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Your lunch break is about to get significantly more theatrical.
Starting May 14, Rockefeller Center is turning its famous rink into an open-air Broadway stage with a new free concert series called “Road to Broadway.” Every Thursday at noon through June 4, cast members from some of the biggest shows in town will perform live at The Rink at Rockefeller Center, meaning you can potentially hear “Defying Gravity” while clutching a desk salad in Midtown.
The month-long series is being curated by Playbill and will host a stacked lineup. The kickoff on May 14 features performances from Wicked, Hadestown and Chicago. On May 21, expect appearances from SIX: The Musical, & Juliet, Death Becomes Her and Just in Time. Then on May 28, the spotlight shifts to Operation Mincemeat, The Great Gatsby and Maybe Happy Ending. The finale on June 4 goes especially hard, with performances from MJ: The Musical, The Outsiders, The Book of Mormon and Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
And yes, this is actually free. Standing-room viewing will be available around the rink, while people who shop or dine at Rockefeller Center can use a receipt for access to viewing areas on the rink balconies. If you’re looking to upgrade the experience, Rockefeller Center is also encouraging visitors to reserve terrace seating at Jupiter or NARO.
Otherwise, you can always grab takeout from spots like Ace's Pizza or Shake Shack and treat the whole thing like the most New York picnic imaginable.
The concerts run on Thursdays at noon from May 14 through June 4. Arrive early if you’re hoping for a decent view. We can’t imagine a better use of Midtown real estate.