Never before has New York had so many new and exciting theater productions. Join theater enthusiasts Rick Stiffler and Elizabeth Allerton for a lively discussion about what’s hot this season and how to secure the best tickets.
Elizabeth’s favorite theatrical experiences are dramatic plays, particularly those with rich dialogue and intriguing storylines. For Rick, an enjoyable night out is all about those memorable show tunes, sparkly costumes, and the glitzy choreography that makes musical theater a must-see.
Rick: Everyone loves a great Broadway show. Musicals keep the energy going, they’re lively and energetic, and they keep everybody interested.
Elizabeth: Musicals frustrate me; every time they break into song, I’m thinking: “Please tell me what you’re trying to say?” I crave the dialogue, the spoken word. I love family dramas because they broaden my lens when viewing tender situations within my own family. A recent example was Appropriate, a darkly comic family drama that revealed the complex layers behind each family member’s perspective, and how they intertwine. And by the way, the entire cast was fantastic, particularly Sarah Paulson, who won a Tony Award, as did the play itself for best revival of a play.
Rick: Musical theater can’t be pigeonholed. I’m a big fan of Broadway musical Illinoise, which won a Tony Award for best choreography in 2024. It was inspired by Sufjan Stevens’ concept album from 2005 and was incredibly original. There’s no spoken word, it’s all dance and set to this amazing soundtrack. It’s just the music and song – all the actors are dancers and it creates the story through choreography. It was so moving; you walked out of the show feeling transformed.
Elizabeth: The same goes for dramatic productions – they immerse you into a sensory experience. I love every beat: the theater itself, the set, the sound effects, music, sitting beside strangers for a finite experience. All of it gives me welcome chills.
Rick: That’s why I always love an off-Broadway show, because they’re in smaller theaters. One of my favorites, which I’ve seen three times already, is Titanique. It’s the retelling of the movie Titanic, but told through the voice of Celine Dion. I’m a creature of habit, so if I love something, I’ll go and see it again and again. I saw Hedwig and the Angry Inch 19 times!
Titanique is a 100-minute show with no intermission and that’s happening a lot more with plays and musicals on and off Broadway. It means theaters can have more shows throughout the week. I’ve seen a couple where they’ve run two shows a day, at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Elizabeth: I have immense respect for the whole of the Broadway production – the magnitude of efforts in realizing just one performance, let alone more than 12 shows a week. And Rick, I would go to see multiple productions of a favorite play as well, however, I have to be mindful of the cost.
I have a “cultural piggy bank,” which is my go-to resource for shows. With each changing season, I take a vacation day – I call it my “refresh day off,” and I go to a Wednesday matinee. There’s something deliciously secretive about going to the theater in the middle of the day, midweek. I walk out of the theater in the daylight and head right for a neighboring theater district bar for a cocktail while I mull over the storyline and linger in the Broadway vibes.
There’s something deliciously secretive about going to the theater in the middle of the day, midweek
Rick: Whether you’re a New Yorker or a visitor, tickets can be hard to track down. But there are great apps: use TKTS to see what shows are on – it often sells tickets a day before matinee shows. It’s a great way to get 50% off the price of orchestra seats. On TodayTix you can buy tickets live. It also has rush tickets at 9 a.m.
Alternatively, Broadway Plus is the place to find a unique VIP experience, from custom-made concerts to VIP meet and greets.
Elizabeth: A night at the theater in New York is so unique. I went to see Appropriate with one of my besties, who was visiting from London. After the show it was lightly raining, so we took cover in Park Lane New York’s exquisite rooftop bar, Darling. We sat alongside Billionaires’ Row, sipping our very inventive cocktails, discussing the play, and sharing an unforgettable New York moment.
Rick: There’s a bar in the theater district, 48 Lounge, with great cocktails and bar food, that’s an easy walk to Broadway shows. If you’ve never been to Broadway, you’ve got to check out Restaurant Row, too. It’s a staple in the theater scene – there are so many classic restaurants and bars.
We often go to Don’t Tell Mama, which is a bar with actors and cabaret stars who sometimes sing at the piano. Broadway stars will regularly pop by after a show.
Elizabeth: When I’m planning what to see, I keep an eye on what did well in the West End in London and is crossing the pond. A good example is Sarah Snook’s one-woman production The Picture of Dorian Gray, which is coming to Broadway in March. She received glowing reviews.
More and more celebrities are making their way to the stage. It fascinates me to see the celebrity layer stripped away as soon as the unified breath of the audience engulfs them onstage.
George Clooney will be making his Broadway debut with Good Night, and Good Luck. And there will be a new staging of Othello with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal this year.
Rick: I predict that Sunset Boulevard with Nicole Scherzinger is going to be really popular, and Elton John’s Tammy Faye. One of the sleeper hits, which had its run extended, was Oh, Mary! Cole Escola, the lead, has become a celebrity magnet and it feels like every big name coming to the city has to see this show. It’s one of the hottest tickets.
Elizabeth: That’s a great tip; you might just persuade me to see a musical!
Five Shows To See in 2025
OTHELLO
Running for a strictly limited 15 weeks at the Barrymore Theatre on Broadway from February 24, Othello features Denzel Washington as Othello, the noble Moor of Venice, and Jake Gyllenhaal as ambitious lieutenant Iago.
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK
George Clooney makes his Broadway debut in this stage adaptation of the movie and it’s a very personal piece of work for the Hollywood actor. George co-wrote the movie and play with Grant Heslov, as well as directed the movie. David Cromer directs this compelling stage production running from April 16 to July 16 at the John Golden Theatre.
REDWOOD
Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel returns to Broadway in this new immersive musical that takes her on an unexpected journey of self-exploration in the redwood forest. It’s on at the Nederlander Theatre from February 13.
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
This new musical brings the Grammy Award-winning album to life, telling the true story of the legends who actually lived it. A world-class Afro-Cuban band joins the cast onstage. It runs from March 19 at Schoenfeld Theatre.
STRANGER THINGS: THE FIRST SHADOW
Expect stunning special effects and a thrilling storyline in this Olivier Award-winning prequel to the hit Netflix series. Directed by Stephen Daldry, it’s on at the Marquis Theatre from April 22.