Category: Broadway’s Best

There’s nothing quite like the lights, music, and energy of Broadway, but those ticket prices can dim the excitement fast. The good news is that scoring affordable seats isn’t a secret art. It’s a mix of timing, flexibility, and knowing where to look. Whether you’re a local theatre fan or visiting the city for the first time, here are the best ways to land a great deal and still get swept up in the magic of Broadway.

Top Ways to Get Discount Broadway Tickets

TKTS Booths (by TDF)
Classic same-day deals, often up to 50% off. Visit the red-steps booth in Times Square or Lincoln Center. Check the TKTS app first to preview what’s available.

Digital Lotteries
Many shows offer $10–$40 tickets through daily online lotteries. Enter early, and act fast if you win since claims close quickly.

Rush and Student Rush Tickets
Day-of bargains, usually $30–$60, sold when the box office opens. Some are open to everyone, others require a student ID.

Standing Room Only
When shows sell out, a few standing spots open for cheap. Ask at the box office; these go fast for popular productions.

Promo Codes and Discount Sites
Websites like BroadwayBox, TheaterMania, and Playbill Deals regularly post limited-time codes for 20–50% off.

Membership Discounts
Join programs like TDF or industry groups for exclusive early access to discounted tickets.

Special Promotions
Keep an eye on seasonal events like Broadway Week or Kids’ Night on Broadway, which offer two-for-one or free youth tickets.

Group Sales
If you’re seeing a show with ten or more friends or coworkers, call the theater’s group sales office. Bulk bookings often mean built-in discounts.

Papering Lists
Some organizations quietly “paper the house” with free or ultra-cheap tickets for members. Try Club Free Time or local arts newsletters.

Affordable Broadway seats do exist; you just have to know where and when to look. With a bit of planning, patience, and the right mix of apps, booths, and insider programs, you can see world-class theatre without emptying your wallet. 

This October, Broadway offers a striking mix of revivals and premieres. From a cult-favorite musical rising again to an intimate family drama, the fall season promises variety and impact. Here are the four productions opening this month.

Beetlejuice

Palace Theatre | October 8, 2025
Broadway’s favorite ghost makes his return in Alex Timbers’ high-octane staging. With its blend of outrageous humor, eye-popping design, and devoted fan following, Beetlejuice reclaims the spotlight at the newly reopened Palace Theatre.

Ragtime

Lincoln Center Theater | October 16, 2025
One of Broadway’s most sweeping and powerful musicals comes back in a revival directed by Lear deBessonet. Starring Joshua Henry, Caissie Levy, and Brandon Uranowitz, Ragtime offers a timely reflection on identity, change, and the American dream.

Liberation

Broadway Theatre | October 22, 2025
Set in 1970s Ohio, Liberation follows Lizzie as she gathers a circle of women determined to reshape their lives and their world. Decades later, her daughter steps back into that unfinished revolution and confronts what it means to inherit a movement. Written by Bess Wohl and directed by Whitney White, this new play examines freedom, legacy, and the fight to carry change forward.

Little Bear Ridge Road

Booth Theatre | October 30, 2025
Playwright Samuel D. Hunter and director Joe Mantello bring a quiet intensity to this new drama starring Laurie Metcalf and Micah Stock. Set in rural Idaho, Little Bear Ridge Road explores grief, family, and endurance with Hunter’s trademark emotional precision.

Your Broadway night deserves more than just a quick bite. Luckily, the theater district offers everything from glamorous institutions to tucked-away gems. To help you choose your pre-show dinner, we’ve grouped our favorites into categories so you can find the perfect match for your mood (and your Playbill).

The Glamorous Crowd-Pleasers

Red Eye Grill: Seafood With Star Power

Seafood towers that feel like stage props, sushi that sings, and a buzzing, art-filled space that’s as lively as the shows down the block.

Bond 45: Antipasto Takes Center Stage

Hand-rolled pastas, wood-fired pizzas, and that show-stopping antipasto bar make this Italian trattoria in the heart of Times Square a true headliner.

The Broadway Legends

Joe Allen: The Cast Party Classic

Unpretentious American fare, theater folks at every table, and the infamous “flop wall” of short-lived productions. A must for Broadway insiders.

Sardi’s: Where Legends Dine

Martinis, continental cuisine, and caricatures of Broadway’s best covering every inch of wall space. Tradition with a side of nostalgia.

Pasta, Wine & Comfort

Becco: Unlimited Ovations for Pasta

The all-you-can-eat pasta tasting menu is worth a standing ovation. Add a generous wine list and you’ve got fuel for an unforgettable Act Two.

Glass House Tavern: The Chic Ensemble Member

Modern American plates, a polished vibe, and cocktails that practically demand a toast, including a nitro espresso martini served tableside.

Hidden Gems & Insider Picks

Vida Verde: A Colorful Quick Hit

Casual Mexican plates, tacos that shine in the spotlight, and mural-filled walls that buzz with energy.

Danji: The Cozy Scene-Stealer

Modern Korean small plates served in an intimate setting with bold flavors in a low-key atmosphere just steps away from the neon lights.

Obao: Where East Meets West Side

A Thai-Vietnamese fusion spot with bold flavors and a stylish atmosphere. Think pad Thai with a twist, crispy duck, and cocktails that pack as much drama as a Broadway finale.

Nizza: Pasta’s Neighborhood Darling

A snug Italian bistro on 9th Avenue, Nizza serves rustic plates, house-made pastas, and thin Roman-style pizzas. Comforting, unfussy, and beloved by locals.

Sushi of Gari 46: A Hidden Hit

For sushi fans, this unassuming Midtown outpost delivers some of the city’s most creative omakase bites. Elegant, refined, and a perfect prelude to a sophisticated show.

Marseille: A French Accent on 9th Avenue

A charming brasserie blending French and Mediterranean flavors. Mussels, steak frites, and wine by the glass make it a pre-theater gem with European flair.

In the last 20 years, the Broadway catalog has grown to often include the jukebox musical, which uses previously written music to score a Broadway show. Sometimes, the music is used to tell a completely different and unrelated story, like that of Mamma Mia, & Juliet, or Rock of Ages, but more often, they are used to tell the life and career story of that very artist. With two new entries to the list this season, including Jonathan Groff’s suave singing as Bobby Darin in Just in Time and James Monroe Iglehart’s smooth satchmo Louis Armstrong in A Wonderful World, we are looking back at the history of these portrayals of music icons.

Michael Jackson – MJ the Musical (2022–Present)

Moonwalks and megahits define this electric look at Jackson during his 1992 “Dangerous” tour rehearsals. Myles Frost won the 2022 Tony Award for his portrayal of the King of Pop.

Neil Diamond – A Beautiful Noise (2022–2024)
Diamond’s life and lyrics shine in this bio-musical that spans decades of sequins and songcraft.

Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons – Jersey Boys (2005–2017, 2021 Off-Broadway)
The falsetto, the flair, the mob ties — a Tony-winning tribute to New Jersey’s finest that gave this musical theatre subgenre its kickstart. 

The Temptations – Ain’t Too Proud (2019–2022)
From street corners to superstardom, the Temps’ story grooves through betrayal, brotherhood, and “My Girl.”

Carole King – Beautiful: The Carole King Musical (2014–2019)
The shy songwriter turned solo superstar gets her due, piano and all.

Billie Holiday – Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill (2014)
Audra McDonald made history channeling Lady Day in a harrowing, jazz-soaked final concert.

Cher – The Cher Show (2018–2019)
Three Chers, one legend — from Sonny & Cher stardom to solo icon status.

Gloria Estefan – On Your Feet! (2015–2017)
Conga lines and Cuban rhythms power this celebration of the Estefans’ rise from Miami to the world stage.

Donna Summer – Summer: The Donna Summer Musical (2018)
Disco’s reigning queen reigned again through three performers, each reflecting a different era.

Tina Turner – Tina: The Tina Turner Musical (2019–2024)

Raw vocals and resilience define this high-octane journey through Tina’s turbulent life and legendary hits.

This year, Broadway’s timeline glitters with gold (and diamond!) anniversaries of the shows that shaped American musical theater — from tap-dancing showgirls to revolutionary rap. From golden age classics to 21st-century defining productions, there are a lot of Broadway milestones worth celebrating this year!

A Chorus Line – 50 Years

Opened: July 25, 1975

The quintessential behind-the-curtain musical, A Chorus Line gives us a vulnerable yet epic look at the hopes and dreams of the artists that make up the lifeblood of Broadway: the ensembles. A chorus line ran for 15 years (breaking the record for longest-running show at the time) and forever changed how we looked at the performers who make up musical theatre ensembles.

Chicago – 50 Years

Opened: June 3, 1975

Murder, jazz, and razzle-dazzle. Kander & Ebb’s Chicago remains a seductive satire of fame and corruption, with Bob Fosse’s style stamped into every hip roll. While the original had a modest run, the 1996 revival is the longest-running American musical in Broadway history — and it’s still dazzling us with new celebrity castings, such as Pamela Anderson and Jinkx Monsoon, to keep audiences coming through the doors. Here’s to all that jazz!

The Wiz – 50 Years

Opened: January 5, 1975

Legacy: This revolutionary, soulful spin on The Wizard of Oz brought an all-Black creative team and cast to Broadway and won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical. With songs like ‘Ease On Down the Road,’ a movie adaptation with Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, and a funky, fearless energy, The Wiz paved the way for a more inclusive Broadway. Just before the Wiz had its big 50th birthday, the show celebrated with a limited-run revival last year following a national tour!

Guys & Dolls – 75 Years

Opened: November 24, 1950

Damon Runyon’s New York never sounded so good. To say this show rocked the boat is an understatement. Considered one of the best-written musicals of all time, Frank Loesser’s Guys & Dolls is the kind of big musical score you picture when you think of the perfect Broadway show! With gambling, girls, and that classic Broadway sound, we’re keeping our eyes peeled as we hope for a revival soon.

Carousel – 80 Years

Opened: April 19, 1945

A granddaddy of modern Broadway form, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s sweeping second collaboration brought bold operatic voice and tragic romance to the young American theatre industry. With ‘If I Loved You’ and ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ standing out as classic songs we still hum today, Carousel expanded the emotional vocabulary of the art form and remains one of the most revered scores of all time.

Pal Joey – 85 Years

Opened: December 25, 1940

The original antihero, Joey, our pal, leads this iconic Rodgers and Hart musical. Ahead of its time, especially in terms of its themes of sexual politics and gritty realness, this show shocked audiences at the time and provoked conversation beyond the typical feel-good escapism of most shows around it. What was once the edgy adolescence of the genre finding its voice is now a pillar of the medium. We’re excited to see the upcoming revisal at Arena Stage in their 75th season, as it revolutionizes the show yet again through its reflection of the 20th century!

Aida – 25 Years

Opened: March 23, 2000

An Elton John-driven Disney Theatricals spectacle, that started as a celebrity-filled concept album based on an Italian Opera, this show transports its leads and audiences to Ancient Egypt in the most fun, pop-filled way. Five Tony noms, four wins, and Time-stamped in the best 10 shows of the year, Aida ushered Disney and Broadway into the 21st century.

Hamilton – 10 Years

Opened: August 6, 2015

Do we even need to say it? If you’re reading this article, you’ve heard of Hamilton. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hip-hop history lesson redefined what Broadway could be and transcended the genre beyond what any other show ever has. With a cast that looked at America then through a cast made up of America now, Hamilton became a global cultural force, winning 11 Tonys, a Pulitzer, millions of fans, and syndicating to even have a Roblox presence. It’s crazy to think this show is already 10 years old.

From the golden age to the streaming era, these shows have left footprints — and tap marks — all over the stage. Whether you saw them in their original runs, caught a revival, or discovered them through cast albums and TikTok, their stories endure.

Which anniversary are you celebrating this year?

Let us know @bwaysbestshows — and stay tuned for special features on each title throughout the year.

By Alex Kopnick & BBS Staff

Since the beginning of the medium, musicals have had title songs which grabbed audiences and brought out the heart of the art they exist within. It’s almost a requirement for a great musical to have a song that’s named the exact same thing as the show. Let’s take a look through the history of great musicals—past, present and future—and shout out some of the best title songs of all time:

‘Oklahoma’ from Oklahoma

From what is widely considered to be the first ever book musical, ‘Oklahoma’ spells out what makes a great titular song. Coming midway through the second act, this joyous celebration of the song, which happens in the big wedding scene brings out the love the characters have from their home state. With the repeated spelling out of the name of the grand land they belong to, if you’ve ever encountered this show, you’ve certainly never had trouble spelling the state north of Texas since. 

‘Hello Dolly!’ from Hello Dolly!

There may not be a more iconic pair of words sung in the canon of theatre than “Hello Dolly!”? If youre anything like us, you can’t even just read those words without hearing them in tune. This song sticks with you, and it alone makes the show its named after worthy of its place in the history of musical theatre. An iconic character moment, Dolly announces to us, in a way full of the character’s iconic personality, that She. Is. Back. This tune is so good, they even bring it back at the end for a reprise.

‘The Sound of Music’ from The Sound of Music 

One of the few musicals to really transcend the form in popularity, and with a subsequent movie that is one of the most famous of all time, ‘The Sound of Music’ is a stunning opening number that gives us the name of the show and teaches us so much about the journey we’re getting ready for. The joy and vibrance of the song, and Maria who sings it, greets us into the beautiful landscape of this show’s world, and teaches us everything we need to know about how Maria views the world. The hills are alive, and when this song hits, so is the audience.

‘Phantom of the Opera’ from The Phantom of the Opera

I mean come on! Of course ‘Phantom of the Opera’ is here! It’s inside our hearts and probably yours, given that this is one of the most successful shows of all time. With one of the greatest riffs in history from Christine, a boat sequence burned into all of our brains, and an electric score that combines the classical, operatic context with Webber’s modern (at the time) sensibilities, there’s a reason this show was on Broadway for 35 years.

‘Sunset Boulevard’ from Sunset Boulevard 

For those of you on tiktok, this song isn’t just stuck in your head, but a video of a man marching down Shubert Alley, in the 2024 revival, singing it accompanies the tune. That is a good representation of just how sensational this show’s titular number is, and the way this show took over Broadway each time it’s run on the great wide way. It’s not as cheery as the other title songs on this list; Foreboding, intense, and grand, this opening track really gives you a sense of the Hollywood thriller in store for you as this musical begins.  

‘Rent’ from Rent

While growing up is looking at this musical and saying, “Why don’t those damn kids just pay their rent!?”, this opening number title song gives us the context we need to buy in to Jonathan Larson’s sensational grungy, 90s-set adaption of La Boheme. The drums! The electric guitar! THE ANGST! This number introduced audiences to the unique voice of its writer and its revolutionary stylistic additions to the canon shaped a generation of musical theatre writers. 

’Mamma Mia!’ from Mamma Mia!

Here we go again! What started as ABBA’s iconic song became the anthem for one of the most beloved and successful musicals of all time. Pure joy in the form of pop music, Mamma Mia, both song and show, are a hoot and a half. The show and this song brings us in to the central drama of the story, and into the party that is this show’s complicated, messy, and loving family dynamic. There’s a reason the movie adaptation is the 15th highest grossing movie-musical of all time. And most exciting of all, Mamma Mia is returning to broadway this Summer!

‘In the Heights’ from In the Heights

The second the claves hits, you know In the Heights isn’t your grandma’s classic, Jazz-derived musical. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s pre-Hamilton Broadway outing is flourishing with the vibrant musical culture of its world. Lin brought hip hop, authentic latin styles, and pop to musical theatre with this show, and as Usnavi raps us through a warm welcome to a day in the life of the Washington Heights community, he builds a framework for what this show has in store. From the dissatisfaction that exists in the community to the routines we will soon see disrupted, Lin proved himself a true scholar of the form, building an outstanding, bullet proof, and innovative titular number to open one of the best musicals of the 21st century. 

‘Maybe Happy Ending’ from Maybe Happy Ending

‘Maybe Happy Ending’ (the song) brings out everything that makes the show it’s named after great! A simple, yet deeply meaningful and evocative duet sung by two robots, this number reinforces the themes of the show and brings us into the home stretch of the journey in a truly perfect way (NO SPOILERS). By the time this song ends, there isn’t a dry eye in the audience, and it’s no wonder people are running back to see this show more than 10 times. 

‘Smash’ from Smash

NBC’s short-lived television series Smash is making the leap to the Broadway stage this spring, bringing with it many of the big, brassy showtunes written for the show-within-a-tv-show Bombshell, including the appropriately titled ‘Smash’ about dreaming to be a hit star in a hit show. Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman’s earworm of a score plays even better made meta, coming off the stage as opposed to through the screen.

There is an undeniable energy in the theater when a performer is making their Broadway debut. Something about witnessing a hardworking artist achieve their dream and do their thing on such a coveted stage is unlike anything else. Broadway is lucky enough to welcome new entrants to the roster of performers’ past and present every season. Here are some of the most exciting new performers to grace the stage in the 2024-2025 Broadway season!

Helen J Shen

Maybe Happy Ending, the brand new musical about Helperbots in love, also introduced audiences to newcomer Helen J Shen, who plays Claire. Shen’s crystal clear vocals and emotional range made her a breakout star of the season, after years of developing and performing new musicals Off-Broadway.

George Clooney

Hollywood man George Clooney is set to make his debut this year in a peculiar fashion. Clooney will reprise his screen role as Walter Cronkite in a stage adaptation of the 2005 film Goodnight and Good Luck, which he wrote, directed and starred in.

Charli D’Amelio

TikTok breakout star Charli D’Amelio brought her dance skills to the dance-heavy hit & Juliet this fall! 

Dez Duron

Fans of The Voice season 1 saw it first, but Broadway has welcomed Dez Duron’s classy crooning by way of Gil Brentley, his character in Maybe Happy Ending. His buttery voice on those jazzy tunes will have any theatergoer swooning.

Zoey Deutch

Known previously for her onscreen work, Zoey Deutch brought her rom-com know-how to the stage as Emily in Thornton Wilder’s Our Town. She fulfilled a lifelong dream by being on a Broadway stage, and particularly in this role in this play, which has been on her bedside table since her early teenagedom. 

Lizzy McAlpine

Popstar Lizzy McAlpine will join Jeremy Jordan in the upcoming production of Floyd Collins, fulfilling a prophecy that she tweeted years ago about performing alongside him one day.

Sarah Snook

Succession’s Sarah Snook will follow her onscreen siblings to the Broadway stage this spring, transferring her one-woman adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Grey following its smash success in the UK and Australia.

Bill Burr

Rolling Stone named him one of the 50 Best Standup Comics of All Time, and now he has his sights on the Broadway boards. Bill Burr is set to star as Dave Moss in the revival of David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross.

The cast of English

After its Pulitzer Prize-winning premiere at the Atlantic Theater Company, the full Off-Broadway cast of English will transfer to Broadway, all making their Broadway debuts together.

Michelle Williams

Kicking off the Destiny’s Child to Broadway pipeline is Michelle Williams, who stars in Death Becomes Her this season. Maybe Beyonce is next? 

by Ben Togut

From historical dramas to laugh-out-loud comedies, portrayals of real-life politicians abound on Broadway. Whether they take artistic liberties with their depiction of historical figures or closely adhere to history, for theatre audiences these representations entertain and provide insight into well-known politicians. Major political figures are lighting up the New York theater boards this summer with N/A, Suffs, Oh Mary!, alongside the continued run of Hamilton. Here’s a look at some of the more impactful representations of politicians on the Broadway stage.

Fiorello La Guardia, Fiorello!

Opening on Broadway in 1959, Fiorello! the life of New York City mayor Fiorello La Guardia. The musical chronicles the mayor’s rise to political power and how he weakened the influence of Tammany Hall, a Democratic political machine that was a major source of corruption in New York City.

The Founding Fathers, 1776

1776 opened on Broadway in 1969. In many ways a predecessor to Hamilton, 1776 depicts the events preceding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, including John Addams attempts to convince the Founding Fathers to vote for independence. The musical was most recently revived in 2023, with a cast consisting of female, trans, and nonbinary actors. 

Eva and Juan Perón, Evita 

When Evita premiered on Broadway in 1979, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice turned Eva Perón into one of musical theatre’s great divas. Evita focuses on the Argentinian political leader’s early life, her rise to power and marriage to president Juan Perón, and her untimely death from cancer. The original Broadway production starred Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin, who both won Tony Awards for portraying Eva and Juan Perón.

Andrew Jackson, Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson 

Michael Friedman and Alex Timbers transformed the life of Andrew Jackson into a rock concert with  Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, which opened on Broadway in 2010. The musical satirizes the life and politics of Andrew Jackson, in the show as an emo rock star, exploring the establishment of the Democratic Party, the Indian Removal Act, and Jackson’s embrace of populism.

Ann Richards in Ann 

Holland Taylor both wrote and starred in Ann, a one woman show with Taylor as former Texas governor Ann Richards. A character study of Richards’ person and political life while she was in office, Ann is based mostly on anecdotes Taylor collected from those close to the former governor. For her portrayal of Richards, Taylor was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play. 

Lyndon B. Johnson, All the Way and The Great Society

Playwright Robert Schenkkan explored the political career of Lyndon B. Johnson in All the Way and The Great Society, the former of which saw Bryan Cranston star as LBJ, and the latter with Brian Cox in the presidential shoes. All the Way, which premiered on Broadway in 2014, follows Johnson assuming the presidency and his campaign to pass The Civil Rights Act of 1964. The Great Society focuses on the events following Johnson’s re-election, including the rise of the Civil Rights Movement, the heightening of the Vietnam War, and the assassinations of MLK Jr. and Robert Kennedy.

Alexander Hamilton, Hamilton

Based on the 2004 book Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow, Hamilton opened on Broadway in 2015. This cultural phenomenon dramatizes the life of first U.S secretary of the treasury Alexander Hamilton, exploring his role in the American Revolution, his marriage to Eliza  Schuyler Hamilton, and his political rivalry with Aaron Burr. The original Broadway cast included Lin Manuel Miranda as Alexander Hamilton, Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr, and Phillipa Soo as Eliza Hamilton.

Imelda Marcos, Here Lies Love 

In Here Lies Love, David Byrne and Fat Boy Slim transport audience members to a Studio 54-inspired disco hall to bring the story of former Filipina first lady Imelda Marcos to life. This immersive disco musical traces the trajectory of Marcos’ life from her early beginnings, her rise to power and dictatorship alongside husband President Ferdinand Marcos, and later downfall at the hands of the People Power Revolution. The original Broadway production starred Arielle Jacobs as Imelda Marcos, Jose Llana as Ferdinand Marcos, and Conrad Ricamora as opposition leader Ninoy Aquino.

Woodrow Wilson, Suffs 

In Shaina Taub’s Suffs, former President Woodrow serves as an intractable symbol of male power in the fight for female suffrage. Woodrow, played by Grace McLean, appears as a sly, cartoonish gatekeeper who refuses to give in to the demands made by the ensemble’s dedicated band of suffragists. Other politicians represented in Suffs are Dudley Malone, Wilson’s Third Assistant  Secretary of State, and Harry T. Burn, a member of the Tennessee State Assembly who delivered a decisive vote allowing for the ratification of the 19th Amendment.

Abraham Lincoln, Oh, Mary!

Written by Cole Escola, Broadway hit Oh, Mary! is a delightful spoof on the lives of First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln and President Abraham Lincoln. Playing fast and loose with the facts of history, the play shows Conrad Ricamora’s President Lincoln desperately trying to reign in his wife’s alcoholism, while conducting an affair with Mary’s Teacher behind closed doors.