Astor Place Theatre New York

Astor Place Theatre Tickets

Blue Man Group

What’s On at Astor Place Theatre

Astor Place is known for staging experimental work from playwrights like Terrence McNally and Larry Shue, making this venue not only a historical landmark, but a cultural landmark for audiences wanting to enjoy the most exciting new theater shows. Since 1991, it has been the home of Blue Man Group, who bring their own experimental approach to live entertainment to New York City. Their innovative performances blend music, technology, and comedy, offering an immersive experience that continues to captivate audiences of all ages. This unique blend of theatrical elements has cemented Astor Place's reputation as a hub for cutting-edge performance art.

About the Astor Place Theatre

Astor Place Theatre in New York is best known as the long-term home of the iconic Blue Man Group, but its building dates back as far as 1831. Over the course of a century, it has transformed from the home of prominent Gilded Age families to a successful Off-Broadway theater hosting experimental new work.

Formerly the home of the Vanderbilt and Astor families, Colonnade Row’s striking Greek Revival townhouses, with marble columns lining the exterior, are thought to have been designed and built by Seth Greer. The intimate Astor Place Theatre sits inside this historic structure, which gained New York City Landmark status in 1963.

East Village entrepreneur Bruce Mailman bought Astor Place Theatre in 1965, and one of its earliest successes was the premier of Israel Horovitz’s The Indian Wants the Bronx, starring then-newcomer Al Pacino. Over the next three decades, the theater grew its reputation as the go-to place to see new, experimental work from upcoming playwrights. Shows staged include Tom Eyen’s Women Behind Bars and Larry Shue’s The Foreigner.

Since 1991, Astor Place has been the home of Blue Man Group. The company purchased the venue in 2001 and continues to play a popular residency at the theater to this day.

Map and Address

434 Lafayette St #1, New York, NY 10003

Astor Place Theatre is located on the historic Colonnade Row in Manhattan’s mainly residential NoHo neighborhood, close to other Off-Broadway venues including the Public Theater and excellent restaurants and cafes for pre-theater dining. It also sits comfortably between several exciting areas of NYC, including trendy SoHo, thriving Greenwich Village (where you can spot the Friends apartment) and the birthplace of punk rock, East Village. If you want to tick off some tourist big-hitters before a show, the theater has great transport links to the rest of New York including Times Square.