From Paranormal Activity to Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York), here are our critic’s picks of the best shows currently on the New York stage. Click the title show link to read our full review.
THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
New World Stages, Off Broadway
‘Spelling Bee’ is the perfect antidote to these dreary anxiety-ridden times, and it’s worth settling down for a long, laughter-induced spell. ★★★★★
Running time: 1 hour, 45 minutes (with no intermission)
Tickets on sale through October 11 for $58 to $194
AMAZE
New World Stages, Off Broadway
‘Amaze’ is as well-constructed as any autobiographical one-man show you’re likely to see on an Off Broadway stage, and Allan definitely knows how to manipulate a big reveal. ★★★★☆
Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes (with 1 intermission)
Tickets on sale through Jan. 31 for $59 to $265
THE BLACK MIRROR EXPERIENCE™
The Shed, Off Broadway
Strap on a VR headset and physically enter the world of ‘Black Mirror’ in this technically impressive and diverting lark that combines elements of dystopian video game, escape room, and interactive theme park ride. The immersive update of Arthur Schnitzler’s ‘La Ronde’ presents a kind of cobblestone-sidewalk disco ballet with an athletic cast of young dancers and one of the most enchanting backdrops imaginable.
Running time; 1 hour, 5 minutes
Tickets on sale through Sept. 6 for $62 to $74 ($56 to $66 for group tickets of 4-6 people)
THE CIRCUIT
New York Theatre Company at Dumbo’s Superfine, Brooklyn
The immersive update of Arthur Schnitzler’s ‘La Ronde’ presents a kind of cobblestone-sidewalk disco ballet with an athletic cast of young dancers and one of the most enchanting backdrops imaginable. ★★★★☆
Running time: 75 minutes (no intermission)
Tickets on sale through Sept. 7 for $65 to $75
JUST IN TIME
Circle in the Square, Broadway
‘Just in Time’ feels rejuvenated by Jeremy Jordan, who seems tailor-made to play Bobby Darin, a legend with a golden voice, a hard-charging style, and charm to spare. ★★★★☆
Running time: 2 hours, 25 minutes (with 1 intermission)
Tickets on sale through Feb. 7 for $69 to $599
THE LOST BOYS
Palace Theatre, Broadway
‘The Lost Boys’ may be the most spectacular surprise of the Broadway season — a technically astounding show that actually improves on its source material with more fleshed-out characters, a more coherent plot, and a hook-filled rock score that deepens our connection to both the players and their plight. ★★★★☆
Running time: 2 hours, 40 minutes (with one intermission)
Tickets on sale through March 7 for $55 to $270
MASQUERADE
218 West 57th St., Off Broadway
While ‘Masquerade’ offers a memorable adventure in the milieu of ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ it’s harder to be moved by Christine’s story when you’re the one doing most of the moving. ★★★★☆
Running time: 2 hours, 20 minutes (with no intermission)
Tickets on sale through Jan. 31 for $175 to $395
PARANORMAL ACTIVITY
August Wilson Theatre, Broadway
In its clever storytelling and ingenious stagecraft, the show re-creates the communal feeling of being in a crowded movie theater, with the added benefit of having both a live audience as well as performers who feed off all that pumped-up nervous energy. ★★★★☆
Running time: 2 hours, 10 minutes (with one intermission)
Tickets on sale through January 3 for $63 to $363
SCHMIGADOON!
Nederlander Theatre, Broadway
Cinco Paul’s score toes a delicate but delectable line between parody and pastiche, while director-choreographer’s Christopher Gattelli’s high-stepping production numbers match the eclectic score with a wide range of callbacks to classic Broadway moves. ★★★★☆
Running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (with one intermission)
Tickets on sale through January 3 for $69 to $349
TITANÍQUE
St. James Theatre, Broadway
Titaníque, complete with that Frenchified accent to emphasize the final syllable, is one of the funniest musical comedies in years. It cruises into dock amid ocean-high waves of laughter. ★★★★☆
Running time: 1 hour, 50 minutes (with no intermission)
Tickets on sale through Sept. 20 for $59 to $250
TWO STRANGERS (CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK)
Longacre Theatre, Broadway
Every now and then, an enchanting new musical classic comes along out of nowhere, with pop-tinged bops that are as catchy as Velcro. ‘Two Strangers’ may not follow the template of a traditional love story, but it’s a crush note to New York City and one of the best new musicals of the year. ★★★★★
Running time: 2 hours, 5 minutes (with one intermission)
Tickets on sale through Nov. 22 for $59 to $399