Broadway

Puppetry is for more than just kids' shows. [*The Lion King*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/42-the-lion-king-tickets) proved that on Broadway in 1997, bringing African animals to life with groundbreaking (and Tony Award-winning) designs. In 2012, *War Horse* galloped onto Broadway with life-size horse puppets that won their designers various awards. Now, in 2023, animal puppetry takes center stage again for [*Life of Pi.*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26712-life-of-pi-tickets)

Adapted from Yann Martel's bestselling adventure book of the same name, *Life of Pi* sees the title teenager fight for survival following a shipwreck. His only companions on a tiny lifeboat in the ocean are a zebra, orangutan, hyena, and Bengal tiger.

The stage adaptation comes to New York from London, where the animal puppets captivated audiences — and awards committees. The seven puppeteers who played Richard Parker, the tiger puppet, made history by jointly winning a Best Supporting Actor prize, a first at the Olivier Awards. Two of them, along with fellow Olivier winner Hiran Abeysekera as Pi, now bring their talents stateside. You might swear you somehow arrived at the zoo when you see these animals before you.

Learn more about how these actors, and puppet designers, Nick Barnes and Finn Caldwell, bring the wilderness alive on the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre stage. Then get tickets to *Life of Pi* on Broadway, and prepare to be swept up in their epic journey.

Get *Life of Pi* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26712-life-of-pi-tickets)

![life of pi puppets 4-1200x600](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/37kjOUuzH47izI5ZhIgsDi/b03d00e4f4a0fe1636261f369701c29f/life_of_pi_puppets_4-1200x600.jpg)

## The puppetry originally looked more like *The Lion King*'s.

*The Lion King*'s puppetry takes many different forms, from small birds on handheld poles to life-size elephant puppets with a performer in each leg. That show also incorporates masks, showcasing the actor in traditional clothing while maintaining an animal element.

Barnes and Caldwell initially designed puppets and masks to represent *Life of Pi*'s animals, testing what would work best. Intricate puppets best captured the animals' dangerous, primal nature and most realistic movements. Making the animals feel different from the humans — and keeping the audience on the edge of their seat, wondering who could become prey — is key to the thrill of *Life of Pi*.

## The puppets are designed to look like wreckage.

All four animal puppets are painted to look like they're made of driftwood, calling to the shipwreck they all endured. The puppets are lifelike, but not entirely naturalistic — the puppeteers are visible beneath missing bits and pieces of the animals' anatomy, similar to how a boat breaks apart during a wreck.

In addition, the *Life of Pi* play takes place mainly in flashbacks — Pi recounts his adventures to fellow hospital patients after being rescued. The driftwood-like puppet design points to the link between the shipwreck and the animals in Pi's memory.

![life of pi puppets 3-1200x600](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1OApXFTwrRgdKGJz4RlGNs/d189d8b5308961005afe79c5b6775d41/life_of_pi_puppets_3-1200x600.jpg)

## The tiger puppet's anatomy resembles an actual tiger's.

Just as a real animal's bones and joints are made of different types of bodily matter, the tiger puppet is, too. The "skeleton" comprises plywood, aluminum, and nylon, and the "joints" are made from elastic bungee cords. A foam-like material called Plastazote is molded and painted to cover this framework like "skin."

## The tiger puppet takes over 300 hours to make.

The London puppet took 345 hours — that's more than 14 days! Sanding down the raw materials for painting is a bulk of the job, and painting every nook and cranny also takes a substantial amount of time. Five to six people work on each puppet from start to finish — sanding, painting, sculpting each piece, and assembling them all.

![life of pi puppets 2-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/Z2FLwaRpICs4rAL9kQYpm/08955cd17b3a6c9dc40986c2da8502ce/life_of_pi_puppets_2-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## The *Life of Pi* cast includes experienced and new puppeteers.

Some actors that come aboard *Life of Pi* have experience working with puppets, but others learn as they go. In London, the puppeteers had a whole week of puppetry training before actual rehearsals. This time let everyone familiarize themselves with the puppet and learn to do basic movements inside it, like running, sitting, and jumping.

By the time they get to the stage, the performers make animal movements look easy — and since they're partially inside the puppet, you might forget they're even there.

## Staging the puppets is like choreographing a dance.

Suppose you've marveled at a group of dancers changing formations and artfully performing their moves without colliding. In that case, you'll be just as amazed by how the puppeteers seamlessly move as one to make the puppets run and jump in creative ways — all without leaving the lifeboat. 

Most *Life of Pi* puppets each have multiple puppeteers operating their various limbs at once. The range of motion the puppets achieve within these confines is something to behold. They're just one element of the inventive stagecraft that makes *Life of Pi* such a unique play. They take on a life of their own, and they capture audiences' emotions as much as any other living actor.

Get *Life of Pi* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26712-life-of-pi-tickets)

*Photo credit: Life of Pi on Broadway. (Photos by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)*

How the 'Life of Pi' Broadway puppets make animals come alive 

life of pi puppets-1200x600-NYTG

life of pi puppets 1-1200x600-NYTG

Learn fun facts about the puppets featured in this show adapted from Yann Martel's bestselling book, which won awards in London for its inventive stagecraft.

Roundabout Theatre Company has set its full 2023-24 theatre season, including four world-premiere plays and one revival. Beginning in September, two plays will go up on Broadway and three off Broadway.

The first Broadway play in the season is the world premiere of Theresa Rebeck's new comedy *I Need That*, starring Golden Globe winner and Tony and Oscar nominee Danny DeVito. He plays a reclusive hoarder who must clean up his home when threatened with eviction.

DeVito stars alongside his daughter, Lucy DeVito, and Ray Anthony Thomas at the [American Airlines Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/american-airlines-theatre) from October 2023. Moritz von Stuelpnagel directs.

Roundabout's spring Broadway production, also at the American Airlines, is a revival of the Tony-nominated play *Home*, written by Samm-Art Williams and directed by Kenny Leon. This coming-of-age show centers on a man named Cephus Miles who must reevaluate his life when his high school sweetheart marries someone else. The Negro Ensemble Company originally staged *Home* in 1979.

The first Off-Broadway show in Roundabout's season is *The Refuge Plays* by by Nathan Alan Davis. The show follows one Black family over 70 years, beginning when a ghost tells a woman named Gail she will die within 24 hours. Roundabout presents the show in association with New York Theatre Workshop, beginning performances in September 2023 at the [Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/harold-and-miriam-steinberg-center-for-theatre)'s Laura Pels Theatre. Patricia McGregor directs.

The world premiere of York Walker's [*Covenant*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25220-covenant-tickets), originally announced for the 2022-23 season, will now go up in October 2023 at the Steinberg Center's Black Box Theatre. Tiffany Nichole Greene directs this show about a blues musician who is rumored to have made a deal with the devil to get his incredible talent.

The final show in the Off-Broadway season, *Jonah*, is written by Rachel Bonds and directed by Danya Taymor. In this haunting coming-of-age story, Ava will do just about anything to make her fantasies come true. Her fellow boarding school student Jonah might be the perfect person for her, but he's not all he seems. Performances will begin in spring 2024.

Additional casting, creative team, and exact performance dates for all the above shows will be announced at a later date.

*Photo credit: Danny DeVito. (Photo by Daniel Bergeron)*

Danny DeVito to lead 'I Need That' on Broadway; 2023-24 Roundabout season announced

danny devito-1200x600-NYTG

Roundabout Theatre Company has set five total shows in its season, on Broadway at the American Airlines Theatre and off Broadway at the Steinberg Center.

They're the greatest stars! Paolo Montalban and Anne L. Nathan will join the [*Funny Girl*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24232-funny-girl-tickets) Broadway cast beginning March 28. The first revival of the classic musical is playing at the [August Wilson Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/august-wilson-theatre) through September 3.

Montalban and Nathan will step into the roles of Florenz Ziegfeld and Mrs. Strakosh, respectively. They replace Peter Francis James and Toni DiBuono, who play their final shows on March 26.

Montalban is known for starring in the TV movie *Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella*, opposite Brandy, and for Broadway appearances in *Pacific Overtures* and *The King and I*. *Funny Girl* marks his first return to Broadway in 10 years, since 2013's *Breakfast at Tiffany's*.

Nathan has appeared in seven previous Broadway shows including *Once*, *Sunday in the Park with George*, *Assassins*, and *Thoroughly Modern Millie*.

## Who is in the *Funny Girl* Broadway cast?

In addition to Montalban and Nathan, the *Funny Girl* cast features [Lea Michele](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/lea-michele) as Fanny Brice, Julie Benko as the Fanny Brice alternate, [Ramin Karimloo](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/ramin-karimloo) as Nick Arnstein, Jared Grimes as Eddie Ryan, Tovah Feldshuh as Mrs. Rosie Brice, Ephie Aardema as Emma and Mrs. Nadler, Debra Cardona as Mrs. Meeker, and Martin Moran as Tom Keeney.

*Funny Girl* is [based on the real life of Fanny Brice](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/learn-about-the-showbiz-history-that-inspired-funny-girl-on-broadway), who defied the odds to become a Ziegfeld Follies star. However, she risks it all for a romance with gambler Nick Arnstein. The classic musical features a new book by Harvey Fierstein and classic songs by Jule Styne including "Don't Rain on My Parade."

Get *Funny Girl* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24232-funny-girl-tickets)

Paolo Montalban, Anne L. Nathan join 'Funny Girl' Broadway cast

funny girl new cast-1200x600-NYTG

funny girl new-1200x600-NYTG

Funny Girl on Broadway - NYC

Funny Girl on Broadway

[*Leopoldstadt*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26003-leopoldstadt-tickets) has carved a place in history. The show debuted to rave reviews — and a Best New Play Olivier Award — in London's West End, quickly selling out before moving to the [Longacre Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/longacre-theatre) on Broadway. The play is by the legendary Tom Stoppard, whose career spans nearly seven decades. New York Theatre Guide’s five-star review hails the show as “first-rate” and “a masterwork” — and it’s perhaps his swan song. Now 85 years old, Stoppard indicated *Leopoldstadt* might be his final work.

The play, directed by Patrick Marber, who also helmed the West End production in 2020, boasts a cast of 38 actors, a rarity for a non-musical show. The powerful story spans 56 years of history and centers around the fictional Merz-Jacobowitz family living in Vienna. The play delves into the profound impact the Holocaust and anti-Semitism have on the family as generations go by.

Before heading to the Longacre to experience this moving production, read about its history, previous productions, creator, and more.

Get *Leopoldstadt* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26003-leopoldstadt-tickets)

## What is *Leopoldstadt* about? 

*Leopoldstadt* follows multiple generations of the fictional Jewish Merz-Jacobowitz family in Vienna in the 20th century. The play showcases not only their everyday family dynamics but also the devastating impact of World War II. The increasing threat of a Nazi invasion fractures their family and makes everyone, even the ones who consider themselves Austrian above all, face their Jewish heritage.

Each of the five acts takes place in a separate year: 1899, 1900, 1924, 1938, and finally, 1955. In the final act, the remaining family members come together from across the world to the family home to recollect their painful and fond memories. 

![4 leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/18fEUnMKaucY0kh8Bie5sM/205be08059d472786bf113830df6ff30/4_leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Where is *Leopoldstadt* playing? 

*Leopoldstadt* on Broadway plays at the [Longacre Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/longacre-theatre) at 220 W 48th St. between Eighth Avenue and Broadway. The theatre opened in 1913 and was named after Longacre Square, now Times Square. Hit shows including *The Lark*, *Ain’t Misbehavin’*, and *Of Mice and Men* have all played at the venue. 

## How long is *Leopoldstadt*? 

*Leopoldstadt* is 2 hours and 10 minutes long with no intermission. This falls into the average Broadway show length, between 90 minutes and 3 hours.

## What days is *Leopoldstadt* playing? 

*Leopoldstadt* typically plays Tuesday through Sunday with no performances on Mondays. Wednesdays and Saturdays have both a matinee and evening show, and Sundays have a matinee only. For an up-to-date weekly schedule, [visit the *Leopoldstadt* page](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26003-leopoldstadt-tickets). 

## When did *Leopoldstadt* premiere?

*Leopoldstadt* is a relatively new play, premiering in February 2020 at Wyndham’s Theatre in London. Its run there was brief but was the start of great success for *Leopoldstadt*. Learn more about the history of *Leopoldstadt*’s creation and productions below.

- 1993: One of Stoppard’s relatives of Czech descent contacts the playwright and tells him of his Jewish heritage. This encounter [inspired Stoppard to write *Leopoldstadt*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/how-tom-stoppards-life-inspired-his-play-leopoldstadt).
- 2020: *Leopoldstadt* premieres in London in February. The show shut down a month later due to the pandemic but reopened in August 2021. 
- 2022: *Leopoldstadt* premieres on Broadway. Initially scheduled for a four-month limited engagement, the production received critical and audience acclaim and extended its run multiple times.

![5 leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2gxzs5JcuV3WUzagA1S1G7/93e869b5f4eb9eee47fed2d0237a887e/5_leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Who wrote *Leopoldstadt*? 

*Leopoldstadt* is by Tom Stoppard, whose legendary playwriting career began in 1953. Stoppard has written many notable works, including the 1998 Oscar-winning screenplay for *Shakespeare in Love* and the plays *Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead*, *The Invention of Love*, and *Night and Day*. His work has earned him six Tony Awards (three are for the same play, Parts 1-3 of *The Coast of Utopia*).

Stoppard has created plays for the stage, radio, and television alongside film and television adaptations of plays and books. He has also worked as a journalist and even written a novel, *Lord Malquist and Mr Moon*. 

## *Leopoldstadt* cast and characters

One thing that makes *Leopoldstadt* unique is that there aren’t any leading characters. The main “character” is the whole Merz-Jacobowitz family, which contains dozens of relatives who come and go throughout the play. The story covers multiple generations of the family over 56 years, and some actors take on various roles as the play goes on, playing an older character in the first half and their son or daughter in the second.

There are 38 people in the cast, three of whom reprise their roles from the London production: Jenna Augen as Rosa Kloster, Aaron Neil as Ernst Kloster, and Faye Castelow as Gretl Merz.

![6 leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1mUOdNUWy63P2iuFI4PfMt/4300995df01476f1abbf95e15ef9af92/6_leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## What awards has *Leopoldstadt* won? 

While the 2022 *Leopoldstadt* Broadway production hasn’t won any awards yet, its sellout West End debut won two Olivier Awards: Best New Play and Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Adrian Scarborough as Hermann Merz. 

Additionally, *Leopoldstadt* received critical acclaim on both sides of the pond. [New York Theatre Guide’s five-star review](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/leopoldstadt-broadway-review-tom-stoppard) reads, “The playwright declares his own heritage in first-rate, epic, and urgent fashion, seemingly atoning for lost time.”

Another [five-star review on London Theatre](https://www.londontheatre.co.uk/reviews/review-tom-stoppards-leopoldstadt-at-the-wyndhams-theatre) reads, “It's nothing less than an epic portrait… This is a powerful, important new play from one of our greatest living playwrights.”

## Major productions of *Leopoldstadt*

*Leopoldstadt* has had a few notable productions and screenings, as the London stage production was filmed and shown in cinemas. Learn more about all the major productions of *Leopoldstadt* thus far.

- 2020 London premiere: Leopoldstadt debuted in February 2020 at Wyndham’s Theatre in London, winning two Olivier Awards, including Best New Play. The play's second performance occurred on January 27, Holocaust Memorial Day, and every audience member received a memorial candle.
- 2022 cinema screening: Numerous U.K. and international cinemas showed a National Theatre Live recording of the play on January 27, 2022.
- 2022 Broadway premiere: The show began performances in New York at the Longacre Theatre in September 2022. Originally scheduled to run through January 2023, the run was extended through July. 

![3 leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3eoaij5B7pRZc92MtW4EsI/fdeb5ba758d1bd9b70741edc01cb78ec/3_leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Fun facts about *Leopoldstadt*

Learn more about Stoppard and the inspiration behind *Leopoldstadt* with these facts that show why the play is one for the history books.

- In 1997, Queen Elizabeth II knighted Stoppard for his contributions to theatre. 
- This show is deeply personal to Stoppard, whose grandparents died in concentration camps. He only learned this from a Czech relative when Stoppard was in his 50s, inspiring him to write *Leopoldstadt*. Stoppard has said, “Quite a lot of it is personal to me, but I made it about a Viennese family so that it wouldn't seem to be about me."
- *Leopoldstadt*'s title comes from the historically Jewish district in Vienna of the same name. 
- Leo, a character in the play's final scene, is a loose stand-in for Stoppard. The character is an Englishman who doesn’t learn about his Jewish ancestry for decades.

## How to get *Leopoldstadt* tickets 

This impactful and award-winning show has been such a hit that its Broadway run has extended. Experience this moving historical tragedy by one of the most celebrated playwrights alive today, and see *Leopoldstadt* before the Broadway run is just a memory.

Get *Leopoldstadt* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26003-leopoldstadt-tickets)

*Photo credit: Leopoldstadt on Broadway. (Photos by Joan Marcus)*

Everything you need to know about 'Leopoldstadt' on Broadway

2 leopoldstadt-1200x600-NYTG

Recommended for 10 +. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

Leopoldstadt on Broadway - NYC

Leopoldstadt on Broadway

Learn about the cast, history, and creation of this sweeping drama by Tom Stoppard, which won awards for portraying a 20th-century Jewish family torn apart.

Two musicians on the run find romance, misadventure, and, most significantly, their true selves in [*Some Like It Hot*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24262-some-like-it-hot-tickets) on Broadway. Based on the classic Billy Wilder big-screen comedy, the musical gets a fresh coat of paint thanks to bookwriters Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin, plus a score that makes it all sing.

The songs are by Marc Shaiman (music and lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics), who are “pros at matching showtunes to a particular period,” as noted in New York Theatre Guide’s [four-star *Some Like It Hot* review](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/some-like-it-hot-broadway-review). Just as they summoned the ’60s in the Tony Award-winning *Hairspray*, the team welcomes audiences to the ’30s in *Some Like It Hot*, which sees its lead characters stow away with a swing big band. Learn more about the jazzy, brassy songs playing at the [Shubert Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/shubert-theatre).

Get *Some Like It Hot* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24262-some-like-it-hot-tickets)

## “What Are You Thirsty For?”

Between the Depression and Prohibition, times were doubly tough in 1933. Bandleader Sweet Sue (NaTasha Yvette Williams) sets the scene lickety-split in the lively opening number in a Chicago speakeasy. In a winking lyric that easily speaks to any era, Sue belts, “At times like these, we could all certainly use a drink.” 

## “You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have Him)”

Jobs are scarce for musicians. But saxophonist Joe ([Christian Borle](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/christian-borle)) and bassist Jerry (J. Harrison Ghee) are also nimble hoofers. When Joe’s twinkle-toed tapping lands him a gig, he refuses to take it without Jerry, who is initially snubbed because he is Black.

“You can’t have proper without the prim, and you can’t have me if you don’t have him!” Joe sings. The plan – and the duo’s fancy footwork – works.

![5 some like it hot-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/4xXLSOfbiq73wS9e3skTJH/db46491d33d6e9170c91cff7be6a26a0/5_some_like_it_hot-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “Vamp!”

This high-spirited number earns its exclamation point. After Joe and Jerry witness a mob execution, they hatch a quick scheme to save their lives. “Time to improvise,” they sing, donning wigs and frocks and reinventing themselves as women. Joe becomes Josephine, and Jerry morphs into Geraldine, which he later changes to Daphne.

## “I’m California Bound”

Intent on escaping into Mexico, the masquerading musicians join Sweet Sue’s all-girl band, the Society Syncopators, headed to San Diego. Also on board is singer Sugar Kane (Adrianna Hicks), who’s had it with men chasing her. “Hey ladies, all aboard, whether you’re running away or running toward!” porters sing in the big number.

## “A Darker Shade of Blue”

Everybody’s got their romantic kryptonite. For Sugar, it’s men who play sax – even though they always disappoint. “When a saxophone starts crying,” she says in the torch song, “that’s when night takes its cue to turn a darker shade of blue.”

![2 some like it hot-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2Tw6BBa1k8OK21tSASJS5Z/940b9a1a33392e8a89336dc34aecc1f3/2_some_like_it_hot-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “Take It Up a Step”

When Sue demands her band polish their act, Sugar, Josephine, and Daphne take the lead on this song. The title lyric is a metaphor for how you must shift into high gear to get what you want.

## “Zee Bap”

This novelty number sees Sue, Josephine, and Daphne let loose with high-energy scatting. They educate fellow bandmates on how to deal with men behaving like creeps: Shut them down by saying, “Zee bag zah bootalee atta feet bam-bam.” Silly and fun? You bet.

## “At the Old Majestic Nickel Matinee”

In this beautiful and bittersweet solo, Sugar, reconceived for the musical as a Black woman, shares that movies offered a world beyond her rural, segregated one. “Up there on the screen, there was romance, and the make-believe carried me away,” Sugar sings, revealing her dreams to be a movie star someday. “Because no one I’d ever seen were like the stars up on the screen.”

![1 some like it hot-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/60bl9xOY63DGZIq7srVBNo/cde27655be206d00abb379cb8539a5de/1_some_like_it_hot-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “Poor Little Millionaire”

This fizzy, doo-wop-laced song introduces goofy Osgood (Kevin del Aguila), who’s been drowning in money since his father invented root beer. However, he laments, his love life is “all at sea.” Then he sees Daphne, and he's immediately smitten.

## “Some Like It Hot” 

Shaiman and Wittman fire on all cylinders in this irresistible first-act finale that leads to a pre-intermission cliffhanger. “So ladies, Hades is the spot to be what angels sure are not,” everyone sings. “Some like it hot, and hot is what I got for you!” 

## “Let’s Be Bad”

Fans of the TV series *Smash* will recognize this song, as Shaiman and Wittman wrote it ten years ago for that show about the making of a Marilyn Monroe musical. Osgood, Daphne, and the Syncopators girls sing a reimagined version here as the root beer baron whisks them away for a night out in Mexico.

![4 some like it hot-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/21NCzYg5BDRB6leVTF45Xd/92494463ce6fdd47120ffda5dbfa46bb/4_some_like_it_hot-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “Dance the World Away”

Joe adopts another disguise, as a Hollywood screenwriter named Kip, to win over Sugar. It works as they share this old-school, swoon-worthy song while dancing a romantic waltz.

## “Fly, Mariposa, Fly”

*Some Like It Hot* is about transformation and personal identity, and Osgood’s song underscores that idea. He shares a childhood story about a butterfly’s life stages, a tale he finds comforting when he's confused about who he is. It’s a smart song that gets bonus points for the clever rhyme “Mother’s Nature’s kiss” and “metamorphosis.” 

## “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather”

Daphne’s song is about the surprise of self-discovery and embracing one’s true being, as the character realizes Jerry and Daphne are two equally important sides of their truest identity. “I know that Daphne is the best part of me. Oh, yeah! Daphne is who I want to be!” Daphne sings. That Ghee is nonbinary adds to the song’s impact.

## “He Lied When He Said Hello”

Joe’s feelings for Sugar inspire him to come clean about his identity – and it isn’t Josephine or Kip. He breaks off "Kip's" relationship with Sugar with a letter and sings, “We’re through with pretending. It’s time to do right. I’m gonna have a happy ending.”

![some like it hot 6-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3ptHd9hlTqkeO6cMSAPKEp/a7c116d4beda9885cd60194fa8cebe6c/some_like_it_hot_6-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “Ride Out the Storm”

“I thought that I had found shelter — someone to brighten the day. But now comes the rain, so I welcome the rain… to wash all my sorrow away.” A heartbroken Sugar bares her soul in this 11 o'clock number that uses the time-honored metaphor of stormy weather to symbolize romantic trouble. 

## “Tip Tap Trouble”

Doors are slamming. Gangsters are chasing. Everybody’s running — and dancing — as fast as they can. The whole cast gets in on this fast-paced farce sequence where the police hunt for murderous mobster Spats, Spats hunts for Joe and Jerry, and everyone else is just trying to escape alive.

## “Baby, Let’s Get Good”

The last line of Wilder's film – “Nobody’s perfect” – is woven into the show's rousing finale. What’s perfect is that at this point, Prohibition has lifted, and the good times will roll. Similarly, good times will come your way at *Some Like It Hot*.

Get *Some Like It Hot* tickets now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24262-some-like-it-hot-tickets)

*Photo credit: Some Like It Hot on Broadway. (Photos by Marc J. Franklin and Matthew Murphy)*

All the songs in ‘Some Like It Hot’ on Broadway

3 some like it hot-1200x600-NYTG

Recommended for 12 + Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

Some Like It Hot on Broadway - NYC

Some Like It Hot on Broadway

Read our A-to-Z guide of the tunes in this big-band musical comedy based on the classic comedy film, from "At the Old Majestic Nickel Matinee" to "Zee Bap."

It's a hit! Stephen Sondheim and George Furth's [*Merrily We Roll Along*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27417-merrily-we-roll-along-tickets) may have gotten off to a rocky start, but in the years since its ill-fated premiere in 1981, the show has become a bonafide classic that's celebrated for its gorgeous score and timeless themes of friendship and hope — and how money and fame can derail them.

In 2012, director Maria Friedman revived *Merrily We Roll Along* in London, reinventing the musical into a smashing success. Her production made its NYC debut in 2022 to sold-out crowds and now, it's transferring to Broadway with stars Jonathan Groff, [Daniel Radcliffe](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/daniel-radcliffe), and Lindsay Mendez.

Not a day goes by that we're not anticipating this revival — *Merrily*'s first on Broadway — going up this September. Learn more about the show's history of productions, transformations, and celebrity stars below, then grab your old friends and roll up to the Hudson Theatre.

[Check back for information on *Merrily We Roll Along* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27417-merrily-we-roll-along-tickets)

## What is *Merrily We Roll Along* about?

*Merrily We Roll Along* is set in the showbiz world of the 1950s to 1970s, centering on three friends: composer Frank Shepard, lyricist/playwright Charley Kringas, and theatre critic Mary Flynn. The show follows the disintegration of the trio's bond over 20 years, from when they meet as young, aspiring artists to when Frank has left theatre — and his friends — behind for a swanky life as a Hollywood producer.

*Merrily We Roll Along* tells this story in reverse chronological order, starting in 1976 and going back in time to 1957.

## Where is *Merrily We Roll Along* playing?

*Merrily We Roll Along* plays the [Hudson Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/hudson-theatre), located at 141 W 44th St. between Sixth and Seventh Avenues. The Hudson is simultaneously Broadway's oldest and newest theatre: The building first opened in 1903, but it was later used for non-Broadway purposes before being shut down and completely renovated. The Hudson as a Broadway theatre in 2017.

The Hudson has become a hub for celebrity-led, limited-run shows. Recent tenants include [*A Doll's House*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26989-a-dolls-house-tickets) starring Jessica Chastain and *Plaza Suite* starring Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick.

## How long is *Merrily We Roll Along*?

*Merrily We Roll Along* on Broadway runs approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including an intermission. This is a typical Broadway musical length; they run between 2 and 3 hours on average.

![1 merrily-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/7y643sHdMBwFglBOiM0Qve/425cdf1c53b187c6c8de9cbcea2e5788/1_merrily-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## What days is *Merrily We Roll Along* playing?

*Merrily We Roll Along* plays eight performances a week. For the most up-to-date weekly performance schedule, visit the [*Merrily We Roll Along* page](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27417-merrily-we-roll-along-tickets).

## When did *Merrily We Roll Along* premiere?

*Merrily We Roll Along* premiered directly on Broadway in 1981. That production didn't last long, but it was clear the creative team had a good thing going — the show just needed some adjusting. Discover a timeline of *Merrily We Roll Along*'s development below, up to its latest iteration.

- 1981: *Merrily We Roll Along* premieres on Broadway. Sondheim received praise for his score, but the show overall got negative reviews and closed after only 68 performances.
- 1983: *Merrily We Roll Along* premieres in the U.K. at London's Guildhall School of Music and Drama. A year later, Manchester's Library Theatre Company put on the first professional U.K. production of the show.
- 1994: *Merrily We Roll Along* returns to New York, this time in an Off-Broadway revival directed by Susan H. Schulman. With Furth and Sondheim's blessing, Schulman streamlined the show, and this production's version of the plot is most commonly performed today.
- 2012: Maria Friedman directs a revival of *Merrily We Roll Along* in London. Her production received widespread critical acclaim, winning multiple awards. The show transferred to the West End and was filmed for cinemas a year later.
- 2022: Friedman directs an Off-Broadway revival of *Merrily We Roll Along* at [New York Theatre Workshop](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/new-york-theatre-workshop), based on her 2012 staging. It, too, receives widespread praise and buzz for its celebrity leads: Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez.
- 2023: Friedman's *Merrily We Roll Along* production transfers to Broadway's Hudson Theatre for a limited engagement beginning in September. The full principal cast from the 2022 production transfers, including Groff, Radcliffe, Mendez, Katie Rose Clarke (as Beth), Krystal Joy Brown (as Gussie), and Reg Rogers (as Joe).

## Who wrote *Merrily We Roll Along*?

The *Merrily We Roll Along* musical is based on a play of the same name written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart. The pair wrote multiple shows together, including the Pulitzer Prize-winning *You Can't Take It with You*.

George Furth adapted Kaufman and Hart's *Merrily We Roll Along* script into the musical's book, and Stephen Sondheim wrote music and lyrics. The duo also collaborated on the musical *Company*.

Sondheim, one of the most celebrated modern theatre composers, is known for composing multiple other celebrated musicals, including [*Sweeney Todd*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26216-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-tickets), *Sunday in the Park With George*, and *Into the Woods*.

![2 merrily-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3KociTscJG67KVh7xspF86/14d6fcd402ea6525a9628fabaa5a8cfb/2_merrily-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## *Merrily We Roll Along* characters

*Merrily We Roll Along* features a large ensemble, but only a handful of principal characters, all of whom are in showbiz. Learn more about the main characters of *Merrily We Roll Along* below.

- Franklin Shepard: A composer-turned-film producer. As he trades theatrical writing for Hollywood, he becomes elitist and loses his friends' respect. 
- Charley Kringas: A playwright and lyricist, and Frank's former writing partner. He dislikes Frank's commercial ambitions, preferring to write for art's sake.
- Mary Flynn: A wannabe novelist-turned-theatre critic. She meets Charley and Frank in their shared apartment building, but she sinks into alcoholism as her career flails and her love for Frank remains unrequited.
- Gussie Carnegie: A Broadway star and Frank's second wife. She seduces Frank while both are still married, and she introduces him to the glamorous world of fame.
- Beth Spencer: Frank's first wife, who he meets and marries young. She is a fellow performer and a part of Frank, Charley, and Mary's friend group before divorcing Frank.
- Joe Josephson: A Broadway producer and Gussie's first husband, who has a hard fall from grace — and wealth — after they split.

## *Merrily We Roll Along* songs

*Merrily We Roll Along* features one of Sondheim's most inventive scores, which includes beloved tunes like "Not a Day Goes By" and "Good Thing Going." As the show is told backwards, reprises of songs appear before their "originals," and repeated melodies surface throughout the show.

### Act 1

- Overture – Orchestra
- "Merrily We Roll Along" – Company
- "That Frank" – Franklin, Mary and Guests
- "First Transition" – Company
- "Old Friends" (Part I) – Mary and Charley
- "Like It Was" – Mary
- "Franklin Shepard, Inc." – Charley
- "Second Transition" – Company
- "Old Friends" (Part II) – Mary, Franklin, and Charley
- "Growing Up" – Franklin and Gussie
- "Third Transition" – Company
- "Not a Day Goes By" – Beth
- "Now You Know" – Mary and Company

### Act 2

- Entr'acte – Orchestra
- "Act Two Opening" – Gussie
- "It's a Hit" – Franklin, Charley, Mary, Joe, and Beth
- "Fourth Transition" – Company
- "The Blob" – Gussie and Company
- "Growing Up" (Part II) – Gussie
- "Good Thing Going" – Charley
- "The Blob" (Part II) – Company
- "Fifth Transition" – Company
- "Bobby and Jackie and Jack" – Charley, Beth, Franklin, and Pianist
- "Not a Day Goes By" (Reprise) – Beth, Franklin, and Mary
- "Sixth Transition" – Company
- "Opening Doors" – Franklin, Charley, Mary, Joe, and Beth
- "Seventh Transition" – Franklin Shepard Jr., Beth, and Mrs. Spencer
- "Our Time" – Franklin, Charley, Mary, and Company

![merrily-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2yx1aOJvSZ9vUyqiJlWT9o/e83a938e1cb175d24463211470423e21/merrily-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## What awards has *Merrily We Roll Along* won?

Even though *Merrily We Roll Along* was famously a flop upon its premiere, the show has earned numerous honors and nominations. Learn about the major awards *Merrily We Roll Along*'s productions have won.

- Tony Awards: Sondheim received a 1982 Tony Award nomination for Best Original Score. Whether the 2023 revival will earn nominations of its own has yet to be seen until spring 2024.
- Drama Desk Awards: The original *Merrily* Broadway production won Sondheim the award for Outstanding Lyrics and a nomination for Outstanding Music.
- Olivier Awards: *Merrily We Roll Along* was a much quicker hit across the pond. The 2001 premiere production won the Olivier for Best New Musical along with two acting awards, and the 2013 revival won Best Musical Revival.
- Evening Standard Theatre Award: The 2013 London revival won Best Musical at this ceremony.

## Celebrities who have starred in *Merrily We Roll Along*

The Broadway revival of *Merrily We Roll Along* is star-studded, and past productions have also featured big names in the leading roles. Learn more about the celebrity casts of *Merrily We Roll Along* on stage and screen.

- [Daniel Radcliffe](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/daniel-radcliffe): Radcliffe played Charley Kringas off Broadway in 2022 and reprises the role for the 2023 Broadway transfer. Radcliffe is best known for playing the title role in the *Harry Potter* series and has since played a diverse array of roles on stage and screen.
- Jonathan Groff: Groff plays Frank Shepard in *Merrily We Roll Along* opposite Radcliffe and Mendez. His best-known credits include *Glee* on screen and *Hamilton* and *Spring Awakening* on Broadway.
- Lindsay Mendez: Mendez rounds out the 2022-23 trio of *Merrily* stars as Mary Flynn. She is a Tony Award winner for playing Carrie Pipperidge in the 2018 revival of *Carousel*. 
- Jason Alexander: Alexander is best known for playing George Costanza on *Seinfeld*, but he's also a stage veteran who made his Broadway debut as Joe Josephson in the 1981 premiere production of *Merrily We Roll Along*.
- Lin-Manuel Miranda: The Pulitzer-, Tony-, Grammy-, and Emmy-winning creator of *Hamilton* played Charley Kringas in the 2012 Encores! production of *Merrily We Roll Along*.
- [Victor Garber](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/victor-garber): Stage and screen star Garber starred as Frank in a 1990 production of the musical in D.C.
- Paul Mescal: Mescal will play Frank in the upcoming film adaptation of *Merrily We Roll Along*. He is known for his Emmy-nominated performance in the TV series *Normal People*.
- [Ben Platt](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/ben-platt): Platt, the Tony Award-winning star of *Dear Evan Hansen* and the 2023 Broadway revival of *Parade*, will play Charley in the *Merrily* movie.
- [Beanie Feldstein](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/beanie-feldstein): Feldstein will play Mary in the *Merrily* film. She is known for her film appearances in *Lady Bird*, *Booksmart*, and *Neighbors 2*, and for originating the role of Fanny Brice in the first Broadway revival of *Funny Girl*.

## Screen adaptations of *Merrily We Roll Along*

A film adaptation of *Merrily We Roll Along* is in the works, starring Paul Mescal as Frank, [Ben Platt](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/ben-platt) as Charley Kringas, and [Beanie Feldstein](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/beanie-feldstein) as Mary Flynn. Director Richard Linklater is filming the movie in real time over the course of 20 years, so the actors will actually age with their characters.

![3 merrily-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/6SQgChRVdeSLZnnjjwvw5Z/9ae0d0fe81d4394845463ba6849ebdcc/3_merrily-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## Major productions of *Merrily We Roll Along*

Through the years, *Merrily We Roll Along* has received various remounts since its 1981 premiere. As tweaks have been made, the show has morphed from a flop into a beloved classic. Learn more about *Merrily We Roll Along*'s production history below.

- 1981 Broadway premiere: The premiere production of *Merrily We Roll Along* featured a cast of teenage and young adult actors, who played the characters at all ages. This was director Harold Prince's idea, and though it didn't pay off commercially, the show kickstarted the careers of performers like Jason Alexander and Tonya Pinkins.
- 1983 U.K. premiere: The first U.K. production of *Merrily We Roll Along* was actually a college production at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Its professional U.K. premiere took place a year later.
- 1985 La Jolla production: James Lapine, who co-wrote multiple musicals with Sondheim, directed this production starring Chip Zien, Marin Mazzie, and John Rubinstein. Sondheim added in the song "Growing Up" for this production, and it's now one of the show's best-known tunes.
- 1994 Off-Broadway premiere: Susan H. Schulman's production of *Merrily* went up with [York Theatre Company](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/york-theatre-company). She streamlined the show's plot into the version that's most widely used today.
- 2002 reunion concert: The original *Merrily* Broadway cast reunited for one night only to perform a concert version of the show. Sondheim and Prince also attended.
- 2012 London revival: Actress/director Maria Friedman first staged *Merrily We Roll Along* in 2012 at London's Menier Chocolate Factory. Her production later transferred to the West End and is the basis for this year's New York staging.
- 2012 Encores! production: New York City Center's Encores! program, which presents limited runs of seldom revived musicals, included *Merrily We Roll Along* in its 2012 season. Colin Donnell, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Celia Keenan-Bolger starred.
- 2022 Off-Broadway revival: Friedman took her celebrated *Merrily* production stateside, bringing it to New York Theatre Workshop at the end of 2022. The show received instant buzz for its trio of stars — Daniel Radcliffe, Lindsay Mendez, and Jonathan Groff — and critical acclaim to boot.
- 2023 Broadway revival: Friedman's production, with Radcliffe, Groff, and Mendez in tow, is the first Broadway revival of *Merrily We Roll Along*. The show plays the Hudson Theatre for 18 weeks only.

## Fun facts about *Merrily We Roll Along*

Be even more prepared to roll up to this production with these additional fun facts about *Merrily We Roll Along*.

- The characters in the original *Merrily We Roll Along* play had different names. Richard Niles became Frank, Jonathan Crale became Charley, and Julia Glenn became Mary. Their jobs also changed: Richard was a playwright, Jonathan a painter, and Mary an author.
- Sondheim, Furth, and *Merrily*'s original director, Hal Prince, also all worked together on the Broadway premiere of *Company*.
- Director Maria Friedman played Mary in a 1992 London production of *Merrily* before going on to stage the musical herself.

## How to get *Merrily We Roll Along* tickets

*Merrily We Roll Along* doesn't roll along often. Don't miss this rare chance to see this Sondheim classic – and to see Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez sharing the Broadway stage. Their characters' friendship might worsen with time, but *Merrily We Roll Along* has only gotten better.

[Check back for information on *Merrily We Roll Along* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27417-merrily-we-roll-along-tickets)

*Photo credit: Merrily We Roll Along at New York Theatre Workshop. (Photos by Joan Marcus)*

Everything you need to know about 'Merrily We Roll Along' on Broadway

4 merrily-1200x600-NYTG

Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway - NYC

Merrily We Roll Along on Broadway

Read our complete guide to the first Broadway revival of this classic Stephen Sondheim musical starring Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez.

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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26216-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-tickets)

'Sweeney Todd' Broadway tickets on sale through January 2024

sweeney todd new-1200x600-NYTG

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.

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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/whats-on/broadway-shows)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26989-a-dolls-house-tickets)

## *& 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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25598-and-juliet-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26514-bad-cinderella-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/22-chicago-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25458-kimberly-akimbo-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/15911-moulin-rouge-the-musical-on-broadway-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24232-funny-girl-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25993-summer-1976-tickets)

## *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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/20737-six-musical-tickets)

## *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

womens history month-1200x600-NYTG

women-s history month-1200x400-NYTG

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.

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

room art-1200x600-NYTG

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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25210-camelot-tickets)

## 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.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25210-camelot-tickets)

How the 'Camelot' Broadway revival is reinventing the roundtable

Camelot-1200x600-NYTG

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.

Billy Elliot: Philip Whitchurch play's Billy's Dad        Philip Whitchurch  Gregory Jbara   Philip WhitchurchGregory Jbara

Billy Elliot: Philip Whitchurch play's Billy's Dad

Philip Whitchurch joins the cast of the 10-time Tony Award-winning Billy Elliot the Musical in the role of &#8216;Dad&#8217; on 26 Jan 2010. He steps in for Tony Award-winner Gregory Jbara who is taking a leave of absence, returning to the musical on...

Broadway: Billy Elliot: Philip Whitchurch is Billy's 'Dad'

All Broadway shows - NYC

Explore the Broadway shows our fans love.

Most Popular Broadway Shows

Discover what's playing on Broadway. Find the best theatre ticket deals, explore exclusive Lottery and Rush tickets, & more on TodayTix.

Broadway Shows NYC | Book Tickets | TodayTix

New York All Shows

Get last-minute theatre tickets for New York Shows at the best prices, and get exclusive access to our Lottery and Rush tickets.

Last-Minute Broadway Tickets & Theatre in NYC | New York Shows | TodayTix

New York Shows

Get tickets to the best shows at the best prices on Broadway and beyond

New York Discover Page

Discover New York City

New York Header Image

Latest New York City Insider Posts

New York Theatre Guide is a trusted source for Off-Broadway and Broadway tickets, news, and reviews. Learn about the latest Broadway shows and Off-Broadway shows, and get New York theatre tickets today.

New York Theatre Guide Home Page (New York Theatre Guide)

New York Theatre Shows & Tickets

See what's on sale on Broadway, from classics to new hits. Get tickets today. Find tickets at New York Theatre Guide, a reliable source for Broadway.

New York Theatre Guide - New York Musicals & Plays

New York

New York Search Results

Search Results

New York Tile Image

NYC App Homes

 New York Home Page (TT Home)

Get the best prices on theatre tickets today and this week in New York, London and more. Read reviews. Win exclusive lottery or rush tickets. Download our app.