What's Closing Soon on Broadway & Off Broadway- December 2024

It's closing time! Last call to catch some of your favorite stars in action on and off Broadway, including a beloved revival, a star-led new play, and more. Get your tickets to these shows now before they are gone for good.  

Check out which shows are closing in December 2024 below and learn more about what's coming to Broadway in 2025 and the best shows on Broadway right now.

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Closing Soon on Broadway

Water for Elephants (Broadway, 12/8/2024)

Step right up and immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Water for Elephants, the spellbinding Broadway musical that brings Sara Gruen's beloved novel to life. Since its debut at the Imperial Theatre in March 2024, this production has captivated audiences with its breathtaking visuals, heartfelt storytelling, and a touch of circus magic. What’s the show about? Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, Water for Elephants follows Jacob Jankowski, a young man who, after a personal tragedy, finds himself aboard a traveling circus train. As the show's new veterinarian, Jacob becomes entwined in a world of wonder and danger, forming deep connections with Marlena, the star equestrian, and Rosie, the enigmatic elephant who transforms their lives. The narrative weaves themes of love, loss, and the pursuit of belonging, all under the big top's dazzling lights. The musical features an evocative score by PigPen Theatre Co., blending folk and Americana influences to create melodies that resonate with the era's spirit. Rick Elice's book adapts Gruen's novel with sensitivity and depth, capturing the essence of the original story while adding new dimensions for the stage. Directed by Jessica Stone, the production seamlessly integrates acrobatics, puppetry, and traditional theater, offering a truly immersive experience. The original Broadway cast included Grant Gustin as Jacob Jankowski, Isabelle McCalla as Marlena, and Paul Alexander Nolan as August. Kyle Selig took over for Gustin in fall 2024. Water for Elephants has garnered critical acclaim, receiving seven nominations at the 77th Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Its innovative staging and heartfelt performances have solidified its place as a must-see production in the current Broadway season.

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Tammy Faye (Broadway, 12/8/2024)

The story of a traveling preacher’s wife who beamed into homes with a message of hope… and stole the country’s heart. It’s the 1970s. As satellites broadcast brand-new cable programming into American homes, millions fall in love with Tammy Faye Bakker – the charismatic wife of pastor Jim Bakker. Together, they build a nationwide congregation that puts the fun back into faith. But, even as Tammy dazzles on screen, jealous rivals plot behind the scenes, threatened by her determination to lead with love. Wrapped in a joyful and deliriously fun score that could only come from Elton John, with lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears, a book by Olivier Award-winning playwright James Graham, and directed by Olivier Award winner Rupert Goold, TAMMY FAYE shines a sparkling light on the generous, loving, often lonely soul behind the illustrious lashes. Reprising their celebrated West End performances, the divine cast is led by two-time Olivier Award winner Katie Brayben as Tammy Faye and Olivier and Tony Award® nominee Andrew Rannells as Jim Bakker.

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The Notebook (Broadway, 12/15/2024)

With a book that has sold millions of copies worldwide and a film that's one of the highest-grossing romantic dramas of all-time, the musical adaptation of Nicholas Sparks's The Notebook ​has come to Broadway following a critically acclaimed world premiere engagement at Chicago Shakespeare Theater in the fall of 2022.​Since its Broadway debut in March 2024, The Notebook has captivated audiences with its poignant storytelling and evocative music. Adapted from Nicholas Sparks' beloved 1996 novel, this musical brings to life the enduring romance of Allie and Noah, exploring themes of love, memory, and the passage of time. What’s the show about?​ The Notebook follows the lifelong love story of Allie Nelson and Noah Calhoun, who come from different social backgrounds. Their journey, marked by passion and challenges, unfolds through a series of memories, highlighting the power of enduring love and the impact of choices made over a lifetime. The musical features a heartfelt score by singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson​. The​ book, crafted by playwright Bekah Brunstetter, weaves together the narrative's past and present, offering a fresh perspective on the classic tale. Under the direction of Michael Greif and Schele Williams, the production balances intimate moments with sweeping musical numbers, creating an immersive theatrical experience. The original Broadway cast include​d Jordan Tyson as Younger Allie, John Cardoza as Younger Noah, Joy Woods as Middle Allie, Ryan Vasquez as Middle Noah, Maryann Plunkett as Older Allie, and Dorian Harewood as Older Noah. Whether you're a fan of the original novel or new to the story, The Notebook offers a moving and memorable theatrical experience. ​D​on't forget to bring along your tissues, because you'll need them!

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The Roommate (Broadway, 12/15/2024)

Sharon’s never had a roommate before. In fact, there’s a lot Sharon’s never done before, but Robyn’s about to change all that. Jen Silverman’s The Roommate shatters expectations with its witty and profound portrait of a blossoming intimacy between two women from vastly different backgrounds, as they navigate the complexities of identity, morality, and the promise of reinvention. Being bad never felt so good as it does in this riveting one-act about second acts.

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Swept Away (Broadway, 12/29/2024)
When a violent storm sinks their whaling ship off the coast of New Bedford, Mass., the four survivors face a reckoning: how far will they go to stay alive? And can they live with the consequences? With music and lyrics from The Avett Brothers (“America’s Biggest Roots Band,” Rolling Stone), whose 2004 “Mignonette” was inspired by an 1884 shipwreck and the struggle of four men to survive, SWEPT AWAY is an electrifying, soul-stirring new musical exploring how facing tragedy can open the door to forgiveness… if only we’ll let it.

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Closing Soon Off-Broadway

Bad Kreyol (Off-Bway, 12/1/2024)

A world-premiere play written by Dominique Morisseau and directed by Tiffany Nichole Greene in fall 2024. The play follows a Haitian American who visits her cousin in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. There, she learns more about her identity, her understanding of what it means to "do good," and the fraught relationship between America and Haiti at large.

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Gatz (Off-Bway, 12/1/2024)

Ahead of the centennial of The Great Gatsby’s publication and more than a decade after its original Obie and Lortel Award-winning engagements, Elevator Repair Service’s *GATZ* returns to The Public for a thrilling and final New York City encore of the acclaimed production. One morning in the office of a mysterious small business, an employee finds a copy of The Great Gatsby in the clutter of his desk. He starts to read it out loud and doesn’t stop. At first his coworkers hardly notice. But after a series of strange coincidences, it’s no longer clear whether he’s reading the book, or the book is transforming him. Told over a single 6 1/2-hour production created by Elevator Repair Service and directed by Elevator Repair Service Artistic Director John Collins, GATZ is not a retelling of the Gatsby story but an enactment of the entire novel. Fitzgerald’s American masterpiece is delivered word for word, startlingly brought to life by a low- rent office staff amid their inscrutable business operations. Scott Shepherd reprises his award-winning role as the Narrator and is joined by most of the original New York cast. An event not to be missed and a last chance to see this theatrical and literary tour de force by one of the American theater’s most exciting and inventive companies.

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Burnout Paradise (Off-Bway, 12/1/2024)
In a gladiatorial race against time, four performers on moving treadmills perform an escalating series of tasks. Burnout Paradise is a hilariously cathartic caricature of a painfully familiar experience: running oneself ragged trying to get everything done. In Burnout Paradise, Pony Cam welcomes audiences with a simple wager: Can the four performers meet a dizzying array of challenges while collectively running 20km on treadmills before their time runs out? If they fail—and, they often do—they offer the audience their money back.

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Thistles (Off-Bway, 12/1/2024)
After fleeing New York City for the countryside during a global calamity, Rebecca finds herself alone in her family’s neglected farmhouse. She must do her best to manage the anxieties and expectations of her aging relatives as they clash over whether to sell the old house, all while surrounded by doorknobs and relationships that are in desperate need of repair. Thistles keenly explores family secrets, queerness, and the desperate desire to be accepted. Tragedy lurks as emotions are buried under ancestral floorboards.

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Strategic Love Play (Off-Bway, 12/7/2024)
After matching online, two strangers—Heléne Yorke (“The Other Two”) and Michael Zegen (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”)—meet in real life. The vibe is off, and the conversation is a mess. Yet something is keeping them in their seats. What begins as a typical date off the apps spirals into something unexpected in a bold new production of Strategic Love Play, the show that sold out in London and took the Edinburgh Fringe by storm. From “Succession” writer Miriam Battye and director Katie Posner comes the New York debut of the award-winning, razor-sharp “comedic tour de force” (The Guardian) that The Evening Standard calls “as gripping as a friend’s rapid-fire texts from a disastrous first date."

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This Is My Favorite Song (Off-Bway, 12/8/2024)
In a world transformed by loss, Francesca D’Uva finds humor…everywhere. An experimental fusion of stand-up and original digital-pop bangers, This Is My Favorite Song is a musical fever dream about sex, grief, nannying, and Shakira.

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We Are Your Robots (Off-Bway, 12/8/2024)
The season opens in Fall 2024 with the world premiere of a new musical, We Are Your Robots, by Obie-winning playwright Ethan Lipton (No Place to Go, Tumacho) and directed by two-time Tony nominee Leigh Silverman (Suffs, Yellow Face). Co-produced with Rattlestick Theater, We Are Your Robots features text and songs by Lipton, and music by his bandmates of 20 years: Eben Levy on guitar, Vito Dieterle on saxophone, and Ian Riggs on bass. The quartet play robots who’ve come to the theater to answer the question, “What do humans want from their machines?” With witty songs that are “twisted, dark and sophisticated both lyrically and musically, yet schleppy, sweet and sad all at once” (NPR), We Are Your Robots looks at brain mapping, consciousness, violence, surveillance, and the problem better known as being human.

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Room 1214 (Off-Bway, 12/8/2024)
Inspired by real interviews with a history teacher who experienced the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School firsthand, this stirring memory play, by the playwright of the critically acclaimed H*tler’s Tasters, follows as she returns to the school to teach one final lesson, asking what if you could rewrite history? She reunites with her students as they were – playful, funny, and full of life and potential – real kids with bright futures. Equal part memorial and essential history, Room 1214 overflows with truths both uncomfortable and necessary, offering a moving reminder that the best way to honor the past is to learn from it.

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King Lear (Off-Bway, 12/15/2024)
Kenneth Branagh plays the title role in a new production of William Shakespeare’s King Lear, set in the barbarous landscape of Ancient Britain. Featuring a cast of rising stars from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art directed by Branagh, this production releases the play’s power and turmoil in a fast-paced staging. In playing Lear, Branagh completes a trifecta of great Shakespearean tragic roles, complementing past appearances as Hamlet in his Academy Award–nominated film version of the play (1996) and on stage as Macbeth in a celebrated immersive production (2014). This strictly limited, exclusive US engagement of King Lear runs for 50 performances only.

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SHIT. MEET. FAN. (Off-Bway, 12/15/2024)
Here’s the game… Phones Out. Face Up. Volume High. Every text, every email, every call must be shared aloud. That’s what a group of long-time friends gather to play on the night of the eclipse. With the cocktails flowing among grownups who refuse to grow up, outrageous secrets and skeletons begin to emerge… SHIT. MEET. FAN. Are they ready for the ensuing chaos? Are you? The mayhem unfolds in real time in this World Premiere uproarious new satire written and directed by Tony Award nominee ROBERT O’HARA (SLAVE PLAY, MCC’S BLKS, BOOTYCANDY).

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The Light and The Dark (the life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi) (Off-Bway, 12/15/2024)
At the height of the Italian Renaissance, artists are reshaping the very image of humanity. Artemisia Gentileschi wants to become one of the great painters...but women are not thought capable of true artistry. With persistence and bravado she quickly establishes a groundbreaking perspective, but just as her career begins to gain momentum, a series of devastating betrayals crack the foundation of her life and art. Told through her piercing point of view, The Light and The Dark (the life and times of Artemisia Gentileschi) weaves a magnetic and empowering tapestry of art, ambition, rage, and resilience. From Kate Hamill, the playwright behind Primary Stages’ critically acclaimed adaptations of Pride and Prejudice and Little Women, comes a new play about how Gentileschi transcended trauma to become one of the most successful artists of her time and an inspiration for women throughout the ages.

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300 Paintings (Off-Bway, 12/15/2024)
In 2021, over the course of five intense and unpredictable months, Sydney comedian Sam Kissajukian created 300 large-scale paintings, unknowingly documenting his mental states through an extended manic bipolar episode. In this hilarious, fascinating, and wildly original show, he examines that time and explores the ties between art, mental health, and creativity. A sold-out hit at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and winner of eight Fringe Festival Awards in Australia, including the Sydney Fringe Festival Award for Best Comedy and Directors Choice Award, 300 Paintings has garnered five-star reviews across Australia and the UK, including acclaim from The New York Times during its Edinburgh Fringe run.

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Mama, I'm a Big Girl Now! (Off-Bway, 12/21/2024)
Tony Award winner Marissa Jaret Winokur (Hairspray), Tony nominee Kerry Butler (Xanadu), and Tony nominee Laura Bell Bundy (Legally Blonde) celebrate 20 years of Broadway hits, motherhood, and lifelong friendship. From Broadway Babies to Broadway Mamas! With 16 Broadway shows and over 300 episodes of television between them, this trio has truly done it all! From “Beetlejuice” to “Big Brother,” “Mean Girls” to “Legally Blonde,” “Dancing with the Stars” to “Beauty and the Beast,” “Wicked” to “Gypsy,” and even the Country Music Awards! The three met while originating the roles of Tracy, Penny and Amber in the Tony Award winning show Hairspray! They spend the evening revisiting the show that helped launch their careers and lifetime friendship, all while singing hits from the shows that made you fall in love with them. Join these powerhouse performers on a hilarious and meaningful musical journey about their origins, friendships, careers, and becoming mamas themselves. For decades, they performed as teenagers on stage, now see the fully bloomed divas they’ve become in “Mama, I’m a Big Girl Now.” A night of Broadway music and stories you will never forget.

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The Merchant of Venice (Off-Bway, 12/22/2024)
This highly entertaining adaptation of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, directed by Ukrainian-born, Jewish theater artist Igor Golyak, is a wild ride that takes a startling and tragic turn, leaving the audience stunned and unable to stop the inevitable and unbearable consequences. Starring Richard Topol as Shylock with a stellar ensemble cast, this is Shakespeare for our time — a full force experience, urgent, deeply human, and full of questions.

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Babe (Off-Bway, 12/22/2024)
From grunge to femme punk hits, Abby (Marisa Tomei) and Gus have produced it all. Their work marriage is legendary and Gus has the platinum records to prove it. But when Katherine, a fresh A&R hire, calls Abby out on the compromises she’s made in her work union, Abby must face the music and fight to survive.

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Hold on to Me Darling (Off-Bway, 12/22/2024)
On learning of his mother’s death, country music icon Strings McCrane (Adam Driver) finds himself in an existential tailspin. The only way out, he decides, is to abandon superstardom in favor of the simple life, so he moves back to his hometown in Tennessee. The simple life turns out to be anything but simple in this brilliantly observed tragicomedy, as the consequences of Strings’s success and mind-bending effects of his fame prove all but impossible to outrun.