So people seem to think Broadway is the be all, end all of theater. But there are so many gems to be found in other places! After I saw Seared at MCC last night, I think it became my favorite off-Broadway theater. As someone who has a past with The Public Theater down on Lafayette, I also have a soft spot for that space.
St. Ann’s Warehouse has everything you could possibly want - beautiful location, flexible performing space that never looks the same, and some of the best programming in the city.
I also love going to the Lortel. Walking into such a historic venue that looked like it was going to fall apart before the show ended, but seeing such high quality productions from MCC just was the coolest experience.
Agreed re: the Lortel. Congrats to MCC for opening their new Hell's Kitchen space, but I'm going to miss heading down to Christopher Street to catch their stuff.
The Public, for me, is the best of all worlds. New musicals and plays, Shakespeare, revivals, and the power to attract and nurture the best artists working today. The Public Works initiative just enhances all that. I can't wait to see how the New Delacorte will help the Public grow.
MCC has a lot of growth potential in its new space, since it's now focusing more on musicals (and musicals that come with enhancement money from commercial producers).
Plenty of others do great work, too. With any company, every show won't be a slam dunk, and that's ok.
Any theater where when you stand up, the seat doesn't attach itself to you and stick to your back end! Certain New World Stages where larger productions are staged ("Toxic Avenger", "Avenue Q" come to mind), and the Laura Pels, especially if you are sitting in certain seats and have to take the elevator which leads to the backstage entrance. Both theaters at the Playwright's Horizons are nice, and the big theater at the Signature is great, too. A few of the Theater Row theaters are nice, but since the remodeling, they all seem to be a lot better.
As soon as I saw this thread title I immediately thought of St. Ann's Warehouse. I first saw a show there about 5 years ago, and I've never willingly missed a show there since (I have been out of town for a few of them). The quality of work they bring in is top-notch, and even when it is isn't, it's still fascinating. The space has so much possibility, the rush policy is very affordable, and accessible even for sold out shows, and the staff is always really friendly.
Aside from St. Ann's, Signature is also one of my favorites. Their model of drawing from the work of established playwrights isn't as ambitious as some other theatres' missions, but I still think it's a smart model, and I have rarely been disappointed in the productions they put on. And again; accessible tickets, great facilities, very friendly staff.
As far as the Public goes, I have issues with some of their policies (though that has improved a bit in the past couple years), and I find their general attitude as a company kind of smug and self-congratulatory. Plus I've frequently found their staff to be kind of cold and/or rude. But I can't deny that they are at the forefront of NYC's Off-Broadway theatre community. They are doing interesting work, and they're doing a lot of it.
I'd say those are the 3 NYC theatres at which I really try to never miss a show. But I do still try to see most of the shows from most the major non-profits: Atlantic, Vineyard, NYTW, MCC, Second Stage, Playwrights Horizons, The Armory, TFANA, and even CSC (despite my hatred for Doyle).
Interestingly, I find myself skipping a lot of shows at MTC, Roundabout, and LCT. I tend to see all of their Broadway productions, but a lot of the time their Off-Broadway shows just don't look interesting to me at all.
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joined:3/18/19
joined:
3/18/19
Posted: 10/4/19 at 7:54am