Now Playing: Musicals
November 16 - November 22
WHAT'S HERE: This page lists musicals currently being presented in New York. Click on show titles to find out more about that show, including performance dates & times, ticket prices & ordering information, and cast & other credits. Starred shows are considered to be noteworthy or of special interest by NYTE's editor. Want your show listed on nytheatre.com? Read our listings guidelines.
LAST CHANCE!
These shows are closing this week
Don't Leave It All To Your Children: A musical revue that celebrates the occasionally bumpy but always amusing journey as baby boomers become seniors. Closes November 22, 2009.
Girls Night: The Musical: This musical from the UK is about five friends in their 30s and 40s during a wild and outrageous girls night out at a karaoke bar. Closes November 22, 2009.
Love, Linda: A new one-woman musical performed by Stevie Holland about Linda Porter and her life with her husband, Cole Porter (whose songs are used in the show). Closes November 21, 2009.
REVIEWED BY SARAH WHALEN
She Turned on the Light: An interdisciplinary work written, directed and choreographed by Wendy Woodson that explores how lines of fantasy, memory, and reality loop around and merge when one is a stranger in a strange land. Closes November 22, 2009.
REVIEWED BY SHELLEY MOLAD
Song Man, Dance Man: A one man cabaret musical with Jon Peterson in which he evokes the spirits of George M. Cohan, Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, Bobby Darin, and Anthony Newley. Closes November 17, 2009.
Wonder Woman! A Cabaret of Heroic Proportions: A one-woman show by Elizabeth Whitney in which Wonder Woman makes a comeback as a lounge singer. This is part of Emerging Artists' EATFest. Closes November 21, 2009.
3 Mo' Divas : A theatrically staged concert that showcases the extraordinary versatility of African American female performers spanning some four hundred years of music. In previews; opens on November 21, 2009.
A Christmas Carol: A musical adaptation of the famous Dickens story, suitable for kids ages 3 and older. Closes December 30, 2009.
Altar Boyz: A new musical comedy by Gary Adler, Michael Patrick Walker, and Kevin Del Aguila about a Christian boy band.
An Evening at the Carlyle: A new musical revue by Albert M. Tapper that takes place at the famed Bemelmans Bar in the Hotel Carlyle.
REVIEWED BY HANNAH GOLD
Avenue Q: The hit musical moves to a smaller Broadway theatre. It's about the denizens of a Brooklyn neighborhood, some of whom are puppets.
REVIEWED BY DAVID GORDON
Baby Wants Candy: The famed improv troupe returns with a brand new fully improvised musical every Saturday night. Closes November 28, 2009.
Billy Elliot the Musical: A new musical by Elton John and Lee Hall, based on the film of the same name about a young boy who dreams of becoming a dancer.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
Brother, Can You Spare A Dime?: A musical revue of songs and stories from the Great Depression.
REVIEWED BY IVANNA CULLINAN
Burn the Floor: A ballroom dance revue, created, directed, and choreographed by Jason Gilkison. Closes January 10, 2010.
REVIEWED BY JO ANN ROSEN
Bye Bye Birdie: Roundabout Theatre Company presents a revival of the 1960 musical comedy about a rock 'n' roll star who is drafted into the army. Closes April 25, 2010.
REVIEWED BY DAVID FULLER
Captain Pantoja and the Special Service: A Spanish-language musical adaptation of the novel Pantaleon y las visitadoras by Mario Vargas Llosa.
REVIEWED BY MONTSERRAT MENDEZ
Chicago: A revival of the musical about a pair of murderesses and the razzle-dazzle lawyer who gets them off. Featuring terrific dancing in the style of Bob Fosse.
Damaged Care: A revival of the musical about the health care system, written and performed by Greg LaGana, M.D., and Barry Levy, M.D. Closes December 12, 2009.
Danny and Sylvia: The Danny Kaye Musical: A musical by Robert McElwaine about the marriage and careers of Danny Kaye and his wife Sylvia Fine.
REVIEWED BY JASON S. GROSSMAN
Dreamgirls: A revival of the musical about the rise and fall of various singers in the Motown era. This engagement is at the Apollo Theatre, prior to a national tour. In previews; opens on November 22, 2009.
Fela!: A musical based on the life of groundbreaking African composer, performer, and activist Fela Anikulapo Kuti. This played off-Broadway last season. In previews; opens on November 23, 2009.
Finian's Rainbow: A revival of the classic musical fantasy about an Irishman, his daughter, a leprechaun, and their adventures in the Southern state of Missitucky.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
Flanagan's Wake: An interactive Irish wake. This show has been running in Chicago for more than 15 years. In previews; opens on January 11, 2010.
Gauguin/Savage Light: A one-man show written and performed by George Fischoff about the painter Paul Gauguin.
Girl Crazy: Encores! presents a concert-style revival of the 1930 musical with songs by George & Ira Gershwin. Performances are this week only.
Hair: A revival of the The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical; this production premiered last summer at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
Happy Birthday Kids & Yiddish!: The National Yiddish Theatre-Folksbiene presents this show for kids and families that combines Jewish folk traditions with popular culture. Closes December 13, 2009.
Hot Babes in Toyland: A new sex comedy by Elias Stimac that centers around the holiday season. Presented by 1-800-Weirdos. Closes December 17, 2009.
I'm God and You're Not: In this new play by Leif Erich, Jesus and Satan appear in modern times to raise questions about eternal life and enlightenment. Closes December 29, 2009.
In the Heights: A new musical by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Quiara Alegria Hudes about two days in the life of a Washington Heights neighborhood.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
Irving Berlin's White Christmas: The holiday musical, based on the classic film, returns to Broadway. Closes January 3, 2010.
Jersey Boys: A new musical based on the life story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Kepler: A new opera by Philip Glass, inspired by the discoveries of 17th century astronomer Johannes Kepler. Performances are this week only.
Mamma Mia: A musical comedy about a woman who invites three men who may be her father to her wedding, with lots of songs by ABBA.
Manson: The Musical!: EndTimes Productions presents a musical about Charles Manson. Closes December 5, 2009.
Mary Poppins: A musical based on the 1964 Walt Disney film and the stories of P.L. Travers.
Matthew Takes Mannahatta: A new musical for kids in a brother and sister have a magical adventure back in time, where they discover the Manhattan of the past. Closes November 29, 2009.
Memphis: A new musical set in Memphis in the 1950s about a white DJ whose love of music transcends racial barriers.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
Naked Boys Singing: The title pretty much says it all: eight attractive and unclothed young men perform a variety of sketches and songs in this amusing but tame revue. Weekends only.
Next to Normal: A musical by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey described as a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis.
REVIEWED BY JO ANN ROSEN
Night of the Butterfly: A new family musical set in the world of flying insects.
On the Town: A revival of the musical about three sailors on one-day leave in New York City. Closes December 6, 2009.
REVIEWED BY LYNN MARIE MACY
Ordinary Days: Roundabout Theatre Company presents a new musical by Adam Gwon about four young New Yorkers whose lives are unexpectedly interconnected by circumstance. This is part of their Underground series. Closes December 13, 2009.
Peter and the Wolf: Prokofiev's beloved masterpiece takes a fresh turn in this new production with live narration by British film and stage actor Brian Blessed. Closes November 29, 2009.
REVIEWED BY ROHANA ELIAS-REYES
Picture Incomplete: A new musical by Trent Armand Kendall and Michael Polese. Closes December 21, 2009.
Pilar Rioja: "The Queen of Flamenco" returns to New York with a show featuring two NYC premieres. Closes November 30, 2009.
Pinkalicious: Vital Children's Theatre presents a musical by Elizabeth and Victoria Kann and John Gregor about a girl who can't stop eating pink cupcakes. Closes January 3, 2010.
Prima: A new dance piece by LeeSaar The Company. Performances are this week only.
REVIEWED BY DAVID IAN LEE
Ragtime: A revival of the musical, based on E.L. Doctorow's novel, about America at the beginning of the 20th century.
Really Real: This new work by choreographer Wally Cardona reflects on love, loss, desire, youth, beauty, and power using simple means to expose the intricate relationships and meanings that exist between people in a complex world. Performances are this week only.
Rock of Ages: A new musical set in a Hollywood rock club in the late 1980s, featuring hit songs from Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, REO Speedwago, Pat Benatar, and more. This show played off-Broadway earlier this season.
REVIEWED BY DAVID GORDON
Sessions: A new production of Al Tapper's musical about a psychiatrist who is having trouble with his patients and his love life.
REVIEWED BY SHELLEY MOLAD
Shrek The Musical: A musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori based on story and characters from William Steig's book as well as the popular animated film. Closes January 3, 2010.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
South Pacific: A revival of the famous Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, set during World War II on an island in the South Pacific. Presented by Lincoln Center Theater.
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
SPLICE: Panic Journals: A program of dance pieces by Ishmael Houston-Jones and Dan Safer. Performances are this week only.
Stomp: Eight incredible young performers make rhythm with found objects like garbage cans and pots and pans. Now in its sixteenth year off-Broadway.
The Awesome '80s Prom: An interactive comedy set in a 1980s-vintage school prom. Friday and Saturday nights at Webster Hall.
The Diary of Anne Frankenstein: An absurdist re-imagining of Mary Shelley's famous novel, written by Ilya Sapiroe. Closes November 29, 2009.
REVIEWED BY MATT ROBERSON
The Fantasticks: A revival of the musical by Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt.
The Lion King: The long-running Broadway musical, based on the animated film. Featuring a score by Elton John and others, with Julie Taymor's remarkable puppets and masks.
The Marvelous Wonderettes: A new musical set at a high school prom in the 1950s. Closes January 3, 2010.
REVIEWED BY ROBIN ROTHSTEIN
The Phantom of the Opera: Andrew Lloyd Webber's romantic musical about the strange relationship between a hideously deformed musician and his young, beautiful protegee is as lush and gorgeous as ever. Phantom is now the longest-running show in Broadway history.
The Snow Queen: A new musical adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale. Closes January 3, 2010.
The Toxic Avenger: A new musical by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro based on the 1985 cult sci-fi film. Closes January 3, 2010.
REVIEWED BY DAVID GORDON
West Side Story: A revival of the classic musical, directed by Arthur Laurents (who wrote the book).
REVIEWED BY MARTIN DENTON
Wicked: A new musical by Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman in which we learn the story of the early life of Elphaba, who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West in the land of Oz.
