The Best Off-Broadway Shows in New York 2025
Few places can match the vibrancy and allure of New York City, particularly in the realm of Broadway theater. Still, Off-Broadway shows are a staple of the NYC experience, offering a diverse blend of productions that promises something for everyone. So, when in the Big Apple, don’t miss the opportunity to be part of a unique and thrilling performance delivered by some of the most talented artists in the industry!
Your journey into the world of Off-Broadway shows NYC begins here. We’ve got you covered with our comprehensive Off-Broadway Guide, your key to unlocking the best and most captivating theater experiences in the city. Let’s dive right in!
#1 The Play That Goes Wrong
Experience the merriment of “The Play That Goes Wrong” at New World Stages, from Feb 11, 2019, to Jan 1, 2026. This British comedy, a delightful mix of Monty Python and Sherlock Holmes, promises an unforgettable night filled with uproarious mishaps.
On this amateur troupe’s opening night, props disappear, sets crumble, and lines are forgotten, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. If you’re looking to laugh, this is one of the funniest off-Broadway shows NYC – so don’t miss it!
Buy The Play That Goes Wrong tickets
- Where? New World Stages, Stage Four (340 West 50th Street)
#2 Titanique
Embark on a theatrical voyage with “Titanique,” playing at the Daryl Roth Theatre since Jun 14, 2022. This campy rendition of the iconic James Cameron film, narrated by a Celine Dion impersonator and set to her hit songs, reinvents the tale of Jack and Rose with a pop culture twist.
Though this may not be one of the best off-Broadway shows NYC for kids, it’s a don’t miss on date night or girl’s night!
- Where? Daryl Roth Theatre (101 East 15th Street)
#3 The Office! A Musical Parody
Join the fun of “The Office! A Musical Parody” at The Theater Center. This amusing show condenses the highlights of the beloved sitcom into a two-hour musical spectacle. Experience a typical day at Dunder Mifflin, complete with joke-filled songs and a camera crew capturing the hijinks for a mock documentary.
So, grab your friends and check out one of the most popular off-Broadway shows NYC.
- Where? The Theater Center (1627 Broadway)
#4 Little Shop of Horrors
Watch the cult classic “Little Shop of Horrors” at the Westside Theatre, where comedy, horror, and camp intertwine in a botanical spectacle. Follow a meek florist as he stumbles upon a carnivorous talking plant, setting him on an unexpected path to success and love.
This acclaimed production, a recipient of multiple Best Musical Revival awards, brings the iconic story to life with a unique off-Broadway twist.
Buy Little Shop of Horrors Tickets
- Where? Westside Theatre Upstairs (407 West 43rd Street)
#5 Ghosts (starting in March 2025)
Beginning in March 2025, Lincoln Center Theater will present a new production of Henrik Ibsen’s classic “Ghosts” at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater in New York City. Directed by Jack O’Brien and in a modern adaptation by Irish playwright Mark O’Rowe, the play tells the story of Helena Alving (played by Lily Rabe), whose son Oswald (played by Levon Hawke) returns home after years abroad with a harrowing secret.
The cast also includes notable actors such as Billy Crudup as Pastor Manders, Ella Beatty as Regina and Hamish Linklater as Engstrand.
- Where? Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater (150 West 65th Street)
#6 Gazillion Bubble Show
The Gazillion Bubble Show is a fascinating off-Broadway production that has been running at New World Stages – Stage Two in New York City since 2007. The show transports you to an interactive world of soap bubbles, accompanied by impressive lighting effects and laser shows.
Created and presented by multiple Guinness World Record holder Fan Yang, the show is a family affair that also features his wife Ana, son Deni, daughter Melody and brother Jano. Recommended for ages 2 and up, the 65-minute show is an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Tickets for Gazillion Bubble Show
- Where? New World Stages – Stage Two (340 West 50th Street)
#7 The Jonathan Larson Project (starting in March)
Beginning in March 2025, the off-Broadway musical The Jonathan Larson Project will be performed at the Orpheum Theatre in New York City. The production brings previously unknown songs by the celebrated composer Jonathan Larson to the stage and addresses current social issues such as presidential elections, environmental activism and overcoming obstacles.
Larson’s works inspire the audience with their timeless relevance. The cast includes Adam Chanler-Berat, known from Next to Normal and Peter and the Starcatcher.
Tickets for The Jonathan Larson Project
- Where? Orpheum Theatre (126 2nd Avenue)
#8 Liberation
The off-Broadway play “Liberation” celebrated its world premiere at the Laura Pels Theater in New York City on January 31, 2025. Written by Tony-nominated playwright Bess Wohl and directed by Whitney White, the play tells the story of six women who meet in a gymnasium in Ohio in 1970 to change their lives and make the world a better place.
Fifty years later, the daughter of one of the women tries to understand why their efforts failed. The cast includes, among others, Betsy Aidem, Kristolyn Lloyd and Susannah Flood.
- Where? Laura Pels Theatre at the Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre
(111 West 46th Street)
#9 Last Call (starting in March)
The off-Broadway play “Last Call” will be performed at New World Stages – Stage Five in New York City starting in March 2025. The play is based on true events and takes us to Vienna, where two titans of classical music, Leonard Bernstein and Herbert von Karajan, meet for the last time in their later years.
Their influence extended well beyond music, shaping popular culture, politics and more. In “Last Call,” they both search for common ground in their music and lives while sharing a final drink.
- Where? New World Stages – Stage Five (340 West 50th Street)
#10 Lunar Eclipse (starting in June 2025)
The Off-Broadway play “Lunar Eclipse” is set to premiere at The Signature Center in New York City in Spring 2025. Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies, the play follows a long-married couple, George and Em, who gather at their Kentucky farm on a summer evening to watch a lunar eclipse.
As the seven phases of the celestial event progress, they enjoy bourbon and reflect on topics such as land, legacy, family, and the secrets they keep from each other. The leading roles are played by Tony Award winner Reed Birney and actress Lisa Emery, known from “Ozark”.
- Where? Irene Diamond Stage at The Signature Center (480 West 42nd Street)
FAQ
What is considered an Off-Broadway show?
An Off-Broadway show is a professional venue production in New York City that isn’t located within the Broadway Theater District. It typically has a seating capacity between 100 and 499.
What Off-Broadway Shows are good?
Good Off-Broadway shows vary based on personal taste, but popular ones include “Sleep No More,” “Blue Man Group,” and “The Play That Goes Wrong.”
What is Off-Broadway compared to Broadway?
Off-Broadway shows are similar to Broadway shows but are usually smaller in scale, both in terms of venue size and budget. They are often considered more experimental or unconventional.
How does a play go from Off-Broadway to Broadway?
A play goes from Off-Broadway to Broadway typically after a successful run and when producers believe it has commercial viability on a larger scale. It involves increased funding, casting, and production changes to adapt to a bigger venue.
Can Off-Broadway shows win Tonys?
Off-Broadway shows cannot win Tony Awards as these are exclusive to Broadway productions. However, they can win other prestigious awards like the Obie Awards or the New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards.
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