Join the standby list for our Spring 2026 Urban NY trips! Arrive at the meeting time (or no more than 10 minutes earlier) for Standby. You will put your name on a list provided by the Urban NY Trip Leader, and 10 minutes after the designated meeting time any last minute cancellations or no-shows will be released to the Standby list via random draw (please note that an earlier time of arrival will NOT increase chances of selection). Standby tickets are not guaranteed for any show, however there are often at least a few available!
The trips that will be offered during the Spring 2026 semester can be found below, as well as meeting times and locations. Please email urbanny@columbia.edu with any questions.
Wednesday, February 18th: Hadestown (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:00PM)
Welcome to HADESTOWN, where a song can change your fate. This acclaimed new musical by celebrated singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and innovative director Rachel Chavkin (Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812) is a love story for today... and always. HADESTOWN intertwines two mythic tales — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — as it invites you on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Mitchell’s beguiling melodies and Chavkin’s poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Performed by a vibrant ensemble of actors, dancers and singers, HADESTOWN is a haunting and hopeful theatrical experience that grabs you and never lets go.
Thursday, February 19th: Hamilton (meet in Lerner 515 @ 5:45PM)
From bastard orphan to Washington's right hand man, rebel to war hero, loving husband caught in the country's first sex scandal to Treasury head who made an untrusting world believe in the American economy, Hamilton is an exploration of a political mastermind. George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Eliza Hamilton, and lifelong Hamilton friend and foe, Aaron Burr, all attend this revolutionary tale of America’s fiery past told through the sounds of the ever-changing nation we've become.
Tuesday, February 24th: Wicked (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
Wicked, the Broadway sensation, looks at what happened in the Land of Oz…but from a different angle. Long before Dorothy arrives, there is another girl, born with emerald-green skin—smart, fiery, misunderstood, and possessing an extraordinary talent. When she meets a bubbly blonde who is exceptionally popular, their initial rivalry turns into the unlikeliest of friendships…until the world decides to call one “good,” and the other one “wicked.” From the first electrifying note to the final breathtaking moment, Wicked—the untold true story of the Witches of Oz—transfixes audiences with its wildly inventive story. It will send your spirits soaring to heights you’ll never forget.
Wednesday, February 25th: Two Strangers Carry A Cake Across New York (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:00PM)
Meet Dougal, an impossibly upbeat Brit who has just landed in New York City for the first time to attend the wedding of the father he’s never met. Meet Robin, the sister of the bride and a no-nonsense New Yorker with a lot of errands to do for the bride—including picking up the groom’s estranged son from the airport. These two strangers begin their journey together navigating New York City, secrets, and second chances. The Boston Globe proclaims, it’s “IRRESISTIBLE! Clever, funny, and delightfully surprising!” A New York Times Critics’ Pick, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) “delivers lavishly on laughter, escape, and fantasy.”
Thursday, February 26th: New York City Ballet: Masters at Work III (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:00PM)
Step into the world of cutting-edge ballet with Masters at Work III from the New York City Ballet, where three of the most groundbreaking choreographers—Jerome Robbins, Christopher Wheeldon, and Justin Peck—bring their visionary works to life. The evening opens with Robbins’ charmingly playful "The Concert", a comedic take on the chaos of a classical music performance. You’ll then be electrified by Wheeldon’s "The Times Are Racing", a vibrant, high-energy piece that fuses classical ballet with a modern, pulsating beat. Finally, Peck’s reimagined "Rodeo: Four Dance Episodes" transports you to the American West, blending stunning athleticism with emotional storytelling. With its combination of humor, passion, and innovation, this performance celebrates the transformative power of dance. Get ready for a night of incredible artistry that will leave you in awe and inspire your own creative journey!
Monday, March 2nd: New York Rangers v. Columbus Blue Jackets (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
Join us and watch all the action as the New York Rangers take on the Columbus Blue Jackets in an electrifying hockey showdown! Whether you're a die-hard fan or just in it for the energy, this is your chance to experience top-tier hockey at one of the most iconic arenas in the world, Madison Square Garden!
Tuesday, March 3rd: Death Becomes Her (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
Madeline Ashton is the most beautiful actress (just ask her) ever to grace the stage and screen. Helen Sharp is the long-suffering author (just ask her) who lives in her shadow. They have always been the best of frenemies…until Madeline steals Helen’s fiancé away. As Helen plots revenge and Madeline clings to her rapidly fading star, their world is suddenly turned upside down by Viola Van Horn, a mysterious woman with a secret that’s to die for. After one sip of Viola’s magical potion, Madeline and Helen begin a new era of life (and death) with their youth and beauty restored…and a grudge to last eternity. Starring Tony Award® nominees Megan Hilty (Wicked, “Smash”), Jennifer Simard (Company, Disaster!), and Christopher Sieber (Spamalot, Company), with Grammy® Award winner Michelle Williams (Destiny’s Child, Chicago), Death Becomes Her, based on the classic 1992 film, is a drop-dead hilarious new musical comedy about friendship, love, and burying the hatchet…again, and again, and again. Life’s a bitch and then you die. Or not!
Thursday, March 5th: Chess (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
CHESS is a Tony-nominated musical by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus of ABBA and EGOT winner Tim Rice. A metaphor for Cold War tensions in the 1980s, the story presents a faceoff in a politically-motivated chess tournament between fictional grandmasters Anatoly Sergievsky of Russia and Freddie Trumper of the United States of America and their tug-of-war for Florence Vassy. CHESS premiered on the West End in 1986, where it received three Olivier Award nominations including Best New Musical, before premiering on Broadway with significant alterations and a new book by Richard Nelson in 1988. The original Broadway production earned Tony nominations for stars David Carroll and Judy Kuhn. In the decades since, CHESS has developed a significant cult following and is set for a starry, highly-anticipated Broadway revival in 2025 starring Tony Award winner Aaron Tveit, stage and screen star Lea Michele and breakout talent Nicholas Christopher (Sweeney Todd, Hamilton).
Wednesday, March 11th: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
Tom Felton returns as Draco Malfoy in a breathtaking new chapter where adventure truly runs in the family. When Harry Potter’s headstrong son, Albus, forms an unlikely friendship with the son of his father’s fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it ignites an unbelievable journey with the power to reshape both past and future. Audiences are swept into a mind-bending race through time, filled with spectacular spells, epic battles, and some of the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage—magic that will leave you wondering “how’d they do that?” for days. From the moment you arrive, the wizarding world surrounds you: the entire theatre has been transformed, hiding surprises around every corner. Dazzling and imaginative, it’s an experience “as magical as any spell or potion,” inviting you to see this world you love like never before.
Thursday, March 12th: & Juliet (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
Created by the Emmy®-winning writer from “Schitt’s Creek,”this hilarious musical flips the script on the greatest love story ever told. & Juliet asks: what would happen next if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? Get whisked away on a fabulous journey as she ditches her famous ending for a fresh beginning and a second chance at life and love—her way. Juliet’s new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name, including "Since U Been Gone‚" "Roar," "Baby One More Time," "Larger Than Life‚" "That’s The Way It Is,“ and "Can't Stop the Feeling!"—all from the genius songwriter/producer behind more #1 hits than any other artist this century. Break free of the balcony scene and get into this romantic comedy that proves there’s life after Romeo. The only thing tragic would be missing it.
Tuesday, March 24th: New York Knicks v. New Orleans Pelicans (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:00PM)
Get ready for a high-energy clash at the world-famous Madison Square Garden as the New York Knicks go head-to-head with the New Orleans Pelicans! Join us and feel the intensity as these two dynamic teams battle it out on the hardwood in a matchup packed with explosive plays, electric crowd energy, and unforgettable moments. Whether you’re a loyal Knicks fan or just craving an adrenaline-charged night of NBA excitement, this is your chance to witness top-tier basketball in one of the most iconic arenas on the planet!
Friday, March 27th: Dog Day Afternoon (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:15PM)
Step back into the sweltering summer of 1972, New York City—a time when the Vietnam War looms large, Watergate headlines flood the news, and one man's desperate act captivates the nation. A Brooklyn bank hold up quickly goes wrong, and with each gut-wrenching twist that unfolds, chaos ensues that ignites the city as they follow the actions of a man on the edge. Dog Day Afternoon is a raw, gritty reminder of what happens when passion and desperation collide.
Monday, March 30th: Amaze (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
AMAZE isn’t just another magic show – it’s a mind-bending, high-energy experience where YOU become part of the impossible. Step inside a world where reality bends, technology comes alive, and the line between audience and performer disappears. Allan’s groundbreaking fusion of cutting-edge tech, interactive illusions, and old-school sleight of hand puts the magic directly in YOUR hands. Every moment is designed to surprise, challenge, and thrill you. Whether you’re a fan of tech, mystery, or pure spectacle, AMAZE delivers an unforgettable adventure you’ll be talking about long after the final reveal.
Monday, April 6th: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
IT’S NOT A PLAY ON WORDS. IT’S A MUSICAL. Twenty years after a buzzy, Tony Award®-winning run on Broadway, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is BACK in New York City. As contestants white-knuckle adolescence and the heat of competition, their emotions run from A to Z — but they step up to the mic anyway because they love spelling, and because being a champion could solve everything. With music and lyrics by Tony Award® winner William Finn, a book by Tony Award® winner Rachel Sheinkin, and new direction and choreography by Danny Mefford, Spelling Bee is about the little wins that carry us through life’s many awkward spells.
Tuesday, April 7th: La Traviata (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:15PM)
A beloved mainstay of the repertory, Verdi’s great tragedy stirs the soul and breaks the heart like only opera can. A trio of captivating artists—Lisette Oropesa, Rosa Feola, and Ermonela Jaho—alternate in the touchstone soprano role of Violetta Valéry, the ill-fated Parisian courtesan fighting for love before her time runs out. Tony Award–winning director Michael Mayer conjures a dreamy setting that matches the poetry and passion of the unforgettable score.
Wednesday, April 8th: Buena Vista Social Club (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:15PM)
Step into the heart of Cuba, beyond the glitz of the Tropicana, to a place where blazing trumpets and sizzling guitars set the dance floor on fire. Here, the real sound of Havana is born—and one woman discovers the music that will change her life forever. Inspired by true events, the new Broadway musical BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ brings the GRAMMY® Award-winning album to thrilling life—and tells the story of the legends who lived it. A world-class band joins a sensational cast of musicians, actors, and dancers from across the globe, for an authentic experience unlike any you’ve seen or heard before. Don’t miss this captivating tale of big dreams, second chances, and the unbreakable bonds of making music together.
Tuesday, April 21st: La Boheme (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
With its enchanting setting and spellbinding score, the world’s most popular opera is as timeless as it is heartbreaking. Franco Zeffirelli’s picture-perfect production brings 19th-century Paris to the Met stage as Puccini’s young friends and lovers navigate the joy and struggle of bohemian life. Sopranos Juliana Grigoryan, Angel Blue, and Aleksandra Kurzak trade off as the feeble seamstress Mimì, opposite tenors Freddie De Tommaso, Stephen Costello, Adam Smith, and Long Long as the ardent poet Rodolfo.
Wednesday, April 22nd: Hell's Kitchen (meet in 515 Lerner @ 6:15PM)
Your journey begins with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, you'll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family, and the neighborhood that helps her grow. Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun, it's a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up.More than watching a performance, this experience pulls you out of your seat and has you buzzing when you leave, wondering who to tell about it first. The music—a mix of Keys’ classics and new songs written exclusively for the show—is brought to life through exhilarating choreography. It’s a soundtrack of rebellion, life, and love that speaks to you no matter where you’re from, where you’ve been, or where you’re going. You’re invited to feel the energy of this multi-award-winning musical. Come experience where dreams begin: HELL’S KITCHEN
Tuesday, April 28th: The Lost Boys (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
Welcome to Santa Carla. Perfect weather. Beautiful beaches. And a charming boardwalk…as long as you ignore all the “Missing” posters. When a mother and her two teenage sons move to town in desperate need of a fresh start, they soon uncover the darker side of this sunny coastal community. While Lucy tries to piece her family’s life back together, Michael keeps pulling away in search of belonging. As he finds connection with a local rock band and its charismatic leader, his younger brother Sam comes face-to-face with a terrifying reality: When night falls, Michael’s new friends are even more dangerous than they first appeared.
Thursday, April 30th: Schmigadoon! (meet in 515 Lerner @ 5:45PM)
New York doctors Josh and Melissa set out on a couples’ backpacking retreat to rekindle the flame, but instead find themselves in Schmigadoon, a magical town that’s a Golden Age musical come to life. The townspeople won’t stop singing, the bridge out leads nowhere, and the only way to escape is by finding true love—which may or may not be with each other. From Saturday Night Live’s Lorne Michaels and based on the Universal Television and Apple Original award-winning series, this delightfully hilarious musical is directed by Christopher Gattelli (Death Becomes Her, Newsies) with a book and Emmy® Award-winning score by Cinco Paul (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets). Schmigadoon! is a love letter to Broadway’s Golden Age wrapped in a modern musical comedy that will leave you with a “song in your heart” (The New York Times)…if you manage to get out.