Joining me at the table were Time Out New York's theatre editor David Cote, NY1's Frank DiLella and Patrick Pacheco with Roma Torre moderating.

The debate got heated (or as heated as theatre folks can get). Did I punch Cote's lights out while debating our favorites for the season? Did Roma start yelling "Will Spider-Man be good? Yes or no? YES OR NO?!"

No, sadly none of that happened... guess we're not as "McLaughlin" as I thought.

In any event, we did have a good chat about the 15 productions (well, now 16 with the just announced Elling) coming to Broadway this fall and some select Off-Broadway offerings. We all picked up on how different 2010-2011 looks compared to 2009-2010.  Last year only had two originally scored musicals — in the entire season. This season, we have five original scores debuting in the fall alone (Spider-Man, Scottsboro Boys, Women on the Verge..., Elf and Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson)!

The star-power is also different this year. Instead of big Hollywood names, we have big stars with major stage cred (like Vanessa Redgrave, James Earl Jones, Patrick Stewart, etc.).

So, tune-in, Playbillians. I promise no fighting, just good old fashioned debate!

Saturday, Sept. 4 at 9:30 AM and 7:30 PM; Sunday, Sept. 5 at 9:30 AM and 7:30 PM; Monday, Sept. 6 at 9:30 PM; Tuesday, Sept. 7 at 12:30 AM.

Here's a little taste of what the panel had to say about their picks for most anticipated show of the fall.
Cote: Gatz (The Public Theater's six-and-a-half hour marathon of a show where the players recite the entire F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.)

Pacheco: Divine Sister (The great Charles Busch!)

DiLella: Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown (The all-star casting of Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti, Sherie Rene Scott and Brian Stokes Mitchell makes it a definite must see!)

Me: Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson (One of the most clever productions I've seen in a long time)

What's your must-see of the new season?  Email me at and let me know!