Off-Broadway

Following a year-long run at <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/stage-42" target="_blank">Stage 42</a>, the all-Yiddish adaptation of <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/fiddler-on-the-roof" target="_blank">Fiddler on the Roof</a> will return to New York. Joel Grey directs Fiddler on the Roof at <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/new-world-stages" target="_blank">New World Stages</a>, with performances from November 13 to 1 Jan. 2023.Set in Russia at the turn of the 1905 Revolution, Fiddler on the Roof follows Tevye, a Jewish milkman who navigates faith, family and changing traditions in Anatevka. Fiddler on the Roof is performed entirely in Yiddish and presented with English and Russian Supertitles."The fictional Anatevka of Fiddler on the Roof is based on shtetls that were located outside of Kyiv in present-day Ukraine. We can't help but think of the displaced residents of Anatevka while a new generation of refugees are fleeing their homeland due to the current crisis," commented Zalmen Mlotek, National Yiddish Theatre Folksbiene (NYTF)'s artistic director.Steven Skybell will reprise the role of Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. Further casting will be revealed at a later date.Joel Grey directs Fiddler on the Roof, and the show features choreography by Jerome Robbins and new movement and musical staging by Staś Kmieć.Fiddler on the Roof&nbsp;played at Stage 42 in 2019, earning a Drama Desk award for Oustanding Revival of a Musical. In a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/reviews/review-of-fiddler-on-the-roof-in-yiddish-at-stage-42" target="_blank">Fiddler on the Roof&nbsp;review on New York Theatre Guide,</a> our critic said: "By giving us the tale in Yiddish,&nbsp;Joel Grey&nbsp;and this company make us listen in ways for which we are unprepared. The sound of language opens more than the ears.&nbsp;It opens the heart."Fiddler on the Roof features a book by Joseph Stein based on stories by Sholem Aleichem, music by Jerry Bock and lyrics by Sheldon Harnick. The Yiddish translation is by Shraga Friedman.Photo credit: Steven Skybell as Tevye in Fiddler in the Roof in Yiddish (Photo by Lev Radin)&nbsp;

Joel Grey-directed ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ to return off Broadway this fall

Photo credit: Steven Skybell as Tevye in Fiddler in the Roof in Yiddish (Photo by Lev Radin)

Fiddler On The Roof - NYC

Fiddler On The Roof

Following a year-long run at Stage 42, the all-Yiddish adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof will return to New York. Joel Grey directs Fiddler on the Roof at New World Stages, with performances from November 13 to 1 Jan. 2023.

Joel Grey to direct 'Fiddler on the Roof' at New World Stages | NewYorkTheatreGuide.com

Steven Skybell reprises the role of Tevye.

Atlantic Theater Company has set its 2022-23 Off-Broadway season, featuring five world premieres at the company's two performance venues. The season runs from December to June.The first show in the season is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/im-revolting" target="_blank">I'm Revolting</a>, written by Gracie Gardner and directed by Knud Adams. Gardner makes her Off-Broadway debut with this show set at an NYC skin cancer clinic, where patients are waiting to discover what parts of themselves they'll lose. Performances run from September 8 to October 16 at the <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/linda-gross-theater" target="_blank">Linda Gross Theater</a>; opening night is September 28.Next is&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/the-far-country" target="_blank">The Far Country</a>&nbsp;by Lloyd Suh, whose acclaimed play <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/the-chinese-lady" target="_blank">The Chinese Lady</a>&nbsp;ran off Broadway last season. The play follows one family's journey from Taishan, China to California's wild west in the aftermath of the Chinese Exclusion Act. Eric Ting directs this show, which runs from November 17, 2022 to January 1, 2023 at the Linda Gross Theater. Opening night is December 5.The world-premiere musical <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/cornelia-street" target="_blank">Cornelia Street</a>&nbsp;is next in the season, playing at <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/atlantic-stage-2" target="_blank">Atlantic Stage 2</a> from January 14 to February 19, 2023. Opening night is February 6. The show features a book by Simon Stephens and music and lyrics by Mark Eitzel.&nbsp;Cornelia Street&nbsp;follows a man who is trying to save his West Village restaurant, which has always been a haven for the village's oddest customers, and give his daughter the life he dreams for her. The show is directed by Neil Pepe, the Tony-nominated director of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/american-buffalo" target="_blank">American Buffalo</a>&nbsp;on Broadway in 2022.Deepa Purohit's world-premiere play&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/elyria" target="_blank">Elyria</a>&nbsp;is next; Awoye Timpo directs. The show takes place in 1982 in the Ohio town of the title, where two mothers face each other 20 years after making the deal of a lifetime. Now, they must confront their past and their future. The show plays from February 9 to March 26 at the Linda Gross Theater, and it marks Purohit's Off-Broadway debut. Opening night is February 27.Finally, Tony Award-nominated playwright Lucas Hnath (<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/a-dolls-house-part-2" target="_blank">A Doll's House, Part 2</a>; <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/dana-h" target="_blank">Dana H.</a>) directs his own world-premiere play,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/a-simulacrum" target="_blank">A Simulacrum</a>. It is co-created with sleight-of-hand artist Steve Cuiffo, who also stars in the production.&nbsp;A Simulacrum&nbsp;details what happened when Steve showed Lucas magic tricks at Lucas's request. The show runs at Atlantic Stage 2 from May 25 to June 25, 2023. Opening night is June 5.Casting and additional creative team announcements for these shows have yet to come.Atlantic's season also includes the Atlantic for Kids production of&nbsp;Heart Strings,&nbsp;a world-premiere play by Lee Cataluna. It is set in pre-statehood Hawaii and focuses on two girls who face a big storm and sibling rivalry. The show also deals with the blending of cultures and Hawaiian traditions, and teaches that family is about love. The story is told with&nbsp;Hawaiian string figures similar to cat's cradle.

Atlantic Theater Company sets 2022-23 Off-Broadway season

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Atlantic Theater Company has set its 2022-23 Off-Broadway season, featuring five world premieres at the company's two performance venues. The season runs from December to June.

Atlantic Theater Company sets 2022-23 Off-Broadway season | New York Theatre Guide

The season includes four plays and a musical.

New York is getting turned upside down! <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/stranger-sings-the-musical-parody" target="_blank">Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical</a>, based on the hit Netflix show&nbsp;Stranger Things, is returning off Broadway for a limited engagement this fall. Performances run from September 12 to January 1, with an opening night of September 22.Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical&nbsp;leans into the "campy 80s glory" of the TV show, about a group of children in 1980s Indiana that must face down monsters from another dimension. The musical features satirized versions of all your favorite characters: Mike, Eleven, Dustin, Lucas, Will, Joyce, Hopper, and plenty more. Expect plenty of dancing monsters, huge hair, hormonal teens, and perhaps justice for Barb Holland within this story and its songs.Unlike its first Off-Broadway run at the Players Theatre, the 2022 production, at <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/st-lukes-theatre" target="_blank">Playhouse 46 @ St. Luke's</a>, will be immersive and in the round, with audience members on all sides of, and sometimes part of, the action.The show features a book, music, and lyrics by Jonathan Hogue; direction by Nick Flatto; choreography by&nbsp;Ashley Marinelli; and&nbsp;music direction, orchestrations, and arrangements by&nbsp;Michael Kaish.Check back for information on&nbsp;Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical&nbsp;tickets on New York Theatre Guide.Photo credit: Caroline Huerta and Jason Daniel Chacon in the original Off-Broadway production of Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical.&nbsp;(Photo by Bruce Glikas)

'Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical' to return off Broadway

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Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical - NYC

Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical 

New York is getting turned upside down! Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical, based on the hit Netflix show Stranger Things, is returning off Broadway for a limited engagement this fall. Performances run from September 12 to January 1, with an opening...

'Stranger Sings! The Parody Musical' to return off Broadway | New York Theatre Guide

The musical previously ran in summer 2021.

__UPDATE: *Becky Nurse of Salem* will now begin performances November 8 and open December 4.__

Something witchy this way comes! A new play by Pulitzer finalist Sarah Ruhl,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/26851-becky-nurse-of-salem-tickets" target="_blank">Becky Nurse of Salem</a>,&nbsp;will premiere off Broadway this fall. Performances will be staged at Lincoln Center Theater's <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/lincoln-center-mitzi-e-newhouse-theater" target="_blank">Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater</a> beginning October 27. Opening night is November 21.Deirdre O'Connell, a 2022 Tony Award winner for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/dana-h" target="_blank">Dana H.</a>,&nbsp;will star as the titular Becky, the descendant of a woman named Rebecca Nurse who was accused in the Salem Witch Trials of the 1690s. Becky works at a witch museum and turns to spells, pills, and love to try and free herself from her streak of bad luck, which is either a curse from her past or her troubles with the present.The&nbsp;Becky Nurse of Salem&nbsp;cast also includes&nbsp;Tina Benko, Candy Buckley, Alicia Crowder, Thomas Jay Ryan, Julian Sanchez, and Bernard White.The creative team includes&nbsp;set designer Riccardo Hernandez, costume designer Emily Rebholz, lighting designer Barbara Samuels, sound designer Palmer Hefferan, and projection designer Tal Yarden. Rebecca Taichman directs.Ruhl is a two-time Pulitzer-nominated playwright for&nbsp;In the Next Room, or the vibrator play and The Clean House, and her other works include&nbsp;For Peter Pan on her 70th&nbsp;Birthday,&nbsp;Stage Kiss, and&nbsp;Dead Man's Cell Phone.&nbsp;She wrote the libretto for an opera adaptation of her play&nbsp;Eurydice, which premiered with The Metropolitan Opera in 2021, and another new play of hers,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/letters-from-max" target="_blank">Letters From Max</a>,&nbsp;will go up with <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/pershing-square-signature-center" target="_blank">Signature Theatre</a> in the 2022-23 season.Check back for information on&nbsp;Becky Nurse of Salem&nbsp;tickets on New York Theatre Guide.Photo credit: Deirdre O'Connell

New play 'Becky Nurse of Salem' to open off Broadway this fall

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Becky Nurse of Salem - NYC

Becky Nurse of Salem

Something witchy this way comes! A new play by Pulitzer finalist Sarah Ruhl, Becky Nurse of Salem, will premiere off Broadway this fall. Performances will be staged at Lincoln Center Theater's Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater beginning October 27. Opening...

New play 'Becky Nurse of Salem' to open off Broadway this fall | New York Theatre Guide

The show will go up at Lincoln Center Theater.

UPDATE: Additional cast members have been named. Two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony nominee Mare Winningham joins the&nbsp;A Man of No Importance cast as Lily Byrne, William Youmans as Baldy O'Shea, and Shereen Ahmed as Adele Rice.The <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/classic-stage-company" target="_blank">Classic Stage Company</a> production of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/a-man-of-no-importance" target="_blank">A Man of No Importance</a>&nbsp;has set additional casting, joining the previously announced <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/actor-profile/jim-parsons" target="_blank">Jim Parsons</a> in the lead role of Alfie Byrne. The show will run from October 11 to December 4, with an opening night of October 30.Newly announced cast members include&nbsp;Alma Cuervo, Kara Mikula, Mary Beth Peil (a two-time Tony Award nominee for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/anastasia" target="_blank">Anastasia</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;The King and I),&nbsp;Thom Sesma, A.J. Shively (a 2022 Tony nominee for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/paradise-square" target="_blank">Paradise Square</a>), Nathaniel Stampley, Jessica Tyler Wright, and Joel Waggoner.A Man of No Importance&nbsp;follows bus driver Alfie Byrne and his amateur theatre group as they try to put on a production of Oscar Wilde's&nbsp;Salome.&nbsp;But in 1960s Dublin, the group faces pushback from church authorities, and they must hold fast to their friendship as they confront bigotry and present their tale of love.The show features&nbsp;a book by Terrence McNally, music by Stephen Flaherty, and lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. John Doyle directs.Check back for information on&nbsp;A Man of No Importance&nbsp;tickets on New York Theatre Guide.

Additional casting announced for 'A Man of No Importance' off Broadway

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A Man of No Importance - NYC

A Man of No Importance

Two-time Emmy Award winner and Tony nominee Mare Winningham joins the A Man of No Importance cast as Lily Byrne, William Youmans as Baldy O'Shea, and Shereen Ahmed as Adele Rice.

Additional casting announced for 'A Man of No Importance' off Broadway | New York Theatre Guide

The musical will go up in the fall.

New York has more theatre and activity than one person could ever hope to experience, but sometimes, we all need a break from the city. You might find yourself as one of the many people who hop on NJ Transit for a quick city getaway — and if you haven't yet, it's a great option. The state boasts quaint towns, bustling boardwalks and beaches, and everything in between with a different vibe from the concrete jungle.But even on vacation, you might still want to get your theatre fix, and New Jersey has you covered there, too. We've rounded up some of the top venues to check out all over the state, so you can find something nearby no matter where in New Jersey you go. Together, their offerings are as diverse as the city's, whether you're looking to see a splashy hit musical, a bold new play, or a show the whole family will love.<h2>East Lynne Theater Company: Cape May, NJ</h2>East Lynne Theater Company presents everything from classic plays to world premieres, but since its classic repertoire often includes forgotten gems, any showgoing experience there is likely to introduce you to something new. There's programming year-round, but East Lynne is known for its summer season, having been named one of the 75 best American destinations for summer theatre by The New York Times. Through September 2022, the theatre is presenting Aaron Posner's&nbsp;Who Am I This Time (&amp; Other Conundrums About Love).<h2>Cape May Stage: Cape May, NJ</h2>Also in Cape May is Cape May Stage, which has been a staple of the community since 1988. Many New York hits later go up at Cape May Stage; the fall/winter 2022 season includes shows like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/the-lifespan-of-a-fact" target="_blank">The Lifespan of a Fact</a>&nbsp;(which played Broadway in 2018) and&nbsp;One Christmas Carol, a one-man adaptation of the classic holiday tale that recently played off Broadway. Cape May is at the southernmost point of New Jersey, but it's worth the trip to see its repertoire and spend some time by the coastline while you're at it.<h2>The Growing Stage: Netcong, NJ</h2>The Growing Stage is also called the Children's Theatre of New Jersey, so this is the perfect place to go if you're looking for a family-friendly outing. Its programming includes many shows based on popular children's media, and those shows often feature child actors, too, so your kids will love seeing others their age on stage. This is a great theatre to go to if you're looking to introduce your youngest family members to the theatre for the first time.<h2>Centenary Stage Company: Hackettstown, NJ</h2>Located in northern New Jersey,&nbsp;Centenary Stage Company is just a quick train ride from the city. This nonprofit theatre company presents plenty of contemporary hit shows, with its 2022 summer season including the rock musical&nbsp;Rent&nbsp;and the Off-Broadway hit&nbsp;The Marvelous Wonderettes, featuring 1950s hit songs. The company also hosts concerts, dance performances, and shows aimed at young audiences, so there's something for everyone.<h2>Premiere Stages at Kean University: Union, NJ</h2>Premiere Stages is the in-house professional theatre company at Kean University. The organization is focused on developing, producing, and premiering new plays, so this is the place to go if you want to be the first to see new work by established and emerging playwrights alike. The company's July 2022 production is the new play&nbsp;Mud Row&nbsp;by Tony Award nominee Dominique Morisseau, whose plays&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/skeleton-crew" target="_blank">Skeleton Crew</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/confederates" target="_blank">Confederates</a>&nbsp;just ran to acclaim in New York.<h2>Surflight Theatre: Beach Haven, NJ</h2>Get some theatre in during your beach getaway! Long Beach Island is a go-to vacation spot, but it's also a great summer theatre spot thanks to Surflight Theatre. If you can't get enough of the ocean and sand during the day, spend your night taking in a production right by the beach. Surflight puts on energetic, feel-good musicals — its 2022 season includes&nbsp;Legally Blonde&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/escape-to-margaritaville" target="_blank">Escape to Margaritaville</a>&nbsp;— to keep the fun coming during your vacation.<h2>Epic Actors' Workshop: Old Bridge, NJ</h2>Support the work of underrepresented artists by seeing a production at&nbsp;Epic Actors' Workshop, which focuses on work written and performed by South Asian artists. The company finds South Asian plays performed all over the US and brings them all together in New Jersey for one annual theatre festival, running from August 6-7 in 2022.&nbsp;Epic Actors' Workshop is located a short drive away from multiple national parks and the coastline, so you can make a chock-full itinerary out of a trip to see a show by this innovative company.

The best New Jersey theatres to visit

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New York has more theatre and activity than one person could ever hope to experience, but sometimes, we all need a break from the city. You might find yourself as one of the many people who hop on NJ Transit for a quick city getaway — and if you haven...

The best New Jersey theatres to visit | New York Theatre Guide

See hit musicals, plays, and more while you take a getaway out of the city.

You might be thinking: The Metropolitan Opera is practically the centerpiece of Lincoln Center. There are operas there all the time. What do you mean, the first Lincoln Center opera? We mean Lincoln Center&nbsp;Theater, the organization that operates three cozy theatres (the <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/vivian-beaumont-theater" target="_blank">Vivian Beaumont</a>, <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/lincoln-center-mitzi-e-newhouse-theater" target="_blank">Mitzi E. Newhouse</a>, and <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/lincoln-center-claire-tow-theater" target="_blank">Claire Tow</a>) in the building just behind the Met.LCT usually sticks to traditional plays and musicals, and The Met sticks to operas. But in 2006, the artistic directors of the two companies had the idea to develop new operas together. A few of those operas have since debuted on the Metropolitan Opera stage, but for the first time, LCT is hosting an opera premiere in its own building:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/intimate-apparel" target="_blank">Intimate Apparel</a>&nbsp;at the Newhouse.The opera is based on the 2003 play by Lynn Nottage and takes you back to 1905 New York City. The main character is a single Black woman named Esther, who works as a seamstress specializing in ladies' lingerie. She hopes to one day open her own beauty parlor and find love.There are a lot of misconceptions about how opera is highbrow and inaccessible, but go to&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;and those ideas will be shattered. If you've never seen an opera before, this one is a great place to start: It's in English. You'll see an epic story of romance, betrayal, and big dreams. (And you can go in jeans.) Plus, it's rare that all-new American operas premiere in New York, so you'll experience something historic. You don't want to miss this show, and here's why.<h2>Intimate Apparel&nbsp;has an award-winning creative team.</h2>When you've got Pulitzer- and Tony-winning artists together on a show, you know it's going to be good. The backbone of it all is Lynn Nottage, who wrote the original&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;play back in 2003. We wouldn't have the opera without her! Not only is she a Pulitzer winner, she's a&nbsp;double&nbsp;Pulitzer winner, having won for her plays&nbsp;Ruined&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sweat. She's also got loads of other awards for her work, including an Outer Critics Circle Award for the&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;play.The opera version is directed by Bartlett Sher, the director behind critically acclaimed Broadway shows like&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/to-kill-a-mockingbird" target="_blank">To Kill a Mockingbird</a>, <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/my-fair-lady" target="_blank">My Fair Lady</a>,&nbsp;and&nbsp;The King and I. He's a Best Director Tony Award winner for his revival of&nbsp;South Pacific, and he's got another eight directing nominations to boot.And of course,&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;wouldn't be an opera without its music, and that's where composer Ricky Ian Gordon came in. Gordon is an Obie Award winner and Helen Hayes Award winner, respectively, for his operas&nbsp;Orpheus and Euridice&nbsp;and&nbsp;Sycamore Trees. Plus, award-winning performers like Audra McDonald and Renée Fleming have sung his music. You won't see them in&nbsp;Intimate Apparel, but you will see equally talented performers singing Gordon's enchanting piano score.<h2>The&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;music is gorgeous — and performed in English.</h2>Unlike most operas, the music in&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;wasn't written for a full orchestra. Instead, two pianists sitting above the stage play the whole score. But that doesn't mean the opera is lacking musically in any way. Those two pianists are great storytellers — shifts in the music signal joy, sadness, and suspense in the plot the way a great movie score does. And the simple music makes the opera feel more, well, intimate, and lets the singers' voices shine.Between the simple music and small size of the theatre, it's also easy to understand what the singers are saying. There's no dialogue; all the conversations that drive the plot are sung, so you'll definitely want to catch every word. Opera often gets a reputation for being inaccessible because it's sung in different languages, but subtitles are always provided.&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;is in English, so you won't even need subtitles, but they're projected on the walls anyway just in case.<h2>There's romance, intrigue, and plenty of drama.</h2>If you love soap operas, romance books and movies, or any kind of drama,&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;has it all: secret and forbidden romances, a love triangle (actually, more like a pentagon), gossip, and betrayal. And it all kicks off with an exchange of letters —&nbsp;You've Got Mail&nbsp;and&nbsp;She Loves Me&nbsp;fans, this one's for you.Esther receives an unexpected letter from a Panama Canal worker named George, who sounds&nbsp;handsome by the way he writes. She enlists the help of two friends to write back to him since she's illiterate: Mayme, who lives in her building, and Evangeline Van Buren, a wealthy white client of Esther's looking for something fun to do. Esther hopes she'll eventually get to meet and fall in love with George for real. All the while, Esther's fabric salesman has his own eye on her, but because he's Jewish and she's Black, their love is forbidden.What is George really like? Who will she choose? Who are the other people in the love pentagon? You'll have to see for yourself — and like previous audiences, you may audibly gasp multiple times as plot twists are revealed.<h2>Intimate Apparel&nbsp;is based on true, seldom-told stories of Black history.</h2>Nottage was inspired to write the original&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;play after discovering photos of her great-grandmother Esther, who was a seamstress. That's where Esther's name and profession in the play and opera come from. Nottage combines this with another bit of true history: At the turn of the 20th century, after the Civil War, many Southern Black women came to New York to build new lives. They found inexpensive shelter and community with other Black women in boarding houses. The fictional Esther lives in a boarding house run by the Black landlady Mrs. Dickson, who is a mother figure to Esther and the other women there.But photos of the real Esther aren't all that inspired the characters in&nbsp;Intimate Apparel: Nottage said in an&nbsp;<a href="https://issuu.com/lctheater/docs/lctr_intimateapparel_singlepages_022420/s/10261451" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">interview with LCT</a>&nbsp;that she looked through tons of photos from the time period, and the white people would be identified by name while the Black people would each be listed as an "unidentified Negro." The opera even recreates some of these photos at the end of each act. By focusing&nbsp;Intimate&nbsp;Apparel&nbsp;on ordinary Black workers — a seamstress, a canal digger, a landlady, a performer — Nottage has given names, faces, and depth to Black people lost to history. You won't see these stories anywhere else on stage.<h2>The opera is in an intimate theatre.</h2>Fitting, for a show with "intimate" in the title! Most major operas are performed in the 3,850-seat Metropolitan Opera House — which has no bad seats, but you won't be close to the stage in most of the sections.&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;is performed in the 299-seat Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater, so no matter where you sit, you're right up close and can see every little detail of the intricate costumes and the actors' facial expressions.Plus, the Newhouse has a more relaxed dress code, unlike the Met, which encourages formal attire. So if you're interested in the opera but are daunted by the glamour, you won't feel underdressed at&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;no matter what you wear. That said, this show is all about beautiful clothing, after all. So if you do want an excuse to wear that fancy outfit, you'll still fit in perfectly at&nbsp;Intimate Apparel.<h2>Intimate Apparel&nbsp;celebrates sisterhood.</h2>Intimate Apparel&nbsp;doesn't always paint the rosiest picture of love. In the opera, everyone gets disappointed by their dream of finding true love, whether because the person is taken, cold, or is someone that society does not want them to love. But&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;celebrates a different kind of love instead: sisterhood.This is a show about the unconditional love and support between women who are each other's source of happiness. There's a mother/daughter-like bond between Esther and Mrs. Dickson, a sisterhood between Esther and her fellow boarding house resident Mayme, and an unlikely friendship between Esther and Evangeline Van Buren, a wealthy white woman that Esther makes clothes for. Evangeline gets swept up in Esther's quest for love and even invites Esther on a trip with her to escape her disinterested husband.With Galentine's Day this month, what better time to see a show like this? And even though the relationships in&nbsp;Intimate Apparel&nbsp;don't always end in happily ever after, the romantic show still makes for a great Valentine's Day outing. Between the music, the performances, the celebration of Black life, and the thrilling drama, there's so much to love about&nbsp;Intimate Apparel. Put on your favorite apparel and go!Photo credit:&nbsp;Kearstin Piper Brown and Justin Austin in Intimate Apparel. (Photo by Julieta Cervantes)

Why you need to see 'Intimate Apparel,' the first opera at Lincoln Center Theater

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Intimate Apparel - NYC

Intimate Apparel

You might be thinking: The Metropolitan Opera is practically the centerpiece of Lincoln Center. There are operas there all the time. What do you mean, the first Lincoln Center opera? We mean Lincoln Center Theater, the organization that operates three...

New York Theater Guide News | NewYorkTheatreGuide.com

The show is gorgeously designed and shares untold stories of Black history.

Opera isn't just soaring arias and impressive costumes and sets. Sure, you may not understand all the lyrics in Carmen and <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/la-boh%C3%A8me">La Bohème</a>&nbsp;(though there are subtitles to help with that), but these classic works are just the beginning when it comes to what the classic and legendary art form can be. While you may have been skeptical in the past, opera is not just your grandparents' thing. Here are the reasons why you should be going to the opera right now — you might be surprised.<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/news-features/everything-you-need-to-know-about-going-to-the-opera" target="_blank">Check out our complete guide to the opera, what to expect, and operas playing in New York.</a><a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/whats-on/opera-shows" target="_blank">Get opera tickets on New York Theatre Guide.</a><h2>The stories told are larger than life and feature powerful women.</h2>Who doesn't love a story filled with love, intrigue, and maybe just a bit of murder? An example is Lucia di Lammermoor, an oldie but a goodie with a plot that will satisfy anyone with a taste for the dramatic and murderous. And with plenty of operas like <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/lucia-di-lammermoor" target="_blank">Lucia di Lammermoor</a> being vehicles for women and providing powerhouse voices with breakthrough roles, the opera remains an art where women can show off their talents in their rightful place - center stage.<h2>New and edgy operas are being produced.</h2>Opera companies often produce the classics season after season, but going to the opera doesn't have to mean seeing a production of <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/the-magic-flute" target="_blank">The Magic Flute</a> (decadent and mystical as it is) for the 100th time. Opera companies are producing new and innovative works all the time.<h2>Drag queens are welcome — and they are taking over.</h2>Opera isn't necessarily known for a connection to drag culture and cabaret, but blending the three together could be a ménage à trois made in heaven. Think about it: Opera has some of the most spectacular and lavish costumes and sets in the business — the flair is undeniable. Combine that sumptuousness, the delicious naughtiness and freedom of drag, and the community feeling of cabaret, and you're sure to get an epic night. Queens of the Night is one of our favorite examples of this phenomenon.<h2>Opera can awaken the activist in you.</h2>Operas often speak to the political as well as the personal. With new material being produced every day that engages with what's current and making representation a priority, it's the perfect opportunity to vote with your dollars by seeing timely art. Support relevant works and stick it to the man.<h2>Kids love opera, too.</h2>Don't believe us? Check out this&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wqxr.org/story/these-kids-are-amazed-when-they-meet-opera-singer-first-time/">video</a>. If opera has kids hooked, they're probably onto something, right?

5 reasons opera is cooler than you think

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Opera isn't just soaring arias and impressive costumes and sets. Sure, you may not understand all the lyrics in Carmen and La Bohème (though there are subtitles to help with that), but these classic works are just the beginning when it comes to what...

5 reasons opera is cooler than you think | New York Theatre Guide

Opera isn't just highbrow or old-fashioned, but thrilling and engaging for all ages.

It's that time of the year again! <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/radio-city-music-hall" target="_blank">Radio City Music Hall</a>'s famed precision kickline of festive dancers are back onstage for the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, which runs through January 1. Whether you're celebrating at the quintessential New York show with your family or friends, here are 10 fun facts you probably didn't know about the women of Radio City&nbsp;— including some new additions for this year!They weren't originally called The Rockettes.The troupe launched in Missouri in 1925 and were called the Missouri Rockets, and later that year, they performed in New York in a show directed by S.L. "Roxy" Rothafel. The director called them the Roxyettes when the opened at Radio City in 1932, and two years later, they adopted the name the Radio City Rockettes.Some things haven't changed since the beginning.&nbsp;"Parade of the Living Soldiers" and "The Living Nativity" have remained unchanged since the show premiered.All dancers need to be between 5' 6" and 5' 10.5" tall.While it might look like their heights are uniform, they all fall within that range. To make it look like they're all the same height, the taller dancers are in the center and the shorter dancers taper out toward the end.There are 80 Rockettes total.But there are two casts&nbsp;— 40 for the afternoon and 40 for the evening. However, only 36 dancers are on stage at a time.They do their own hair and makeup.A French twist, red lip, and eyelashes are the dancers' signature style. And if you want to follow their style influence, their red lipstick is MAC Red or MAC Russian Red.Even their shoes have microphones.To really hear those tap dancing for "12 Days of Christmas" and "Rag Dolls," all the shoes are miced.There are more than 160 high kicks per show.And one Rockette can kick up to 650 times a day. (That's four shows!)There are more than 1,100 costumes and pairs of shoes.Including the ensemble and the singers, the cast wears a lot of clothes. In case you were wondering, that's more than 350 loads of laundry a week.It's in 3D.Grab a pair of 3D glasses, because when Santa flies over the audience, there's state-of-the-art 3D technology. Over 1 million pairs of 3D glasses are handed out each year.This year, there will be drones.&nbsp;For the first time this year (and the first time in live theatre), drones will be incorporated into the big finale. No spoilers here, but look out for the big finish!

10 fun facts about the Radio City Rockettes

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It's that time of the year again! Radio City Music Hall's famed precision kickline of festive dancers are back onstage for the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, which runs through January 1. Whether you're celebrating at the...

10 fun facts about the Radio City Rockettes | New York Theatre Guide

Learn more about the famous precision dance troupe and their annual Christmas Spectacular.

<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/suffs" target="_blank">Suffs</a>&nbsp;is the hottest new musical playing right now — and it's not even on Broadway. The history musical about the passage of the 19th Amendment that allowed women to vote is running off Broadway at <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatres/public-theater" target="_blank">The Public Theater</a>, and tickets are going fast. Even before it officially opened on April 6,&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;extended its run twice. The show is now playing until May 29, and modern female icons such as Sandra Oh, Gloria Steinem, and Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have been among its audience members.On stage, Tony winner&nbsp;Nikki M. James, who plays real-life journalist and civil rights icon Ida B. Wells in the show, has been having the time of her life. "Not only is the show fantastic, but it's fun to do and the people on stage and the people backstage love doing it together," she enthused.James, who won a Tony Award for&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/the-book-of-mormon" target="_blank">The Book of Mormon</a>, takes us behind the scenes of the new musical. Here's why it's a must-see.<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/suffs" target="_blank">Get&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;tickets now.</a><h2>Suffs&nbsp;is based on real events.</h2>Suffs&nbsp;has been in development since 2014. The process began when creator Shaina Taub, who wrote the music, lyrics, and book, picked up a copy of the book&nbsp;Jailed for Freedom, suffragist Doris Stevens's account of how the suffragists held the first public protest at the White House in 1917 and were subsequently jailed and tortured.&nbsp;Taub ultimately begins&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;with the 1913 Women's Suffrage Parade, where over 5,000 women marched in Washington, D.C., while wearing all white, clamoring for their right to vote. It wouldn't be until eight years later, in 1920, that the 19th Amendment was finally enshrined in the Constitution.&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;dramatized what happened in those long eight years."The right to vote for women was not inevitable," said James. "It's so easy for us to look back and think, 'Well, of course women have the right to vote.' It's like, no! They fought hard; many people suffered in order for this to happen."Taub approached James about the project in 2018, after the two had worked together on&nbsp;Twelfth Night&nbsp;at Shakespeare in the Park. Taub had turned Shakespeare's rom-com into a musical in which James played Viola.&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;currently has a sprawling cast of 19, but in those early days, it was just five or six women singing around a piano. "I thought this show was special," said James of those early workshops. "Whenever they were doing little readings, workshops, developmental stages, if I was available and they'd have me, I was a part of it."<h2>Suffs&nbsp;is not your typical history lesson.</h2>Suffs&nbsp;has a decidedly modern sensibility to it. There are period top hats and petticoats, but the cast of&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;is entirely made of women who play the suffragists and all the men who opposed their freedom.Grace McLean (of&nbsp;Natasha, Pierre &amp; The Great Comet of 1812) plays President Woodrow Wilson, and Tsilala Brock plays Dudley Malone, who worked for Wilson but also supported women's suffrage. The show also has a diverse cast that contains Black, Asian, Latinx, and gender non-conforming actors, and actors with disabilities.&nbsp;<h2>The musical acknowledges the messy history of the suffrage movement.</h2>Suffs&nbsp;doesn't shy away from depicting the conflicts within the suffrage movement. Within the fight against patriarchy, there was a lot of infighting — between the moderate wing and the radical wing of the women's movement, the different generations, and between the white women and the women of color."This isn't just girl power. This is about infighting within the movement. This is about any group of people who have similar goals, but very different histories, experiences, and thoughts about how one gets to the end," said James.&nbsp;Similarly, the creative team and actors behind&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;wanted to create a compelling musical, but they sometimes disagreed about how best to portray this history. In previous drafts of&nbsp;Suffs, James's character Ida B. Wells had a smaller role. But after the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, it became apparent that the Black suffragists needed a more prominent place in the musical.&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;couldn't just be a show about white feminism.In real life, Black women and women of color were integral to the suffrage movement but were pushed aside to prioritize the vote for white women. Black women did not receive the right to vote until 1965, when the Voting Rights Act was passed. Sidelining the Black voices would be a repeat of history.James recalls conversations with Taub about making sure her character had more agency. "I just said, 'It felt like there was not a moment where we got to ever be alone with Ida — she was always sort of in relationship to the white protagonists,'" she said. So Taub wrote James a second-act song in which Ida reflects on how "decades of defiance take their toll." It's coming from Ida, but it's a sentiment that helps to humanize all the women.Said James, "That's an unbelievable gift for me as an actor and, I think, for the audience to hear that. It's very easy to think of the successes of people's lives and then forget that these people had feelings, they had disappointments."<h2>The musical is historically accurate.</h2>Suff&nbsp;has a long list of characters. Taub herself plays Alice Paul, who started the National Women's Party, the first all-female political party. <a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/actor-profile/jenn-colella" target="_blank">Jenn Colella</a> (of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/come-from-away" target="_blank">Come From Away</a>) plays Carrie Chapman Catt, the president of the National American Woman Suffrage Association.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/hamilton" target="_blank">Hamilton</a>&nbsp;original cast member Phillipa Soo plays Inez Milholland, who most famously led the 1913 suffrage parade atop a white horse.&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;dramatizes that pivotal moment, and there's even a life-sized horse onstage. Or at least half of it, according to James."The horse is too big [for the theatre] so the horse does not have hind legs," said James with a chuckle. "But you can't see it because [Phillipa] is wearing this beautiful big cape. But it's a really funny thing to look at — it's such a good replica of a horse, with all this like intricate details in the eyes and all the hair, and then it doesn't have hind legs. It's very theatre; it's only the parts we need."&nbsp;Visual accuracy aside, the musical also contains the real words said and written by the suffragists.&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;is mostly sung through, and one of Ida B. Wells's most famous quotes, "I would rather die fighting against injustice than die like a dog or a rat in a trap," is musicalized.James says getting to sing Wells's words has been a "gift." "It's very easy to think of these women as being stoic and fearless and supernatural in their ability to withstand threats and slurs," said James. "I love that Shaina has woven in, seamlessly, direct quotes from a lot of these people. I think it is a beautiful way to honor them and to invite their voices into the room and into the story, which is a fictionalized version of history."<h2>Suffs&nbsp;is an inspiring call to action for the audience.</h2>Suffs&nbsp;isn't content to give a history lesson (though James hopes the audience picks up a book and looks up the various characters in the musical afterwards).&nbsp;But the&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;musical ends with the following statement: "The work is never over, so it can't be done alone." James said the musical isn't just a celebration of the 19th Amendment. It also ends on a note that James hopes reaches the audience: The battle for equality is not yet over. It is still being waged to this day.After all, voter suppression is still a reality, as are increasing restrictions on women's right to abortions and bodily autonomy. "Still today, we're fighting this fight," said James. "It is a call to action. At the end, we sing a song, 'The work is never over.' The show doesn't end with a bunch of us clapping and singing and dancing. It's looking at the audience and saying, 'This is unending. We need to accept that change is not a destination; it is an ongoing cycle. And each of us, we have to be a participant in that."<a href="https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/show/suffs" target="_blank">Get&nbsp;Suffs&nbsp;tickets now.</a>

Discover how the women’s suffrage movement inspired the history musical ‘Suffs’

Suffs

Suffs - NYC 

Suffs is the hottest new musical playing right now — and it's not even on Broadway. The history musical about the passage of the 19th Amendment that allowed women to vote is running off Broadway at The Public Theater, and tickets are going fast. Even...

The new Off-Broadway musical features lots of real historical figures.

Broadway

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

Wicked - 1200 - NYTG

Wicked on Broadway [1]

Wicked on Broadway

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

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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

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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

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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.

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![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.

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

![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.

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