Broadway

Women’s History Month is underway, and there are countless ways to celebrate with theatre. Women currently lead several Broadway shows on stage and off, collectively representing a diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives. Several incredible plays and musicals on Broadway showcase talented female actors and creators.

Below are the best Broadway shows in New York with female characters at the forefront. Whether you’re in the mood for a somber drama, a heart-pounding romance, or an empowering retelling of a classic tale, you’ll find it in these women-led Broadway shows.

[Hear from Broadway actresses about what Women's History Month means to them.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/broadway-actresses-celebrate-womens-history-month)

Get tickets to a Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.

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## *A Doll’s House*

Henrik Ibsen’s groundbreaking play starring [Jessica Chastain](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/jessica-chastain) will keep you captivated with a story about a woman taking control of her life despite difficult circumstances. Written in 1879, *A Doll’s House* tackles themes ahead of its time, even drawing backlash for challenging gender norms and expectations of mothers and wives. A female writer, Pulitzer Prize finalist Amy Herzog, updated Ibsen’s script for this revival.

The lead character, Nora Helmer, questions her marriage while harboring a secret from her husband, wishing to leave and live an independent life. *A Doll’s House* made history as an early work featuring a strong female lead who wants more than society has allowed her.

Get *A Doll's House* tickets now.

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## *& Juliet*

If you think Juliet deserved a better ending than the one she got in *Romeo & Juliet*, check out this new jukebox musical. *& Juliet* features the music catalog of Max Martin, the songwriter behind hits from NSYNC, Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, and many other pop sensations.

*& Juliet* centers two strong-willed female characters: Juliet and Shakespeare’s wife, Anne Hathaway. After reading her husband’s play, Anne imagines a new ending for the heroine, where she escapes Verona in search of her own destiny. The musical follows the two as Anne creates a different path for Juliet, who gets to live a new life.

Get *& Juliet* tickets now.

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## *Bad Cinderella*

Interested in another heroine who could use more agency in her own story? See Andrew Lloyd Webber’s *Bad Cinderella*, which retells the classic tale in a way where Cinderella isn’t looking for Prince Charming. (In fact, he’s dead.)

Instead of a soft-natured Cinderella who quietly accepts her fate until the Fairy Godmother arrives, this “bad” Cinderella is a rebel raging against her cruel stepmother, stepsisters, and the town that rejects her. Although she finds a happily ever after, the joy comes from accepting exactly how she is — not from suddenly becoming a beautiful princess. 

Get *Bad Cinderella* tickets now.

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## *Chicago*

There’s no doubt about the sheer female power in *Chicago*, a jazzy musical that’s run on Broadway continuously since 1996. *Chicago* features a majority-female principal cast led by Roxie Hart, who rises to celebrity status during her murder trial. In 2023, drag queen Jinkx Monsoon made history playing Matron “Mama” Morton, the warden at Roxie's jail.

The show features powerful vocals and showstopping numbers like “All That Jazz” and “Nowadays.” If you’ve only seen the famous movie version starring Renee Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones, you’ll want to check out the musical to get a taste of all that jazz live.

Get *Chicago* tickets now.

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## *Wicked*

Adapted from the Gregory Maguire novel, *Wicked* has been a Broadway mainstay for two decades, wowing audiences with incredible music and celebrating the power of female friendship. Elphaba, the future Wicked Witch of the West, and Glinda, later known as Glinda the Good, initially start as enemies while roommates at Shiz University, but a friendship soon blossoms between the two.

The headstrong Elphaba risks everything to expose corruption in Oz, ultimately standing up for what’s right against all odds. You’ll be blown away by the incredible vocals in the women’s iconic songs like “Defying Gravity,” “For Good,” and “Popular.”

Get *Wicked* tickets now.

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## *Kimberly Akimbo*

Thought high school was hard enough? Imagine being Kimberly, a 16-year-old who looks like she’s 72 due to a rare condition that has accelerated her aging. And to top it off, she’s also dealing with a dysfunctional family — and yet, trying to find happiness through it all in this funny yet poignant musical, which has received near-universal acclaim.

Not only does *Kimberly Akimbo* have a unique and bold female lead (plus a fan-favorite supporting character in Kimberly’s Aunt Deb), but two of the show’s lead creatives are women: composer/lyricist Jeanine Tesori and director Jessica Stone.

Get *Kimberly Akimbo* tickets now.

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## *Moulin Rouge! The Musical*

Based on the cult classic Baz Luhrmann film, *Moulin Rouge! The Musical* transports audiences to Paris’s bohemian Montmartre district at the turn of the 20th century. The leading man is Christian, an American writer who has just arrived in Paris, but Satine — the sparkling diamond at the Moulin Rouge nightclub — steals the show.

Although she’s promised to the Duke of Monroth to save the club, the independent and closed-off Satine falls into a whirlwind romance with Christian. In the end, it’s Satine who learns to love and be loved in return.

Get *Moulin Rouge! The Musical* tickets now.

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## *Funny Girl*

Who told you you’re allowed to rain on her parade? If anyone is willing to go after exactly what she wants without hesitation, it’s *Funny Girl*’s Fanny Brice. Based on the true story of Ziegfeld Follies showgirl and comedian Fanny Brice, the musical follows her upbringing in an immigrant Jewish family with big dreams of stardom and her success as a comedic actress in the Follies.

You’ll not only hear [Lea Michele](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/lea-michele) sing the famous showstopper “Don’t Rain on My Parade” at *Funny Girl* on Broadway, but you’ll also learn about a pioneering female comedian who paved the way for other “funny girls” who came after her.

Get *Funny Girl* tickets now.

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## *Summer, 1976*

*Summer, 1976* celebrates female bonds as two women navigate motherhood, ambition, and independence amid societal expectations for women. The play follows naive housewife Alice and nonconformist artist Diana, who strike up a friendship one summer that changes their lives. Not only does this play focus on women’s resilience and independence, but it also stars two powerhouse actresses: [Laura Linney](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/laura-linney) and Jessica Hecht. 

Get *Summer, 1976* tickets now.

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## *Six*

Listen up and let them tell you a story. *Six* is the musical sensation that has taken Broadway by storm since premiering in 2020, featuring the six wives of Henry VIII — except this time, you get to hear about their lives in their own words. The show flips the script by allowing these women, historically known as little more than wives, to make their voices heard, independent of the king.

You’ll have a blast at this high-octane musical that mimics a pop concert, and you’ll also learn history about these women and the parts of their lives often left out of textbooks.

Get *Six* tickets now.

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## *Once Upon a One More Time*

This women-powered jukebox musical takes the songs of Britney Spears and sets them to a new story about fairytale princesses you know and love. They realize they have the power to create their own happily ever afters — no princes required.

In the vein of *Bad Cinderella* and *& Juliet*, this new musical retells the stories of famous female characters, creating more empowering paths than those in their original narratives. In other words, they’re stronger than yesterday, and now there’s nothing in their way.

[Check back for information on *Once Upon a One More Time* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27127-once-upon-a-one-more-time-on-broadway)

The best Broadway shows to see for Women’s History Month

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Check out these plays and musicals in New York led by women on stage, as various historic and fictional characters, and off stage as writers and directors.

It's too good, at least! A new block of tickets has been released for *Sweeney Todd* on Broadway, with seats now available to performances through January 14, 2024. [Get *Sweeney Todd* tickets now.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26216-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-tickets)

The current revival of *Sweeney Todd* began performances at the [Lunt-Fontanne Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/lunt-fontanne-theatre) on February 26 and officially opens on March 26. It is the third Broadway revival of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical, which won eight Tony Awards for its 1979 premiere.

Grammy Award nominee Josh Groban plays the title character of *Sweeney Todd*, a barber who swears vengeance — and death — on a judge who wronged him. Tony Award winner Annaleigh Ashford stars opposite Groban as Mrs. Lovett, Todd's accomplice as his revenge plot turns into a murder spree.

The show features popular show tunes including "A Little Priest," "Johanna," and "The Ballad of Sweeney Todd."

Get *Sweeney Todd* tickets now.

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'Sweeney Todd' Broadway tickets on sale through January 2024

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Sweeney Todd on Broadway - NYC

Sweeney Todd on Broadway

Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford star in the latest revival of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's musical thriller, which plays the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre.

The new play [*Room*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27517-room-on-broadway) has postponed its Broadway premiere indefinitely. The show, starring [Adrienne Warren](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/adrienne-warren), was set to play a limited engagement at the [James Earl Jones Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/james-earl-jones-theatre) from April 3 to September 17.

“In the midst of our rehearsals we were informed by one of our Lead Producers that due to personal reasons, they did not intend to fulfill their obligations to the production," producer Hunter Arnold said in a statement about the postponement.

"Since being notified, the rest of the producing team has exhausted all possible avenues to keep the show on track, but the narrow timeline and economic shortfall created by this series of events has proven to be insurmountable."

The current production is shut down as of March 16.

*Room* is based on the same-named book and movie about a woman and her young son facing the outside world after years of being held in captivity. Emma Donoghue wrote the novel, screenplay, and the script for the stage adaptation. Cora Bissett and Kathryn Joseph wrote songs for the show, and Bissett was set to direct.

'Room' postpones Broadway premiere indefinitely

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Children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

Room on Broadway Starring Adrienne Warren - NYC

Room on Broadway Starring Adrienne Warren

The new play, based on Emma Donoghue's book and movie of the same name, was scheduled to begin performances at the James Earl Jones Theatre on April 3.

Wonder what the king is doing tonight? Then hightail it to [*Camelot*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25210-camelot-tickets), the 1960 musical by Alan J. Lerner and Frederick Loewe that packs enough royal romance and drama to fill the [Vivian Beaumont Theater](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/vivian-beaumont-theater), which houses the show's latest revival.

The show is based on the legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table. Nearly 63 years after premiering on Broadway, *Camelot* has carved its rightful place as a beloved classic. Credit a gem-packed score plus the enduring meaning of Camelot beyond the stage. Find out more about how *Camelot* looks to history and proves its lasting relevance, plus other compelling reasons to put this revival on your must-see list.

Get *Camelot* tickets now.

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## Aaron Sorkin updated the story.

This revival is not your grandmother’s *Camelot*. Since the beginning, the show’s sprawling story has been challenging to tell coherently. Director Bartlett Sher tapped Aaron Sorkin to update the book. Sorkin, who won an Oscar for writing *The Social Network*, a contemporary drama of power plays, brings the musical’s story down to earth while maintaining its epic sweep.

Sorkin scrapped *Camelot*'s supernatural elements, so the stakes are all on a human level, and you can’t get higher than that. Plus, Sorkin situated the story on the eve of the Enlightenment. The poetic richness of that era speaks for itself, but this change also means Arthur is no longer in a fantasy bubble. His story now affects an actual period of history.

## *Camelot* has a timeless takeaway.

Camelot is the mythical title kingdom that shone brightly, if briefly. Arthur goes from an idealistic young monarch who dreams of a just, democratic society to a despairing ruler who realizes his utopian visions have imploded.

A downer? Maybe. But Camelot’s brief rise is reason to rejoice – and to hope again for “a fleeting wisp of glory,” as the show famously says. Right now, a dose of optimism – and the reminder that greatness may be in anyone’s grasp – could do us some good.

## *Camelot* is symbolic of the Kennedys.

One way to measure the reach of a musical is to look beyond the stage to its impact on pop culture. *Camelot* debuted on Broadway as John F. Kennedy was en route to becoming president. In the same way people know Arthur and his knights as chivalrous, they romanticize the Kennedy administration as a period of optimism. 

“The Kennedys saw the show, and Jack loved it," Sorkin has said. "Jackie started calling their White House ‘Camelot.’” Today, it’s uncertain if that’s 100% true. But it’s the stuff of legend – and that’s what this musical is about. 

## *Camelot* showcases dramas of the heart and sword.

Love triangles and power battles are storytelling staples that don’t get old, and both are at the heart of *Camelot*. Despite her marriage to Arthur, Queen Guenevere becomes increasingly unable to resist her feelings for Sir Lancelot. That’s going to hurt. The king’s illegitimate son, Mordred, plots to overtake the throne. Ditto. These two events thread together and contribute to the demise of Arthur’s dream.

## *Camelot* has a vibrant, celebrated cast.

The show’s principal roles now belong to a trio of proven Broadway talents. A Tony Award winner for *The Inheritance*, Andrew Burnap plays the idealistic Arthur. [*Hamilton*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/384-hamilton-tickets) Tony nominee Phillipa Soo is the conflicted Guenevere, and *My Fair Lady* alum Jordan Donica heats things up as Lancelot. Richard Burton, Julie Andrews, and Robert Goulet originated the three juicy roles.

## Royal rubbernecking never gets old.

Royal intrigue is forever fascinating. The show offers this reminder on stage, and the coronation of England’s King Charles III in the lusty month of May (the 3rd, to be specific) provides one in the real world.

## The musical’s songs are royal treats.

Lerner and Loewe’s score has many crown jewels. Among them are the buoyant title song and the jaunty “The Lusty Month of May.” “If Ever I Would Leave You” is hard to beat for sheer swoon appeal. Various artists like Aretha Franklin and Il Divo have covered the song. 

## You’ll hear an orchestra with oomph.

A royal epic deserves a lush background. This new production boasts a 30-piece orchestra and the show’s original orchestrations. When you have such beautiful songs, showcase them to the max.

## The director is in his element.

Director Bartlett Sher, who previously collaborated with Sorkin on the Broadway play *To Kill a Mockingbird*, has lots of experience making classic musicals shine anew on stage at the Beaumont in Lincoln Center. He’s previously guided hit revivals of *South Pacific*, *The King and I*, and *My Fair Lady* on that grand stage. 

## *Camelot* is a Broadway time machine.

*Camelot* debuted in 1960 during the Golden Age of Broadway. Now, a new generation of theatregoers experiences the show with fresh eyes and ears. Today’s audiences get the best of both worlds: the pleasing nostalgia of a classic musical and a script by a celebrated contemporary writer. Together, they remind us that *Camelot*’s messages of hope, honor, and love outlast any kingdom.

Get *Camelot* tickets now.

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How the 'Camelot' Broadway revival is reinventing the roundtable

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Camelot on Broadway - NYC

Camelot on Broadway

See why Lerner and Loewe's classic musical about an ancient mythical kingdom still speaks to modern times, thanks to updates by Oscar winner Aaron Sorkin.

Here it is! The new Stephen Sondheim musical [*Here We Are*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/28147-here-we-are-tickets) will have its world premiere this September at [The Shed](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/the-griffin-theater-at-the-shed), with exact dates to be announced.

Sondheim and bookwriter David Ives based *Here We Are* on two films by Luis Buñuel: 1972's *The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie*, about six middle-class urbanites whose dinner party is constantly interrupted, and 1962's *The Exterminating Angel*, about wealthy guests trapped at a dinner party of their own.

Sondheim and Ives's adaptation was originally called *Square One*, and various private workshops have taken place since news of the musical first broke in 2014.

Directing *Here We Are* off Broadway is Joe Mantello, a two-time Tony Award winner for *Assassins* and *Take Me Out*. He is also known for directing shows including [*Wicked*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets), *The Humans*, and this spring's *Grey House*, a new play starring Laurie Metcalf.

Additional creative team and cast announcements for *Here We Are* have yet to come.

*Here We Are* is the final show Stephen Sondheim composed before his death in 2021. A string of Sondheim shows have appeared in New York since then: *Company*, *Into the Woods*, and the currently running [*Sweeney Todd*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26216-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-tickets) on Broadway, and *Assassins* and [*Merrily We Roll Along*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27417-merrily-we-roll-along-tickets) off Broadway. The latter is transferring to Broadway this fall.

Check back for information on *Here We Are* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

New Stephen Sondheim musical 'Here We Are' to premiere off Broadway

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Here We Are - NYC

Here We Are

This new show, based on two films by Luis Buñuel, will play at The Shed and is the final musical Stephen Sondheim composed before his death in 2021.

This is your ticket to Neverland! [*Peter Pan Goes Wrong*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27336-peter-pan-goes-wrong-tickets) will offer rush and lottery tickets for its 16-week Broadway run. Performances begin March 17 ahead of an April 19 opening at the [Barrymore Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/barrymore-theatre).

*Peter Pan Goes Wrong* will offer $40 tickets via a digital lottery. The lottery is open for entries from midnight to 3 p.m. the day before each performance, and winners are drawn at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Winners may purchase up to two tickets for the next day's performance.

The show will also have in-person rush tickets available for $45. Each person can purchase up to two tickets for that day's performance at the Barrymore Theatre box office, beginning at 10 a.m. each day. Rush tickets are subject to availability.

In *Peter Pan Goes Wrong*, an amateur college theatre troupe attempts to stage [J. M. Barrie's classic *Peter Pan* play](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/all-the-peter-pan-adaptations-in-broadway-theatre), but they encounter mishaps with their sets, props, and fellow actors at every turn. This slapstick comedy show is from Mischief Theatre Company, who also created [*The Play That Goes Wrong*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/14790-the-play-that-goes-wrong-tickets), which has played in New York since 2019.

Get *Peter Pan Goes Wrong* tickets now.

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*Photo credit: The cast of Peter Pan Goes Wrong in London in 2015. (Photo by Alastair Muir)*

'Peter Pan Goes Wrong' to offer Broadway lottery and rush tickets

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Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway - NYC

Peter Pan Goes Wrong on Broadway

The comedy from Mischief Theatre Company, the creator of *The Play That Goes Wrong*, makes its New York debut at the Barrymore Theatre for 16 weeks only.

Scream and shout! Two new cast members have been set for [*Once Upon a One More Time*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27127-once-upon-a-one-more-time-on-broadway) on Broadway. The musical begins performances at the [Marquis Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/marquis-theatre) on May 13 ahead of a June 22 opening night.

Newly announced cast members include two-time Tony Award nominees Jennifer Simard as Stepmother and Adam Godley as the Narrator. Simard is known for her acclaimed performances in *Company* and *Mean Girls* on Broadway, and Godley for *The Lehman Trilogy* and *Anything Goes*. 

They join the previously announced Briga Heelan as Cinderella, Justin Guarini as Prince Charming, and Aisha Jackson as Snow White.

Additional casting has yet to be announced.

The creative team includes creative consultant David Leveaux, scenic designer Anna Fleischle, costume designer Loren Elstein, lighting designer Kenneth Posner, sound designer Andrew Keister, projection designer Sven Ortel, and wig designer Nikiya Mathis.

## What is *Once Upon a One More Time* about?

*Once Upon a One More Time* features an original story by Jon Hartmere set to the chart-topping songs of Britney Spears. When a fairy godmother presents Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, and more with *The Feminine Mystique* at their book club, the women learn they can write their own happily ever afters.

Spears songs featured include "...Baby One More Time," "Womanizer," "Oops!...I Did It Again," "Circus," and "Stronger," plus more than a dozen others.

Check back for information on *Once Upon a One More Time* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

*Photo credit: Jennifer Simard and Adam Godley. (Photos courtesy of production; Simard photo by Sarah Jenkins)*

Jennifer Simard, Adam Godley join 'Once Upon a One More Time' Broadway cast

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Once Upon A One More Time on Broadway - NYC

Once Upon A One More Time on Broadway

Both actors were Tony Award nominees in 2022, and they now join the cast of the new Britney Spears musical beginning performances at the Marquis Theatre in May.

He's gonna be startin' somethin'! Elijah Rhea Johnson will make his Broadway debut as Michael Jackson in [*MJ The Musical*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/23379-mj-the-musical-tickets) on Broadway this spring. He begins performances at the [Neil Simon Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/neil-simon-theatre) on April 4.

Johnson makes his Broadway debut in the role; however, this isn't his first time with *MJ*. He played the role of a younger Michael Jackson in pre-Broadway workshops of *MJ*, and he also starred in touring and Las Vegas productions of *The Lion King* as a child.

Johnson takes over the role from Myles Frost, who departs *MJ The Musical* on April 2. Frost made history in 2022 as the youngest solo actor to win the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical at 22 years old.

*MJ The Musical* recounts the life and career of Michael Jackson through all his hit songs. When an MTV camera crew arrives at tour rehearsals to film a documentary about Jackson, he and audiences look back through his most formative memories and career highlights.

Director/choreographer Christopher Wheeldon won the Best Choreography Tony Award for *MJ*, and the script is by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage.

## Who is in the *MJ The Musical* Broadway cast?

In addition to Johnson as Michael Jackson, the principal cast of *MJ The Musical* also includes Tavon Olds-Sample, Bane Griffith, Christian Wilson, Quentin Earl Darrington, Whitney Bashor, Gabriel Ruiz, Antoine L. Smith, Joey Sorge, Ayana George, Apollo Levine, John Edwards, Lamont Walker II, and Zelig Williams.

Get *MJ The Musical* tickets now.

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*Photo credit: Elijah Rhea Johnson. (Photo by Drew Elhamalawy)*

Elijah Rhea Johnson to star in 'MJ The Musical' on Broadway

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MJ The Musical on Broadway [23379]

MJ The Musical on Broadway

He will assume the role of Michael Jackson from Myles Frost, who won a 2022 Tony Award for Best Actor for his performance, in April at the Neil Simon Theatre.

Three new cast members have entered the cottage! Complete principal casting has been announced for [*The Cottage*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27834-the-cottage-tickets) on Broadway. This new comedy play by Sandy Rustin begins performances on July 7.

Newly announced cast members include Alex Moffat, Nehal Joshi, and Dana Steingold. Joshi and Steingold are theatre veterans; Joshi has appeared in various shows including *The Phantom of the Opera* and *Les Miserables*, and Steingold just wrapped a run in *Beetlejuice* on Broadway.

Moffat, now making his Broadway debut, is known for his breakout performances on *Saturday Night Live*, impersonating figures like Joe Biden and Mark Zuckerberg and appearing regularly in the Weekend Update sketch.

The trio joins the previously announced previously announced Eric McCormack (Emmy Award winner for *Will & Grace*), Laura Bell Bundy (Tony nominee for *Legally Blonde*), and Lilli Cooper (Tony nominee for *Tootsie*).

Additionally, the creative team includes set designer Paul Tate dePoo III, costume designer Sydney Maresca, lighting designer Jiyoun “Jiji” Chang, and sound designer Justin Ellington.

*Seinfeld*'s Jason Alexander directs *The Cottage*, which follows a woman who reveals her affair to both her husband and her lover's wife. Chaos, and potentially murder, ensue.

## When is *The Cottage* on Broadway playing?

*The Cottage* runs at the [Hayes Theater](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/hayes-theater) on Broadway from July 7 to October 29. Opening night is July 24.

Check back for information on *The Cottage* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

*Photo credit: Alex Moffat, Nehal Joshi, and Dana Steingold. (Photos courtesy of production)*

'The Cottage' sets full principal Broadway cast

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The Cottage on Broadway - NYC

The Cottage on Broadway

Find out who will be joining Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy, and Lilli Cooper in leading roles in Sandy Rustin's new play directed by Jason Alexander.

"*Hamlet* takes place in a high royal court, so they have class and stature to uphold," noted Chris Herbie Holland, an actor in Broadway's [*Fat Ham*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27141-fat-ham-tickets), a new play that sends up Shakespeare's revenge tragedy. "We're at a cookout."

Translation: Royal decorum doesn't apply to this cast. In James Ijames's comedy — which won a Pulitzer Prize days before its Off-Broadway debut in 2022 — the action takes place at a modern Black family's barbecue in the South. Hamlet's quest to murder his uncle for murdering his father now includes karaoke, charades, and smoked ribs.

Ijames's take on the story also sees Juicy, the Hamlet figure, consider nonviolent means of justice, fighting stereotypes about Black manhood.

"I didn't see a lot of people of color play parts of Shakespeare on stage when I was first in this country," said director Saheem Ali, who frequently performed Shakespeare in his native Kenya. "I always had a passion to make those stories have as diverse a cast as possible and find new ways of making them feel alive and fresh."

*Fat Ham* delivers, featuring a seven-strong all-Black cast. The full company of the 2022 production reprise their roles at the [American Airlines Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/american-airlines-theatre) from March 21, five of whom are making their Broadway debuts.

The *Fat Ham* Broadway cast dishes on how their characters [mirror and depart from Shakespeare's](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/the-differences-and-similarities-between-fat-ham-and-shakespeares-hamlet) and which Shakespeare character they'd invite to a cookout. They also share standout moments — comedic and heartfelt — audiences should watch for.

[Learn more about why to see *Fat Ham* on Broadway.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/why-you-should-see-the-pulitzer-prize-winning-play-fat-ham)

Get *Fat Ham* tickets now.

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![marcel-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1iTUux9xDzCuPCQG7vm86n/a6048340ab3e75c1ba35947435437ea8/marcel-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Marcel Spears

Marcel Spears leads the *Fat Ham* cast as Juicy. Juicy read *Hamlet* in school, so he recognizes the parallels between his situation and Hamlet's. But as a queer Black man, he hopes what's in store for Hamlet might not be the same for him.

__Spears on Juicy:__ Like Hamlet, he's a young man that is plagued with his inner critic, constantly trying to figure out which direction is best for him, trying to find himself. Juicy is, like Hamlet, a sensitive soul — until he isn't. He can be very selfish and careless. There's a deep sense of loneliness, but also this mirth that rests underneath both characters.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ One of my favorite lines is Tedra's, Juicy's mom. She says, "You thick, baby! Juicy! You got boo-tay!" The way she says it makes me laugh on stage every time.

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Nick Bottom from *Midsummer [Night's Dream]* would be a really fun cookout guest. There would be no shortage of entertainment.

![billy-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/6mHu2YCLlyW4WKE6ELkLaM/0a946fb6a4bfdfc106f124cbff20a014/billy-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Billy Eugene Jones

Broadway veteran Billy Eugene Jones does double duty in *Fat Ham* as Juicy's ghostly father, Pap, and his uncle, Rev. Ijames gives more depth to Pap than Shakespeare did to the King of Denmark — we learn Pap wasn't quite as noble. And Rev, besides being an actual killer like Hamlet's Uncle Claudius, is also a killer barbecuer.

__Jones on Pap and Rev:__ They're both the same guy, that's my thing. My characters in *Fat Ham* and in *Hamlet* are very similar. I play Uncle Claudius, and Claudius is murderous in *Hamlet* and murderous in *Fat Ham*. [Rev's] just a little more funny and maybe a little more cruel.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ My favorite line in the play is, "Chile, you ain't gonna kill nobody." We go through life trying to act so tough, and then it's just, "Hey, calm down. We're all here, and we're all going to have a great time." [Unless you're Rev.] If you're Rev, you're going to kill some folks.

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Macbeth. You've got to have somebody at the table who can get things done, and so certainly. I need somebody who has a lot of ambition who's on [Rev's] side.

![nikki-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2nllto5NbR2MHwrulajBbj/c510f8e19c925a502a359a795747eb42/nikki-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Nikki Crawford

Nikki Crawford brings down the house as Tedra, Juicy's feisty mother based on Hamlet's mother, Gertrude. The cookout doubles as her and Rev's wedding reception, so she's ready to party — especially when the karaoke machine comes out.

__Crawford on Tedra:__ Tedra is very similar to Gertrude, but she's the more exaggerated, urban version of Gertrude. Everything that is insinuated in *Hamlet* about Gertrude, you see come to life in *Fat Ham*: her overt sexuality and the fact that she married her brother-in-law shortly after the death of her husband. That says a lot about the type of woman she is!

She's just unabashedly herself. In this version, Tedra just gets to act up and be wild.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ What's really touching to me is the moment between Juicy and I at the end, where she reveals to him how she needs him more, probably, than he needs her — that he's my best friend and my everything and I can't exist without him.

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Ophelia. She's so sad and melancholy. If she were to spend just a few hours with these zany characters from *Fat Ham*, she'd be a lot happier.

![chris-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2HQTrbUnG9ENmBt8AI9BmV/59b6bf03bdb1607496728b3c25c72f64/chris-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Chris Herbie Holland

In *Fat Ham*, Horatio becomes Tio, Juicy's carefree cousin played by Chris Herbie Holland. He brings zany and sometimes raunchy humor to the proceedings, but he also gives Juicy thoughtful advice and support.

__Holland on Tio:__ I'm the first one that sees the ghost and informs Juicy about it. Horatio is Hamlet's confidante, his best friend. I'm Juicy's best friend and his confidante, and the one who talks him down off the ledge when he feels like the world is becoming too much for him.

Where they [differ] — Tio's living life for the moment. I'm choosing joy, choosing pleasure, and I'm choosing the things that make me happy, whether that's weed or porn or having my philosophies about life. Horatio feels more of an academic.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ Mine probably goes over a lot of people's heads, but it makes me cry every single time I hear it. It's "I want you to be happy, Mama."

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Falstaff, because he gets lit. Falstaff getting drunk at an event and talking about his adventures — I would love to just sit at the feet of him and be like, "Yo, what was it like? Tell me everything."

![adrianna-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/5BLO7jFKfymsCCqYEYabCX/468012aa1d4321b3315c8d0287e2da7a/adrianna-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Adrianna Mitchell

Opal, played by Adrianna Mitchell, is the Ophelia character of *Fat Ham*, but no one's telling her to "get thee to a nunnery." Opal has a headstrong, combative streak, and she and Juicy are both trying to subvert their parents' expectations.

__Mitchell on Opal:__ She's an Ophelia foil, the antithesis of Ophelia. Ophelia is very passive; there are a lot of men around her who tell her what to do, and we see her demise. But one of my favorite lines from Opal is, "I ain't dying for nobody."

She's a bull in a china shop, she bucks up against whoever people think she should be, and it's exciting to see a female character take up space like that.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ There's a moment when Juicy and Opal get to have their quiet moment away from the family and share the truth about themselves. But it's also really fun — there'll be spotlights and maybe some microphones. It's not what you expect, but it's still a beautiful little scene.

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Viola from *Twelfth Night*. She's gender-bending, she's not conforming to what people think she should be, and that energy would actually be very welcome at this barbecue.

![calvin-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/YoUt9y2s17PG1iTXUUxhx/f1de2bd39fe22661b44e9118d9f1aa2d/calvin-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Calvin Leon Smith

Calvin Leon Smith's character, Larry, is Opal's brother, as Ophelia and Laertes are siblings in *Hamlet*. His standing as a U.S. soldier makes his mother proud, but he wishes he could be less violent and more soft — like Juicy.

__Smith on Larry:__ Laertes was also in the military; he was sent off to school. Larry comes back, and in the modern version, it's written that he has PTSD, as opposed to Laertes, who just has an anger streak.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ Tedra's karaoke moment. Also [a rendition of Radiohead's] "Creep," another karaoke moment. That is one of the moments people are obsessed with.

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Othello, because he wasn't around enough of us [Black people], and I think he would really enjoy that and need it.

![benja-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/rVp1q32e0TwZcCu8sIPq5/f4959b0b1a41f4a37c50b02031723c3b/benja-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Benja Kay Thomas

Following her Broadway debut as Phylicia Rashad's understudy in *Skeleton Crew* last year, Benja Kay Thomas originates her first Broadway role as Rabby, a stand-in for Shakespeare's Polonius. She just wants to pray, eat, and spend some wholesome quality time with family and friends. Of course, that doesn't quite happen.

__Thomas on Rabby:__ Rabby is different from Polonius because she's a female. She has two kids. She's very sharp-witted. Rabby's a little more outspoken, and she's more accepting of her children and not as judgmental.

__Favorite *Fat Ham* moment:__ One of my favorite moments is the dinner scene when we pray, and it's a real Southern Baptist table, and we're just having so much joy. Another time is at the end. I won't give away the ending, but the end is so much joy.

__Shakespearean cookout guest:__ Othello, because I'm sure he's going to be tall, fine, and handsome. I would also bring Hamlet. I would say, "Nobody is dying in this play! How about that?"

Get *Fat Ham* tickets now.

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*Responses have been edited for length and clarity.*

*Top image credit: The cast of Fat Ham at The Public Theater off Broadway. (Photo by Joan Marcus)*

Meet the cast of 'Fat Ham' on Broadway

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Fat Ham on Broadway - NYC

Fat Ham on Broadway

The Pulitzer Prize-winning play by James Ijames, which premiered off Broadway last spring, comes to the American Airlines Theatre with all the same actors.

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Avenue Q [13]

Genre: Musical (US and AUS)

[Media #1] Avenue Q 13

[Media #2] Avenue Q 13

[Media #3] Avenue Q 13

[Media #4] Avenue Q 13

Avenue Q

[Poster] Avenue Q 13

Bubble lovers of all ages are delighted with an unbubblievable experience, awashed with a bubble tide, and perhaps even find themselves inside a bubble. (2+)

New World Stages

Gazillion Bubble Show [13514]

Gazillion Bubble Header

Gazillion Bubble Show

[Poster] Gazillion Bubble Show 13514

Located beneath the Worldwide Plaza between Times Square and Hell’s Kitchen, New World Stages is a modern performing arts complex with five theatres for Off-Broadway productions.

The building was constructed in 1994 on the site of the third Madison Square Garden. It first opened as a Loews Cineplex Entertainment multiplex cinema, which closed in 2001.

For the next three years, the building underwent substantial renovations and finally reopened as Dodger Stages in 2004, designed by architects Beyer, Blinder, and Belle. The theatre complex was renamed New World Stages on March 16, 2006, and Stage Entertainment assumed sole ownership of the property. The Shubert Organization took over ownership and operation on November 17, 2017.

All five spaces have between 100 and 500 seats, officially deeming New World Stages an Off-Broadway venue. Stage 1 and Stage 3 are the largest theatres in the complex with 499 seats. Stages 2 and 4 offer a 350-seat capacity. Stage 5 is the smallest venue with 199 seats. The Green Room is the official bar and lounge for New World Stages, but it can also be a performance space.

## How to get to New World Stages off Broadway

New World Stages is closest to the 50th St. subway stop on the C and E lines. The nearest bus stop is 9 Av./W 50 St. on the M11 line.

## Where is *The Play That Goes Wrong* playing?

*The Play That Goes Wrong* is at New World Stages' Stage 4. The comedy play made its Broadway debut in 2017, and after running there for two years, it transferred off Broadway.

Previous productions that enjoyed long Off-Broadway runs at New World Stages after closing on Broadway are *Jersey Boys* and *Avenue Q*.

New World Stages - NYC

The Play That Goes Wrong [14790] (USE THIS 2021) 

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The Play That Goes Wrong

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Halfway through the first act of the hilarious off-Broadway staging of <a href="/show/the-play-that-goes-wrong">The Play That Goes Wrong</a>, an actor who has grown wildly frustrated because of a missing prop turns to the audience and says, "Stop laughing! This isn't television, I can see you." The demand, naturally, only makes the audience laugh harder. And that is an impressive feat given that the chuckles had been pouring forth relentlessly from the production's opening moments and, indeed, carry through to the final madcap meltdown, with the scenery seemingly in a race with the performers to see which will tip over first. If it is cliché to say that a show has non-stop laughs, then this show is cliché in the extreme. If it is pat to say that this play lives up to its title, rarely have a talented crew of actors and technicians so seamlessly joined forces to make a ridiculously wrong piece of theater feel so very right.The script, by a trio of gents who trained at the London Academy of Music &amp; Dramatic Art, actually has a rather complicated exoskeleton. It is a play within a play, with actors portraying other actors who, in turn, are portraying characters in a murder mystery. It is an Agatha Christie type of an affair where one dead body turns into two, then back into one, then into several, while siblings, friends, a love interest and, of course, the butler, are all scrutinized by an intrepid inspector (a game for anything Matt Harrington). But none of this matters in the least. It is merely an excuse for two hours of well-timed spit takes, killer pratfalls, silly antics by men with serious British accents, pyrotechnics of both the literal and metaphorical variety, purposefully egregious over-acting and death defying moments of scenic design by Tony Award winner Nigel Hook. Director Matt DiCarlo, either a genius or a fool, pulls it all together with the nerves of a demolition expert handling a bomb with a dozen different triggers.Beyond the simple joys of a man running face-first into a pole, there are recognizable pleasures to be had for anyone who has ever been in a play, amateur or professional, on stage or in the wings. There are cascading prop failures, sound cues with a mind of their own, and misdelivered dialogue that leads to one scene getting stuck in an endless loop. An ensemble of eight perform the tricky task of bashing each other while making sure their antics are safely executed. Bartley Booz, as the confused thespian, Dennis, has his lines written on his hands but still manages to mispronounce everything as he tries to create a believable butler. Matt Walker, as Max, intentionally steals every scene he is in by making devilish eye contact with the audience, much more concerned with showing off than with actual acting. Ashley Reyes handles the ingénue duties with aplomb, gamely being thrown out the window when not torn between two lovers. Ryan Vincent Anderson and Bianca Horn are two stagehands who get dragged into the action with predictably bruising results while Chris Lanceley and Brent Bateman portray friends with stiff upper lips and quivering legs.Having ended its successful Broadway run in January, the play has found a happy home at <a href="/theatres/new-world-stages">New World Stages</a>, joining fellow transfers <a href="/show/avenue-q">Avenue Q</a> and <a href="/show/jersey-boys">Jersey Boys</a> in the underground complex which originally housed a discount multiplex cinema. This cramped stage feels more in keeping with the ruse that the production is presented by a dysfunctional British drama society. The smaller proscenium makes it seem all the more big-hearted.(Photo by Jeremy Daniel)

Review of The Play That Goes Wrong at New World Stages

May be inappropriate for 12 and under.  Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

Anthony Rapp’s Without You - NYC

Anthony Rapp’s Without You

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"Five hundred, twenty-five thousand, six hundred minutes..."

The immediately recognizable "Seasons of Love" appropriately kicks off [*Without You*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26814-without-you-tickets), the theatrical memoir of Anthony Rapp, who originated the lead role of Mark in Jonathan Larson's groundbreaking rock musical *Rent*. To Rapp's credit, he makes what could be a painfully cliche opening feel genuine, as though the song was written only yesterday. It's a freshness that only an original *Rent* star could give a 30-year-old tune.

That's also the vibe of *Without You* at large. The show is adapted from Rapp's same-named 2006 memoir about events that happened in the mid-90s: his rapid rise from Starbucks barista to Broadway star, which coincided with the loss of Larson and, miles from New York, Rapp's mother. He delivers this story with such passion — signaled, at times, by visible tears on his cheeks — that you'd think it all just happened.

Moments like Rapp's vivid reenactment of *Rent*'s very first performance — a concert-style tribute to Larson, who passed away that morning — even feel like they're happening for the first time right there at [New World Stages](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/new-world-stages). (Indeed, *Without You*'s official opening tonight is the 27th anniversary of that performance.) Rapp's singular look behind the scenes of the beloved musical is not only the show's biggest draw, but its greatest strength.

He breaks out all the hits — "One Song Glory," "Rent," "La Vie Boheme," "No Day But Today" — and recalls his conversations with people like Larson, director Michael Greif, and castmates Adam Pascal and Daphne Rubin-Vega, skillfully mimicking all their voices. Images of various *Rent*-related objects and actual behind-the-scenes photos are projected collage-style on the walls behind him throughout, echoing the look of *Rent*'s original show poster.

But half of *Without You* dispenses with *Rent* as Rapp recalls his relationship with his on-and-off sickly mother in her last years. It's impossible for such a story not to strike an emotional chord, but theatrically, the show loses momentum in these sections and reminds us of its origin as a book.

Rapp doesn't quite succeed in integrating his two throughlines, making *Without You* feel like two separate shows at once. There's a chasm between the rollicking energy of the *Rent* sections, punctuated by Larson's tunes at both joyous and sorrowful moments, and the mellow straightforwardness of the family sections, scored by Rapp's easygoing original songs. (A live five-piece band supports all of Rapp's vocals.) There's little consistency between the two, both musically and visually — the carefully curated, stylized *Rent*-inspired projections give way to generic art as Rapp sings his own music. And a country-inspired tune about a cancerous tumor dubbed "Wild Bill" stands out as particularly bizarre, not quite matching either section's tone.

Rapp's effortlessly affable persona, however, keeps *Without You* largely entertaining nonetheless. And there is one consistent through line: "Seasons of Love." The song bookends the show and pops up a few times in between. It's the first number Rapp learned at the first *Rent* rehearsal — the symbol of a new beginning — and a key moment in *Rent*'s first performance after Larson's passing — the symbol of an end, "as if Jonathan had written his own memorial," as Rapp puts it. In other words, that one song ties together all of *Without You*'s themes of life and love and loss, with no trace of its time-acquired banality.

Mrs. Rapp loved any chance Rapp got to sing, he says. She, and Larson, would be proud.

[*Without You* is at New World Stages through April 30. Get *Without You* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26814-without-you-tickets)

*Photo credit: Anthony Rapp in Without You. (Photo by Russ Rowland)*

'Without You' review — Anthony Rapp measures a life in love and loss

Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo - NYC

Katsura Sunshine's Rakugo

Rakugo

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We at the New York Theatre Guide appreciate that theater fans are going through hard times at the moment due to the temporary&nbsp;<a href="/news-features/the-broadway-league-confirms-month-long-broadway-shutdown-due-to-covid-19">closure</a> of both the Broadway and Off-Broadway scenes, so we've decided to bring you all daily doses of our favorite show tunes to remind us all of better days and to get us through the quarantine of self-isolation.So, for our first "QuaranTune," we're going with a fan favorite from the 2004 Tony Award-winning 'Best Musical'&nbsp;<a href="/show/avenue-q">Avenue Q</a>... because we are firm believers that this current COVID-19 pandemic is only "For Now"!&nbsp;<iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="400" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/uUjMRAii9C0" width="100%"></iframe><blockquote>Everything in life is only for now. (Princeton, Avenue Q)</blockquote>(Header photo by Carol Rosegg)&nbsp;

QuaranTune #1: "For Now" from Avenue Q

Welcome to our daily Show Tune dose to chase away the quarantine blues...

The New York Theatre Guide last reviewed the New York production of Avenue Q seven years ago, so we thought it was high time we re-visited Princeton, Kate Monster and co. at New World Stages to see if that fur-covered musical magic is still alive and well. I'm happy to report that Avenue Q is still right up my (Sesame) street!In 2003, this musical comedy from the creative genius of Jeff Whitty, Jeff Marx and the now EGOT-winner Robert Lopez defied all conventions and broke the mold of modern musical theatre. Shows that followed, including The Book of Mormon, tip their hats in appreciation for these brave puppets, who paved the way. Its snowballing success from the original 2003 production at the Vineyard Theatre swiftly led to a Broadway transfer to the John Golden Theatre, where it played an impressive total of 2,556 performance over more than six years. After closing on Broadway, it reopened the off-Broadway New World Stages venue in October 2009 and it is still entertaining crowds at that same venue today.The beauty of Avenue Q is the fact that every single person in the audience on any given evening will relate to something on stage. Most of us are familiar to a certain extent with "Sesame Street" and will appreciate the obvious parodies, especially the short pieces of animation played on the screens at either side of the stage. Gone are the cartoons about simple mathematical sums, however, as we find ourselves chuckling at videos about 'one night stands.' And seeing humans living in harmony (or disharmony) together on the same street joyously awakens the child within. But then, you are reminded how adult you have become, absorbing musical numbers about pornography, homosexuality, racism and that quest we all undertake on a daily basis - finding your purpose in life.This clever cast of characters are ticking every box, we might be struggling with in our own lives. Whether it be unemployment, being single, or coming to terms with your sexuality, the chances are you will leave the theatre having completely identified with another human... or a puppet (and how often can you say that?!)Although the show is over 13 years old by now, its essence refuses to grow thin over time, providing you have a talented cast to carry the script's humour and belt out those cheeky, politically incorrect tunes. In the case of the New World Stage cast, they certainly hit the mark.A special mention goes to Elizabeth Ann Berg and Grace Choi for their performances as Kate Monster / Lucy the Slut and Christmas Eve, respectively. Although the ensemble cast has great chemistry and comic timing, these two performers were vocally on top notch last night, bringing the house down with the power ballad "The More You Ruv Someone" and the heart-warming "There's a Fine, Fine Line."Simply put, this show is a perfect choice for visitors in town, who would like a sample of New York 'real' life, led by the not-so-real neighbours of Avenue Q. We may all be wondering how the hell we got to this point in our lives and constantly questioning what our purpose is? But for now, I'm happy that a single evening's purpose is well spent just to sit back, laugh and rejoice at the marvel of this modern-day musical.(Photo by Carol Rosegg)<hr />"They may have no legs of their own, but darned if those fuzzy creatures aren't still standing, long after more full-bodied competition has bitten the dust." Ben Brantley for the New York Times"Avenue Q is still one of the hippest theatrical destinations in New York" David Sheward for Back Stage"Returning to its Off Broadway origins, the 2004 Tony winner shows no discernible signs of downsizing and no loss of heart." David Rooney for Variety<a href="http://theater.nytimes.com/2009/10/22/theater/reviews/22avenue.html?ref=theater" target="Top">New York Times</a> - <a href="http://www.backstage.com/bso/reviews-ny-theatre-off-broadway/ny-review-avenue-q-1004029391.story" target="Top">Back Stage</a> - <a href="http://www.variety.com/review/VE1117941426.html?categoryid=33&amp;cs=1" target="Top">Variety</a>

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QuaranTune #1: "For Now" from Avenue Q