Joe Keery is taking his acting career to the Broadway stage with Other Desert Cities, marking a new chapter for the actor known for playing Steve Harrington in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Written by Jon Robin Baitz and directed by John Benjamin Hickey, the play features a high-profile cast that includes Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Ed Harris, Allison Janney, and Lily Rabe. Its Broadway run begins October 18 at the Hudson Theatre and is scheduled to continue through January 17, 2027.
Keery plays a man caught between his family members as a long-hidden history threatens to disrupt their holiday gathering. Although his character initially appears confident and charming, his central motivation is to keep his family together. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter in an interview published October 17, 2026, Keery described his character’s mission with a joke:
“My goal, I’ve joked to myself for the next 105 or whatever shows, is to save Christmas.”
The production also gives Keery an opportunity to return to theater, an interest that dates back to his early training. The chance to work alongside several acclaimed performers made the decision especially appealing.
JOE KEERY EXPLAINS THE CHALLENGE OF RETURNING TO THEATER
Keery said the opportunity to work with Louis-Dreyfus, Janney, and Harris made accepting the role an easy decision. He had already participated in an initial reading with the three actors, and their involvement helped convince him to take on the production.
Lily Rabe later joined the cast as Brooke Wyeth, Trip’s sister. Her character returns home with a memoir that reveals damaging information about the family’s past and asks her parents for permission to publish it. Louis-Dreyfus and Harris play the parents, while Janney portrays their outspoken relative, Silda. Trip becomes caught between the family members as they argue over loyalty, personal history, and the consequences of exposing private secrets.
According to the production information published by Broadway.com, the revival began previews on September 29, with its official opening scheduled for October 18 at the Hudson Theatre. The limited engagement is set to run through January 17, 2027.
TOURING AS DJO BEFORE STARTING BROADWAY REHEARSALS
Keery’s transition to Broadway came after a demanding period as a musician. Under the stage name Djo, he released music that includes the viral hit “End of Beginning,” which gained widespread attention on TikTok and entered the Billboard Hot 100. In early 2026, he toured Mexico and South America before performing as an opening act for Tame Impala, followed by the United Kingdom leg of his own tour.
The schedule left little time between touring and rehearsals. As Keery told The Hollywood Reporter,
“It was a rather blunt turnover.”
He explained that he finished touring on a Sunday, flew the following Monday, and began rehearsals on Tuesday. He acknowledged feeling the effects of the sudden change during the first couple of weeks but focused on adapting to the demands of the play.
Preparing for a major monologue also required an intensive process. Keery described learning his lines, then returning to them repeatedly until the dialogue became natural. His method involves walking, speaking aloud, and rehearsing to internalize the material.
LIFE AFTER STRANGER THINGS WILL INCLUDE ACTING AND MUSIC
Keery is among several Stranger Things performers who have pursued theater in New York. Gaten Matarazzo and Maya Hawke have also appeared on stage, while Sadie Sink encouraged Keery to consider Broadway after her own return to the theater in John Proctor Is the Villain in 2025.
Despite joining a production filled with established performers, Keery said the experience feels less intimidating once the cast begins working together. He described theater as an environment where everyone shares a commitment to the performance, adding,
“There’s something about doing a play that, you kind of have to leave your ego at the door.”
Following Stranger Things, Keery intends to continue acting while developing his music career as Djo. He has not set a fixed balance between the two, explaining to The Hollywood Reporter that he prefers to follow his instincts and choose projects that feel fresh and challenging rather than pursuing specific dream roles.
