Best Broadway Shows for Teens

Are you a teenager searching for the perfect Broadway show in New York City? Do you spend your time watching Broadway bootlegs and slime tutorials? Or maybe you're a parent hoping to find a production you’ll genuinely enjoy alongside your musical-theatre-obsessed teen? You’re in the right place.

While recent favorites like Dear Evan Hansen and Come From Away have taken their final bows, Broadway is still packed with incredible plays and musicals that speak directly to teenage audiences. The best Broadway shows for teenagers balance relatable themes with energy, humor, and spectacle, making sure you'll remember them long after the curtain comes down. And really, isn't that what adults love too? With so many options on Broadway right now, you’re sure to find the show that feels just right. Check out what shows are playing right now and what makes them perfect for teenagers!

Broadway Musicals for Teens

& Juliet

& Juliet asks the question, what would happen if Juliet didn’t end it all over Romeo? The answer comes with a score of pop anthems and hits, including “Roar,” “Baby One More Time,” “Larger Than Life,” “Since U Been Gone,” and “I Kissed a Girl.” This Broadway musical is directed by Luke Sheppard and has a book by David West Read and music by Max Martin & friends. Variety said this “Shakespearean musical is like a shot of pure gold…‘& Juliet’ is exactly the show Broadway needs right now: fun, exuberant, supremely joyful, hilarious, and excellently performed by a talented and diverse cast.”

Why teenagers will love & Juliet: Romeo and Juliet is the story of star-crossed lovers doomed to tragedy…but come on, we’ve all thought it: why does it have to end that way? & Juliet takes the story we all know and turns it on its head. Not to mention it includes songs from Max Martin that will have you dancing in the aisles. It’s the perfect blend of irreverence and heart and makes for a night out that’s truly fun.

Aladdin

Aladdin, based on the beloved Disney movie of the same name, has been playing on Broadway since 2014 at the New Amsterdam Theatre. Revisit your favorite characters and songs (music by Alan Menken and lyrics by Howard Ashman, Tim Rice, and Chad Beguelin) and get ready for that magic carpet ride in this musical that the Wall Street Journal said has “a terrific star, super-duper sets and sensational special effect.”

Why teenagers will love Aladdin: Who doesn’t love Disney? Aladdin is one of Disney’s most popular movies, and the stage show is no different. Hear your favorite songs, and enjoy that truly astonishing magic carpet ride. You won’t believe how they make it fly.

Hadestown

Hadestown won eight Tony Awards including the Tony Award for Best Musical and tells the story of the Greek myths of Orpheus, Eurydice, Persephone, and Hades. With book, music, and lyrics by Anaïs Mitchell and direction by Rachel Chavkin, Time Out New York called the score “a joyful combination of folk, pop, Dixieland and blues that will make you want to rehear it as soon as the lights come up.”

Why teenagers will love Hadestown: Hadestown is a sweeping romance with gorgeous songs. It has beautiful harmonies, inventive staging, and the story will take you literally to hell and back.

Hamilton

Hamilton, with book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, plays at the Richard Rodgers Theatre and has become a global juggernaut. Following the life of Alexander Hamilton and the founding fathers, this musical won eleven Tony Awards including the Tony Awards for Best Musical and Best Book of a Musical. The New York Times said, “Yes, it really is that good… I am loath to tell people to mortgage their houses and lease their children to acquire tickets to a hit Broadway show. But ‘Hamilton,’ directed by Thomas Kail…might just about be worth it.”

Why teenagers will love Hamilton: Where to begin? There’s a reason Hamilton is still one of the most talked-about musicals even though it first started on Broadway back in 2015. Its mix of musical styles (pop, rock, musical theater, rap, and soul) and its heartfelt story about the founding fathers make this one of the most enduring and best-selling musicals on Broadway.

Maybe Happy Ending

Maybe Happy Ending by Will Aronson and Hue Park and directed by Michael Arden plays at the Belasco Theatre. This musical comedy follows two robots living in an apartment building in Seoul. Oliver enjoys his simple existence as a retired, out-of-date Helperbot 3, but when he meets his neighbor Claire, the two form a friendship that will bring adventure, excitement, and maybe even love. The New York Times called it, “a joyful, heartbreaking, cutting-edge production.”

Why teenagers will love Maybe Happy Ending: Maybe Happy Ending has already delighted audiences in South Korea, Japan, and Atlanta and combines a futuristic story with a classic tale of love and friendship. Now it's gotten rave reviews on Broadway! It also has a very cool design, beautiful music, and a quick 100-minute running time. Come fall in love with it yourself!

MJ: The Musical

MJ: The Musical is a jukebox musical featuring the songs of Michael Jackson, including “Thriller,” “Beat It,” “I’ll Be There,” and “Smooth Criminal.” With a book by Lynn Nottage and direction and choreography by Christopher Wheeldon, it follows Michael as he prepares for his 1992 Dangerous World Tour. The Hollywood Reporter said that “MJ, like its subject, is captivating and hard to shake.”

Why teenagers will love MJ: the Musical: The dancing! MJ has some of the most impressive choreography on Broadway and its no wonder – it takes inspiration from and recreates some of Michael Jackson’s most famous dance moves.

Operation Mincemeat

Operation Mincemeat comes to the Golden Theatre after its hit run in London, where it won the Olivier Award for Best New Musical. The show is created by David Cumming, Felix Hagan, Natasha Hodgson, and Zoë Roberts, who make up the company SpitLip. Set in the 1940s, the musical follows a stranger-than-fiction true story about a plot to defeat Hitler using a stolen corpse. The Guardian said this “irrepressible wartime musical is a West End triumph…a joyful success.”

Why teenagers will love Operation Mincemeat: It’s just so joyfully off-beat, and it’s been charming larger and larger audiences ever since its first performance at the New Diorama Theatre in 2019. Teens will love that it’s based on an unbelievable true story and filled with humor. Come see what everyone is raving about!

Six

Six tells the story of Henry VIII’s wives – but this historical remix puts them in the spotlight. Come to Times Square and rock out with these six Queens. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, and winning the Tony Award for Best Original Score with music and lyrics by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, Variety says this musical has “the spirit-lifting energy of an arena concert [and] the humor and sass of a special sisterhood… this ‘Six’ is a solid ‘10’ for joy.”

Why teenagers will love Six: Six is girl power all the way. These six queens live up to their titles and give a powerhouse performance that brings the house down every night. Flipping the narrative to focus on the Queens themselves rather than on Henry VIII, you may already know some of their stories (Anne Boleyn is arguably the most famous), but together, they make an unmissable musical with the style of a pop concert.

The Book of Mormon

The Book of Mormon premiered on Broadway in 2011 with book, music, and lyrics by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez, and Matt Stone. Trey Parker and Matt Stone are best known for creating the tv show “South Park,” while Robert Lopez is known for hits like Avenue Q and Frozen. This irreverent and hilarious musical follows a group of Mormons missionaries who try to preach their message in Uganda. The New York Times wrote that the musical is “blasphemous, scurrilous and more foul-mouthed than David Mamet on a blue streak. But trust me when I tell you that its heart is as pure as that of a Rodgers and Hammerstein show.”

Why teenagers will love The Book of Mormon: The Book of Mormon has been running on Broadway since 2011, and it’s not hard to see why. From the creators of South Park, it won’t shock you to learn that The Book of Mormon is very, very funny. But how much heart it has will surprise you. The creatives have made some updates to musical in the past few years, so if you’ve already seen it, come back and see it again. It is, dare we say, even funnier.

The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby is one of the most studied novels in the high school curriculum. Now the musical adaptation 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 it, "phenomenal [and] destined to become a treasured addition to American musical theatre.” Set in 1920s New York and exploring the meaning of the American Dream, The Great Gatsby follows Nick Carraway, Daisy Buchanan, and their interactions with the millionaire Jay Gatsby.

Why teenagers will love The Great Gatsby: It’s the book you were forced to read at school (and maybe loved!), and now you can see it in a whole new way.

The Lion King

The Lion King, based on the beloved Disney movie, has been playing on Broadway since 1997 and is still selling out at the Minskoff Theatre and for good reason. Including all your favorite songs with music by Elton John and lyrics by Tim Rice, this musical also has original songs written for the stage and truly magical stagecraft. The New York Times said, “there is simply nothing else like it.”

Why teenagers will love The Lion King: You’ve seen the movie, and the songs you already know are sung to perfection. The new songs written exclusively for the musical are just as good, and the first ten minutes of the show will have you awestruck as you watch hundreds of animals gather to celebrate the birth of Simba.

The Lost Boys

The Lost Boys, with book by David Hornsby and Chris Hoch, music and lyrics by The Rescues, and direction by Michael Arden, comes to The Palace Theatre. Based on the cult classic film of the same name, the musical follows two teenage boys who move to Santa Carla with their mother. They soon run into a vampiric rock band who may be the cause of all of the “Missing” posters in town.

Why teenagers will love The Lost Boys: With teenagers as the leads and a creative team that delivers on some very cool theatrical effects, this deliciously dangerous musical is already a hit with critics and audiences.

The Outsiders

The Outsiders, based on the novel of the same name by S.E. Hinton, follows Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade, and the rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs. With a book by Adam Rapp with Justin Levine, music and lyrics by Jamestown Revival and Justin Levine, and direction by Danya Taymor, this musical about growing up, family, and acceptance was called “an exciting adaption…[and] an impressive new musical” by BroadwayWorld.

Why teenagers will love The Outsiders: The Outsiders is all about teenagers. Based on the popular book of the same name, its cast portrays the wealthy Socs and the less affluent Greasers in a story that confronts growing up, masculinity, and class divides. If you liked West Side Story, you’ll love this.

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) comes to the Big Apple after it’s hit run in London. This love letter to friendship and New York City follows two new friends runs at the Longacre Theatre and follows Dougal, a Brit who is in town for his father’s wedding, and Robin, the bride’s sister with a big to-do list. This musical comedy will charm and delight you!

Why teenagers will love Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York): Romcom vibes, funny and sweet songs, and two leads that prove that opposites attract!

Wicked

Wicked is one of Broadway’s biggest blockbusters and has been selling out shows since it debuted on Broadway in 2003. Before there was a wicked witch, Dorothy, and Toto, there was Shiz University. Come learn how Glinda came to be called good and Elphaba came to be called… Wicked. The Observer said, “ Wicked [is] an irresistible extravaganza of music, magic, artistry and enchantment. The delightful score by Stephen Schwartz, the lavish sets by Eugene Lee, the creative staging by Joe Mantello and the clever book by Winnie Holzman all conspire to keep Oz fanatics on the edge of their seats with suspense, fascination and laughter.”

Why teenagers will love Wicked: Wicked has become a global sensation, and the new film adaptation is sure to make it even more Popular (pun absolutely intended). This Oz-set story about The Good Witch and the Wicked Witch of the West has enthralled audiences of all ages.

Broadway Plays for Teens

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child written by Jack Thorne with story by J.K. Rowling and direction by John Tiffany has some truly awe-inspiring stage magic. Find yourself back at Hogwarts 19 years after Harry, Ron, and Hermione defeated Voldemort. The New York Times called it “diamond-sharp in its staging and dazzling in its visual imagination, as magical as any spell or potion.”

Why teenagers will love Harry Potter and the Cursed Child: Magic, magic, magic. The creatives have really made the wizarding world come to life, and you won’t believe what they’re able to do. The spells are truly mind-blowing.

Stranger Things: The First Shadow

Stranger Things: The First Shadow plays at the Marquis Theatre after a hit run in London on the West End. Set in 1959 in Hawkins in a universe created by The Duffer Brothers, Stranger Things: The First Shadow has characters you already know and love (a younger Joyce and Hopper) and new characters that will quickly become fan favorites. But don’t worry if you’ve never seen the tv show – the stage play stands on its own and has its own thrilling plot that will keep you on the edge of your seat. When a new student, Henry Creel, arrives in town, he and his family – and the town of Hawkins – find that new beginnings don’t come so easily, and the past can easily come back to haunt us. The Guardian said, “This is breathtaking theatre with its own arresting imagination…There is speed, action and scale, with one coup de theatre after another and immense craft.” Come see where it all started, and get your tickets today!

Why teenagers will love Stranger Things: The First Shadow: You already know and love the tv show, and this new plot (not to mention some of the best special effects on Broadway) is sure to delight and thrill audiences of all ages.

Off-Broadway Shows for Teens

Little Shop of Horrors

Little Shop of Horrors plays off-Broadway at the Westside Theatre and has become a huge hit. This cult classic musical by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken features a man-eating plant, sadistic dentist, and sweet shopkeeper with a crush on his colleague. The New York Times said, “A certain carnivorous plant has been repotted in Hell’s Kitchen, and I am delighted to report that it’s thriving there…[Michael] Mayer’s interpretation summons the shivery elation I felt seeing ‘Shop’ at the East Village’s Orpheum Theatre nearly four decades earlier. It restores the show to its original scale and sensibility, reminding us of the special potency of grisly things that come in small, impeccably wrapped packages.”

Why teenagers will love Little Shop of Horrors: This show has it all: a man-eating plant, a sadistic dentist, young love, and killer songs. And with a rotating cast of stars (Darren Criss, Jonathan Groff, Jeremy Jordan, Corbin Bleu, Maude Apatow, Evan Rachel Wood, and Jinkx Monsoon have all starred in this production), this is a musical worth seeing again and again.

FAQs

What makes a Broadway show great for teenagers?

Shows that have relatable themes, energetic music, humor, or pop culture connections often do well with teen audiences.

Are these shows appropriate for all teens?

Most shows listed in this article are suitable for all teenagers, but the content does vary. Some shows like & Juliet and Hadestown are family friendly and fun, while others like The Book of Mormon contain mature humor that might not be ideal for younger teens. Always check content warnings before buying tickets and use your best judgement.

How long do most Broadway shows run?

Anywhere from 90 minutes to over 3 hours, though many run between 2 and 2.5 hours including an intermission.

Do teens enjoy dramatic plays as much as musicals?

Many teens do! Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Stranger Things combine beloved characters, stage magic, and a familiar story.

How can I choose the right show?

Think about what you or your teenager already likes. Any Disney fan will enjoy The Lion King or Aladdin. Teens into pop music will like & Juliet or Six. For great stories and spectacle, choose Maybe Happy Ending, Harry Potter, or Stranger Things.

What are the best Broadway shows for younger teens?

Aladdin, The Lion King, and Wicked are great choices for younger teens.

What are the best Broadway shows for older teens?

The Book of Mormon, Stranger Things, and Two Strangers (Carry A Cake Across New York) are great choices for older teens.

Broadway Shows for Kids

Are you looking to buy tickets for family-friendly shows for younger audience members? Check out our article on the Best Broadway Shows for Kids!