The 5 Theatre Shows To See In New York This Spring
Spring is a time for rebirth and renewal, and the New York theatre scene is taking that to heart in 2024. No less than 18 plays and musicals are opening on Broadway in March and April, and there are many more that you can catch off-Broadway. If you want to snag yourself a seat for one – or a few! – here are five that we’re excited to see…
- The Notebook
Allie and Noah’s romance, already swooned over in Nicholas Sparks’ bestselling novel and the 2004 film adaptation starring Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, comes to the stage as a new musical with music and lyrics from Ingrid Michaelson. In addition to her sweeping songs, the show uses three pairs of actors, all playing the central couple at different stages in their lives, to unfurl its touching love story. Opens 14 March at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre
- Lempicka
This pop-fuelled musical centres on Tamara de Lempicka, a Polish artist known for her Art Deco portraits and female nudes. Wicked alum Eden Espinosa takes on the title role – watch her sing the show’s Act 1 closer for an entrancing thrill. Lempicka delves into her life as a bisexual woman and visionary artist who lived through some of the most turbulent periods of the 20th century. Also: you can stop by the New York theatre now to take in her artwork, which is displayed outside and on the marquee. Opens 14 April at the Longacre Theatre
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- Stereophonic
David Adjmi’s enthralling drama gives you a front row seat inside the recording studio. Set in the ’70s and featuring original songs from Will Butler of Arcade Fire, the story follows a band working on its sophomore album and grappling with their newfound fame (see also: drugs, romantic entanglements and power struggles within the group). If you’re into Fleetwood Mac-esque stories, devoured Daisy Jones & The Six, or love delving into the trials and triumphs of making music, you’ll definitely want to press play. Opens 19 April at the Golden Theatre
- Suffs
Well-timed for an election year and with Hillary Clinton and Malala Yousafzai among its producers, Suffs tells the story of the women’s suffrage movement in the United States. The rousing musical comes from writer-composer Shaina Taub, who also stars as activist Alice Paul. Comparisons to Hamilton may be inevitable – both had origins at New York’s Public Theater, and explore history through a modern lens – but Suffs has plenty to say in its own right. The cast, made up of women and nonbinary actors, explore the struggles for and within a fight for equality that’s still ongoing. Opens 18 April at the Music Box Theatre
- Jonah
Meditative and unexpected, this off-Broadway play will captivate you from beginning to end. It follows Ana, a lonely teenage girl at boarding school who forges a sweet connection with a classmate named Jonah – but there’s much more to both than what we initially see. Featuring a fantastic central performance from actor Gabby Beans, Jonah explores themes of desire, fantasy and connection. You’ll have to hurry to catch it, though – it’s only running for a few more weeks. Until 10 March at the Laura Pels Theatre
Jessica Derschowitz is an entertainment editor and writer based in New York whose work has appeared in Entertainment Weekly, Vanity Fair, Variety, Bustle and more
