Broadway’s Best Shows

There’s something about seeing a show on the grand stage that you can’t get from a movie or a concert, and there is no greater stage than that of the iconic Broadway district on New York. Some of the greatest actors in the world have gotten their start underneath the bright lights of the theater, while some of the most incredible voices in the world have been heard for the first time echoing through the most beautiful establishments in New York City.

A night at the theater in New York is an incredible way to spend a day, whether alone or enjoying it with your family. Take in a show based on your favorite Disney movie, check out a play that inspired hundreds of high school musical productions, or see something based on an incredible Jersey based musical group. No matter your taste or even if you claim to hate musicals, the Broadway stage will surprise you. Get out there and check out one of these fabulous shows.

The Short List

The Book of Mormon –Written by South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone with another man by the name of Robert Lopez, this show opened in 2011. The storyline features two Mormon missionaries who make the journey to Africa to speak to the locals about the Mormon Church. Laced with humor, the show is a tongue in cheek look at the religion that has been shrouded in mystery for quite some time.

The Lion King–Based on Disney’s Lion King movie, you wouldn’t expect this one to hit you as hard as it does, but it’s fantastic. From the opening moments until the very end, you’re hooked. It follows the story directly, but adds in additional music as Simba grows from a young cub into an adult lion under the tutelage of Timon and Pumba. Using incredible props, makeup, and masks you don’t miss the cartoon. Prepare to get a little bit emotional as Simba hits the incredible climax of He Lives in You.

Wicked–Most people go into this show expecting to be regurgitated details from the Wizard of Oz, but that isn’t the case at all. What this show is all about is the complicated friendship and the rise and fall of trust between Glenda and Elphaba, also known as the good witch and the wicked witch. With soaring musical numbers like Defying Gravity and For Good, it’s going to be hard to keep a dry eye

Jersey Boys–The incredible tale of the beginning, height of popularity, and ultimately, the demise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. Using Four Seasons music and presented by each member of the group from his perspective, this musical will have you grooving in your seat and also coming to grips with the destruction that comes along with extreme success.

Kinky Boots–Inspired by the 2005 feature film of the same name, this musical features a story about a young man who inherits a shoe factory. He teams up with a drag queen named Lola and the two of them work together to save his business. Peppered with humor and moments of “we aren’t so different after all”, Kinky Boots has been running on Broadway since 2013.*Had Rent not lowered the curtain for the final time on Broadway, it definitely would’ve made this list, however, it can be caught on it’s 20th anniversary tour in some areas of the country.