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Best Broadway Shows in 2023

Check out which Broadway shows are a must-see in 2023!

By: Sep. 12, 2023
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There's no time like the present to book your next trip to NYC to catch a Broadway show. It's never to late to snag tickets to a show and make Broadway the top destination for your next travel adventure. 

Not sure about which Broadway show to see this year? Below, check out a full list of what's new on Broadway and which productions to catch before they're gone for good!


Here Lies Love

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Just opened on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre
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About: Here Lies Love tells the story of Imelda Marcos' rise to power and subsequent fall at the hands of the Philippine People Power Revolution. From the minds of Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award winner David Byrne (concept, music and lyrics) and Grammy Award winner Fatboy Slim (music), Here Lies Love transforms the Broadway Theatre into a dance club where the audience is immersed in the story.

Starring: Arielle Jacobs, Jose Llana, and Conrad Ricamora

Great For: Date Night, History Buffs, Unique Theatrical Experience

Critics' Rating: 7.95/10

Readers' Rating: 4.86/10 (add your review!)


Back to the Future: The Musical

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Just opened on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre
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About: Welcome to Hill Valley! Marty McFly is a rock 'n' roll teenager who is accidentally transported back to 1955 in a time-travelling DeLorean invented by his friend, Dr. Emmett Brown. But before he can return to 1985, Marty must make sure his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence. Based on the beloved film of the same name, Back to the Future is directed by John Rando. Set your destination time, New York and get ready to make musical theater history.

Starring: Casey Likes, Roger Bart, Hugh Coles, Liana Hunt, Jelani Remy, Nathaniel Hackmann, and Mikaela Secada.

Great For: Movie Buffs, Family Night Out, First Broadway Musical

Critics' Rating: 5.61/10

Readers' Rating: 3.17/10 (add your review!)


The Cottage

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Just opened on Broadway at the Hayes Theatre
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About: Broadway’s brand new, side-splitting farce is an outrageous tale of sex, betrayal and desire as one woman decides to expose her latest affair to both her husband — and to her lover’s wife. The true meaning of fate and faith, identity and infidelity, love and marriage are all called into question as a surprising and hilarious web of secrets unravels in this ridiculously funny romantic comedy.

Starring: Eric McCormack, Laura Bell Bundy, Lilli Cooper, Alex Moffat, Nehal Joshi, and Dana Steingold.

Great For: Date Night, Lots of Laughs, New Comedy

Critics' Rating: 5.67/10

Readers' Rating: 1.82/10 (add your review!)


The Shark Is Broken

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Just opened on Broadway at the John Golden Theatre
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About: Martha’s Vineyard, 1974: shooting on ‘Jaws’ has stalled. The film’s lead actors – Robert Shaw, Roy Scheider and Richard Dreyfuss – are stuck on a boat, at the mercy of foul weather and a faulty mechanical co-star. Awash with alcohol and ambition, three hammered sharks start to bare their teeth… Directed by Guy Masterson, THE SHARK IS BROKEN reveals the hilarious behind-the-scenes drama on one of Hollywood’s biggest blockbusters. 

Starring: Alex Brightman, Colin Donnell, Ian Shaw

Great For: Movie Buffs, History Buffs, See It With Your Parents

Critics' Rating: 5.89/10

Readers' Rating: 1.75/10 (add your review!)


Purlie Victorious

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Opens September 27, 2023 at the Music Box Theatre
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About: Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch is the rousing, laugh-filled comedy by Ossie Davis that tells the story of a Black preacher’s machinations to reclaim his inheritance and win back his  church. 

Starring: Leslie Odom, Jr., Kara Young, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Billy Eugene Jones, Noah Pyzik,  Noah Robbins, Jay O. Sanders, Heather Alicia Simms, and Bill Timoney.

Great For: Lots of Laughs, A Relevant Classic

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Jaja's African Hair Braiding

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Opens October 3, 2023 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
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About: This world premiere welcomes you into Jaja’s bustling hair braiding salon in Harlem where every day, a lively and eclectic group of West African immigrant hair braiders are creating masterpieces on the heads of neighborhood women. During one sweltering summer day, love will blossom, dreams will flourish and secrets will be revealed. The uncertainty of their circumstances simmers below the surface of their lives and when it boils over, it forces this tight-knit community to confront what it means to be an outsider on the edge of the place they call home.

Starring: Brittany Adebumola, Maechi Aharanwa, Rachel Christopher, Kalyne Coleman, Somi Kakoma, Lakisha May, Nana Mensah, Michael Oloyede, Dominique Thorne and Zenzi Williams.

Great For: New Comedy, Night Out with Friends

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Melissa Etheridge: My Window

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Opens September 28, 2023 at the Circle in the Square Theatre
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About: Melissa Etheridge: My Window is an intimate experience like never before, inviting theatergoers into an exhilarating evening of storytelling and music. From tales of her childhood in Kansas to her groundbreaking career highlights – with all of life’s hits and deep cuts between – Etheridge opens her heart and soul on stage to fearlessly dazzle audiences of all generations. 

Starring: Melissa Etheridge

Great For: Music Fans, Date Night

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Gutenberg! The Musical!

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Opens October 12, 2023 at the James Earl Jones Theatre
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About: Broadway runs on three things: big dreams, minuscule odds, and lots and lots of unearned confidence. Oh, and star power!  Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells, the most acclaimed musical comedy duo of their generation, finally reunite after more than ten years in Gutenberg! The Musical!, a full-throated celebration of the ancient, universal, and incredibly foolish urge to put on a show. 

Starring: Josh Gad and Andrew Rannells

Great For: Lots of Laughs, Musical Comedy, Date Night

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Merrily We Roll Along

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Opens October 10, 2023 at the Hudson Theatre
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About: Spanning three decades in the entertainment business, Merrily We Roll Along charts the turbulent relationship between composer Franklin Shepard and his two lifelong friends — writer Mary and lyricist & playwright Charley. An inventive, cult-classic ahead of its time, Merrily We Roll Along features some of Stephen Sondheim’s most celebrated and personal songs. Directed by Maria Friedman, Merrily We Roll Along features music & lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, a book by George Furth, and is based on the original play by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart. 

Starring: Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, Linsay Mendez, Krystal Joy Brown, Katie Rose Clarke, and Reg Rogers.

Great For: A Timeless Classic, Cult Favorite, Sonheim Fantatics

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


I Need That

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Opens November 2, 2023 at the American Airlines Theatre
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About:  In this deeply human new comedy from Theresa Rebeck, Sam doesn’t get out much. Actually, he doesn’t get out at all, opting instead for the safety of his house in the company of his things—his many, many things. But when a notice from the government arrives alerting Sam that he must clean up his property or face eviction, he’s forced to reckon with what’s trash, what’s treasure, and whether we can ever know the difference between the two.

Starring: Danny DeVito, Lucy DeVito, and Ray Anthony Thomas.

Great For: See It With Your Parents, New Comedy

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Harmony

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Opens November 13, 2023 at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre
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About: Based on the unbelievable true story, Harmony tells the tale of the most successful entertainers you’ve never heard of. . . . until now. In the 1920s and 30s, The Comedian Harmonists sold millions of records, made dozens of films, and sold out the biggest theaters around the world. Their heavenly harmonies and musical comedy antics catapulted these six talented young men from singing in the subway tunnels of Berlin to international superstardom. What happened next is the story of Harmony. Directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Warren Carlyle, this timely and captivating rags-to-riches story lost to history comes to dazzling life with a sensational cast of Broadway favorites.

Starring: Chip Zien, Sierra Boggess, Julie Benko, Sean Bell, Danny Kornfeld, Zal Owen, Eric Peters, Blake Roman, Steven Telsey, Allison Semmes and Andrew O'Shanick.

Great For:  New Musical, History Buffs, Fanilows

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Spamalot

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Opens November 16, 2023 at the St. James Theatre
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About: Lovingly ripped from the film classic, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Spamalot has everything that makes a great knight at the theatre, from flying cows to killer rabbits, British royalty to French taunters, dancing girls, rubbery shrubbery, and of course, the lady of the lake. Spamalot features well-known song titles such as “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life,” “The Song That Goes Like This,” “Find Your Grail” and more that have become beloved classics in the musical theatre canon.

Starring:  Christopher Fitzgerald, James Monroe Iglehart, Leslie Rodriguez Kritzer, Ethan Slater, Jimmy Smagula, Michael Urie and Nik Walker.

Great For: Lots of Laughs, Musical Comedy, Date Night

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


How to Dance in Ohio

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Opens December 10, 2023 at the Belasco Theatre
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About: Based on the award-winning HBO documentary, How to Dance in Ohio is a heartfelt new musical about the desire to connect and the courage it takes to put yourself out into the world. At a group counseling center in Columbus, Ohio, seven autistic young adults prepare for a spring formal dance—a challenge that breaks open their routines as they experience love, stress, excitement, and independence. How to Dance in Ohio is a story about people on the cusp of the next phase of their lives, facing down hopes and fears, ready to take a momentous first step…and dance.

Starring: Desmond Edwards, Amelia Fei, Madison Kopec, Liam Pearce, Imani Russell, Conor Tague, and Ashley Wool.

Great For: Family Night Out, New Musical

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


Appropriate

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Opens December 18, 2023 at the Hayes Theatre
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About: It’s summer, the cicadas are singing, and the Lafayette family has returned to their late patriarch’s  Arkansas home to deal with remains of his estate. Toni, the eldest daughter, hopes they’ll  spend the weekend remembering and reconnecting over their beloved father. Bo, her brother, wants to  recoup some of the funds he spent caring for Dad at the end of his life. But things take a turn when their  estranged brother, Franz, appears late one night, and mysterious objects are discovered among the  clutter. Suddenly, long-hidden secrets and buried resentments can’t be contained, and the family is forced  to face the ghosts of their past. 

Starring: Corey Stoll, Natalie Gold, and Alyssa Emily Marvin and Sarah Paulson.

Great For: New Play, Family Drama

Critics' Rating: N/A

Readers' Rating: N/A


FAQS:

How many shows will open on Broadway in 2023?

As of September 12, it is expected that 36 shows will have opened on Broadway in 2023. 18 of those shows were a part of the 2022/23 season and 18 will be considered for the 2023/24 awards season.

What is the most popular show on Broadway in 2023?

Kimbery Akimbo earned more Tony Awards than any other show in 2023, while Some Like It Hot earned the most Tony nominations. Other highly nominated shows included: & Juliet, Shucked, and Sweeney Todd. Top grossing shows (as of Septemeber) include: The Lion King, Hamilton, Sweeney Todd, and MJ.

Which Broadway show should I see in 2023?

Let us help you pick your next Broadway show! Find the best show for you here!

How can I get cheap Broadway tickets?

Your next trip to a Broadway show doesn't need to be an expensive one. There are plenty of ways to score discounted Broadway tickets. Check out a full guide on how to enter a Broadway lottery.

What days of the week do Broadway shows play?

Check out a full schedule of Broadway shows here.








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