OFF-BROADWAY · PLAY

The Play That Goes Wrong tickets

New World Stages / Stage 4 ↗

4.4/52,005 reviewsAudience rating · booking catalog

A murder mystery struggles to survive its own opening night.

The Play That Goes Wrong: production image 1 of 4

1 / 4

Production images and artwork.

Running time

Approximately 2 hours

Age guidance

The official ticket page lists ages 8 and older.

Setting

Off-Broadway, New York

LIVE PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Book show tickets

Choose a date. All times are New York local time.

Loading calendar

Checking the latest performance dates…

Book Tickets

Choose from the seating options available for your performance. Review the available seats, total price, and ticket details before confirming your booking.

Booking powered by tickadooBooking help Booking information

The Play That Goes Wrong makes a failing performance the subject of a carefully constructed comedy. An amateur company attempts to stage The Murder at Haversham Manor, while problems with people, props, and the production itself accumulate. The current New York engagement is Off-Broadway at New World Stages. Choose it for physical comedy and the pleasure of watching characters try to maintain appearances when control is slipping away. There is no need to be a theater expert to recognize the predicament.

This might be your show if…

Fans of physical comedy
Visitors who prefer plays to musicals
Groups looking for a comic shared experience

Worth knowing: A full-length play; Mishaps and slapstick are the central style

The premise does the work

For a group with different levels of theater experience, the setup is easy to explain: people are trying to put on a serious show and things keep going wrong. Our recommendation is to stop the explanation there. The details of how a mishap develops, how a character responds, and what becomes harder next are the reasons to watch. There is no benefit in preparing a list of the biggest gags. Let the production establish its rules and give the comedy room to build.

A play for people who want comedy

If someone in your group says they do not like musicals, ask whether they would enjoy a play focused on physical humor. That is a more useful conversation than trying to persuade them that all theater is the same. Conversely, someone who chiefly wants to hear songs may prefer a different ticket. Choose this because its comic form suits the group. It can also offer a useful contrast on a trip that already includes a substantial dramatic musical or a concert-like evening.

Keep the stage comfortably in view

For a comedy involving a whole production coming unstuck, consider how easily you can take in activity across the set. We would compare centered positions before automatically choosing the closest available seat. The actual restriction notes remain more useful than a broad section label. New World Stages contains several performance spaces, so confirm the show and stage on arrival rather than simply following the first queue. Give yourself time to settle before the opening, when the production establishes the situation you will follow.

CHOOSE YOUR PERSPECTIVE

Where to sit at New World Stages

Use the official stage-specific chart linked in the sources. Our advice supports comparison within the correct auditorium; it does not rank individual seats or guarantee a view.

Stage 2: The Gazillion Bubble Show

Start with the Stage 2 chart. Compare family seating needs and the actual offer, then ask about any necessary access arrangement before purchasing.

Stage 4: The Play That Goes Wrong

Use Stage 4’s own layout and restriction notices. Do not transfer row or seat recommendations from Stage 2, even where the auditoriums appear similar.

Read the full seating guide ↗

THEATER LOCATION & ACCESS

Plan your visit to The Play That Goes Wrong

New World Stages
340 West 50th Street, New York, NY 10019

The box office is reached without steps, and the complex has elevator access to theater levels and accessible restrooms. Individual auditoriums differ: Stages 2 and 4 have steps between rows; Stage 5 has no steps between Orchestra rows but does have steps in the Mezzanine. Confirm the designated location for your stage.

Check the performance date and time before traveling. Admission rules and accessibility arrangements are specific to the production and theater. Contact the venue for requirements that affect your visit.

Explore the theater ↗

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

The Play That Goes Wrong FAQs

Is The Play That Goes Wrong a musical?

It is a comedy play. Choose it for performers, situations, and physical humor rather than expecting a musical score to carry the story.

What is the story within the story?

The fictional company is staging The Murder at Haversham Manor. The contrast between the serious mystery they want to perform and the disasters they face supplies the central comic premise.

Is the New York production on Broadway?

The current engagement is Off-Broadway at New World Stages. Historical Broadway references concern an earlier engagement, so use the current venue on your ticket when planning your visit.

How long is the show?

The official ticket page lists a running time of about two hours. Allow extra time around that estimate for getting into the correct performance space and leaving afterward.

Is it suitable for children?

The official ticket page lists ages 8 and older. Consider whether your child enjoys physical comedy and can follow a full-length play rather than assuming all slapstick is aimed at very young audiences.

Do I need to know murder mysteries?

No specialist knowledge is necessary. Knowing the broad idea of a serious stage mystery is enough. Our suggestion is to avoid detailed previews so the individual failures and recoveries remain surprises.