If you’re anything like me, you want your night out to feel worth it, and picking the right Broadway show is a big part of that. With so many options, it can get confusing fast, but it doesn’t have to be.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through the best Broadway shows to see right now, along with a few helpful pointers so you can find the one that fits your taste.
You’ll get a clear sense of what each show offers, and how to choose the one that feels “right” for you. Let’s make this whole process a lot simpler, and maybe even fun.
What Broadway Shows Are All About
Broadway shows are live performances with big stories, strong music, and talented actors. They happen in famous theaters in New York City.
These shows give you a chance to escape for a little while. You sit back, watch a great story, and enjoy music, lights, and amazing stage moments.
It’s one of the best ways to experience live entertainment, whether you’re a local or a visitor exploring the city.
Best Broadway Shows Right Now
These shows are the most popular and easiest to enjoy. They offer strong stories, good music, and great performances:
1. Hamilton
Alexander Hamilton grew up with nothing, fought in the Revolution, and helped shape the U.S. government. His talent takes him far, but his choices and pride create enemies, especially Aaron Burr. It’s told through rap, R&B, and big group songs.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Lin-Manuel Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr. (orig.) | Jeffrey Seller, Sander Jacobs, Jill Furman | 2015–Present |
Why you’ll love it: The music feels modern, and the pace is exciting. It turns real history into straightforward, emotional storytelling that people remember.
2. The Lion King
Simba is a young lion who’s meant to be king. After his father dies, he runs away and grows up far from home. When he learns the truth, he returns to face his uncle Scar and take responsibility. The show is known for puppets, masks, and stage design that turns animals into theater.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Jason Raize, Tsidii Le Loka (orig.) | Disney Theatrical | 1997–Present |
Why you’ll love it: The visuals are a big reason; it’s something you can’t get from the movie. Families also like that it’s emotional but still easy for kids to follow.
3. Wicked
Before Dorothy shows up, two girls meet at school in Oz, Elphaba (green, judged) and Glinda (popular). They become friends, then life pushes them apart. Politics, fear, and rumors turn them into the “Wicked Witch” and the “Good Witch.”
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Idina Menzel, Kristin Chenoweth (orig.) | Marc Platt, Universal Stage | 2003–Present |
Why you’ll love it: Big songs and a story about friendship under pressure. People connect with the idea of being labeled before they’re understood.
4. Chicago
Roxie Hart goes to jail for murder and wants fame more than freedom. In prison, she meets Velma, who’s also a performer. A smooth lawyer turns their trials into a show for the press. Everyone wants headlines, and the truth becomes a tool.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Gwen Verdon, Chita Rivera (orig.); revival stars vary | Barry & Fran Weissler (revival) | 1996–Present (revival) |
Why you’ll love it: It’s slick, funny, and easy to follow. The dance style is a big part of it, and the show still feels current because of the media angle.
5. Aladdin
Aladdin is a street kid who falls for Princess Jasmine. He finds a magic lamp and meets a Genie who offers three wishes. Aladdin tries to become someone “worthy,” but Jafar wants the lamp’s power. It’s a light adventure with comedy, bright costumes, and big set pieces.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Jacobs, James Monroe Iglehart (orig.) | Disney Theatrical | 2014–Present |
Why you’ll love it: It’s bright, funny, and easy to enjoy even if you don’t watch a lot of theater. The Genie numbers usually get the biggest cheers.
6. Dear Evan Hansen
Evan is a high school kid with anxiety who writes letters to himself for therapy. After a classmate dies, Evan gets pulled into a lie that starts small but grows fast. He finally feels seen, but he knows it can’t last.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Platt, Rachel Bay Jones (orig.) | Stacey Mindich | 2016–2022 |
Why you’ll love it: Many people see themselves in Evan’s fear and need to belong. The songs capture that feeling clearly and hit hard in the theater.
7. Rent
A group of friends in New York tries to make art and survive while dealing with love, money problems, and the AIDS crisis. Relationships change, friendships get tested, and time moves fast. The show keeps coming back to one idea: don’t waste the days you have.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Adam Pascal, Idina Menzel (orig.) | Jeffrey Seller & team | 1996–2008 |
Why you’ll love it: It feels personal and honest, especially the friendships. The songs are memorable, and many people have an emotional connection to its time and message.
8. Sweeney Todd
Sweeney Todd returns to London after being wronged and wants revenge. He sets up a barber shop and partners with Mrs. Lovett, who runs the pie shop below. Their plan turns deadly. It’s dark, but also has a lot of grim humor and sharp writing.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Angela Lansbury, Len Cariou (orig.) | Harold Prince production | 1979–1980; revivals |
Why you’ll love it: The music is innovative, and the story is wild but still emotional. People also love the dark humor and strong lead roles.
9. West Side Story
Two teen gangs fight over territory in 1950s New York, the Jets and the Sharks. Tony, linked to the Jets, falls in love with Maria, whose brother leads the Sharks. They try to escape the hatred around them, but violence keeps closing in.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Carol Lawrence, Chita Rivera (orig.) | Jerome Robbins production | 1957–1959 (orig.); revivals |
Why you’ll love it: The songs and dance are famous for a reason. It also feels real because the story is about hate, identity, and choices that spiral.
10. The Book of Mormon
Two Mormon missionaries are sent to Uganda. One is confident and by-the-book, the other makes things up to fit in. They try to help a community dealing with serious problems, and their plan goes off track. It’s a comedy, but it also shows people trying to do good.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Andrew Rannells, Josh Gad (orig.) | Scott Rudin, Anne Garefino | 2011–Present |
Why you’ll love it: It’s bold and gets huge laughs without slowing down. The songs are easy to get stuck in your head, and there’s still a real story underneath.
11. Hairspray
Tracy Turnblad wants to dance on a local TV show in 1960s Baltimore. When she gets on, she pushes for the show to include Black dancers, too. She deals with bullies, TV drama, and her own doubts, but keeps going. It’s upbeat, but it’s also about fairness and respect.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Marissa Jaret Winokur, Harvey Fierstein (orig.) | Margo Lion & team | 2002–2009 |
Why you’ll love it: It’s fun, loud, and full of heart. People like that it tackles real issues while still being a good time.
12. Moulin Rouge! The Musical
A young writer falls for the star performer at the Moulin Rouge. Their love runs into money, jealousy, and the club’s need to survive. It uses many well-known pop songs, mixed into big stage numbers.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Aaron Tveit, Karen Olivo (orig.) | Global Creatures | 2019–Present |
Why you’ll love it: It’s a big night out, music, dancing, lights, and constant movement. People enjoy hearing famous songs used in new ways.
13. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Harry is now an adult, and his son Albus has a hard time living with the Potter name. Albus becomes close friends with Draco Malfoy’s son, Scorpius. A time-travel plan starts as a “fix,” but it creates bigger problems and changes what they thought they knew.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Jamie Parker, Noma Dumezweni (orig. major prod.) | Sonia Friedman/Colin Callender | 2018–Present |
Why you’ll love it: The stage tricks and effects feel unreal in person. Fans also like the focus on friendship and the new characters.
14. Come From Away
After 9/11, planes were forced to land in a small town in Newfoundland. Thousands of strangers arrive with nowhere to go. The locals feed them, house them, and keep them calm. The show follows many people at once and shows how small acts of help matter.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Jenn Colella, Chad Kimball (orig.) | Junkyard Dog Productions | 2017–2022 |
Why you’ll love it: It’s warm, human, and respectful, and it doesn’t drag. People leave feeling hopeful because it focuses on how strangers showed up for each other.
15. Six
Henry VIII’s six wives take the stage like pop stars. Each one tells her side of the story and tries to prove she had it the worst. By the end, it turns into a conversation about who they were beyond the king.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Adrianna Hicks, Abby Mueller (orig. Bway) | Kenny Wax & team | 2021–Present |
Why you’ll love it: It’s fast, fun, and built for cheering. Each queen gets a moment, and the music feels like today’s pop more than “old history.”
16. Hadestown
Orpheus falls in love with Eurydice, but she ends up in the underworld to survive. Orpheus follows her and tries to bring her back. At the same time, Hades and Persephone show what happens when love turns cold. It’s a myth told like a music-driven story.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Eva Noblezada, André De Shields (orig.) | Mara Isaacs & partners | 2019–Present |
Why you’ll love it: The music feels different from typical Broadway and pulls you in fast. People also like how it says big things about love and trust without being confusing.
17. Mamma Mia!
Sophie is getting married and wants her father to walk her down the aisle, but she doesn’t know who he is. She invites three men from her mom Donna’s past, hoping to figure it out. Old relationships come back, secrets spill, and everything plays out with ABBA songs.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Louise Pitre, Judy Kaye (orig.) | Judy Craymer | 2001–2015 |
Why you’ll love it: ABBA fans get what they came for, and even non-fans usually end up smiling. The show builds into a fun, sing-along style ending.
18. MJ: The Musical
Set around rehearsals for Michael Jackson’s Dangerous tour, the show follows MJ and his team as they build the concert. You see the pressure, the perfectionism, and the choices behind the music. The story moves through key moments while the stage turns into full performance mode.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Myles Frost (orig. MJ) | Book: Lynn Nottage; Dir/Choreo: Christopher Wheeldon | 2022–Present |
Why it’s loved: People go for the dancing and the hits, and it delivers like a real concert. The pacing stays tight, so it never feels slow.
19. Hell’s Kitchen
A 17-year-old girl grows up in 1990s Manhattan, trying to figure out who she is and where she belongs. Her mom wants to protect her, but the city pulls her in different directions—friends, first love, and tough choices. The story is told using Alicia Keys’ songs.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Maleah Joi Moon, Shoshana Bean, Kecia Lewis (orig. leads) | Alicia Keys (music); Book: Kristoffer Diaz; Dir: Michael Greif; Choreo: Camille A. Brown | 2024–Present |
Why it’s loved: Viewers say the characters feel real, not “perfect.” It balances fun scenes with emotional ones, so it feels honest and still uplifting.
20. The Outsiders
In 1960s Tulsa, Ponyboy and his friends (the Greasers) clash with the richer kids (the Socs). As things get worse, Ponyboy tries to hold onto what’s good—family, loyalty, and the hope that life can change. It’s a coming-of-age story with real stakes.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Brody Grant, Sky Lakota-Lynch (early Broadway cast) | Dir: Danya Taymor; Book: Adam Rapp & Justin Levine; Music/Lyrics: Jamestown Revival & Justin Levine | 2024–Present |
Why it’s loved: Fans talk about how clean the storytelling feels and how strong the performances are. It’s emotional and intense, but it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard.
21. The Great Gatsby
Nick moves to Long Island and gets pulled into Gatsby’s world of parties and big promises. Gatsby is chasing Daisy, and everything starts to crack under the surface: love, money, and reputation. The show keeps the classic story but plays it with modern energy and big stage moments.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Jeremy Jordan, Eva Noblezada (original Broadway leads) | Book: Kait Kerrigan; Music: Jason Howland; Lyrics: Nathan Tysen | 2024–Present (Broadway Theatre) |
Why it’s loved: People like the “big night out” feel, music, costumes, and fast-moving scenes. Reviews also mention the cast energy and the clear, easy-to-follow plot.
22. The Phantom of the Opera
A young singer, Christine, gets help from a mysterious “angel” who lives under the opera house. He’s a musical genius, but also controlling and dangerous. Christine is torn between him and Raoul, someone she trusts. Secrets and fear build as the Phantom tries to keep her close.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Michael Crawford, Sarah Brightman (orig.) | Cameron Mackintosh / RUG | 1988–2023 |
Why you’ll love it: The music is instantly recognizable, even for non-theater fans. People also love the romance + suspense mix and the big stage moments.
23. To Kill a Mockingbird
Scout grows up in a small town in Alabama and watches her father, lawyer Atticus Finch, defend a Black man accused of a serious crime. The trial exposes the town’s racism and fear. It’s told through Scout’s view as she learns what fairness and courage really cost.
| Notable Cast | Original Production/Group | Broadway Run |
|---|---|---|
| Jeff Daniels, Celia Keenan-Bolger (orig.) | Scott Rudin / Lincoln Center Theater | 2018–2022 |
Why you’ll love it: The courtroom scenes keep people locked in. It’s also the kind of story that stays in your head after you leave.
How to Choose the Best Broadway Show for You
Choosing a Broadway show is easier when you focus on what you enjoy. These simple pointers help you match your mood or taste to the right type of show:
- If You Love Big Visuals: Pick shows with bright sets, strong lighting, and big stage effects. These give you a bold, eye-catching experience.
- If You Want Something Family-Friendly: Choose shows with simple stories and a light mood. They’re safe for kids and still easy for adults to enjoy.
- If You Prefer a Laugh: Go for musicals with quick jokes, fun energy, and easy plots. These are great when you want something playful.
- If You Want a Classic Broadway Feel: Look for timeless songs, simple staging, and steady pacing. These shows offer the traditional Broadway style that many people expect.
Quick Guide to Help You Compare Shows
This table gives you a simple way to compare the main factors that set each show apart. Use it to see what fits your taste and budget:
| Feature | What It Means | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Story Complexity | How easy the story is to follow | Simple plots for beginners; deeper stories for drama lovers |
| Visual Spectacle | Size and style of sets, lights, and effects | Small, simple staging or big, colorful visuals |
| Music Style | Type of songs used in the show | Pop, rock, jazz, classic Broadway, or mixed styles |
| Kid-Friendliness | How suitable it is for kids | Family-safe themes or more mature content |
| Noise Level | How loud or calm the show feels | Quiet moments vs. loud music and action |
| Best Seats for Budget | Where to sit for a clear view without high prices | Side orchestra, front mezzanine, or discounted seating |
With these points in mind, it becomes clearer how different shows match different tastes. It also shows how small details can shape the kind of Broadway experience someone enjoys.
How to Get the Best Broadway Tickets
Getting Broadway tickets can feel tricky at first, but a few simple tips make the process easier. These points help you find good seats at fair prices.
Cheapest Days to See Shows:
Weekdays, especially Tuesday and Wednesday nights, are usually less expensive because crowds are smaller. Matinee shows can also be cheaper and still offer the same performance.
Where to Buy Tickets Safely:
Official sites like Broadway.com, Telecharge, and Ticketmaster show real prices and seat maps. Random resale sites often raise prices or list unclear seats, so it’s better to avoid them.
Rush and Lottery Options:
Many shows offer same-day rush tickets at lower prices, usually sold in person. Digital lotteries also offer a chance at discounted seats, which can help if you’re flexible with timing.
TodayTix Tips:
TodayTix often has deals on rush and same-day tickets. The app is simple to use, and price alerts make it easy to track drops.
TKTS Booth Guide:
TKTS booths sell same-day discounted tickets for many shows. The Times Square booth is the busiest, while the South Street Seaport location usually has shorter lines.
These tips make it easier to understand how Broadway pricing works. They also show that good seats are possible without spending more than you need.
Wrapping Up
I’m really glad you spent some time here, and I hope this made the world of Broadway feel a little easier to walk through.
When you break things down, choosing the best Broadway shows becomes less confusing and a lot more enjoyable. It’s a good feeling when everything finally clicks and you know what fits your taste.
This guide was built to help you make confident choices, whether you’re planning a night out or just getting a feel for what Broadway offers.
And if you ever need a quick reminder or want to explore more options, you can always come back for a simple, friendly refresh!
