Broadway and Off-Broadway are buzzing with fresh stories, bold revivals, and standout performances this year—but we’re shining a spotlight on the newer, limited-run, and maybe lesser-talked-about projects that deserve your attention. From world premieres to long-overdue revivals, these 22 productions showcase the creative heartbeat of New York theater in 2025. Whether you’re looking to discover the next cult classic or catch a one-time-only gem, this list is your go-to guide.
This is an updating list, we’ll add and remove projects periodically so be sure to check back.
Purpose
The play offers an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at the influential Jasper family. When their son returns home with an uninvited guest, long-buried secrets force the family to confront questions of faith, legacy, and identity.
Playwright: Branden Jacobs-Jenkin
Director: Phylicia Rashad
Starring: LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Harry Lennix, Kara Young, Jon Michael Hill, Glenn Davis, and Alana Arenas.
Closes: July 6, 2025
Theatre: The Hayes Theater
More Info: purposeonbroadway.com
Swamp Dwellers (Off Broadway)
An aging couple living on perpetually flooded land awaits the return of one of their twin sons from the city. Their world is disrupted by the arrival of a self-satisfied Yoruba holy man and a blind Muslim beggar, sparking a devastating crisis of faith and trust. Wole Soyinka’s The Swamp Dwellers tackles themes of corrupt religion, family betrayal, environmental disaster, and the clash between urban modernity and rural tradition — a poignant and resonant drama that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary.
Playwright: Wole Soyinka
Director: Awoye Timpo
Cast: Ato Blankson-Wood, Leon Addison Brown, Joshua Echebiri, Jenny Jules, Jason Maina, Chiké Okonkwo, Olawale Oyenola
Run: Apr 15 – Apr 20
Theatre: Theatre for a New Audience @ Polonsky Shakespeare Center
More Info: https://www.tfana.org
Othello
Denzel Washington stars as Othello, a revered military leader whose life unravels at the hands of his trusted officer. Opposite him, Jake Gyllenhaal plays Iago, a master manipulator fueled by ambition and resentment. When Iago is overlooked for promotion, he sets a calculated plan in motion to destroy Othello and his wife Desdemona (Molly Osborne), weaving a chilling tale of jealousy, betrayal, and heartbreak.
Playwright: Shakespeare
Director: Kenny Leon
Cast: Kimber Elayne Sprawl, Andrew Burnap, Anthony Michael Lopez, Daniel Pearce, Neal Bledsoe, Julee Cerda, Ezra Knight, Gene Gillette, and Rob Heaps.
Closes: June 8, 2025
Theatre: Barrymore Theatre
More Info: othellobway.com
Minor-ity (Off Broadway)
At Diaspora Now!, an international African arts conference in Paris, tensions rise as three artists—Sami Monroe, a bold young American director; Céza Depina, a disillusioned veteran painter; and Cheikh Malick Diallo, a once-banned storyteller—come together for a high-profile panel. As they navigate their cultural and generational divides, what begins as celebration turns into a charged battle of ideas, identity, and artistic legacy.
Playwright: francisca da silveira
Director: Shariffa Ali
Cast: Ato Essandoh, Nedra Marie Taylor, Nimene Sierra Wureh
Run: March 29, 2025 – Apr 27
Theatre: WP Theater
More Info: https://wptheater.org
BOOP! The Musical
Betty’s on Broadway! Animation icon Betty Boop springs to life in BOOP! The Musical, a vibrant new production that brings the beloved black-and-white character into full color. On what she hopes will be a day off from her celebrity life, Betty embarks on a whimsical, music-filled journey through New York City that leads to unexpected love and a powerful reminder: “You are capable of amazing things.”
Playwright: Bob Martin
Director: Jerry Mitchell
Cast: Jasmine Amy Rogers, Faith Prince, Ainsley Melham, Erich Bergen, Stephen DeRosa, Anastacia McCleskey, Angelica Hale, Phillip Huber, Aubie Merrylees, and more.
Theatre: Broadhurst Theatre
More Info: https://boopthemusical.com
Wine in the Wilderness (Off Broadway)
Set on a hot summer night during the 1964 Harlem riot, Wine in the Wilderness follows artist Bill Jameson, whose search for the perfect model for his triptych on Black womanhood leads him to Tomorrow Marie — a woman far more complex than he anticipated. As their encounter unfolds, the lines between muse and message blur. Written by Alice Childress, this rarely-seen gem explores identity, class, and artistic exploitation. Tony® winner LaChanze makes her New York directing debut, bringing a deep and personal connection to Childress’s enduring work.
Playwright: Alice Childress
Director: LaChanze
Cast: Olivia Washington, Grantham Coleman, Brooks Brantly, Milton Craig Nealy, Lakisha May
Closes: Apr 19
Theatre: Classic Stage Company
More Info: https://www.classicstage.org
The Last Five Years
The Last Five Years follows two New Yorkers, rising author Jamie and aspiring actress Cathy, as they fall in and out of love over five years. With a celebrated score by Jason Robert Brown, the musical offers a raw and intimate look at the highs and heartbreaks of a relationship told from two different perspectives.
Playwright: Jason Robert Brown
Director: Whitney White
Cast: Nick Jonas, Adrienne Warren
Closes: June 22, 2025
Theatre: Hudson Theatre
More Info: thelastfiveyearsbroadway.com
Gypsy
Gypsy returns to Broadway in a powerful, reimagined revival of one of the greatest musicals ever written.
Starring: Audra McDonald, Danny Burstein, Joy Woods and Jordan Tyson
Directed by: George C. Wolfe
Choreography by: Camille A. Brown
Theatre: Majestic Theatre
More Info: gypsybway.com
Buena Vista Social Club
Inspired by true events and the Grammy® Award-winning album, this vibrant musical invites you into the heartbeat of Havana. Experience blazing horns, unforgettable rhythms, and a moving story about love, legacy, and the transformative power of music.
Starring: Natalie Venetia Belcon, Julio Monge, Justin Cunningham, Mel Semé, Isa Antonetti, Da’von Moody, Wesley Wray, Leonardo Reyna, Jainardo Batista Sterling, Renesito Avich, Ashley De La Rosa
Book: Marco Ramirez
Director: Saheem Ali
Choreographers: Patricia Delgado and Justin Peck
Set Designer: Arnulfo Maldonado
Costume Designer: Dede Ayite
Theatre: Schoenfeld Theatre
More Info: buenavistamusical.com
Hell’s Kitchen
Hell’s Kitchen is a vibrant new Broadway musical inspired by the life and music of 15-time Grammy Award winner Alicia Keys. Set in 1990s Manhattan, the story follows 17-year-old Ali, who dreams of pursuing a career in music despite her mother’s protective instincts. Ali’s journey of self-discovery is enriched by a neighbor who introduces her to the transformative power of the piano.
New York Theatre Guide
Playwright: Kristoffer Diaz
Director: Michael Greif
Music and Lyrics: Alicia Keys
Choreographer: Camille A. Brown
Cast: Maleah Joi Moon as Ali, Shoshana Bean as Jersey, Brandon Victor Dixon as Davis, Kecia Lewis as Miss Liza Jane, Chris Lee as Knuck
Theatre: Shubert Theatre, 225 West 44th Street, New York, NY
More Info: https://hellskitchen.com/
Ceremonies in Dark Old Men (Off Broadway)
A 1960s floundering Harlem barbershop is the setting and the cauldron of action that leads to tragic consequences.
Playwright: Lonne Elder III
Director: Clinton Turner Davis
Cast: Norm Lewis
Run Date: Apr 11th – May 18th
Theatre: Theatre at St. Clement’s
More Info: https://www.thepeccadillo.com/
Wonderful Town (Off Broadway)
Wonderful Town tells the story of two sisters who move from Ohio to Greenwich Village in 1935 to pursue their artistic dreams and maybe find love. With music by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by the iconic Betty Comden and Adolph Green, this classic musical comedy is a vibrant celebration of ambition, resilience, and sisterhood.
Playwright: Jerome Chodorov and Joseph A. Fields
Director: Zhailon Levingston
Cast: Anika Noni Rose, Aisha Jackson, Jimmy Ray Bennett, Etai Benson, Allison Blackwell, DeWitt Fleming Jr., Jessie Hooker-Bailey, Javier Muñoz, Fergie Phillippe, John Rapson, Daniel Torres
Run Date: April 30 – May 11.
Theatre: New York City Center
More Info: https://www.nycitycenter.org
What if Juliet’s famous ending was really just her beginning? In this exhilarating new musical, Juliet gets a second chance at life and love—on her terms. Featuring a playlist of pop anthems, & Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told.
Playwright: David West Read
Director: Luke Sheppard
Cast: Maya Boyd, Hayden Tee, Alison Luff, Drew Gehling, Michael Iván Carrier, Jeannette Bayardelle, Liam Pearce, Nathan Levy
Theatre: Stephen Sondheim Theatre
More Info: https://andjulietbroadway.com/
The Black Wolfe Tone (Off Broadway)
The Black Wolfe Tone is a thrilling new play about identity, rebellion, and coming of age while growing up mixed race in Ireland. As a young man confronts his past and inner darkness, the play explores the emotional cost of silence and the need for love, recognition, and healing.
Playwright: Kwaku Fortune
Director: Nicola Murphy Dubey
Cast: Kwaku Fortune
Closes: May 1 – Jun 1
Theatre: Irish Repertory Theatre / W. Scott McLucas Studio Theatre
Opening: May 8, 2025
More Info: https://irishrep.org
Bowl EP (Off Broadway)
Bowl EP follows Kelly K Klarkson and Quentavius da Quitter as they search for the perfect name for their rap group. Amid skating, flirting, and strange encounters—including a demon exorcism—they build a bond that stretches across space and sound. Set in a skate park at the edge of the galaxy, this genre-blurring piece features live skating and original music.
Playwright: Nazareth Hassan
Director: Nazareth Hassan
Cast: Essence Lotus, Oghenero Gbajge, Felicia Curry
Run Date: May 1st, 2025 – June 8th, 2025
Theatre: Vineyard Theatre
More Info: https://www.vineyardtheatre.org
Real Women Have Curves: The Musical
Previews Begin: April 1, 2025 | Opens: April 27, 2025
Theatre: James Earl Jones Theatre
More Info: realwomenhavecurvesbroadway.com
Adapted from Josefina López’s beloved play (and the hit HBO film), this musical centers on Ana García, a young woman balancing big dreams and familial expectations in East L.A.
Directed by: Sergio Trujillo
Music by: Joy Huerta
Starring: Tatianna Córdoba, Justina Machado, Florencia Cuenca, Shelby Acosta, Carla Jimenez, Aline Mayagoitia, Mason Reeves, Jennifer Sánchez, Sandra Valls Quincy Hampton, Zeus Mendoza, Claudia Mulet, Christopher M. Ramirez, Monica Tulia Ramirez, Shadia Fairuz, Elisa Galindez, and Omar Madden.
Hadestown
Hadestown intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites audiences on a haunting and hopeful journey to the underworld and back. With its poetic storytelling and genre-defying music, Hadestown is a bold and inventive retelling of love, loss, and the fight for a better future.
Playwright: Anaïs Mitchell
Director: Rachel Chavkin
Cast: Hailey Kilgore, Carlos Valdes, Merle Dandridge
Theatre: Walter Kerr Theatre
More Info: hadestown.com
Lights Out: Nat King Cole (Off Broadway)
Despite being one of the most iconic voices in American music history, Nat “King” Cole faced immense obstacles as the first Black man to host a nationally broadcast television show. Lights Out: Nat “King” Cole unfolds on the night of his final broadcast, where he wrestles with his legacy, personified by his alter ego and best friend Sammy Davis Jr. This electrifying play with music explores the price of fame, the sting of racism, and the artist’s search for agency and authenticity.
Playwrights: Colman Domingo and Patricia McGregor
Director: Patricia McGregor
Cast: Dulé Hill, Daniel J. Watts, Krystal Joy Brown, Kathy Fitzgerald, Christopher Ryan Grant, Ruby Lewis, Elliott Mattox, Kenita Miller, Mekhi Richardson, Walter Russell III
Run: Apr 23 – Jun 22
Theatre: New York Theatre Workshop
More Info: https://www.nytw.org
GODDESS (Off Broadway)
At Moto Moto, a sultry Afro-jazz club in Mombasa, Kenya, a mysterious singer casts a spell over everyone in the room—including a young man newly returned from America, caught between destiny and duty. As political pressure and family expectations rise, Goddess pulses with original music and vibrant storytelling, exploring what happens when personal desire challenges cultural tradition.
Book: Jocelyn Bioh
Music and Lyrics: Michael Thurber
Director: Saheem Ali
Cast: Nick Rashad Burroughs, Melessie Clark, Amber Iman, Arica Jackson, J Paul Nicholas, Teshomech Olenja, Destinee Rea, Awa Sal Secka, Austin Scott, and Reggie White. Isio-Maya Nuwere, Quiantae Thomas, and Wade Watson perform in the ensemble.
Run Date: Apr 29 – Jun 1
Theatre: The Public Theater / Newman Theater
Opening: May 20, 2025
More Info: https://publictheater.org
DUKE & ROYA (Off Broadway)
In war-torn Kabul, an unlikely love story unfolds between Duke, an international hip-hop artist, and Roya, a bold Afghan interpreter. As their connection deepens, they must navigate cultural boundaries, danger, and the sacrifices required to be together. Duke & Roya is a sweeping and timely tale about the power of love in the face of conflict and difference.
Playwright: Charles Randolph-Wright
Director: Warren Adams
Cast: Jay Ellis, Stephanie Nur, Noma Dumezweni, Dariush Kashani
Theatre: Lucille Lortel Theatre
Opening: June 24, 2025
More Info: https://www.lortel.org
TWELFTH NIGHT (Off Broadway)
Shipwrecked and separated, twins Viola and Sebastian find themselves at the center of romantic entanglements, mistaken identities, and mischievous plots. Twelfth Night, one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, returns to Central Park in a vibrant new production directed by Saheem Ali.
Playwright: William Shakespeare
Director: Saheem Ali
Cast: Bill Camp, Khris Davis, Lupita Nyong’o, Sandra Oh, Moses Sumney, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Peter Dinklage, Jesse Tyler Ferguson, Junior Nyong’o and b
Run Date: Aug 7 – Sep 14
Theatre: Delacorte Theater
Opening: August 21, 2025
More Info: https://publictheater.org
Good Night, and Good Luck
George Clooney makes his Broadway debut in this stage adaptation of the film. Good Night, and Good Luck chronicles a time in American history when truth and journalistic integrity stood up to fearmongering and disinformation—and won. As McCarthyism casts a shadow over America, Edward R. Murrow and his news team choose to confront the growing tide of paranoia and propaganda, even if it means turning the federal government and a worried nation against them.
Playwright: George Clooney, Grant Heslov
Director: David Cromer
Cast: George Clooney, Mac Brandt, Will Dagger, Christopher Denham, Georgia Heers, R. Ward Duffy, Glenn Fleshler, Joe Forbrich, Ilana Glazer, Clark Gregg, Paul Gross, Carter Hudson, Fran Kranz, Jennifer Morris, Michael Nathanson, Andrew Polk, Imani Rouselle, Greg Stuher, JD Taylor, Sophia Tzougros, Aaron Roman Weiner
Closing: Jun 8, 2025
More Info: https://goodnightgoodluckbroadway.com/
Stranger Things: The First Shadow
Set in 1959 Hawkins, Indiana, Stranger Things: The First Shadow explores the origins of the Stranger Things universe. The story follows young Jim Hopper, whose car won’t start; Bob Newby, whose sister dismisses his radio show; and Joyce Maldonado, eager to graduate and leave town. The arrival of new student Henry Creel and his family seeking a fresh start unveils that escaping the past isn’t easy, as lurking shadows have a long reach.
Playwright: Kate Trefry
Director: Stephen Daldry
Cast: Louis McCartney as Henry Creel, Burke Swanson as Jim Hopper Jr., Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado, Juan Carlos as Bob Newby, T.R. Knight as Victor Creel, Rosie Benton as Virginia Creel, Alex Breaux as Dr. Brenner, Gabrielle Nevaeh as Patty Newby, Andrew Hovelson as Principal Newby, among others.
In previews; Opens Apr 22
Theatre: Marquis Theatre, New York City
More Info: https://broadway.strangerthingsonstage.com/