- February 17, 2022
- Parisian theatre
- Angela Spidahl
Looking for something to do in Paris in 2022 but still haven’t found the show that pleases you? We have gathered all the must-see shows in 2022 and divided them by genres so you can be sure to broaden the diversity of your experiences AND have a list that will last you all year long! We have already lost too much time due to COVID, take advantage of the opportunities you have to try new things now!
MUSICALS TO SEE IN 2022
Whether you want to watch a musical with your family in Paris or take part in something “NEW” we have two musicals that will fit you perfectly!
The Lion King, The Musical
The Lion King the musical returns to Paris at the Théâtre Mogador 13 years after its first successful run. The majestic backdrop of the Serengeti Plains accompanied by enchanting tones of Africa provide the setting for this spectacle, with a story equally as powerful.
NEW, The Improvised Musical
What’s New? Everything! With NEW, The Improvised Musical, you get to see an original musical being created right before your eyes! With the help of a conductor, you will give a title, a mood, a few twists and turns, and voilà! The musicians and actors will improvise a hilarious live musical! No need to worry about a language barrier at this show, it is 100% in English!
THEATRE PIECES TO SEE IN 2022
The Bald Soprano and The Lesson
Celebrating 65 years of performances this year, The Bald Soprano (La Cantatrice Chauve) and The Lesson (La Leçon) have been staples of French theatre for decades. On top of that, they have been crowned as the world’s longest continually-performing shows in a historic Parisian venue.
Don’t let the language barrier scare you! Both of these French theatre pieces are performed with surtitles one evening per week. Visit the Théâtre de la Huchette and discover the stories that have been entertaining the French citizens for years.
If you’re looking for a good 2-in-1 deal, check out the Ionesco Package and book your tickets to see both shows in one night!
OPERAS TO SEE IN 2022
This year we have operas ranging from classic to contemporary and royal to magical! Regardless if you fancy a story rich in despair or love, we have got you covered!
Faust
Old Doctor Faust is tired of life, he thinks of ending the world around him and invokes the Devil, who guarantees him youth in exchange for his soul. Faust is Charles Gounod's best-known work and, along with Carmen by Bizet, remains the most performed French opera in the world!
Elektra
Elektra is unquestionably one of the most powerful works in the oeuvre of the German composer Richard Strauss. A modern reimagining of the play by Sophocles, this opera features spectacular orchestration, unparalleled drama, anger fueled by revenge, and a leading role fit for none but a virtuoso.
Fin de Partie
In order to better capture Beckett's play, composer György Kurtág only set key moments to music, reproducing the opening and closing scenes word for word and preserving the central themes of the play: despair, fear of erasure, inability to communicate, and uncertainty. As far as the characters are concerned, the end of the world is near, or perhaps it's already arrived. None of them know, but all are terrified and incapable of helping one another.
Platée
Jupiter wants to cure his wife Juno of her pathological jealousy, and he enlists the help of the gods to execute his plan. Jupiter will pretend that he is in love with Platée, a vain and ugly frog who lives in a swamp. When Juno sees how ugly her husband’s new lover is, she is sure to realize that her anger is futile.
Parsifal
Amfortas, king of the grail knights, has been wounded with his own holy spear by the magician Klingsor, the enemy of the knights. Suffering day and night, Amfortas is told by a holy voice that only a “pure fool enlightened by compassion” can heal him but he must take back the spear from the magician… can Parsifal overcome the magician and take back the holy spear?
To make your experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose from a selection of unique add-ons upon booking, such as a private cocktail, or a glass of champagne, and exclusive access to the Salon Liebermann. Choose a show to see more details!
DANCE PERFORMANCES AND BALLETS TO SEE IN 2022
Regardless if you are a classical arts fan, an avant-garde arts fan, or BOTH, 2022 has dance performances and ballets that you are sure to love.
Classical Ballet Performances
If you are looking to dive into the world of romanticism painted by composers like Mendelssohn, and Adam, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Giselle are the ballets for you!
Giselle
The adaptation of Giselle by Patrice Bart and Eugene Polyakov closely follows the original choreography and continues to reaffirm the ballet’s early success. With the bright, earthly scenes and spectral, nocturnal visions created by both dance and music brings together the everlasting feeling of romance.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
In less than a blink of an eye, A Midsummer Night’s Dream is back to Opéra Bastille after it’s great success! Inspired by Shakespeare's play of the same name, drift off into a deep, magical spell-like sleep and be enchanted by the story of this completely absurd midsummer night that the dancers of the Opera de Paris portray.
Contemporary Dance Performances
Take a glimpse in into the world of contemporary dance where history is brought to life and our roots are never forgotten!
Malandain Ballet Biarritz : Marie-Antoinette
The Royal Opera of Versailles is hosting the superb Marie-Antoinette ballet on its stage. It is the exact place where, 250 years ago, the wedding dinner between Marie-Antoinette and the future king Louis XVI took place. The choreographer Thierry Malandain offers you an elegant and modern ballet that reveals the incredible destiny of Marie-Antoinette in Versailles.
Akram Khan Company
After a world tour, choreographer and dancer Akram Kahn will perform the last three performances of his show Xenos which also marks the end of his dancer career. With his latest show, he pays tribute to the forgotten victims of the First World War and makes us wonder about the history and the human condition.
Mats Ek
Major 20th century choreographer Mats Ek returns to the Paris Opera with two eagerly awaited new creations, Boléro, set to Maurice Ravel’s mythical score and Another Place, conceived on Franz Liszt’s Sonata in B minor. Accompanied by his cherished choreography to Bizet's Carmen, this three-part piece pushed classical conventions.
To make your dance performance experience an unforgettable one, you will be able to choose from a selection of unique add-ons upon booking, such as a private cocktail, or a glass of champagne and exclusive access to the Salon Liebermann. Choose a show to see more details!
ECLECTIC CLASSICAL CONCERTS TO SEE IN 2022
Paris is known for it’s art and it’s historic buildings, so why not combine them both in a night one night! With Theatre in Paris, all you have to do is choose from one of our famous venues and/or decide between seeing chamber music, piano recitals, voice recitals, oratorios, and more!
Théâtre des Champs-Elysées
Currently at the Théâtre des Champs-Elysées you can experience a night of oratorios, chamber music, piano recitals, voice recitals, or choose to attend an orchestra concert!
Concerts in a Famous Parisian Church
Maybe you’d rather check out one of the many magnificent churches Paris has to offer. Luckily for you, there are concerts at several famous churches such as Saint-Sulpice, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, La Madeleine, and Sainte-Chapelle. Bask in the glorious architecture of the greats while being enlightened by the likes of the acclaimed composers Vivaldi, Mozart, Bach, Caccini, Schubert, Handel, Verdi, Bellini, and much more!
CABARET SHOWS TO SEE IN 2022
If you spend time in Paris withOUT seeing a cabaret show, you’re ‘Totally Crazy’!
Crazy Horse Cabaret Show
This international celebrity favorite features world-class dancers complete with legendary lighting and special effects. More risqué than the city’s other shows and with an all-female troupe of performers, Crazy Horse’s show, Totally Crazy, is a true ode to femininity and has hosted icons like Beyoncé, Katy Perry, and burlesque icon Dita Von Teese.
Lido de Paris Cabaret Show
With space for over a thousand spectators, the Lido is a sprawling mega-spectacle, complete with circus-like performances and state-of-the-art technical flourishes. Showgirls are joined by jugglers, acrobats, and magicians, on a stage that metamorphoses into a swimming pool (the Lido’s signature piece) at the flick of a switch. More Vegas in scale than your average cutesy Parisian venue, this cabaret is all about sensory overload.
Cabaret Burlesque
In terms of location, it doesn’t get much better than spending a fabulous night with Cabaret Burlesque on a boat in the shadow of Notre Dame itself. A more comedic take on the traditional showgirl performance, Cabaret Burlesque breathes new life into an age-old art form and leaves its audience in stitches night after night.
COMEDY ACTS TO SEE IN 2022
So you know that Paris is known for it’s comedy scene but you’ve never seen a show?! Make sure to jot these two shows down as must-sees this year!
Oh My God She’s Parisian
After the success of her show, Julie is back with episode 2 of Oh My God She’s Parisian. In her new show, Julie tells the story of the "new post-covid" Paris where so many things have changed. Julie tells you about the legendary negative mood of Parisians, the new bicycle traffic jams like in Amsterdam, the new giant café terraces, the "supposed" social distance in the metro and so many other things you can only know if you are a real Parisian.
How to Become a Parisian in One Hour
It's the only lesson you'll ever need! No, you will not learn French, but you'll learn how to behave 'like a Parisian', as well as the major differences between French people and Anglo-Saxons. Playing in the magnificent Théâtre des Nouveautés, join over 800K individuals from all over the globe who have learned How to not stand out in Paris, this is not one to miss!
JAZZ CLUBS TO VISIT IN 2022
If you haven’t already visited two of Paris’ most popular jazz clubs, here’s your sign!
Baiser Salé Jazz Night
Baiser Salé delivers a fusion of rock, Latin rhythm, and Caribbean jazz from uprising as well as recognized artists from Latin America and from all over the world. The café has allowed new artists to flourish and flaunt their music on stage in front of people from all over the world.
Sunset Sunside Jazz Club
Unlike any other club, Sunset Sunside doesn’t just book its basement or main floor for gigs, but it separates its floors by genre. In the basement, Sunset club has more of an electric jazz vibe, while Sunside is dedicated to playing classic acoustical jazz just above. This place attracts many music lovers with its intoxicating tunes consisting of contemporary music such as gypsy jazz and other trending genres.
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