Best Comedy Off Broadway Shows

Teeth, with book and music by Anna K. Jacobs, book and lyrics by Michael R. Jackson, choreography by Raja Feather Kelly, and direction by Sarah Benson, plays at Playwrights Horizons. Dawn O’Keefe is an evangelical Christian teen with a powerful secret not even she understands – when men violate her, her body bites back. Literally. From Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winner Michael R. Jackson (A Strange Loop) and Anna K. Jacobs (POP!), Teeth, based on the cult classic film of the same name, is a fierce, rapturous, and savagely entertaining new musical crackling with irrepressible desire and ancient rage – a dark comedy conjuring the legend of one girl whose sexual curse is also her salvation.

Currently running through April 28, 2024.

Oh, Mary!, written by and starring Cole Escola, runs at the Lucille Lortel Theatre. This dark comedy follows a miserable, suffocated Mary Todd Lincoln in the weeks leading up to Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Unrequited yearning, alcoholism and suppressed desires abound in this one act play that finally examines the forgotten life and dreams of Mrs. Lincoln through the lens of an idiot (Cole Escola).

Running through May 12, 2024.

Philadelphia, Here I Come! By Brian Friel is directed by Ciarán O’Reilly and plays at the Irish Repertory Theatre. Set in 1962, this classic bittersweet comedy revolves around the young Gar O’Donnell on the eve of his departure from Ireland to America. Gar’s heartache from losing his girlfriend to a successful businessman propels him to accept an invitation to go and live with an aunt in Philadelphia. Despite the wild fantasies of what life in America might hold, and his yearning to escape the tedium of small town Ballybeg, a kind word from his taciturn father could change his mind.

Currently running through May 5, 2024.

Jordans, written by Ife Olujobi and directed by Whitney White, plays at the Public Theater’s LuEsther Hall. A bitingly funny, wildly imaginative new play by The Public’s Emerging Writers Group alumnus Ife Olujobi, JORDANS is a piercing exploration of assimilation, racial capitalism, success, and survival. At an overwhelmingly white workplace where appearance is everything, a long-suffering receptionist finds herself in personal, professional, and psychic jeopardy when her ruthless boss hires a hip new employee in an effort to improve the company’s image and “culture.” Suddenly, the two young, Black social climbers are forced together and torn apart by their race, ambition, and otherworldly circumstances. JORDANS is a story of identity mistaken, power subverted, and rage unleashed. Don’t miss this bold new play directed by Obie Award winner Whitney White about the true cost of “diversity” in the workplace.

Currently running through May 12, 2024.

Still, written by Lia Romeo and directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, stars Jayne Atkinson and Tim Daly and plays at the DR2 theater near Union Square. What happens when you love someone, but you hate the things they believe? A funny and heart-wrenching story for anyone who’s ever wondered: “what if?” Lost love is revisited, secrets are exposed, and an avocado goes flying in Lia Romeo’s whirlwind New York premiere about getting older and roads not taken.

Currently running through May 18, 2024.

Staff Meal, written by Abe Koogler and directed by Morgan Green, runs at Playwrights Horizons. Outside, the world is breaking apart. But in here, lonely city dwellers gather to find comfort and connection. Abe Koogler’s Staff Meal is a funny, startling new play about a mysterious restaurant, where the food is delicious, the service is warm, and some strange power keeps the darkness at bay. You are safe here – at least until closing time.

Currently running through May 19, 2024.

The Life and Slimes of Marc Summers, written by Alex Brightman with music by Drew Gasaprini and direction from Chad Rabinovitz, plays at New World Stages. Part interactive game show, part memoir, The Life and Slimes of March Summers takes us on one man’s extraordinary journey, both on screen and off. Marc Summers launched Nickelodeon as the host of the world’s most famous children’s game show Double Dare. He went on to become a household name on the small screen, having a 20 year relationship with the Food Network as the host of Unwrapped and executive producer of Dinner: Impossible and Restaurant: Impossible, all while facing immeasurable challenges behind the scenes. On your mark! Get set! Go! to this one-of-a-kind intimate theatrical adventure that will leave you inspired, hopeful and feeling like a kid again.

Starts performances June 2, 2024.

Titanique: Une Parodie Musicale is created by Marla Mindelle, Constantine Rousouli, and Tye Blue, and plays at the Daryl Roth Theatre in Union Square. Revisit the magic of the movie Titanic in this irreverent parody...the story begins when Celine Dion hijacks a Titanic Museum tour and enchants the audience with her totally wild take, recharting the course of Titanic’s beloved moments and characters with her iconic song catalog.

Currently running through June 16, 2024.

Saw the Musical: The Unauthorized Parody, with book, music, and lyrics by Cooper Jordan, plays at the AMT Theater. One of the most thought-provoking horror films of all time now is…a musical. SAW The Musical hilariously captures the events of the first movie parodying the Saw that started it all following from where Lawrence Gordon and Adam Stanheight find each other for the first time in the bathroom trap.  Will they follow "the rules" as they discover each other's secrets? Will they escape the game in time and saw right through?

Currently running through June 23, 2024.

Dungeons & Dragons, the Twenty-Sided Tavern, plays at Stage 42 on 42^nd Street. Come all ye bards, rangers, and clerics and join a 50^th anniversary of the most epic roleplaying game ever! Control the quest as you journey through an ever-changing campaign set in the heart of the Forgotten Realms. Find a new home at the Tavern, where laughter flows like ale and your new best companion is right beside you. Solve puzzles, explore hidden secrets, and conquer in action – this is the adventure you’ve been waiting for! Will your choices help restore the magic of the Forgotten Realms? Or will the world of your story crumble into chaos? Gather your party, roll for initiative, and become a hero.

Currently running through November 10, 2024.

Little Shop of Horrors is once again conquering off-Broadway, filled with blood-stained nostalgia and Tony Award winning talent. This cult classic following plant store clerk Seymour, his co-worker Audrey, and a man-eating plant has been a hit with audiences since it opened in 2019. The Hollywood Reporter said, “this terrific revival will only deepen the devotion for those lucky enough to catch it.” Little Shop of Horrors was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1984 for Best Musical Theater Album, and this revival was nominated for the same award in 2020.

The Office! A Musical Parody has all your favorite characters. Come visit Jim, Pam, Michael, Dwight, and more in this unauthorized parody of the hit TV show. It’s a typical morning at Scranton’s third largest paper company until, for no logical reason, a documentary crew begins filming the lives of the employees of Dunder Mifflin…

The Play That Goes Wrong had hit runs on both the West End and Broadway before moving off-Broadway to New World Stages. Welcome to opening night of The Murder at Haversham Manor where things are quickly going from bad to utterly disastrous. With an unconscious leading lady, a corpse that can’t play dead, and actors who trip over everything (including their lines), The Daily Beast called the Broadway show “tremendously silly, and brilliant…[an] explosion of physical comedy, malapropisms, and knockabout satire.”