10 LGBTQ+ shows to see in New York this holigay season
There are plenty of queer entertainment options for those visiting New York this holigay season.
Mark
From the giant tree in Rockefeller Center, to the Radio City Rockettes and a snow-covered Central Park, there’s nowhere in the world quite like New York City in the wintertime.
That said, the Big Apple is more than just the tourist traps and string lights in Hell’s Kitchen; it’s a destination for LGBTQ+ people looking to see themselves and their stories in the art, culture, and on stage.
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The annual fundraiser transformed Oz into a vibrant, queer, and nearly nekkid night of celebration.
And thankfully, for those planning a visit this holigay season, there are more queer entertainment options than ever before on the Great White Way and beyond.
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Below, we break down 10 can’t-miss LGBTQ+-friendly shows in New York this winter.
1. Oh, Mary!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year, you’re probably already familiar with Oh, Mary!, now playing at the Lyceum Theatre. In Cole Escola’s raucous and hilarious play, audiences are treated to a never-before-seen look at the life of Mary Todd Lincoln, a former cabaret darling resigned to a boring existence as First Wife to the deeply closeted sixteenth president of the United States.
The two-time Tony Award winner has seen an impressive selection of performers take on the lead role, including Escola, Jinkx Monsoon, and Tituss Burgess. Right now, you can catch Cheyenne Jackson as Mary’s Teacher and 30 Rock actress Jane Krakowski in the titular role until January.
2. Heaux Church
You’ll have to hurry to catch Heaux Church at Ars Nova, which runs until November 21. But trust us, Brandon Kyle Goodman’s spirited and unabashed celebration of self-love, presented by Lena Waithe, is not to be missed. The queer former pastor’s kid summons both the divine and heaux-venly to lead a sermon on the birds, bees, and booty in a show billed as “the sex talk you never got, but always deserved.” Arrive early for a pre-show DJ set from Ari Grooves!
3. Messy White Gays
The girls are gagging over Drew Droege’s buzzy new satire, Messy White Gays, now playing at The Duke on 42nd Street. The uproarious play, which runs through January, is the best show about the worst gay people you know, picking up with a throuple trying to hide a body right before brunch. (We’ve all been there, right? JK.) Plus, it features an all-star cast including Droege, Tony nominee James Cusati-Moyer, Aaron Jackson, Derek Chadwick, and Pete Zias.
4. Death Becomes Her
A flamboyant, big-budget adaptation of the beloved Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn film has taken over the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre. Need we say more? Naturally, the musical version of Death Becomes Her is as fabulous and flamboyant as you’d expect, and this holiday season will likely be your last chance to catch its original cast — including Michelle Williams and Megan Hilty — before they depart in the New Year.
5. The Queen of Versailles
The initial reviews have been mixed for The Queen of Versailles, a new musical that just opened at the St. James Theatre, and follows a wealthy woman on a mission to build the largest single-family home in the United States. But with Wicked legend Kristen Chenoweth in the leading role, can you really go wrong?
6. Art
What is art anyway? Neil Patrick Harris, James Corden, and Bobby Cannavale try to answer the question in this star-studded run of the thought-provoking (and often comical) Tony Award-winning play at the Music Box Theatre, which plays until December 21.
7. Romy & Michele: The Musical
Make it a girls and gays night out with the brand-new Romy and Michele musical, which just opened Off Broadway at Stage 42. Based on the 1997 comedy starring Lisa Kudrow, Mira Sorvino, and Alan Cumming, the show follows two cool Cali besties who launch a plan to reinvent themselves ahead of their 10-year high school reunion.
Thankfully, you have until March to catch this show, featuring Broadway royalty, Laura Bell Bundy and Kara Lindsay, in the eponymous roles.
8. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
The Tony Award-winning musical comedy about a middle school spelling bee is back at New World Stages. The Off-Broadway revival, which opened this month and stars Glee actor Kevin McHale, offers a much-needed humorous reprieve during these turbulent times.
But audience beware — you might just get recruited to participate in the actors’ rigorous spelling bee.
8. Prince F*ggot
What would happen if the Prince of England were gay and showed up at Kensington Palace with his boyfriend, who was — gasp — a commoner and a person of color? This buzz-worthy and controversial production, directed by Jordan Tannahill, is stirring, sensual, and surprisingly inclusive with an extremely talented and entirely LGBTQ+ ensemble cast. Thankfully, its run at Studio Seaview was just extended until December 13.
10. Beetlejuice
Don’t say this show’s name three times, or else. The bright, bombastic, and occasionally spooky musical adaptation of Tim Burton’s 1988 Halloween cult classic makes a seasonal return to Broadway at the Palace Theatre, with shows until January. Of course, the biggest draw for gays is viral celebrity Trisha Paytas, who’s currently playing Maxine Dean.
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