Roundabout Theatre Company was once a Little Non-Profit that has steadily grown to be a Great Big Non-Profit, to the point that some question the legitimacy of that status. Ever since its hit play, Sam Mendes-directed revival of Cabaret, which opened in 1998, Roundabout’s presence on the NYC theater scene has exploded. Iit now has two Broadway houses (club-turned-theater Studio 54 and the unfortunately named but glorious American Airlines Theatre), plus the Laura Pels Theater Off-Broadway, plus the brand new black box space, Roundabout Underground.
The Underground, which exclusively showcases new work and charges only $20 per seat, was created to make up for the sad fact that NYC’s most conspicuous non-profit only produces revivals in its Broadway houses. It’s unfortunate, when you consider that the money going to produce lush revivals of plays could go instead to an ambitious new drama by a contemporary writer. On the other hand, it’s nice to see some wonderful—and some unjustly forgotten—old plays and musicals get top-flight productions on Broadway thanks to Roundabout.
Roundabout Theatre Company Information
- Venues: American Airlines Theatre, 227 West 42nd Street; Studio 54, 254 West 54th Street; Laura Pels Theatre/Roundabout Underground Black Box Theatre, Harold and Miriam Steinberg Center for Theatre, 111 West 46th Street
- Public Transportation: Very Good (For American Airlines Theatre: Convenient to subway lines N, Q, R, S, 1, 2, 3, and 7 at 42nd Street/Times Square; A, C, and E at 42nd Street/Port Authority; and buses M7, M16, M20, M42, and M104. For Studio 54: Subway lines C and E at 50th Street/8th Avenue; the 1 at 50th Street/Broadway; B, D, and E at 7th Avenue; N, Q, and R at 57th Street/7th Avenue; and buses M7, M20, M31, M50, M57, and M104. For Laura Pels Theatre: Subway lines B, D, F, and M at 47-50th Streets/Rockefeller Center; N, Q, and R at 49th Street; and buses M5, M7, M20, M42, M50, and M104)
- Handicapped Accessibility: Good (all venues)
- Performances/Programs: Performance schedule is Tuesday–Sunday
- Ticket Prices: $66.50–$111.50 (American Airlines/Studio 54), $64–$74 (Laura Pels), $20 (Roundabout Underground); HIPTIX: $20 tickets for theatergoers 18–35 (must sign up for free HipTix membership in advance, one ticket per member); $10 First Preview (100 mezzanine tickets available). General Rush, student Rush, and half-price tickets for kids subject to availability
- Subscriptions: Four-Show $250 and Five-Show $295. Subscriber benefits include free ticket exchanges, $25 discount on additional tickets, and restaurant and parking discounts.
