Primary Stages

Address:
59E59 Theaters 59 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022

BUILT: 1902

SEATING CAPACITY: 199
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Primary Stages History

Primary Stages is dedicated to inspiring, supporting, and sharing the art of playwriting. Since they were founded in 1984, they have produced more than 135 new plays. Their mainstage productions are produced at 59E59.

Shows at the Primary Stages

DATES PRODUCTION

2/28/2026 - 4/12/2026 Calf Scramble (2026)

3/1/2025 - 4/13/2025 Amerikin (2025)

5/15/2019 - 6/29/2019 Little Women (2019)

1/16/2019 - 2/15/2019 God Said This (2019)

3/22/2017 - 4/28/2017 Daniel's Husband (2017)

1/23/2013 - 4/28/2013 All in The Timing (2013)

10/18/2006 - 11/4/2006 Southern Comforts (2006)

8/9/2006 - 9/3/2006 Indian Blood (2006)

5/18/2004 - 6/27/2004 Boy (2004)

1/12/2004 - 1/12/2004 But I'm a Cheerleader (2004)

11/13/2002 - 12/22/2002 The Fourth Wall (2002)

9/23/2002 - 10/13/2002 Call the Children Home (2002)

5/20/2002 - 6/23/2002 One Shot, One Kill (2002)

5/17/2000 - 8/6/2000 When They Speak of Rita (2000)

3/8/2000 - 3/25/2000 An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf (2000)

10/20/1999 - Barefoot Boy with Shoes On (1999)

5/5/1999 - 8/15/1999 This Lime Tree Bower (1999)

4/14/1999 - 5/16/1999 Lips (1999)

3/10/1999 - 4/11/1999 The Turn of the Screw (1999)

1/3/1999 - 2/14/1999 High Life (1999)

10/7/1998 - 1/2/1999 The Old Settler (1998)

5/20/1998 - Nasty Little Secrets (1998)

3/17/1998 - St. Nicholas (1998)

1/27/1998 - Scotland Road (1998)

11/5/1997 - Brutality of Fact (1997)

5/6/1997 - Mere Mortals and Others (1997)

4/2/1997 - Hate Mail (1997)

3/5/1997 - Not Waving (1997)

1/16/1997 - Second-Hand Smoke (1997)

11/16/1996 - Nightmare Alley (1996)

10/17/1996 - Missing/Kissing: Missing Marisa/Kissing Christine (1996)

5/8/1996 - 6/23/1996 Ancient History/English Made Simple (1996)

3/6/1996 - 4/27/1996 Sabina (1996)

1/16/1996 - 3/31/1996 Virgins and Other Myths (1996)

1/10/1996 - 2/11/1996 The Preservation Society (1996)

10/11/1995 - 11/12/1995 The Model Apartment (1995)

5/10/1995 - 6/11/1995 2: Goering at Nuremberg (1995)

3/3/1995 - 4/9/1995 Don Juan in Chicago (1995)

1/18/1995 - 2/19/1995 I Sent a Letter to My Love (1995)

9/11/1994 - 10/3/1994 Final Curtain (1994)

5/14/1994 - 6/5/1994 The Hyacinth Macaw (1994)

4/6/1994 - 5/1/1994 Crackdancing (1994)

11/24/1993 - 2/13/1994 All in the Timing (1993)

9/29/1993 - 10/24/1993 Breaking Up (1993)

5/23/1993 - 5/25/1993 The Best Things in Life (1993)

5/16/1993 - 5/18/1993 Two Theatre Pieces (1993)

5/9/1993 - 5/11/1993 A Normal Guy (1993)

4/29/1993 - 5/23/1993 Washington Square Moves (1993)

2/28/1993 - 3/2/1993 Olivia's Opus (1993)

2/20/1993 - 2/23/1993 How She Played the Game (1993)

2/4/1993 - 3/7/1993 Bargains (1993)

10/1/1992 - 11/1/1992 The Dolphin Position (1992)

4/26/1992 - A Murder of Crows (1992)

2/4/1992 - 3/1/1992 Making Book (1992)

11/24/1991 - 12/22/1991 Joy Solution (1991)

1/17/1991 - 2/3/1991 Better Days (1991)

9/6/1990 - 9/29/1990 Lusting After Pipino's Wife (1990)

6/8/1990 - 6/30/1990 Swim Visit (1990)

2/16/1990 - 3/17/1990 Bovver Boys (1990)

11/21/1989 - 12/9/1989 Black Market (1989)

9/15/1989 - 10/7/1989 Hollywood Scheherazade (1989)

2/9/1989 - 3/4/1989 Algerian Romance (1989)

- Lives of the Saints (2015)

News

Ferin Bergen, Maaike Laanstra-Corn and More to Star in CALF SCRAMBLE at Primary Stage Photo

Ferin Bergen, Maaike Laanstra-Corn and More to Star in CALF SCRAMBLE at Primary Stages
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 22, 2026

Primary Stages will present the world premiere of Calf Scramble, a new play written by Libby Carr and directed by Caitlin Sullivan.

ELEMENTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL Reveals Phase One Lineup For 2026 Edition Photo

ELEMENTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL Reveals Phase One Lineup For 2026 Edition
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2026

ELEMENTS MUSIC & ARTS FESTIVAL will present its phase one lineup for the 2026 event, set to take place from August 7-9 in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. The festival, now in its ninth year, continues to blend electronic music with immersive art experiences. Highlights include performances by Porter Robinson, Subtronics, and Above & Beyond among others, promising a diverse range of electronic music styles.

The Foundry at PlayPenn Reveals Class Of 2028 Photo

The Foundry at PlayPenn Reveals Class Of 2028
by Stephi Wild - Dec 19, 2025

The Foundry at PlayPenn, Philadelphia's preeminent playwrights collective for emerging professional writers, welcomes Rayne, Siddarth Anand, and Monica Flory as new Foundry members and its Class of 2028.

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, HEATHERS and More Join Off-Broadway Toy Drive Photo

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, HEATHERS and More Join Off-Broadway Toy Drive
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 10, 2025

The Theater Center and The Off-Broadway League have revealed additional shows participating in this year's Off-Broadway Toy Drive! Participating Off-Broadway plays and musicals include Little Shop of Horrors, Heathers, and more.

2026 New Stages Festival Lineup Revealed at The Goodman Photo

2026 New Stages Festival Lineup Revealed at The Goodman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 1, 2025

New plays will ring in the new year at The Goodman when the popular annual New Stages Festival returns. This year’s line-up features the newest works by some of the country’s hottest playwrights.

Isabel Monk Cade Brings MY WAY [THE MORNING-AFTER PILL, A RETROSPECTIVE] to Toronto Photo

Isabel Monk Cade Brings MY WAY [THE MORNING-AFTER PILL, A RETROSPECTIVE] to Toronto
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 26, 2025

After two sold-out lab runs in New York City, Isabel Monk Cade comes to Toronto with a limited engagement lab performance of her acclaimed solo show, MY WAY [The morning-after pill, a retrospective], playing December 20th at The Burdock Music Hall.

IAMA Theatre Company Names 2025�"26 Emerging Playwrights Lab Members Photo

IAMA Theatre Company Names 2025�"26 Emerging Playwrights Lab Members
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 28, 2025

IAMA Theatre Company, recognized for developing innovative and boundary-pushing new work, has announced the members of its 2025–26 IAMA Emerging Playwrights Lab, led by Lab alumnus Nicholas Pilapil.

Photos: Primary Stages Honors Thom Sesma And Mickey Rolfe At 2025 Fall Gala Photo

Photos: Primary Stages Honors Thom Sesma And Mickey Rolfe At 2025 Fall Gala
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 24, 2025

Primary Stages hosted its 2025 Fall Gala on Monday, October 20, at Sony Hall, honoring Thom Sesma with the Einhorn Mentorship Award and Mickey Rolfe with the Andrew Leynse Commitment to New Plays Award. See photos of the event.

Interview: Theatre Life with Bligh Voth Photo

Interview: Theatre Life with Bligh Voth
by Elliot Lanes - Oct 16, 2025

Today’s subject Bligh Voth is currently living her theatre life onstage at Signature Theatre playing the role of Woman in Strategic Love Play. The show runs through November 9th in the ARK.

Full Cast & Creative Team Set for LAOWANG: A CHINATOWN KING LEAR at Primary Stages Photo

Full Cast & Creative Team Set for LAOWANG: A CHINATOWN KING LEAR at Primary Stages
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 2, 2025

PRIMARY STAGES will present Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear, a new play written by Alex Lin and directed by Joshua Kahan Brody. See who is starring and learn how to purchase tickets.

Roundabout Theatre Company Reveals 2025-2026 Underground Playwright Residencies Photo

Roundabout Theatre Company Reveals 2025-2026 Underground Playwright Residencies
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 26, 2025

Roundabout Theatre Company has revealed the two playwright selections for the Roundabout Underground Residencies – Iraisa Ann Reilly and Liba Vaynberg. Learn more!

Thom Sesma & Mickey Rolfe to be Honored at the Primary Stages 2025 Fall Gala Photo

Thom Sesma & Mickey Rolfe to be Honored at the Primary Stages 2025 Fall Gala
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 25, 2025

PRIMARY STAGES' 2025 Fall Gala will honor Thom Sesma with the Einhorn Mentorship Award and Mickey Rolfe with the Andrew Leynse Commitment to New Plays Award. Learn more!

Penguin Rep Presents World Premiere of FLAWLESS Photo

Penguin Rep Presents World Premiere of FLAWLESS
by Emmy Rice - Sep 14, 2025

Penguin Rep Theatre, under the leadership of Joe Brancato, founding Artistic Director, and Andrew M. Horn, Executive Director, presents the world premiere of Flawless, a new play by John J. Wooten, Friday, September 26 through Sunday, October 19 in Stony Point, New York.

Industry Pro Newsletter: Mission Critical for Arts Criticism
by Alex Freeman - Sep 8, 2025

We recently asked our audience a few different questions in our regular newsletter - the first, asking how many live events they attend in a month. With options of 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, and 5+, our audience reported that they fall nearly evenly across the spectrum - indicating that the BroadwayWorld audience is an excellent cross-section of the casual theatergoer and the highly committed fan.

Executive Director Shane D. Hudson to Depart Primary Stages in Fall 2025 Photo

Executive Director Shane D. Hudson to Depart Primary Stages in Fall 2025
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 4, 2025

Executive Director Shane D. Hudson will depart Primary Stages this fall following a ten-year tenure. Learn more about Hudson and about the changes to the company.

Primary Stages Frequently Asked Questions

What show is currently in Primary Stages?

Primary Stages's current show is Amerikin which began performances on 3/1/2025.

What when was Primary Stages built?

Primary Stages was built in 1902.

How many seats does Primary Stages have?

Primary Stages has 199 seats.

What were the longest running shows at Primary Stages?

This Lime Tree Bower which ran from 5/5/1999 to 8/15/1999, The Old Settler which ran from 10/7/1998 to 1/2/1999, When They Speak of Rita which ran from 5/17/2000 to 8/6/2000, All in the Timing which ran from 11/24/1993 to 2/13/1994 and

What show is next for Primary Stages?

Primary Stages's next show is Calf Scramble which begins performances on 2/28/2026.

Videos

Shows at the Primary Stages
DATES			PRODUCTION
2/28/2026	-	4/12/2026	Calf Scramble (2026)
3/1/2025	-	4/13/2025	Amerikin (2025)
5/15/2019	-	6/29/2019	Little Women (2019)
1/16/2019	-	2/15/2019	God Said This (2019)
3/22/2017	-	4/28/2017	Daniel's Husband (2017)
1/23/2013	-	4/28/2013	All in The Timing (2013)
10/18/2006	-	11/4/2006	Southern Comforts (2006)
8/9/2006	-	9/3/2006	Indian Blood (2006)
5/18/2004	-	6/27/2004	Boy (2004)
1/12/2004	-	1/12/2004	But I'm a Cheerleader (2004)
11/13/2002	-	12/22/2002	The Fourth Wall (2002)
9/23/2002	-	10/13/2002	Call the Children Home (2002)
5/20/2002	-	6/23/2002	One Shot, One Kill (2002)
5/17/2000	-	8/6/2000	When They Speak of Rita (2000)
3/8/2000	-	3/25/2000	An Empty Plate in the Cafe du Grand Boeuf (2000)
10/20/1999	-		Barefoot Boy with Shoes On (1999)
5/5/1999	-	8/15/1999	This Lime Tree Bower (1999)
4/14/1999	-	5/16/1999	Lips (1999)
3/10/1999	-	4/11/1999	The Turn of the Screw (1999)
1/3/1999	-	2/14/1999	High Life (1999)
10/7/1998	-	1/2/1999	The Old Settler (1998)
5/20/1998	-		Nasty Little Secrets (1998)
3/17/1998	-		St. Nicholas (1998)
1/27/1998	-		Scotland Road (1998)
11/5/1997	-		Brutality of Fact (1997)
5/6/1997	-		Mere Mortals and Others (1997)
4/2/1997	-		Hate Mail (1997)
3/5/1997	-		Not Waving (1997)
1/16/1997	-		Second-Hand Smoke (1997)
11/16/1996	-		Nightmare Alley (1996)
10/17/1996	-		Missing/Kissing: Missing Marisa/Kissing Christine (1996)
5/8/1996	-	6/23/1996	Ancient History/English Made Simple (1996)
3/6/1996	-	4/27/1996	Sabina (1996)
1/16/1996	-	3/31/1996	Virgins and Other Myths (1996)
1/10/1996	-	2/11/1996	The Preservation Society (1996)
10/11/1995	-	11/12/1995	The Model Apartment (1995)
5/10/1995	-	6/11/1995	2: Goering at Nuremberg (1995)
3/3/1995	-	4/9/1995	Don Juan in Chicago (1995)
1/18/1995	-	2/19/1995	I Sent a Letter to My Love (1995)
9/11/1994	-	10/3/1994	Final Curtain (1994)
5/14/1994	-	6/5/1994	The Hyacinth Macaw (1994)
4/6/1994	-	5/1/1994	Crackdancing (1994)
11/24/1993	-	2/13/1994	All in the Timing (1993)
9/29/1993	-	10/24/1993	Breaking Up (1993)
5/23/1993	-	5/25/1993	The Best Things in Life (1993)
5/16/1993	-	5/18/1993	Two Theatre Pieces (1993)
5/9/1993	-	5/11/1993	A Normal Guy (1993)
4/29/1993	-	5/23/1993	Washington Square Moves (1993)
2/28/1993	-	3/2/1993	Olivia's Opus (1993)
2/20/1993	-	2/23/1993	How She Played the Game (1993)
2/4/1993	-	3/7/1993	Bargains (1993)
10/1/1992	-	11/1/1992	The Dolphin Position (1992)
4/26/1992	-		A Murder of Crows (1992)
2/4/1992	-	3/1/1992	Making Book (1992)
11/24/1991	-	12/22/1991	Joy Solution (1991)
1/17/1991	-	2/3/1991	Better Days (1991)
9/6/1990	-	9/29/1990	Lusting After Pipino's Wife (1990)
6/8/1990	-	6/30/1990	Swim Visit (1990)
2/16/1990	-	3/17/1990	Bovver Boys (1990)
11/21/1989	-	12/9/1989	Black Market (1989)
9/15/1989	-	10/7/1989	Hollywood Scheherazade (1989)
2/9/1989	-	3/4/1989	Algerian Romance (1989)
	-		Lives of the Saints (2015)

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