One of the questions I hear all the time from guests on my tours is “What is the best Broadway show? What should I see?”
That can be tough to answer, because everyone has different tastes, and they may be looking for different experiences.
But there are so many great shows on Broadway currently, that there is absolutely something for everyone!
We have created this list of some of the most popular shows on Broadway right now to help you pick the right one.
If you have read any of my other posts, you know that I see LOTS of shows, so I’m offering a few thoughts on my experiences at each particular show.
While I am a tour guide, I have also worked professionally in theater for nearly 20 years, so I am happy to talk about this stuff all day, every day.
If you ever want to talk theater, come take a tour with me!
In the below video, I go over the multiple ways you can get cheaper tickets to Broadway shows.
Click here to find ticket prices for what's playing. But before booking, take a look at our guide to finding Cheap Broadway Tickets.
The list of shows below has Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Broadway shows. What's the difference?
Without further ado, here’s our list of the best current Broadway shows in NYC.
TOP BROADWAY MUSICALS AND SHOWS
ONGOING
Hamilton
Perhaps one of the best Broadway shows of all time, Hamilton tells the tale of Alexander Hamilton, one of America's founding fathers.
With a musical score that blends show tunes, jazz, R&B, and even hip-hop, Hamilton captures a momentous moment in America’s birth.
The real-life story provides insight into the complexity of Hamilton's relationship with figures like George Washington and Aaron Burr.
The show won 11 Tonys including two for Best Book of a Musical and Best Original Score, both composed by Broadway sensation Lin-Manuel Miranda.
Read more to find out how to get $10 tickets and other reduced-price tickets to Hamilton.
Like everyone, I was desperate to see this show when it opened. I entered the show’s digital ticket lottery over 200 hundred times with no luck.
When I finally scored a ticket through a friend, I was practically bursting with anticipation.
When a show has as much hype around it as Hamilton, it is often impossible for that show to live up to all of your expectations. Hamilton was the rare exception.
Not only was everything I thought it would be, it was even better.
I went in knowing every word to the score, and still found myself holding my breath at times, waiting to see what would happen.
Sometimes a show comes along that completely changes the landscape forever. Hamilton is one of those shows. If you ever have a chance to see it: go.
Wicked The Musical
This prequel to The Wizard of Oz is a feel-good musical about how two young witches go from disliking each other to becoming close friends.
The show follows the special friendship between Elphaba, an awkward green-skinned girl, and Glinda, a popular blonde, while they are students at sorcery school.
As the girls grow into their destinies as a Wicked Witch and a Good Witch, yet discover a strong bond between them.
Find out how to get Wicked reduced-rate tickets.
I was lucky enough to see this show right when it first opened, and could afford to see it several more times in the early years, thanks to the show’s ticket lottery.
I had a chance to see it again recently and my first thought when it ended was “I had forgotten what an exceptional show this is.”
There are a lot of shows that never make it past one year on Broadway, let alone 20.
The reason Wicked is a part of that exclusive club is that it has it all: a great storyline, plenty of spectacle, a beautiful score and exceptional choreography.
I think most people would love this one, but I would especially recommend it to those who are choosing their first Broadway show.
It would be an incredible first experience!
The Lion King
Chances are you have heard about the Lion King for years and have been waiting to get to New York City to see it. Now's your chance!
In case you don't know how good it is, this review from Time Magazine will convince you.
“Awe-inspiring! ….Taymor's imaginative ideas seem limitless. It's a gorgeous, gasp-inducing spectacle”.
Find out about getting Lion King Reduced Price Tickets.
While not quite at the 20-year mark, this one is getting close!
It has made it for this long for many of the same reasons that Wicked has.
If I am asked to describe this show, I usually say, “Stunning.”
The puppetry and overall visuals of this show impress me even to this day.
While this is a family-friendly show, I would never classify it as “just a kid show.” Adults and kids alike will love the beautiful and creative storytelling.
Moulin Rouge!
This musical tells the story of a young English poet, Christian, who falls in love with cabaret actress Satine, the star of the Moulin Rouge in Paris.
The lavish stage production and seductive songs have made it a staple of Broadway.
As a fan of the film, I was excited to see this one, but wasn’t prepared for what an absolute blast this was! It was glittery, over-the-top, and energetic.
If you are looking for a musical that is jam-packed with great singing and dancing and want a lot of spectacle, this is the show for you.
Some musicals are deep and poignant and make audiences think. Some are just meant to be fun.
I looked at my companion after this show and said, “That was the most fun I have had in a theater in years.”
Don't we all need some fun in our lives? See this show!
Little Shop Of Horrors
Everyone’s favorite carnivorous plant is back on an Off-Broadway stage and still entertaining audiences since its first debut in 1982!
Shy floral assistant Seymour discovers a new kind of plant and not a very nice one.
He names it Audrey II, after his coworker crush Audrey).
Audrey II’s insatiable desire for blood to keep it alive drags Seymour into a fiasco involving murder but he cannot keep up with Audry II’s appetite.
Meanwhile, Seymour plots to rescue the real Audrey from an abusive relationship.
Things don't go as Seymour hopes, his plan is foiled and Audry II rules the day.
A director that I worked with once described Little Shop of Horrors as “the perfect musical,” and I have to say, she may be right.
This show is hilarious, campy, and full of great songs and characters.
This particular production is off-Broadway, which means it is a great opportunity to see this show in a more intimate setting.
This theater only seats 270 people, so every seat is great.
The cast continually changes, but this run has been full of great casting, so you are sure to see a great show!
MJ The Musical
This is by far one of the best Broadway shows that opened back in 2022!
Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, MJ The Musical is a look back at the biggest moments in Michael Jackson’s illustrious career.
The show looks at his life through the lens of 25 of his greatest hits.
The story is captivating, the choreography is wonderful and the songs are songs that we know so well.
Learn how to get deals on tickets to MJ the Musical.
As I said at the beginning of the post, it can be tricky to recommend shows because people can have such different tastes.
MJ the Musical is kind of an outlier there: every single person I know who has seen this show LOVED it -- and these people have very little in common.
My 80-year-old vocal coach who has worked on Broadway since the 1960s loved it.
Family friends who had never seen a Broadway show before loved it.
Devoted fans of Michael Jackson’s music loved it. Even people who don’t generally care much about his music loved it!
It’s unusual for a show to have that broad appeal, but it makes it very easy for me to recommend seeing it!
SIX
SIX was one of the best Broadway shows that opened in 2021.
With eight Tony nominations in 2022 including Best Musical, SIX is one of the best shows on Broadway.
Through girl-group pop songs, the six wives of Henry VIII tell you about their not-so-happy lives (and deaths) with this infamous English King.
This clever script was written when playwrights Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss were college students!
I am a massive fan of this show and I’ve seen it twice (the second time was so I could take my mother, who also loved it!)
The side of me that is fascinated by history appreciates the attention to detail in the characters and lyrics.
The part of me that loves glittery fun loves the costumes, the music, and the energy.
SIX is one of those shows that mostly seems like a good time, but I think it has some deeper meaning as well.
One thing to know about SIX is that it often feels more like seeing a concert than a traditional musical.
It’s a great time and has plenty of wow factor, but that might be surprising if you weren’t expecting it.
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child
This play takes place 19 years after Harry Potter graduated from Hogwarts.
He’s sent his son, Albus, to his alma mater where trouble brews again.
Albus has befriended Scorpius, the son of Draco Malfoy, one of Harry’s enemies.
The boys take a time-traveling journey, but trouble begins and Harry, Ron, and Hermione must help save their children and the Wizarding World.
Harry Potter and The Cursed Child has won countless awards and is a great choice for kids and adults alike!
Fans of the franchise will love the storyline and seeing familiar and new characters live on stage.
Being a massive Harry Potter fan myself, I was more than ready to put on my best Ravenclaw headband and head out to see Cursed Child.
The technical effects were, to me, the most impressive part. I work in theater and even have some idea of how most of the effects are created.
That did not stop me from squealing like a little kid every time they happened and I wasn’t alone! Everyone around me was doing the same thing.
As corny as it may sound, this show is magical (pun very much intended.)
The only thing to consider is that this is a continuation of the original book and film series. If you are not familiar with them, the story may not make a lot of sense to you.
That said, if you aren’t a fan, you likely aren’t considering this show anyway!
The Book of Mormon
This musical comedy written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (of the TV series South Park) together with Robert Lopez (composer of Avenue Q), has been a Broadway favorite since 2011.
The Book of Mormon is a nine-time Tony winner including for Best Musical, so you can rest assured that this musical about mismatched Mormon missionaries sent to Uganda, will entertain!
Read here for Book of Mormon lowered-price tickets.
For many years, this was the impossible-to-get ticket in town.
It took me years to finally get a chance to see it, but it was worth the wait!
There is a reason the show is popular and has run for more than a decade.
While it is not a good choice for those who shock easily (consider the source: this is the team who created South Park) it is a hilarious and fun night at the theater.
I wouldn’t even consider myself a massive South Park fan, but even so, I had a great time.
Hadestown
This musical with a show book by indie musician Anaïs Mitchell and directed by Rachel Chavkin, is the recipient of 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
The plot weaves two Greek mythic tales, first the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, and second, the story of Hades, King of the Underworld, and his wife Persephone.
The show features a stellar cast of actors, singers and dancers, who take the audience on a memorable voyage to the underworld and back.
If you are looking for something a little bit different, rather than a highly traditional musical, this is one to check out!
Rachel Chavkin is, in my opinion, one of the best and most creative directors working right now, and this a beautiful show. I LOVE the score as well!
This isn’t one of the silly, feel-good musicals on this list, but it is a spectacular show and one to consider.
& Juliet
Created by the writer of the hilarious TV series, Schitt’s Creek, this comedic musical looks at the life of Shakespeare's Juliet if she hadn't ended it all over Romeo.
With upbeat pop songs like “Since U Been Gone,” “Baby One More Time,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling,” this feel-good Broadway show is one not to miss!
I was truly taken aback by how much I loved this show, especially as I wasn't expecting to.
I had gotten a free ticket through a friend, so I went. I had SO MUCH FUN!
I expected to enjoy the music (I was a teenager when a lot of it was first released) but I thought the show itself was hilarious and surprisingly touching at times.
The overall feeling of this show is “joyful,” and I will certainly be back to see it again!
Chicago
The Tony-winning production opened in 1996, the longest-running American musical in Broadway history.
It’s just as good as when it opened!
This dazzling musical about adultery, murder and justice in the Roaring Twenties is exactly what Broadway is all about!
This is another show that I tend to recommend as a first Broadway show for people.
It is a classic for a reason! I love the music in Chicago, and the choreography is some of my favorite of all time.
Back to the Future
This musical take on the 1985 movie Back to the Future has a showbook written by the writers of the movie screenplay, Robert Zemeckis and Bob Gale.
The musical is loosely based on the original screenplay, with main characters Marty McFly and Dr. Emmett Brown, though there are a few changes to the storyline.
BTTF had a successful run in London’s West End and should be a fun experience for all who see this exciting show!
Sometimes shows are announced and I think “Hmmm, I wonder if that will work as a musical,” and then they do. Back to the Future is one of those shows.
Fans of the film will love the familiar storyline and characters, and the technical theater magic can’t be beat! The special effects are truly cool in this one.
Aladdin
Based on the Disney movie of the same name, Aladdin is the familiar tale of a poor young man who meets a Genie and is granted three wishes.
With flying carpets, magnificent costumes, and of course a very special magic lamp, this highly successful Broadway show will let your imagination soar.
It’s especially good for families with young children!
Aladdin is exactly what people have come to expect of Disney musicals on Broadway: beautifully done, high production value, and great performances.
This one is a surefire hit if you are traveling with kids, and would be a great choice for their first Broadway musical!
A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical
*Closes 6/30/2024
Sing along with Neil Diamond’s iconic songs, “Sweet Caroline” and “America” in this show that tells this singer-songwriter’s story from a poor kid in Brooklyn to a superstar.
Directed by Tony Award winner Michael Mayer (Hedwig and the Angry Inch) and written by four-time Academy Award nominee Anthony McCarten (Bohemian Rhapsody, The Two Popes), this show will inspire and delight audiences.
RECENTLY CLOSED
Here are just a few shows that have closed in the past several months. Sorry if you missed them!
Sweeney Todd
This ever-popular spine-tingling musical began a run at the beautiful Lunt-Fontanne Theatre on February, 2023.
Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street seeking revenge in the bloodiest of ways, is played by Grammy award winner Josh Groban.
Together with Tony winner Annaleigh Ashford as Mrs. Lovett and a fantastic cast, Sweeny Todd is a show for lovers of clever dialogue, compelling music, and a touch of fright!
Some Like It Hot
The new musical is based on the classic 1950s comedic movie starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon.
It’s Chicago during Prohibition and two musicians (Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee) who witness a mob hit go on the run.
As an extra precaution, they disguise themselves as women which leads to hilarious consequences!
Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw (Mean Girls, Book of Mormon, Aladdin), this musical is too hot to miss!
The Cottage
Jason Alexander (George from Seinfeld) makes his Broadway directing debut with The Cottage, a romantic comedy about sex, betrayal, love and possibly murder set in the English countryside in 1923.
When Sylvia exposes an affair to her husband and her lover’s wife, the meaning of identity, marriage and fate take center stage.
A star-studded cast of comedic actors includes Will & Grace’s Eric McCormack, Legally Blonde’s Laura Bell Bundy, Tootsie’s Lilli Cooper, and Beetlejuice’s Dana Steingold.
Once Upon A One More Time
This musical featuring a few songs from Britney Spears follows a group of Disney princesses, including Snow White and Cinderella, who have a book club where they read their own fairy tales to each other.
Then a rogue fairy godmother replaces the monthly book with the 1960s feminist book, The Feminine Mystique.
The newly empowered princesses learn to take control of their lives and find an alternative ‘Happily Ever After’ where they are in charge.
Funny Girl
The first time this show opened on Broadway was in 1964 and Barbara Streisand played Fanny Brice, a determined girl from the Lower East Side who was determined to be a Broadway star.
This revival is every bit as wonderful as the original.
Hear iconic Broadway songs such as “Don’t Rain On My Parade,” “I’m the Greatest Star,” and “People” sung by Lea Michele, multiple award winner and star of the hit TV show Glee.
Bad Cinderella
This tongue-in-cheek retelling of the classic fairy-tale features music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, an original story and book from Oscar-winning writer Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) and lyrics by Tony Award winner David Zippel.
In this contemporary adaptation, Cinderella’s got her handsome Prince Charming and lives in the beautiful kingdom of Belleville.
The townspeople are gorgeous and Cinderella’s godmother is a plastic surgeon. Still, Cinderella’s true to herself and doesn't quite fit in. What measures will she take to please other people?
Good Night, Oscar
This Emmy Award-winning play, set in 1958, follows the real-life Oscar Levant, (character actor), and his guest appearance on real-life Jack Paar’s popular late-night TV talk show.
Levant and Paar were household names in the 1950s and chain-smoking, wise-cracking Levant did appear on Paar’s show multiple times.
The play’s TV appearance is fictionalized and serves as a platform to explore Levant’s complex persona and the fine line he walked between genius and insanity.
This laugh-out-loud show stars actor Sean Hayes (Will and Grace) as Levant. His amazing performance makes this an unforgettable tragic-comedy.
The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s thrilling masterpiece is the longest-running show in Broadway history, premiering in 1988. It won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical.
In this timeless tale, the ‘Phantom’ haunts the Paris Opera House. Ashamed of his appearance, covered by a mask, he falls in love with his protégée, Christine Daaé.
This romantic show proves that love is strong enough to conquer anything.
The Music Man
This spirited musical first arrived on Broadway in 1957 and was a smash hit!
The latest revival, starring two-time Tony, Grammy, and Emmy winner Hugh Jackman, is just as good as the original!
Trouble starts brewing in River City when con artist Harold Hill shows up.
His plans are derailed when he falls in love with the town librarian, Marian.
You’ll want to sing along to the popular songs, “Seventy-Six Trombones”' and "Gary, Indiana".
Beetlejuice
Nominated for 8 Tony awards including Best Musical, this whimsical show is based on the 1988 film of the same name.
Lydia Deetz and her family have moved into a new house.
The problem is the former occupants, Adam and Barbara Maitland want their house back.
As they are now ghosts, they try to scare the Deetz’s out but have no success.
They call on the help of Beetlejuice, an unscrupulous bio-exorcist ghost who does whatever it takes to get the Deetz family to poach up and leave.
HOW TO GET CONCESSIONARY BROADWAY SHOW TICKETS
There are lots of ways to get price cut on Broadway tickets! Once you know how you may never pay full price again!
Our post on Cheap Broadway Tickets covers the different options such as the TKTS booth, ticket lotteries, Rush tickets and other money-saving tips.
