My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

42nd Street

Ages: 8+
Closing: January 08, 1989

42nd Street - 1980 Broadway History , Info & More


St. James Theatre (Broadway)
246 West 44th St. New York, NY

Based on a novel by Bradford Ropes and the 1933 Warner Bros.

A big…bright…bold dance musical. It’s the ultimate backstage showbiz fairy tale when a stage struck understudy becomes an overnight star. Filled with a hit parade of songs like “Lullaby of Broadway,” “We’re in the Money,” “Shuffle Off to Buffalo” and of course, “42nd Street,” it will leave you tapping your toes, with a smile on your face and a song in your heart. This Tony Award winner for Best Musical is a song and dance extravaganza.


Get 42nd Street Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Review: 42ND STREET at Arizona Broadway Theatre
by Herbert Paine - Jan 20, 2026


This sparkling musical is a brand of theater that’s all surface and shimmer and doesn’t pretend to be otherwise. A showbiz fantasy at full throttle making you feel delightfully upbeat.

Park Avenue Armory Appoints Deborah Warner as Artistic Director
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 13, 2026


Park Avenue Armory has appointed Deborah Warner as its Anita K. Hersh Artistic Director. Warner was named a Commander of the British Empire (CBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2006.

Which Pre-Broadway Tryout Theater Boasts the Most Best Musical Tony Award Winners?
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Nov 30, 2025


While different tryout theaters have different relationships to the development of new shows, it’s worth looking at both which commercial rental theaters and which non-profit theaters have had the most Best Musical Tony Award winners come from their stages.

Kentwood Players Will Present 42ND STREET At The Westchester Playhouse
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 15, 2025


Kentwood Players will present 42ND STREET from Friday, November 14 through Saturday, December 13, 2025. Performances will be held at the Westchester Playhouse.

A History of Three-Handers on Broadway
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 5, 2025


While a lot has been written about two handers, a term for two-person shows, less has been penned about three-handers. Yet, three-person plays are just as common a genre on Broadway as pieces with only two players. Currently, Art, by Yasmina Reza, is receiving an all-star revival at the Music Box.

Lost Broadway Theaters That Are Still Standing
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Sep 21, 2025


Broadway currently boasts 41 theaters. This number has always been ever-changing—since even before the first time the word “Broadway” was used to describe professional theater in New York.

Surflight Theatre to bring 42ND STREET to The Stage
by Emmy Rice - Jul 6, 2025


Surflight’s adaptation of the 1980 staged musical 42nd Street, based on the book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, directed and choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan, takes us on the journey of Peggy Sawyer as she attempts to make her mark in the big apple.

A History of Off-Broadway Venues
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 22, 2025


Second Stage Theatre’s 43rd Street off-Broadway house, right near 8th Avenue, recently changed hands and is now the home of Studio Seaview . Seaview’s first production in the space is Angry Alan, starring John Krasinski. They have renovated and updated the space since Second Stage switched off-Broadway locations to now present shows at the Signature.

The History of THE PIRATES OF PENZANCE
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Jun 7, 2025


A new version of the classic, The Pirates of Penzance, is currently commanding the stage at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre on 42nd Street—formerly the American Airlines and before that, the Selwyn. This revisal of the beloved show is titled: Pirates! The Penzance Musical.

Who Will Win at the 2025 Tony Awards?
by Sidney Paterra - Jun 2, 2025


Which Best Musical and Best Play nominees will take home the ultimate prize? BroadwayWorld has rounded up the winners of the Tony Awards, the Drama Desk Awards, the Drama League Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards for the last fifty years to compare winners year by year.

Great Barrington Public Theater Annual Benefit Will Honor Tristan Wilson
by Stephi Wild - May 30, 2025


The Great Barrington Public Theater Annual Benefit will take place in June at Saint James Place. This year’s honoree and recipient of the 2025 Black Bear Award will be Tristan Wilson.

Tracie Thoms, Jenn Colella and More to Perform at 54 Below in June
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 30, 2025


Next month, 54 BELOW will present some of the brightest stars from Broadway, cabaret, jazz, and beyond, including Tracie Thoms, Jenn Colella and more. See the full lineup here!

54 Below to Celebrate Pride Month with Tracie Thoms, Lee Roy Reams, Jenn Colella, and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - May 20, 2025


54 BELOW will honor the LGBTQ+ performers, producers, and artists who are vital members of our artistic community this Pride Month. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.

Spotlight: 42ND STREET at The Gateway Playhouse
by BWW Special Offer - May 16, 2025


Celebrate the Magic of Musical Theater with 42nd Street at The Gateway Playhouse

9 TO 5 Comes to Actors Theatre Of Indiana
by Stephi Wild - Apr 22, 2025


The musical 9 to 5 with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is coming to ATI in April. Learn more about the upcoming production and how to get tickets!

42 STREET to Open The Gateway's 76th Season in May
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 15, 2025


Come along and listen to the lullaby of Broadway as The Gateway starts its 76th Season with the tap sensation 42nd Street - a show that celebrates the magic of Broadway! Learn how to purchase tickets.

Cast Set For 9 TO 5 at Actors Theatre of Indiana
by Stephi Wild - Apr 14, 2025


The musical 9 to 5 with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is coming to ATI in April. Learn more about the upcoming production here!

Broadway Musicals for Every US State
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Apr 13, 2025


This time, the reader question was: There are only three states in America without known Broadway musicals set within their borders. Can you guess which three? WE're breaking it down state by state.

Christine Ebersole and More Join Cast Recording of JO - THE LITTLE WOMEN MUSICAL
by Stephi Wild - Feb 4, 2025


Final stars have been announced to join the world premiere Studio Cast Recording of Jo - The Little Women Musical, set to release in March. Learn more about the album here!

Japan Society Presents DUKE BLUEBEARD'S CASTLE As Part of Under the Radar 2025
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 18, 2024


Japan Society will present the North American premiere of this new production of Duke Bluebeard’s Castle, written by revolutionary Japanese angura (underground) theater artist and multi-hyphenate Shuji Terayama.

Review: 42ND STREET at Theatre By The Sea
by Jay Pateakos - Aug 25, 2024


What did our critic think of 42ND STREET at Theatre By The Sea?

FLAMENCO LATINO IN CONCERT to be Presented as Part Of The 2024 Más Allá Series
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 30, 2024


Experience Flamenco Latino in Concert at Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning. Part of the 2024 Más Allá Series, this event showcases innovative Flamenco dance and music. Tickets are $20. Learn how to purchase tickets.

GoFundMe Campaign Launches to Save The West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Jul 23, 2024


The West Bank Cafe previously announced that it will be closing its doors next month. Now, a GoFundMe campaign has launched to help save the venue from its demise. Learn more about how to help here!

The West Bank Cafe and Laurie Beechman Theatre Will Close in August
by Stephi Wild - Jul 17, 2024


The West Bank Cafe is closing its doors next month. According to a post on the venue's social media pages, the closure is due to 'circumstances beyond our control.' It is set to close in August, which an exact date to follow.

SNL Stars on the Broadway Stage
by Stephi Wild - Jul 27, 2024


Ana Gasteyer is not the only Saturday Night Live alum to have flexed her acting muscles on the Broadway stage. BroadwayWorld is rounding up your favorite SNL stars who are also Broadway stars. Check out our list here!

42nd Street History

Other Productions of 42nd Street

1980   Broadway Original Broadway Production
Broadway
1983   US Tour 1st National Tour
US Tour
1984   US Tour 2nd National Tour
US Tour
1984   West End London Production
West End
1991   West End Return Engagement [West End]
West End
2001   Broadway Broadway Revival
Broadway
2002   US Tour National Tour
US Tour
2006   Pittsburgh, PA (Regional) Pittsburgh CLO Revival
Pittsburgh, PA (Regional)
2015   US Tour Non-Equity National Tour
US Tour
2017   West End West End Revival
West End
2020   Chicago Lyric Opera of Chicago Production
Chicago

42nd Street - 1980 Broadway Awards and Nominations

Note: Award winners are highlighted with a background.
42nd Street — awards and nominations
Year Ceremony Category Nominee
1991 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical Lee Roy Reams
1981 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Choreography Gower Champion
1981 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge
1981 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Musical Lee Roy Reams
1981 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Musical 0
1981 Theatre World Awards Performance Wanda Richert
1981 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Michael Stewart
1981 Tony Awards Best Book of a Musical Mark Bramble
1981 Tony Awards Best Choreography Gower Champion
1981 Tony Awards Best Costume Design Theoni V. Aldredge
1981 Tony Awards Best Direction of a Musical Gower Champion
1981 Tony Awards Best Lighting Design Tharon Musser
1981 Tony Awards Best Musical David Merrick
1981 Tony Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical Wanda Richert

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $77
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59