T/theater

On ‘Best Medicine,’ Josh Charles Has a Heart

After years of playing smarmy characters, the actor is stepping up as the lead in a comedy about a grumpy but charming doctor.

This Playwright Has Seen the Future. It Isn’t Human.

In “Marjorie Prime” and other works, Jordan Harrison delivers sweet-bitter anatomies of human connection mediated through technology destined to supersede us.

24 Things to Do in N.Y.C. in January

Welcome to a new year. It promises Ian McKellen, fresh jazz, free exhibitions, restored films and comedy with latkes.

Los personajes queridos, inquietantes y circunstanciales que se fueron en 2025

Directores, actrices, políticas, médicos. Todos ellos tuvieron su momento bajo los reflectores y dejan una marca indeleble en la historia.

Carmen de Lavallade, Dancer Whose Career Spanned the Arts, Dies at 94

Over six decades she worked in theater, opera, film and television alongside luminaries like Alvin Ailey, Lena Horne, Agnes de Mille and Harry Belafonte.

When Sammy Davis Jr. Knocked Out Broadway

The entertainer, who would have turned 100 this month, reinvented himself by starring in the musical version of Clifford Odets’s prizefighting drama “Golden Boy.”

Deaths in 2025: A Yearlong Procession of Giants

Marquee names all, they found international fame in the arts, politics, the sciences and beyond.

A Story of Hip-Hop Rehabilitation With the Body as Battleground

Dahlak Brathwaite’s “Try/Step/Trip,” part of the Under the Radar festival, uses the language of step to express the liberating and restricting power of groups.

London’s 2025 Theater Highlights

Critics look back on a year when the balcony scene in “Evita” became a social media phenomenon and audiences swooned for the bear in “Paddington: The Musical.”

How a ‘Hamilton’ Star Spends a Day at His Brooklyn Bar

Anthony Ramos loves hanging out with customers during busy days that may find him writing a new musical, catching a friend in a show or performing in his own.

A Behind-the-Scenes Player of a Transformed Broadway Takes a Bow

The nonprofit organization New 42, which earned a Tony Honor for Excellence in the Theater this year, continues to pave the way for a revitalized Times Square.

43 Things to Do on New Year’s Eve in N.Y.C.

What are you doing to greet 2026? Our suggestions include fancy parties, all-night dance-a-thons, choose-your-own movie double features and a pasta-making class.

Christmas Dinner With Family Can Feel Endless. Embrace It.

A long-neglected one-act from a theatrical master offers the key to enjoying your family gatherings.

‘Tartuffe’ Gets a Colorfully Modern Makeover

With its profanity-laced script, Lucas Hnath’s Molière adaptation, starring Matthew Broderick, is a mischievous clash of the old and the new.

In 2025, They Asked What Racial Solidarity Really Looks Like

Across film (“Sinners,” “One Battle After Another”), theater (“Ragtime”) and TV (“The Lowdown”), four works suggested what achieving racial equality in America would take.

‘The Queen of Versailles’ Bombed on Broadway. What Went Wrong?

The show reunited Kristin Chenoweth and Stephen Schwartz for the first time since “Wicked.” It wasn’t enough to counter poor word of mouth and other challenges.

Playwrights Horizons Is Sued Over Discounts to People of Color

The lawsuit, against the prominent Off Broadway theater, is backed by Edward Blum, who has long challenged race-based policies. Playwrights called it “meritless.”

A ‘Picnic at Hanging Rock’ Musical Is a Psychedelic Parable

At Greenwich House Theater, Greta Gertler Gold and Hilary Bell’s stage adaptation of Joan Lindsay’s novel hovers between reverie and reality.

Move Aside, Snowflake: ‘Theater Kid’ Is the New Go-To Political Insult

Zohran Mamdani, New York’s mayor-elect, is among the latest politicians to be tagged with the term, raising the question: What did theater kids do to deserve such scorn?

Las revelaciones artísticas de 2025

En todas las disciplinas, estos 10 talentos dieron un salto de fe y lograron un gran éxito.

Cheyenne Jackson Believes in Kindness as a Drug

“I don’t do drugs anymore,” the actor and singer said, “but when a random baby in a stroller smiles at me, it feels like I just did a bump of coke.”

Carrie Coon and Tracy Letts Want to Get Under Your Skin

The couple are gearing up for the Broadway opening of “Bug,” about a descent into paranoia and psychosis in a squalid motel room.

‘Oh, Mary!’ Came to London. It’s the Raciest Show in Town.

Some had wondered how the show about Abraham Lincoln’s wife would fare after its creator left the Broadway cast. But mirth is abundant as it opens on the West End.

How the ‘Wicked’ Movies Turbocharged a Broadway Juggernaut

The musical was already one of theater’s biggest success stories. Then came Hollywood.

He’s Only 4 Feet Tall, but Paddington Is London’s Biggest New Musical Star

Audiences are falling in love with the title character in “Paddington: The Musical.” Bringing such a beloved bear to the stage was “a huge responsibility,” the show’s director said.

‘The BFG’ Enchants With Puppets and Pantomime Spirit

There is plenty of stimulation for young theatergoers in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved book.

Broadway Shows Closing Soon: ‘The Queen of Versailles,’ ‘Waiting for Godot’ and More

Catch Kristin Chenoweth basking in the excess, and Bill and Ted having a Beckettian adventure, before the curtain comes down on their productions and others.

‘Tartuffe’ Review: Casting Keeps a Deluxe Molière Revival on Its Toes

Matthew Broderick plays Tartuffe and David Cross his naïve prey in this Lucas Hnath adaptation of a 17th-century French comedy classic.

Watching ‘Liberation’ With a Women’s Movement Pioneer, My Mom

In researching her new Broadway play, Bess Wohl interviewed my mother. After a performance, we all discussed the play and its themes.

‘Beaches,’ a Novel and a Film, Will Spread Its Wings on Broadway

A musical adaptation of the story will open at the Majestic Theater next spring. And yes, the score includes “Wind Beneath My Wings.”

‘Titaníque,’ Singing and Spoofing Celine Dion, Sets Sail for Broadway

This zany musical made it from the basement of a Manhattan grocery to London’s West End, and now hopes to become Broadway’s next hit comedy.

What We’d Lose if We Didn’t Have the HBO Comedy Special

The potential Warner Bros. Discovery sale might jeopardize a lively outlet for artier stand-up shows like those of Sarah Sherman and Adam Pally.

‘A Christmas Carol’, ‘Dead Outlaw’ and More Theater to Stream

Other picks include a family production of “The Snow Queen,” the Broadway-bound “Every Brilliant Thing” and the acclaimed comedy “Sorry for Your Loss.”

The Breakout Stars of 2025

Across the arts, these 10 performers took a leap of faith this year and stuck the landing in a big way.

As Regional Theaters Struggle, Some Defy the Odds

Naples, Fla., and Milwaukee are quite different, but have one thing in common: They are home to regional theaters that are thriving.

‘Anna Christie’ Review: Michelle Williams on the Waterfront

The actress stars in Thomas Kail’s luminous revival of Eugene O’Neill’s play about a woman whose past threatens her future.

Tom Hanks on the Electrifying (and Terrifying) Experience of Writing a Play

The actor also stars in the Off Broadway production of “This World of Tomorrow,” a yearslong project at the Shed through Dec. 21.

41 Things That Stuck With Us in 2025

Aunt Gladys. Tyler, the Creator. That sex scene in “The Naked Gun.” These are the things Culture staffers couldn’t stop thinking about this year.

This ‘Into the Woods’ Is Not That Deep. That’s What Makes It Great.

A new London staging of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine musical makes the most of its comedic elements and delivers a visual treat.

‘Little Bear Ridge Road’ to Close Early on Broadway

The lauded play by Samuel D. Hunter is the first production of Scott Rudin’s comeback season. Despite positive reviews, sales have been soft.

D.L. Coburn, Playwright With a Solo Hit, ‘The Gin Game,’ Dies at 87

His two-character work won a Pulitzer Prize and had a long Broadway run, but he never replicated its success and struggled to get his later work staged.

Our Phones Are Making Us Lonely. There’s Drama in That.

Savvy theater makers are exploring the debasing effects of online culture on relationships.

Why Return to a Christmas Classic? To Find Something New.

Popping up once a year, works like Dickens’s holiday tale, “Amahl and the Night Visitors” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” help us gauge where we are in our lives.

16 Best Theater Moments of 2025

Lea Michele’s star turn in “Chess.” Kara Young as an 8-year-old. A 12-minute monologue delivered from a cloud. These are our favorite scenes from this year.

Jeremy O. Harris Is Released From Custody in Japan

The Tony-nominated playwright was arrested last month on suspicion of attempted drug smuggling. He was released on Monday, Japanese officials said.

‘Marjorie Prime’ Review: A.I. Gave Her Back Her Husband. Was It Worth It?

June Squibb stars in the Broadway premiere of Jordan Harrison’s meditation on grief and the nature of human and artificial intelligence.

From Improv Class to Mayor-Elect: How New York’s Culture Shaped Mamdani

In an interview, he revealed the Indian ragas, indie movies, comedy shows and museums in the city that stayed with him.

The Show-Stealing Dogs of the Big Apple Circus

Copo, Diana, Suzy, Tomasa, Lana, Riso and Charlotte dance and prance inside the big tent.

The 67 Most Stylish People of 2025

They appeared on courts and carpets, stages and sidelines, screens big and small. And they all shaped notions of style and self-expression.

How Clint Ramos, a Tony Winner, Spends a Day Designing Costumes

Mr. Ramos, Lincoln Center’s artist in residence, makes breakfast for his daughter before heading to the Metropolitan Opera House and a photo shoot — and his own birthday celebration.

Netflix Does an About-Face, in a Big Way

The streaming giant has changed its strategy many times over the years. But the decision to get deeply into theatrical releases may be the most startling yet.

‘A Christmas Carol’ Review: A Gentle Interpretation of a Classic

This production, which retains many of the charms of its 2019 Broadway staging, has lost some of its necessary darkness.

What ‘Hamnet’ Lost (and Gained) on the Way From Page to Screen

The filmmaker Chloé Zhao and the novelist-turned-screenwriter Maggie O’Farrell explained the changes they made in the tale of Shakespeare, his wife and their son.

Can a California Director Bring His Sunshine to New York?

Before returning to New York to lead Roundabout, Christopher Ashley is concluding his 18-year tenure at La Jolla Playhouse with the new musical “Working Girl.”

Jeremy O. Harris Is Arrested in Japan on Suspicion of Smuggling Drugs

The Tony-nominated American playwright and actor has been in custody since airport customs officers found Ecstasy in his bag last month.

A Utopian Story That Became a Queer Cult Classic Debuts in New York

“The Faggots and Their Friends Between Revolutions” is a music theater piece based on Larry Mitchell and Ned Asta’s 1970s book.

Drag Antics and ‘a Political Bomb’: Bringing ‘La Cage aux Folles’ Home

The theater that drew acclaim last year for “Les Misérables” is hoping Paris can accept a new “Americano-French musical.”

5 Years After Covid Closed the Theaters, Audiences Are Returning

Broadway is almost back, and pop music tours and sports events are booming. But Hollywood, museums and other cultural sectors have yet to bounce back.

Off Broadway, Labor Tension Heats Up

Stagehands and other backstage workers have gone on strike against a prominent theater, and two productions have been canceled.

Stratford-Upon-Lake-Michigan: Royal Shakespeare Company Plays Chicago

With less touring, it’s been a while since all the world has been its stage, but the troupe is working with the Chicago Shakespeare Theater — where it has family ties.

On Broadway, a Covid Switcheroo: Marsha Mason in for Mia Farrow

Mason, an associate director of “The Roommate,” which opened on Broadway last week, stepped in as Patti LuPone’s counterpart.

Does a Smash Hit Like ‘Lion King’ Deserve a $3 Million Tax Break?

Broadway is still recovering from the pandemic. A state tax-credit program has helped, but watchdogs say it aids some shows that don’t need a boost.

Audience Snapshot: Four Years After Shutdown, a Mixed Recovery

Covid brought live performance to a halt. Now the audience for pop concerts and sporting events has roared back, while attendance on Broadway and at some major museums is still down.

Is Earlier Better for Theater Start Times?

In an effort to entice audiences back after the pandemic, Britain’s National Theater is testing a 6:30 p.m. curtain.

Off Broadway, a Vital Part of New York Theater, Feels the Squeeze

The small theaters that help make the city a theater capital are cutting back as they struggle to recover from the pandemic.

Luring Theater Audiences Back After Covid

Readers discuss the decline in theater subscribers after the pandemic. Also: Northern Ireland; food allergies; a Covid playmate; anti-China bias.

72 Regional Theaters, One Shared Crisis

Michael Paulson spoke with producers and artistic directors at nonprofit theaters across the country about the crisis their industry is facing.

A Crisis in America’s Theaters Leaves Prestigious Stages Dark

As they struggle to recover after the pandemic, regional theaters are staging fewer shows, giving fewer performances, laying off staff and, in some cases, closing.

In ‘Plays for the Plague Year,’ the Soundtrack of Our Lives

Suzan-Lori Parks wrote one play a day for 13 months during the pandemic. Those stories come to life onstage in the form of monologues, dialogues and songs at Joe’s Pub.

As Presenters Cut Back on Streams, Some Disabled Arts Lovers Feel Left Out

When shuttered venues embraced streaming during the pandemic, the arts became more accessible. With live performance back, and streams dwindling, many feel forgotten.

‘Covid Vortex Anxiety Opera’ Review: Gloom, Zoom and a New Bloom

The veteran performance artist Karen Finley leads the audience through the troubles that plagued New York City at the peak of the pandemic.

Obie Awards Honor ‘English’ as Best New Play

A ceremony for the awards, celebrating work Off and Off Off Broadway, will be held Monday, but organizers decided to announce the winners in advance.

Broadway Bounces Back With ‘Best Week Since the Before Times’

Broadway shows grossed $51.9 million during the holiday week, the most since 2019, and “The Lion King” set a record for the most earned by any show in a single week.

‘Broadway Rising’ Review: Surviving the Pandemic

Stakeholders including Patti LuPone and Lynn Nottage share their real-time reactions to New York theater’s shutdown and reopening in Amy Rice’s documentary.

Onstage, It’s Finally Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas Again

After one holiday season lost to the pandemic and another curtailed by Omicron, seasonal staples including “The Nutcracker,” “A Christmas Carol” and “Messiah” are back in force.

Lynn Nottage’s ‘Clyde’s’ Is the Most-Staged Play in America

An annual survey, suspended during the pandemic, resumes and finds theaters nationally doing fewer shows and torn between escapism and ambition.

Did Fauci Lead America Astray on Covid?

Responses to an essay that criticized Anthony Fauci’s handling of the pandemic. Also: Migrants as props; abortion rights; David Milch; theater’s lessons.

To Mask, or Not to Mask: Theaters and Concert Halls Face a Dilemma

Some audience members are turned off by mask mandates. Others won’t attend indoor performances without them. Arts presenters are taking different approaches this season.

‘It’s My Tradition Too’: A Town’s Centuries-Old Passion Play Evolves

After a two-year pandemic delay, villagers in the German town of Oberammergau are once again re-enacting the story of Jesus’s life and death, with some changes.

On Broadway, One Show Decides to Keep Masks. No, It’s Not ‘Phantom.’

“American Buffalo,” at Circle in the Square, is sticking with masking till it closes, July 10, citing the “proximity of the audience to the actors” and “the staging in the round.”

You Don’t Want to Wear a Mask? Do It for Hugh Jackman

Beginning in July, Broadway will no longer require audiences to mask up. Actors and theater workers aren’t loving the idea.

You Don’t Want to Wear a Mask? Do It for Hugh Jackman.

Beginning in July, Broadway will no longer require audiences to mask up. Actors and theater workers aren’t loving the idea.

Broadway Will Drop Mask Mandate Beginning July 1

Most theaters stopped requiring proof of vaccination this spring. Now they are going “mask optional.”

‘A Strange Loop’ Wins Best Musical as Tonys Celebrate Broadway’s Return

“The Lehman Trilogy” won best play, “Company” won best musical revival and “Take Me Out” won best revival of a play at the 75th Tony Awards.

‘Come From Away’ to Close, the Latest Broadway Show to End Run

The musical, which opened in 2017, is the third to announce a closing in two days, as many shows struggle in a pandemic-softened marketplace.

Broadway theaters will continue requiring patrons to wear masks at least through June 30.

The decision comes at a time when New York City has declared a “high Covid alert.”

The Twisting Trail to the Tonys: ‘Can You Believe That We’re Here?’

At times it felt like a game of survival. But during a Broadway season unlike any other, productions showed their resourcefulness while learning how to live with Covid.

‘Mrs. Doubtfire’ to Close on Broadway, After Reopening

The musical, which shuttered temporarily in January as the Omicron variant spread, has struggled with the slow return of tourists to the theater.

Your Monday Evening Briefing

Here’s what you need to know at the end of the day.

Most Broadway theaters have ended vaccination checks as coronavirus cases are rising.

Most of Broadway Ends Vaccine Checks as Cases Rise in New York

While for-profit theater owners and operators agreed to stop checking proof of vaccination this week, several nonprofit Broadway theaters continue to require it.

Manhattan Springs Back to Life

Broadway enthusiasts, art aficionados and food lovers will find new offerings in and around Times Square and in neighborhoods below 42nd Street, heralding the promise of a vibrant recovery.

‘For Colored Girls’ to Close on Broadway, Reflecting Tough Season

The revival, directed by Camille A. Brown, received strong reviews but struggled to attract audiences and overcome challenges posed by Covid.