Broadway is one of the most popular attractions when visiting New York City. In 2017 alone, the total attendance for Broadway shows reached nearly 13.3 million and it has no plans for slowing down. Whether you’re a fan of musicals or just plays, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy in the Theatre District. We’ve put together a list of our must-see Broadway shows to help you plan out your next visit to New York.
HAMILTON
Source: Broadway.com
It’s no surprise that break-out musical Hamilton makes the top of our list. This historical show focuses on the Founding Father as he struggles to create American history. Infused with modern-day hip hop, the starring role was originally brought to life by Lin-Manuel Miranda before he left the show in 2016. With a record-breaking 16 Tony Award nominations, Hamilton walked away with 11 awards at last year’s Tony’s – including Best Musical. The show has received 5-star reviews, along with Ben Brantley of the New York Times stating that it’s “making its own resonant history by changing the language of musicals”. While a new batch of tickets was just released, availability is slim due to its immense popularity. Visit the website here for more information.
WICKED
Source: Wicked the Musical
Named as “Broadway’s Biggest Blockbuster” by the New York Times, performances of Wicked have been seen by more than 50 million people around the world. It has also currently passed the $1 billion mark at the box office since opening night in 2003. Wicked tells the “untold story of the witches of Oz” with the leading roles of Elphaba and Glinda being played by Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth. Based on the novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire, this musical transports the audience to the land of Oz for a more in-depth look at what happened before Dorothy arrived. For more information on tickets and merchandise, visit their website here.
BOOK OF MORMON
Source: Book of Mormon
From the creators of South Park and Matt Stone, Book of Mormon has won nine Tony Awards including Best Musical. The show tells the story of two young missionaries who are sent off to Uganda in hopes of converting the rural communities to Mormonism. While it’s geared toward an audience of 18 and older, Book of Mormon is entering its sixth year and is still as popular as ever. The musical has even been, for the most part, supported by the Church of Latter-Day Saints who have since adopted the slogan “You’ve seen the play, now read the book”. You can purchase tickets through its website here along with other merchandise from the show.
CHICAGO
Source: Broadway.com
Now celebrating its 20th year on stage, Chicago is one of the most iconic Broadway shows of all time. While it first debuted in 1975 and was mainly considered a flop, it is now Broadway’s longest running American musical. It was also later turned into a movie in 2002 with the same name, for which it won an Oscar. Set in the Roaring 20’s, Chicago tells the story of two women who are tried and acquitted of murder thanks in a large part to their lawyer. The musical was also inspired by a true story of two women whose trials were turned into stories by a Chicago Tribune journalist. A mixture of Bob Fosse choreography, slick costumes and an incredible score, this Broadway musical will razzle dazzle audiences for years to come. For a full calendar of shows, visit their website here.
With so many popular Broadway musicals, you really can’t go wrong no matter which you choose to see. We recommend checking their websites beforehand for ticket availability as some may be booked out several months in advance. Looking for somewhere to stay while you’re in the city? See our list of New York’s best luxury hotels.
