If you’re planning a trip to New York City, attending a show on Broadway is a must. But narrowing down show options can be a daunting task. It’s helpful to read some honest reviews beforehand so you can get an idea of what you’re in for. That’s where I come in! This article outlines some of the best broadway shows I’ve had the pleasure of seeing. It is also my running archive and rambling thoughts about each of them. Take all feedback with grain of salt!
Quick note: the plays below are in alphabetical order for discovery purposes. They are not stack-ranked by how much I enjoyed them.
Without further ado, here is a description and honest rating of the best broadway shows I have seen.
Best Broadway shows
Aladdin
Summary
Aladdin follows the adventure of the titular character, Aladdin, a “diamond in the rough” orphan who discovers a magical lamp containing a wish-granting genie. With the help of the genie, who grants Aladdin three wishes, Aladdin pursues the heart of the princess Jasmine, and outsmarts the villainous Jafar. The play is packed full of excellent choreography, fun costumes, and everyone’s favorite songs, including Friend Like Me, A Whole New World, and Prince Ali.
Source Material
Aladdin the musical is based on the Disney animated film of the same name. However, the tale itself stems from the famous story Aladdin in the collection of fairy tales One Thousand and One Nights.
Honest Review
If I’m going to be honest, I thought Aladdin was just okay. I really love the songs from the original movie – and those were undoubtedly the best parts of the production. However, I felt that a lot of the content and songs that were added to make the run-time longer FELT like they were filler (with the exception of the song Proud of Your Boy). If they took those moments out and shortened the show, it honestly would have been better. I will say that the set peices were truly spectacular – especially the set design for A Whole New World.
Best songs for a pre-listen
- Prince Ali
- Friend Like Me
- Proud of Your Boy
- One Jump
- A Whole New World
Fat Ham
Summary
Fat Ham is a comedic play that reimagines Shakespeare’s Hamlet as story of a young, queer, black man named Juicy. The entire plot takes place at a backyard barbeque after Juicy’s father’s appears to him and demands that Juicy avenge his murder. Juicy is a lover of Shakespeare, and, being familiar with Hamlet’s plight, seeks to break the cycle of trauma and violence in the original work. The play will simultaneously have you on the floor laughing and profoundly thinking.
Source Material
Fat Ham is a reimagining of the famous Shakespeare play, Hamlet.
Honest Review
I went into Fat Ham not knowing much about the plot other than it was a queer retelling of Hamlet. BOY does that summary not even BEGIN to scratch the surface of what this play has to offer. The play explores themes of building identity and breaking cycles of violence by reversing the tropes of one of the greatest tragedies of all time. At the same time, it is SO funny. I need everyone to drop everything to go get a ticket. Even if you are not familiar with the plot of Hamlet, you will still enjoy it. Fat Ham is truly one of the best broadway shows out there.
Grey House
Summary
Grey House brings horror to the Broadway stage. An unusual feat to say the least. A young, married couple crashes their car in a blizzard and seeks refuge in the ‘grey house’. Here, the couple is introduced to the occupants of the house: four young girls, a young boy, and an older woman claiming to be their mother. However, we learn that the house is far more than it appears to be and we learn that some of those who enter the house have a difficult time leaving.
Source Material
Grey House is an original play by Levi Holloway.
Honest Review
Until Grey House, I have never in my life seen horror produced on the stage. The special effects, lighting, and set design of this show were unmatched. I actually made you feel like you were also sitting in the house from your seat in the theater. Some of the plot points were a bit confusing or unresolved. But it almost didn’t matter because everything else happening in the theater knocked it right out of the park.
Hamilton
Summary
“Hamilton” tells the epic story of the titular ten dollar founding father without a father – Alexander Hamilton. Hamilton’s journey from immigrant first stepping on American soils to his subsequent rise to political fame as one of America’s Founding Fathers is told through a unique blend of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional musical theater ballads. With its diverse cast, catchy songs, and remarkable costume and set design, Hamilton reimagines the history of the American Revolution in a vibrant and captivating way. Even non-history buffs will shed a few tears.
Source Material
Hamilton is loosely based on Ron Chernow’s biography Alexander Hamilton.
My honest review
It should come at no surprise that Hamilton is one of the best broadway shows of all time. This show is truly unmatched in terms of its pure and palpable energy. It is rare that nearly every audience member can recite the lyrics of a full musical from top to bottom – but such is the case with Hamilton. I can honestly say this is one of my top five favorite theatrical productions of all time. It is a MUST-SEE for everyone, and is well worth the price of the tickets. However, I HIGHLY recommend listening to the music from start to finish a few times before you head to the show, or some of the absolute genius of the lyrics will be lost on you.
Best Songs for a pre-listen
- Guns and Ships
- The Battle of Yorktown
- Washington on Your Side
- My Shot
- Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story
- You’ll Be Back
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Summary
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child follows Harry Potter’s son Albus as he navigates being sorted into Slytherin and struggles with the weight of constantly being in his father’s shadow. It also follows his blossoming friendship with Scorpius, Draco Malfoy’s son, as the pair steals a time turner to go back to the past to rescue Cedric Diggory of all people. Set 19 years after the events of the final Harry Potter book, the story delves into themes of friendship, family, and the consequences of our choices. The play is packed full of dazzling stage effects – from pyrotechnics, to water gimmicks, to set pieces that ‘eat’ the actors.
Source Material
As the title suggests, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child takes place in the same universe as the beloved Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling.
Honest Review
I’m going to be real right now, the plot of this show is bananas. Sooo many time-turners. And we’re really going to use them to go back in time to save Cedric Diggory? A character we all just kind of collectively forgot about? Why not save Lupin… or Sirius… or Fred… or James & Lily… or literally anyone else? That being said – the production is probably one of the straight up coolest things I have ever seen performed on a stage. They genuinely could have been speaking gibberish for all I care, and I STILL would have been glued to my seat just to see all of the amazing things they packed into the stage show.
Into the Woods
Summary
Into the Woods cleverly weaves together several classic and fan-favorite fairy tales, including: Cinderella, The Baker and His Wife, Little Red Riding Hood, and Jack and the Beanstalk. What brings all of these characters together? Well, as the name suggests, they all have to go into the woods for their own personal reasons. Little Red needs to deliver baked goodies to her grandmother, Jack has to sell the family cow, etc. As the characters venture into the woods to fulfill their wishes, they collide into one another, confront the consequences of their actions, and learn the importance of responsibility, love, and the power of storytelling.
Source Material
Into the Woods draws a ton of inspiration from your favorite Grimm’s Fairy Tales, including: Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Rapunzel, The Baker and His Wife, Little Red Riding Hood,
Honest review
This may be a controversial opinion, but I truly think Into the Woods is one of the best broadway shows out there. Into the Woods is, simply put, just a fantastic time. The show is so lighthearted and fun, but then, when you least expect it, hits you right in the gut with the feels. I remember going from belly-laughing to sobbing in the span of 20 minutes. If this show ever returns… GO!
Best Songs for a pre-listen
- Agony
- Prologue
- Last Midnight
- No One Is Alone
- Moments In the Woods
Kimberly Akimbo
Summary
Kimberly Akimbo is a darkly comedic musical that centers around the life of a 16-year-old girl named Kimberly who suffers from a rare disease that causes her to age four-and-a-half times faster than normal. The play follows Kimberly as she navigates the challenges of high school and her dysfunctional family. The show is equal parts touching, tragic, and hilarious – much of the latter comes from Kimberly’s chaotic aunt, who turns up at her school, steals a mailbox, and ropes the children into washing checks.
Source Material
Kimberly Akimbo is a musical that was based on the play of the same title by David Lindsay-Abaire.
Honest Review
Every single time Aunt Debrah, played by the legend Bonnie Milligan, was on stage, I was on the floor laughing. Actually – the entire cast was quite phenomenal. I really loved the story and script of Kimberly Akimbo – equal parts funny, sad, and heartwarming. However, I felt that the music was just okay, aside from the song Better, which SLAPS. It’s a great, lighthearted show to see!
Best Songs for a pre-listen
- Better
- Anagram
- Happy for Her
Peter Pan Goes Wrong
Summary
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is a hilarious twist on the classic story Peter Pan as the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society attempts to stage their own chaotic production. As the name suggests, everything that can go wrong, does. Missed cues, falling lights, characters getting stuck in set pieces… even fire. The play involves callouts from the audience – and theatergoers are encouraged to ‘BOO’ Captain Hook when he enters the stage (much to his dismay, might I add). Peter Pan Goes Wrong is an uproarious series of mishaps and mayhem that brings and entirely new twist to the classic tale of Neverland.
Source Material
Peter Pan Goes Wrong is based on the novel Peter Pan by J.M. Barry. It is also structured in the style of another popular play that has graced Broadway and West End: The Play that Goes Wrong.
Honest Review
I didn’t really know what I was getting into when I saw Peter Pan Goes Wrong. But BOY am I glad I went to see it. I was basically on the floor laughing the entire time – especially when the Cornley Polytechnic Drama Society stagehands enter the production with fire extinguishers and chainsaws to remedy some of the chaos occurring on stage. I also had the opportunity to see Neil Patrick Harris in one of his final runs of the show, which was spectacular. One of the best broadways shows I have seen to date.
Phantom of the Opera
Summary
Phantom of the Opera tells the spooky tale of the Opera Ghost (the Phantom), a disfigured, musical genius who becomes obsessed with a young soprano named Chirstine. The Phantom lives beneath the opera house and exerts control over the proceedings, dropping set pieces and chandeliers when things do not go according to his wishes. As the Phantom’s desire for Chirstine swells, a love triangle unfolds. You love the Phantom, you pity the Phantom, and you hate basically everything the Phantom does. Overall, a great show with an intricate set and gorgeous music.
Source Material
Phantom of the Opera is based on the book of the same title by Gaston Leroux.
Honest Review
A classic. Phantom of the Opera creates such a strong atmosphere that, at times, you forget you are not in the Palais Garnier opera house in 1800s France. The Overture, which occurs in the first 10 minutes of the production, is probably the BEST musical of all time. The famous chandelier rises to the ceiling and set pieces and curtains whiz around, transporting the entire audience back in time. One of the best broadway shows in terms of pure nostalgia.
Best Songs for a pre-listen
- Masquerade
- The Music of the Night
- All I Ask Of You
- The Phantom of the Opera
- BONUS POINTS FOR PRIMA DONNA AND POINT OF NO RETURN!!
SIX
Summary
Divorced, beheaded, died. Divorced, beheaded, survived. Six is an electifying pop-concert musical that introduces and tells the story of the six wives of Henry VIII. Throughout the show, the wives reclaims their own voice and shares their side of history. The queens take turns belting out their anthems one after the other in a fierce competition for the title of ‘who had it worst with the infamous King Henry’. Six is a celebration of female empowerment and a retelling of a well-known history from the lens of the women behind the scenes.
Source Material
SIX is not based on any existing source material, per say. But it is a loose retelling of the six wives of Henry VIII.
Honest Review
Six is more of a concert than a play. Don’t go into the show expecting a wild drama with deep monologues. With that in mind, the show is absolutely fantastic. In terms of newer musicals, I genuinely think Six has the best songs. And the women playing the instruments on stage? INCREDIBLE. I was grinning foolishly ear-to-ear and cheering the entire production. Six would be such a fun musical to hit up on a girl’s night out!
Best songs for a pre-listen
- Ex-Wives
- Get Down
- SIX
That’s all folks!
Hopefully this guide gives you a quick synopsis of what I consider some of the best broadway shows. The good news is that, when it comes to broadway, I’ve very rarely had a ‘miss’.
What do you consider the best broadway shows of all time? Drop a comment below!
If you’re looking to see a show without dishing out a ton on the budget, check out my guide to Broadway Roulette, or visit their website.
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