Of course, New York City's Broadway is the headlining star in the world of theater, but did you know you can see stellar performances all around the state of New York? Whether you choose comedy, drama or children's theater, you'll be dazzled by shows in beautiful surroundings that rival the best stage sets.
Along with main stage shows, the Arena Players on Long Island get rave reviews for their summer Shakespeare festival, presented open-air (as the author intended) in the cobblestone courtyard of the Vanderbilt Mansion. If a great show at the Catskills' Forestburgh Playhouse makes you hungry for more, you're in luck. Performances in the 125-year-old barn are followed by cabaret in the adjoining Tavern.
Albany's Capital Rep features artists known from film and television in world premieres that later open on Broadway. Does a dramatic backdrop overlooking the majestic Niagara River Gorge intrigue you? See an outdoor show at Artpark's amphitheater.
You can also see Broadway hits staged at the Merry-Go-Round in the Finger Lakes and opulent Vaudeville-era theaters from Proctor's in Schenectady to Binghamton's Forum, and Shea's in Buffalo. For a nostalgic treat, catch a show at the Lucille Ball Little Theater in Jamestown, where the queen of TV comedy played her first stage role in 1930.