Broadway

With Valentine's Day in the middle of the month, love is in the air in February. What better time to fall in love with some new theatre? Off-Broadway and Broadway tickets are plentiful this time of year, so you can get great seats for you and all your loved ones to see Broadway musicals, Off-Broadway plays, and more in February.

With lots of new shows starting performances this month as the spring theatre season kicks into high gear, there's so much to discover all over the city this month. Here are our top picks for what to see at New York theatres in February 2023.

Get tickets to Broadway shows on New York Theatre Guide.

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## *A Doll's House*

The Hudson Theatre is Jessica Chastain's dollhouse for a limited time only. See the Oscar-winning star take on the iconic role of Nora Helmer, a housewife who shatters 19th-century gender norms by finding her independence. Now, Pulitzer-nominated playwright Amy Herzog and inventive British director Jamie Lloyd reinvent *A Doll's House* for a new generation.

Get *A Doll's House* tickets now.

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## *Bad Cinderella*

She's not your Cinderella — she's your bad Cinderella, and she's the star of one of this spring's most anticipated new musicals. Andrew Lloyd Webber and Emerald Fennell gave this classic fairytale a godmother-worthy makeover that will thrill all ages. This Cinderella, an outcast by choice, gets a new look to win over the one person she's ever cared for — but the beauty comes with a price.

Get *Bad Cinderella* tickets now.

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## *The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window*

Rachel Brosnahan and Oscar Isaac share the stage for six weeks only in this seldom revived Lorraine Hansberry masterwork. The award-winning pair play Sidney and Iris Brustein, a bohemian couple in 1960s New York whose marriage is upended by political turmoil. The show hasn't appeared on a major New York stage since 1972, so don't miss this chance to catch it.

Get *The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window* tickets now.

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## *black odyssey*

Take an epic journey this February at *black odyssey*, a modern-day take on Homer's *Odyssey* about a soldier returning home to Harlem from Afghanistan. Gods and mortals collide as they guide the soldier, Ulysses, on his long and difficult journey home through time and space.

Get *black odyssey* tickets now.

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## *Elyria*

In the city of Elyria, Ohio, two women meet for the first time in 20 years. Decades ago, they made a deal that changed their lives, and now they reunite to reckon with the past and figure out how to navigate their linked futures. Atlantic Theater Company presents this world-premiere drama from Deepa Purohit, making her Off-Broadway debut.

Get *Elyria* tickets now.

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## *The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show*

Looking for a family-friendly option this February? *The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show* is a theatrical feast for all ages. Eric Carle's beloved children's tales come to life with fun, colorful puppetry. At an hour long, this show is the perfect choice for even very small children to experience live theatre for the first time.

Get *The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show* tickets now.

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## *The Coast Starlight*

A thousand miles, 35 hours, and one major decision. Keith Bunin's new play *The Coast Starlight* centers on a passenger on the title interstate train line carrying a troublesome secret. He and his fellow passengers, with literal and metaphorical baggage of their own, have until the end of the trip to figure out what he must do.

Get *The Coast Starlight* tickets now.

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## *The Best We Could (a family tragedy)*

Go on a road trip without leaving New York. In this new play by Emily Feldman, a father and daughter travel cross-country, and along the way, they learn new — and often shocking — things about each other they never did before. By the end of the journey, their relationship will never be the same.

Get *The Best We Could* tickets now.

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## *The Trees*

This story of finding and fostering community takes root at Playwrights Horizons this month. When two siblings wake up from a nap in the park, they find their feet have permanently planted themselves in the ground. The pair form a makeshift utopia in the park, attracting a diverse group of people seeking peace in a chaotic world.

Get *The Trees* tickets now.

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## *The Harder They Come*

Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks adapts the acclaimed Jamaican film of the same name to commemorate its 50th anniversary. In *The Harder They Come*, aspiring musician Ivan comes face-to-face with the dark side of the entertainment business as he works for success. This reggae musical features the hits of Jimmy Cliff, who starred as Ivan in the original movie.

Get *The Harder They Come* tickets now.

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## *Love*

Playwright Alexander Zeldin makes his New York debut with this show that gives audiences an up-close look at the American welfare system. The show, derived from Zeldin's firsthand experiences and interviews, focuses on people living day-to-day in shelters and the love that gets them through. Actors perform among the audience members, immersing them in the environment as Zeldin once was.

Get *Love* tickets now.

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## *A Bright New Boise*

Samuel D. Hunter follows up his critically acclaimed *A Case for the Existence of God* with another play at Signature Theatre: his 2011 Obie Award winner *A Bright New Boise*. New Hobby Lobby employee Will upsets the dynamic among his coworkers upon arrival. On the run from a tragic past and looking for his estranged son, he tries to make a fresh start for himself.

<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25995-a-bright-new-boise-tickets" target="_blank">Check back for information on&nbsp;A Bright New Boise&nbsp;tickets on New York Theatre Guide.</a>

## *Letters From Max*

Jessica Hecht stars as playwright Sarah Ruhl in this new play adapted from Ruhl's same-named memoir. She and her poetry student Max Ritvo corresponded in letters and poems following his diagnosis with terminal cancer, and their correspondence helped them both grow and cope. Ruhl has adapted these letters into a poignant stage show about finding the words for the unspeakable.

<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/letters-from-max" target="_blank">Check back for information on&nbsp;Letters From Max&nbsp;tickets on New York Theatre Guide.</a>

## *How to Defend Yourself*

New York Theatre Workshop continues its season with this new play by Liliana Padilla. In *How to Defend Yourself*, a group of college students devise a makeshift self-defense class after a friend is assaulted. Self-defense allows them to channel their rage, strength, and desire, but they also begin to blur the line between violator and violated.

<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/how-to-defend-yourself" target="_blank">Check back for information on&nbsp;How to Defend Yourself&nbsp;tickets on New York Theatre Guide.</a>

Top theatre to see in New York in February

sidney brustein first look-1200x600-NYTG

Discover our top picks for Broadway shows and Off-Broadway shows to see in February, including new shows premiering and last-chance shows closing this month.

Top theatre to see in New York in February | New York Theatre Guide

Here are our top picks of theatre to check out in February 2023.

[*Chicago*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/22-chicago-tickets) the musical doesn’t razzle-dazzle audiences with falling chandeliers, flying helicopters, or spinning turntables. The show does so with its score. 

In the current Broadway production, which has run since 1996, the orchestra literally takes center stage. That’s because the show’s hot, jazzy music is the real star. The secret to this musical’s record-breaking success — with over 10,000 performances, [*Chicago* is the longest running American show on Broadway](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/chicago-theatrical-records-how-the-trailblazing-musical-set-a-new-broadway-standard) (and second longest running overall, behind the British [*Phantom of the Opera*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/38-the-phantom-of-the-opera-tickets)) — lies largely in the music by John Kander and Fred Ebb. The bold, seductive score conveys a fatal flaw in human nature: how easily we allow spectacle to deceive us. 

*Chicago* is also notable for its use of diegetic music. Both the Broadway musical and 2002 film adaptation frame most of the musical numbers as vaudeville or nightclub acts. These songs do not move the story forward in the way of a traditional integrated book musical. Often, *Chicago*’s songs comment on the action or reveal insights about a character. In numbers like “All that Jazz” and “When You’re Good to Mama,” the dialogue between verses advances the plot, about two murderesses who become overnight celebrities in 1920s *Chicago*. 

And speaking of celebrities, the latest star to join the show is *Drag Race*’s [Jinkx Monsoon](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/interviews/jinkx-monsoon-on-playing-a-woman-in-a-mans-world-in-chicago), who plays Matron “Mama” Morton through March 12. With Monsoon making drag queen history in the role, now is the perfect time to revisit the musical and celebrate this iconic Broadway score. 

Even if you have two left feet, you’re likely to find yourself shimmying and shaking along with the music, if not breaking out into full-on Fosse-style jazz hands. Learn more about all the songs in *Chicago* on Broadway, including multiple numbers you won’t see on screen.

Get *Chicago* tickets now.

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## “All that Jazz”

Nightclub singer Velma Kelly transports us to a “whoopee spot where the gin is cold but the piano's hot.” Among the patrons at Velma’s club are aspiring singer Roxie Hart and her lover Fred Casely. When Fred tries to leave her later that night, Roxie shoots and kills him: “Nobody walks out on me!” By the end of the song, Velma has also been arrested on murder charges. 

## “Funny Honey”

Roxie convinces her husband, Amos, to take the blame for Fred’s murder by pretending he shot an intruder out of self-defense. However, Amos refuses to play along when he learns the dead man was Roxie’s lover. Her song of “love and devotion” to Amos turns sour: “That scummy, crummy, dummy hubby of mine!”

## “Cell Block Tango”

“Pop. Six. Squish. Uh-uh. Cicero. Lipschitz.” In lyrics as unremorseful as they are onomatopoeic, the Six Merry Murderesses of Murderer’s Row at Chicago’s Cook County Jail explain why they killed their partners. Most of the women, Velma included, present themselves as victims of irritating, deceitful, and unfaithful men: “If you’d have been there, if you’d have seen it, I betcha you would’ve done the same.” Only one prisoner, a Hungarian immigrant, insists she is not guilty.

![jinkx chicago-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1GzWaXgNzBUrJvdXFJcbFX/3335683769564273eab04fa894abe3ac/jinkx_chicago-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “When You’re Good to Mama” 

Mama Morton, the jail’s matron, operates according to a system of “reciprocity.” As she puts it, “When you’re good to Mama, Mama’s good to you.” For the right price, Mama will do all kinds of favors for her inmates, even connecting them with Billy Flynn, the best defense lawyer in town. 

Kander and Ebb revealed in their book *Colored Lights: Forty Years of Words and Music, Show Biz, Collaboration, and All That Jazz* that Matron “Mama Morton” is based on vaudeville star Sophie Tucker – her nickname was “The Last of the Red-Hot Mamas.” (Roxie later name-drops Tucker in the song “Roxie.”)

## “All I Care About”

Thanks to Mama Morton, Roxie engages the services of slick, “silver-tongued” defense attorney Billy Flynn. While Billy, backed by a chorus of showgirls, claims he only cares about love, he actually cares very much about getting his full fee of $5,000.

He reveals he is highly skilled at manipulation, especially of the justice system — “twistin' the wrist that's turnin' the screw.” When Roxie can’t come up with all the money, Billy auctions off her belongings to obtain the remaining sum. 

## “A Little Bit of Good”

Mary Sunshine, a journalist covering Roxie’s trial, believes there is good in even the worst of criminals. “Under every mean veneer, there’s someone warm and dear.”

Billy refers to Mary as a “sob sister,” a derogatory term for female journalists who wrote sentimental human-interest stories. Several so-called “sob sisters” covered murder trials in 1920s Chicago, overtly sympathizing with defendants like the [women who inspired Roxie and Velma’s characters](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/history-behind-musical-chicago-1920s-crime-and-vaudeville).

![chicago 750-nytg](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/27I40vyWkFojsXM6QJBBrh/84f625b43dd688e9dc0f872764d67140/chicago_750-nytg.jpg)

## “We Both Reached for the Gun”

At a press conference for Roxie, Billy depicts his client as a naïve orphan girl seduced by “jazz and liquor” who shot Fred Casely in an act of self-defense. “He had strength and she had none, and yet they both reached for the gun!” Roxie poses as a dummy, controlled by ventriloquist Billy Flynn. Fittingly, this song is also called “The Press Conference Rag.”

## “Roxie” 

Foxy Roxie Hart has eclipsed Velma as the most infamous and desirable murderess in town, and she delights in her newfound celebrity. She plans to leverage her fame into a vaudeville act, which Roxie imagines in great detail, down to her bling and her backup singers. “Who says that murder’s not an art?” 

## “I Can’t Do It Alone”

In “an act of desperation,” Velma tries to convince Roxie to join her on tour once they are both acquitted. Velma goes through her former routine, which she used to perform with her sister Veronica. She shows off dance steps, corny jokes (“What state’s Chicago in? Illinois!”), and more to show Roxie how great the act is. Roxie is not impressed.

## “I Can’t Do It Alone (Reprise)”

When a woman dubbed “Go to Hell Kitty” commits a scandalous murder, both Roxie and Velma suddenly become yesterday’s news. Velma sings a brief reprise of “I Can’t Do It Alone” in which she compares herself to a jilted bride, emphasizing how completely abandoned she feels.

## “My Own Best Friend”

This song, which is not in the movie, highlights the Roxie and Velma’s similarities – their determination, their ego, and their philosophy that they can only count on themselves: “I am my own best friend.” Although Roxie and Velma technically sing this duet together, they are not singing to each other. As Act I draws to a close, Roxie pretends to be pregnant.

## “I Know a Girl”

An incredulous Velma expresses her envy and frustration at Roxie’s luck. Roxie manages to keep taking back the spotlight, this time with the lie about her supposed pregnancy. “What that mouse is selling, that whole world buys and nobody smells a rat.” This song was cut from the movie.

![Chicago JamesTLane 1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/6rjByUF22lSBq4VOroslyd/b8faa92ccdfa7b395a4595ef80425406/Chicago_JamesTLane_1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## “Me and My Baby”

Roxie whips up the media circus by waxing poetic about her “dear little” pretend baby. She earns sympathy from Mary Sunshine, who pressures Billy to give Roxie an earlier trial date on account of the baby. Amos is thrilled, erroneously believing he is the father.

Like the two previous songs, “Me and My Baby” is exclusive to the *Chicago* Broadway show.

## “Mr. Cellophane”

Amos laments that everyone ignores him, including Roxie, even though he is the father of her baby. “You can look right through me, walk right by me, and never know I'm there,” he sings. But Billy points out why Amos couldn’t possibly be the father, and Amos plays right into Billy’s hands, deciding to divorce his wife. 

## “When Velma Takes the Stand”

In an attempt to get Billy to focus on her case instead of Roxie’s, Velma shows her lawyer what she plans to do on the witness stand. The melodramatic routine includes asking for a glass of water, crying, and pretending to faint. Billy appears unenthused, though he later has Roxie enact some of Velma’s ideas at her trial instead.

This song is not in the *Chicago* movie.

## “Razzle Dazzle”

Billy shines in this ode to showmanship. He assures Roxie she has nothing to fear at her impending trial because he has spun a masterful defense, which will move and impress the jury like they were a theatre audience. “How can they hear the truth above the roar?” They can’t, and that’s the point. It’s all showbiz, and he is a star. He promises this trial will acquit Roxie and make her a star too. 

## “Class”

Mama and Velma are listening to Roxie’s trial on the radio. Velma is disgusted by the histrionic proceedings and angry that Roxie stole her trial ideas. In a fantastic example of irony, the murderess and the matron decry the fact that “nobody’s got no class” anymore.

This song was cut from the movie, though a version is included on the soundtrack.

![chicago history-1200](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/ruyXaAxcdWzJibEZaA5Th/ab6ebfc2b883dd15871be4cfea887e3f/chicago_history-1200.jpg)

## “Nowadays”

Roxie is devastated to realize the news cycle has moved on now that she’s been acquitted. But all is not lost; she tours in a double act with Velma, who has also been acquitted. Their act celebrates the freedoms of the Jazz Age: “Oh, it’s heaven nowadays!”

## Additional *Chicago* music

The score also includes several musical and dance numbers that are primarily instrumental, including the overture, “Chicago After Midnight,” the Act I finale, the entr’acte, and “Finale.” These musical numbers occasionally underscore dialogue or an announcement from the show’s emcee, but they do not include lyrics.

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All the songs in 'Chicago' on Broadway

Chicago

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

Chicago on Broadway [22] 

Chicago on Broadway

Learn fun facts about the tunes that have brought all that jazz to New York for more than 25 years.

Big news! The first Broadway revival of [*Parade*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26500-parade) has set its complete cast, joining previously announced stars [Ben Platt](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/ben-platt) and Micaela Diamond. The show begins performances February 21 at the [Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/bernard-b-jacobs-theatre) ahead of a March 16 opening night.

The complete *Parade* Broadway cast includes Alex Joseph Grayson as Jim Conley, Sean Allan Krill as Governor Slaton, Howard McGillin as Old Soldier/Judge Roan, Paul Alexander Nolan as Hugh Dorsey, Jay Armstrong Johnson as Britt Craig, Kelli Barrett as Mrs. Phagan, Courtnee Carter as Angela, Eddie Cooper as Newt Lee, Erin Rose Doyle as Mary Phagan, Manoel Felciano as Tom Watson, Danielle Lee Greaves as Minnie McKnight, Douglas Lyons as Riley, Jake Pedersen as Frankie Epps, Florrie Bagel as Nurse, Stacie Bono as Sally Slaton, Max Chernin as Mr. Turner, Emily Rose DeMartino as Essie and others, Christopher Gurr as Luther Rosser/Mr. Peavy, Beth Kirkpatrick as Nina Formby, Ashlyn Maddox as Monteen and others, Sophia Manicone as Iola Stover, William Michals as Detective Starnes, Jackson Teeley as Officer Ivey, and Charlie Webb as Young Soldier.

*Parade* is based on the true story of Leo Frank (Platt), a Jewish factory manager tried for a heinous crime in 1913 Georgia. The trial invites anti-Semitism and sensationalism that tests his strength and his marriage to his wife, Lucille (Diamond).

The musical won bookwriter Alfred Uhry and composer/lyricist Jason Robert Brown Tony Awards in 1999. The show has not received a Broadway production since then. In fall 2022, Platt and Diamond led a revival at New York City Center, which is the production transferring to Broadway now.

Michael Arden returns to direct.

## Who is in the *Parade* Broadway cast?

Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond lead the *Parade* Broadway cast. Platt is best known for his Tony-winning performance in the title role of *Dear Evan Hansen* on Broadway, and Diamond is known for being one of three actresses to portray Cher in *The Cher Show*.

Get *Parade* tickets now.

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'Parade' sets complete Broadway cast, joining Ben Platt

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Parade on Broadway Starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond - NYC

Parade on Broadway Starring Ben Platt and Micaela Diamond

The show begins performances in February.

Perk up your ears! The new musical [*Shucked*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26987-shucked-tickets) has completed its cast, with Tony Award nominee Grey Henson joining the production. The show begins performances at the Nederlander Theatre on March 8 ahead of an April 4 opening.

Henson is best known for his Tony-nominated performance as Damian Hubbard in the *Mean Girls* Broadway musical. In *Shucked*, he takes over the role of Storyteller #2 from Taylor Trensch, who appeared in the musical's world-premiere production in Salt Lake City, Utah and will now star in *Camelot* on Broadway.

The ensemble includes Jimmy Brewer, Audrey Cardwell, Dwayne Clark, Rheaume Crenshaw, Jaygee Macapugay, Scott Stangland, Yasmeen Sulieman, and Quinn VanAntwerp. Miki Abraham, Ken Clark, Traci Elaine Lee, and Alan Wiggins are swings.

*Shucked* is an original new musical comedy about a rural town whose corn crop begins to die. The farmgirl Maizy puts her wedding on hold and ventures out to find someone to help. The book is by Tony winner Robert Horn (*Tootsie*), and music and lyrics are by country songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally. Five-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien (*Hairspray*) directs.

[Learn more about *Shucked* on Broadway.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-shucked-on-broadway)

## Who is in the *Shucked* Broadway cast?

In addition to Grey Henson as Storyteller #2, the rest of the [previously announced principal *Shucked* cast](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/new-musical-shucked-to-come-to-broadway-this-spring) includes Caroline Innerbichler as Maizy, John Behlmann as Gordy, Kevin Cahoon as Peanut, Andrew Durand as Beau, Alex Newell as Lulu, and Ashley D. Kelley as Storyteller 1. All those actors originated their roles in the musical's Utah world premiere.

Get *Shucked* tickets now.

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*Photo credit: Grey Henson. (Photo by Emilio Madrid)*

Grey Henson joins 'Shucked' Broadway cast

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Shucked on Broadway - NYC

Shucked on Broadway

The new musical has set its complete cast.

Don’t miss Alyssa Fox defy gravity as Elphaba in [*Wicked*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets). Fox will take over as the green-skinned witch from March 7. *Wicked* is at the [Gershwin Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/gershwin-theatre). Get Wicked tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Fox was previously the Elphaba standby in *Wicked* on Broadway. She also played Elphaba on the musical’s national tour, as well as understudied the leading role in the San Francisco production.

Talia Suskauer will play her final performance as Elphaba on March 5. Fox will then take over from March 7.

A prequel to *The Wizard of Oz,* *Wicked* follows the unlikely friendship between Elphaba — the Wicked Witch of the West — and Glinda the Good Witch as school roommates, before their friendship is tested and broken when one is deemed good and the other bad. *Wicked* celebrates its 20th anniversary on Broadway this fall.

## Who is in *Wicked* on Broadway? 

Alyssa Fox will join *Wicked* on Broadway from March 7, 2023. She’ll take over the role of Elphaba in Wicked. The cast includes McKenzie Kurtz as Glinda, Cleavant Derricks as The Wizard, Michele Pawk as Madame Morrible, James D. Gish as Fiyero, Clifton Davis as Doctor Dillamond, Mikayla Renfrow as Nessarose, and Michael Wartella as Boq.  

Get *Wicked* tickets now.

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*Photo credit: Alyssa Fox as Elphaba (Photo by Joan Marcus)*

Alyssa Fox joins ‘Wicked’ Broadway cast 

Wicked - 1200 - NYTG

Wicked on Broadway [1]

Wicked on Broadway

She will take over the role of Elphaba in March.

Attend the tale – and the tunes. [*Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26216-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-tickets), Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s musical thriller, follows a hellbent barber who cuts a path of revenge — and slashes throats — in 19th-century London. 

In the latest Broadway revival, [Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford star](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/guide-to-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-starring-josh-groban-and-annaleigh-ashford) as the homicidal haircutter and his besotted sidekick, Mrs. Lovett. She grinds Sweeney’s victims into meat pies for unsuspecting customers. 

Another star of the show is Sondheim’s Tony Award-winning score, featuring instantly evocative and recognizable numbers like “Johanna,” “Not While I’m Around,” and “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd.” Some songs are brooding and others are bouncy, which is fitting – darkness and light are indelibly linked. 

Director Thomas Kail’s production at the [Lunt-Fontanne Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/lunt-fontanne-theatre) gives a special reason to prick up your ears. This revival features Jonathan Tunick’s original orchestrations, written for 26 musicians, for the first time since the 1979 Broadway premiere that starred Len Cariou and Angela Lansbury.

Get to know more about the bloody gorgeous songs, several of which are reprised during the show.

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## “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd”

The opening number is a catchy scene-setter. “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd” situates the action in London, where Todd’s legend as “the demon barber of Fleet Street” looms large. So does Sondheim’s signature wit. “Sweeney was smooth, Sweeney was subtle,” the company sings. “Sweeney would blink and rats would scuttle.” 

## “No Place Like London”

This song offers two tales of one city, from characters with wildly different experiences there. As the idealistic sailor Anthony Hope (note that surname) arrives in London, he regards it as a place of “wonders.” Alongside him, Sweeney Todd is making a homecoming, and he spews contempt for a place filled with men of unparalleled cruelty. He has been there, gone through that.

## “The Barber and His Wife”

Sweeney’s mournful memory of what was stolen from him – “his reason for his life” – unfolds as a plainspoken account of the evil men do. He recalls losing his wife when a powerful man, who coveted her, sent Sweeney away on fake charges. 

## “The Worst Pies In London”

Mrs. Lovett’s first song establishes a connection with Sweeney, who comes into her shop. By her own admission, her “head’s a little vague,” but she’s keen enough to know her pies are inedible. “Is that just revolting?” she groans while rolling out dough. “All greasy and gritty? It looks like it’s molting, and it tastes like — well, pity.” It’s enough to turn your stomach as you’re chuckling. 

During her run on Broadway, Lansbury kept busy during this song by making “tiny projectiles” out of dough that she covertly chucked at musical director Alexander Gemignani, according to the book [*Gemignani*](https://www.amazon.com/GEMIGNANI-Life-Lessons-Broadway-Beyond/dp/1493061054).

## “Poor Thing”

Poor things is more like it. Sweeney, formerly known as Benjamin Barker; his wife, Lucy; and their daughter, Johanna, were all brutally undone by the lusting Judge Turpin and The Beadle, his officer, 15 years earlier. 

“There was a barber and his wife, and he was beautiful,” sings Mrs. Lovett, hinting at her romantic feelings for Sweeney. She claims that after Turpin accosted Lucy, she poisoned herself and the judge adopted Johanna. Sweeney’s motive for revenge becomes clear. 

## “My Friends”

Sweeney sets up shop above Mrs. Lovett’s store. The "friends" he refers to are glinting razors he’ll use to exact revenge. “See this one shine, how he smiles in the light,” he sings, as if the blade was a flesh-and-blood accomplice. “Friends, you shall drip rubies.” And they do. Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett reminds Sweeney she’s a friend too.

## “Green Finch and Linnet Bird”

Johanna, Turpin's ward, compares herself to caged pet birds in this lilting tune. Gazing out her window, she yearns for freedom. “Outside the sky waits, beckoning, beckoning, just beyond the bars.”

## “Ah, Miss”

Impressionable Anthony, who has spied Johanna at her window, is lovestruck. “Not even in London have I seen such a wonder.” He learns from a beggar woman that the judge has custody of her, and she's off-limits.

## “Johanna”

Nonetheless, Anthony expresses love for Johanna, along with his plans to fetch her from the cage she’s in. “Johanna, I’ll steal you,” he vows. We see how high the stakes are when the judge and Beadle threaten Anthony. 

## “Pirelli’s Miracle Elixir”

Sondheim wordplay comes fast and furious and reminds audiences that people lie to your face. In a market, the young worker Tobias hawks con man Pirelli's grooming potion with supposed superpowers. “Let Pirelli’s activate your roots, sir,” Tobias says. Sweeney sees through the ruse and counters, “Keep it off your boots sir, eats right through.” This number leads to... 

## “The Contest”

In this number, Pirelli and Sweeney square off. After exposing Pirelli's con, Sweeney further humiliates the man by challenging him to a shaving contest. He easily wins, impressing a key onlooker: the Beadle. Sweeney invites the Beadle for a free shave, and his revenge plan begins.

## Johanna (Mea Culpa)

This song assumes darker dimensions than the earlier "Johanna," especially in light of Turpin's threat to Anthony. Here, Turpin punishes himself for lusting after Johanna. He then decides to marry her to get rid of his guilt.

## “Wait”

Meanwhile, Mrs. Lovett cautions Sweeney not to rush into carrying out his plan for revenge. “Don’t you know, silly man? Half the fun is to plan the plan. All good things come to those who can wait.”

## “Kiss Me,” “Ladies in Their Sensitivities,” “Quartet”

Turpin’s disturbing plan to wed Joanna sets off this series of songs in which Sondheim is at his fleet-footed, tongue-twisting best. In “Kiss Me,” Johanna and Anthony hatch a plan to run off and outsmart the judge. Beadle shares his take on women’s behavior with Turpin in “Ladies in Their Sensitivities,” and all four characters blend in the intricately layered “Quartet.”

## “Pretty Women”

Sweeney sings this sumptuous and sinister number to Turpin as he lures him into his barber chair, where he plans to slice his throat. “How [women] make a man sing, proof of heaven as you’re living,” the men sing. But Sweeney is about to ensure the judge doesn’t live much longer.

## “Epiphany”

As Sweeney’s plan to kill the judge goes awry, he decides “we all deserve to die.” Everyone is an enemy now. He assures himself he’ll eventually get Turpin. “In the meantime,” Sweeney notes, “I’ll practice on less honorable throats.”

## “A Little Priest”

Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett muse about disposing of victims by turning them into pie filling. They giddily foresee “shepherd’s pie peppered with actual shepherd on top.” They’ll have fop, actor, executioner, squire, you name it. They won’t discriminate. 

“A Little Priest” is inspired by British music hall, a popular comedic entertainment form in the Victorian era. Sondheim wrote the song to convince Lansbury to play Lovett, a role she didn't think was big enough at first. The song has since become one of *Sweeney Todd*'s most famous for its mile-a-minute wordplay.

## “God, That’s Good!”

The barber and the baker’s diabolical partnership has paid off, as this song that opens the second act reveals. Lovett's business is booming: “Mrs. Lovett's meat pies, savory and sweet pies, as you'll see,” sings Tobias, who’s helping her by beckoning people into the shop. “You who eat pies, Mrs. Lovett's meat pies conjure up the treat pies used to be.” Unlike customers on stage, the audience knows what – er, who – is in the pastries.

## “By the Sea”

The loquacious Mrs. Lovett, who’s giddy about the upturn at her shop, shares her fantasy of going seaside with Sweeney in this jaunty number. “Think how snug it’ll be underneath our flannel,” she teases, "when it’s just you and me and the English Channel.” Sweeney’s detached response — “Anything you say” — shows it all to be a pipe dream.

## “Not While I’m Around”

Tobias is young, but he already understands that evil lurks. He’s grown fond of Mrs. Lovett and he pledges to protect her. “No one's gonna hurt you, No one's gonna dare. Others can desert you, Not to worry, whistle, I’ll be there.” It’s almost a lullaby, but charged with a subtle hint of danger. Barbra Streisand sings a god-that’s-good cover on her 1985 *Broadway Album*.

## “Parlor Songs”

After reports of “a stink” from Mrs. Lovett’s bakehouse, Beadle comes to inspect it. She claims it’s locked. While they wait for Sweeney to return with the key, Beadle shows off his vocal gifts with ditties of the day.

## “City on Fire”

All hell breaks loose when Anthony rescues an imprisoned Johanna from an asylum. “It’s the end of the world! Yes!” lunatics sing. “City on fire!” At the same time, Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett’s enterprise is coming undone.

## “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (Reprise)”

After a massive lie is exposed and the body count reaches its peak, the show ends with a full-company reprise of the opening number. “To seek revenge may lead to hell,” Sweeney observes. “But everyone does it, if seldom as well,” answers Mrs. Lovett. 

## Additional *Sweeney Todd* music

The above are the major songs in the *Sweeney Todd* musical. However, as *Sweeney Todd* is a mostly sung-through show, even the scenes of dialogue technically count as songs. “The Ballad of Sweeney Todd (Reprise),” for example, is actually the song's seventh reprise; brief reprises punctuate scene transitions and key moments during the show.

*Sweeney Todd* leaves audiences with lasting melodies and musical food for thought. Get tickets and savor the show this spring.

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All the songs in 'Sweeney Todd' on Broadway

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Recommended for ages 12+. Guests under 5 are not permitted in the theatre.

Sweeney Todd on Broadway - NYC

Sweeney Todd on Broadway

The Tony Award-winning score of the Stephen Sondheim musical is a feast for the ears.

Hell, yes! Ever since it began its award-winning run on Broadway in March 2019, the musical *Hadestown* has brought the ancient Greek myth about ill-fated young lovers to life and made it sing in exhilarating ways. 

Not versed in [the stories of characters like Orpheus, Eurydice, Hades, and Persephone](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/what-to-know-about-greek-mythology-before-seeing-hadestown)? No worries. Hermes, a mythic messenger, guides audiences every step of the way during this folk opera streaked with beauty and darkness, earning acclaim in [New York Theatre Guide’s four-star review](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/review-of-hadestown-on-broadway).

Thank the musical’s creator Anaïs Mitchell for the effective theatrical device that pulls you into the production. She wrote the songs and the story, and the resulting musical went on to win eight Tony Awards. Her work is among the reasons to see *Hadestown* now — find more below.

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## *Hadestown* is a Best Musical Tony winner.

Tony Awards are one measure of a show’s success, and *Hadestown* shines bright. At the 2019 Tonys, *Hadestown* won eight awards, including the coveted Best Musical, out of 14 nominations. The show also collected trophies for Mitchell's score, Rachel Chavkin's direction, [André De Shields](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/actor-profile/andre-de-shields)'s featured performance, scenic design, sound design, lighting design, and orchestrations.

## The show makes an old story new.

In Anais Mitchell’s take on ancient mythology, Orpheus is a soulful singer-songwriter, and Eurydice is a young woman who’s used to surviving on her own in a world where everything is out of control – even the weather. Shortly after they meet, she’s drawn into an underworld factory, where Hades wears his workers into mindless drones.

Orpheus goes there to retrieve her and, thanks to his music and an assist from Hades’s wife, Persephone, he gets a chance to bring her home. What comes next? A line from Eurydice's first song – “people turn on you” – provides a sly bit of foreshadowing to their inevitable fate.

![hadestown 2-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3yyBOiwVDt6XVxLaDiN8po/cf3a2b333f6d1e38c192bd865cd13017/hadestown_2-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## *Hadestown* earned glowing reviews.

A [review for New York Theatre Guide](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/review-of-hadestown-on-broadway) reads, ”Going to hell has never been as much fun as seeing a performance of Anaïs Mitchell's musical *Hadestown*.” The [Hollywood Reporter](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/hadestown-theater-review-1202512/) called *Hadestown* “a bewitching journey that pays off at every turn,” while [The New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/04/17/theater/hadestown-review-broadway-anais-mitchell.html) deemed the musical “sumptuous.” 

## *Hadestown* burns with romance and drama.

*Hadestown* offers proof that love can grow anywhere, even in a grim and blighted landscape alternating between blazing heat and bitter cold. That’s where the seeds of Orpheus and Eurydice's romance take root. But read between the romantic lines, and the story offers food for thought about the misuse of power, the precariousness of trust, and how poisonous thoughts “between your ears, behind your eyes” can be your undoing.

## The musical has soulful, jazzy songs.

Infused with folk, pop, blues, and Dixieland, the *Hadestown* score is wall-to-wall with songs you’ll want to savor again – and again. The moody and melodic numbers stick insistently in your head for days (hello, “Wait for Me”). “Why We Build The Wall,” which Mitchell wrote for *Hadestown*'s earliest draft in 2006, carries its own resonant topicality.

![hadestown 1-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/7qNTATqpiaZ6G5zt6T3Pk6/802f231a4cbe0387e33c4804160d99f6/hadestown_1-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## *Hadestown*'s company shines bright.

Nearly four years into its Broadway run, Reeve Carney and Eva Noblezada, a real-life couple who originated the roles of Orpheus and Eurydice on Broadway, are still playing their parts. Lillias White, a Tony winner for *The Life*, brings her own brand of seductive sass and sparkle as Hermes, a role that first earned De Shields the Tony.

All the characters have standout moments – including Hades, Persephone, The Fates, and the ensemble of laborers. Seven musicians on stage even get name-checked during the show. The show spreads the wealth.

## The show has high-stakes conflicts.

*Hadestown* is a story about gods and mortals, so the stage is immediately set for rousing rifts and conflicts. The musical has that going for it before a single word is sung or spoken. 

## The musical's staging is heavenly.

A hallmark of a winning show is its ability to transport you to another place and time. Chavkin and the design team of *Hadestown* imagine a forbidding world — if not two of them. Scenes alternately play out in a ratty jazz club and the dark depths of hell, where laborers go in circles, toiling ceaselessly at the same robotic, soul-crushing task. Set pieces and lighting are key to creating impact, and choreographer David Neumann sets it all in stylish motion.

![hadestown 3-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/Y3XsRRiHCGqJNBxiuACfm/1613d38c286d308fe13b6d8c894f22af/hadestown_3-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## "Wait For Me" is a standout song.

Another hallmark of a winning show is a moment you wish you could replay again and again. *Hadestown* has “Wait for Me,” an emotionally arresting number in which Orpheus vows to rescue Eurydice. Headlamps and overhead swinging lights are used to mesmerizing effect. One must experience *Hadestown* live to fully understand the scene's impact and magic within the context of the show, but the 2019 Tony Awards telecast came close.

## *Hadestown*’s journey is as rich as the one on stage.

Like the young lovers on a dangerous trek in the musical, *Hadestown* had a circuitous [13-year road to Broadway](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/a-new-york-theatre-guide-to-hadestown). Mitchell began creating the show in 2006, and *Hadestown* went from concept album to full-fledged musical, staged off Broadway and in London before landing at the [Walter Kerr Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/walter-kerr-theatre). Seize the moment and take your own journey to *Hadestown* now.

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Top 10 reasons to see 'Hadestown' on Broadway

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Hadestown on Broadway [14748] 

Hadestown on Broadway

Discover why this musical update of Greek mythology is still one of the hottest tickets in New York.

All the songs in 'Hamilton' on Broadway

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Hamilton on Broadway [384]

Hamilton on Broadway

Dive into the Tony-, Grammy-, and Pulitzer-winning music of the Alexander Hamilton musical, whose use of rap and hip-hop earned it a place in the history books.

Inspiration for a play or musical can come from various places, even from the theatre. There are many shows on Broadway inspired by other stage works. Some are more obvious, such as *& Juliet*, which is inspired by *Romeo & Juliet*. Others are less so, like *Moulin Rouge! The Musical*, which takes inspiration from many places, including the *La Bohème* and *La Traviata* operas. 

These shows and more repackage well-loved stories in unique ways, sometimes modernizing a piece, changing the setting, or even including the original writer as a character in the show. Theatre has the power to connect generations, communities, and cultures, and nothing says that more than a modern twist on a classic work.

Learn more about Broadway shows and the other works of theatre that inspired them, and get Broadway tickets today.

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

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## *& Juliet*

If you've ever asked yourself, "What if Juliet didn't die at the end of *Romeo & Juliet*?", *& Juliet* has the answer. Based on Shakespeare's famous tragedy, *& Juliet* is anything but tragic. Finding Romeo dead is just the beginning of Juliet's story, as she travels to Paris with friends and finds a new lease on life and love. 

William Shakespeare and his wife, Anne Hathaway, are even characters in the musical, narrating and rewriting the Bard’s plot and performing in their new story. 

Bookwriter David West Read (*Schitt's Creek*) came up with the new story and set it to [Swedish pop songwriter Max Martin’s catalog of hits](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/how-juliet-uses-pop-songs-to-tell-a-fresh-coming-of-age-story) including “I Want it That Way” (The Backstreet Boys), “Oops!...I Did it Again” (Britney Spears), and “I Kissed a Girl” (Katy Perry).

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## *Sweeney Todd*

Did you know the character of Sweeney Todd is 177 years old? He was first created for a popular Victorian fiction serial called *The String of Pearls*, published in weekly installments from 1846-1847. The story inspired a play before the series was even completed. However, what inspired Stephen Sondheim's hit musical was Christopher Bond’s 1973 play, *Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street*, first performed in London. This version of Sweeney Todd's story added a psychological backstory and included motivation for the murderous barber’s crimes. 

Sondheim's musical retains Bond’s story of a barber who returns to London from exile, seeking revenge after a judge framed him and harmed his wife. Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford star in the latest Broadway revival.

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## *Chicago*

In 1926, Maurine Dallas Watkins wrote the script for a play called *Brave Little Women*, later named *Chicago*, for an assignment at Yale's drama school. The play was [based on Watkins's reporting](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/history-behind-musical-chicago-1920s-crime-and-vaudeville) on the 1924 murder trials for Beulah Annan and Belva Gaertner. *Chicago* is not a completely accurate account of the cases, but Watkins based Roxie Hart, Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn, and the other characters on individuals in the cases that took Chicago by storm. 

This play has inspired many creative works, including a silent film version in 1927 and a film called *Roxie Hart* in 1942. The play also inspired the famous 1975 musical of the same name created by John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Bob Fosse. 

The *Chicago* musical adds another layer of theatrical inspiration, with its musical numbers structured like acts in a vaudeville variety show, a popular theatre form in the 1920s. The current Broadway production, which opened in 1996, has established itself as the [longest-running musical revival on Broadway](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/chicago-theatrical-records-how-the-trailblazing-musical-set-a-new-broadway-standard) and combines murder, jazz, and show-stopping dance numbers for a one-of-a-kind performance.

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## *Merrily We Roll Along*

The 1981 fan-favorite musical *Merrily We Roll Along*, with music and lyrics by Sondheim and book by George Furth, is based on the 1934 play of the same name. The play, written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, tells the story of Richard Niles, a 40-year-old playwright who achieves success by compromising his virtue. The play's unique style, starting at the end and moving backward over nine scenes, made it stand out. 

The play inspired the musical *Merrily We Roll Along*. Initially, the show could have been a better success compared to previous Sondheim shows, and it closed after 16 performances and 52 previews. But thankfully, that wasn't the end of the story for the musical. *Merrily We Roll Along* received multiple rewrites and had various successful runs, including a London premiere in 2000 that won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical. 

Sondheim’s show centers not on a playwright but on composer Franklin Shepard and his two estranged friends, Charley Kringas and Mary Flynn. The musical ends by showing the three best friends before fame and success damaged their friendships. *Merrily We Roll Along* will have its first Broadway revival in the fall, following a hit Off-Broadway run starring [Daniel Radcliffe](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/daniel-radcliffe), Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. 

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## *Moulin Rouge! The Musical*

*Moulin Rouge! The Musical* is based on the same-named 2001 Baz Luhrmann film, which in turn was inspired by classical shows like *La Bohème*. The Tony-winning show is set at the turn of the 20th century, when Christian, a poor writer, falls in love with Satine, a cabaret actress with debilitating illness who’s already been promised to a duke. Their story is set to songs from the film, including “Come What May” and “Your Song,” plus mashups of many more pop hits.

Vaudeville, cabaret, and the can-can performances at the [real Moulin Rouge nightclub](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/how-the-al-hirschfeld-theatre-becomes-a-parisian-nightclub-in-moulin-rouge-the-musical) all inspired the musical. Giacomo Puccini's opera *La Bohème*, which Luhrmann directed at the Sydney Opera House in 1993, was a vital source of the plot for *Moulin Rouge!* Like *La Bohème*, *Moulin Rouge!* is set in Paris and includes struggling artists and themes of love, illness, and death. The [*La Traviata*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25619-la-traviata-tickets) opera, which also centers on a sickly courtesan, is another precursor to *Moulin Rouge!*

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## *Spamalot*

*Spamalot* riffs on enough other properties to fill the entire kingdom of Camelot. The show is adapted from a film, *Monty Python and the Holy Grail*, but its spoofs on Arthurian legend — and title — make it reminiscent of 1962's *Camelot*. Creators Eric Idle and John Du Prez stuff in lots of references to other Broadway shows, too, including *Company*, *The Producers*, *Les Misérables*, *Man of La Mancha*, and Andrew Lloyd Webber's entire canon. Keep an eye out!

Get [*Spamalot* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/33129-spamalot-tickets) now.

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## *The Wiz*

Before there was the iconic 1939 *The Wizard of Oz* movie, there was the 1900 children's book by L. Frank Baum. And in between, there was a 1903 musical adaptation that enjoyed two years of Broadway success. Between them all, the broad strokes remain the same: a scarecrow, a tin man, a lion, and a young Kansas girl journey down the yellow brick road to get their greatest wishes.

So it goes, too, for *The Wiz*, the 1975 musical adapted from this tale. But this version reimagines the story as a vibrant celebration of Black culture and art. Last on Broadway in 1984, *The Wiz* returns in 2024 with [Wayne Brady](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/wayne-brady) in the title role.

[Check back for information on *The Wiz* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27115-the-wiz-tickets)

Discover Broadway shows based on other theatre

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These works of theatre are inspired by older musicals, plays, variety shows, and more.

What do happy people do? They have a fun-filled few hours at a Golden Age musical comedy. The classic 1964 hit [*Funny Girl*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24232-funny-girl-tickets) is having its first Broadway revival, which opened in 2022 and now stars [Lea Michele](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/lea-michele-theatre-roles-we-love-on-stage-and-screen) as [real-life Ziegfeld Follies star Fanny Brice](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/learn-about-the-showbiz-history-that-inspired-funny-girl-on-broadway) in "the theatre event of the season," per a [five-star review](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/funny-girl-broadway-lea-michele-review).

Isobel Lennart's story, newly revised by Harvey Fierstein, traces Fanny's rise to fame and troubled relationship with gambler Nick Arnstein. But the musical is most famous for Jule Styne's songs. "People" and "I'm the Greatest Star" became instant classics when Barbra Streisand first sang them in the 1960s, and "Don't Rain on My Parade" is on lists upon lists of the greatest showtunes of all time.

Learn about all the music that makes Broadway audiences dance at *Funny Girl*, and get tickets for this rare chance to hear these songs live.

## "Overture"

Before any actors step on stage and sing, the orchestra plays an instrumental mashup of multiple *Funny Girl* songs to kick off the show. Overtures don't appear in many modern musicals, but they're a staple of Golden Age classics.

## "Who Are You Now?"

Most of *Funny Girl* is a flashback, where Fanny is reflecting on her and Nick's relationship while awaiting his return from prison. This song, in which Fanny hopes she and Nick have changed for the better as a result of knowing each other, was originally only in Act 2. The 2022 revival adds a short version in the beginning. "Are you something more than you were before... Did I give you too little by my loving you too much?" Fanny sings as the flashback begins.

## "If a Girl Isn't Pretty"

The real Fanny Brice didn't have a small mouth, thin upturned nose, or blonde curls – that is, she didn't fit the standard definition of beauty. The same goes for the version of Fanny in *Funny Girl*. In this song, her mother, Mrs. Rosie Brice, and Rosie's friends try to talk her out of pursuing a showbiz career, as they don't think she'll succeed alongside the traditional beauties.

Indeed, during the song, a casting director rejects Fanny for her looks. But aside from his verse, "If a Girl Isn't Pretty" isn't a mean-spirited song. Rosie laments how the world isn't always kind to those who are different: "If a girl isn't pretty like a Miss Atlantic City, all she gets in life is pity and a pat," Rosie sings. 

![lea 5-750-nytg](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/VxcnCQt159uELc77vCJlI/40c82a49c76974441e23e15db99cc423/lea_5-750-nytg.jpg)

## "I'm the Greatest Star"

Even though Fanny's mother doesn't think she'll hack it in show business, that doesn't stop Fanny from dreaming big. This well-known tune sees her showing off all her skills — comedy, voice impressions, high notes — to convince the audience she's a unique talent that just hasn't been discovered yet. Or, as Fanny puts it just before the song starts, "I'm a bagel on a plate full of onion rolls!"

## "Eddie's Tap"

This number is featured on the 2022 *Funny Girl* cast recording. There are no lyrics, just fast-footed tapping set to equally upbeat music. Jared Grimes, who plays Fanny's friend and fellow performer Eddie Ryan, is the man behind the taps. His dancing earned him a Tony Award nomination in 2022!

## "Cornet Man"

"Cornet Man" is Fanny's first Follies number in *Funny Girl*. Dancing isn't her strong suit, and she messes up the choreography. However, she wows everyone with her vocals by the end, earning Fanny a dedicated spot in the famous revue.

## "His Love Makes Me Beautiful"

"His Love Makes Me Beautiful" is the number that truly makes Fanny a Follies standout. She is dressed as a bride, singing a song of adoration for her husband. But Fanny, a skilled comedian, shocks everyone by appearing on stage "pregnant." She spins the romantic song into a comedic routine, leaving the audience in stitches and leaving her mark on the Follies.

## "I Want to Be Seen with You Tonight"

Here, Fanny and the audience first meet Nick Arnstein. He immediately charms Fanny, and she charms him right back. Fanny is surprised that a sophisticated, attractive man like Nick would take an interest in her, but he insists she has beauty of her own. "I want to be seen, be seen with you, with you on my arm. To wear you like a charm, your glitter decorating my arm."

![lea 6-750-nytg](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/6qjBMdu3R7WS5M1sAoX9jn/26be9aa418cc023d8f52dd5dafc480a0/lea_6-750-nytg.jpg)

## "Henry Street"

"Henry Street" takes place on the title New York road, where Mrs. Brice hosts an opening night party for Fanny after her hit Follies debut in "His Love Makes Me Beautiful." She and all the partygoers celebrate that their little Lower East Side neighborhood "has something it ain't had so far: the greatest, most glamorous, genuine, glorified Ziegfeld star!"

## "People"

"People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." This tender expression of love bookends one of *Funny Girl*'s best-known songs. Nick and Fanny are falling quickly for each other, and they celebrate their newfound happiness by singing this song.

## "You Are Woman"

Also called "You Are Woman, I Am Man," this song sees Fanny and Nick confirm their love for each other over a fancy French dinner. Nick bluntly says he wants to be more than friends — "You are woman, I am man. Let's kiss" — but Fanny hesitates for a moment, wondering if her mother would approve and if it's worth it to "become a sinner" for Nick. By the end of the song, though, she gives in to her feelings for Nick.

## "Don't Rain on My Parade"

"Don't Rain on My Parade" is *Funny Girl*'s most famous tune. Barbra Streisand delivered an iconic powerhouse performance in the original *Funny Girl* Broadway production and movie, making "Don't Rain on My Parade" her signature song.

In this rousing Act 1 finale, Fanny emphatically expresses her strong desire to be with Nick, despite his shady past. Even if she ultimately fails, she's not going to let anyone deny her a chance to live, love, and enjoy her happiness while she has it: "I've gotta fly once, I've gotta try once, only can die once, right, sir?"

## "Sadie, Sadie"

After a brief entr'acte (the Act 2 equivalent of an overture), *Funny Girl* takes us to the newlywed Fanny and Nick's Long Island home, where Fanny's friends are throwing them a party. This song is Fanny's whimsical response when Ziegfeld asks what married life is like. "I'm Sadie, Sadie, married lady — bow when I go by! I'm a corporation now, not me, myself, and I."

![lea 2-750-nytg](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/5gcl5DGsuI6W3QWoM2fqqO/7dd54359f51390cdb8a9767c08c58c3f/lea_2-750-nytg.jpg)

## "Who Taught Her Everything?"

This song originally appeared in Act 1, but shifted for the 2022 revival and is now listed as "Who Taught Her Everything She Knows?" The song's premise remains the same, though: Rosie and Eddie worry Fanny will leave them in the dust, and not give them any credit, as her star rises. When "Who Taught Her Everything?" was in Act 1, Rosie and Eddie sang it just after Fanny got cast in the Follies. Now, the song comes after Fanny has actually achieved success.

## "Temporary Arrangement"

Styne wrote "Temporary Arrangement," a solo Nick sings about his ever-changing fortunes, for the original Broadway production, but the song was cut. It was ultimately cut for the movie, too. However, when *Funny Girl* received a 2016 London revival, the song was added back in to beef up Nick's role. Multiple elements from the 2016 production remained for the 2022 Broadway revival, and "Temporary Arrangement" is one of them.

## "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat"

Like "His Love Makes Me Beautiful," "Rat-Tat-Tat-Tat" is another Ziegfeld Follies act Fanny performs in. This military-themed number is a World War I tribute, in which Fanny plays Private Schwartz, the only female soldier leading a company of male performers.

## "Who Are You Now? (Reprise) / People (Reprise)"

Originally, "Who Are You Now?" only appears once in the show, as a duet between Nick and Fanny. Now that Fanny sings a solo version at the top of the show, their original duet becomes a reprise. The song is a fraught one, as they just lost money in a bad investment. As they sing "Are you someone who’s better for my love?", they're hopeful that their love is enough, but wonder whether they're really bringing each other down.

![lea 7-750-nytg](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1vGGJgkocj1wLD43jmefFe/a0717b715c80eb205865ecd33586bba6/lea_7-750-nytg.jpg)

## "You're a Funny Girl / Beekman Call"

"Though you may be all wrong for a guy, you're good for a laugh," Nick sings to Fanny in this short ode that drops the show's title. In the second half, "Beekman Call," Nick gets on the phone with Tom Lefton, with whom he strikes a risky business deal, to get back the money he and Fanny lost.

## "What Do Happy People Do?"

The Follies girls perform this short transitional number, singing lyrics like, "Do they gather shells to fill with drops of dew? Do they ask the moon to make their dreams come true?" The song parallels Fanny's situation, as the once successful girl is now slipping out of reach of happiness. Her lost money has turned her marriage upside down.

## "The Music That Makes Me Dance"

At this point in the show, Nick has just been arrested for embezzlement. Despite all the ups and downs they've had romantically and financially, Fanny still loves him deeply. In this mournful ballad, she asserts that "his is the only music that makes me dance."

## "Dream Ballet"

*Funny Girl*'s dream ballet, which was added for the 2022 Broadway revival, is an instrumental song. As the music plays, Fanny reflects on her life, romance, and career, and what she wants for herself going forward.

Dream ballets are fairly common in older musicals, with each one expressing different themes and character journeys through various dance styles. *Oklahoma!* contains musical theatre's most famous dream ballet, but other classic musicals that feature them include *Brigadoon*, *Guys and Dolls*, *On the Town*, and *The Pajama Game*.

![lea 8-750-nytg](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/1h995X791QhxZZjmhWJuXk/d4128c1b7a54bfa5f37a5098ab661b8b/lea_8-750-nytg.jpg)

## "Funny Girl / Don't Rain On My Parade (Reprise II)" 

The Act 2 finale begins somberly, as Fanny laments her lost love. "I guess it's not funny; life is far from sunny when the laugh is over and the joke's on you," she sings. But by the end, she determines that even though "I guess we didn't make it, at least I didn't fake it," and she can still pick herself up again. The show doesn't end on a fully positive note, but with a tentative glimmer of hope for Fanny's future.

## "Bows / People (Reprise II)"

After an instrumental interlude while the cast takes their bows, the company delivers a short post-show reprise of "People," leaving audiences with the message that "people who need people are the luckiest people in the world."

## "Find Yourself a Man"

Longtime fans of *Funny Girl* may wonder why this song, featured in the original production, has been left off this list. "Find Yourself a Man" was cut for the 2016 London revival as well as the Broadway revival. In the song, Rosie's friends encourage her to find a husband to support her so Fanny — who is busy with her marriage, a new baby, and the Follies — doesn't have to.

All the songs in 'Funny Girl' on Broadway

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Funny Girl on Broadway - NYC

Funny Girl on Broadway

This classic musical is best known for its lineup of timeless songs by Jule Styne, including the defiant, showstopping anthem "Don't Rain On My Parade."

Farewell, so long, goodbye. Will Swenson will play his final performance in [*A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24254-a-beautiful-noise-tickets) on Broadway on October 29.

Swenson currently leads the show at the [Broadhurst Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/broadhurst-theatre) as Neil Diamond - Then, a younger version of the singer-songwriter as an up-and-coming musician. The show follows Diamond as he looks back on his life and career, and his [greatest hits](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/all-the-songs-in-a-beautiful-noise-on-broadway) propel the story of how he went from a poor Brooklyn kid to an award-winning, globally bestselling musician.

Swenson has played Diamond since *A Beautiful Noise* opened in November 2022. The current cast, most of whom are also original members, also includes Mark Jacoby as Neil Diamond – Now, Robyn Hurder as Marcia, Shirine Babb as Doctor, Jessie Fisher as Jaye Posner, Michael McCormick as Fred Weintraub/ Tommy O’Rourke, Tom Alan Robbins as Bert Berns/Kieve Diamond, and Bri Sudia as Ellie Greenwich/Rose Diamond.

Replacement casting for Swenson has yet to be announced. Nick Fradiani currently serves as Swenson's alternate, playing Neil Diamond - Then for one performance a week; he will continue in this role.

Get [*A Beautiful Noise* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24254-a-beautiful-noise-tickets) now.

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*Photo credit: Will Swenson and the cast of A Beautiful Noise. (Photo by Julieta Cervantes)*

Will Swenson to depart 'A Beautiful Noise' on Broadway

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Children under 4 are not permitted in the theatre.

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway - NYC

A Beautiful Noise: The Neil Diamond Musical on Broadway

The actor originated the role of a young Neil Diamond in this musical at the Broadhurst Theatre about the Grammy Award-winning musician's life and career.

The heat is going away. [*Some Like It Hot*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24262-some-like-it-hot-tickets) has set a Broadway closing date of December 30 at the [Shubert Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/shubert-theatre).

The musical will have played for just over a year, having played 483 total performances since November 1, 2022.

*Some Like It Hot* is a musical adapted from the 1959 Billy Wilder comedy of the same name, in which two Prohibition-era jazz musicians, Joe and Jerry, flee the Chicago mob. While stowing away in disguise with an all-female swing band, they find love and learn more about their truest identities.

Matthew López and Amber Ruffin wrote the book, and songs are by Marc Shaiman (music and lyrics) and Scott Wittman (lyrics). Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs.

Our [four-star review calls *Some Like It Hot*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/some-like-it-hot-broadway-review) "a bracing, fizzy cocktail garnished with a winning cast... this [adaptation] scores points for not just tracing the source but turning up some fresh ideas of its own."

The show won Best Musical at the Drama League, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and it was nominated for 13 Tonys, including Best Musical. Among its four wins were Best Choreography and Best Leading Actor in a Musical for [J. Harrison Ghee](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/interviews/j-harrison-ghee-contains-multitudes-in-some-like-it-hot-on-broadway), one of the [first non-binary performers to ever win a Tony Award](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/alex-newell-j-harrison-ghee-become-first-non-binary-tony-winning-actors).

Alongside Ghee as Jerry, the *Some Like It Hot* Broadway cast includes [Christian Borle](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/christian-borle) as Joe, J. Harrison Ghee as Jerry, Adrianna Hicks as Sugar, Kevin Del Aguila as Osgood, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Sweet Sue, Adam Heller as Mulligan, Mark Lotito as Spats, and Angie Schworer as Minnie.

Get [*Some Like It Hot* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24262-some-like-it-hot-tickets) now.

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

'Some Like It Hot' sets Broadway closing date

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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

The musical adaptation of the 1959 Billy Wilder film at the Shubert Theatre. was the most Tony Award-nominated show of the 2022-23 season with 13 nods.

Sometimes the dividing line between a character and a playwright is a blurry one. So it is with Ossie Davis’s 1961 satirical comedy [*Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27642-purlie-victorious-tickets), now back on Broadway for the first time since its debut 62 years ago.

The story follows Purlie Victorious Judson, a Black self-made traveling preacher who returns to his segregated Georgia hometown with a mission to buy and rehab its derelict church, Big Bethel. As a Black man, that’s a tall order. The church, like the town, is in the grip of racist tyrant Ol’ Cap’n Cotchipee.

Davis grew up in racially segregated Georgia. Like Purlie, Davis had first-hand experience with discrimination and bigotry, forces that inform the play and fueled his lifelong commitment to civil rights. In a pre-show voiceover, director Kenny Leon notes that the play began as an angry drama. But it evolved to become less autobiographical and funnier. Get people laughing, you get people’s attention. That’s powerful.

Learn more about the political and personal contexts – and the impact of 1960s-era influences – that shaped *Purlie Victorious* below. 

Get [*Purlie Victorious* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27642-purlie-victorious-tickets) now.

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## The politics of *Purlie Victorious*

Davis situated his play in Georgia in the late 1950s, a time when Jim Crow – which has been called “a racial caste system” – were in effect in the American South. Bottom line: Blacks were second-class citizens.

“Jim Crow was more than a series of rigid anti-black laws. It was a way of life,” according to the [Jim Crow Museum](https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/), a resource to tell the story of African American resiliency. Jim Crow bolstered the lie that Blacks were inferior to whites. 

Davis shrewdly creates Ol' Cap'n Cotchipee to be the flesh-and-blood manifestation of Jim Crow, a man dressed head to toe in white who won’t hesitate to say he reveres “all that is white and holy” – and that doesn’t include African Americans. He sums the philosophy up in a chilling line: "My ol' Confederate father told me on his deathbed: Feed the Negras first - after the horses and cattle."

Cotchipee is quick to reach for his bullwhip, but he takes a shine to Purlie’s brother Gitlow (that name is no accident), an “Uncle Tom” who’s content being subservient and keeping to the old-plantation-day ways. 

But Davis leaves room for hope. Cotchipee’s liberal-minded son Charlie has had it with his father’s bigoted ways – and that ultimately leads the way for Purlie to get the last laugh.

## The real-life partnership of *Purlie Victorious*

Purlie’s plan to take ownership of Big Bethel requires a secret weapon – Lutiebelle Gussie Mae Jenkins, a follower and love interest of Purlie's who’s game for anything. Ossie Davis played the title role in the comedy’s Broadway premiere, so naturally, his wife, Ruby Dee, played Lutiebelle. 

The couple, who were married for 57 years, previously shared a Broadway stage in 1946 in *Jeb* and 1959 in *A Raisin in the Sun*. *Purlie Victorious* gave them a chance to chomp into two juicy roles together onstage. And their involvement in the show didn't end with the original production: Dee later played the supporting role of Idella in a 2002 reading.

They frequently worked together throughout their careers until he died in 2005 at 87; she died in 2014 at 91. But *Purlie Victorious* gave them a unique chance to shine a bright spotlight on the struggle for equality.

## Famous *Purlie Victorious* reviews

Suffice it to say that the social influencers of 1961 took notice of what Purlie Victorious was preaching. Fellow reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. saw the show. So did Malcolm X. According to Davis, [X said](http://www.columbia.edu/cu/ccbh/mxp/davis.html), “Black folks laughing at White folks was revolutionary — the highest kind of struggle he could imagine.” 

Eleanor Roosevelt also attended. She laughed, and then she [wrote about the experience](https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/myday/displaydoc.cfm?_y=1962&_f=md005050). “Mixed with the humor there is intelligent, incisive commentary on segregation, discrimination, and the slow pace of integration,” she wrote.

“I think it is well for you as an American citizen to see it,” she added, “and ponder our racial problem… as a question affecting our standing and our real sincerity among the peoples of the world.”

Call that a *Purlie* of wisdom.

Get [*Purlie Victorious* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27642-purlie-victorious-tickets) now.

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*Photo credit: Kara Young, Heather Alicia Simms, Leslie Odom, Jr., Vanessa Bell Calloway, Billy Eugene Jones, and Noah Robbins in Purlie Victorious. (Photo by Marc J. Franklin)*

The real history behind ‘Purlie Victorious’ on Broadway

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12+ is recommended. Children under 4 years old will not be admitted.

Purlie Victorious on Broadway - NYC

Purlie Victorious on Broadway

Discover how real-life people, places, and politics shaped Ossie Davis’s uproarious comedy from 1961, which remains just as fresh and relevant in 2023.

For anyone planning on paying a visit to the Emerald City by seeing [*Wicked*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets) on Broadway, there are tons of ways to turn your entire day into an epic adventure Elphaba herself would approve of. There are many different activities to plan a *Wicked*-themed day in New York City, from learning more about the Gershwin, the theatre where the musical plays (in fact, the 20th anniversary is October 30, 2023), to spending time with another famous green woman. 

We’ve selected a few wickedly exciting activities you can take part in across the city, with ideas for Ozians of all ages. Then, make sure you buy your tickets to see *Wicked* at the [Gershwin Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/gershwin-theatre), and experience the story of *The Wizard of Oz* like never before.

Get [*Wicked* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets) now.

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## Museum of Broadway

Any theatre lover will enjoy a few hours at the Museum of Broadway, which features tons of costumes, set pieces, and props on display from famous performances. You'll also discover fascinating information about the history of the Great White Way and all the people it takes to put on a Broadway show.

*Wicked* fans in particular will love the five-foot scale model of the Gershwin, which shows off just how many people it takes to make the magic happen on stage and what the venue looks like behind the scenes.

Get [Museum of Broadway tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27223-the-museum-of-broadway) now.

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## Behind the Emerald Curtain

If you’ve ever wondered how Elphaba goes green every night or flies through the air, you’ll want to go on the Behind the Emerald Curtain tour. Cast members lead this 90-minute special behind-the-scenes tour through the *Wicked* museum, which includes special costumes, set pieces, props, scale models and more.

Perhaps the most exciting part of the experience, however, is that guests get to enjoy a candid Q&A with some cast members to ask their burning questions about being in *Wicked* and life as a Broadway performer. Tours operate on select dates only.

## Enchantments

Are you more intrigued by the witchy side of *Wicked*? Pay a visit to Enchantments, the oldest occult store in New York City. Located in the East Village, this store has tons of goodies for anyone trying to get into the magical spirit, with tarot cards, incense, cauldrons, and customized candles tailored toward whatever you hope to manifest. You can also get yourself a talisman to wear to the show and make sure any energy coming toward you is anything but wicked!

## The Statue of Liberty

Spend the day with another famous woman who is green from head to toe: the Statue of Liberty. A trip to this beloved monument (which is actually made of copper!) starts with a ferry ride to Liberty Island. Once there, you can visit the museum to learn more about Lady Liberty or climb up to her crown for an amazing view of the city’s skyline (but you’ll have to book tickets in advance). With [Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Round Trip Ferry tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31071-statue-of-liberty-and-ellis-island-round-trip-ferry-with-tour-guide), you can also go over to Ellis Island and visit the National Museum of Immigration afterwards.

If you don't want to go out to the island, New York Theatre Guide has tickets to multiple boat cruises that let you get a picturesque view of the statue while you sail by and enjoying onboard drinks and treats. Take a [daytime](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/29471-daytime-statue-of-liberty-and-city-lights-sails-aboard-the-clipper-city-tall-ship) or [evening harbor cruise](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/29469-sunset-sail-aboard-the-clipper-city-tall-ship) on a historic clipper ship, or go on a [60-minute sightseeing cruise](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/30978-statue-of-liberty-&-ellis-island-60-minute-sightseeing-cruise) if you're on a time crunch.

Get [Statue of Liberty tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31071-statue-of-liberty-and-ellis-island-round-trip-ferry-with-tour-guide) now.

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## Trapeze class

One of the most jaw-dropping moments in *Wicked* is when Elphaba takes flight. If you want to get a taste of what it feels like to soar through the air, you can take a flying trapeze class. The Trapeze School of New York at Hudson River Park, for example, teaches you how to hang by your knees, fly through the air, and do a “catch” (when someone on another trapeze bar catches you) all in your first class.

You can also try other gravity-defying activities, like trampoline classes and aerial hoop classes (also known as Lyra). It’s certainly a thrilling way to prepare for *Wicked*!

## *Wicked*

No *Wicked* day would be complete without seeing the iconic musical itself. Learn the history of Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good Witch, long before Dorothy arrives in Oz. Despite being roommates at Shiz University, they're bitter enemies and polar opposites until they ultimately settle their differences and become fierce friends.

Their union is tested, however, when Elphaba falls from the Wizard's good graces, while Glinda is torn between supporting her or tarnishing her image among the people of Oz. *Wicked* a story of the power of female friendship, standing up for what’s right, and finding strength in what makes you different.

Get [*Wicked* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets) now.

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*Photo credit: Wicked on Broadway. (Photo courtesy of production)*

Make a day out of ‘Wicked’ in New York City

From exploring Gershwin Theatre history to defying gravity just like Elphaba does, these activities are a great way to spend one short day *Wicked*-style.

Fall is underway and it's time to fall in love with some new theatre — or fall in love with your favorite shows all over again. [Broadway's long-running favorites](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/see-these-long-running-shows-on-broadway-right-now) are still going strong, but they're joined by plenty of new Broadway plays and musicals, including world-premiere Off-Broadway shows and many offerings with starry casts.

Check out our list of theatre to see in October 2023, and see our list of [New York shows that started in September](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/new-york-theatre-to-see-in-september) for even more new theatre you can still catch.

## Broadway shows in October

Noteworthy musicals and plays start performances on Broadway this month, including exciting revivals and new shows by award-winning artists. Be sure to check out these widely celebrated shows, many with celebrities in the cast.

[Get tickets to a Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/whats-on/broadway-shows)

### *Merrily We Roll Along*

Stephen Sondheim’s famous flop-turned-fan favorite about a friendship shattered by showbiz greed and ambition is back on Broadway for the first time since its 1981 premiere. [Daniel Radcliffe](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/daniel-radcliffe), Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez star as a trio of pals whose relationships fall apart as the days go by in director Maria Friedman’s acclaimed staging.

Get [*Merrily We Roll Along* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27417-merrily-we-roll-along-tickets) now.

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### *I Need That*

[Danny DeVito](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/danny-devito), an Emmy winner for *Taxi* and a Tony nominee for *The Price*, stars as Sam, a hoarder ordered by government officials to clean up his cluttered home – or else he’s out on his ear. Count on playwright Theresa Rebeck (*Bernhardt/Hamlet*) to sort out the humor and humanity in the Roundabout Theatre Company production co-starring Lucy DeVito (the star’s daughter) and Ray Anthony Thomas.

Get [*I Need That* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/28198-i-need-that-on-broadway) now.

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### *Spamalot* 

Oh, what a knight! Arthurian legend gets soundly spoofed in this Tony-winning Best Musical by John Du Prez and Eric Idle, based on the 1975 comedy film *Monty Python and the Holy Grail*. Back on Broadway for the first time since its 2005 premiere, the show has a stacked cast including Taran Killam as Lancelot, James Monroe Iglehart as King Arthur, and Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as the Lady of the Lake.

Get [*Spamalot* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/33129-spamalot-tickets) now.

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### *Harmony*

During the 1920s and 1930s, the Comedian Harmonists, a German sextet known for their freewheeling stage frolics and tight harmonies, ascended to popularity that spanned the globe. But when the Nazis rose to power, the group, which included three Jewish men, broke apart and fell into obscurity. Barry Manilow (music) and Bruce Sussman (book and lyrics) reclaim the group’s place in history in this show directed by Warren Carlyle. 

[Check back for information on *Harmony* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24995-harmony-tickets)

## Off-Broadway shows in October

Off-Broadway theatres have it all this month: innovative new plays, comedy shows, and more. Whatever your taste in theatre, you’ll find it off Broadway, so check out these shows starting New York performances this month and find one that's best for you.

[Get tickets to an Off-Broadway show on New York Theatre Guide.](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/whats-on/off-broadway-shows)

### *All the Devils Are Here*

Tony nominee Patrick Page is at his best when his characters are at their worst — such as Hades in [*Hadestown*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/14748-hadestown-tickets) and Scar in [*The Lion King*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/42-the-lion-king-tickets). In this 80-minute solo show subtitled *How Shakespeare Invented the Villain*, author and actor Page inhabits a dozen of the Bard’s notorious baddies – including Macbeth, Richard II, and more.

Get [*All the Devils Are Here* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/34163-all-the-devils-are-here) now.

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### *Covenant*

Did a struggling musician make some sort of devilish deal to make it big in the biz? That’s a burning question throughout York Walker’s play about the power of suspicion and half-truths making its world premiere in a [Roundabout Theatre Company](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/harold-and-miriam-steinberg-center-for-theatre) presentation. 

Get [*Covenant* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/33127-the-covenant) now.

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### *Danny and the Deep Blue Sea*

[Aubrey Plaza](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/aubrey-plaza) (*Parks and Recreation*) and [Christopher Abbott](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/christopher-abbott) (*Girls*) star in this new production of this emotionally charged 1984 two-hander by John Patrick Shanley, the Oscar-winning writer of *Moonstruck*. The revival at the [Lucille Lortel Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/lucille-lortel-theatre) follows down-and-outers who meet at a bar in the Bronx and maybe – just maybe – make the kind of deep connection that could change their lives.  

Get [*Danny and the Deep Blue Sea* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/32606-danny-and-the-deep-blue-sea) now.

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### *Hell’s Kitchen*

Grammy winner [Alicia Keys](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/hear-the-music-of-alicia-keys-in-the-hells-kitchen-musical) makes her Off-Broadway debut at The [Public Theater](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/public-theater) in her semi-autobiographical coming-of-age musical set in her home neighborhood in Manhattan.  Michael Greif (*Rent*, *Dear Evan Hansen*) directs the show, which features a mix of new songs and familiar hits by Keys and a book by Kristoffer Diaz about a 17-year-old girl named Ali, who’s considering life, love, and the future. 

Get [*Hell’s Kitchen* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31750-hells-kitchen) now.

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### *Here We Are*

A Sondheim premiere? We’re there. The final musical from the late, great composer-lyricist, created with writer David Ives (*Venus in Fur*) and directed by Joe Mantello (*Wicked*) is drawn from two Luis Buñuel films – *The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie* (1972) and *The Exterminating Angel* (1962) – with dinner parties that go sideways. Tony winners David Hyde Pierce, Rachel Bay Jones, and Denis O’Hare are just a taste of the delicious cast.

Get [*Here We Are* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/28147-here-we-are-tickets) now.

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### *Little Shop of Horrors*

Boy meets girl – and a man-eating plant with a killer appetite. So it goes in this hit revival at the Westside Theatre of the Alan Menken and Howard Ashman cult fave musical that's perfect for Halloween season. [Corbin Bleu](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/corbin-bleu) and Constance Wu currently star as the adorable lovebirds Seymour and Audrey who pour out their hearts in great songs like “Somewhere That’s Green” and “Suddenly Seymour.”

Get [*Little Shop of Horrors* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24608-little-shop-of-horrors-tickets) now.

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### *Daphne*

Soon after Daphne says goodbye to the city to live with her girlfriend in a woodsy setting, she finds herself confronting a thicket of unsettling events that make her question what’s real and what’s not. Boundaries blur and realities emerge in Renae Simone Jarrett’s play at Lincoln Center.

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

### *The Gardens of Anuncia*

Michael John LaChiusa seizes inspiration for his tango-infused musical at Lincoln Center from the early life of choreographer and director Graciela Danielle, one of his frequent collaborators. In the lead role, Tony winner Priscilla Lopez looks back at her girlhood in Argentina and marvels at the women in her life who helped her become an artist. 

Check back for information on *The Gardens of Anuncia* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

### *Merry Me*

There’s something about *Merry* – and then some. Restoration comedy shakes it up with Greek drama in a trippy work at [New York Theatre Workshop](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/new-york-theatre-workshop) by Hansol Jung (*Wolf Play*) directed by Leigh Silverman that promises to be “an intoxicating queer cocktail.” The setting is a Navy base, where libidos race, an angel descends with an arresting prophecy, and humanity hangs in the balance. 

Check back for information on *Merry Me* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

### *Stereophonic*

David Adjmi (*3C*, *Elective Affinities*) flashes back to the groovy, gritty mid-1970s, where a rock band recording its latest studio album is poised to make a quantum leap into the the big leagues. Will they seize the moment for superstardom – or crack like vinyl under the pressure? Original music by Arcade Fire’s Will Butler headlines this Playwrights Horizons presentation.

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

### *I Can Get It for You Wholesale*

Antihero, anyone? *Tootsie* Tony winner Santino Fontana stars as Harry Bogen, an eager-beaver shipping clerk in 1937 New York City whose ambition is rivaled only by his unscrupulousness. This [Classic Stage Company](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/classic-stage-company) production marks the first revival of the 1962 musical in 30 years and is a bit of a family affair. Revisions to Jerome Weidman’s original book, based on his novel, are by his son, John Weidman. Songs are by Harold Rome.

Check back for information on *I Can Get It for You Wholesale* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

*Photo credit: Spamalot. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)*

Top theatre to see in New York in October

spamalot dc-1200x600-NYTG

Discover our top picks for Broadway shows and Off-Broadway shows to see this month, including new shows premiering and last-chance shows closing this month.

Top theatre to see in New York in October | New York Theatre Guide

Check out our guide to must-see Broadway and Off-Broadway theatre in October 2023, a popular month for the openings of buzzy new Broadway plays and musicals.

They're hitting the dance floor! The new Broadway musical [*How to Dance in Ohio*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/32763-how-to-dance-in-ohio-tickets) has set its complete Broadway cast ahead of its first performance on November 15. Opening night is December 10.

*How to Dance in Ohio* is a musical adaptation of the same-named documentary by Alexandra Shiva. The show follows a group of autistic young adults who come of age and experience newfound love, stress, confidence, and change as they prepare for a formal dance at their group counseling center.

The show comes to Broadway's [Belasco Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/belasco-theatre) after a 2022 world premiere in Syracuse, with multiple cast members returning.

## Who is in the *How to Dance in Ohio* Broadway cast?

Newly announced *How to Dance in Ohio* cast members include Caesar Samayoa as psychologist Dr. Emilio Amigo, Cristina Sastre as Ashley Amigo, and ensemble members Jean Christian Barry, Collin Hancock, Hunter Hollingsworth, Marina Jansen, Ayanna Thomas, and Marina Pires.

They join seven [previously announced cast members](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/new-musical-how-to-dance-in-ohio-to-premiere-on-broadway-this-fall) making their Broadway debuts: Desmond Luis Edwards as Remy, Amelia Fei (Yi-Hsuan Fei) as Caroline, Madison Kopec as Marideth, Liam Pearce as Drew, Imani Russell as Mel, Conor Tague as Tommy, and Ashley Wool as Jessica. All are autistic actors reprising their roles from Syracuse as the autistic adults in the show.

Other previously announced cast members include Haven Burton as Terry, Darlesia Cearcy as Johanna, Carlos L Encinias, Nick Gaswirth, Melina Kalomas, and Martín Solá.

Check back for information on *How to Dance in Ohio* tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

*Photo credit: Amelia Fei, Ashley Wool, Conor Tague, Desmond Edwards, Imani Russell, Liam Pearce, and Madison Kopec. (Photos courtesy of production)*

'How to Dance in Ohio' completes Broadway cast

how to dance in ohio-1200x600-NYTG

How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway - NYC

How to Dance in Ohio on Broadway

The new musical, based on Alexandra Shiva's Peabody Award-winning documentary about autistic adults, begins performances at the Belasco Theatre in November.

Their name is Lancelot! Taran Killam and Alex Brightman join the cast of the upcoming [*Spamalot*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/33129-spamalot-tickets) Broadway revival, playing at the [St. James Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/st-james-theatre) from October 31. Opening night is November 16.

Killam returns to Broadway after playing King George III in [*Hamilton*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/384-hamilton-tickets) in 2017. He is better known, however, for his onscreen comedy performances on *madTV* and *Saturday Night Live*, in addition to multiple sitcoms. He will play Lancelot through January 7 only.

Brightman will step into the role from January 9. He is currently starring as Richard Dreyfuss in [*The Shark Is Broken*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/28737-the-shark-is-broken-tickets) on Broadway, and he is also known for leading the Broadway musical adaptations of *Beetlejuice* and *School of Rock*. Brightman also played Lancelot at the Kennedy Center, where this *Spamalot* revival production premiered earlier this year under director/choreographer Josh Rhodes.

As [previously announced](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/spamalot-sets-broadway-cast-and-creative-team), multiple other cast members from that production will also return for the Broadway transfer: Christopher Fitzgerald as Patsy, James Monroe Iglehart as King Arthur, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer as The Lady of the Lake, Jimmy Smagula as Sir Bedevere, Michael Urie as Sir Robin, and Nik Walker as Sir Galahad. Ethan Slater also stars as The Historian/Prince Herbert.

*Spamalot* is the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical adaptation of *Monty Python and the Holy Grail*, written by John Du Prez and founding Monty Python member Eric Idle. The show is an irreverent sendup of Arthurian legends.

Get [*Spamalot* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/33129-spamalot-tickets) now.

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*Photo credit: Taran Killam and Alex Brightman. (Photos courtesy of production)*

Taran Killam, Alex Brightman join 'Spamalot' Broadway cast

lancelots-1200x600-NYTG

Spamalot on Broadway - NYC

Spamalot on Broadway

The actors join a cast that also includes Broadway favorites James Monroe Iglehart, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Ethan Slater, and more at the St. James Theatre.

Ease on down to Broadway! A revival of [*The Wiz*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27115-the-wiz-tickets) will begin performances this spring at the [Marquis Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/marquis-theatre). The first performance is March 29, and opening night is April 17.

The announcement of the New York production comes as *The Wiz* opened its pre-Broadway national tour in Baltimore, Maryland — where the Tony Award-winning original 1975 production premiered — last night.

*The Wiz* is an all-Black retelling of *The Wizard of Oz*, infusing it with jazz, pop, ballet, and Black cultural influences. The show features a book by William F. Brown and a Tony Award-winning score by Charlie Smalls and others, including Luther Vandross. The 2023 revival features additional material by Amber Ruffin, also represented on Broadway with *Some Like It Hot*.

Schele Williams directs the 2023 production, which features choreography by JaQuel Knight, scenic design by Hannah Beachler; costume design by Sharen Davis; lighting design by Ryan J. O’Gara; sound design by Jon Weston; projection design by Daniel Brodie; wig design by Charles LaPointe; makeup design by Kirk Cambridge-Del Pesche; music supervision, orchestrations, and music arrangements by Joseph Joubert; vocal and music arrangements by Allen René Louis; and dance music arrangements by Adam Blackstone.

## Who is in *The Wiz* Broadway cast?

As [previously announced](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/complete-cast-set-for-broadway-bound-the-wiz-revival), the Broadway cast of *The Wiz* stars [Wayne Brady](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/wayne-brady) as The Wiz alongside Nichelle Lewis as Dorothy, Deborah Cox as Glinda, Melody A. Betts as Aunt Em and Evillene, Kyle Ramar Freeman as the Lion, Phillip Johnson Richardson as the Tinman, and Avery Wilson as the Scarecrow.

The ensemble includes Maya Bowles, Shayla Alayre Caldwell, Jay Copeland, Allyson Kaye Daniel, Judith Franklin, Michael Samarie George, Collin Heyward, Amber Jackson, Olivia Jackson, Christina Jones, Polanco Jones, Kolby Kindle, Mariah Lyttle, Kareem Marsh, Anthony Murphy, Cristina Rae, Matthew Sims Jr, Avilon Trust Tate, Keenan D. Washington, and Timothy Wilson.

*The Wiz* Broadway cast carries over from the national tour.

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

*Photo credit: The Wiz in Baltimore. (Photo by Jeremy Daniel)*

'The Wiz' to open on Broadway in March

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The Wiz on Broadway - NYC

The Wiz on Broadway

Wayne Brady will star in the latest revival of the seven-time Tony Award-winning musical, which just launched a national tour prior to its New York opening.

The career paths of Josh Gad and [Andrew Rannells](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/andrew-rannells) happily keep on colliding – and paralleling. Right now, they’re at the [James Earl Jones Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/james-earl-jones-theatre) in [*Gutenberg! The Musical!*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31399-gutenberg-the-musical-tickets), a show with two actors and just as many exclamation points. The comic duo play musical theatre composers writing a show about the inventor of the printing press.

Out there? Sure. Then again, the story of misbegotten Mormon missionaries in Uganda is also wacky. That’s what the long-running, Tony Award-winning musical [*The Book of Mormon*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/127-the-book-of-mormon-tickets), in which Gad and Rannells first performed together, is about.

Even when they haven’t shared a stage, their theatre careers have overlapped in various ways. Find out more about the duo’s careers in our timeline below.

Get [*Gutenberg! The Musical!* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31399-gutenberg-the-musical-tickets) now.

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## 2005 and 2006: Broadway debuts

In January 2005, Rannells took over as high school student Fender in *Hairspray*. Like a ’60s beehive hairdo, the actor ascended high to the lead role of teenage heartthrob Link Larkin. Rannells has stepped into key roles in other Broadway shows including Bob Gaudio in *Jersey Boys*, the title role in *Hedwig and the Angry Inch*, and King George in [*Hamilton*](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/384-hamilton-tickets). 

A year later, in January 2006, the musical *The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee* introduced Gad to Broadway audiences. He took over the role of allergy-prone William Barfee, a kid who uses his “magic foot” to write out words before spelling them.

![gad rannells mormon-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/2wabPKWHjEvZjHR3cwfnyN/fe6243997f341e93bba3320f9ea06708/gad_rannells_mormon-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

## 2011: *The Book of Mormon*

In 2011, Rannells and Gad landed the lead roles in the irreverent, sometimes profane musical by Robert Lopez (*Frozen, Avenue Q*) and *South Park* creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Rannells and Gad starred as Elders Price and Cunningham: Mormon missionaries in Uganda who are young, eager, in over their head, and making things up as they go along. Both got Best Actor Tony nominations for the still-running hit at the [Eugene O’Neill Theatre](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/eugene-o-neill-theatre). 

Get [*The Book of Mormon* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/127-the-book-of-mormon-tickets) now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/127-the-book-of-mormon-tickets)

## 2006 and 2016: The William Finn connection

Gad belted the kicky tune “Magic Foot” by William Finn in his Broadway debut in *The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee*. Rannells earned his second Tony nomination – Best Actor in a Supporting Role, as the ailing Whizzer – in the 2016 revival of *Falsettos*, a show with music, lyrics, and a book by Finn.

## 2013 and 2016: The Disney connection

Beyond the stage, Disney is common ground for the pair. For episodes of the animated TV series *Sofia the First*, Rannells voiced Morris, a goblin. Meanwhile, Gad voiced Olaf, the fan-fave snowman in the *Frozen* film franchise.

## 2023: *Gutenberg! The Musical!*

As Bud and Doug in this musical by Scott Brown and Anthony King, the actors wear a lot of hats – and that’s not a metaphor. They play the authors of a show about Johannes Gutenberg, which they pitch to potential investors with the means to finance the project. They act out the show playing characters whose names are on baseball caps.

See how it all goes down through January 28 only. Who knows when Rannells and Gad will share the stage next?

Get [*Gutenberg! The Musical!* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31399-gutenberg-the-musical-tickets) now.

[![Book Tickets CTA - LT/NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/3qAtGOdQq9x3k1WcHlaJnw/90ece91bbe47ed07e142c2e43c7a7a3f/BookTickets-250.png)](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/31399-gutenberg-the-musical-tickets)

Learn about the careers of 'Gutenberg! The Musical!' stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells

gutenberg-1200x600-NYTG

Recommended for 12+. Children under 4 not admitted.

Gutenberg! The Musical on Broadway - NYC

Gutenberg! The Musical on Broadway

The acclaimed comic theatre actors made their names with *The Book of Mormon* more than a decade ago, and they now share the stage for the first time since.

Fall is upon us in New York. The cool fall breezes have blown in not just color-changing leaves, but a cornucopia of seasonal events all across the city. And there's a show or event out there for you no matter how you like to ring in the fall season.

Is the pumpkin patch at the top of your itinerary? Stop at a show set in the countryside on the way to the actual farm. Prefer to stay cozied up inside with a warm sweater? You can do that in a Broadway theatre. Can't wait for Halloween? Celebrate the holiday all autumn long at spooky shows and attractions. You don't have to escape the city to get the most out of autumn — there are plenty of options right here.

We've planned out a few roundups of New York fall events and shows to get you started, based on various fall vibes. Pick the one that best suits you, and get tickets to these experiences to make the most of your fall in the city.

Get [tickets to Broadway shows](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/whats-on/broadway-shows) 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)

## Spooky fall

If "fall" and "Halloween" are one and the same to you, you're in the right place. Get your tricks and treats, chills and thrills at these shows and events. And this is only a small selection — read our full [guide to theatre to see in New York for Halloween](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/top-theatre-to-see-in-new-york-for-halloween) for even more scary good options.

![7 sweeney-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/7gzSXonAWlHmzrQwwduBA/552327f1ea1cae3882fcea9649ba1ee8/7_sweeney-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### *Sweeney Todd*

*Sweeney Todd* serves up both tricks and treats, though perhaps not the kind you'll want to eat. This bloody entertaining Stephen Sondheim thriller follows the title "demon barber," whose vengeful plot to murder a corrupt judge grows into a desire to kill just about everyone in London. And with the help of pie shop owner Mrs. Lovett, the evidence mysteriously disappears into the tastiest baked goods she's ever made. [Josh Groban](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/josh-groban) and [Annaleigh Ashford](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/stars-on-stage/annaleigh-ashford)'s sinister performances might give you nightmares, but their vocals are the stuff of dreams.

Get [*Sweeney Todd* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26216-sweeney-todd-on-broadway-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)

![wicked record-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/33IsBjCX6G9Pt8wbpynzhg/f4408e276ad198a3f6bfe93f03845770/wicked_record-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### *Wicked*

The iconic witch hat and broom are the centerpieces of many a Halloween costume. Ever wonder why? This musical provides one origin story and more, offering an alternate take on who Glinda and Elphaba were before they became the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West in *The Wizard of Oz*. This show isn't scary, but it's filled with bewitching stage magic and supernatural characters.

Get [*Wicked* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/1-wicked-musical-tickets) now.

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![met-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/5Kl3OwNexDdwp9z80mxVMP/ec7576b9feb977ae02aabf0d4f3751f5/met-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### Ghost Stories: A Mysterious, Macabre Interactive Tour at the Met

This tour focuses on works of art that depict all sorts of scary creatures from various cultures and time periods. In addition to just looking at spooky creations, attendees will participate in activities and discussions about what makes people afraid and why. The tour takes place all year round, but during the fall, it incorporates extra art and other surprises only included during the Halloween season.

Get [Ghost Stories tour tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/29084-ghost-stories-a-mysterious-macabre-interactive-tour-at-the-metropolitan) now.

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## Harvest fall

This itinerary is for those who like to spend their fall days leaf-peeping, apple-picking, and pumpkin patch-hopping. Even if you can't make it to New England or upstate for the foliage and the farms, these shows and events provide all the harvest vibes you're looking for.

![2 shucked-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/5C8ZI7ghBbkqnTIBgwsnlr/f658093e1d4c60713a8527ad2216cd07/2_shucked-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### *Shucked*

Fans of corn mazes will feel right at home in Cob County, the central location of this corny (literally) musical. When the town's prized corn crop starts dying, farmgirl Maizy finds an outsider to help, but all isn't at it seems. This show, by Tony-winning bookwriter Robert Horn and Grammy-winning songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, delivers a cornucopia of country-infused tunes and nonstop corn puns.

Get [*Shucked* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26987-shucked-tickets) now.

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![Little Shop of Horrors Skylar Astin - 750 - NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/6H4AR98BqLvUGbu3IcM5qt/79e8283b1a46f0dabbcc454ae86774ce/skylar_1-750.jpg)

### *Little Shop of Horrors*

The monstrous, Venus flytrap-esque plant in this musical is one you might not want to harvest. Flower shop worker Seymour finds this out the hard way, as the plant promises him fame and fortune in exchange for human flesh and blood. Straddling the line between horror, comedy, and botany, this cult-classic favorite is the perfect autumn watch.

Get [*Little Shop of Horrors* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/24608-little-shop-of-horrors-tickets) now.

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![falloween-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/12w2kC6bHYOabTRDUoPlp5/cff33a7da1d13a561467a10f4bb1c39c/falloween-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### Fall-O-Ween at the New York Botanical Garden

What better place to spend a harvest-themed fall day than at the New York Botanical Garden, where you're surrounded by flora and fauna? A natural oasis in the middle of the Bronx, it'll make you feel like you've escaped the city. Participate in pumpkin carving and costume contests, sample treats featuring classic fall flavors, and take part in activities both festive and frightful, all while exploring the grounds' 50 gardens featuring over a million wildlife species.

Get [Fall-O_Ween tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/34402-fall-o-ween) now.

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## Cozy, romantic fall

If you spend your fall pretending you're the protagonist of a Nora Ephron rom-com — cozying up with a good book and a soft sweater, perhaps by the fireplace with your boo — then these idyllic, romantic experiences are perfect for you.

![cottage review-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/7IpSiOpEcmTSOTm8NqA54F/809e3f7439b96c9377519ec2db23a880/cottage_review-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### *The Cottage*

*The Cottage* delivers cozy romance with a twist. The play opens with a couple having a romantic morning in a beautiful country cottage — but we soon learn they're both cheating on their spouses, who are in turn cheating on them. Confusion, hilarity, and a tangled web of relationships arise. This farce may not be your average romance, but it's an endlessly entertaining one.

Get [*The Cottage* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/27834-the-cottage-tickets) now.

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![2 & juliet-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/4uRxS4JCAwq28qRsfLQYse/a3e7a49d37437ce5ce8b0c37b59d75ed/2___juliet-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### *& Juliet*

Juliet, of *Romeo & Juliet*, finds love in the big city in this new musical — except the big city is Paris, and she spends just as much time finding herself after Romeo dies. This twist on the classic play is as empowering as it is romantic, and it also features another love story: that of William Shakespeare and Anne Hathaway, who rekindle their own flame by co-writing Juliet's new story together.

Get [*& Juliet* tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/25598-and-juliet-tickets) now.

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![central park-1200x600-NYTG](//images.ctfassets.net/6pezt69ih962/6JRicOt0Rsj6szai9tyQ4e/7ee32e86f002fea209a5499f8b51b72e/central_park-1200x600-NYTG.jpg)

### Secret Places of Central Park

Is it really a New York rom-com if the lovers don't stroll through Central Park? Recreate that vibe with this walking tour. You might have seen landmarks like the Bow Bridge on screen, but this tour provides a look into the park's lesser-known hidden gems, including secluded gardens, historic sites, and more. You might find your new favorite spot to go on an autumn date.

Get [Secret Places of Central Park tickets](https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/29268-secret-places-of-central-park-walking-tour) now.

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Plan a fall day in New York with these shows and events

nyc autumn-1200x600-NYTG

Whether your fall vibe is spooky, cozy, or outdoorsy, New York has plenty of attractions and shows to suit your interests — check out our itineraries here.

Find out the latest Broadway news on New York Theatre Guide. Read all about Broadway shows, cast updates, new Broadway seasons, extra performances, and show closures. 

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