Show Finder

Indecent

First Preview: Apr 4, 2016
Opening Date: Apr 4, 2016
Closing Date: Aug 7, 2017
Running Time: 01:40
Indecent

Share on Social Media

Playing @
James Earl Jones Theatre
138 W 48th St, New York, NY 10036
Indecent is the new play from Pulitzer Prize winner Paula Vogel inspired by the true story of the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s God of Vengeance. 

Called “superbly realized and remarkably powerful” by the New York Times and hailed as one of the best plays of the year by critics, Indecent charts the journey of an incendiary drama and the artists who risked their lives to perform it. 

Set at a time when waves of immigrants were changing the face of America, this play with music is a riveting look at an explosive moment in theatrical history and comes to Broadway from its critically acclaimed, sold-out run at the Vineyard Theater.

Indecent was commissioned by Yale Rep and American Revolutions: The United States History Cycle at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
BroadwayPlay - Drama
Show Notes: No Intermission
Age Guidance: 13
Audience Advisory:

Performance Schedule

TUESDAY &  THURSDAY @ 7 PM
WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY & SATURDAY @ 8 PM
WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY @ 2 PM
SUNDAY @ 3 PM


Written By
  • Paula Vogel

Director
  • Rebecca Taichman

Choreography
  • David Dorfman

TDF Tickets Offers:

Listed at

Never

Full-price tickets:

$39.00 - $129.00

Video

Reviews

  • FIVE STARS (out of five)

    I was deeply moved by the play when it was at the Vineyard Theatre last year. On Broadway, with the same wonderful ensemble cast, it fills a much larger space without losing its essential intimacy. The script is Vogel’s, the staging Taichman’s, but the two are so lovingly intertwined as to be almost inseparable. The seven actors—Katrina Lenk, Mimi Lieber, Max Gordon Moore, Tom Nelis, Steven Rattazzi, Richard Topol and Adina Verson—weave multiple roles into a seamless whole. The same is true of the music that flows through the show, performed by onstage musicians: violinist Lisa Gutkin and accordionist Aaron Halva, who cowrote the original klezmer-accented score, and clarinetist Matt Darriau.

  • Among the intriguing questions proposed by “Indecent” is the role of puritanism in forming America, in contrast to the tolerance of unorthodoxy in cosmopolitan Europe. Vogel also interrogates the false promise of welcome and assimilation. For some immigrants to America, the proverbial “melting pot” turned out be a bitter stew of disappointment and ongoing displacement. The legacy of both these themes resonates compellingly in our shared present.

  • This is not a linear production, so scenes in real time bleed into times past and future, and backstage scenes echo scenes within the play. But from time to time the audience can’t help but apply its own knowledge — of the ominous threat of Hitler’s gathering power in Germany, for example — to scenes in which the company calmly discusses whether to bring their successful play to the United States We already know the outcome of their professional arguments. But such is the tension of the production, you want to stand up and warn this brave little troupe to catch that ship before it sails.

  • FIVE STARS (out of five)

    I was deeply moved by the play when it was at the Vineyard Theatre last year. On Broadway, with the same wonderful ensemble cast, it fills a much larger space without losing its essential intimacy. The script is Vogel’s, the staging Taichman’s, but the two are so lovingly intertwined as to be almost inseparable. The seven actors—Katrina Lenk, Mimi Lieber, Max Gordon Moore, Tom Nelis, Steven Rattazzi, Richard Topol and Adina Verson—weave multiple roles into a seamless whole. The same is true of the music that flows through the show, performed by onstage musicians: violinist Lisa Gutkin and accordionist Aaron Halva, who cowrote the original klezmer-accented score, and clarinetist Matt Darriau.

Accessibility

  • Wheelchair Info

    Six ADA compliant viewing locations with companion seating. Transfer optional.
  • Seating

    Mezzanine, balcony, and lower lounge reached only by stairs. Seats 1,083.
  • Elevator/Escalator

    None.
  • Parking

    Valet parking garage: Next door. No vans.
  • Curb Ramps

    SE corner 48th St. & 7th Ave; SW corner of 48th St. & 6th Ave; Driveways on either side of theater.
  • Entrance

    Double doors in series: 1st set (each 26.5") has one pair of automatic doors from 48th Street to ticket lobby with push-button control; 2nd set (each 26.5", attended by ushers) to Orchestra.
  • Box Office

    Ticket lobby. Counter 43". Accessible pass-through with writing shelf at 32". Assistance available
  • Restroom

    Womens and Mens: Lower level. Down seventeen steps.
  • Water Fountain

    Rear orchestra, house left. Spout 36".
  • Telephone

    Ticket lobby. Coin slot 54". Cord Length 29". With TTY and electric outlet.
  • Assisted Listening System

    Reservations are not necessary. Drivers license or ID with printed address required as a deposit. Please call: (212) 582-7678 to reserve in advance.
  • Visual Assistance

    None.
  • Folding Armrests

    Eleven row-end seats with folding armrests.

TDF Social Feed

TDF
TDF3 days ago
Staying inside to beat the heat? Catch these 🎭 Our top 5 picks for stage performances to stream this holiday weekend, no sunscreen required.
tdfnyc4 days ago
July is Disability Pride Month! This annual event commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990, which prohibits discrimination based on disability and helps...
tdfnyc6 days ago
What began as an unexpected collaboration has become an acclaimed new play. We spoke with playwright Eliya Smith and actor Amalia Yoo about “Dad Don’t Read This”, creative trust, and...
tdfnyc1 week ago
Catch a new musical with a Tony nominee, a two-hander with two TV stars, a Planet of the Apes parody and more—all for $40 or less this summer! Read our...
TDF
TDF
TDF2 weeks ago

Tomorrow is the last day of NYC public school, so it's the perfect moment to revisit this year’s Grad Gift celebration! Last month, TDF treated more than a thousand 2026...

tdfnyc2 weeks ago
Tomorrow is the last day of NYC public school, so it’s the perfect moment to revisit this year’s Grad Gift celebration! Last month, TDF treated more than a thousand 2026...
TDF
TDF3 weeks ago
TDF's ticketing system is down for an upgrade. We will be up and running shortly.
tdfnyc4 weeks ago
CATS: The Jellicle Ball co-director Zhailon Levingston shared what he hopes audiences take away from the production during Pride Month and beyond. “If you can’t find this kind of queer...
tdfnyc4 weeks ago
Lucky 15–that’s how many Broadway shows are currently on TDF! Act quickly—show availability changes frequently, and tickets can go fast. Visit TDF to see all 15 shows currently on membership.
tdfnyc4 weeks ago
Words of wisdom from Tony-winner Joshua Henry! “What is for you cannot pass you by.” #broadway #tonyawards #joshuahenry
tdfnyc4 weeks ago
“The win was just getting to do it.” After winning her first Tony Award, Caissie Levy reflected on why being part of the Broadway community has always felt like a...
tdfnyc4 weeks ago
Tony-winner Ali Louis Bourzgui on the importance of using his platform for activism. “My activism only comes from being an empathetic person, which is what you need as an artist.”...
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago

Thanks so much for sharing the Tony Awards with us tonight! The biggest surprise may be what a fantastic host P!NK was (though we never doubted her... yet others did)....

TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
And Schmigadoon wins Best Musical!
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
And an award that was essentially a given: Joshua Henry as Best Actor in a Musical for his gorgeous performance in Ragtime.
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
Ragtime is picking up some big awards! Caissie Levy just won for Best Actress in a Musical. Maybe they'll extend (again)?
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
So glad The Book of Mormon had a moment to celebrate its 15th anniversary on Broadway, especially after that awful fire. Gives new meaning to the show much go on!
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
Death of a Salesman wins Best Revival of a Play. Amazing it's been revived on Broadway twice SINCE the pandemic. And such incredibly different productions.
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
I suspect every musical-loving adolescent will be begging for The Lost Boys tickets after that number!!
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
Alden Ehrenreich wins for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his Broadway debut in Becky Shaw. I will ALWAYS be #TeamMax!!!
TDF
TDF4 weeks ago
A lovely in memoriam.
tdfnyc1 month ago
The Tony Awards aren’t the only place to catch this year’s nominees this weekend! Before Broadway’s biggest night, stream performances featuring several Tony nominees, including @fullyrosebyrne and @kelliohara in Fallen...
tdfnyc1 month ago
Looking for your next great theatre outing? We’ve rounded up 14 Off Broadway shows you won’t want to miss this June. Highlights include @nycitycenter’s La Cage aux Folles starring...
tdfnyc1 month ago
“You never know when you’re gonna inspire someone or change someone’s life.” At the Drama Desk Awards, artists got real about why access to theatre matters — for empathy, for...