Spot the famous faces

For a chance to see your favorite television actors tackling classic theatre, the hot ticket this January is A Month In the Country at Classic Stage Company. Ivan Turgenev’s masterpiece, directed by Erica Schmidt, stars “Game of Thrones” actor Peter Dinklage and “Orange is the New Black" actress Taylor Schilling. The cast also features Anthony Edwards from “ER”, Annabella Sciorra from “The Sopranos” and Tony Award winner Elizabeth Franz. A beautiful story about unrequited love and erotic turmoil, the talented cast make this a must-see. Performances run from Jan. 9-Feb. 22 at Classic Stage Company. Tickets are available from $76. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Classic Stage Company is located at 136 East 13th St, New York.)

Horror fans, come gather:

If you get a kick out of having the pants scared off you in the theatre, you will not want to miss Let the Right One In. Based on the popular Swedish horror novel and film of the same name, the National Theatre of Scotland presents its critically acclaimed show at St. Ann’s Warehouse. The National Theatre of Scotland has earned an international reputation for its daring and originality, and Let the Right One In, a brutal yet tender vampire myth, received stellar reviews when it played in the U.K. The play is adapted by award-winning playwright Jack Thorne and directed by Tony winner John Tiffany. Performances run Jan. 20-Feb. 15 at St. Ann’s Warehouse. Tickets are $35. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. St. Ann’s Warehouse is located at 29 Jay St., Brooklyn.)

Life is better with song: If you love great musicals but can’t afford a Broadway show every week, never fear, your favorite Off-Broadway theatres are really lifting the bar this month. January will see a handful of fabulous new and old musicals from the creators of your most beloved Broadway shows.

Hamilton

From the wildly talented imaginations that created Tony Award-winning In the Heights comes a new musical about one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton explores the life of the scrappy immigrant who worked his way up to be George Washington’s right-hand man and war hero. The creative team behind the world premiere is brimming with talent: book, music and lyrics by Tony and Grammy Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda, choreography by Tony winner Andy Blankenbuehler and direction by Tony Award nominee Thomas Kail. Performances will run Jan. 20-March 22 at the Public Theater. Tickets start at $80. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. The Public Theater is located at 425 Lafayette St, Astor Place.)

Brooklynite

The Vineyard’s first show of 2015 promises to be an exciting one; Brooklynite is the world-premiere musical helmed by director Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) with music and lyrics by Peter Lerman, a book by Lerman and Mayer and choreography by Tony nominee Steven Hoggett (Once). Inspired by the real Brooklyn Superhero Supply Company in Park Slope, Brooklynite tells the story of  an idealistic hardware store clerk who dreams of becoming a superhero. The production features a cast of talented Off-Broadway performers, including Nick Cordero and Matt Doyle. Performances run Jan. 30-March 22 at the Vineyard Theatre. Ticket prices start at $85. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. The Vineyard Theatre is located at 108 East 15^th St., between Union Square East and Irving Place, Manhattan.)

Into the Woods

There is no doubt that Into the Woods is trending at the moment; the Tony Award-winning musical classic by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine has recently been adapted into a highly anticipated film with an all-star cast. To coincide with the big screen release, The Roundabout Theatre Company is presenting the acclaimed Fiasco Theater production of Into the Woods, directed by Noah Brody and Ben Steinfeld. With a cast of 10, the witty and stripped-down theatrical re-invention is currently in previews and will run through March 22 at The Laura Pels Theatre. Tickets start at $99. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. The Laura Pels Theatre is located at 111 West 46^th St, Manhattan.) 

The one that got away:

That Off-Broadway show that everybody was raving about but sold out almost immediately and you regretted it forever more? It’s back! New York audiences will now have a second opportunity to see the previously sold-out production of Tony-nominated Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Between Riverside and Crazy. It was definitely the hot ticket Off-Broadway when the show premiered at the Atlantic Theatre Company earlier this year, garnering stellar reviews from the critics and quickly selling out its entire run. Second Stage Theatre will present the play, an original, laugh-out-loud look at life in rent-controlled New York City, with the same creative team and cast. Performances run Jan. 16-March 8 at Second Stage Theatre. Tickets are available from $79. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. Second Stage Theatre is located at 305 West 43^rd St, Manhattan.)

"I loved them before they were famous":

If your thing is being ahead of the game when it comes to hot new plays and emerging playwrights, then you won’t want to miss A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Lakes by Kate Benson. The New York Times praised Benson’s play as “fearless and remarkably entertaining” when it premiered at the New Georges Jam on Toast festival this year. Directed by Lee Sunday Evans and produced by New Georges and The Women’s Project, A Beautiful Day in November on the Banks of the Greatest of the Lakes is a comedic family drama laced with competitive undertones and numerous surprises. Performances run Jan.12-Feb. 7 at New York City Center. Tickets are available from $35. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. The New York City Center is located at 131 W 55^th St, Manhattan.)

Following rave reviews from an engagement at the Bushwick Starr earlier this year, Dave Malloy’s Ghost Quartet reappears, this time at the McKittrick Hotel for a limited run. The talented Malloy (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) shares a new song cycle about “love, death and whiskey.” Blurring the lines between concert and theatrical story-telling, it promises to be a night of memorable entertainment. Performances run Jan. 5-18 at the McKittrick Hotel. (For more information and to purchase tickets, click here. The McKittrick Hotel is located at 530 West 27^th St, Manhattan.)