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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Performing Arts

Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, starring as Othello and Iago. (Courtesy photo by Julieta Cervantes)

Review: ‘Othello’s’ star-studded cast outshines its meaning

The Shakespearean play's brief return to Broadway is supported by A-list stars and a Tony-winning director, but lacks vision.
Nghi Nguyen, Contributing Writer April 30, 2025

The Bard’s return to Broadway made headlines last March, with the announcement that two of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors, Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, would...

(Courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)

Review: ‘Stranger Things: The First Shadow’ exists as just a live television episode

The spectacle-filled prequel to the series, better fit for a theme park than Broadway, arrives with enough fog to fill the entire Marquis Theatre.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 28, 2025

“Stranger Things” fans, rejoice! A new show on Broadway has everything for you. At the Marquis Theatre, you’ll see the beloved characters you remember from the series....

(Courtesy of Evan Zimmerman)

Review: ‘All Nighter’ takes on the college student’s psyche

This one-act show captures all of the saccharine sincerity inherent to college friendships and campus politics — for better or for worse.
Eleanor Jacobs, Music Editor April 28, 2025

In 95 minutes, “All Nighter” doesn’t just tell the story of one night. Natalie Margolin’s off-Broadway, one-act play chronicles graduating college housemates’ final study...

(Courtesy of Damon Baker)

Review: ‘John Proctor is the Villain’ wages war on the male abuser

Open up your SparkNotes: Kimberly Belflower’s new play stages a reexamination of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.”
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 23, 2025

This review contains spoilers. The new play, “John Proctor is the Villain,” confusingly introduced itself to Broadway. With an Instagram bio promising a show “running...

(Daniel Yee for WSN)

Remembering William Finn: Finding joy in pain, at NYU and on Broadway

The composer-lyricist and Tisch professor was widely known for the award-winning Broadway musical “Falsettos” and nurturing young writers.
Ethan Li and Ella Sabrina Malabanan April 22, 2025

“The living was the prize / The ending’s not the story / Just saying my goodbyes” — William Finn, from “Elegies: A Song Cycle.” The theater community lost a treasured...

(Courtesy of Marc Brenner)

Review: Sarah Snook redefines live theater in ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’

The literary classic goes digital in Broadway’s newest masterpiece.
Amelia Knust, Staff Writer April 18, 2025

One woman, 26 characters and two uninterrupted hours of awe. This is exactly what hundreds of theatergoers flock to at the Music Box Theatre. Kip Williams’ newest theatrical...

(Courtesy of Matthew Murphy)

Review: ‘Smash’ makes a messy TV show even worse

The new Broadway adaptation of the 2012 NBC series struggles with the transition from screen to stage.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Deputy Copy Chief April 18, 2025

NBC’s 2012 series “Smash” is the ultimate guilty pleasure. Even though it is often described as a hate-watch, the show’s phenomenal original music by “Hairspray” composer-lyricists...

(Courtesy of Emilio Madrid)

Review: Cursing, cutthroat comedians duke it out in ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’

Despite its cast of award-winning actors led by Kieran Culkin and Bob Odenkirk, this revival of David Mamet’s tragicomedy about real-estate agents lands unevenly on Broadway.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 11, 2025

Before “Glengarry Glen Ross” begins, director Patrick Marber chose to project a set of glistening steak knives on the scrim at the Palace Theatre. In theory, this addition...

(Courtesy of Marc J. Franklin)

Review: ‘Purpose’ stages a contemplative family reunion

Two-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and playwright Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ new dramedy explores the tensions within a politically powerful Black family.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 10, 2025

A portrait of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. hangs on the wall of the Jasper family home. It’s the first thing you see when you walk into the Hayes Theater to watch Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’...

(Courtesy of Julieta Cervantes)

Review: ‘Operation Mincemeat’ fails its mission

The WWII historical comedy is crossing the pond after its Olivier win for best new musical.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief April 4, 2025

The theater world is facing a British invasion. Of the 42 2024-25 Broadway shows, almost one in five have previously played in London, with countless more off-Broadway. As Paul...

Eli Lane performs his monologue as the character Zak in the play “The Ball.” (Ivy Chan for WSN)

At the Fresh Fruit Festival, NYU students bring gay to the stage

Presented by All Out Arts, the festival’s 2025 10-Minute Play Contest featured student directors and actors.
Dylan Henschen, Staff Writer April 2, 2025

Broadway has its fair share of LGBTQ+ representation — think musicals like “& Juliet” and plays like “Oh, Mary!” — but at the Fresh Fruit Festival, there is an...

(Courtesy of James Leynse)

Review: ‘Amerikin’ offers a wild subversion of the American Dream

Chisa Hutchinson’s play balances a biting critique of white supremacy and an empathetic view of what parents will do for their children.
Sawyer Gouw Ranzetta, Staff Writer March 21, 2025

The personal is political. In a world full of existential political dread, theater offers a place to break down these systems and consider the multitude of perspectives behind...