My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

True West

Closing: January 11, 1981

True West - 1980 Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Joseph Papp Public Theater/Martinson Hall
425 Lafayette Street New York, NY 10003

A finalist for the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and a nominee for three 2000 Tony Awards, including Best Play - This American classic explores alternatives that might spring from the demented terrain of the California landscape. Sons of a desert-dwelling alcoholic and a suburban wanderer clash over a film script. Austin, the achiever, is working on a script he has sold to producer Sal Kimmer when Lee, a demented petty thief, drops in. He pitches his own idea for a movie to Kimmer, who then wants Austin to junk his bleak, modern love story and write Lee's trashy Western tale.


Get True West Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Review: WEST SIDE STORY Presented by Washington National Opera at The Music Center At Strathmore
by David Friscic - May 19, 2026


It was good to be back at the Washington National Opera for their thrilling performance of West Side Story after a year of extreme change for this vital world-renowned artistic organization/institution. As many people already know, the Washington National Opera has had to relocate to other venues to proactively create new artistic paradigms after some tough challenges at the Kennedy Center. (I was pleased to review this production on the night of May 14, 2026, at The Music Center at Strathmore

ARMAGEDDON, GLORY, APOLLO 13, and NATIONAL TREASURE Set for Bilheimer Capitol Theatre Summer Classic Movies Series
by A.A. Cristi - May 15, 2026


The Nancy and David Bilheimer Capitol Theatre will present its Summer Classic Movie Series, featuring films including ARMAGEDDON, GLORY, APOLLO 13, and MIRACLE, celebrating America's 250th birthday.

Ying Ying Li’s DANCE MOMS World Premiere and More Set for Marin Theatre 26/27 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Apr 20, 2026


Marin Theatre has revealed its 60th 2026/27 season. To be presented August 2026 through June 2027, Marin Theatre’s 60th season includes the World Premiere of Ying Ying Li’s amusing take on finding oneself after a certain age, Dance Moms and more.

Center Theatre Group Reveals 2026/27 Season - THE TURNING WORLD Premiere and More
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 30, 2026


Center Theatre Group has revealed twelve productions for the 2026/27 Season. The eight-show One CTG subscription package includes plays and musicals at the Mark Taper Forum and Ahmanson Theatre, including The Turning world premiere and more.

Full Cast Announced for STAND & DELIVER at National Theatre of Scotland
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2026


45 years on from the legendary occupation of the Lee Jeans Factory in Greenock, Stand and Deliver: The Lee Jeans Sit-In tells a powerful and personal story of political resistance, workers' determination and lifelong female solidarity and friendship.

Video: Watch Ana Navarro Make Her Broadway Debut in BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
by Josh Sharpe - Mar 10, 2026


The View host Ana Navarro made her Broadway debut in Buena Vista Social Club on March 6 and a new video is now available following Navarro on her Broadway journey, from rehearsals to curtain call. Check it out here.

REAL MEN WEAR SCARVES IN PITTSBURGH Set for 2026 NYC Fringe Festival
by Stephi Wild - Feb 23, 2026


Andy Paluselli will present Real Men Wear Scarves in Pittsburgh, written and performed by Andy Paluselli and directed by Herman Sebek. The production will be presented as part of the 2026 New York City Fringe Festival.

Ana Navarro Sets One-Night-Only Appearance in BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
by Josh Sharpe - Feb 20, 2026


It's Ana Navarro's time to shine! The View host will be making her Broadway debut in Buena Vista Social Club for a one-night-only appearance on March 6.

From Churches to Banks: The Unlikely Origins of Off-Broadway Theaters
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Mar 22, 2026


The large majority of our 41 Broadway theaters were built to be Broadway theaters. Other than the Winter Garden, which was originally a horse exchange, the Nederlander, which was originally a carpenter’s shop, and the Broadway and Lunt-Fontanne which were originally movie theaters, every current Broadway house was intended from the beginning to present Broadway shows. As for off-Broadway? The opposite is true.

Review: LES MISERABLES WORLD TOUR—Four Decades of Heart, Heroism, and Hope
by Gilbert Kim Sancha - Jan 25, 2026


Since its 1980 debut in Paris, Les Misérables has transcended the medium of musical theatre to become a global cultural force.

Video: Mandy Patinkin Leads 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' at Mayor Zohran Mamdani's Inauguration
by Stephi Wild - Jan 2, 2026


During Zohran Mamdani's mayoral inauguration ceremony, Broadway's Mandy Patinkin led a performance of 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow', featuring a pubic high school choir from Staten Island. Check out the video here!

MANDY PATINKIN IN CONCERT: BEING ALIVE is Coming to the Carpenter Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 11, 2025


Broadway’s master songman, Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, will bring his newest theatre concert Mandy Patinkin in Concert: BEING ALIVE, to the Carpenter Center.

Mandy Patinkin Will Perform at Westport Country Playhouse
by Stephi Wild - Nov 13, 2025


Mandy Patinkin, accompanied by Adam Ben-David on piano, will bring his newest theatre concert Mandy Patinkin in Concert: JUKEBOX, to Westport Country Playhouse for one performance only.

Exclusive: Listen to 'I’m Gonna Be Strong' From BRONCO BILLY - THE MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Oct 23, 2025


Bronco Billy – The Musical, Recorded live in performance during its 2024 run at London’s Charing Cross Theatre, will release an album. BroadwayWorld has an exclusive listen to 'I’m Gonna Be Strong' here. 

SOLFEST 2025 Latiné Theater Festival Programming Announced
by Gillian Blum - Sep 27, 2025


SolFest 2025 is a Latiné Theater Festival running in New York City and online from September 28 through October 2, with a full lineup of programming announced for all four days.

Vive la France! A Guide to Iconic French Musicals
by Sidney Paterra - Sep 26, 2025


Broadway and the West End may be the global capitals of musical theatre, but some of the best musicals have also come from outside the boundaries of New York City and London. France has produced revolutionary rock operas like Starmania and La Révolution Française to international blockbusters like Les Misérables, Notre-Dame de Paris, and Roméo et Juliette, captivating audiences around the world for decades. 

A History of Three-Handers on Broadway
by Jennifer Ashley Tepper - Oct 5, 2025


While a lot has been written about two handers, a term for two-person shows, less has been penned about three-handers. Yet, three-person plays are just as common a genre on Broadway as pieces with only two players. Currently, Art, by Yasmina Reza, is receiving an all-star revival at the Music Box.

Jennifer Westfeldt Makes London Theatre Debut in THE ASSEMBLED PARTIES
by Stephi Wild - Sep 15, 2025


Tony Award nominated actress Jennifer Westfeldt will star alongside Tracy-Ann Oberman in the European premiere of Richard Greenberg’s The Assembled Parties this October.

From the West End to DOWNTON ABBEY: A Look at Penelope Wilton's Stage Career
by Josh Sharpe - Sep 12, 2025


Since the early 1970s, Penelope Wilton has established herself as a major player on the British stage, and we are taking a look back at her expansive theatrical career, just in time for Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale.

QUEEN Will Play a Special Performance at King's Place
by Stephi Wild - Aug 22, 2025


Queen - a play written entirely in Queen Victoria's own words, taken from her letters and journals and bringing her innermost thoughts back to life - will be performed at King's Place in London.

Review: TRUE WEST at Copley Theatre, Aurora IL
by Tina St. Angelo - Jul 31, 2025


Part of the dialogue from the current production in the BOLD series at Paramount’s Copley Theatre. The late, great Sam Shepard’s 1980 play True West is running through August 31. There is a reason this series is called BOLD. This is an intense, dark and, at times, funny play. There are moments of holding your breath, gasping out loud and, sometimes, laughing.  

Photos: Sam Shepard's TRUE WEST At Paramount Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 23, 2025


Paramount Theatre in Aurora will kick off the fourth season of its BOLD Series with Sam Shepard’s True West, running from July 16 through August 31, 2025, at the intimate Copley Theatre in downtown Aurora. See photos of the production.

MAMMA MIA! is Back—Here’s Your Guide to Essential Pre-Show Viewing
by Sidney Paterra - Jul 19, 2025


xHere we go again! In just weeks, Mamma Mia! will make its long-awaited return to Broadway, and it’s finally time to get back into the Dancing Queen spirit. It's been almost a decade since the beloved musical concluded its initial run on Broadway and we're here to help you brush up your Mamma Mia! knowhow with this ultimate pre-show watchlist...

Surflight Theatre to bring 42ND STREET to The Stage
by Emmy Rice - Jul 6, 2025


Surflight’s adaptation of the 1980 staged musical 42nd Street, based on the book by Michael Stewart and Mark Bramble, directed and choreographed by Paula Hammons Sloan, takes us on the journey of Peggy Sawyer as she attempts to make her mark in the big apple.

New Work by Robert Schenkkan and More Set for TheatreWorks' New Works Festival
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 1, 2025


Hundreds of lovers of new theatre will gather this summer for an advance look at tomorrow’s hits at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s 22nd Annual New Works Festival. Learn more!

True West History

Other Productions of True West

1980   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway
1982   Off-Broadway
Off-Broadway

Videos


TICKET CENTRAL
Hot Show
Tickets From $59
Hot Show
Tickets From $77
Hot Show
Tickets From $70
Hot Show
Tickets From $59