See these New York theatre shows for Pride month

Many of these Broadway and Off-Broadway musicals and plays feature LGBTQ+ stories and artists, and others simply celebrate inclusivity, acceptance, and joy.

Happy Pride! Across the world, people celebrate Pride month throughout the month of June, honoring the history of the LGBTQ+ community and celebrating its continued survival. With states nationwide introducing anti-LGBTQ laws, this year's Pride Month is an especially important time to support LGBTQ stories and, in the theatre in particular, celebrate the work of queer artists.

The contributions of LGBTQ+ writers, directors, performers, choreographers, and so much more appear in so many shows on stage this month. All these stories are worth uplifting and celebrating, and most of them happen to be pure fun. Check out these plays and musicals this Pride month — everyone is welcome at these theatres.

Illinoise

Illinoise tells a poignant queer love story through dance. Set to the music of Sufjan Stevens's album Illinois, the show follows Henry, a young man who joins a community of people sharing stories around a campfire. They empower him to tell his story of coming out, loving and losing a childhood friend, and finding his first real relationship — all the while getting closer to healing and hope.

Get Illinoise tickets now.

Cats: The Jellicle Ball

This reimagined production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical is a celebration of queer history, set in the NYC ballroom scene. In the late 20th century, queer people, largely those of color, would gather to compete in "balls" for prizes and glory. They would often compete on behalf of houses — groups of people who became each other's chosen family. In Cats, the characters compete to see who will ascend to the blissful Heaviside Layer and get a chance at new life.

Get Cats: The Jellicle Ball tickets now.

& Juliet

It's gonna be you that sees & Juliet this June. In this nine-time Tony-nominated musical, Juliet — of Romeo & Juliet fame — decides not to die when Romeo does but instead ditches Verona for Paris in search of a new life and love.

& Juliet features characters old and new, and among the new characters is May, Juliet's non-binary pal who finds a star-crossed love of their own with the romance-challenged Francois. Not only is the show a celebration of all kinds of love, but it's simply a party. & Juliet is set to 30 chart-topping hits by songwriter/producer Max Martin (the man behind "...Baby One More Time," "Since U Been Gone," "I Want It That Way," and much more) and electric dancing by queer, two-time Tony-nominated choreographer Jennifer Weber. What more could you ask for in a larger-than-life Pride musical?

Get & Juliet tickets now.

Titanique

Shall we go for it? This campy parody musical is a kooky retelling of James Cameron's film Titanic through the character of Celine Dion, set to Dion's catalog of timeless hits. Multiple queer actors have appeared in Titanique, including RuPaul's Drag Race star Rosé, and it's by an all-queer writing team of Tye Blue, Constantine Rousouli, and Marla Mindelle.

Jack and Rose may be a straight couple, but Titanique is a love letter to the LGBT+ community, with plenty of references to queer pop culture, updated regularly as new trends go viral. But everyone will find something to love in this joyful, energetic comedy.

New York Theatre Guide's four-star review calls Titanique "as much a love letter to the Titanic movie as it is to the people obsessed with that movie: pop culture-savvy, queer theatre kids, or so the creators presume from experience. [ ] Older and/or less theatre-obsessed audiences will find more of their enjoyment in the recreations of all the major Titanic movie moments and the Dion hits that score the show."

Get Titanique tickets now.

Queen of Hearts

Queen of Hearts is a burlesque variety show based on the classic children's tale of Alice in Wonderland. People don't often associate that story with LGBT themes, and that's still not the core focus of this sexy, adult version. But what is front and center is Alice getting tempted by all the wild wiles of Wonderland — including magical creatures of all genders and persuasions. Anything is possible in Wonderland, the show seems to say. You don't have to be mad to be there — just curious, playful, and open-minded.

Get Queen of Hearts tickets now.

Cocktail Magique

For even more burlesque fun, go right across the street from Seven Sins to Cocktail Magique, a variety show that combines magic, mixology, and more. Performers of all genders serve up circus-like entertainment, intoxicating illusions, and plenty of libations. Yes, you get to drink along; every ticket type includes at least one cocktail distributed throughout the performance. Everyone gets a few snacks and access to plenty of water, too.

Get Cocktail Magique tickets now.

Suffs

Suffs, a musical about the fight for women's right to vote, features lots of real suffragists in its cast of characters. Two are Carrie Chapman Catt and Mollie Hay, who, by many accounts, were life partners. Suffs subtly nods to this, a reminder that queerness has been around all throughout history.

Plus, what better time to see a musical about a social justice movement than Pride Month? In centering its story about the generational, racial, and class divides among the suffrage movement, Suffs also reminds us that the fights for the equality of women, LGBTQ+ people, and people of color are all connected — and all ongoing.

Get Suffs tickets now.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

"No matter your desire, you're welcome here, for this is more than a nightclub. The Moulin Rouge is a state of mind." These lines from this musical's opening number set the tone immediately: Everyone can escape the outside world when they enter the Al Hirschfeld Theatre, transformed into the iconic French hotspot, and be free to be their most authentic selves. Pleasure, glamour, and fabulosity are the name of the game at this 10-time Tony-winning Best Musical adapted from Baz Luhrmann's film.

See the timeless love story of the writer Christian and showgirl Satine in 1899 Paris, set to more than 40 pop hits by artists ranging from Elton John to Lady Gaga. There's no better time than Pride Month to see a story that celebrates true love persisting against all odds.

Get Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets now.

Oh, Mary!

Oh, Mary! sports a who's who of queer talent: Non-binary writer/performer Cole Escola, known for the TV show Search Party, wrote and stars in this irreverent comedy about the life of Mary Todd Lincoln. Conrad Ricamora and James Scully, who appeared on screen together in the gay rom-com Fire Island, co-star as Mary's Husband and Mary's Teacher.

The campy, critically acclaimed show takes place in the weeks before Abraham Lincoln's assassination, when alcoholism, desire, and a fierce longing to be a cabaret performer turn Mary's life upside down. The show played a hit Off-Broadway run before moving to Broadway from June 26 to September 15 only.

Get Oh, Mary! tickets now.