Wonderful Town
Closing: May 11, 2025Wonderful Town - 2025 Off-Broadway History , Info & More
New York City Center
131 West 55th St. (between 6th and 7th Avenues) New York, NY 10019
Winner of five Tony Awards including Best Musical, *Wonderful Town* tells the story of two sisters in 1935 who move from Ohio to Greenwich Village to pursue their artistic dreams and maybe find love along the way. Ruth, an aspiring writer, and Eileen, an aspiring actress, encounter an assortment of colorful characters as they strive and sing to delightful tunes by the great Leonard Bernstein with lyrics by legendary musical-comedy duo Betty Comden and Adolph Green.
Zhailon Levingston (Cats: “*The Jellicle Ball*”) directs this celebration of New York City as a magnet for people from all over who come here to fulfill their aspirations. Led by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, the 28-piece Encores! Orchestra brings the beloved Golden Age sound—featuring marvellous songs like “Ohio” and “One Hundred Easy Ways”—back to life at City Center.
Wonderful Town - 2025 - Off-Broadway Cast
FEATURED REVIEWS FOR Wonderful Town
‘Wonderful Town’ is a rare Encores! disappointment (Off Broadway review)
4 / 10
The show gains some momentum in the zippier second act, which features a buoyant Irish-dance number (as Eileen is hilariously mistaken by the Irish American cops as one of their own) and the show’s signature ballad, “It’s Love,” which is well sung by Jackson and Javier Munoz (who catches the fancy of both sisters despite a lack of any discernible onstage chemistry with either). But by then, it’s too late to salvage a revival that seems like a dull and dated throwback best kept in the vault. ★★☆☆☆
Wonderful Town: Not As Good As it Sounds
6 / 10
That raucous “Conga” number never fails to disappoint as Ruth frantically tries to interview a group of Brazilian sailors who just want to dance the Conga. It’s the Act One closer and yet I couldn’t help but notice several people seated around me didn’t return for Act Two. The last Broadway revival of Wonderful Town stemmed from a highly lauded Encores! production in 2000. How, I wonder, could the same show yield such different results? Hard to say but I bet if only the creatives had decided to stage it as a concert version this time around, we’d all be singing its praises.
Video: Anika Noni Rose Sings 'One Hundred Easy Ways' in Encores! WONDERFUL TOWN
by Michael Major - May 6, 2025
by Michael Major - May 6, 2025
Watch a video of Anika Noni Rose performing 'One Hundred Easy Ways' in Wonderful Town at Encores! City Center. Only seven performances remain of the Zhailon Levingston-directed production of the classic Leonard Bernstein musical.
Video: Inside Rehearsals for WONDERFUL TOWN at Encores!
by Joey Mervis - May 5, 2025
by Joey Mervis - May 5, 2025
Now onstage at New York City Center is Wonderful Town, directed by Zhailon Levingston. Featuring memorable tunes like “Ohio” and “One Hundred Easy Ways to Lose a Man,” Wonderful Town is a celebration of what makes New York the greatest city in the world—welcoming people from all over who come to fulfill their dreams. Watch in this video as we take you inside rehearsals with the cast.
Review Roundup: WONDERFUL TOWN Opens At New York City Center Encores!
by A.A. Cristi - May 1, 2025
by A.A. Cristi - May 1, 2025
The New York City Center Encores! production of Wonderful Town is now playing. The critics stopped by the production and the reviews are in! Is Wonderful Town wonderful? Find out below!
Video: WONDERFUL TOWN Highlights at New York City Center Encores!
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025
by Stephi Wild - May 1, 2025
New York City Center Encores! production of Wonderful Town is now playing through May 11. Check out all new footage from the production, including a clip of the song 'Ohio' here!
Photos: Inside Rehearsals for WONDERFUL TOWN with Aisha Jackson, Anika Noni Rose and More
by Jennifer Broski - April 22, 2025
by Jennifer Broski - April 22, 2025
Next up in the New York City Center Encores! season is Wonderful Town, directed by Zhailon Levingston. Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell will take audiences inside Leonard Bernstein’s score that captures the sounds and heart of New York City. Check out photos from rehearsals here!
Videos: Inside Encores! WONDERFUL TOWN Rehearsal With Anika Noni Rose & Aisha Jackson
by Michael Major - April 22, 2025
by Michael Major - April 22, 2025
Get a first look inside rehearsals for Wonderful Town at Encores! City Center. The videos feature a first look at Aisha Jackson and Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose as sisters Eileen and Ruth in the musical.
Video: Inside the First WONDERFUL TOWN Rehearsal With the Encores! Orchestra
by Michael Major - April 8, 2025
by Michael Major - April 8, 2025
Get a first listen to the 28-piece Encores! Orchestra rehearsing for Wonderful Town, which features songs like “Ohio” and 'Swing.' Music Director Mary-Mitchell Campbell will take audiences inside Leonard Bernstein’s score in this video.
Etai Benson, Javier Muñoz and More Complete the WONDERFUL TOWN Cast at Encores!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 24, 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 24, 2025
The complete cast has been revealed for Encores! Wonderful Town, starring Aisha Jackson and Anika Noni Rose. See who else is starring in the production, and learn how to purchase tickets.
Anika Noni Rose and Aisha Jackson to Star in WONDERFUL TOWN at Encores!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 12, 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - February 12, 2025
Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose and Aisha Jackson will lead New York City Center Encores! Wonderful Town. Learn more about the upcoming performance and see how to purchase tickets.
Wonderful Town History
Other Productions of Wonderful Town
| 1953 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
| 1954 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
| 1955 | West End |
London Production West End |
| 1961 | Regional (US) |
Los Angeles Revival Regional (US) |
| 1963 | Off-Broadway |
City Center Revival Off-Broadway |
| 1986 | West End |
London Revival West End |
| 1994 | Off-Broadway |
New York City Opera Production Off-Broadway |
| 2000 | Off-Broadway |
Encores! Concert Off-Broadway |
| 2003 | Broadway |
Broadway Revival Broadway |
| 2025 | Off-Broadway |
New York City Center Encores! Production Off-Broadway |
Videos