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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

(Courtesy of Andy Henderson)

Review: Passionate music takes center stage at ‘Buena Vista Social Club’

The new musical, inspired by the Grammy-winning album of the same name, spotlights the fiery music of Cuba.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief March 20, 2025

In 1996, a group of established musicians gathered at the EGREM studio — the national record label of Cuba — in Havana. Led by musician Juan de Marcos González, Buena Vista...

(Gabriel Vasconcellos for WSN)

Review: Heart and hilarity take center stage in The Classical Studio’s ‘Twelfth Night’

Tisch’s modern interpretation of the centuries-old play highlights the importance of community.
Annie Emans, Staff Writer March 14, 2025

Every year, a select group of NYU students who approach modern and classical theater text delivers a performance of a Shakespearean play, one of two major performance projects....

(Courtesy of the Brooklyn Academy of Music)

Review: ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ brings new life to the drama genre

Rebecca Frecknall’s revival of Tennessee Williams’ drama brings a fresh and fiery air to the timeless play.
Dylan Henschen, Contributing Writer March 11, 2025

Paul Mescal taking his shirt off four times may be enough to justify the steep ticket prices. Though his abs alone are enticing, the show also takes the audience through a series...

(Courtesy of Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)

Review: ‘Redwood’ spotlights the roots of resilience

Broadway legend Idina Menzel returns to 41st Street for the new musical “Redwood.”
Luke Vrba, Contributing Writer March 5, 2025

After nearly a decade, Idina Menzel is back on Broadway. The Tony Award-winning NYU alum you’ve seen in “Wicked” and “Rent” and heard in “Frozen” now stars in “Redwood,”...

(Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company)

Review: In ‘English,’ the fight to learn a new language perseveres

Sanaz Toossi’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy explores the hardships four Iranians go through to learn English.
Ethan Li, Deputy Copy Chief January 30, 2025

In this classroom, only English is spoken. The teacher, Marjan (Marjan Neshat), enforces this rule harshly — if you speak any other language, you get a tally mark. At five tallies,...

An illustration of a hand holding a nutcracker on a blue background scattered with snowflakes.

Let out of the doll box: My retirement from ‘The Nutcracker’

After 10 years of shows, this is my first year not performing, and I have countless memories and emotions to reflect on.
Siobhán Minerva, Deputy Arts Editor December 9, 2024

I found myself in the dark enclosure of a life-sized present box. The light bulb inside had gone out. Wheeled onstage, the party-scene music entered my ears. Tapping my toes in...

Dancers dressed in soldier costumes lined up onstage.

The Rockettes don’t know when to tap out

The Christmas Spectacular starring the Radio City Rockettes has complicated its timelessness and tradition with too much technology, instead of fixing existing issues.
Bella Simonte, Contributing Writer December 6, 2024

After 91 years of cancans and kicklines in the annual Christmas Spectacular, seeing the Radio City Rockettes remains a staple in many families' holiday traditions. Sitting on the...

Two people stand on a stage with their hands on a table, looking at each other.

Broke People Play Festival expands to uplift more student artists

The student-led festival showcases one-act and full-length plays that are written, directed and performed by NYU students.
Sawyer Gouw Ranzetta, Staff Writer December 5, 2024

Twenty-somethings trapped in a cave discover a creature who takes on the appearance of LGBTQ+ icons. A spelling bee champion navigates her relationship with her crisis counselor....

A person wearing a blue suit with white sleeves holds the hand of a person wearing a pink dress while they sit on a beige couch in a set of a house.

Review: ‘The Great Gatsby’ disguises mediocrity with a star-studded cast

As literary adaptations take over the Broadway stage, “The Great Gatsby” fails to set itself apart.
Shiphrah Moses, Culture Editor December 4, 2024

Earlier this April, the Broadway Theatre invited viewers to travel back in time to the world of 1920s New York City with the new musical adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s iconic...

Two women stand over a kitchen island, making a cup of coffee together.

Review: ‘The Roommate’ struggles to find its heart

The Broadway production starring Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow inspires a lot of laughs, but not much else.
Chantal Mann, Contributing Writer November 26, 2024

Having a roommate isn’t foreign to most New Yorkers or college students, although having one in your 50s and 60s in Iowa is a bit more unordinary. Nonetheless, Jen Silverman’s...

A man and woman in historical costumes on a stage set resembling an office.

Review: ‘Oh, Mary!’ brings unhinged comedy to Broadway

Cole Escola’s fictionalized biographical play is both wickedly funny and surprisingly smart.
Ethan Li, Contributing Writer November 21, 2024

It’s easy to imagine Mary Todd Lincoln sitting in the Oval Office in the 1860s, supporting her husband through his presidency — not, say, drinking paint thinner for fun and...

A man and woman stand facing the audience in adjacent rooms on a stage. The woman’s has a purple hue while the man’s is blue.

Review: ‘Maybe Happy Ending’ melts even the most robotic hearts

The new Broadway musical starring Darren Criss and Helen J Shen is a refreshing comedy merging robots and romance.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Staff Writer November 14, 2024

“Maybe Happy Ending” is a tale as old as time — boy meets girl, boy and girl fall in love, boy and girl also happen to be robots. The new musical playing at the Belasco Theatre...