Playtime 26
July 27-August 2, 2026
This is PLAYTIME, a weekly email of theater shows in New York City, put together by me (Nora) and consisting of what I’m paying attention to and excited about. I took a summer break from the listings, but now we’re back and giving you shows shows shows.
Two openings tonight that I’ve been looking forward to: Broad Strokes opens at the Lucille Lortel, Cat Cohen’s one-woman show about suffering a stroke at 30, turned into a wickedly funny, musical romp directed by Alex Timbers. It sold out its Edinburgh run and The Guardian called it “her best show yet.” I think Cat is brilliant and I’m sure the show is fantastic.
Also opening tonight: The Saviors at Atlantic: Bubba Weiler and Jack Serio reuniting after Well, I’ll Let You Go, this time with Crystal Finn and Stanley Simons in a play about a lost young man who takes shelter in a church and the two altar boys trying to hold themselves together around him. These two have a real thing going as collaborators.
This week only at Little Island: Justin Vivian Bond brings Summer’s Eve to the outdoor Amph, July 29–31. Three nights. Justin Vivian Bond is a downtown institution and a live wire and I genuinely cannot think of a better place to be on a Wednesday in July than sitting outside on the Hudson watching them perform.
And it’s the final week for Chapter Meeting at the Wild Project (closes August 1), What a World! What a World! at The Tank (closes August 2), The Taming of the Shrew (Small Boat Productions at La MaMa’s The Club, closes August 2), and Five Step Skincare Routine at The Tank (through July 31).
Week of July 27, 2026
59E59 Theaters The Piano and Me (through August 23)
59E59 Theaters Sukkot (through August 9)
59E59 Theaters The Vessel (opens July 30, through August 23)
AMT Theater Broadway Bound Theater Festival (through August 16)
Atlantic Theater Company The Saviors (opens July 27, through August 8)
Brooklyn Art Haus Graveyard Shift (July 28)
Cherry Lane Theatre Shifters (through August 30)
HERE Arts Center Bryan Safi: Are You Mad At Me?? (through August 16)
Housing Works Bookstore The Gin Game (through August 9)
La MaMa / The Club The Taming of the Shrew (through August 2)
Lincoln Center Theater / Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater The Whoopi Monologues (through August 30)
Little Island Justin Vivian Bond: Summer’s Eve (July 29–31)
Little Island Qween Jean’s 3rd Annual Summer Legacy Ball (August 1)
Lucille Lortel Theatre Cat Cohen: Broad Strokes (opens July 27, through September 5)
MCC Theater Birthright (through August 23)
Modern Sweater Woyzeck (through August 15)
Park Avenue Armory clinamen (through August 9)
The Drilling Company As You Like It (through August 1)
The Public Theater / Delacorte Theater The Winter’s Tale (through August 23)
The Tank Bananas (July 28–August 1)
The Tank Five Step Skincare Routine (through July 31)
The Tank What a World! What a World! (through August 2)
Wild Project Chapter Meeting (through August 1)
A bit about the listings:
The events are listed in alphabetical order of theatres. When a show is listed as “through” a certain date, the show has already opened.
For venues with rotating programming, I’ve only highlighted certain shows and there’s usually a lot more happening. Check the full lineups on their websites.
I’ve done my best to get everything right, but details can change. Always double-check the official event page for the latest times, dates, and any updates.
If you’d like to submit a show to be added to Playtime email playtime@substack.com