As the best Broadway shows underscore, there’s no place better to catch a play than in New York City. And while there are plenty of great shows that don’t grace the Midtown stage (hello, Drunk Shakespeare), those seeking a classic theater experience in Manhattan should look no further. Already braved Mean Girls, or had a pass through smash hits such as Hamilton, Chicago, The Lion King or Come From Away? The following list can come in handy when you’re looking for fun alternatives for a night out on the town. Simply read on to discover ten of the best Broadway shows you can catch right now – and will be raving about for months to come.
| Name | Location | Description |
| American Son | 222 W 45th St | Scandal fans should jump at the opportunity to see Kerry Washington in action in this high-stakes crime drama. The performance also stars Steven Pasquale from Rescue Me as her estranged husband and follows the couple through their reunion after the kidnapping of their teenage son. It’s directed by A Raisin in the Sun star Kenny Leon and is showing at the Booth Theatre, with viewings every day of the week except Monday running until the end of January 2019. |
| The Nap | 131 W 55th St | The Nap is the American spin on an English comedy by Richard Bean called One Man, Two Guvnors. It stars Transparent’s Alexandra Billings as a gangster, Ben Schnetzer as the protagonist, and portrays the life of a favorable “snooker” and his family as he decides to fix a match. Using characteristically British humor, it follows the lives of all the colorful characters he meets along the way. If you’re interested in this fast-paced comedy thriller, you can catch it at the Manhattan Theatre Club until the end of November. |
| The Cher Show | 250 W 52nd St | The Cher Show features a famed production crew, including costumes by Bob Mackie, co-writing from Jersey Boys alum Rick Elice, and directing courtesy of Jason Moore from Avenue Q. Anyone interested in the pop culture icon’s career will appreciate how the show, with Cher’s own guidance, authentically traces her evolution, highlighting notable periods in her life with help from different actresses. It stars Stephanie J. Block, Teal Wicks, and Micaela Diamond in the three distinct roles as Cher and has an open run at the Neil Simon Theatre. If you want to buy tickets online, check the website, but if not, you can purchase straight from the box office during business hours. |
| To Kill A Mockingbird | 225 W 44th St | This Broadway rendition of Harper Lee’s celebrated novel brings characters Scout and Atticus Finch to life on the stage. It was adapted by Aaron Sorkin, directed by Bartlett Sher, and stars Jeff Daniels, Will Pullen, and Gideon Glick, among others, in a revival of the great American classic that explored race and heroism. It does have a limited run, spanning from November to March of 2019, so snag tickets online or at the box office of the Shubert Theatre to guarantee yourself a performance you’ll remember. |
| The Prom | 220 W 48th St | The Prom is an original musical comedy that explores themes like homophobia and teenage forbidden love. It’s set in a small-town Indiana high school and follows the main protagonist, played by Beth Leavel, after the press gets wind of the fact that she was prohibited from taking a girl with her to prom. It’s on an open run at the Longacre Theatre and has already received critical acclaim for its comedic and light-hearted touch. You can grab tickets now, though the show doesn’t start until October 23rd. |
| Torch Song | 240 W 44th St | After its successful Second Stage run, the modern revival of Harvey Fierstein’s 1982 play is back on Broadway. It stars the sensational Michael Urie as a Jewish drag queen and tackles issues ranging from having a complicated relationship with your mother to having a complicated relationship with most of America. Though it has a limited run, you can catch Mercedes Ruehl alongside Urie until the end of February 2019. Contact the box office at the Helen Hayes Theater for more information. |
| The Lifespan of a Fact | 254 W 54th St | The Lifespan of a Fact stars big names like Bobby Cannavale and Daniel Radcliffe and its storyline explores the realm of literary nonfiction. It’s adapted from an essay that accounts a true story and follows Cannavale as a journalist and the aftermath of an investigation by a meticulous fact-checker. It’s directed by Leigh Silverman and premiered for the first time worldwide in mid-September. You can still catch it up until the end of January at Studio 54. |
| The Waverly Gallery | 252 W 45th St | Legendary comic Elaine May and the ever-loveable Michael Cera rule the stage in this revival of a 1999 drama. The Waverly Gallery explores memory and the final moments of an art dealer’s bout with Alzheimer’s disease, while her grandson watches over her fight to care for her art gallery. It uses family to depict strength and also features rising stars like Lucas Hedges and David Cromer from The Band’s Visit. Purchase tickets directly through the John Golden Theatre. |
| Waitress | 256 W 47th St | Waitress has been going strong on Broadway since 2015 and is still packing audiences in. If you love musicals, you’ll enjoy the heartwarming tale of main character Jenna, a server and expert pie maker who dreams of escaping her small town-life and abusive husband. It’s based on Adrienne Shelly’s film of the same name and features music by Sara Bareilles.Al Roker has even joined the cast for the fall 2018 season. You can buy tickets directly through Ticketmaster to see it at the Brooks Atkinson Theatre. |
| Springsteen on Broadway | 219 W 48th St | This highly successful and intimate Broadway show completes its three year run at the end of December 2018. Until then, you still have a chance to see Bruce Springsteen in action, and fans especially can’t miss the opportunity to catch the show that’s so popular that it’s been extended three times. This time, his residency at the Walter Kerr Theatre consists of five performances a week. Demand is pretty high and to win you’ll have to enter a lottery, but the more you try, the better the chance you’ll have of catching The Boss live. |
CHEAT SHEET
For more of the best Broadway shows to catch, also see:
Assistant editor Christina Elia is currently pursuing her BA in Art History Communications at Fordham University, and writes about various topics ranging from arts and culture to practical tips and how-to advice. She has been published on online platforms such as The Odyssey. You can follow her on Twitter via @stinaelia
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