Mark Peikert

Getting seats to the best Broadway shows usually requires quite a bit of advance planning. But what if you haven't planned, and you urgently need to see a show tomorrow or even tonight? Don't panic: There are plenty of options for last-minute tickets, especially if you’re willing to put in some legwork. It partly depends on what you're willing to pay and how much risk you're willing to take—and, of course, on plain old luck. If everything goes your way, you might even luck into cheap Broadway tickets, great seats or a chance to see hit shows that you would never have been able to get into earlier. Here is our insider guide to buying last-minute Broadway tickets. The day before the show: Enter the digital lottery Many Broadway shows—including Aladdin, The Book of Mormon and Hadestown—conduct digital lotteries for cheap tickets on the day before each performance. In most cases, you enter the lottery online, then wait until later the same day to find out by email if you've won; if you do, you'll need to reply to the ticket offer within an hour or you'll lose your chance. A few shows, such as Wicked, do their drawings on the morning of the show itself; others have drawings once a week, notably the Harry Potter and the Cursed Child $40 ticket lottery and the $10 Hamilton lottery, both of which happen on Fridays and cover the week ahead. For a full list of shows that offer lotteries, consult Broadway on a Budget or Playbill's Broadway and Off Broadway listings. The morning of the s

Ariana Grande will finally tour again next year, and fans in Los Angeles are in for something special: The Oscar-nominated Wicked star is bringing her Eternal Sunshine Tour to L.A. for five nights of arena magic—split between the Crypto.com Arena and Kia Forum—that promise to feel both intimate and gigantic.  This is her first tour since the 2019 Sweetener World Tour, and it’s in support of her seventh album, Eternal Sunshine, and its deluxe edition, Brighter Days Ahead. The tour kicks off June 6, 2026, in Oakland before Los Angeles gets a five-night run that feels like a homecoming. Is it too early to call it the highlight of the summer?

Who says ballet has to be set to classical music? Next month, Complexions Contemporary Ballet challenges that notion with a bold evening at The Hanover Theatre in Worcester, just an hour from Boston, scored by two rock icons. Grammy-winning rocker Lenny Kravitz and the legendary David Bowie provide the soundtrack for a night where rebellion, rhythm and high-octane dance collide. The evening opens with Retro-Suite, a series of short works celebrating Complexions’ 30th anniversary. This section is both a look back and a statement of intent, highlighting the company’s evolution and the daring choreography that has become its hallmark.  The evening's second half features the music of Kravitz in Love Rocks, a celebration of love, humanity and diversity. The program concludes with an excerpt from Star Dust, Complexions’ 2016 tribute to Bowie, a work that merges pop theatricality with the precision of contemporary ballet. Since its founding by Dwight Rhoden and Desmond Richardson, Complexions has thrived on breaking boundaries between ballet and street, discipline and freedom, classical and pop.  As the company’s website puts it: “Our mission is to create a dynamic and inclusive performance experience that transcends boundaries, captivates audiences and inspires a profound appreciation for the limitless possibilities of movement. Guided by a commitment to artistic exploration, we strive to push the boundaries of classical and contemporary dance, fusing various styles and techniques

A new kind of sports bar is set to change the game on the Lower East Side. Photograph: Matthew Kappas Opening October 29, One4One brings a high-design, members’ club sensibility to classic game day energy. RECOMMENDED: The 15 best sports bars in NYC Set on the corner of Bowery at 141 Chrystie Street, the two-story, 3,200-square-foot townhouse has been completely reimagined to feel like a luxe clubhouse. The unassuming black facade gives way to a long, narrow hallway designed to mimic a team entrance tunnel, leading guests into a moody interior that looks more like a cocktail lounge than a sports bar. Each one of the two 1,600-square-foot floors is packed with details that somehow marry the two concepts, with chandeliers dangling above art hanging beside sports memorabilia: including the 2000 Olympic torch carried by co-founder Dylan Hales’ father. Instead of sticky floors and neon beer signs, expect sunken leather seating, a theater-sized projection screen and a bar that mixes craft cocktails alongside beer and whiskey. The usual chicken wings, mozzarella sticks and smash burgers get an appropriate upgrade as well, in keeping with a focus on polished comfort. Photograph: Matthew Kappas While the design is refined, the space keeps its sports soul. Multiple screens throughout the bar will stream different live games simultaneously, but with a cinematic, curated feel rather than wall-to-wall noise. Guests can lounge in deep, curved couches or gather around communal tables fo

New York’s newest film studio just officially opened, and it’s already being hailed as a game-changer for the city’s production industry. East End Studios has cut the ribbon on its massive Sunnyside Campus, a 350,000-square-foot facility in Queens designed to meet the growing demand for production space in New York City. Backed by a $260 million investment, the complex includes four soundstages (totaling 91,000 square feet) along with 125,000 square feet of production offices, support and mill areas. There’s also a 15,000-square-foot rooftop flex stage with panoramic views of the Manhattan skyline, maybe enough to cut down on green screen costs? Additionally, the facility boasts 225 underground parking spaces, eight full-size loading bays and is fully equipped for XR and virtual production. Rendering: Courtesy of East End Studios “New York City’s production industry is showing promising growth, and there remains a clear need for world-class, fully integrated stage campuses,” said Jonathon Yormak, founding partner at East End Studios, in an official statement. “With the Sunnyside Campus, we’re introducing a level of workflow efficiency and excellence that’s always a priority for producers and locations scouts in this great city.” The new facility arrives at a time when film and television production in New York is booming, thanks in part to renewed state tax credits and an expanding local talent base. Officials from the city’s Economic Development Corporation, the Governor’s

A new kind of movie night is headed to NYC, courtesy of Alamo Drafthouse founder Tim League—and it’s a lot more chic than reclining seats and a sticky floor. Metro Cinema officially opens its doors in Chelsea on October 29, re-imagining the very concept of dinner and as a posh, private affair. Photograph: Will Engelmann RECOMMENDED: NYC is home to three of the most beautiful movie theaters in the world Located at 131 Eighth Avenue near 16th Street, Metro Cinema offers guests the chance to book entire suites rather than individual seats. Each of the 20 private screening rooms is fitted with plush recliners, surround-sound and wall-to-wall screens, with capacity for up to 20 guests, creating an experience that feels part screening, part dinner party and part cocktail reception. The concept merges comfort and spectacle, with titles ranging from current blockbusters like Wicked: For Good to a library of classics for a special night with friends or family. “For over a century, cinema has been experienced in a crowded room surrounded by strangers,” League said in a statement. “We’ve changed that. Sharing dinner, drinks, a great movie and the post-movie conversation with people you love in a spacious, relaxed environment is very special. We’re excited to share this new experience with New York City.” Photograph: Will Engelmann Before the movie even begins, a turntable and curated vinyl collection sets the evening’s tone. The suite then transforms into a private dining room, with

With Jeremy Allen White starring in the new biopic, Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere (now in theaters), there's never been a better time to be a fan of Bruce Springsteen. And while the movie takes fans deep into the making of his most defining record, Nebraska, those who want to walk in his footsteps know there's another state they have to visit: New Jersey. His home state still hums with his legend, after all, from seaside bars to the quiet suburban homes that helped shape his sound. RECOMMENDED: Springsteen: Deliver Me from Nowhere review The team at American Holidays compiled a list of eight must-see spots that will help explain and elaborate on The Boss' legacy. Start your pilgrimage in Freehold, New Jersey, at 39 1/2 Institute Street, the modest white house where Springsteen grew up in the late 1950s, and where his first glimpses of small-town Americana began to take shape. A short drive away, E Street in Belmar inspired the name of his longtime backing group, the E Street Band. And at 7 1/2 West End Court in Long Branch, you’ll find the famous Born to Run house, where Springsteen wrote anthems like “Thunder Road” and “Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out.” Down in Asbury Park, you’ll find Convention Hall, a historic venue where Springsteen regularly performed and rehearsed alongside legends like Led Zeppelin and James Brown. A few blocks away sits The Stone Pony, the gritty club where he cut his teeth and still occasionally drops in for surprise sets. You can even stop by Madam

Miami Beach knows how to turn movie night into a full-on event. The city’s beloved SoundScape Cinema Series returns this season with free weekly outdoor screenings under the stars at SoundScape Park, at 400 17th Street. Every Wednesday at 8pm from October 22 through May 27, families, friends and solo cinephiles can grab a blanket and settle in for big-screen movies on a 7,000-square-foot projection wall, all without spending a cent. RECOMMENDED: A Barbie Dream Fest is taking over South Florida for the first time ever next year This season’s SoundScape Cinema Series lineup features an eclectic mix of classics, blockbusters and family favorites. The schedule kicks off with the 1931 Frankenstein (October 22), followed by Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (October 29), Jurassic World Rebirth (November 5), Superman (November 12), Perfect Days (November 19) and How to Train Your Dragon (November 26). December brings the 2025 hit Lilo & Stitch (December 10) and The Nightmare Before Christmas (December 17). In the new year, audiences can catch Shrek (January 7), It’s Never Over, Jeff Buckley (January 14), Freakier Friday (January 21) and Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning (January 28). February offers Nickel Boys (February 4), Love and Basketball (February 11), Crooklyn (February 18) and Devotion (February 25). Spring screenings include La Vie En Rose (March 4), Cabrini (March 25), Shrek 2 (April 1), Captain America: Brave New World (April 8), A Minecraft Movie (April 15), Loving Vincen

Los Angeles doesn’t have seasons, so we all rely on one very Southern California thing to get us in the holiday spirit: a massive Christmas tree in an outdoor mall—and The Grove is here to deliver just that, as is the case every year. Bypassing the spirits of Halloween entirely, The Grove will erect a 100-foot white fir Christmas Tree on site on Tuesday, October 28. Yes, trick-or-treaters in the Grove area will be in full costume under the shadow of a Christmas tree, which somehow feels very apt for 2025. RECOMMENDED: Halloween events in Los Angeles for spooky fun The tree, a majestic 80-year-old beauty sourced from California’s Mt. Shasta region, will roll in before dawn escorted by crews and onlookers. At 7am, a crane will hoist it into place in the heart of The Grove’s 20 acres. For over 20 years, the sight of the towering evergreen being lifted into the sky has been a sign that Los Angeles is ready for its most festive season. Once it's in place, the tree will be adorned with more than 15,000 sparkling lights and 10,000 shimmering ornaments, visible from nearly every corner of the complex. The tree lighting ceremony will be announced at a later date, but we have no doubt it will, as usual, draw thousands of Angelenos for a night of live music, fireworks and the year’s first snowfall, courtesy of Hollywood magic.  Beyond the tree lighting, The Grove’s seasonal lineup will include nightly snowfalls, photos with Santa and family-friendly performances throughout November and

Miami Art Week is always about spectacle but, this year, Faena Art is celebrating its 10th anniversary by staging something especially transcendent: a new, site-specific commission from British artist Es Devlin that literally moves. From December 2 to 7, Faena Beach will be the site of "Library of Us," a 50-foot kinetic sculpture that will slowly rotate within a reflective pool, filled with 2,500 of the books that have shaped Devlin’s imagination, philosophy and life. The free installation will be open daily from 1pm to 9pm, and marks Devlin’s most ambitious Miami project yet. RECOMMENDED: Lincoln Road debuts 14 monumental public art installations for Miami Art Week 2025, plus a 20-foot bubble-gum pink inflatable Part performance, part sculpture and part meditation on language, "Library of Us" will transform Faena Beach into a shared space for reading, reflection and quiet connection. Guests will take a seat at the 70-foot circular reading table surrounding the luminous bookshelf, where some of the chairs will remain still and others will rotate. The goal will be to encourage spontaneous encounters as visitors move past one another and the glowing pages of annotated books. On one side of the structure, a 30-foot LED screen will flash lines from 250 different books while Devlin’s voice will reads the aloud, turning the installation into something between a conversation and a collective inner monologue. "I have always experienced libraries as silent, intensely vibrant places wh

National Chocolate Day is getting a little bit sweeter for New Yorkers this year with the arrival of Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier, opening October 28 inside Macy’s Herald Square. Photograph: Courtesy of Bissinger's The family-owned brand, which traces its origins back more than 350 years to Paris, is unveiling its first-ever New York boutique: a milestone moment for a chocolatier that’s long prided itself on marrying old-world craftsmanship with modern indulgence. Located on the sixth floor of Macy’s Herald Square, the new shop transforms a corner of the historic department store into a full-fledged chocolate destination, inviting visitors to sample, shop and savor its artisanal creations. RECOMMENDED: The 13 best chocolate shops in NYC Bissinger’s has long been a quiet legend among chocolate devotees. Founded in the 17th century, the family behind the brand was dubbed "Confiseur Imperial" (Confectioner of the Empire) by King Louis XIV, going on to serve French royalty at the Palace of Versailles. The brand built its reputation on small-batch production and meticulous sourcing, and still hand-pours and packages with the same precision. Until now, New Yorkers had to rely on online orders or gifts to taste the storied chocolates firsthand. The Herald Square boutique changes that, giving the brand its first brick-and-mortar presence in the city. Photograph: Courtesy of Bissinger's Inside, Bissinger’s is as much a sensory experience as it is a shop. Curated displays hi

Barclays Center is getting a major glow-up just in time for tipoff. Ahead of the 2025–26 NBA season, Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment (BSE) has unveiled the next phase of its $100 million renovation plan, adding new fan and premium spaces that promise to make the home of the Brooklyn Nets and New York Liberty more dynamic, stylish and inclusive than ever. Photograph: Courtesy of BSE Two new venues lead the charge. Gallagher Terrace is a 5,300-square-foot private club inspired by the Gilded Age that transforms sections of the former 40/40 Club into a sleek retreat for 110 guests. It’s the only spot in the arena offering fans in-seat dining and waiter service with a full view of the game. Inside, banquette seating, LED lighting and sommeliers armed with a curated wine list turn courtside dining into a high-end hospitality experience. RECOMMENDED: 10 best things to do around Barclays Center in Brooklyn If Gallagher Terrace represents luxury, Modelo Bridge is all about energy. Spanning 6,800 square feet across two levels, this new upper concourse fan zone is open to everyone, whether you’re in the nosebleeds or courtside. The space centers around a 67-foot bar—the largest in the arena—and features panoramic views of Downtown Brooklyn, new food and merch stands and large-scale artwork from local muralists. Created in partnership with Modelo, the design takes inspiration from Brooklyn’s iconic bridges. Expect live DJ sets, halftime contests and a social, free-flowing vibe that ref

JFK’s long-awaited new Terminal 6 just got a major dose of New York flavor. When the first phase of the new terminal debuts in 2026, travelers will be greeted not just by soaring glass walls and sleek design, but by three unmistakably local names: P.J. Clarke’s, Brooklyn Brewery and For Five Coffee Roasters. For the first time, all three brands will open airport outposts, part of the Port Authority’s $19 billion plan to transform JFK into a “world-class global gateway.” This is about more than efficiency or architecture—it’s about creating what officials call a “uniquely New York sense of place.” At the center of it all is P.J. Clarke’s, the city’s 140-year-old saloon and a favorite of everyone from Mad Men and Sinatra to Beyoncé. The restaurant will serve as Terminal 6’s flagship dining spot, plating lobster rolls, steak frites and fish and chips just steps from the gates. Think wood paneling, a long bar and that signature old-school confidence all somehow working inside an airport terminal. RECOMMENDED: The new JFK terminal will show iconic artworks from MoMA, the Met and Lincoln Center Across the concourse, Queens-born For Five Coffee Roasters will be pouring its Gotham Mocha and The Louie alongside pumpkin spice lattes for travelers needing one last sip of fall before takeoff. Founded by two childhood friends, the roastery’s first airport café aims to feel more like a neighborhood haunt than a grab-and-go kiosk. And in the terminal’s bright east food hall, complete with a

Snap out of it, New York! Moonstruck is finally coming to the stage. Well, sort of. For one night only, on November 10, New York Stage and Film will bring the beloved Brooklyn-set romantic comedy that won Cher an Oscar—and turned “La Bella Luna” into a full-blown mood—to Broadway’s Music Box Theatre for a live benefit reading. This all-star reinterpretation of the 1987 classic is a love letter to family, fate and the chaos of falling for your fiancé’s brother: a truly unique experience to witness in live. RECOMMENDED: The 40 best Off Broadway shows to see in Fall 2025 Directed by Tony winner Doug Hughes, the staged reading will not feature Cher or any members of the original castinstead assembling a dazzling new ensemble that feels quintessentially New York. Rose Byrne steps into Loretta Castorini’s heels, Bobby Cannavale channels the one-handed, full-hearted Ronny Cammareri, and Patti LuPone takes on the formidable Rose Castorini with her trademark fire. Add Steve Buscemi, John Turturro and Stevie Van Zandt into the mix—with Broadway vets Stephen DeRosa and Mary Lou Rosato and crooner Dez Duron (Maybe Happy Ending)—and you have a lineup that feels like a fever dream of New York acting royalty. NPR’s Peter Sagal will narrate, serving as both host and stage direction whisperer for what promises to be a deliriously charming night of high drama, big feelings and even bigger hair. This one-night benefit supports New York Stage and Film's year-round programming and summer season a