Best Broadway Musicals

Chicago: The current production opened in 1996 and won 6 Tony Awards including Best Revival. It hasn’t left the Broadway stage since and can be seen at the Ambassador Theatre. Set in Chicago in the 1920s, this musical tells the story of Roxie Hart, her Cook County Jail cellmate Velma Kelly, and lawyer Billy Flynn. It’s a tale full of murder, deception, greed, and the “Razzle Dazzle” of showbiz. Chicago also has some of the best dancing – in the style of the legendary Bob Fosse – you’ll see on a Broadway stage. This musical was made into the Oscar-Winning film of the same name starring Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere, and Catherine Zeta-Jones which has become one of the most successful movie musicals.

The Lion King opened in 1997, won 6 Tony Awards including Best Musical, and has the unique distinction of being the biggest box-office hit of all time. And not just for musicals: it’s the highest-grossing piece of entertainment. Meaning it has overtaken films like Harry Potter, Star Wars and Avatar. The Lion King is based on the beloved animated film and, with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, includes all your favorite tunes like: “Hakuna Matata”, “The Circle of Life”, and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” along with songs written exclusively for the stage show. It also has some of the most creative and breathtaking staging under the direction of Julie Taymor. This hit runs on Broadway at the Minskoff Theatre and has become a global sensation, playing on the West End, Japan, Germany, Spain, France and more.

Hamilton opened in 2015 and won 11 Tony Awards as well as the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this musical broke box office records and remains the highest charting Broadway cast recording in history. Telling the story of America’s founding fathers and focusing on Alexander Hamilton, this musical plays at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and remains one of the most popular shows on Broadway. It was also filmed and released on Disney+. Entertainment Weekly says, “you’d be crazy to miss it.”

The Book of Mormon opened in 2011 and won 9 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Written by “South Park'' creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, with music and lyrics by Robert Lopez (also known for co-writing the songs for the movie Frozen), this musical is just as catchy, irreverent, and hilarious as that team implies. The Book of Mormon follows Latter-Day missionaries Elder Cunningham and Elder Price who are sent to Uganda to spread their faith. Time Out New York’s 5-star review called it, “the most exuberantly entertaining Broadway musical in years.”

Wicked opened in 2003 and is based on the book by Gregory Maguire, “Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West.” One of the most popular musicals on Broadway and with a huge and ever-growing fanbase, Wicked was the winner of 3 Tony Awards, and follows the story of green-skinned Elphaba and the more popular Galinda on paths that will end with one being called “The Good Witch” and the other “Wicked.” The musical runs at the Gershwin Theatre and originally starred Idina Menzel as Elphaba, Kristin Chenoweth as Glinda, and Joel Grey as the Wizard, and there is a movie adaption currently taking the world by storm. The New York Times calls it, “the defining musical of the decade.”

& Juliet comes to the Stephen Sondheim Theatre after a hit run on the West End. With a book by David West Read, music by Max Martin, and directed by Luke Sheppard, & Juliet asks what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo and includes pop anthems like “Since You Been Gone,” “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life,” and “Can’t Stop this Feeling!” The Guardian called the show “a fun, feminist makeover with a great pop soundtrack.”

Aladdin is based off of the beloved animated film with music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice. Discover a “Whole New World” in Agrabah when Aladdin finds a lamp, a genie, and has a chance to make all his wishes come true. Great for kids, families, and Disney lovers of all ages, this music has some truly incredible stage magic. The Hollywood Reporter calls it, “A family friendly hit!”

Moulin Rouge! The Musical! opened in 2019 and won 10 Tony Awards including Best Musical. Based off of the 2001 film, Moulin Rouge! follows a young poet, Christian, who falls in love with the courtesan Satine at the famous Moulin Rouge cabaret. You’ll see why The New York Times calls the show “spectacular” when you see the amazing set, great dancing, and awe-inducing arrangements of more top 40 songs than you can shake a stick at. Moulin Rouge! is a pop culture sensation that includes songs like “Lady Marmalade,” “Single Ladies,” “Firework,” and “Toxic.”

Hadestown opened in 2019 and won 8 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The musical takes you to the underworld and back as it tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, King Hades and Persephone. It’s a story of love, human nature, fate, and hope told with a brilliant ensemble, and songs and staging that will leave you breathless. amNY says this “new musical soars with stunning visuals and bold performances.” The album, with music and lyrics by Anais Mitchell, won the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album in 2020.

Six: The Musical was meant to open on March 12, 2020…the day Broadway shut down because of Covid. This musical had its triumphant reopening in October 2021 and went on to be nominated for eight Tony Awards, winning both the Tony Award for Best Original Score and the Tony Award for Best Costume Design in a Musical. It tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII, and these six ladies are true queens of the stage, embodying all the girl power superstardom of a pop concert. Exuberant, fun, and running at a clip of just 80 minutes, this musical is a blast that deserves its long-delayed time in the spotlight. Variety gives it “a solid ‘10’ for joy.”

A Wonderful World comes to Studio 54 ]starring James Monroe Iglehart as Louis Armstrong. Featured songs include, “What a Wonderful World,” “I Can’t Give You Anything but Love,” “When You’re Smiling,” and many others. This show has already wowed audiences in Chicago, and it’s ready to dazzle on the Broadway stage!

Cabaret plays at the August Wilson Theatre after a hit run on the West End. This iconic musical set in the Kit Kat Club in Berlin has been revived on Broadway multiple times and was also adapted into a 1972 film of the same name that earned Oscars for Liza Minelli, Joel Grey, and director Bob Fosse. Variety called the West End production “triumphant…[the show] is destined to run and run.”

Death Becomes Her is based on the movie of the same name and comes to the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre starring Megan Hilty, Jennifer Simard, Christopher Sieber, and Michelle Williams. With a book by Marco Pennette, music and lyrics by Julia Mattison and Noel Carey, and direction from Christopher Gattelli, Death Becomes Her follows two lifelong frenemies – a writer and an actress - when they run into Viola Van Horn and her unusual potion that seems to turn back the clock on their beauty and youth. Variety called the Chicago production “an entertaining show…[with] stellar star-turns.”

Gypsy starring Audra McDonald plays at the Majestic Theatre. This iconic musical about the ultimate stage mom has previously starred actors like Patti LuPone, Bernadette Peters, Angela Lansbury, and Ethel Merman. Now Audra McDonald gets her own Rose’s Turn in this musical with book by Arthur Laurents, music by Jule Styne, and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Variety said, "Audra McDonald electrifies in George C. Wolfe’s sensational revival."

Hell's Kitchen plays at the Shubert Theatre after its sold-out run off-Broadway at the Public Theater. The musical is inspired by Alicia Keys’ childhood in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood of Manhattan and has music and lyrics by Alicia Keys, a book by Kristoffer Diaz, direction by Michael Greif, and choreography by Camille A. Brown. Variety calls it “a quintessential musical…beautiful and heartbreaking.”

Maybe Happy Ending runs at the Belasco Theatre and stars Darren Criss and Helen J Shen as two Helperbots who form a friendship and go on an unexpected journey. Can two obsolete robots find a new purpose and maybe even fall in love along the way? Come see what The Atlanta Journal-Constitutioncalled “dazzling…brimming with ideas and technological inventiveness…[and] electrifying.”

MJ: The Musical follows the making of Michael Jackson’s 1992 Dangerous World Tour and has a book written by two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage. MJ includes hits like “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” “Beat It,” “Smooth Criminal,” and “Thriller.” One of the first new musicals to open after the pandemic, MJ started performances in December 2021. The Washington Post calls it, “a riveting, adrenaline rush of a show.”

Sunset Boulevard runs at the St. James Theatre and stars Nicole Scherzinger as Norma Desmond, a silent film star hoping to make a career comeback. When she meets young screenwriter Joe Gillis, they see a mutual opportunity to make each of their dreams come true. The show comes to New York after a hit run in London’s West End. The Guardian said, “Nicole Scherzinger dazzles in [director] Jamie Lloyd’s radical rework.” You’ve never seen Sunset Boulevard like this – get tickets while you can!

The Great Gatsby plays at the Broadway Theatre with a book by Kait Kerrigan, music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Nathan Tysen, choreography by Dominique Kelley, and direction from Marc Bruni. BroadwayWorld called the show, "phenomenal [and] destined to become a treasured addition to American musical theatre.” The musical is based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald and is set in 1920s New York and Long Island. Grab a drink and join socialite Daisy Buchanan and Midwesterner Nick Carraway at the party at Jay Gatsby’s mansion. Then watch as jazz age revelry soon spins out of control.

The Outsiders, based on the book of the same name by S.E. Hinton, comes to the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre after a run La Jolla Playhouse in California that the Los Angeles Times called “hypnotic” and “impressively original.” Set in Tulsa in the 1960s, it follows Ponyboy Curtis, Johnny Cade, and the rivalry between the working class “Greasers” and the well-off “Socs.” The musical has a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine, and direction by Danya Taymor. BroadwayWorld called the adaptation “an impressive new musical, with a talented cast, dynamic performances, and choreography.”

Redwood will make its Broadway debut at the Nederlander Theatre on January 24, 2025, following a sold-out run at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego. Directed and written by Tina Landau, with music by Kate Diaz and lyrics by Diaz and Landau, the show stars Idina Menzel as Jesse, a successful businesswoman who retreats to the redwoods after a life-altering event. What unfolds is a powerful journey of love, healing, and self-discovery. Known for her iconic roles in Rent, Aida, Wicked, If/Then, and as the voice of Elsa in Frozen, Idina Menzel returns to Broadway at last! After its success in California, this musical is already creating a buzz, and Broadway audiences won’t want to miss it.

Buena Vista Social Club showcases the music of the iconic Afro-Cuban ensemble of the same name, bringing the vibrant world and rhythms of Havana, Cuba to the stage. The original 1997 album, which won a Grammy and achieved global recognition, serves as the foundation for this production. Following its successful off-Broadway run at the Atlantic Theatre, the musical will make its Broadway debut at the Schoenfeld Theatre in February 2025.

Operation Mincemeat arrives at the Golden Theatre on February 15, following its acclaimed run in London, where it won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. Created by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts of the theater company SpitLip, this 1940s-set musical tells the stranger-than-fiction true story of a daring plot to defeat Hitler involving a stolen corpse. The Guardian called it “an irrepressible wartime musical [that] is a West End triumph… a joyful success.” Come see what all the excitement is about!

Smash hits Broadway on March 11, 2025. Based on the popular TV series of the same name, the musical follows a group of actors and creatives as they bring a musical about Marilyn Monroe, Bombshell, to life. Expect plenty of drama, egos, triumphs, and struggles that come with making a Broadway show. Directed by Susan Stroman, with music by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, and a book by Rick Elice and Bob Martin, the production is being produced by Robert Greenblatt, Neil Meron, and Steven Spielberg. The show will feature both new songs and fan-favorite tunes from the original series. It’s a story about Broadway, packed with award-winning talent! Whether you’re already a fan of the TV show or are discovering these characters for the first time, get ready for an unforgettable ride.

Boop! The Musical will play at the Broadhurst Theatre starting March 11, 2025, after a hit run in Chicago. Based on the beloved animated character, Boop! has a book by Bob Martin, music by David Foster, lyrics by Susan Birkenhead, and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell. Betty Boop is the star of her black and white world, but all she wants is one day off – which leads her to present day New York City! The Chicago Sun-Times called it, “a colorful, tuneful, graceful world…[with] spectacular songs.”

The Last Five Years makes its long-awaited Broadway debut March 18, 2025! This beloved musical by Jason Robert Brown, acclaimed for Parade and The Bridges of Madison County, will be directed by Whitney White and stars Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren as a couple navigating the highs and lows of both their professional and romantic lives. The show has previously been staged off-Broadway and in London, and it also inspired a film adaptation. Warren, a Tony Award winner for her portrayal of Tina Turner in Tina: The Tina Turner Musical, and Jonas, returning to Broadway for the first time since How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying in 2012, bring star power to this emotional, intimate story.

Floyd Collins, with book, additional lyrics, and direction by Tina Landau and music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, plays at Lincoln Center’s Beaumont Theater March 27, 2025. Jeremy Jordan, known for his roles in the musicals The Great Gatsby, Newsies, and Bonnie & Clyde as well as for the tv shows Supergirl and Smash, stars as the titular Floyd Collins. The musical tells the true story of Collins, a cave explorer in Kentucky who gets stuck underground and must fight for his life while reporters turn the scene into a media circus.

Just in Time will begin its run at the Circle in the Square Theatre on March 28, 2025, with Jonathan Groff starring as Bobby Darin. Directed by Alex Timbers, the production will feature classic hits such as “Mack the Knife,” “Splish Splash,” and “Beyond the Sea.” The musical chronicles the remarkable life and career of Bobby Darin, whose talent and achievements left a lasting impact. With Jonathan Groff fresh off his Tony Award-winning performance in Merrily We Roll Along, anticipation is high for his return to the stage!

Pirates! The Penzance Musical will play at Roundabout’s Todd Haimes Theatre starting in April 2025 starring Ramin Karimloo and David Hyde Pierce. This classic Gilbert & Sullivan comedy gets an update from director Scott Ellis and choreographer Warren Carlyle with a new adaptation by Rupert Holmes. Jazz and blues will feature heavily when this pirate ship stops in New Orleans. Come see young love, a fast-talking Major-General, and a Pirate King who isn’t above exploiting a legal loophole or two.

Real Women Have Curves is based on Josefina López’s play and the screenplay by López and George LaVoo. It will premiere on Broadway at the James Earl Jones Theatre starting April 1, 2025. Directed and choreographed by Sergio Trujillo, the musical features music and lyrics by Joy Huerta and Benjamin Velez, with a book by Lisa Loomer and Nell Benjamin. Set in 1987 East Los Angeles, this heartfelt and humorous story follows Ana García and her family as they work to fulfill a challenging order of 200 dresses. As Ana navigates the pressures of family, community, and personal aspirations, she must find a way to stay true to herself. Roger Ebert called the film “enormously entertaining for moviegoers of any age.”

Back to the Future ran at the Winter Garden Theatre after a hit run on the West End. Adapted for the stage by the original movie creators Bob Gale and Robert Zemeckis, with original music by Alan Silvestri and Glen Ballard, and directed by John Rando, The Evening Standard called the musical “enormous fun…a near-seamless slice of escapist entertainment.” The flying car was truly amazing!

Suffs played at the Music Box Theatre after a sold-out run off-Broadway at the Public Theatre. With book, music, and lyrics by Shaina Taub, direction from Leigh Silverman, and choreography by Mayte Natalio, Suffs begins in 1913 and follows the women’s rights movement and the suffragists as they pursue the right to vote. The Wrap called the off-Broadway production a “tour-de-force suffragette musical” and “rousing entertainment.”

Elf, with book by Thomas Meehan and Bob Martin, music by Matthew Sklar, and lyrics by Chad Beguelin, played at the Marquis Theatre during the holidays. Based on the beloved movie of the same name, Sean Astin (Lord of the Rings) stars as Santa, and Grey Henson (Mean Girls, Shucked) stars as Buddy the Elf, an orphan who crawls into Santa’s sack of toys as a baby and ends up being raised in the North Pole as an elf. Now an adult, he makes a trip back to his hometown of New York to find his real father. While there, he meets a new family and spreads Christmas cheer. The Chicago Tribune said, “If you’re looking for a big, glitzy, feel-good downtown show that is a good time…’Elf’ will likely exceed your expectations.”

Swept Away is based on the album of the same name by the Avett Brothers and follows two brothers who find work as sailors and then get into a shipwreck. It plays at the Longacre Theatre after hit runs in California and Washington, D.C. and stars John Gallagher, Jr., Adrian Blake Enscoe, Stark Sands, and Wayne Duvall. Theatermania said, “the musical if fresh, the actors marvelous, and the harmonies powerful enough to make the Avett Brothers proud.”

The Notebook, based on the hit movie of the same name, ran at the Schoenfeld Theatre. With music and lyrics by Ingrid Michaelson, book by Bekah Brunstetter, and direction by Michael Greif and Schele Williams, the Chicago Tribune called this musical about an epic romance that spanned decades, “absolutely gorgeous” and “not to be missed.”

Tammy Faye ran at the Palace Theater from October to December 2024 after a hit run in London’s West End. Katie Brayben will reprise her role as Tammy Faye and Christian Boyle will also star as Jim Bakker in this musical with book by James Graham, music by Elton John, and lyrics by Scissor Sisters’ Jake Shears. Come fall in love with Tammy Faye as she and her husband start a televangelist empire in the 1970s. Then see what happens when the cameras turn off and the jealousy rises. The New York Times calls it “spectacular entertainment…the show has a heart as big as the title character’s bouffant hairdo.”

Water for Elephants, based on the best-selling book of the same name by Sara Gruen, played at Broadway’s Imperial Theatre with music and lyrics by PigPen Theatre Co., book by Rick Elice, and direction from Jessica Stone. Water for Elephants follows a young man who jumps a train and finds himself building a new life with a traveling circus, and Arts ATL called the production at the Alliance Theatre “an up-tempo, family-friendly show.”

Once Upon a Mattress starred Sutton Foster and Michael Urie in this updated version of Hans Christian Anderson’s The Princess and the Pea and played at the Hudson Theatre. This production of the musical started at New York City Center Encores!, where it received rave reviews. New York Stage Review called it “a royal success.”

The Wiz comes to Broadway’s Marquis Theatre after a national tour. Amber Ruffin provided additional material to this production of the musical with a book by William F. Brown, music and lyrics by Charlie Smalls, direction from Schele Williams, and choreography by JaQuel Knight. Come see a whole new version of The Wizard of Oz! DC Theater Arts said it, “enthralls with its mind-bending projections, slick choreography, standout performances, and hip-hop flavor…Schele Williams directed standout performances of the Tony Award-winning musical with its mix of rock, ‘70s funk, gospel, soul, and a dash of hip-hop. The Wiz is what a musical is supposed to be.”

The Who's Tommy, featuring music from The Who’s 1969 album “Tommy” including songs like "Pinball Wizard," "The Acid Queen," and "We're Not Gonna Take It," came to Broadway after a sold-out, hit run at Chicago's Goodman Theatre. Directed by Des McAnuff, who directed the original Broadway production in 1993, The Chicago Tribune called this revival “a ready-for-prime-time stunner” that “explodes with life.”

Merrily We Roll Along played at the Hudson Theatre starring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez. Transferring uptown after a hit run off-Broadway at New York Theatre Workshop, The New York Times said “Maria Friedman’s staging brings the intelligence of the songs fully alive…with Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez as the show’s central trio of backward-tumbling friends, it is perhaps for the first time perfectly cast.”

The Heart of Rock and Roll, based on the music of Huey Lewis and the News, ran at Broadway’s James Earl Jones Theatre. The musical has a book by Jonathan A. Abrams, story by Tyler Mitchell and Jonathan A. Abrams, direction by Gordon Greenberg, and choreography by Lorin Latarro. The show is set in the 1980s and includes iconic songs like “Do You Believe in Love,” “Hip to Be Square,” “If This Is It,” and “The Heart of Rock and Roll” as it follows musician-turned-office worker Bobby and his boss Cassandra. BroadwayWorld called it, “bright and sparkling with optimism…an entertaining musical comedy that promises the audience a good time while delivering on the promise of the power of love.”

Lempicka ran at the Longacre Theatre and follows the life and career of the polish artist Tamara de Lempicka. The musical has book, lyrics, and an original concept by Carson Kreitzer, book and music by Matt Gould, choreography by Raja Feather Kelly, and direction by Rachel Chavkin. Eden Espinosa starred as Lempicka in a much-lauded performance. The New York Times said “the title role is filled to the bursting point by Eden Espinosa…who has finally found a part to match her high-voltage talent.”

Monty Python’s Spamalot played at the St. James Theatre after a hit run at the Kennedy Center. Based on the hit film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and back on Broadway for the first time since its original hit run in 2005, come see the Lady of the Lake, Knights of the Round Table, King Arthur and more! The New York Times called the original production, “resplendently silly…the best new musical to open on Broadway this season.”

Days of Wine and Roses ran at Studio 54 after a hit run at the Atlantic Theater off-Broadway. Starring Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara, Days of Wine and Roses is adapted from the film of the same name and follows a couple in the 1950s as they build a family and struggle with addiction. The production has music and lyrics by Adam Guettel, book by Craig Lucas, and direction by Michael Greif. The Wrap called it, “one of the few great musicals of this century” with Brian d’Arcy James and Kelli O’Hara giving “truly awesome performances.”

How to Dance in Ohio, based on the HBO documentary of the same name, ran at the Belasco Theatre. The musical follows a group of autistic young adults as they prepare for a spring dance. The New York Times called the movie “a piercing documentary…[that] goes so much deeper than the corsage-and-boutonniere snapshot.”

Harmony, with music by Barry Manilow, book and lyrics by Bruce Sussman, and direction and choreography by Warren Carlyle, comes to the Barrymore Theatre after a sold-out run downtown. This musical tells the remarkable true story of The Comedian Harmonists, who were catapulted to fame in the 1920s and 30s, making dozens of films, selling out theaters, and becoming international superstars. Variety says the show has “a crackling, cracking-wise script…every element of ‘Harmony’ clicks in place like a gorgeous puzzle.”

Gutenberg! The Musical plays at the James Earl Jones Theatre and stars Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, together again for the first time since The Book of Mormon. Written by Scott Brown and Anthony King (Beetlejuice The Musical) and directed by Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical, Beetlejuice), The New York Times said, “Who knew that a musical about the life of the inventor of the printing press could have so many laughs” and called Brown and King “superb comic writers.”

Here Lies Love with book and music by David Byrne and Fatboy Slim, and lyrics by David Byrne, runs at the Broadway Theatre after a hit run off-Broadway at the Public Theater in 2013. This immersive musical follows Imelda Marcos, the former first lady of the Philippines, and is directed by Alex Timbers and choreographed by Annie-B Parson. The Hollywood Reporter called it “hugely good fun.”

Funny Girl is back in a Broadway theatre in the first revival since the original Broadway production starring Barbra Streisand. Lea Michele stars as Fanny Brice, a girl from the Lower East Side who has always dreamed of being a star. With songs like “Don’t Rain on My Parade” and “I’m the Greatest Star,” this musical is a hot Broadway ticket.

Once Upon a One More Time runs at the Marquis Theatre with a book by Jon Hartmere and based on hit songs from Britney Spears. When a fairy godmother gives a group of fairy-tale characters The Feminine Mystique instead of their usual Grimm’s Fairy Tales, their perspectives and their lives are about to change. DC Theater Arts called it “a full-fledged, grade A, gold star success.”