I went to 59E59 Theaters with a friend to see Laowang: A Chinatown King Lear by Alex Lin, directed by Joshua Kahan Brody, and had such a meaningful experience. While the play explores very serious and realistic themes family conflict, money, and how financial stakes can jeopardize relationships, it was incredibly engaging and powerful. The story felt raw and honest, and it really makes you reflect on how deeply money can impact family dynamics. I truly enjoyed the production and how thoughtfully it was presented. I also love the theater itself. It's small, cute, and intimate, which made the experience feel even more personal. I'm a big fan of intimate theaters like this, where you feel closely connected to the performers and the story. I would definitely recommend visiting 59E59 Theaters and catching a play here, you won't be disappointed. 10/10 recommendation read more

Absolutely loved both the theater & the production..was my first time & shall def plan to head back. Don't ont focus on just the massive Bway shows, support the smaller venues too! read more

59E59 Theaters - Inside - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Got rush tickets to see Yes, I can say that and shocked I got second row seats. The theater was set up a bit differently as the main entry puts you at the top/back of the theater, the first few rows can enter from the lower level making it more convenient. I didn't get a chance to check out the bar on the upper level and would do so the next time I'm there. Overall good experience. read more

59E59 Theaters - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Small off Broadway theater at 59E59 . Closer to Grand Central as opposed To Penn Station. 15ish city blocks walk cross at Madison. Can take subway from Penn. 3 floors down are bathrooms, main is entrance and up stairs/ bar. Assisted - hearing devices available at no cost/ must leve photo I.D. Until return, Promotes membership/ 4 levels, notes restaurant partners- present a membership card for 15% off or e ticket for 10% off. Website www.59E59.org for more information. read more

A small gem of a New York theatre. Centrally located, close to transpo, great restaurants, pretty buildings. Lovely staff, accommodating box office, pleasant in every way. Best of all, nearly every production is worth seeing. Current production is the complex, endearing & often funny 'Mrs. Stern Wanders the Prussian State Library' by playwright Jenny Lyn Bader about Hannah Arendt briefly being in prison. Splendid cast. Sold out, but call the box office at (646) 892-7999 and beg. read more

59E59 Theaters - Splendid cast: Ella Dershowitz, Brett Temple, Drew Hirshfield. - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

One of my friends used to work here doing set and prop design and when I learned of that I came to see some performances / plays here. She has long since left and ventured on to bigger and better things, but this theatre still remains a neighborhood gem. Unlike most plays and shows on and off Broadway, the spectacles that you will see here will evoke emotions and questions. Much of what they expose to the general public are highly debatable topics and despite their efforts to "spin" it off as a lighthearted or comical play it most often is something serious. I went this past weekend to see Summer Shorts Series B and the one that they described as being a wondrous experience between two people was most daunting and totally uncalled for. Their theatre house is always full of unexpected moments. The design of the building itself is quite cool. Love the layout and the section must have been fun to draft out. On the second or third floor there is a bar area with boozy and non-boozy drinks as well as some snacks and bites. There are some bathrooms before entering the main part of the theatre one is about to see a show in. The theatres are very intimate. Seating is not too bad, though the ones without intermission can sometimes get uncomfortable. Usually it's more of an older crowd when I go. I'm surprised that they would want to see such horrific stories. By horrific I don't mean bad. The acting is amazing and the set is well done and the plots are generally short and sweet. The overall experience is almost depressing. It's the stuff without happy endings. Pricing - they have members pricing, discounted tickets, and regular pricing. Usually I buy discounted (I'm not a member but I've been quite a few times that the email me discounts) tickets at a price point of $35.00 plus whatever fees or taxes may be attached to it. Every show has a different price point too. Some might start at over double what I paid when discounted. If you want a little shock or whoa factor, come see a show here. You won't be disappointed... well, not entirely. :-P Happy viewings! read more

See all

My wife and I came here for date night and we had a great time. This was a simple theatre with nota lot of bells and whistles, but the acting was great! We saw a short series which consisted of three 30min skits. Two of them were serious dramas and the third was a comedy. Overall the costumes and stage props were simple but the acting was great making an enjoyable night if you enjoy watching theatre. This is a nice cheaper alternative the major big budget production if you like theatre and are on a budget. P.S. the actors and directors can be seen hanging out at the bar after the show which is a nice treat. read more

Nice modern theater. If you're like the crowd when I attended "Threesome" on a Sunday afternoon, and/or not particularly mobile... you will appreciate the elevators because the restrooms and the cafe are three levels away from each other. That and the limited seating outside the theater are the only drawbacks an elderly visitor might have a problem with. I only bring up the crowd demographic because I don't think the show was to their liking and it's such a great show! "Avant-garde" was bandied about as if the show was too risque. I don't want to give away any of the first half, because it's meant to unsettle you and prepare you for the most uncomfortable, gross over-share that will dumbfound you and shock you more than anything set up in the first half. I'm going to write a separate review for the show, but I won't be giving it away there either. The seating was very comfortable with excellent sight-lines. The staging was modern as well. It's well off-off-off Broadway, but my friend Eva says that she's never seen a bad show here. And I trust her judgement implicitly... she's my go-to in all things theater. I really hope "Threesome" gets some good buzz while it's here and that they extend the show. I actually want to come back to see this one again. read more

See all

Wonderful venue, lovely staff. Loved seeing Charles Busch in Ibsen's Ghosts. Super close to subway and excellent food.

The annual Brits Off Broadway season has been canceled, although the theater is already in discussions to reprogram most of the previously announced shows for next year. Meanwhile, 59E59 would be grateful for donations to help offset the financial losses they're incurring. read more

Tonight, at 59E59, The Anderson Twins along with singer Molly Ryan and others presented the music of Harold Arlen. Never heard of him? He wrote: Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea Blues in the Night Come Rain or Come Shine Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead Get Happy I've Got the World on a String It's Only a Paper Moon One for My Baby (and One More for the Road) Over the Rainbow Stormy Weather That Old Black Magic The Man That Got Away Great venue. Intelligent discussion. Next up--Gershwin read more

See all

I adore this theatre. Its off the beaten path but not so much that you feel like you are not enjoying the real NY theatre culture. The design is wonderfully suited to the 3 theatre spaces in the building. And the membership is so affordable that you can feel really great about supporting local theatre. It also comes a lot of benefits, such as drink discount at the bar, discounted tickets, events, etc. some of the best, most unique and provocative theatre i've seen in the city has been at this gem of an arthouse. read more

Great, intimate place to see a show. Don't worry about being first to be seated...not a bad seat in the house. Best best is to keep drinking at the bar. read more

59E59 Theaters - Performing Arts Near Me - New York, New York

See all

Amazing space, great talent, and helpful/kind staff! Made me fall in love with theater plays again.

I bought the membership at this upscale off-Broadway theater a few blocks from my apartment because I want to support local theaters and this one is not only beautiful but has a full bar and convivial atmosphere. 59 dollars a year gets you a third off tickets. And 15% off local restaurants. Gluten wasn't great but it was worth seeing and each season offers quite a range of plays (comedies, dramas, musicals). I look forward to the rest of the season. read more

We had an all around pleasant experience with 59E59. The online box office was easy to navigate, and discounts were available. The theater, on the UES, is conveniently located near 2 subway stops. Will Call quickly got us our tickets with no problems. There is a well-stocked bar, and an overall convivial atmosphere prevails within the theater. The theater staff was very professional. We were running late due to transportation issues, yet our very kind usher, Chris, courteously seated us. We were in theater C, an intimate space that seats 50...there is literally not a bad seat in the house. We saw the play Bitter Greens, in which my daughter made her off-Broadway debut(!) This insightful, yet humorous play explores the angst that a group of millennials experience with their relationships as they come of age in today's world. I thought it interesting that the audience demographic skewed older for this play. I think it's probably subscribers to the theater who live in the area, and enjoy seeing plays at 59E59 as it acts as a "springboard " for promising talent which could go on to Broadway. The only negative I experienced (at least in theater C) was that the seating was uncomfortable to a degree. Other than that, I would come here again, and if I resided nearby, would seriously consider a theater membership. read more

See all

Nice place, right in the center of the city. I've seen Bernie & Mikey here, interesting play, good scenery, liked how the actors played. Will definitely come back to see other plays if have a chance. read more

See all

I have seen a couple of interesting plays at this small, modern off-Broadway theater. There is a small lobby area when you walk in where the box office is that leads to three theaters A, B, and C. The shows that I have seen here have been in Theater A, the largest of the three with around 200 seats. You can get an excellent view from any of the fairly comfortable seats in the stadium-style main level. I also sat in the "box seats" in the upper level. The box seats are actually individual, somewhat uncomfortable seats lined up tightly one behind the other and overlooking the right and left hand sides of the theater. While you're still close to the stage action from the box seats, it is difficult to see some corners of the stage from the angle, but usually nothing happens in those corners. Also, you may feel the need to lean over the side to try to get a better view, but then you may block the view of the person behind you. read more

I've been going to this theater for nearly ten years now, as both a patron and performer. The staff are consistently friendly and helpful. The space is clean. They offer innovative productions. They have a rather nice bar, with a good amount of options in all categories (albeit a very small are for the patrons, and could be better served with two bartenders during post-show hours). Good location. Two sets of bathrooms on two different floors. Stair and elevator options. Some seating outside of the theater. Definitely recommend this awesome OOB venue! read more

This theater has three different theaters in this space. They also have a bar upstairs that on Thursdays have live jazz with no cover or minimum. All of the shows are short runs about a month. They also do a series called Brits on Bway. Seating is good all with full views everywhere. Also have elevator to all floors. read more

See all

Saw Murder in the First here in Theater A. I love going to the theater, but being a bigger guy... I hate the theater seats. These are deceptively comfortable and roomy. The theater itself is built more like a television set. It's small with 259 seat capacity posted on the call but the theater seems smaller than that. Because of the stadium style seating, I don't think that there is a bad seat in the house. The audio system was amazing as well. Voices were crystal clear with no feedback or noise. The theater was cold. I didn't mind this, though my date did. However, I got to drape my arm around her to keep her warm throughout the play, which was very good I might add. read more

saw "In Transit" here last night. had never been to this set before; nice quaint, cozy setting but the seats are uncomfortable as hell. They have a bar on the second floor, nothing amazing but pretty comprehensive all things considered. Staff very friendly and area is clean. Theater was packed, show started a bit late but hey--don't they all? The show itself is interesting with a storyline--new yorkers who ride the subway and their hills and valleys of day-to-day life--that any middle class person can understand. The songs are original and the boxman adds a nice urban touch. good show, i would recommend it. doesn't have the glitz and glamour of a b'way show, but the small intimate nature really adds to the overall quality of the show. a nice departure from the mainstream. i would definitely go back for another show. read more

Missing the British accent desperately I booked myself into a play which was visiting from London. Two actors, a few props and just around 60 people fit into this tiny theater. Its like a hole in the wall theater. Love it. the whole set up is very industrial as its pure concrete and see through steel stair cases with a massive glass front. prices are between $15 to $35. As you're really fairly close to the actors I find this price more than acceptable. The bar has some nice offerings, but is of course not cheap. I haven't seen a theater bar yet that's cheap, so its business as usual. read more

Consistently great shows in small theaters, at bargain prices for NY--and frequent discounts. The annual Brits off Broadway festival is a must see. read more

A better-than-average theater for the off-Broadway aficionado You'll like this modern design triple theater - three stages in separate spaces. We attended Black Tie in February of 2011 in Theater A. The steep seating area allows a good seat anywhere in the lower section, even in all the corners. The upper section appears almost as good. (But be wary of the "box seats" of Theater A. They are not really box seats. They rather are a row of ordinary chairs placed against the guardrail of a hallway-like balcony above the right side of the auditorium. A large fraction - about 25% - of stage left can't be seen. The regular seats are a lot better as they allow a view of the whole stage.) And with the excellent acoustics it's a great stage to watch or perform your show! read more

Small intimate theater. At least the one I was in, theater C. You see them up close and personal so you have to pay attention. And they can see you so no falling asleep. That disappointment in your face is readable as well given the proximity. But it is an off (possibility off-off ) Broadway play so it was nice fir what it was. They have 3 plays going at the same time. They also have a bar on the second floor. read more

I've been coming here for about a decade, and Primary Stages always provides some highlights of my theater season. The Brits Off Broadway festival, which often brings my beloved Alan Ayckbourne to New York, is a special treat. Say it isn't so that Primary Stages is forsaking this elegant, high-octane neighborhood for Times Square. I'll miss coming here so much. read more

I love the layout of their 3 stages here. One is like a runway between the audience. Another is a square with the seating on two sides, and the last a standard rectangle with viewers all facing the stage. The performances are diverse with sometimes provocative and edgy themes, but always great acting. Many shows come from Britain and Scotland for limited runs. I love the intimacy you get here, a good sound system, and there's a decent bar on the second floor to chill at (without much if any seating though) before the show. I sign up for their weekly emails and haven't unsubscribed because they're not overly promotional and it's just a glance at what's showing this week. read more

This theater is unusual among off-off Broadway houses in that it has a consistent curatorial vision. The productions here are consistently well thought out, whether they're original commissions or British imports. I would be lying if I said I've never seen something here that I didn't enjoy, but I will say that when they miss, they usually miss while taking a big swing at themes and values that really mean something. read more

This is one of the best plays we have seen st 59 East 59th St Theater in years. Two's A Crowd is totally entertaining, with great songs, and lots of fun to see. Rita Rudner was wonderful, as usual, and you could see she enjoyed every minute of being Wendy Solomon. The rest of the cast was excellent too and it is a play well worth seeing. read more

Updated to add I came recently for a member event, which was nice. I had a coupon for a free drink. They refused to let me use it until 2 hours after the member event even though the bar was fully open and functional for the member event. The customer service here is a bunch of young people who aren't nice. read more

Amazing off - Broadway house in the UES with an amazing selection of shows- My favorite is the brits off-Broadway festival but they have companies from around the world at this intimate theater. Makes for a great date night. read more

Great drama desk award winning theatre, with a friendly staff and ownership. Reasonably priced, cutting edge theatre in a comfortable, friendly venue. And there is a bar on the premises for after the show! Go! read more

The staff here are AMAZING. The quality of customer service you receive from the box office to the bar to the front of house and usher staff is astounding. Made going to the space an absolute pleasure. Well done 59E59 I had a great time at the theatre because of your exemplary service! read more

Didn't even know this place existed and I work very near here. Saw "Burmese Days" here in a really small theater. Very good cast, very laid back setting. I quite enjoyed myself and will keep an eye out for more interesting productions here. read more

Big fan of this theater and the interesting, affordable productions they put on their 3 stages. The theaters are all small; thus, no bad seats. I've enjoyed Brits off Broadway, Summer Shorts, and some of the feature plays here in the past. read more

I LOVE these theaters. I think there are 3 in there. They are all pretty small, one or two are actually tiny. Something you'd expect for acting workshops or something, but the quality of shows has been fantastic. For most if not all of the shows, they have $25 pricing on Sundays. Can't beat that! Awesome location (for me anyway). They also have a little bar that I haven't checked out. At the last show I saw, the actors were out front with drinks in hand speaking to audience members as they left. Nice touch. read more

I came here and saw a play called The Man Under - tickets were only $25. It's a cute theater and on the 2nd floor there's a fully stocked bar - I'm not sure if they let you take drinks into the theater though. After the play begins and the doors close, I believe they don't let anyone else into the theater, so make sure you get there in a timely fashion. read more

Thank you Ginger! There I was, attempting to purchase my tickets to a show at 59e59 using a special price offer code I had just received that morning. The code was recognized by the site but I couldn't purchase the tickets for some reason. I assumed that it was me and that I was doing something entirely and obviously incorrect that was causing my purchase be rejected. So I continued to fiddle around with the web site for over an hour and I only stopped when I started to cry tears of frustration. In a rage, I telephoned a number on the site and spoke to an impersonal voice that explained that my code was expired and that was why, despite having received the code only this morning, that I could not purchase the tickets. I could feel my blood pressure rise as looked up the number of the theater itself so that I could huff and puff and be thoroughly unpleasant as a way of relieving my anger at the situation. Thankfully, I got Ginger, the Director of Ticketing. She confirmed that my code was expired but took the time to confirm that I had actually received it this morning and that the wording of the offer -- which, to be fair, did say said the code expired March 15 -- could have been easily misconstrued by me. And then she did the unthinkable in today's world: she proceeded to help me out! She went through the process of taking my information and it was utterly painless. I didn't repeat my name 17 times or get transferred once. Ginger was so sweet, so helpful that it almost does not matter whether or not I enjoy the show. The fact that there is someone there who clearly cares about theater-goers and takes the time to ensure that they get to see the show is enough for me. But check this space as I expect I will be writing another review soon -- this one about a wonderful show that I recently saw at 59e 59! read more

Excellent place. We went a few years ago to an interactive play and found the vibe to be really friendly, intimate and inspiring. There is a bar upstairs, which is quite appreciated. And the location is great. The only thing I could perhaps complain about (not particularly enjoying complaining - oh well) is constantly receiving promotional pamphlets by mail. Slightly aggressive... Saw a few good shows! Recommended. read more