There’s a place for us, a magical piano bar in New York’s Greenwich Village. Entering the red door of Marie’s Crisis begs comparison to tornadoing into Oz or falling down the rabbit hole. It is a New York institution that is both Wonderland and somewhere over the rainbow.

Marie’s Crisis is the (I dreamed a) dream of every massive theatre geek that every is or ever was.

Seven nights a week, a guy or a doll sits behind the piano center stage in the small main room of Marie’s Crisis. From 6pm to close show tunes fill the space between twinkle lights. It’s a historic gay bar so you better believe you’ll see twink tenors and bear baritones (and visa-versa!) crowded around the piano. They’ll know every word of Defying Gravity as well as every syncopation of any Sondheim. 

There’s an amazing culture and tradition you’ll feel the minute you step in here. In some ways is feels so familiar. Just like your high school drama club, there are vey clear unwritten rules. This is not karaoke. Show off your best Broadway belt and you’ll feel Frozen by cold shoulders. This is a sing along bar. Everyone is part of the chorus and prima donnas are likely mocked in the bathroom.

Requests are welcome, especially when you’re throwing a sizable bill into the tip jar.

Though you want to be thoughtful with your requests. Regulars may groan at the 12th Les Miz? of the night (80th of the week?) and Hamliton!  fails to consider the elephant in the room – one and only piano.

For all the New York clichés who moved to New York with stars in their eyes and Broadway dreams, Marie’s Crisis can be everyone’s One Song Glory Singular Sensation. If you understand every musical theater reference I made in this post (there are MANY), this is the place for you. This is your no place like home! YOU NEED TO GO. If you have no idea what I’m talking about, that’s okay! This probably isn’t the bar for you!

If you are wondering who is Marie and what was her crisis, check out this awesome Broadway World article. To all my fellow theatre nerds, I’ll meet you at Marie’s Crisis for a drink any time. And if you’re wondering about the drinks, I can tell you they are small but surprisingly well priced.