- Jan 1 "A Tuna Christmas" closes at Booth Theater NYC after 20 performances
- Jan 1 "Glass Menagerie" closes at Criterion Theater NYC after 57 performances
- Jan 1 "Shadow Box" closes at Circle in Square Theater NYC after 49 performances
"A Christmas Carol"
Jan 7 Limited run of Patrick Stewart's one-man show "A Christmas Carol", based on Charles Dickens' novel, closes at Richard Rodgers Theater, NYC, after 18 performances
Musical Finale
Jan 7 Stephen Sondheims's musical "Passion" closes at the Plymouth Theater, NYC, after 280 performances, and 6 Drama Desk and 4 Tony Award wins
"Guys & Dolls"
Jan 8 Revival of Frank Loesser's musical "Guys & Dolls", starring Nathan Lane, closes at Martin Beck Theater, NYC, after 1143 performances, winning 4 Tony and 7 Drama Desk Awards
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Jan 12 10th Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees: The Allman Brothers Band; Al Green; Janis Joplin; Led Zeppelin; Martha and the Vandellas; Neil Young; Frank Zappa; The Orioles; Paul Ackerman
- Jan 17 "Carousel" closes at Beaumont Theater NYC after 322 performances
- Jan 20 "Love! Valor! Compassion!" opens at Walter Kerr, NYC; runs for 276 performances
- Jan 30 22nd American Music Awards: Boyz II Men & Ace of Base win
- Jan 30 Jazz guitarist Kevin Eubanks officially becomes bandleader of "The Tonight Show"
Country Singers
Jazz Singers
Opera Singers
Pop Singers
Rappers
Rock Singers