The East Village is second only to the Theater District when it comes to live performance spaces in Manhattan. With theaters that cater to comedy, drama, and everything in between, these East Village venues provide a performing arts fix without the crowds and expense of Broadway.
425 Lafayette St. near Astor Place
The Public Theater (Image: edenpictures/Flickr)
Billed as “an advocate for the theater as an essential cultural force in leading and framing dialogue on important issues of our day,” The Public Theater was conceived nearly 60 years ago, placing it among the nation’s first nonprofit theaters. Known for their long-running Shakespeare in the Park performances, the company also occupies the stunning and historic Astor Library on Lafayette Street. Here, you’ll find an eclectic selection of live performances including plays, music and live readings. Now on stage is “Joan of Arc: Into the Fire,” a scintillating new production about challenging the powerful and believing in the impossible. Written by Oscar, Grammy and Golden Globe winner (and Talking Head) David Byrne, the production explores the rise of Joan of Arc through the lens of a one-of-a-kind rock musical. Performances run through April 16th.
79 E. 4th St. near Second Avenue
Founded in 1979, New York Theatre Workshop promotes performing arts and artists by producing performances in their 199-seat East Village space and by supporting theatre-makers in their workshops. Two New York Theatre Workshop mainstays have collaborated on a two-part theatrical event “Sojourners” and “Her Portmanteau.” In “Sojourners,” a woman in an arranged marriage living in 1970s America struggles with commitment to her husband while weighing the importance of fulfilling her own dreams back in Nigeria. “Her Portmanteau,” depicts Nigerian traditions clashing with the realities of American life, the ties that bind mothers and daughters together, and the definition of a home. Both plays are part of writer Mfoniso Udofia’s far-reaching, nine-part saga, The Ufot Cycle. Runs April 22nd through May 4th.
153 E. 3rd St. near Avenue A
“The Fascinator,” panel quiz show, at UCB East (Image: Benjamin Ragheb/Flickr)
Launched by names that are now well-known on the comedy scene — Amy Poehler, Horatio Sanz and Matt Walsh, to name a few — The Upright Citizens Brigade Theater opened their Chelsea performing space nearly 20 years ago and quickly set the standard for modern improvised comedy. The company’s second New York City space may be smaller, but it’s just as vital to the art, nurturing up-and-coming talent you may very well see on your TVs and cinema screens. Look for always-fresh performances like fan favorites “Hot for Teacher: The UCB Faculty Show,” featuring battle-tested improv vets, and “The Daily Show Staff Standup Show” with quips from the writers of Comedy Central’s massive hit show.
Various East Village locations
La Mama’s First Floor Theatre & Club (Image: Lovro Lumiha/Flickr)
Founded by Ellen Stewart in a basement on East 9th Street in 1961, La MaMa has been nurturing experimental theater and artists in the East Village for more than 50 years. Today the group produces more than 80 performances a year across four downtown venues. March 2nd – 19th, La MaMa First Floor Theatre visitors will see “Maids,” a French production which pits servant against master with “bursts of sound and song.” At La MaMa’s The Club venue from March 3rd – 12th , the multidisciplinary theater performance, “One-in-Themselves,” is described as “immersive theater, choreography, and somatic practices.”
155 First Ave. near 10th Street
Theater for the New City (Image: Wikimedia)
Founded in 1970 as an incubator for innovative theater, the Theater for the New City presents dozens of new performances each year at their First Avenue Johnson Theatre venue. In “The Fare,” on stage March 16th – 26th, a Pakistani cab driver who gives a ride to a Connecticut banker. Soon a fare dispute leads to discussions of identity, class, color, privilege, and prejudice in America. From March 23rd – April 9th, catch “Grand Theft Musical,” a sweeping musical comedy based on Robert Sickinger’s “Platinum Taps.”