Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College

East 68th Street
Each season, The Kaye Playhouse hosts over 200 performances in the fields of dance, music, theatre, film and children’s programs. Bringing an eclectic mix of performing arts events to over 100,000 theatergoers annually, it has become the "East S... more
Each season, The Kaye Playhouse hosts over 200 performances in the fields of dance, music, theatre, film and children’s programs. Bringing an eclectic mix of performing arts events to over 100,000 theatergoers annually, it has become the "East Side center for all the performing arts." Dedicated in 1942 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College began its notable history as The Playhouse at Hunter College. At that time, concerts were presented under the auspices of the Hunter College Concert Bureau and many of the world’s most famous artists made their New York debuts at The Playhouse. Marian Anderson, Jussi Bjoerling, Renata Tebaldi, Andres Segovia, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham and many other legendary artists appeared at The Playhouse until the Concert Bureau closed its doors in 1975. In 1993, the Playhouse was renovated and reopened as The Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Since its rededication, The Kaye has presented over 1,800 performances of some of the world’s most renowned, provocative and unique artists and performance companies. In the past decade, celebrated artists Martina Arroyo, Regina Resnik, Marcel Marc... more

Each season, The Kaye Playhouse hosts over 200 performances in the fields of dance, music, theatre, film and children’s programs. Bringing an eclectic mix of performing arts events to over 100,000 theatergoers annually, it has become the "East Side center for all the performing arts."

Dedicated in 1942 by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, The Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College began its notable history as The Playhouse at Hunter College. At that time, concerts were presented under the auspices of the Hunter College Concert Bureau and many of the world’s most famous artists made their New York debuts at The Playhouse. Marian Anderson, Jussi Bjoerling, Renata Tebaldi, Andres Segovia, Merce Cunningham, Martha Graham and many other legendary artists appeared at The Playhouse until the Concert Bureau closed its doors in 1975.

In 1993, the Playhouse was renovated and reopened as The Sylvia and Danny Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College. Since its rededication, The Kaye has presented over 1,800 performances of some of the world’s most renowned, provocative and unique artists and performance companies. In the past decade, celebrated artists Martina Arroyo, Regina Resnik, Marcel Marceau, Ruby Dee, Phillip Glass, Audra MacDonald, Max Roach, James Levine, Mario Vargas Llosa, Brian Bedford, Rosemary Harris and Harold Bloom, as well as a varied international roster of performing arts companies, have performed on the stage of The Kaye Playhouse.

The Kaye has entered the 21st century as one of New York City’s leading performing arts institutions and continues to honor its exceptional artistic heritage in hosting internationally-acclaimed artists and music, dance and theatre companies for New York audiences, as well as serving as the centerpiece for the performing arts at Hunter College.


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Upper East Side Description

Kaye Playhouse at Hunter College is located in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan. How best to describe one of the most famous neighborhoods in the United States? Aside from the extreme concentration of the rich and the famous, their opulent dwellings, and the army of doormen, butlers and chauffeurs who serve them, the Upper East Side is also a showcase for some of America’s finest cultural establishments. Walk along Fifth Avenue’s Museum Mile which features a veritable plethora of artistic and cultural institutions. For some of the best contemporary art collections, visit the Cooper Hewitt Design Museum and the recently renovated cylindrical wonder that is the Guggenheim. Designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, the Guggenheim has always prided itself on being home to innovative and at times controversial works of art since its inception in 1959. There’s also the Jewish Museum, one of the world's largest and most important institutions devoted to exploring the remarkable scope and diversity of Jewish culture. Of course, no visit to Museum Mile would be complete without to the city’s crown jewel, the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Many special exhibits complement the permanent displays at the Met, yet the collection is so vast that the huge storage areas under Central Park are bursting with pictures, sculptures and other objects d’art. From rare, ancient Egyptian relics to medieval coats of armor to a costume gallery that spans seven centuries it’s almost impossible to see everything in one visit, so multiple trips may be necessary. In addition, visit the nearby Whitney Museum of American Art and see thousands of works of art including collections by seminal artists such as Edward Hopper, Alexander Calder and Reginald Marsh. The Asia Society Museum, and Frick Collection are also nearby. The official residence of New York City’s mayor, Gracie Mansion, is at the northern end of Carl Schurz Park on 89th Street. The main floor of the mansion is open to the public and is a showcase for art and antiques created by New York designers, cabinetmakers, painters and sculptors. Tours must be reserved in advance however. From glamorous Fifth and Park Avenues to the fashionable townhouses in the East Sixties, Seventies and Eighties, there are too many noteworthy addresses to list, but a veritable Who’s Who of American society can be found here and if you’re lucky, you might even get a glimpse of it. For your best bet, try dinner at Elaine’s. While the food is essentially secondary to the patronage, it remains a great spot for celeb-spotting. Named after its famed, cantankerous owner who can still be spotted their nearly every night attending to customers, the casual bistro is a frequented by a high celebrity clientele and counts Woody Allen, Michael Caine and Jackie Onassis among its devotees. Good luck getting a reservation. If it's fresh seafood you're craving try Atlantic Grill. Sample the daily selection of oysters and clams on the half shell from the raw bar. Or try their unique take on sushi and sashimi. Restaurant Daniel is another great dining option renowned for its award-winning French cuisine and elegant atmosphere. The Upper East Side is also home to some of the most luxurious hotels in New York. There's the classic Carlyle, which has been called home by leaders in world affairs, business, society, entertainment and the arts since its debut in 1930. The Carlyle remains a landmark of elegance and refined taste. Other prestigious hotels in the area include The Mark, which has been cited as one of the top 100 U.S. and Canada hotels in a Travel + Leisure's readers' poll and the sophisticated Lowell. A bit further south at the southeastern corner of Central Park, of course there's the most legendary hotel of them all, The Plaza, which set the standard for luxury when it opened over a century ago. The tradition continues following a recently completed $400 million, two-year renovation. The passion and uncompromising service, which made the hotel a legend, has returned with a new and contemporary spirit.

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Info

East 68th Street
New York, NY 10021
(212) 772-4448
Website

Editorial Rating

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This Week's Hours

Box Office Hours

Mon-Sat: 12pm-6pm

Nearby Subway

  • to 68th St/Hunter College -- 0.3

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