Best Off-Broadway Shows Currently Running in NYC

What Is Off-Broadway Theater?

“Off-Broadway” simply means that a theater has a seating capacity of between 100 and 499 seats, and savvy theatergoers know that some of the best shows in town start here…and for way less than the cost of a Broadway ticket. You can see future stars before they ever make their Broadway debuts, you can see seasoned, award-winning actors in a more intimate space, and you can see Pulitzer Prize winners try out new material. Many of the Tony Award winning shows and box office hits you know and love transferred to a Broadway house from an off-Broadway theater. Dear Evan Hansen started at Second Stage Theatre, Hamilton started at the Public Theatre, Avenue Q started at the Vineyard Theatre, Hadestown started at New York Theatre Workshop (which also has the distinction of premiering Jonathan Larson’s musical Rent).

In this article, we’ll give you a rundown of the current off-Broadway performing arts landscape, and then tell you some tips on how to get rush tickets, discount tickets, and special offers.

Currently Running Off-Broadway Musicals:

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald’s celebrated short story, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button follows a man who ages in reverse, experiencing the world in an order that turns the usual rules of life upside down. This folk musical adaptation relocates the tale to a fishing village in Cornwall, England, where love, loss, and the passage of time take on a new poignancy. A distinctive choice for theatergoers who enjoy lyrical storytelling, unusual premises, and moving reflections on what it means to live a lifetime.

Currently running through December 6, 2026.

Is there a discount for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button? $48 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

The Heart

Based on Maylis de Kerangal’s novel Réparer les vivants, The Heart is a moving new musical about the extraordinary connections that can emerge from tragedy. When a young surfer’s life is cut short, a single beating heart offers a second chance to someone else, connecting two families and a medical team during an intensely consequential 24 hours. With music and lyrics by Anne Eisendrath and Ian Eisendrath and a book by Kait Kerrigan, this emotionally charged production explores grief, generosity, and the fragile threads that connect us.

Currently running through December 6, 2026.

Is there a discount for The Heart? $28 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody

Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, with book, music, and lyrics by Dylan Marcaurele and direction from Alan Kliffer is based on the beloved books and tv series of the same name. Come relive the steamiest hockey romance in history as you watch Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s relationship soar to new heights. Time Out New York said it, “should not be nearly as funny as it is…this scrappy show is an unexpected delight.”

Currently running through January 17, 2027.

Is there a discount for Heated Rivalry? $49 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors has been enjoying a sold-out run at the Westside Theatre. This musical won the 2020 Drama League Award, Outer Critics Circle Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Musical Revival, and is delighting new and old fans alike. The show follows Seymour, a meek, nerdy shopkeeper with a crush on his co-worker Audrey, who is dating a sadistic dentist. Add in a ravenous, man-eating plant who helps Seymour change his fortunes, and you’ve got a recipe for a bloody good time. The New Yorker said, “The show succeeds beautifully, and everyone watching it and performing in it seems to be having a blast.”

Is there a discount for Little Shop of Horrors? Try your luck at the digital ticket lottery for a chance to get $45 discount tickets.

Midnight

Midnight, created by Todrick Hall, plays at the Daryl Roth Theatre and follows the intertwining lives of 12 characters (6 black and 6 white) in the 19th-century American South. TheaterMania called it “a dazzling spectacle” with “extraordinary talent.” Hall has written the book, music, and lyrics and is also the director and choreographer.

Currently running through January 3, 2027.

Is there a discount for Midnight? $53 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

Currently Running Off-Broadway Plays:

2:22 A Ghost Story

2:22 A Ghost Story, written by Danny Robins, is a supernatural thriller that keeps audiences guessing until the very end. When Jenny insists that her new home is haunted, her skeptical husband Sam dismisses her fears. But a spirited debate about life after death turns into a chilling challenge: they must stay awake until 2:22 a.m. to discover what’s really happening. Perfect for fans of ghost stories, suspense, and a few well-timed scares.

Currently running through January 17, 2027.

Is there a discount for 2:22 A Ghost Story? $40 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

A Ghost in Your Ear

Forget traditional jump scares: A Ghost in Your Ear brings horror frighteningly close through immersive binaural sound. Created by Jamie Armitage with sound design specialists Ben and Max Ringham, this theatrical thriller invites audience members to wear headphones and experience an enveloping world of whispers, strange noises, and unsettling sounds. By making sound the centerpiece of the experience, the production turns your own imagination into part of the scare. A compelling pick for adventurous audiences and fans of psychological horror.

Currently running through December 12, 2026.

Is there a discount for A Ghost in Your Ear? $43 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

The Holes

From Max Wolf Friedlich, the playwright behind Job, The Holes explores loneliness, masculinity, and the search for identity in a down-and-out bar in upstate New York. Blending naturalism with absurdist and allegorical elements, the play looks beneath the surface of contemporary male alienation, examining the desire for connection in a world that can make genuine intimacy difficult. Expect an intimate, provocative theatrical experience that balances uncomfortable questions with flashes of humor.

Currently running through November 15, 2026.

Is there a discount for The Holes? $48 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

I Became We

What happens when a deeply personal decision becomes a story told by an entire community? I Became We, by Mona Pirnot, follows a woman in her mid-thirties wrestling with one of life’s biggest decisions. Its unusual form places a first-person monologue in the voices of a 16-person choir, pairing contemporary language with the sweeping textures of classical choral music. Formally daring and emotionally intimate, this world-premiere production is a particularly intriguing choice for audiences seeking experimental theatre that pushes beyond conventional plays and musicals.

Currently running through November 15, 2026.

Is there a discount for I Became We? $38 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

King of the Yees

Playwright Lauren Yee turns her own family history into a funny, surreal adventure in King of the Yees. For nearly two decades, her father Larry has been a central figure in San Francisco’s Yee Fung Toy Family Association, a Chinese American community organization that Lauren sees as increasingly out of step with modern life. When Larry disappears, she embarks on a strange journey through Chinatown’s history, family mythology, and her own cultural identity. A playful, heartfelt comedy about generational differences, heritage, and the complicated things we inherit from our parents.

Currently running through November 15, 2026.

Is there a discount for King of the Yees? Signature Theatre has memberships for people working in theater, education, and the public sector, for people under 35, and for students with a valid student ID. Go to the membership page on Signature’s website for more information.

Rope

Patrick Hamilton’s Rope is a chilling thriller about two young men who commit a murder and then host a dinner party with the victim’s body concealed nearby. Their attempt to turn the crime into an intellectual game begins to unravel as guests arrive, conversation takes unexpected turns, and suspicion grows. Best known as the inspiration for Alfred Hitchcock’s film, this tightly wound play explores arrogance, morality, and the dangerous consequences of believing yourself above the rules. A great pick for fans of classic suspense and dark psychological drama.

Currently running through December 6, 2026.

Is there a discount for Rope? $41 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

The Unbelievers

What happens to a family when a child disappears and the mystery remains unsolved for years? In Nick Payne’s The Unbelievers, Miriam and David struggle to rebuild their lives while holding on to hope for their missing teenage son. Their blended family must learn to navigate ordinary routines in a world forever changed by loss. Blending poignant emotion with unexpected humor, this new play examines grief, faith, and the resilience required to keep living when answers never come. A thoughtful choice for audiences who appreciate intimate family dramas and emotionally complex storytelling.

Currently running through November 29, 2026.

Is there a discount for The Unbelievers? $48 rush tickets are available on the TodayTix App!

Drunk Shakespeare

Drunk Shakespeare started in 2014 and follows 5 professional actors who meet as members of "The Drunk Shakespeare Society". One of them has at least 5 shots of whiskey and then they overconfidently attempt to perform a major role in a Shakespearean play. As the sober actors try to keep the drunk one in line and on script, things start to get out of hand. No two shows are alike, and drinks flow throughout – so keep the kids at home for this one, audience members need to be at least 21 to enjoy the antics! The New York Times says, “It offers considerably more fun than many Shakespeare productions, worth experiencing not to watch an actor get drunk, but to watch a cast juggle so many balls so adroitly.”

Is there a discount for Drunk Shakespeare? Click “buy tickets” below to see discounts on TodayTix. And if you’re in a group of 9 or more, use promo code GROUPDEAL when purchasing tickets to get 15% off.

The Play That Goes Wrong

The Play That Goes Wrong runs off-Broadway at New World Stages after its successful Broadway run. It’s the opening night of the play The Murder at Haversham Manor, but this acting troupe is about to see things go from bad to worse. From unconscious actors, dropped lines, and downright dangerous set mishaps, can they even get to the end of the play? Come see what The Daily Beast calls, “A Riotous Explosion of Comedy!”

Is there a discount for The Play That Goes Wrong? $35 lottery tickets are available on Rush.Telecharge.

What Are the Longest-Running Off-Broadway Shows?

Perfect Crime

Perfect Crime premiered in 1987 and is the longest running play in Broadway and Off-Broadway history. Perfect Crime is a funny and romantic thriller about a psychiatrist who may have killed her husband…until he suddenly turns up alive. This play follows the psychiatrist and the detective who tries to solve the case, and the many twists and turns will have you guessing until the very end.

Is there a discount for Perfect Crime? Perfect Crime has student rush discount tickets available on each day of the performance on a first-come, first served basis at the box office.

For Something Different:

Masquerade

Masquerade is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after tickets in town! Dress in black, white, or silver, and arrive with your own mask (or receive a complimentary one from the theater) as you step into the world of The Phantom of the Opera. Wander the grand opera house as Christine falls under the spell of the mysterious Angel of Music while rekindling her bond with childhood friend Raoul. From the glittering elegance of a masquerade ball to the shadowy depths of the Phantom’s underground lair, you’ll be swept away by the drama, romance, and the unforgettable melodies of Andrew Lloyd Webber.

Gazillion Bubble Show

Gazillion Bubble Show has run since 2007 and is a roughly 1-hour long show filled with magic, spectacular laser and lighting effects, and yes, literally gazillions of bubbles. What’s not to like? Great for kids, children under 2 can sit in a parent or guardian’s lap for a reduced price, and they even have birthday party packages available.

Speakeasy Magick

Speakeasy Magick runs at The Overlook Bar, is hosted by Todd Robbins and features a night of close up magic and prestidigitation. This show features a rotation of New York’s best magicians. BroadwayWorld called it, "one of the most original and entertaining nights out in the city."

Steve Cohen Chamber Magic

Chamber Magic: Steve Cohen’s dazzling live show, performed weekly in an elegant salon in the Lotte New York Palace hotel, features conjuring, mind-reading, sleight of hand, and an astonishing trick called Think-A-Drink. A celebrity favorite, Cohen baffles guests with magic up close as he recreates parlor entertainment that characterized Manhattan in the early 20th century. BroadwayWorld said, “find out what over a half million people have already discovered…Cohen performs card tricks you won't see anywhere else. He has mastered the art of the classic sleight of hand, mind reading, and conjuring parlor entertainment.”

Off-Broadway Discounts

Off-Broadway Week is an annual program that will be back soon and offers 2 for 1 tickets. Whether it’s musical theatre, plays, or something more experimental in the performing arts, many popular shows take part. Check back soon for a full list of participating shows.

If you live in or near New York and see shows often, look at getting a TDF Membership, which offers many exclusive off-Broadway ticket discounts and offers throughout the year. Many people are eligible, including students, seniors, freelancers, government workers, veterans and more. And you can always head to the theatre district to buy tickets at the TDF-run TKTS Booth in Times Square, located beneath the big red steps. It offers same-day discounts for Broadway theatre and off Broadway shows.

Most off-Broadway theaters have student discounts or young person discounts. Check out Lincoln Center’s LincTix, Roundabout’s Hiptix, Manhattan Theatre Club’s 30under35, Atlantic Theater’s $20 student rush tickets, Playwrights Horizons’ Young Membership and Student Membership, MCC Theater’s $25 student rush tickets, $30 student tickets at the Public Theater (only available in person at the box office), and Second Stage’s 30under30. We include this and more in our article on how to get discount tickets at off-Broadway theaters.

Access to the Best Broadway Musicals

Want to see a Broadway show? Check out our article on Top Broadway Shows for latest news on shows like The Lion King, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Moulin Rouge, and a ton of other shows playing on the Great White Way!