To see New York City theatre is to see some of the best theatre in the world. The city has defined itself as a center for culture and performing arts and attracts extraordinary talent from all over. Whatever your taste in shows, there is sure to be a performance you will enjoy.
Broadway
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Broadway is often the first thing that comes to mind when people think of New York City theatre.
To use an analogy, Broadway is to theatre as the Olympics are to sports. Most major cities have good theatre but Broadway in New York City is arguably at the very top.
The only other thing in the world that is on par with Broadway is London’s West End Theatre.
“Broadway” refers to a collection of shows that are performed in one of the 39 Broadway theatres in the Theatre District of New York City. The Theatre District is the area around Times Square.
Learn more about Broadway New York City
Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts
Broadway isn’t the only show in town when it comes to great New York City theatre. Lincoln Center is a true leader in the performing arts arena. The 16 acre complex of elegant performance venues is located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.
Twelve organizations make their home at Lincoln Center, including the New York City Ballet, Met Opera, New York City Opera, and New York Philharmonic.
Location: Broadway and Columbus Avenue
Directions: By Subway, take the 1 Train to 66th Street
Here is just some of what Lincoln Center has to offer at its 22 New York City theatre performance venues:
Performances at Lincoln Center Venues
The Lincoln Center experience is special from start to finish. The performance venues and concert halls at the world’s leading performing arts center are gorgeous, pristine, and state-of-the-art. You will likely want to hang around long after the performance is over, enjoying the atmosphere and taking pictures.
Metropolitan Opera (Met Opera)
Venue: Metropolitan Opera House
Season: September – May
Website: www.metoperafamily.org
The Metropolitan Opera is one of the world’s premier opera companies and attracts outstanding talent. Famous names like Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo can be associated with the Met Opera.
Learn more about Metropolitan Opera Tickets.
New York City Opera
Venue: David H. Koch Theatre
Season: November – April
Website: www.nycopera.com
The city’s second largest opera (after the Met) has served as a launching pad for the careers of many young stars. City Opera has gained a reputation of being more audacious that the traditional Met Opera and has cheaper tickets too.
New York City Ballet
Venue: David H. Koch Theatre
Website: www.nycballet.com
The New York City Ballet is one of the world’s leading dance companies. Most of the works performed by the company were choreographed by George Balanchine, the famous pioneer of American ballet and co-founder of the NYC Ballet.
New York Philharmonic
Season: September – June
Venue: Avery Fisher Hall
Website: www.nyphil.org
The New York Philharmonic was founded 1842, making it the oldest symphony orchestra in the United Stations. This orchestra is widely acclaimed and gives performances around the U.S. and the world.
New York Theater & Show Guide
One of the best things to do in New York is to experience New York theater. There are always many amazing plays to choose from; you are sure to find something to please all tastes. For more information on showtimes and ticket prices please click here. Below is an overview of all of the shows both on and off-Broadway.
Musicals
| 42nd Street
A Tony-winning revival of the classic tale of a young star with big Broadway dreams. Movin’ Out 27 amazing dancers and 24 Billy Joel classics come together in this electric hit. Aida A pop twist on the classic opera, featuring an electric score by Elton John and Tim Rice. Never Gonna Dance A dance musical set in the romantic, carefree world of a mythical, glittering New York City. Avenue Q Set on a NYC street where people and puppets peacefully live as neighbors. Rent A Tony-winning rock hit about young artists living on the edge in New York City. Beauty and the Beast Disney’s Tony-winning stage adaptation of the hit animated “tale as old as time.” Taboo Boy George stars in his own life story, set around an infamous 1980’s London nightclub. Cabaret This Tony winner is a divine and decadent trip back to a 1930s Berlin nightclub. The Boy from Oz Hugh Jackman stars as the late, great songwriter Peter Allen in this musical biography. Chicago Vaudeville killers Roxie and Velma face off in this Tony-winning musical hit. The Lion King Based on the popular film, this Tony winner is an adventure to another world. Fame on 42nd Street (Off-Broadway) The highs and lows of high schoolers in a quest for success. The Phantom of the Opera A haunting Tony-winning musical about a young singer and her mysterious mentor. |
Fiddler on the Roof
Alfred Molina headlines this classic musical about the traditions that bind a family. The Producers Based on Mel Brooks’ film, this musical comedy hit is the biggest Tony winner ever. Forbidden Broadway (Off-Broadway) A deliriously funny love letter to the theater scene. The Thing About Men (Off-Broadway) A philandering ad exec will stop at nothing to win back his wife. Gypsy Bernadette Peters headlines this new production of Broadway’s greatest musical. Thoroughly Modern Millie A Tony-winning musical comedy about a young flapper arriving in 1930s Manhattan. Hairspray A musical comedy smash with big girls, big hair, and even bigger laughs. Urinetown This Tony Award champ is a spoof of musical theater–and a hilarious success. I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Off Broadway) A musical about coupledom and all of its trials and tribulations. Wicked Long before Dorothy drops in, two other girls meet in the land of Oz in this enchanted musical. Little Shop of Horrors Down on Skid Row, a meek flower shop worker, the gal he loves and a hungry plant. Wonderful Town Two sisters from Ohio arrive in NYC in the 1930s looking for love and adventure. Mamma Mia! A musical with a disco beat featuring the music of Swedish pop group ABBA. |
Comedy & Drama
| Anna in the Tropics
This Pulitzer Prize winning-play is set in a Cuban-American cigar factory in 1929. King Lear Stage and screen star Christopher Plummer stars in Shakespeare’s towering drama. Beckett/Albee (Off Broadway) Brian Murray and Marian Seldes are reunited for an evening of short works by the masters. Sight Unseen Celebrated artists reunited with a former girlfriend he dismissed many years ago. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof Ashley Judd headlines this new production of the Tennessee Williams classic. Take Me Out A baseball player at the top of his game “comes out” to his team and the world. Drowning Crow A rethinking of Chekhov’s The Seagull set at an African-American family gathering. |
The Caretaker
Two brothers’ lives are disrupted by the arrival of a vagrant in this classic by Harold Pinter. Golda’s Balcony A riveting portrait of Israel’s fourth Prime Minister starring Tovah Feldshuh. The Retreat from Moscow John Lithgow stars in a compelling play about a man who walks out on his family. Henry IV The Violet Hour Robert Sean Leonard headlines the cast of this new play, set in New York City in 1919. I Am My Own Wife The fascinating tale of a German transvestite who survived the Nazis and the Communist regime. Trumbo (Off Broadway) A new solo play featuring the letters of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. |
Special
| Blue Man Group (Off Broadway)
Three bald and blue men take the audience through a multi-sensory experience. Lypsinka! As I Lay Lip-Synching (Off Broadway) The newest from Lypsinka, New York’s lip-synching sensation. Christmas Spectacular America’s most beloved holiday show is back at Radio City Music Hall! |
Stomp (Off Broadway)
A high-energy, percussive symphony played on non-traditional instruments. De La Guarda (Off Broadway) A high-flying mix of carnival, festival, dance, rock concert and theater. The Donkey Show (Off Broadway) A Shakespeare tale told to the beats of ’70s disco hits. |