best off broadway shows :: Article CreatorBest Broadway Shows Currently Playing
What's the best show on Broadway? While the answer to that question will be different for every kind of theatregoer, there are indeed qualifications that make some Broadway shows stand out above others. Below, we've rounded up ten Broadway shows to see in 2023 that have earned critical acclaim, gained audience praise, and of course, earned Tony Awards.
Kimberly Akimbo
Playing on Broadway at the Booth Theatre
About: Kim is a bright and funny Jersey teen, who happens to look like a 72-year-old lady. And yet her aging condition may be the least of her problems. Forced to maneuver family secrets, borderline personalities, and possible felony charges, Kim is determined to find happiness in a world where not even time is on her side.
Why It's One of the Best: Kimberly Akimbo is the reigning Tony winner for Best Musical, meaning it is the show to see this year. Two of its five Tony Awards (eight nominations) went to its stars, Victoria Clark and Bonnie Milligan, and you can still see them in the production today!
You'll Especially Love It If: You will adore this show if you are a fan of quirky, indie-style movies. This show features quality writing and a heart-warming story. MORE INFO Some Like It Hot Playing on Broadway at the Shubert Theatre
About: Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, Some Like It Hot is the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime. Why It's One of the Best: While Some Like It Hot fell short for Best Musical at the Tony Awards (to Kimberly Akimbo), it is still the most nominated show of the theatre season. Additionally, it won Best Musical at the 2023 Drama Desk, Drama League, and Outer Critics Circle Awards. You'll Especially Love It If: If you love old school musicals with big dance numbers and catchy music, this is the show for you. You don't even need to be a superfan of the original film to have an amazing time at this musical. MORE INFO Here Lies Love Playing on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre
About: This revolutionary new musical about former Filipina First Lady Imelda Marcos' astonishing rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution. Why It's One of the Best: Here Lies Love is the critical darling of the 2023/24 Broadway season (so far). While it remains untested at the Tony Awards, there is no doubt that it will pick up nominations for its innovative storytelling and ground-breaking design. You'll Especially Love It If: There is no show on Broadway that throws you into the action like Here Lies Love. If you enjoy immersive theatrical experiences, this is the show for you! MORE INFO & Juliet Playing on Broadway at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre
About: & Juliet flips the script on the greatest love story ever told, imagining what would happen next if Juliet hadn't ended it all over Romeo, and got a second chance at life and love – on her terms. Juliet's new story bursts to life through a playlist of pop anthems as iconic as her name. Why It's One of the Best: This nine-time Tony-nominated musical earned a massive fanbase in London before transferring to Broadway, where it continues to bring audiences to their feet. You'll Especially Love It If: If you grew up listening to music of the late 90s and early 2000s, you need no more reason to see this musical. Think the best of Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears, tied up in a witty and thoroughly Shakespearean bow. MORE INFO Hamilton Playing on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theatre
About: Hamilton is the story of America then, told by America now. Featuring a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B and Broadway, HAMILTON has taken the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton and created a revolutionary moment in theatre—a musical that has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. Why It's One of the Best: No musical has had as big an impact on pop culture in this century as Hamilton. Not only is it the only Pulitzer Prize winning musical on Broadway right now, but it is perhaps the most celebrated and certainly most talked about piece of theatre in years. You'll Especially Love It If: This musical deserves all of the hype you've already heard. Yes, you can watch a full version on Disney+, but there is nothing like seeing it live. MORE INFO Sweeney Todd Playing on Broadway at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre
About: Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler's landmark musical, from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, tells the tale of a resourceful pie shop owner and a vengeful barber out for blood. After he's sent away by a corrupt judge, Sweeney returns to London years later seeking his long-lost family, and forms an unlikely partnership with Mrs. Lovett, who serves up pies underneath his former shop. Together, they wreak havoc on Fleet Street and serve up the hottest - and most unsettling - pies in London. Why It's One of the Best: Sweeney Todd is undeniably one of the most iconic and beloved musicals of all time and this revival does not disappoint. Nominated for eight Tony Awards, this Sweeney continues to play to full houses with its original and epic 26-player orchestration. You'll Especially Love It If: Not so into happy endings? Love spooky season? This is the musical for you. Also, if you have any kind of reverence for Stephen Sondheim (an who doesn't?), this revival is not to be missed. MORE INFO Shucked Playing on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre
About: What do you get when you pair a semi-neurotic, New York comedy writer with two music superstars from Nashville? A hilarious and audacious farm-to-fable musical about the one thing Americans everywhere can't get enough of: corn. Shucked is the new musical comedy that proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life. Shucked turning Broadway on its ear and is offering a kernel of hope for our divided nation. Why It's One of the Best: One of the most Tony-nominated shows of this year, Shucked is perhaps the biggest surprise of the Broadway season- in a good way. Yes, it's a musical about corn, and yes, it's utterly delightful. You'll Especially Love It If: Shucked is a little musical with a ton of heart and music you will leave the theatre humming. Plus, it's filled to the brim with laugh-out-loud comedy. If you love puns, you've gotta check it out! MORE INFO Six Playing on Broadway at the Lena Horne Theatre
About: From Tudor Queens to Pop Icons, the SIX wives of Henry VIII take the microphone to remix five hundred years of historical heartbreak into a Euphoric Celebration of 21st century girl power! This new original musical is the global sensation that everyone is losing their head over. Why It's One of the Best: After a legendary reign in the West End, Six took Broadway by storm as the first new musical to open after the Broadway shutdown of 2020. Now there no way this Tony-winning mega-hit is going anywhere. You'll Especially Love It If: This musical is one of a kind, no category! Six is all about pop music and girl power. Also if you're into getting home early, this show is only 80 minutes! MORE INFO Hadestown Playing on Broadway at the Walter Kerr Theatre
About: Following two intertwining love stories — that of young dreamers Orpheus and Eurydice, and that of King Hades and his wife Persephone — Hadestown invites audiences on a hell-raising journey to the underworld and back. Anaïs Mitchell's beguiling melodies and Rachel Chavkin's poetic imagination pit industry against nature, doubt against faith, and fear against love. Why It's One of the Best: Following acclaimed runs off-Broadway, in Canada, and the UK, Hadestown finally made it to Broadway at swept awards season on its arrival. The Tony winning Best Musical of 2019 is still a hit of mythic proportions. You'll Especially Love It If: No musical on Broadway sounds quite like Hadestown. Mitchell spent over a decade crafting this musical, and it shows. MORE INFO Harry Potter and the Cursed Child Playing on Broadway at the Lyric Theatre
About: Adventure runs in the family. When Harry Potter's head-strong son Albus befriends the son of his fiercest rival, Draco Malfoy, it sparks an unbelievable new journey for them all—with the power to change the past and future forever. Prepare for a mind-blowing race through time, spectacular spells, and an epic battle, all brought to life with the most astonishing theatrical magic ever seen on stage. Why It's One of the Best: The most successful non-musical play in Broadway history, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child has grossed over $308 million total sales and over 2.4 million tickets sold. It's also the longest running Broadway play of this century. You'll Especially Love It If: You'll watch magic happen right in front of you at Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. Anyone with any kind of love for the Harry Potter books or films simply must check out this continuation of the beloved franchise. MORE INFO Want more show recommendations? Check out what's coming to Broadway in 2024!
The Best Theater Of 2023: Shows That Ruled The Year
As 2023 comes to a close, New York City's top theatre critics have been taking stock of this theatre season- deciding on their personal choices for their favorite productions of the year. The season has been full of so many stellar plays, musicals, revivals and new works, both on Broadway and off.
Be sure to check back later for new additions as they're released!
NOTE: Some selections included in the lists below were presented regionally.
Jesse Green
LoveA Doll's HouseHow to Defend YourselfPrimary TrustThe ComeuppanceJust for UsInfinite LifePurlie Victorious Jaja's African Hair BraidingStereophonicSondheim: Sweeney Todd, Merrily We Roll Along, Here We Are
Read the full list.
Sara Holdren
School PicturesInfinite LifeStereophonicMerrily We Roll AlongSnatch Adams & Tainty McCracken Present It's That Time of the MonthWaiting for GodotTranslationsPurlie VictoriousPrometheus FirebringerDruidO'Casey
Jackson McHenry StereophonicMerrily We Roll AlongThe ComeuppanceInfinite LifeThe Light in the PiazzaWet BrainPrimary TrustFagtasia: WickedHow to Defend YourselfThe Trees Read the full lists. Wall Street Journal Charles Isherwood Infinite LifeUncle VanyaThe Seagull/Woodstock NYEndgameSwing StatePrima FaciePurlie VictoriousDays of Wine and RosesHere Lies LoveMerrily We Roll AlongSpamalot Read the full list. A Doll's HouseA Little LifeA Streetcar Named DesireDownstateGuys & DollsHere Lies LoveHere We AreJust For UsMerrily We Roll AlongOliver!ParadePhaedraPurlie VictoriousStereophonicSunset BoulevardSweeney ToddThe DoctorThe EffectVanya Read the full list. Peter Marks King LearStereophonicMerrily We Roll AlongGuys and DollsSunset BoulevardMonty Python's SpamalotEnglishOperation MincemeatRagtimeAngels in America: Millennium ApproachesJaja's African Hair Braiding Read the full list. Maureen Lee Lenker, Christian Holub, and Emlyn Travis Sweeney ToddThe Sign in Sidney Brustein's WindowParadeJaja's African Hair BraidingHere Lies LoveA Dolls HouseMerrily We Roll AlongPurlie VictoriousShuckedThe Cottage Read the full list.
Scene from New York, New York Candice Frederick Good Night, OscarPrima FacieOnce Upon a One More TimePurlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton PatchPictures from HomeSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetSummer, 1976New York, New YorkSpamalot Read the full list. Vinson Cunningham and Helen Shaw Des MoinesThe AppointmentEndgamePublic ObscenitiesThe Good John ProctorSweeney ToddThe ComeuppanceInfinite LifePurlie VictoriousStereophonic Read the full list. Gillian Russo All the Devils Are HereAlex Edelman: Just For UsThe Girl You Talk ToThe Sign in Sidney Brustein's WindowParadeFat HamAppropriateThe ComeuppanceCovenantDark Disabled StoriesSeven SinsCocktail MagiqueSchool PicturesBob Fosse's Dancin'Letters from MaxPrima Facie Read the full list. Patrick Ryan Merrily We Roll AlongParadeJaja's African Hair BraidingAlex Edelman: Just For UsFat HamA Doll's HouseHere Lies LovePurlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton PatchSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetShucked Read the full list.
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