NEW YORK — From “Sesame Street” and Grammy winner Melissa Etheridge to a daring take on Emily Bronte’s literary classic and a “Schindler’s List” star premiering this fall, off-Broadway has something for just about everyone. There’s even a Tony winner and a Pulitzer Prize star in the mix.
With modest ticket prices and intimate settings, off-Broadway offerings include a treasure trove of limited-run productions. Below are some of the shows to go to:
“Sesame Street: The Musical”: All of New York can find out how to get to “Sesame Street” now that the seminal children’s television series has been adapted into a musical. Beloved characters Elmo, Cookie Monster, and Bert and Ernie will hit the stage in their very own musical. Directed and produced by Jonathan Rockefeller, the production will feature classic “Sesame Street” songs alongside new numbers. Special guest stars from Broadway will join in on the fun, too. Currently running. Performances scheduled through Nov. 27 at Theater Row (410 W. 42nd St.)
“american (tele)visions”: The world premiere of Victor I. Cazares’ memory play takes place in the 1990s and centers on a undocumented Mexican family stuck in a bizarre multiverse of televisions and Walmart aisles. The multimedia production, directed by Ruben Polendo, features a cast that includes Clew, Ryan J. Haddad, Raul Castillo, Elia Monte-Brown and Bianca “b” Norwood. Currently running. Performances scheduled through Oct. 16 at New York Theatre Workshop (79 E. Fourth St.)
“HYPROV”: “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” improv comedy star Colin Mochrie and hypnotist Asad Mecci are featured in this 100-minute mash-up of their unique art forms. Co-created by Jeff Andrews and directed by Stan Zimmerman, Mecci welcomes 20 volunteers on stage to be hypnotized. A handful of the most receptive to hypnosis then join Mochrie to improvise the rest of the show while fully spellbound. Currently running. Performances scheduled through Oct. 30 at Daryl Roth Theatre (101 E. 15th St. at Union Square East).
“Everything’s Fine”: Tony, Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner John Lithgow returns to the director’s chair after four decades for the one-man show from Academy Award nominee Douglas McGrath. The autobiographical play recounts the actor, writer and director’s life, starting at the age of 14 in Midland, Texas, and detailing his memories for what Lithgow described as “a high-wire act of a play that alternately delights and blindsides you with emotion.” Performances begin Sept. 28 at DR2 Theatre (103 East 15th St.)
“Where the Mountain Meets the Sea”: “Fat Ham” scene-stealer Billy Eugene Jones joins Chris Myers in the father-son story about a Haitian immigrant traveling from Miami to California on a road trip, and whose son makes the same journey in reverse years later. Written by AUDELCO Award nominee Jeff Augustin and directed by Princess Grace Award winner Joshua Kahan Brody, the production will feature music by indie folk duo The Bengsons. Performances begin Oct. 11 at New York City Center — Stage I (131 W. 55th St)
“Melissa Etheridge Off Broadway: My Window — A Journey Through Life”: The rock icon will share tales of her childhood in Kansas, groundbreaking career and music in this one-woman-show directed by Amy Tinkham. Former Live Nation chief Michael Cohl is producing the show, which will include additional material by the singer’s wife, Linda Wallem-Etheridge. Music from the 61-year-old breast cancer survivor’s massive catalog will feature. Performances for the three-week engagement begin Oct. 13 at New World Stages (340 W. 50th St.)
“You Will Get Sick”: Tony winner Linda Lavin returns to the New York theater stage in this Noah Diaz-written play about a young man shocked to receive a life-changing diagnosis and hires an older woman to break the news to his family and friends. “New Amsterdam” actress Marinda Anderson, Nate Miller, Dario Ladani Sanchez and Daniel K. Isaac (of “Billions” fame) join the Emmy-nominated “Alice” star in this piercing new work directed by Tony Award nominee Sam Pinkleton. Performances for the limited engagement begins Oct. 14 at the Laura Pels Theatre (111 W. 46th Street).
“Wuthering Heights”: Emma Rice’s acclaimed adaptation of Emily Bronte's masterpiece arrives in America after wowing audiences across Europe. Lucy McCormick and Liam Tamnet star in the revenge tragedy involving two doomed lovers from different worlds and the chain of events that take place when they are forced apart. The acclaimed British theatermaker uses music by Ian Ross and dance by Etta Murfitt to bring a new life to the beloved 19th-century novel. Performances begin Oct. 14 at St. Ann’s Warehouse (45 Water St. in Brooklyn).
“My Broken Language”: Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes adapted her 2021 memoir into this world premiere production, blending monologue, literary reading, live music and movement. Front and center are the acclaimed author’s recollections of life growing up en El Barrio in North Philly during the 90s, in a Puerto Rican family held together by women. The “In The Heights” bookwriter navigates the communities. Performances begin Oct. 18 at The Romulus Linney Courtyard Theatre at The Pershing Square Signature Center (480 W. 42nd St.)
“Good Enemy”: The world premiere of a new play by Yilong Liu, directed by Obie Award winner Chay Yew and featuring Obie Award winner Francis Jue revolves around a father’s cross-country trip to visit his college-age, social media-obsessed daughter. He is then forced to confront the realities of their relationship and face memories of his life as a young man in China. Performances for the five-week run begins Oct. 25 at Audible Theater at the Minetta Lane Theatre (18 Minetta Lane, between MacDougal & Sixth aves.)
“Straight Line Crazy”: Two-time Academy Award nominee Ralph Fiennes stars in the U.S. world premiere of the play delving into the checkered legacy of New York state power broker Robert Moses. For four decades, the urban planner and public official is credited with envisioning major public projects that determine how people experience New York. Written by David Hare and directed by Nicholas Hytner and Jamie Armitage, the production will also star David Bromley, Alana Maria and Helen Schlesinger. Performances for the nine-week engagement begins Oct. 18 at The Shed’s Griffin Theater (545 W. 30th St.)
“Fiddler on the Roof in Yiddish”: One of the world’s most beloved musicals is returning to its rightful roots with a revered Broadway luminary steering the production. Tony and Academy Award-winning “Cabaret” star Joel Grey directs the acclaimed production presented in Yiddish with English and Russian supertitles. Steven Skybell recreates his award-winning performance as Tevye, a milkman navigating family, faith and changing traditions in the fictitious Russian village of Anatevka, circa 1905. Performances for the seven-week engagement begin Nov. 13 at New World Stages (340 W. 50th St.)
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