Though Broadway theatres will skip their evening performances on the night of the 31st, there is still the chance to catch a matinee show for the following:
The Book of Mormon; 2 PM at the Eugene O鈥橬eill Theatre, 230 W. 49th St.
A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder2 PM at the Walter Kerr Theatre, 219 W. 48th St.
It's Only A Play2 PM at the Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W. 45th St.
Matilda the Musical; 2 PM at the Shubert Theatre, 225 W. 44th St.
Radio City Christmas Spectacular; 12 PM and 2:30 PM at Radio City Music Hall, 1260 Avenue of the Americas
Aladdin; 1 PM at the New Amsterdam Theatre, 214 W. 42nd St.
In addition, you can ring in the New Year on Broadway. Several shows are offering specially-added matinees Jan. 1, 2015.
If Off-Broadway is more your fare, continue reading for our selection of shows with evening performances on NYE.
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Feel like sticking around after the show on New Year's Eve? There's plenty to see and do in the theatre district.
Times Square New Year鈥檚 Eve Ball Drop
Join the millions of tourists from around the country and the world who pack into Times Square to watch the Waterford Crystal Times Square New Year鈥檚 Eve Ball Drop. Be prepared to arrive very early in the day to secure a spot.
Important info about getting there: The New York Police Department will begin closing down access to Times Square starting at 43rd St. and Broadway and moving north as revelers arrive, from approximately 3 PM. Visitors are advised to enter from Sixth or Eighth Ave and to catch public transport. For more info on access and spending New Year鈥檚 Eve in Times Square, .
If Times Square is proving too chaotic, why not wonder up to Central Park and catch the New Year鈥檚 Eve Fireworks. Launched at midnight, they can be seen from virtually any spot in Central Park. Sit back, relax and enjoy the free show.
Continue reading for further festive suggestions.
If you don鈥檛 feel like being caught in the hustle and bustle of Times Square, there are plenty of fun and fabulous options for theatregoers to do around town. Below are some of our favorites: 54 Below Celebrates New Year鈥檚 Eve
Broadway鈥檚 Supper club will ring in the New Year with two shows, each featuring one of Broadway鈥檚 beloved talents: the legendary and Tony winner and all-round star . Acclaimed actor and Tony-nominated playwright Busch will kick off the evening at 7 PM with a special show filled with hilarious personal stories, classic songs, music and his signature glamour. Teaming with critically acclaimed composer and music director Todd Almond, Benanti will take to the stage at 11 PM with a brand new show featuring new songs and lots of laughs. If her previous multi-award-winning solo show is anything to go by, this is sure to be a very happy new year for everybody at 54 Below. (54 Below, 254 West 54th St, Cellar, New York. For more info and to buy tickets, .)
Joe鈥檚 Pub
Celebrate the New Year by basking in the talents of at Joe鈥檚 Pub. Her new live show, Sandra Bernhard is #blessed presents her own hilarious and unique blend of stand-up comedy with rock-n-roll, cabaret and a little burlesque. Bernhard鈥檚 show promises to deliver plenty of laughs and fun for you to begin your 2015. The festivities don鈥檛 end there, you鈥檒l be sure to want to stick around for NYC nightlife legend, comedian and renowned entertainer Murray Hill and his New Year鈥檚 Eve Late Show, commencing at 1 AM. (Joe鈥檚 Pub, 425 Lafayette Street, Astor Place. For more info, .)
Metropolitan Room
Clink your champagne in 2015 with Marilyn Maye at The Biggest Party Ever at the Metropolitan Room, New York鈥檚 premiere cabaret venue. Let Maye captivate and enthrall you with her theatrical flair, warmth and jazz-spiced chops, hitting those high notes like no other. (34 W. 22nd St. For more info and to buy tickets, .)
Ring In The Swing: A New Year鈥檚 Eve Dance Party
invites you to their third annual New Year鈥檚 Eve Dance Party, where guests will enjoy live music from internationally renowned jazz artists like Lavay Smith and Her Red Hot Skillet Lickers, and Michael Mwenso and the Late Night Session Big Band. Hosted in the majestic Appel Room with views of Central Park, it will be a night of swing, style and fun. (Jazz at Lincoln Center, Columbus Circle, New York. For more info and to buy tickets, )
The Merry Widow at The Metropolitan Opera
Directed by (The Producers, Bullets Over Broadway), The Merry Widow stars Renee Fleming as a beguiling femme fatale alongside Kelli O鈥橦ara and Nathan Gunn in Franz Leh谩r's operetta about a rich woman and her countrymen's attempt to keep her money in the principality by finding her the right husband. Stroman and her talented design team have created an art-nouveau setting that climaxes with singing and dancing at the legendary Maxim鈥檚 in Paris. (The Metropolitan Opera, Lincoln Center, New York. For more info and to buy tickets, .)
New Year鈥檚 Eve Gala at the Edison Ballroom
An iconic Broadway landmark, the Edison Ballroom will host legendary big band leader, Joe Battaglia and the New York Big Band. Joe鈥檚 16-piece orchestra has traveled the world performing with show business legends like , and . A delicious four-course meal, drinks and dancing are to be expected at this black-tie event. (Edison Ballroom, 240 West 47 St, Btw Broadway and 8th Ave. For more info and to buy tickets, .)
The Carlyle Hotel
The famous Caf茅 Carlyle has long been a favorite venue for Broadway and jazz artists and this New Year鈥檚 Eve is no exception. Begin the festivities with cocktails, hors d鈥檕evres and a live performance from Grammy-winning artist Steve Tyrell, then shimmy into the Carlyle鈥檚 Black Tie Gala Dinner where you can enjoy more songs from the singer as well as a four-course prix fix menu followed by dancing in the lobby with the Peter Duchin Orchestra. (Hotel Carlyle, 35 E 76th St, btwn. Madison Ave & Park Ave. For more information and to buy tickets .)
The McKittrick Hotel鈥檚 The King鈥檚 Winter Masquerade
Sleep No More will spend another New Year鈥檚 Eve celebrating the King鈥檚 Winter Masquerade in several rooms of The McKittrick Hotel. The event features specially created theatrical and music performances, a full open bar, live entertainment and their regular blend of surprise and enchantment. Ticket packages include their Royal Feast, show and after party. (The McKittrick Hotel, 542 W. 27th St. For more info and to buy tickets, .)
Queen of the Night at the Paramount Hotel
The Queen celebrates New Year鈥檚 Eve and their one year anniversary with a full Queen of the Night experience and exclusive after party, a Black Tie Masquerade featuring live performances, an interactive art installation and late night dancing with DJ. The lavish theatrical feast from the producer of Sleep No More combines circus, spectacle, dance, music, food and fashion. (The Diamond Horseshoe Supper Club at the Paramount Hotel, 235 W. 46th St. For tickets and more info, .)
Many of the theatre district鈥檚 fine bars and restaurants are also offering fun dinner and performance packages. , one of the city's finest enclosed rooftops with breakth-taking views of the Empire State Building is hosting a New Year's Eve Gala. A special VIP package includes open bar, hors d'oeuvres, a live DJ and a balloon release at midnight. Some others worth checking out are the ; the and .
Staying in? Continue reading for further festive suggestions from the comfort of your couch!
On Television: If you can鈥檛 face the thought of leaving home on the 31st, here are some entertaining options to watch at home:
The 40th anniversary season of 鈥淟ive from Lincoln Center鈥� celebrates with 鈥淣ew York Philharmonic New Year鈥檚 Eve: Gershwin Celebration.鈥� Airing on PBS at 8 PM, the show will feature Tony nominee and vocalist Dianne Reeves, performing songs from the Gershwin songbook. Willie Geist will be special guest host of the all-Gershwin program, broadcast live from Avery Fisher Hall.
鈥� New Year鈥檚 Eve at The Rainbow Room鈥� will air on PBS around the country at 10 PM. Five-time Grammy nominee Feinstein will host the evening featuring an all-star Broadway cast of , , Kelli O鈥橦ara, , Marilyn Maye, two-time Tony winner and 17-year old 鈥淎merica鈥檚 Got Talent鈥� finalist Julia Goodwin. In tribute to Frank Sinatra鈥檚 upcoming 100th birthday celebration, Feinstein and Criss have promised to perform and energized duet medley. Viewers can also expect to hear their favorite songs by , , George and and more.
Stage and screen legend will return for the fifth time host the festive annual New Year鈥檚 Eve celebration with the Vienna Philharmonic, From Vienna: The New Year鈥檚 Celebration 2014. The show features melodies from the Strauss family composers and their contemporaries, marking the 150th anniversary of 鈥� birth. Airing on PBS at 2:30 and 8 PM.
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And lastly...
If a good night of theatre is your ideal way to celebrate the end of the year, there are some stellar Off-Broadway shows still on offer on the evening of the 31st:
Here Lies Love, 9:30 PM at , 425 Lafayette Street, Astor Place.
Blue Man Group, 8 PM at the Astor Place Theatre, 434 Lafayette Street, Astor Place.
Soul Doctor, 7 PM at Actors Temple Theatre, 339 W. 47th St.
