New World Stages

This place is tight. We came here to see Avenue Q about three weeks ago and the venue is really unique and cool. I read somewhere it used to be a multiplex and so you go down several stories and there’s all these small theaters. We picked up tickets at box office, very easy to manage and every employee we met was nice and professional. They guided you right to your theater through the winding layout. In the theater itself there didn’t seem to be a bad seat in the house although I’d recommend getting as close as possible. We were in the second row. The performance was excellent, the actors were fantastic, and the sound quality was ¹⁰⁄₁₀. There was a bar outside the theater where you could buy drinks to bring in which was a nice touch. I don’t go to many plays but this seems like a place anyone would enjoy a night out at the theater.

Came here bc I got tickets from Unilocal for One Funny Mother and had a great time
Pros:
— After grabbing the tickets a nice young man told us where to go (down the stairs and to the right)
— Outside drinks are not allowed and I had just purchased a grande tea but the bar area was very nice in letting me sit there and attempt finishing the drink (didn’t happen)
— The Green Room includes the bar and a small stage for open mic? — directly across from the entrance to the stages
— Other Unilocalers are accurate in that the stage is pretty small so you can see from the back rows pretty well (sat in row L)
— All the attendants were great — very nice and helpful
— Dena for One Funny Mother was great — at first we thought the story line was fabricated but then found out it was Dena’s real life, which made it funnier; if you need a good laugh def check this production out!
— Fairly clean bathrooms
Def will come back to check out other productions
Cons:
— The person at the ticketing booth got annoyed after I asked him a couple of questions (never been here before so I got questions to ask) so that was that

This is a pretty nice theater center, all the processes are streamlined from the security check to the ticket scanning. I have been here several times, and enjoy it! I wish they had a little café for coffee if you come especially early.

Came to see Avenue Q. We bought tickets minutes before the show. Our seats were the cheaper ones in the upper level, but the view was perfect. The theater is small, so there’s really not a bad seat in the house. They had beverage service that came up to take our order, and the staff was very kind throughout the show and during intermissions. The stage is underground, so you won’t catch any cell reception, but otherwise I definitely recommend this place!

This is a cool place. Theaters situated on 50^th st, between 8^th & 9^th ave, they are used for live performances and events. They are equipped like any theater, but with 5 stages. You can have anything take place here with crew & catering easily available, it only takes $$$ so, «Don’t worry, it’s all taken care of».
There are plenty of clipboard carrying people to check & recheck things are properly located to milimeter accuracy and be sure you’re in the right place, and if not, to «guide you» to your destination.
I suppose they have public performance, I’m not sure, but worth a search as it is a very cool location

This theatre complex is super fun to navigate and almost feels like you are headed to Space Mountain in Disney instead of an off-​Broadway show! It’s also in a great area and lots of other places for pre-​post show dinner are right outside the door.
NWS also has a reputation of picking high-​quality shows to fill their enormous venue. Chances are if you get offered tickets to a show there, the show will be great– so Go!
I am taking stars off because while I do like feeling like I am about to board a roller coaster, the venue can get hard to navigate and bathrooms aren’t too accessible. In addition, the drinks are super super expensive– which is a shame, I may have even stayed after the show for a drink at their open bar. (I’m sure their rent is through the roof in that area, but still.)

I just love this Theater because I find it to be cozy. Everytime I go see a show there it s always clean, the staff always pay attention tou one s need. I have actually seen a few shows there and to be Honest it does truly matter in which seats you are it s never a problem to have a full view of the stage. I am seeing Shear Madness next month and fortunately the play will be at the New World Stages Theater. Awesome and also just to let you know if you decide to get a drink before or after your show, no need to worry they do have a Bar right on the same premises The only thing beware because the drinks wether alcoholic or non alcoholic are a bit pricey.

Good spot.
1) Came here to see Avenue Q.
2) The stage is small so I recommend getting the cheapest ticket because you can still see pretty well from the back.
3) Everything is neat and clean.
4) The staff are very helpful.

As far as a theater venue, this is the movie complex version for live plays. My wife and I came to see Avenue Q which was a fun, lighthearted, ‘don’t take your kids to’ play. Our intermission was met by a fire alarm so the play ended up going about 40 minutes longer than planned. A nice way to see the cast up close is when we’re all standing in the street waiting for the fire marshall to give us clearance.
As far the the Green Room Bar, a bit of a rip off to pay $ 22 for a double gin & tonic. They give only 2 half shots and you’re paying for 10 oz of tonic with a ton of ice. They encourage drinking by coming through the theater offering drinks for sale.
Many theaters in a complex that goes far below street level. My wife and I had a great time nevertheless — - even paying $ 50 for 2 drinks. Stay away from the drinks or bring your own mini bottles.

Very modern looking underground stages to watch some off broadway musicals. Just caught Avenue Q and thought it was great! Found awesome prices for tickets ($ 40 for front row seats!).
While my wife loved being in the front row, I personally thought the front row of the next section back, or the balcony seating might be better to be able to see everything without turning your head. You could literally reach out and touch the actors from the front row and the seats are at a height level where you’re looking at their shins/​knees if you look straight ahead.
They also serve booze you can bring in or order in to your seat which is a nice little touch. I wonder if they’ve ever had an issue with noisy drinkers?
Will definitely be back.

Great memories to walk into this place after such a long hiatus. Smaller than I remembered but no less sweet. So many great memories in here. Love the nod to it’s history spread out here and there.
Of course this is NY history but also part of my life. However, this theater has evolved – haven’t we all? It is a renovated space with the same structure and inspiration to roam about.
I went twice in 2015 and both times I walked away feeling exactly as I did years earlier: what’s next? Lol.
Not much to complain about here. Bathrooms are clean and easily accessible. Show designations could be clearer but there is always staff on-​hand to assist.
My last visit was for an early performance during the weekday and Unilocal lists this place as closed. Don’t go by the Unilocal hours, obviously. For the love of all that is holy, research any show you are about to watch here for discounts. We purchased tickets online at a discount and I was happy to see that we got a great deal even with added fees.
Nice way to kill time and be cozy on a slow afternoon.

The building has 5 small theaters (we watched the Shear Madness play at Stage 4) and all are located in the lower level. It is not far from the center of Theater District, hall is artistically and modernly decorated, it is clean on its entirety, has good seating arrangement for a good view of the stage, has 2 full bar servicing the theater goers, alcohol is allowed inside the theater and has nice ticket booth staff. You’ll feel at home right away when you get on your seat, lighting is conducive, has easy to follow seat numbers aside from the staff leading your way.
Other shows currently showing are mostly small and interactive plays e.g. Madlibs, Avenue Q, Mars are from Men Women are from Venus etc. I am definitely coming back.

Love this theater! I came here to watch Avenue Q and loved the experience. Very modern, quite a nice change from the traditional theaters. The best part is that the seats do not feel cramp. My legs have not felt so great during a musical in so long. Also, a server walks around serving alcohol, so prepare to come here for a fun time with friends. Overall, fantastic vibe!

I remember when New World Stages used to be a movie theatre, a Loews Cineplex back in the 1990’s where they played second run movies. I used to hang out here when it was a movie theatre, all the time. IMHO, it was the best theater in Manhattan back in the day. I still remember when they closed down in the early 2000’s. My friends and I were quite sad.
In the mid 2000’s it reopened as a theatrical stage, so it was still awesome. I just couldn’t afford it back then. I think it went through a couple of name changes until it was changed to New World Stages. There is 5 stages in the New World Stage which is pretty awesome for an Off-​Broadway theatre. So New World Stages is a Off-​Broadway multiplex complex. How can you not like that.
I’ve seen Toxic Avenger, Gazillion Bubble Show, Avenue Q, Bullet for Adolf, iLuminate, Clinton the Musical, and many more shows at the New World Stages. For an Off-​Broadway theatre, it is one of my favorites because it’s clean, well lit, all the sight lines are great, and on the modern side. I would come back here in a heartbeat.

Love the venue. Love their staff. Love their programming.
They always do an amazing job with conferences and events held here (NAMT, and TEDx Broadway, for example) and have lots of cool little spaces for special «add-​on» events and happenings.
Always look forward to a visit to New World Stages. Plus they’re super close to Hell’s Kitchen’s two Totto Ramen locations– yummmm.
The lack of cell service when you’re downstairs in their theaters can be a bit of a bummer — but you don’t need it anyway when you’re seeing a show! And when there for a conference kind of event, they’re always good about providing it for those who need it.

Saw Avenue Q here. Small and intimate — can’t go wrong no matter where you sit. Plus you get to bring your drink to your seat! Sold.

I have been to this magical wonderland to see «Heathers the Musical,» «Clinton the Musical» and «Avenue Q.» The staff remains ever-​helpful and patient while at any given time five separate productions are playing. The space is large, a bit dark and almost like a carpeted, post-​modern art museum/​industrial warehouse that happens to show plays and musicals.
I have never had a bad experience in this space and in addition to having more than sufficient bathrooms, you have the option of riding down to the theater in an escalator or taking a long flight of steps down. There is no wireless or phone reception down in the basement-​theater area, which works out since that further guarantees that no one will be playing with their phone during a performance.
An interesting aspect of this place, is that in addition to a few bars, you can either order drinks and bring them to your seat or flag down any servers before the show to bring you a drink to your seat. I have only seen the same during the intermission for Avenue Q, but the fact that you can drink at your seat is an incentive I have not actively seen at other theaters. New World Stages is also a block away from the 50^th Street subway station, which only makes attending a show here that much more attractive. I shall likely return sooner rather than later.

Comfortable small theaters and a wide assortment of usually excellent shows – Rent Avenue Q, Million Dollar Quartet.
Lots of discount tickets available.

I really like this theater. The stages are smaller than say The Barrymore or the Eugene O’Neill Theaters, so it feels more intimate, more community theater, & there isn’t a bad seat in the house. New World Stages is located off Broadway, so you get to see performances for much less than the usual $ 100-​$ 150 the big theaters charge. It’s a quick one-​block walk from the ACE Subway line, & the surrounding area isn’t the clusterfuck that is the Theater District. I’m definitely a fan.
We attended a matinée showing of «Nevermore: The Imaginary Life & Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe.» You only have to hear about the ways death touched the tortured poet’s life to know why his writing leans towards the macabre. The music & costumes were odd, no doubt, which had its charms, but I could not get over nuances in the acting; many of the actresses had a fragile demeanor & would add a high-​pitched sound or last word to their sentences. It was very awkward & unnecessary, IMO. I didn’t see how that mannerism helped or enhanced these characters.
3.5 stars for this particular show, but would not hesitate to return to one of their many stages for another entertaining performance.

We’ve seen multiple plays here. While the cost is affordable and the seats a bit roomier than the normal cramped quarters in the traditional theater district, I can’t get the words «generic» and «basic» out of my mind.
This facility does what it needs to do… Provide a lower end play experience for plays not quite ready for Broadway. But, it’s like going to a discount two dollar movie theater. There is no live music and the sound is not stellar. The sets are extremely basic. Plus, they shill watered down drinks during intermission. On the positive side, you can be quite close to the stage for much less than on Broadway.
Finally, it’s way down in the depths of the earth and the escalator is typically out of service. Look in the back and there is an elevator big enough for four people.
So, bottom line, if a play is here, I will come see it. New World Stages just doesnt bring any class or a unique feel to the experience.