Off Broadway Shows: Everything You Need to Know (and Off Off Broadway as Well!)

What's playing Off-Broadway in May? Here are the details for what's going on onstage in NYC.

On 11 April 2024 by Griffin Miller, Theatre Editor

Here is everything you need to know about the Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway shows in NYC in 2024. Throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, Off- and Off-Off Broadway theatres present everything from the classics—plays and musicals—to cutting-edge experimental pieces, concerts, festivals, and immersive works.

PLAYING OFF-BROADWAY & OFF-OFF BROADWAY, 2024

The Actors (Theatre Row, Theatre 4, 410 42^nd St.) A lonely man, grief-stricken by the death of his parents, hires actors to come to his apartment a few times a week to play his family. But what happens when the lines between theatre and reality begin to blur—and the actors overstay their welcome? Playwright Ronnie Larsen and four actors perform this deeply personal comedy. 4/27 thru 6/1. (theactorsplay.com)

Agreement (Irish Arts Center, 726 11th Ave.) The clock is ticking. It’s April 1998 and the main political parties in Northern Ireland, the British government and the Irish government, all under the watchful eye of Senator George Mitchell, try to hammer out a deal that could pave the way for peace in Northern Ireland. This is the last chance and no one is leaving until agreement is reached one way or another. 4/11 thru 5/12. (irishartscenter.org)

All of Me (Pershing Square Signature Center, 480 W. 42^nd St.) Playwright Laura Winters’ classic romantic comedy. Boy meets girl. Boy uses a wheelchair, girl uses a scooter, and they both use text-to-speech technology to connect to the world around them. They come from different worlds, but love pulls them together when their families push them apart. The cast includes Kyra Sedgwick (The Closer). 4/23 thru 6/16. (thenewgroup.org)

An American Soldier (PAC NYC, Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St.) The New York premiere of composer Huang Ruo and librettist David Henry Hwang’s opera based on the powerful true story of U.S. Private Danny Chen who was found dead in a guard tower at his base in Afghanistan in 2011, and of the ensuing courts-martial of Chen’s fellow soldiers. 5/12 thru 5/19. (pacnyc.org)

Appraisal (59E59 Theaters, Theater B, 59 E. 59^th St.) An annual performance review that goes horribly wrong. Department head Nicky wants to get on with her job; her boss has other ideas. This dark comedy by Tim Marriot is a power play of manipulation, subtext, and subterfuge, exploring the explosive consequences that can arise out of a seemingly innocent conversation. Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 6/12 thru 6/30. (59e59.org)

BATHHOUSE.PPTX (Flea Theater, 20 Thomas St.) An epic new play that follows Presenter, a gay Latiné student, whose PowerPoint presentation on the history of cleanliness and bathing quickly starts to burst at the seams with appearances from the ghosts of a bathhouse at the end of the world, A Conquistador! Wearing One of Those Hats!, A Very Real Twink, and even Laura Linney. Thru 5/5. (theflea.org)

Bettye and the Jockettes Spinning Records at the Holiday Inn (Gene Frankel Theatre, 24 Bond St.) It’s 1956 in Memphis and the jockettes of America’s first all-girl radio station are having one hell of a day. The copywriter has run off, Elvis Presley is set to be interviewed on-air, and their star DJ Bettye has shown up…in pants. And when Elvis’ record promoter arrives, he’s turns out to be Bettye’s former flame. Zingers fly, sisterhoods are forged, and secrets are exposed. 5/3 thru 5/18. (genefrankeltheatre.com)

BLACK BACKSTAGE (The Kitchen at Westbeth, 163B Bank St., 4^th Fl. Loft) An immersive exhibition comprised of a short film, prints of new writing, a sculptural sound installation, and live programs that evoke the aesthetic of a makeshift storefront church, revival meetings, faith healings, public squares and fields as stages, and other underground and improvised modes of instilling Black sacred and everyday rituals within the spectacle of performance. 3/21 thru 5/25. (thekitchen.org)

Blizzard (59E59 Theaters, Theater C, 59 E. 59^th St.) When Dottie’s neuroscientist husband falls ill, she must deliver a lecture on his behalf in Switzerland – a philosophical adventure that has her struggling to translate his rational analysis of the human mind in a way that she and the world can understand. Writer/performer Emily Woof makes use of mixed media storytelling techniques, simple props, and dance to unspool a surreal investigation of what it means to be a fully-integrated human. Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 6/12 thru 6/30. (59e59.org)

blue man group

Blue Man Group (Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette St.) (105 mins., no intermission) No plot, dialogue, or ripped from headlines drama, just a romp and a half orchestrated by three blue-hued alien dudes. This long-running Off-Broadway show and international sensation combines music, paint drums, snacks, high-tech hijinks, and unpredictable physical comedy. (blueman.com)

Breaking The Story (Second Stage’s Tony Kiser Theater, 305 W. 43rd St.) In this darkly funny/fiery drama, a foreign war correspondent has put her life on the line to illuminate the darkest corners of humanity. With close friends & family gathered on the eve of her lifetime achievement award ceremony, she opts to cap the moment with an elopement. But she’s forced to reckon with war’s hold on her. Starring Tala Ashe, Geneva Carr, Julie Halston, Louis Ozawa, Gabriell Polcano, Matthew Saldivar & Maggi Siff. 5/15 thru 6/23. (2st.com)

The Brief Life & Mysterious Death of Boris III, King of Bulgaria (59E59 Theaters, Theater A, 59 E. 59^th St.) The year is 1943 and Bulgaria has just told Hitler where to stick it. Europe’s major powers are at war and King Boris III must choose a side or be swept away. A raucous and poignant tale in which a bunch of underdogs use every trick in the book to outwit the Nazis and save nearly 50,000 Jewish lives. This irreverent comedy—featuring live music inspired by Bulgarian and Jewish folk tunes—tells the incredible true story that the world forgot. Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 5/2 thru 6/2. (59e59.org)

The Briefest Year (Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave.) It’s the day before New Year’s Eve when a drummer and a fan, Charley and Bridget, get to know each other during and after a show in Manhattan, realizing that if they stay together a little more than a day, they will have been together a year. They decide to see if they can have the longest date—and the briefest year. 5/16 thru 5/19. (theaterforthenewcity.net)

Bring Them Back (Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave.) In this meta dark comedy, screenwriter Paul, still sheltering long after the Covid threat, is occasionally visited by his schleppy family friend, Trudy. Realizing that more people he’s known are dead than alive, Paul opts to bring them back using a medieval Cabalistic ritual and deceased former friends, family, enemies, and lovers begin to appear. Is it all in his mind? Is it on the page? 5/9 thru 5/19. (theaterforthenewcity.net)

Broadway Barbie (The Green Room 42, 4^th Fl. Of Yotel, 570 10^th Ave. @ 42^nd St.) Sutton Lee Seymour is spreading her comedy and chaos with merriment and madness in her new show. Barbie has had over 180 careers and not one of those careers has been a Broadway Star…until Seymour! She is painting the town pink and pounding the pavement, mashing up your favorite pop songs and Broadway show tunes. Nothing has been this camp since The Ethel Merman Disco Album. 5/9 & 5/18. (thegreenroom42.com)

CATS: The Jellicle Ball (PAC NYC, Perelman Performing Arts Center, 251 Fulton St.) This reimagining of the musical CATS, inspired by the Ballroom culture that roared out of New York City over 50 years ago and still rages on runways around the world, has been staged as an immersive competition with all new Ballroom and club beats, runway ready choreography, and an edgy “eleganza” makeover.  6/13 thru 7/14. (pacnyc.org)

The Cause (WP Theater, 2162 Broadway @ 76^th St.) A group of actors and a director gather at newly formed artist residency, The House Upstate, for a workshop development of The Cause, a new play about a group of actors and a director who gather in a house upstate to shoot The Cause, an experimental film adaptation of Othello. As daily rewrites from an absent playwright elevate coincidence to paranoia, jealousy and desire fill the rehearsal room. Part of this year’s Pipeline Festival. 5/2 thru 5/4. (wptheater.org)

Chamber Magic (Stage 42, 422 W. 42^nd St.) Theatregoers, dressed to impress in cocktail attire, experience the mystifying artistry of Steve Cohen in an elegant and intimate salon within the legendary New York Palace. Recreating the up-close parlor entertainment of Manhattan in the early 20th century, Cohen conjures, mind-reads, and performs sleight of hand, along with a trick called Think-A-Drink. (chambermagic.com)

Chopped Liver & Unions (59E59 Theaters, Theater C, 59 E. 59^th St.) Sara Wesker was an ardent trade unionist organizer and activist who galvanized a traditionally compliant workforce in London’s East End. She marched in 1936, sang on the picket lines, and took part in the Battle of Cable Street against Oswald Mosley's Fascist Blackshirts. Delving into her personal story, the production features protest songs sung by the “Singing Strikers of 1928”. Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 5/22 thru 6/7. (59e59.org)

CLM Show Photos.

Clowns Like Me (DR2 Theatre, 101 E. 15^th St.) In his solo show, actor/storyteller Scott Ehrenpreis confronts the challenges of living with autism spectrum disorder, OCD, bipolar disorder, social anxiety, and depression, weaving a tale that is as heartbreaking as it is inspiring. In it, Scott uncovers a remarkable truth: the stage becomes his sanctuary, a place where, if only for a few hours, he can emerge from the shadows of his struggles into the spotlight of empowerment and self-expression. 6/21 thru 8/18. (lifelineproductionsinc.org)

Coach Coach (the wild project, 185 E. 3^rdSt.) In playwright Bailey William’s original comedy, a group of coaches—with the same credentials, but different specialties—gather for a weekend retreat. Some of them will leave as Platinum Practitioner Life Coaches with Dr. Meredith Martin’s Action Coach Academy for Thinking Coaches. Some of them will not. Part of SUMMERWORKS, 2024. 6/3 thru 6/13. (clubbedthumb.org)

Cowboy (Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47^th St.) Set in 1888 Oklahoma Indian territory, Bass Reeves and his Native American companion are seeking two criminals fleeing to the Mexican only to find themselves in an old saloon as a deadly tornado approaches. Once regarded as the greatest of U.S. Deputy Marshals, many scholars believe that Bass Reeve's life served as inspiration for the character of the Lone Ranger. Written by and starring Layon Gray (Black Angels Over Tuskegee). 5/25 thru 7/27. (cowboytheplay.com)

The Counter (Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. 111 W. 46^th St.) Every morning at the local diner in a small town, a waitress refills a regular’s coffee. An unlikely friendship develops and keeps him coming back for more. But when he asks for a shocking favor, it brings to light both of their deepest secrets. The Counter is a funny, surprising, and moving meditation on the everyday connections that can change our lives. Preview TBA; official opening is 10/9. (roundabouttheatre.org)

Criminal Queerness Festival (PAC NYC, Perelman Performing Arts Center, 250 Fulton St.) Celebrating queer and trans artists from around the world who have the guts to rick it all – censorship, imprisonment, and violence – for simply sharing their truths. Featuring productions of Achiro P. Olwoch’s The Survival, Raphael Amahl Khouri’s She He Me, and Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko’s Waafricka 123: A Scripted Tragic Rise to African Fantasia. Visit website for descriptions and playing schedule. 6/21 thru 6/29. (pacnyc.org)

cunnicularil (Alchemical Studios, 50 W. 17^th St., 12^th Fl.) This world premiere of playwright Sophie McIntosh’s new work tells a piercing fable about the wonder and brutality of motherhood. 6/28 thru 7/14. (bedlam.org)

Dark Noon (St. Ann’s Warehouse, 45 Water St., Brooklyn) A cast of South African actors and members of the audience re-enact the story of the American wild, wild west through the lens of Hollywood Westerns. This incendiary spectacle turns American history on its head—from the land rush to the gold rush, to gunfights and gunslingers, the territorial conflicts between the European settlers and the indigenous natives are all there. It’s an absurd and vicious game, playful until it isn’t. 6/7 thru 7/7. (stannswarehouse.org)

David: A New Musical (AMT Theater, 354 W. 45^th St.) David, leader of Israel, and Nathan, his long-time friend and political opponent, spend one day together dealing with issues of power and politics. Their discussions bring them back into the past when David was young. In this dream-like world of memory, the past and present commingle touching on issues that are relevant today: ambition, ethics, compromise, and friendship. 6/1 thru 6/13. (amttheater.org)

Dear Mom, Sorry for Being a Bitch (SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.) From the mind of Christine Covode this one-woman (with guests) is a love letter and apology to her mom. The show focuses on the arc of Christine’s life and the relationship with her mom at various stops along the way. 5/12 thru 5/14. (sohoplayhouse.com)

desire of the astronaut

Photo by Marisol Dilaz.

The Desire of the Astronaut (Puerto Rican Traveling Theater, 304 W. 47^th St.) This original musical explores the enduring myth and popular iconography of the astronaut through the fictional story of Esteban Only, the last Boricua in space. Drifting on a dying spacecraft with only intermittent contact with Earth, Esteban undertakes repairs that may facilitate his rescue or accelerate his court martial on grounds of insubordination. 5/2 thru 6/2. (pregonesprtt.org)

Distillation (Irish Arts Center, 726 11th Ave.) Over the past year, Luke Casserly has collaborated with perfume maker Joan Woods to create a unique distillation of the Midlands bog as the starting point for an olfactory encounter which looks at our human relationship to place. A response to the recent cessation of the peat harvesting industry in Ireland, the work is dedicated to the future of our broken landscapes in the hope that by listening to them we might be able to better understand them. 6/7 thru 6/9. (irishartscenter.org)

Do More: New Plays (West End Theatre, 263 W. 86^th St.) Now in its fourth year, Bedlam's Do More: New Plays reading series returns with five new theatre pieces: This is What the Days are by Madison Fiedler, To the Ends of the Earth by Kate Whoriskey, Whore and Wife by Emily Breeze, Supposed Home by Sam Hamashima, and Diary of War, by Daria Kolomiec. Visit website for play descriptions and dates. 3/25 thru 6/2. (bedlam.org)

Drag Me To Joanne’s (Joanne Trattoria, 70 W. 68^th St.) Hosted by the sensational Jupiter Genesis, the show—which takes place every Wednesday night beginning at 5:30pm—rotates New York’s best drag artists from week to week (and yes, there will be ample Lady Gaga action, seeing as the venue is owned by Lady Gaga’s parents, Joe & Cynthia Germanotta!). (joannenyc.com)

Dream Up Festival (Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave. @ E. 10^th St.) With a motto of “Dream Up: Invent, Concoct,” this year’s festival will showcase new works from around the globe, ranging from plays and dance theater, to solo pieces and interdisciplinary material—all works that push new ideas to the forefront, challenge audience expectations and make us question our understanding of how art illuminates the world around us. 8/25 thru 9/15. (dreamupfestival.org)

Drunk Shakespeare (The Garden at Selene, 11 Hanover Sq.). Five actors meet as members of The Drunk Shakespeare Society. One of them has five shots of whiskey and then attempts to perform a major Shakespearean role while the four sober actors attempt to keep the script on track. Suffice to say, every wildly madcap show is different. Craft cocktails are available for purchase and entry is strictly 21+. (drunkshakespeare.com)

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS The Twenty-Sided Tavern (Stage 42, 422 W. 42^nd St.) An interactive show in which the audience is the "fourth player," influencing key decisions via browser-based software” you vote on where the story will go. With a cast of five and over 30 playable characters, theatregoers experience an expansive fantasy and face riddles, puzzles, combat, and more, to help shape the story. With humorous and exciting reveals are around every corner, no two shows are alike! From 4/19. (thetwentysidedtavern.com)

Eden Sher: I Was On A Sitcom (SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.) This show offers a rare intimate glimpse inside a popular sitcom actor’s real, raw life. You will walk away feeling like you’ve made a new friend—and learned more about birthing twins than you ever did before. It’s funny, vulnerable, and disarmingly casual—it’s like having a night out with Eden herself, telling you a story over drinks. 6/7 thru 6/9. (sohoplayhouse.com)

Exagoge (La MaMa’s Ellen Stewart Theatre, 66 East 4th St.) Based on the oldest known Jewish play from the second century BCE, this immersive opera/play/Passover seder, invites theatregoers to join in a traditional 15-part modern seder. An opera composer, Zeke, has brought home his girlfriend Aliya, a non-practicing Muslim, for the first time. Meanwhile, in the middle of it all, opera performers sing an adaptation of the ancient Greek interpretation of “The Book of Exodus”. 4/26 thru 5/12. (lamama.org)

Fabulation, or, The Re-Education of Undine (Billie Holiday Theatre, 1368 Fulton St., Brooklyn) Undine Barnes Calles, a bold and determined African American woman, navigates the aftermath of her husband’s sudden disappearance and the embezzlement of her fortune. Pregnant and on the brink of ruin, she seeks solace in her childhood home in Brooklyn. A hilarious twist on the classic comeuppance story, weaving humor and heart into every scene. 4/18 thru 5/26. (thebillieholiday.org)

Original production scene.

Fancy Nancy the Musical (Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47^thSt.) Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkitis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe – a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out how to get out of this predicament. Thru 5/18. (vitaltheatre.org)

A Final Toast (Chain Theatre Row, 312 W. 36^th St., 3^rd Fl.) This new play by Michele A Miller takes us into the intertwined lives of two elderly women, helped by their adult daughters to clear out their homes before moving to a Senior Living Center. Once there, they become dear friends only to uncover an inauspicious encounter they had years before—one with longstanding consequences for their future lives, their relationships, their families, and ultimately each other. 5/10 thru 5/26. (renaissancenow.com)

Find Me Here (the wild project, 185 E. 3^rdSt.) In this comedy written by Crystal Finn, A patriarch dies at 100 years old and three sisters open his will. One sister is worried she is next. One sister is determined never to be next. One sister is becoming invisible. Part of SUMMERWORKS, 2024. 6/19 thru 6/29. (clubbedthumb.org)

Fingers & Spoons (SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.) In this solo work by writer/performer Pascale Roger-McKeever, a mid-40s mom accepts her husband’s invitation to an open marriage. Provocative in its exploration of human vulnerability, the play acknowledges and embraces the acute discomfort of living out our inescapable sexuality—a shameless exploration of shame itself, this play turns many notions of self-empowerment on their head. Directed by Austin Pendleton. 4/25 thru 6/2. (fingersandspoonsplay.com)

The Fires (SoHo Repertory Theater, 46 Walker St.) A surreal new play about being a somebody in a world of other somebodies–while trying on love. In 1971, 1998, and 2021, three different men in a South Brooklyn railroad apartment write, read, hook up, flirt, eat, and fight at the same time. 5/8 thru 6/16. (sohorep.org)

Friends! The Musical Parody (Jerry Orbach Theater at The Theatre Center, 210 W. 50^th St.) The unauthorized comedic musical that lovingly pokes fun at TV’s Friends celebrates the adventures of Ross, Monica, Rachel, Phoebe, Joey, and Chandler as they navigate the pitfalls of work, life, and love in 1990s Manhattan. The show recreates favorite moments from all 10 seasons of the iconic sitcom through an uncensored, fast-paced, music-filled romp! (ticketmaster.com/friends-the-musical-parody-new-york)

gazillion bubble show nyc

Gazillion Bubble Show (New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St.) A family phenom for your family from the Yang family of bubble virtuosos. "We are so thrilled to be bringing bubbles back to the stage and smiles to our audiences,” says master bubble maker Melody Yang. (gazilllionbubbleshow.com)

Ghetto Alchemy: A Lunchroom Survival Guide (The Tank, 312 W. 36th St.) An Afrofuturist coming-of-age story that transports us from the outers of space to the rhythmic tables of a middle school lunchroom. This hip-hop solo show uses rap, poetry, and movement as liberation tools to help the main character travel back in time to gain the assistance of their middle school self to overcome current-day blockades, exploring puberty, socioeconomic status, and queer awakening. 5/2 thru 5/19. (thetanknyc.org)

Ghost of John McCain (SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.) In the world premiere of this new musical comedy, McCain contemplates a wonderful afterlife, but instead finds that “heaven” is inside Trump's brain, where a Greek Chorus of iconic figures, including Hillary Clinton, Roy Cohn, Eva Peron, Teddy Roosevelt, Robert Jordan, and Lindsey Graham, rebel against the former President's relentless demands for affirmation. Labor Day weekend thru 11/5. (sohoplayouse.com)

The God Box (Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker St.) Based on her New York Times Best-seller, when Mary Lou Quinlan’s mother dies, her family is left bereft—until Quinlan finds her mother’s God Box or rather, boxes, stuffed with notes written by her mother. Note by note, Mary Lou unearths insights into her mother’s compassion, faith, and perseverance, and revelations of her innermost thoughts—nostalgic, surprising, and even a bit shocking. 5/7 & 5/8. (sheencenter.org)

Grenfell: In the Words of Survivors (St. Ann’s Warehouse, 45 Water St., Brooklyn) The extraordinarily resilient Grenfell community in London protected and cared for one another before, during, and after a deadly fire many of them foresaw. Crafted from verbatim interviews and public inquiries, the survivors’ haunting recollections, heroic acts, and unspeakable loss amplify a fierce campaign for justice and reform. 4/13 thru 5/12/24. (stannswarehouse.org)

Here There Are Blueberries (New York Theatre Workshop, 79 E. 4th St.) In 2007, a mysterious album featuring Nazi-era photographs arrived at the desk of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum archivist. As curators unraveled the shocking truth behind the images, the album soon made headlines, igniting a debate that reverberated beyond museum walls. Based on real events, this new work explores what these photos reveal about the perpetrators of the Holocaust, and our own humanity. 4/17 thru 6/2. (nytw.org)

The Hours Are Feminine (INTAR, 500 W. 52nd St., #4W) In the summer of 1960, Hurricane Donna ravages the Northeast and a Puerto Rican family of three, who has never left home before, moves to rural Long Island. Evalisse, Fernán, and their son Jaivín rent a dilapidated little house on the property of an old middle-class Italian named Charlie. Tensions rise between the families of old immigrants and new. Written and directed by Jose Rivera. 5/11 thru 6/9. (intartheatre.org)

How to Eat an Orange (Downstairs Theater at La Mama, 66 E. 4^th St.) Playwright Catherine Filloux’s solo play about the visual artist and activist Claudia Bernardi growing up in Argentina under the military junta, and her subsequent work: a sensuous braiding of desaparecidos’ stories through the lens of a survivor. This Kaleidoscopic theater piece depicts how both families and justice may be reconfigured. 5/30 thru 6/16. (lamama.org)

Hypnotique (McKittrick Hotel, 530 W. 27^th St.) An indulgent after-dark experience that moves with you. Discover sensual and spontaneous performances, bold sonic soundscapes, and dreamlike dances that wrap around you in an otherworldly atmosphere. (FYI: Nudity, flashing strobe lights, and haze.) Thru 5/25. (mckittrickhotel.com)

I Ought to Be in Pictures (Theatre Row, 410 W. 42^nd St.) In Theater Breaking Through Barriers Off-Broadway premiere of this Neil Simon play, Herb Tucker, a struggling, middle-aged screenwriter with writer's block, receives an unexpected surprise when his daughter, Libby, part of the family he abandoned 16 years earlier, arrives at his West Hollywood home. Libby forces Herb to reexamine the responsibilities of parenthood and come to terms with his relationship with his current girlfriend, Steffy. 4/20 thru 5/25. (tbtb.org)

I Wish (New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42^nd St.) On a musical quest to recover their powers, Le Gateau Chocolat (the stage name for six-and-a-half-foot-tall performer George Ikediashi) steps into the shoes of beloved storybook characters, managing mystical messes and learning that, while life’s not always fair(ytales), love and acceptance can be more than fantasy. Ages 4 to 7. 5/11 thru 5/19. (newvictory.org)

In Crocodile’s Lair (Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave.) Gramps, an ancient crocodile, rules NYC from his den in abandoned aqueduct tunnels beneath Manhattan. He targets world-famous rapper and business mogul 50 Cent, whose new health drink promises to alter mankind with a genetic boost. In his quest to maintain natural order, Gramps encounters NYC rat revolutionaries, a singing skunk, and reunites with an urban coyote who is clinging to the last vestiges of his wildness. 5/2 thru 5/19. (theaterforthenewcity.net)

In Scena! Italian Theater Festival NY 2024 (Various venues throughout NY’s five boroughs) Full productions that have already toured in Italy, as well as readings of Italian plays in translation, lectures, and exchanges between Italian and international artists. Performed in Italian with English supertitles, admission to all shows and events is free. Visit website for a complete schedule and venues. 4/29 thru 5/13. (inscenany.com)

In the Common Hour (New Stage Performance Space, 36 W. 106^th St.) In a Route 66 motel a group of travelers gather at nightfall, each haunted by phantoms, each seeking to tell their tale. Inspired by Italo Calvino's Crossed Destinies series, this abstract, phantasmagoric multimedia performance piece is concerned with subterranean longings and fears—the complex, ancient currents that exist beyond human language. 4/19 thru 5/4. (newstagetheatre.org)

Inspired By True Events (154 Christopher St.) This new work by actor/writer/filmmaker Ryan Spahn follows a community theatre group in Rochester, whose star arrives at the theatre—packed with theatregoers—dangerously unhinged. The balance of the company steps up to the mantra “the show must go on” with results that are equal parts horrifying and hilarious. From 7/10. (ootbtheatrics.com)

Invasive Species (The Vineyard’s Dimson Theater, 108 E. 15th St.) Playwright/performer Maia Novi’s dark comedy centers on an Argentinean actor who tests the limits of her American dream. In short, this outrageous true story is about lying to live, living to lie, and how immigrating to the US might just be the role of a lifetime. 5/7 thru 6/30. (invasivespeciesplaycom)

Jordans (Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St.) Bitingly funny, this new play by Ife Olujobi is set in an overwhelmingly white workplace where a long-suffering receptionist finds herself in personal, professional, and psychic jeopardy when her ruthless boss hires a hip new employee in an effort to improve the company’s image and “culture.” Suddenly, the two young, Black social climbers are forced together and torn apart by their race, ambition, and otherworldly circumstance. 4/11 thru 5/12. (publictheater.org)

Julia Masli: Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha (SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.) “Problem?” Armed with a bronze leg and a tiny handbell, award-winning clown Julia Masli is ready to eradicate all New Yorkers’ woes with a wild comedy experiment turned runaway hit of the 2023 Edinburgh Fringe. 5/15 thru 6/8. (hahahanyc.com)

Jupiter’s Journey to the Earth (Baryshnikov Arts Center, 450 W. 37^th St.) For the child in all of us (ages 7+), comes a family-friendly chamber opera sung in English based upon the story of “Philemon and Baucis” from Ovid’s “Metamorphoses.” This new adaptation and production mixes puppeteers, opera singers, and instrumentalists in a show the entire family can enjoy. 5/10 thru 5/12. (bacnyc.org)

Just Another Day (Theater 555, 555 W. 42^nd St.) A comedy writer and a sophisticated poet in their seventies meet daily on a park bench to exchange wits and barbs, and wax nostalgic about old movies, all the while trying to figure out how they know—and love—each other. At least for that day. Starring Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years) and Patty McCormack (The Bad Seed). Previews start 5/3 ahead of a 5/12 opening. Thru 6/30. (theater555.venuetix)

Photo by Russ Rowland.

Katsura Sunshine’s Rakugo (New World Stages, 350 W. 50^th St.) (75 mins., no intermission) Rakugo, the 400-year-old Japanese art of comic storytelling, features a lone storyteller using only a fan and a hand towel for props. He performs a comic monologue followed by traditional stories handed down from Master to Apprentice for centuries. Sunshine is the only Western Rakugo Master and has performed all around the world promoting Rakugo and Japanese culture. Thru December, 2024. (rakugo.lol)

The Keep Going Songs (WP Theater (Lincoln Center Theater/LCT3’s Claire Tow Theater, 150 W. 65^th St.) Telling stories through song, Abigail and Shaun Bengson celebrate the beauty and complexity of life cycles, from a single person to entire ecosystems. Part concert, part wake, part theatrical extravaganza, the production is a euphoric and moving journey through the grief of tough times and the rebirth of hope in better days. 4/20 thru 5/26. (lct.org)

King Lear (The Shed, 545 W. 30^th St.) Celebrated stage and screen actor/director/writer Kenneth Branagh plays the title role in this new production of Shakespeare’s King Lear set in the barbarous landscape of Ancient Britain. Featuring a cast of rising stars from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art directed by Branagh, this production releases the play’s power and turmoil in a fast-paced staging. 10/26 thru 12/15. (theshed.org)

La Llamada (Repertorio Espanol, Gramercy Art Theatre, 138 E. 27^th St.) A new musical comedy by Javier Ambrosi and Javier Calvo, about faith, friendship, first love, and the search for identity, all with a touch of Whitney Houston and electro-Latin energy. Get ready for an energetic show with original songs and a live band! 5/3 thru 5/26. (repertorio.nyc)

La Musica Deuxième (Drawing Room, 247 W. 30^th St., Unit 9R) Written by revolutionary, communist, and feminist Marguerite Duras, the play tells the story of lovers who unexpectedly reunite after separation. Their charged dialogue reveals the passions, betrayals and savagery of their previous relationship. 5/2 thru 5/18. (blessedunrest.org)

Laura Benanti: Nobody Cares (Minetta Lane Theatre, 18 Minetta Lane) This limited engagement encore performance of Tony winner Laura Benanti’s acclaimed comedy show features all original music created with music director Todd Almond. Sharing her hilariously bumpy journey from ingenue to recovering ingenue, Benanti is joined onstage by vocalists Barrie McLain and Chelsea Lee Williams who play her “Inner Demons.” 5/9 thru 6/2. (audible.com/minettalane)

LEELA: Touching Our Better Selves (Theater Lab, 357 W. 36^th St., 3^rd Fl.) Playwright/performer Sean Casey Lceclaire’s LEELA (Sanskrit for “divine play”) combines classical sonnets, narrative poetry, stand-up comedy, and gritty townie storytelling to create a dimensionally rich transformative journey. 5/2 thru 5/5. (seanleclaire.com)

Liberation (Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre. 111 W. 46^th St.) It's 1970: somewhere in Ohio, six women meet on a basement basketball court, determined to shake up their lives and change the world. Fifty years later, one of their daughters tries to understand where things fell apart. A provocative, wildly theatrical world premiere that poses vital questions about friendship, legacy, and the true meaning of liberation. Preview TBA; official opening is 2/20/25. (roundabouttheatre.org)

The Life & Slimes of Marc Summers (New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St.) Written by Alex Brightman (Beetlejuice), and starring the title character, this new show takes us on one man’s journey, both on-screen and off. Summers launched Nickelodeon as the host of the world’s most famous children’s game show, Double Dare. On your mark…Get set…Go! to this one-of-a-kind intimate theatrical adventure that will leave you inspired, hopeful, and feeling like a kid again. Thru 6/2. (lifeandslimes.com)

A Little Night Music in Concert (David Geffen Hall, 10 Lincoln Center Plaza) Featuring new orchestrations by longtime Stephen Sondheim collaborator Jonathan Tunick, this concert version of Sondheim’s musical that includes the show-stopper “Send in the Clowns,” stars Tony winners Cynthia Erivo, Ruthie Ann Miles, and Shuler Hensley. 6/27 thru 6/29. (alittlenightmusicconcert.com)

Jinx Monsoon, Cobin Bleu, and James Carpinello.

Little Shop of Horrors (West Side Theatre, 407 W. 43^rd St.) The wildly acclaimed Tony-winning musical revival is now a long-running Off-Broadway hit! The story follows hapless flower-shop employee, Seymour, who finds himself trapped under the blood-thirsty fronds of the plant he's named Audrey II, after the girl of his dreams. (littleshopnyc.com)

The Lonely Few (Robert W. Wilson MCC Theater Space, 511 W. 52^nd St.) In this new rock musical, Lila and her band, The Lonely Few, have a standing gig at Paul’s Juke Joint in their small Kentucky town. When an established musician, Amy, gives them a chance to join her on tour, they take it. Love blossoms between Lila and Amy on the road, but can it endure? From 4/27. (mcctheater.org)

Lorenzo (59E59 Theaters, Theater B, 59 E. 59^th St.) Award-winning stand-up comedian Ben Target wrote and stars in this true story about how he gave up his career to move in with his favorite elderly uncle and become his live-in caretaker. This life-affirming story tackles death, caregiving, and grief in a brave and lighthearted way as Target’s witty and energetic style keeps the show flowing through the popular mediums of storytelling and live carpentry. Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 4/24 thru 5/19. (59e59.org)

Marxfest (3 West Club, 3 W. 51^st St. and Coney Island USA, 1208 Surf Ave.) A confluence of must-see Marx Brothers events celebrating the comedy of Chico, Harpo, Groucho, and Zeppo Marx—on the anniversary of the comedians’ Broadway debut in the show I’ll Say She Is. The roster of participants includes writer Adam Gopnik, Groucho’s grandson, Andy Marx, and actor Robert Klein, while events feature Al Hirschfeld’s drawings, vintage cartoons, and a trivia hour. Visit website for schedule and venues. 5/17 thru 5/26. (marxfest.org)

The Meeting: The Interpreter (Theater at St. Clements, 423 W. 46^th St.) Based on true accounts shared with playwright/documentary filmmaker Catherine Gropper, this drama unfolds a meeting in Trump Tower where damaging info about Hilary Clinton’s Presidential campaign may have been passed to Trump’s campaign. Told by someone who was there, interpreter Anatoli Vitaliavich Samochornov, whose life and career were upended in the political aftermath that rivetted our country. Summer, 2024. (meetinginterpreterplay.com)

Mercutio Loves Romeo & Juliet (Jeffrey & Paula Gural Theater at ART/NY, 502 W. 53^rd St.) In this queer (kinda) adaptation of the Bard’s famous love story, Ellie and Britt have been lifelong friends, haters of cheerleaders and drama geeks, so when their all-girls Catholic school's drama club picks “Romeo & Juliet,” obviously they'll be part of it. But when a cheerleader unexpectedly gets the lead across from Britt, Ellie's heart is turned upside down. Actually, all their hearts are. 11/8 thru 11/24. (boomerangtheatre.org)

Message in a Bottle (New York City Center, 131 W. 55^th St.) In this contemporary dance-theatre work, Olivier Award nominee Kate Prince weaves together more than 25 of Sting’s most beloved songs into the story of three siblings driven from their home by war. Ultimately, an uplifting tale of humanity and hope, the production features powerful athleticism by world-class dancers. 4/30 thru 5/12. (nycitycenter.org)

Midnight Coleslaw’s Tales from Beyond the Closet!!! (The Tank’s 98-Seat Theater, 312 W. 36th St.) This evening of queer horror hosted by Drag-Vamp Midnight Coleslaw includes a chair made of skin that turns into a humanoid third wheel in a couple’s relationship, a father back from the dead to make sure his little (lesbian) girl is thriving, and a party of disappearing guests. WARNING: You may get up and dance at the end like you’re a middle-aged white person at a matinee of Mamma Mia. 5/31 thru 6/23. (thetanknyc.org)

Molière in the Park’s The Miser (Prospect Park’s LeFrak Center, enter at 171 East Dr., Brooklyn) A newly widowed geezer, consumed by fear of losing his wealth, will do anything to save his fortune. When he announces that he’s found love again and is ready to wed, the ultimate rebellion begins. Through a series of outlandish events and misunderstandings, the entire household is forced to face the true cost of this miser’s folly before they see the light again. 4/27 thru 5/19. (moliereinthepark.org)

Molly Sweeney (Irish Repertory Theatre’s Greenburger Mainstage, 132 W. 22^nd St.) Molly has happily experienced the world differently since she was 10 months old. When her husband, Frank, makes her blindness his latest cause, he recruits Dr. Rice, a once-famous surgeon who agrees to attempt to restore Molly’s sight. When the bandages come off, Molly, Frank, and Dr. Rice discover the differences between seeing and understanding as they face the consequences of a medical miracle. 5/15 thru 6/30. (irishrep.org)

The Monocle After-Hours (Friki Tiki, 357 W. 44^th St.) Lempicka cast member Natalie Joy Johnson brings her onstage club, “The Monocle,” to life every Thursday night following performances of Lempicka. Featuring different guest stars from the Broadway community each week, this cabaret show in the heart of Broadway’s theatre district is a showbiz insider’s dream. (thefrikitiki.com)

Music City: A New Musical (West End Theater, 263 W. 86th St.) This new musical by country songwriter J.T. Harding and book writer Peter Zinn offers a first-hand account of one artist’s attempt at overcoming the drug epidemic in America to become a successful Nashville singer/songwriter. Challenging the conventional jukebox musicals genre that’s dominated Broadway in recent years, the show presents a gritty and thrilling take on the world of beers, sawdust and sunshine. 9/28 thru 11/24. (bedlam.org)

My True Love: A Perfect Musical (Players Theatre, 115 MacDougal St.) Cedarella is a witch who dreams of falling in love with a Perfect Prince, so she runs away from home to seek her One True Love in Magicland! Ultimately, she must decide whether to let go of the fairytale stereotypes of love she grew up with to make room for a love that is honest, true, and incredibly empowering. Featuring a pop score, fast-paced book, and nonstop laughs, this award-winning musical is for all ages. From 5/3. (mytruelovemusicals.com)

Photo by Jeff Lorch.

No, But I’m Definitely In A Better Place Than I’ve Been In A Long Time (The Brick, 579 Metropolitan Ave., Brooklyn) In Michael Feldman’s acclaimed solo show, a raging narcissist attempts to put up a one-man show in which he embody’s his anxious dog during the literal apocalypse. 5/23 thru 5/26. (bricktheater.com)

October 7 (Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47^th St.) This new play by Phelim McAleer about the terrorist attacks on Israel offers a compelling and dramatic verbatim account by those who lived through it. Their experiences may have been different, but all were changed by that day: young and old, secular and religious, individuals who were with family and those who were at a dance party when the unthinkable happened. 5/2 thru 6/16. (october7theplay.com)

Odd Salon NYC: EXCELSIOR (UNDER St. Marks, 94 St Marks Place) This bi-monthly show curates cocktail hour lectures highlighting strange-but-true stories from history, science, art, and adventure, live on stage, over cocktails. Experts and amateurs come together to explore overlooked and under-told stories, about everything from lost cities to engineering failures to daring heists, questionable taxidermy, tales of epic revenge, and beyond. Visit website for playing schedule. (frigid.nyc)

The Office! A Musical Parody (Jerry Orbach Theatre at The Theatre Center, 210 W. 50^th St.) It's a typical morning at Scranton's third largest paper company until, for no logical reason, a documentary crew begins filming the lives of the employees of Dunder Mifflin. An hilarious, unauthorized parody of the Long-running hit TV show. (theofficemusicalparody.com)

Oh, Mary! (Lucille Lortel Theatre, 121 Christopher St.) In this new dark comedy, writer/performer Cole Escola stars as a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (Escola). Thru 5/12. (ohmaryplay.com)

The Original NYC Talent Show (The Parkside Lounge, 317 E. Houston St.) A Monday night platform where hosts Victor Varnado and Pam Wess invite performers from various backgrounds and talents to take the stage for an evening full of the gritty charm, humor, and energy emblematic of New York. Serving up the unexpected and audacious, the show has been a playground for Jim Gaffigan, Kristen Schaal, Colin Quinn, Janeane Garafolo, and others. (nyctalentshow.com)

Orlando (Signature Center, Irene Diamond Stage, 480 W. 42^nd St.) Orlando’s adventures begin as a young man, when he serves as courtier to Queen Elizabeth. Through many centuries of living, he becomes a 20th-century woman, trying to sort out her existence. An adaptation of the “longest and most charming love letter in literature,” written by Virginia Woolf for her lover, Vita Sackville-West, Orlando is a theatrical, wild, fantastical trip through space, time, and gender. Starring Taylor Mac. 4/2 thru 5/12. (signaturetheatre.org)

Panti Bliss: If These Wigs Could Talk (Irish Arts Center, 726 11th Ave.) After a lifetime of accidental activism, far-fetched shenanigans and making a show of herself, drag queen Panti Bliss—the “Queen of Ireland”—is now taking a moment to question her place in this changing world. Expect salacious stories, impassioned polemics, and some seriously funny soul searching as Panti takes us from rural Mayo to London’s West End. 6/13 thru 6/23. (irishartscenter.org)

Perfect Crime (Anne Bernstein Theater at The Theater Center, 210 W. 50^th St.) This ultra-long-running murder mystery is the story of brilliant but money hungry psychiatrist/ suspected cold-blooded killer Margaret Brent, her wealthy husband, deranged patient, and the handsome detective who's falling in love with her while trying to solve the crime. (perfect-crime.com)

Philadelphia, Here I Come (Irish Repertory Theatre, 132 W. 22^nd St.) Set in 1962, Brian Friel’s bittersweet comedy centers upon Gar O’Donnell on the eve of his departure from Ireland to America. His heartache from losing his girlfriend to a successful businessman has propelled him to live with an aunt in Philadelphia. Despite the wild fantasies of what life in America might hold, and his yearning to escape the tedium of small town Ballybeg, a kind word from his taciturn father could change his mind. 3/16 thru 5/5. (irishrep.org)

Pinkalicious the Musical (Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47^thSt.) Pinkalicious can’t stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor’s office with Pinkitis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe—a dream come true for this pink-loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out how to get out of this predicament. Thru 5/19. (vitaltheatre.org)

The Pipeline Festival (WP Theater (2162 Broadway at 76th St.) True to its name, this is a pipeline to funnel the work of talented Women+ artists to the forefront of American theater. Created and produced by WP Lab residency writer/director/producer teams, the festival show-cases five new works in various stages of development, from staged readings to full-length workshop productions. Visit website for descriptions and schedules. 4/4 thru 5/4. (wptheater.org)

the play that goes wrong

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

The Play That Goes Wrong (New World Stages/Stage 4, 340 W. 50th St.) (2 hrs.) A madcap hybrid of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes, this award-winning comedy is bringing down the house—literally—Off-Broadway. It’s opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where an unconscious leading lady, corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything are only some of the hilarious mishaps. (broadwaygoeswrong.com)

Priestess of Twerk: A Black Femme Star Temple + Wisdom School (HERE Arts Center, 145 6th Ave.) Nia Witherspoon’s new work is a performance, a spa, and a temple that merges African traditional religious approaches to healing and Black feminist theologies to both envision and enact a more evolved world through embodied experiences. 5/23 thru 6/9. (here.org)

queen of hearts company XIV

Photo by Sam San Román.

Queen of Hearts (Théâtre XIV, 383 Troutman St., Brooklyn) Company XIV’s sumptuous ode to Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by invites audiences 21 & older to fall from innocence down a rabbit hole of sensual wonders and surreal delights. Peer into a decadent dreamworld laced with a mesmerizing blend of stunning circus, shining chanteuses, brilliant burlesque, classical dance, and lavish design. From 3/1. (companyxiv.com)

Red Bull Theater 20^th Anniversary Festival (Sheen Center, 18 Bleecker St.) Red Bull Theater celebrates 20 years of being NYC’s home for the rarely produced plays of Shakespeare and his contemporaries with a thrilling combination of classics, and new works in conversation with those classics, featuring some of the most remarkable talent in the world. Visit website for a complete schedule of events and their descriptions. 4/15 thru 5/12. (redbulltheater.com)

Redemption Story (Gural Thatre at A.R.T./New York Theatres, 502 W. 53^rd St.) In a L.A. diner in 1971, 50-something Connie Lee drinks coffee and fingers her cigarettes. A 20-something man pushes through the door, and she does a double-take. She's already made the worst mistake of her life, and a fresh face can't fix it. A new play about alienation, conditional love, and our distorted senses of self. From 5/4 thru 5/19. (theuniverse.com)

Reverend Billy and the Stop Shopping Choir (Earthchxrch, 36 Ave C./Loisaida Ave. at 3^rd St.) An hour of rousing, moving, and then comic songs and sermonettes on the theme of activism in defense of the Earth. The activist/singers deliver the passionate music in call-and-response to the preacher Reverend Billy, homing in on a year of invading the lobbies of fossil fuel banks and defending eco-systems and parks against toxic spraying. (revbilly.com)

Ricky Sim: Coming Out to Dead People (SoHo Playhouse, 15 Vandam St.) Combining stand-up and storytelling, the show explores Sim’s time growing up in the noughties, learning how to keep his first boyfriend with the help of the reggae rapper Sean Paul, while grappling with the decision to come out to his conservative Chinese-Malaysian immigrant mother, just as she was diagnosed with cancer. 5/23 thru 6/2. (sohoplayhouse.com)

Romeo and Juliet (Central Park, 69^th St. & Central Park W.) This emotionally driven outdoor reimagining of Shakespeare’s timeless love story features a diverse cast who create a modern and violent Verona where, impossibly, two young lovers discover a feeling that soars above family hatred. 6/22 thru 7/14. (boomerangtheatre.org)

sally and tom off broadway

Photo by Joan Marcus.

Sally & Tom (Public Theater, 425 Lafayette St.) Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks’ edgy dramedy celebrates the craft of theater while taking a hard look at history. The off-off-off-Broadway theater troupe Good Company is putting on a play about Sally Hemings and Thomas Jefferson. Writer Luce is cast as Sally; her romantic partner, and the play’s director, Mike, is cast as Tom—really, people, what could possibly go wrong? 3/28 thru 5/5. (publictheater.org)

Saw the Musical: The Unauthorized Parody of Saw (AMT Theater, 345 W. 45^th St.) This send-up of the cult horror film begins when Lawrence Gordon and Adam Stanheight find each other in the bathroom trap. Will they follow "the rules" as they discover each other's secrets? Will they escape the game in time and saw right through? A love story with fluidity (and lots more fluids), this new musical pushes the boundary on sexuality and how to love. [Parental Advisory: Explicit Content.] Thru 6/23/24. (sawthemusical.com)

scarlett dreams

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Scarlett Dreams (Greenwich House Theatre, 27 Barrow St.) In S. Asher Gelman’s new play siblings Milo and Liza have created a fitness and wellness app, bringing in Milo’s husband, Kevin, to beta test it. As Kevin engages with the app, he starts forming a connection with Scarlett, his virtual trainer, a development leading to an exploration of the intersections between technology and personal relationships, questioning how digital interactions impact human connections and shape our perception of reality. From 4/3 thru 5/26. (scarlettdreamsplay.com)

See What I Wanna See (154 Christopher St.) Based on three Japanese short stories by Ryūnosuke Akutagawa (Rashomon) and featuring puppetry, translations, and an AAPI cast, this musical adaptation examines Western circumstances through an Eastern-inspired lens, to home in on the ineffable, unreliable, ephemeral nature of the truth and the responsibility that comes with knowing it. From 9/3. (ootbtheatrics.com)

sign of the times ensemble

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

A Sign of the Times (New World Stages, 340 W. 50th St.) Summer, 1965. As the war in Vietnam rages on and struggles for civil rights and women’s lib command headlines, a young photographer finds herself in New York City ready to make her way amid the changing times. Featuring the songs of Petula Clark, Lesley Gore, Dusty Springfield, and other classic pop hits of the ‘60s, the score includes “Rescue Me,” “Downtown,” and “I Know a Place.” (yorktheatre.org)

singfeld the parody

Singfeld! A Musical Parody About Nothing! (Jerry Orbach Theater, 210 W. 50^th St.) This unauthorized parody of the hit sitcom Seinfeld follows Jerry, Elaine, George, Kramer, and other iconic (albeit peripheral) characters as they navigate the highs and lows of living and loving in New York City. The hilarious score features such songs as “What’s the Deal with Musicals?,” “The Ballad of Bubble Boy,” and “The Yadda Yadda Song.” (singfeld.com)

sleep no more mckittrick

Photo by Robin Roemer.

Sleep No More (McKittrick Hotel, 530 W. 27^th St.) This award-winning theatrical experience tells Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Macbeth through a darkly cinematic lens. Audiences move freely through the epic world of the story at their own pace, choosing where to go and what to see, ensuring that everyone’s journey is different and unique. Thru 5/27. (mckittrickhotel.com)

Small Acts of Daring Invention (HERE Arts Center, 145 6^th Ave.) An image-rich, musically driven exploration of the space between this life and the next. With one actress and four puppeteers, the play lives in an expansive world where the child and adult consciousness coexist. On a journey delicate, dangerous, playful, and dark, transcendence is the final destination. 5/1 thru 6/1. (here.org)

Speakeasy Magick (The Overlook Bar, 25 W. 24^th St.) Purveyor of amazement and master deceptionist, Todd Robbins hosts a night of up close and personal prestidigitation. This unprecedented night of magic as you've never before seen, features a changing roster of New York City's best magicians. (speakeasymagick.com)

Spring Awakening (ART/NY’s The Mezzanine Theatre, 502 W. 53^rd St, 2^nd Fl.) Duncan Sheik’s Tony-winning musical explores the mystery of attraction, desire, sex, insecurity, and the highs and lows of navigating the pressures of young adult life. Brought to life by the unique perspective of EPIC’s neurodivergent community members, this is one re-telling not to miss. 5/9 thru 5/19. (epicplayersnyc.org)

Staff Meal (Playwrights Horizons’ Peter J. Sharp Theater, 416 W. 42nd St.) Outside, the world is breaking apart. But inside there is connection. Abe Koogler’s Staff Meal is a kaleidoscopic comedy about a mysterious and beautiful restaurant, where the food is delicious, the service is warm, and some strange power keeps the darkness at bay. You are safe here—at least until closing time. 4/12 thru 5/19. (playwrightshorizons.org)

Photo by Jeremy Daniel.

Stalker (New World Stages, 340 W. 50^th St.) Swedish street magicians and illusionists Peter Brynolf and Jonas Ljung’s magic creates audience pandemonium. Their work is original, organic, and often prop-less, using borrowed objects and audience suggestions for their illusions. On Penn & Teller: Fool Us!, they managed to stump Penn Jillette and Teller, who now return the favor by producing their NYC theatrical debut. 3/18 thru 9/1. (stalkershow.com)

Stargazers (Connelly Theater Mainstage, 220 E. 4th St.) With a haunted family farm as its central character, Holmquist’s eerie and funny play excavates the buried histories land contains, and illuminates the tensions of a polarized society constantly reshaping itself atop it. 4/8 thru 5/10. (connellytheater.org)

Still (DR2 Theatre, 103 E. 15^th St.) Lia Romeo’s play centers on Helen and Mark, who broke up 30 years ago but never forgot about each other. They meet for dinner and their flame is rekindled, but Mark is running for Congress and Helen has a secret that could derail his bid. Starring Jayne Atkinson and Tim Daly. 4/13 thru 5/18. (darylroththeatre.com)

SUMMERWORKS 2024 (the wild project, 185 E. 3^rdSt.) With its track record of discovering and supporting rising talent, this year’s SUMMERWORKS festival of new works includes the comedies Ursus by T. Adamson, Coach Coach by Bailey Williams, and Find Me Here by Crystal Finn. See individual listings for descriptions and schedule. 5/16 thru 6/29. (clubbedthumb.org)

Symphony of Rats (Performing Garage, 33 Wooster St.) In this work by avant-garde playwright Richard Foreman, a President of the United States has strange encounters of the phantasmagorical kind. Surrounded by his presidential aides, he plunges into a series of incidents where he meets otherworldly beings, among them a giant rat with a special message. 3/27 thru 5/4. (thewoostergroup.org)

Syncing Ink (Apollo Stages at the Victoria Theatre, 233 W. 125^th St.) Gordon Morris knows deep down he’s destined to become an emcee, a Master of the Ceremony. What he doesn’t know is if he can even rhyme. Rooted in traditional Yoruba culture, this work by NSangou Njikam is Gordon’s epic coming-of-age journey to embrace the power of his words... for himself, his family, and the fate of Hip Hop itself. From 5/7. (syncingink.com)

The Tempest (92^nd Street Y, Buttenwieser Hall, 1395 Lexington Ave.) Told through music and dance, 92NY’s retelling of Shakespeare’s timeless story of uncovering family bonds on an enchanted island is funny, playful, approachable, and moving for children and adults alike. This magical 45-minute performance is the perfect introduction to the Bard for young audiences of all ages. 5/4 & 5/5. (92ny.org)

Third Law (Culture Lab LIC, 5-24 46^th Ave., Queens) Through a digital game board, this interactive theatrical event has audiences collaborating with the artists and each other to co-create a performance that can only happen live and in person. Combining high-concept art installation design with performance and gameplay, Third Law brings us together in space in a visceral and dynamic way—and it’s never the same twice. 5/9 thru 5/26. (evenbrite.com)

Three Houses (Signature Theatre’s Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre, 480 W. 42nd St.) In this post-pandemic open mic night parable about magic, madness, and the end of the world, Susan is in Latvia… Sadie is in New Mexico…Beckett is in Ireland. All three are alone; all three are haunted by their grandparents; all three hear the Big Bad Wolf scratching at the door. 4/30 thru 6/9/24. (signaturetheatre.org)

Tick, Tick…Boom (George Street Playhouse, 136 E. 13th St.) With an energetic and eclectic score that seamlessly blends rock, pop, and musical theater, Jonathan Larson’s musical masterpiece follows the journey of a struggling composer, on the brink of turning 30, as he wrestles with the haunting pressures of artistic ambition and the relentless ticking of time. Set in New York City, this electrifying show ignites the stage with raw emotion and unyielding passion. 4/23 thru 5/19/24. (georgestreetplayhouse.org)

Photo by Grace Copeland.

Titanic (New York City Center, 131 W. 55^th St.) Pared down to its essence and highlighting the majestic sweep of Maury Yeston’s nearly sung-through score, this striking production meditates on the nature of ambition and the human scale of this epic tragedy, focusing on the class divides both illuminated and transcended by the ship’s inexorable sinking, and painting a heartrending portrait of the individuals whose dreams of America were dashed in the Atlantic. 6/12 thru 6/23. (nycitycenter.org)

titanique the musical

Titanique (Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 E. 15th St.) A musical celebration that turns one of the greatest love stories of all time into a hysterical and joyful slay-fest. Want to find out what really happened to Jack and Rose on that fateful night? Leave it to Céline Dion to casually hijack a Titanic Museum tour and enchant the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalog. Thru 6/16. (titaniquemusical.com)

Total Bummer Summer: A Paranormusical (Nagelberg Theatre in Baruch College Performing Arts Center, 55 Lexington Ave.) In this new musical devised and created by neurodiverse actors, when Farmer Flood’s Fun Camp is taken over by a fiendish phantom, the campers must work together to unearth the ancient secrets of the campground and save the day. Featuring haunted woods, phantasmic possessions, and ghastly dance battles! 5/18 & 5/19. (tinyurl.com/actionplaysummer)

Twelfth Night (Axis Theatre Company, 1 Sheridan Sq.) Director Randall Sharp brings her signature stark and musical touch to one of Shakespeare’s most hilarious, yet heart-breaking, tales of unrequited love. Sharp’s radical interpretation strips away much of the jovial excess of Shakespeare’s beloved play and places focus on the yearning for human connection. 4/24 thru 5/25. (axiscompany.org)

Until (Theater for the New City, 155 First Ave.) A couple that promises themselves to each other until the end of time, finally reach the end of time. However, when face to face with the unknown they begin to question their identity, their past, and their grief for what could have been. 4/25 thru 5/12. (theaterforthenewcity.net)

Ursus (the wild project, 185 E. 3^rdSt.) In T. Adamson’s new comedy, it’s 1318 and six Franciscan friars are caught between the purity of their beliefs and a Pope who likes stuff. The it-shay is about to hit the an-fay. Part of SUMMERWORKS, 2024. 5/16 thru 5/28. (clubbedthumb.org)

The Vicky Archives (The Attic at The Tank, 312 W. 36^th St.) An elite group of 30 guests have been granted special access to travel through a collection of memories belonging to and maintained by the Vicky Archive’s peculiar members who recount and uncover their life stories shaping one another’s narratives through experimental group exercises. This immersive experience explores intimacy, collective, and individual identity, and the intoxicating promise of a life of purpose. 4/18 thru 5/22. (thetanknyc.org)

Victor Jones is a Construct (The Tank, 312 W. 36^th St.) Victor Jones continues their exploration of performance, on stage and off, and the personalities we perform as. Filmed live, and intended to ultimately become a movie, Victor tells dramatic/comedic stories and plays relevant songs. "Disclaimer: By attending this show, you are consenting to possibly be caught on camera (cameras will be directed at Victor, as they should be, but you might be in the background)." Thru 6/14. (thetanknyc.org)

Vladimir (New York City Center – Stage 1, 131 W. 55^th St.) Erika Sheffer’s drama unfolds in Moscow, where a journalist covering Putin’s first term struggles to maintain sanity and hope in increasingly hostile circumstances. On the brink of an explosive story—but with danger mounting for her and her sources, she questions whether her bravery will make any difference at all. This world premiere is about standing up to immorality no matter the cost, when you know your nation is headed for disaster. From 9/24. (manhattantheateclub.com)

Watson: The Final Problem (59E59 Theaters, Theater B, 59 E. 59^th St.) 1894. Watson is alone. His beloved wife Mary and the great Sherlock Holmes are both gone. But London seethes with false reports and rumors. It is time to set the record straight. So Watson tells his tale of long buried secrets, betrayal, and death. For there is a shadow in the gutters of London. A spider's web of poisonous intrigue lies across the city. Someone is playing a long game and Holmes and Watson face their greatest ever challenge. But as Watson unravels the story, is the game really over? Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 5/22 thru 6/9. (59e59.org)

The Welkin (Atlantic Theater Company, 336 W. 20^th St.) Rural England, 1759. As the country awaits the return of Halley’s comet, a young woman is sentenced to death. When she tries to escape the noose by claiming she is pregnant, 12 ordinary women are gathered to decide whether she is telling the truth. Lucy Kirkwood’s dark, fierce, funny play is about democracy and housework. 5/16 thru 6/30/24. (atlantictheater.org)

What Became of Us (Atlantic Stage 2 Theater, 330 W. 16^th St.) Two siblings. One born there. One born here. How do they maintain their connections to The Old Country, and to This Country, and to each other? This new work marks playwright Shayan Lotfi (First Gen MixFest 2022) Off-Broadway debut. Featuring two casts: Rosalind Chao & BD Wong, and Shohreh Aghdashloo & Tony Shalhoub. Check website for playing schedule. 5/17 thru 6/29. (atlantictheater.org)

Windrush Secret (59E59 Theaters, Theater C, 59 E. 59^th St.) Between 1948 and 1973, half a million people migrated to the UK from the Caribbean. But in 2018, new immigration laws denied this “Windrush” generation the liberty, services, jobs, and homes they’d had for years decades as British citizens. In a powerhouse performance, Rodreguez King-Dorset plays a Caribbean diplomat, a white far-right party leader, and a white government official, each explaining the scandal from their own perspective. Part of Brits Off Broadway’s 2024 season. 5/1 thru 5/18. (59e59.org)

Wine in the Wilderness (Classic Stage Company, 136 E 13^th St.) Fortune has smiled on artist Bill Jameson—his friends just introduced him to a model for the final piece of his triptych on Black womanhood, and she’s about to give the artist much more than he bargained for. Set against the backdrop of the 1964 Harlem riot this a rarely seen play by Alice Childress, is directed by Tony winner LaChanze. 5/2 thru 6/16. (classicstage.org)

Winesday: The Wine Tasting Musical (Jerry Orbach Theatre, The Theatre Center, 210 W. 50^th St.) Five wine-loving women get to drink wine and talk about their lives. It’s like Sex and the City meets the vineyard—including a friendly wine steward to guide the audience through the wine paired with each upcoming scene. Get ready for an intoxicating blend of friendship, wit, and wine that will leave your spirits lifted and your palate inspired. 5/8 thru July, 2024. (winesdaymusical.com)

The Wizard of Oz (Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47^thSt.) A classic tale that has been entertaining audiences for ages. Rediscover the joy of following the yellow brick road with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, the Cowardly Lion, and even Munchkin puppetry, as they travel through a reimagined world of Oz. Thru 5/18. (vitaltheatre.org)

Works in Progress: Fearlessly Made in New York! (Vineyard Theatre, 108 E. 15^th St.) A series of readings and conversations focusing on new plays in various stages of development by Vineyard Theatre 2023-24 artists in residence. Each reading includes a post-show conversation with the artist “about the path from idea to script to collaborating to hone their visions”. Visit website for descriptions of works and their scheduled dates. 4/9 thru 5/20. (vineyardtheatre.org)

The Year My Dad Died Twice (The Tank, 312 W. 36^th St.) On Halloween 2019, New York comedian Sydney’s Holmes’ father died. On Father’s Day 2020, he died again. As if dealing with her Texas family, funeral, nosey neighbors, anal aunts, and crying sibling wasn’t enough, her father left behind a double life and secrets that would tear her views on him apart. In her solo show, she explores these two occurrences and what it means to truly know your parents, through song and storytelling. Thru 6/24. (thetanknyc.org)

BROADWAY, OFF-BROADWAY, OFF-OFF BROADWAY

In case you’re wondering about theatre classifications, here’s the basic formula:

         Broadway: 500 seats or more
         Off-Broadway: Between 100 & 499 seats
         Off-Off Broadway: Under 100 seats

Good to Know: The majority of Off- and Off-Off-Broadway shows have limited runs, but many extend their runs due to popular demand. With this in mind, be sure to check our listings for revised closing dates.

Click here for what's playing on Broadway, including the latest notes and openings.

Vaccination and Mask Policy for Broadway and Off-Broadway Shows in NYC

For information regarding safety and safety protocols, please consult your show’s official website or the website of the theatre you are planning to visit. Please verify the theatre policies and requirements before making your purchase.

More information is available here.—The Broadway League Sq..S

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About the Author

City Guide Theatre Editor Griffin Miller moved to New York to pursue an acting/writing career in the 1980s after graduating magna cum laude from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio. Since then, she has written for The New York Times, For the Bride, Hotels, and a number of other publications, mostly in the areas of travel and performance arts. An active member of The New York Travel Writers Association, she is also a playwright and award-winning collage artist. In addition, she sits on the board of The Lewis Carroll Society of North America. Griffin is married to Richard Sandomir, a reporter for The New York Times.

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