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New York has its own star-spangled traditions during the holiday season. And from Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, which features Broadway floats to the New Year's ball-drop in Times Square, theater is an essential element.
Even better, Times Square theaters keep their doors open despite the lower attendance. So it's a great opportunity to score discounted seats to big show! If you're in the mood, “Hamlet” with Jude Law even plays on Turkey Thursday, most likely to a half-full house. You can check over the bargains at Broadway Offers and NYTix, register for discounts at Playbill Online or send your out-of-town guests to the TKTS line.
Of course, even the chorus girls and stagehands need a day off. So be sure to check your ticket for the curtain-time, since most shows are on holiday schedules. Better yet, glance at our handy list of Broadway showtimes for the week of November 23-29.
The 39 Steps
A comedic parody of a Hitchcock film, “The 39 Steps” features four actors portraying 150 characters. When beautiful spy dies in the arms of frisky Londoner, he goes on the run to clear his name. With oodles of slapstick comedy, clever quick-changes and silly twists, this is solid family fun. (Tue: 7 p.m.; Wed: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
After Miss Julie
Sienna Miller trades her skintight “GI Joe” battle armor for psychological repression in this adaptation of the original battle-of-the-sexes psychodrama by August Strindberg. A true star vehicle (there are only two other actors), Miller will try to prove she's more than a sex symbol. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tue: 8 pm; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Billy Elliot
Uplifting and electrifying, "Billy Elliot" strikes an emotional balance between a young working-class boy's dreams of ballet and his father's hardscrabble life as a miner. Based on Stephen Daldry's award-winning 2000 film, the big artistic draw is Elton John's music, but audiences rave over Daldry's adaptation and mesmerizing dance. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tue: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Burn the Floor
An old-school dance extravaganza starring Karina Smirnoff and Maksim Chmerkovskiy of “Dancing with the Stars.” Backed by a cast of 18 hoofers, the duo showcase ballroom dance from around the globe, with a special focus on Latin dances like the tango, the samba and the mambo. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p..m and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun 3 p.m.)
Bye Bye Birdie
“Birdie” tops our list of musicals we never thought would visit B'way again. Square and dated when it premiered, this prod might have enough cheesy irony to entertain audiences fifty years later. It's 1960, and an impresario (John Stamos) has cooked up a big send-off for his pop idol, Elvis stand-in Conrad Birdie. (Tues: 8 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; ;Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.)
Chicago
The long-running source for that great 2002 movie shows no signs of fatigue. A fame-hungry chorus girl goes on trial for murder, but makes the system work for her by parlaying the media circus into fortune and fame. Set in 1927, the show's themes are still relevant in our reality-show era. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tues: 8 p.m.; Wed: no show; Fri: 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 7 p.m.)
Fela!
This musical thrilled audiences Off-Broadway last season, and it's not hard to see why. Fela Kuti was a guru of Afrobeat, a 1970s fusion of jazz, funk, chant, and polyrhythm—but he was also an outspoken supporter of African rights, social justice, and economic equality. The combo of music and politics is an explosive combo. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Finian's Rainbow
We're a little surprised to see this kid-friendly musical from Broadway's Golden Age make its return after a 40-year absence. Maybe we've sold it short: it's got tunes by Yip Harburg ("The Wizard of Oz"), a whimsical love affair, a leprechaun, an observation or two about bigotry and even a credit crisis. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
God of Carnage
Here's a cast to get your blood pumping: Jeff Daniels (“The Squid and the Whale”) and Hope Davis (“American Splendor”) visit James Gandolfini (“The Sopranos”) and Marcia Gay Harden (“Pollack”) to discuss a playground fight between their kids. If anyone can liven up a script by Yasmina Reza (“Art”), it's these four. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Hair
This ode to the hippie counterculture and free-love movement is—at its core—a commentary on the effects of war on young America. The musical spawned a number of recognizable songs, several becoming anthems during the peace movement (“Aquarius,” “Let the Sunshine In,” “Good Morning Starshine”). It's still a blast. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Hamlet
This autumn, the hot ticket is Jude Law as Hamlet (but not who we're most excited to see; for that, skip to the last paragraph!). Law is no theater rookie: he earned a Tony nom in '95 (at age 23), and has dabbled occasionally in stagework since then. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; Thu: 7:30 p.m.; Fri: 7:30 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
In the Heights
The award-winning hit about immigrant dreamers in Washington Heights brings its salsa- and hip-hop-flavored score to Broadway. It's one of the most vibrant and thrilling shows to appear in Times Square this decade. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
In the Next Room
Sarah Ruhl is the darling of modern theater, a rare playwright whose so popular (with the in-crowd, at least) that she can write a play that opens straight on Broadway, with no tryout elsewhere. “In the Next Room” is a period piece about the invention of the titular instrument—used in the 19th century to “relieve hysterical women” of their tension. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Jersey Boys
Not only is this musical critically-acclaimed and Tony Award-winning, it's more fun than you'd ever expect! It tells the story of a gang of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the Hudson who became one of the most successful pop acts in music history. Features hits like "Big Girls Don't Cry" and "Oh, What a Night." (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
The Lion King
You remember the Disney movie: the story of Simba, a lion cub who learns his place in the circle of life. Well, take your kids to this visually stunning show, they'll love the and inventive costumes and artistic marionettes. Elton John and Tim Rice's score is augmented with traditional African tunes. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 pm and 8 pm; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Mamma Mia!
My my, how can you resist it? Get the gals together to see the jukebox musical that's as much fun as a bachelorette party! A young woman, raised solely by her mother, invites three men who might be her father to visit a Greek island. Hilarity—and a collection of Abba's greatest hits—ensue. (Tues: 8 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.)
Mary Poppins
A Broadway adaptation of the 1964 Disney classic tale of frazzled parents who hire a nanny with an uncanny ability with children. This spectacular show was desiged by Brits, so it's got an air of autheticity that draws in parents as well as children. It also features several of the movie's original songs. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Memphis
This musical about the birth of rock'n'roll is an unknown quantity. It's got no stars to speak of, and its subject that makes squares jumpy (blacks and whites in love). But the music's by Bon Jovi's guitarist, David Bryan, and the the cast looks pretty good. And who hates 1950s rock? (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Next to Normal
For our money, the best musical on Broadway today. Despite its use of rock music, this show's themes sound more like Sondheim – an ordinary group of folks, here a suburban family – while Alice Ripley's turn as a bipolar mother earned a Tony. It's strong stuff (not for kids and Olive Garden tourists) and well worth your time. (Mon: 7 p.m.; Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Oleanna
The young Julia Stiles stars in a male/female death-struggle, the modern classic “Oleanna” by David Mamet. Set on a college campus, this two-hander treks into the minefield of sexual harassment with a truly ambiguous opening scene (FYI, it's a terrible date play). Stiles' scene partner is Bill Pullman, who's come a long way since “Spaceballs." (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Thu: 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
The Phantom of the Opera
Winner of seven Tony Awards and based on Gaston Leroux's novel about young soprano Christine and the lonely masked figure haunting the Paris Opera House, "The Phantom of the Opera" is the longest running Broadway show to date and one of the most popular musicals of all time. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 8 p.m.; Thu: 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
Ragtime
A surprise upset in '98 had "Ragtime" lose the Best Musical Tony to "Lion King". Adapted from EL Doctorow's masterful novel, the musical shows the tumult of NYC in the first decade of the 20th century: historical figures rub shoulders with representatives from the Yiddish, black, and WASP neighborhoods. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Rock of Ages
For once, a jukebox musical with songs you'd actually find on a jukebox: Journey, Bon Jovi, Styx, Foreigner, Poison, Night Ranger and Pat Benetar. With that much spandex and hairspray, "Rock of Ages" contends with "Mamma Mia!" for camp value. The lovingly hackneyed plot, set in 1987 Los Anegeles, involves a young rocker hungry for a big break and a small town girl chasing her dreams. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.)
Shrek, the Musical
Exactly what it sounds like: a big-time adaptation of the animated movie. Why not revive “Into the Woods,” Broadway's original fractured fairy tale? (Presumably because Sondheim didn't include enough fart jokes.) It's a safe bet for keeping the kids entertained, but the great cast seems wasted in this cash-grab concept. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
South Pacific
Lincoln Center Theater presents the iconic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical, which is returning to the New York theater in its first-ever Broadway revival. The musical, which concerns the lives of U.S. military men, nurses and the residents of the Polynesian island they occupy during World War II, is directed by Bartlett Sher and features a dazzling 30-person orchestra and 40-person cast. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
A Steady Rain
Hugh Jackman and Daniel Craig might be the most rugged men in film. So you'd expect them to co-star in a cop drama set on Chicago's dirty streets. Just not on Broadway. But don't fall into the trap of type-casting: their chemistry is right, and “A Steady Rain” is something special: a pair of Hollywood stars who are good actors as well. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Superior Donuts
Tracy Letts and Steppenwolf return to Broadway after their smash “August: Osage County” with a very different show. “Superior Donuts” stars Michael McKean (“Spinal Tap”) in a small drama about a Chicago donut shopkeeper and the power of redemption. Sounds cheesy, but it's actually a smart, tough drama. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tues: 8 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
West Side Story
The landmark musical returns to Broadway. Do I need to tell you what it's about? (“Romeo and Juliet” in the barrio.) Or how beautiful the music is? (Very.) Or how cute the stars look? (As puppies.) No, I'll just mention that “America!” sounds even better in Spanish. That's the only update for the 21st century – why mess with what works? (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Thu: 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.)
White Christmas
Walter Bobbie's splashy holiday musical cruises into town just in time for the holidays. Based on the uplifting, feather-light film that starred Bing Crosby, "White Christmas" features a show full of Irving Berlin tunes and more all-ages holiday spirit than you ever thought possible. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Thu: 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.)
Wicked
A musical juggernaut that's up there with “Twilight” as essential tween viewing. It's a kind of prequel to “The Wizard of Oz,” focusing on the friendship between the Witch of the West and the Witch of the North, who aren't nearly as “Wicked” or “Good” as their encounters with Dorothy would suggest. (Tues: 7 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 3 p.m.)
Wishful Drinking
Princess Leia herself, Carrie Fisher, rides to our rescue with her one-woman autobio. Fisher offers anecdotes from her early years, when she partied with John Belushi during “The Blues Brothers” and snorted coke in her famous gold bikini on the set of “Return of the Jedi.” And fittingly, the show's at Studio 54. (Mon: 8 p.m.; Tues: 8 p.m.; Wed: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Fri: 8 p.m.; Sat: 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun: 2 p.m.)
