New York City Venues

City Center, 130 W 55th St. (☎212-581-1212, from outside New York 877-581-1212; www.nycitycenter.org), between 6th and 7th Ave. S N, R, Q, W to 57th St./7th Ave.; B, D, E to 7th Ave./53rd St. or 57th St./Ave. of the Americas (6th Ave.). Manhattan’s first performing arts center. Many companies perform here annually, including the Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Paul Taylor Dance Company, and American Ballet Theatre. Longtime home of the Manhattan Theatre Club, with its full season of plays and “Writers in Performance” series on Stage I and Stage II. The Encores! series features popular revivals like On the Town. Box office open M-Sa noon-8pm, Su noon-6pm.
Dance Theater Workshop, 219 W 19th St. (☎212-924-0077;www.dancetheaterworkshop.org), between 7th and 8th Ave. S 1 to 18th St./7th Ave. Innovative contemporary dance performances that often focus on political and social causes. Call the box office for possible discounts and promotions. Box office open M-Sa 10am-6pm.
Joyce Theater, 175 8th Ave. (☎212-242-0800; www.joyce.org), between 18th and 19th St. S 1 to 18th St./7th Ave. The place to go for modern dance. Also classical ballet, jazz, tap, and contemporary. Such companies as the Parsons, the Sydney Dance Company, and Pilobolus regularly perform here. You can also catch the dancers of tomorrow when American Ballet Theatre’s studio company comes to the Joyce. Tickets $25-50. Student rush tickets go on sale 1hr. before showtime; $15 with student ID (call for availability). Box office open daily noon to 1hr. before first show (usually 7pm).
Mark Morris Dance Center, 3 Lafayette Ave. (☎718-624-8400; www.mmdg.org), at Reade St., Downtown Brooklyn. S B, M, Q, R to Dekalb Ave. Brooklyn-born Mark Morris leads one of America’s foremost dance troupes. The Mark Morris Dance Company has the distinction of being the only modern company in America to feature live music at every performance. Morris, the company’s director has choreographed for dozens of the world’s best dance companies and has become a modern dance icon. His center offers dance classes for all ages. Adult classes in ballet, jazz, modern, West African, as well as pilates and yoga, are offered throughout the week. $12 per class; $110 for 10 classes. Check the website for class times.