Classic hits

The ultimate Broadway initiation that still manages to make most other shows look like they’re playing catch-up. Crossing 51st Street and seeing that massive green glow is a rite of passage, and twenty years in, the sheer scale of the production—from the first notes of the overture to the technical feat of "Defying Gravity"—remains the definitive benchmark for the big-city blockbuster.

If you only have one shot to catch a Broadway show while you're in town, this is the one that proves the hype was actually right. It’s the show that famously traded traditional orchestral pits for hip-hop and changed the sound of the city forever, and seeing that lightning-fast choreography in person makes you realize why it’s become a permanent New York landmark.

If you're bringing the kids, this is the one that will actually keep them glued to their seats without you having to bribe them with intermission snacks. It’s a total visual feast where the costumes and puppets are so smart and intricate that you’ll find yourself just as obsessed as they are.

From the creators of South Park, this is essentially the most hilarious, "can they actually say that?" night you can have in a theater. It follows two mismatched missionaries sent to Uganda, and it works because it balances totally outrageous, cringe-inducing humor with songs that are actually, surprisingly heartfelt, making it a staple of the Broadway comedy scene.

Walking into the theater feels like stepping straight into a decadent, velvet-soaked Parisian club where the set is just as much of a star as the cast. Between the high-fashion costumes and the way they mash up every pop song you've ever loved, it’s a high-energy party that sounds like a perfectly curated playlist coming to life in the heart of Midtown.

A moody, folk-infused reimagining of a Greek myth that feels more like a soulful indie record brought to life than a traditional theater production. Its intimate, New Orleans-inspired score is the definitive "artsy" choice for a night that’s more about atmosphere and poetry than flashy tropes, perfect for those seeking a deeper connection to the stage.

This cult classic offers that gritty, "Old New York" energy that hits differently than the massive glittery shows, making you feel like a true insider from the second you step into the intimate basement space. It’s a campy, weird, and incredibly funny story about a nerdy florist and a fast-talking, soul-singing plant with a very specific appetite for human blood.

The real insider secret here is that you don't even have to be a Potterhead to lose your mind over how they pulled off the stagecraft. While everyone else is focused on the plot, you’ll be the one pointing out the sheer engineering of the illusions that make people literally disappear right in front of your eyes in a way only Broadway could pull off.

Based on the classic novel we all read in school, this is a gritty, soulful look at the rivalry between the Greasers and the Socs in 1960s Oklahoma. It’s visceral and raw, focusing on the bond between brothers and the fight to find your place when the world feels like it’s stacked against you, giving it a heavy-hitting emotional core that stays with you long after the curtain falls.

This is the ultimate excuse to get dressed up for a night that feels as expensive and decadent as a 1920s mansion party. Between the shimmering Art Deco sets and the powerhouse vocals from a cast of Broadway royalty, it’s a high-gloss, high-energy take on the classic novel that leans hard into the romance and the spectacle of the era.

This isn't just a musical; it’s a decades-long invitation to join the most inclusive, chaotic party in the city where shouting at the stage is practically a requirement. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a "virgin" to the experience, the high-glam, gender-bending energy of the production proves that being a social misfit is much more fun when you have a driving rock score and a theater full of friends to do the "Time Warp" with.

While it’s rooted in the classic Andrew Lloyd Webber score we all grew up with, this reimagining swaps the literal whiskers for the high-stakes fashion and athletic swagger of the NYC Ballroom scene. It’s a masterclass in how to honor a legacy while making it feel entirely essential for right now, trading the junkyard for a runway where the "Jellicle Choice" feels like the most exclusive invite in town.

This sweeping epic manages to capture the collision of three different American lives at the turn of the century with a score that is as lush and sophisticated as any grand opera. It’s the kind of production that reminds you why we call these "classics"—it uses a specific moment in history to mirror our modern world, all while leaning on a scale of storytelling that feels both massive and deeply, heartbreakingly human.