The Very Best of NYC Theater

Mothers and Sons, Aladdin, Hedwig, Cabaret and much more

One of the best new Broadway plays of the season is Mothers and Sons at the Golden Theatre, directed by Sheryl Kaller, which tells the story of a woman (portrayed by the brilliantly talented and versatile Tyne Daly) who pays her long-dead son's ex-partner a surprise visit. He is now married to another man and raising a young son of his own. The stellar cast includes co-stars Frederick Weller, Bobby Steggert and Grayson Taylor. It's touching, poignant, powerful stuff. And it's easy to see the reasons for the glowing reviews.

The Tony-nominated musical Aladdin is also getting rave reviews, and it’s no wonder why. It truly is an eye-catching and dazzling spectacle. Be sure to bring the whole family to watch classic Disney characters Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, the evil Jafar and the ever-entertaining genie sing and dance their way live across the New Amsterdam Theater stage. Relive one of your favorite childhood movies, right in front of your eyes!

Neil Patrick Harris is killing it in the new Broadway production of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask’s musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, which officially opened at the Belasco Theatre in April. The story revolves around internationally ignored, transgender song stylist Hedwig Robinson, who brings her fourth-wall-smashing, rock-and-roll saga to New York to set the record straight about her life, loves and the botched operation that left her with that “angry inch.”

“Life is a cabaret, old chum…come to the cabaret!” At long last, Cabaret is back on Broadway; the Roundabout Theatre production has returned to Studio 54 for the first time since its 1998 revival. Michelle Williams wows in her Broadway debut as Sally Bowles, and Alan Cumming reprises his role as the cunning, inimitable Emcee.

Celebrating its 52nd season, Shakespeare in the Park has returned to Central Park's Delacorte Theater. The two-play summer series opened with Much Ado About Nothing on Jun 3, which runs to Jul 6, featuring Hamish Linklater and Tony nominee Lily Rabe as would-be lovers Beatrice and Benedick. From Jul 22-Aug 17, John Lithgow takes over in the title role of King Lear. Get in line for tickets now, if you haven't already, to experience this long-running NYC summer tradition.

Have you seen Beautiful: The Carole King Musical yet? Come on! Don't wait another minute. It's still playing in an open run at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. This smash hit, not-to-be-missed production tells the inspiring true story of King's remarkable rise to stardom, from being part of a hit songwriting team with her husband Gerry Goffin, to her relationship with fellow writers and best friends Cynthia Weil and Barry Mann, to becoming one of the most successful solo acts in popular music history. Along the way, she made more than beautiful music; she also wrote the soundtrack to a generation.

Don't miss the Jul 21 opening of Love and Human Remains, starring Frances Brennand Roper, Zach McCoy, Kerri Lynn Miller, Nicholas Baroudi, Paul Castro Jr., Cassandra Paras and Dan Almekinder. Directed by Clyde Baldo and produced by Jennifer Rudolph, it'll be housed at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater just until Aug 2—so hurry! Brad Fraser (Queer As Folk) wrote this “edgy, provocative, dark-humored drama” about the intertwined lives of seven people; it delves deeply into human emotions, taking the audience on an emotional rollercoaster to places that are not easy to explore.

Idina Menzel (or Adele Dazeem, if you're John Travolta!) is a smash hit in If/Then at the Richard Rodgers Theatre. Set against the ever-shifting landscape of modern-day Manhattan, If/Then is a romantic and original new musical about how choice and chance collide, and how we learn to love the fallout. On the verge of turning 40, Elizabeth moves back to New York City—the ultimate city of possibility, intent on a fresh start—new home, new friends and hopes for a resurgent career. But even in her carefully planned new life, the smallest decision or most random occurrence will impact her world in ways she never dreamed possible.


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