibits, music concerts, dance, even a hard copy book with its cover art and distinct woody scent—is our lifeline to humanity. In the spirit of the season, I asked our contributors to dream big. Who or what would they want to see on stage or exhibit? I also requested a charity or nonprofit organization that resonates with them. 1 Minute Critic made a small donation to each. We share their missions below, and encourage you to support their work.
1 Minute Critic’s inaugural year has been a blessing. We’ve seen dozens of shows, concerts, and art exhibits. In the coming year, we plan to deepen our community and connect with you in new and creative ways. Most of the time, it’ll only take a minute!
Best wishes for a New Year filled with real-life experiences that celebrate arts and culture.
Matthew Wexler
Founder | Editorial Director
Wish #1: Pedro Pascal returns to Broadway in ‘The Winter’s Tale’
I’m feral for Pedro Pascal. Fun fact: the internet’s favorite daddy made his Broadway debut in the 2019 Glenda Jackson-headlined King Lear. I’m wishing for Pascal’s return to the Bard and the Great White Way in The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare’s late-career tragicomedy with a truly fabulous redemption arc for lead character Leontes, jealousy-ridden wayward dad and king of Sicilia.
The Winter’s Tale has everything: the ultimate stage direction (“exit, pursued by a bear”), a plot/vibe that artfully mixes Greek tragedy and fairy tales, and an always-relevant message that no matter how long it takes, time truly does heal all wounds. And who better to play Paulina, the truth-telling noblewoman who calls out Leontes’s foolishness at every turn and gets her own happy ending, than Pascal’s IRL ride or die, Sarah Paulson? Update: apparently, I’ve manifested a revival of The Winter’s Tale—Shakespeare in the Park, summer 2026! Pedro and Sarah, you in?
Spotlight: Hubbard Street Dance Chicago
For nearly 50 years, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago has been a driving force in contemporary dance. To date, the company has performed in 19 countries and 44 states and delivers a renowned educational program that expands its reach and impact beyond the traditional concert dance audience.
Wish #2: Dolly Parton & Trixie Mattel lead the ultimate LGBTQ+ and ally country music tour
Why must country music be dominated by purely “Strait” men like George? I’ve a “Constant Craving” for something different. In 2026, how about an all-star concert of LGBTQ+ artists and allies, including Dolly Parton, Reba McEntire, K.D. Lang, Orville Peck, and Trixie Mattel.
A quartet of Lang’s “Miss Chatelaine” could kick off the night, using the St. Tropez arrangement. Reba could no doubt thrill audiences with her signature song, “Fancy,” and perhaps she’d join Dolly in a duet of Parton’s “Jolene.” Peck and Mattel can take us to “Jackson,” and the whole concert will ultimately lead to heaven. The expectations will be higher than the hair and shinier than rhinestones, but if anyone could meet them, it would be this line-up.
Spotlight: Daniel’s Music Foundation
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2026, Daniel’s Music Foundation empowers individuals with developmental and physical disabilities by combining music programs with community and socialization. Its efforts change lives through music by offering free in-person and online music classes, disability awareness presentations, on-demand videos, and The Danny Awards, which honor musicians with disabilities.
RELATED
The B-52s and DEVO prove New Wave never gets old with extended Cosmic De-Evolution Tour
Wish #3: Adam Guettel’s ‘The Princess Bride’ musical adaptation sees the light of day
I’m dreaming of a 2026 return to the scrapped Adam Guettel adaptation of The Princess Bride. I envision Guettel’s gorgeous music accompanied by a deliciously funny book by someone like Tim Minchin or Lauren Yee. Maybe Sarah Benson directs; she’s excellent with a smart comedy (see: Teeth).
Naturally, a soprano ingenué would play our titular Princess Buttercup (Denée Benton or Phillipa Soo would both be lovely), and I’m seeing Andrew Durand (Dead Outlaw) as Westley. Most importantly, Mandy Patinkin must play Grandfather—I mean, who else could we trust to narrate such a beloved story?
Spotlight: Mariposa Fund
Founded in 2016, the Albuquerque-based Mariposa Fund provides financial support and access for undocumented people in need of reproductive health services and abortion care.
Wish #4: A Zdzisław Beksiński retrospective art exhibit in the U.S.
Zdzisław Beksiński’s art resembles a nightmare, but one I don’t wish to shake. His paintings have never haunted me; instead, I remain in awe of his oneiric visual lexicon—scenes sculpted in the likeness of our world, yet untethered from it.
I first learned of him through a social media post detailing his distraught personal life, which made me wonder how it translated into art. I’ve been drawn to his mind ever since, and he is perhaps the only artist whose prints I would welcome on my walls.
The Polish Museum of America mounted an exhibition of his works in 2017, but it covered only a small fraction of his body of work. My wish is for the United States to host a large-scale, comprehensive presentation that gives Beksiński’s catalogue and life story the same kind of space that The Grand LA afforded Jean-Michel Basquiat: King Pleasure.
Spotlight: Mac Miller Fund
The Mac Miller Fund supports programs, resources, and opportunities for youth from underserved communities, helping them recognize their full potential through exploration of the arts and community-building. Additionally, the fund supports organizations that address the problems of substance abuse in the music industry and that directly assist young adults with all stages of addiction-recovery treatment and post-treatment services.
RELATED
The Hammer Museum’s ‘Made in L.A.’ biennial proves the city’s creative chaos is its greatest asset
Wish #5: Topher Payne’s ‘Angry Fags’ disrupts Broadway
To me, the most exciting production last season was John Proctor is the Villain—not only for the play itself (which has long been one of my personal favorites), but for how it might shape Broadway’s future. John Proctor was already a smash with regional and university productions before it reached New York, but when it did get its Broadway slot, the production was met with critical acclaim, seven Tony nominations, and an upcoming feature film adaptation.
I hope another regional hit finally gets its chance on Broadway: Angry Fags by Topher Payne. The play follows Bennett, a speechwriter for Georgia’s only gay state senator, whose life is thrown into chaos when his ex-boyfriend is the victim of an apparent hate crime. Angry Fags is a hilarious, thought-provoking political fable, and in 2026’s climate, it has the same potential as John Proctor to capture the theater world’s attention.
Spotlight: Trans Lifeline
Trans Lifeline is a grassroots hotline and microgrants nonprofit organization offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis—for the trans community, by the trans community.
Wish #6: Micaela Diamond leads 20th anniversary production of ‘Grey Gardens’
I first saw Micaela Diamond as Babe, the youngest Cher in the Tony-winning The Cher Show, and was immediately taken with her slightly off-kilter-in-the-best-way-possible magnetism. Since then, she’s starred opposite Ben Platt in Parade, appeared in Sondheim’s last musical, Here We Are, and most recently, portrayed Sabina in The Public Theater’s world premiere musical The Seat of Our Pants, based on Thornton Wilder’s The Skin of Our Teeth.
A production photo by the legendary Joan Marcus clinched what I had already been thinking for months: Diamond would be a phenomenal choice for the role(s) of “Little” Edie Beale/Edith Bouvier Beale, originally played by Christine Ebersole at Playwrights Horizons and the Broadway transfer of Grey Gardens. While Broadway might beckon the star power, I’d prefer to see the musical about the real-life eccentric mother and daughter living in a dilapidated East Hampton estate return to its intimate Off-Broadway origins, perhaps at SecondStage or Classic Stage Company. Who to direct? None other than Michael Arden, who championed Diamond’s work in Parade and could capture the creators’ emotional verisimilitude.
Spotlight: Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS is the philanthropic heart of Broadway, helping recipients receive lifesaving medications, health care, nutritious meals, counseling, and emergency financial assistance.
The nation’s leading industry-based nonprofit AIDS fundraising and grant-making organization draws upon the talents, resources, and generosity of the American theater community. Since 1988, Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS has awarded more than $300 million for essential services for people living with HIV/AIDS and facing other critical illnesses.
