Buying tickets to a Broadway show can be an expensive proposition, so it's important that before you purchase your Broadway ticket, you know you've picked the right play or musical. Consult our Broadway reviews guide below to help you determine which Broadway Show is the best choice for your group or family. In each entry, we list the suggested age provided by the theater, as well as our own show summary and recommendations.
You can purchase Broadway tickets by clicking on the link under the name of each Broadway Show.
|
The 39 Steps
info and tickets for this show |
Age No minimum age is specified by the theater, but babies cannot be brought to the show.
Summary A comic take on the Alfred Hitchcock classic, The 39 Steps is about a suave Londoner who meets a mysterious woman and soon finds himself caught up in her dangerous world.
Our Recommendation Fans of the film will laugh the hardest at this droll spoof, but even Hitchcock neophytes will be impressed by the show's manic energy (over 100 roles are played by just four actors!) and creative staging.
|
|
After Miss Julie
info and tickets for this show |
Age Adult (themes of a sexual nature and violence). Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary This is Patrick Marber's version of the Strindberg classic Miss Julie, now set in 1945, just as the war has ended and the Labour Party has achieved a major political victory. With this backdrop, the privileged Miss Julie finds herself attracted to John, a servant in her household who also happens to be engaged.
Our Recommendation English writer Patrick Marber has "updated" Swedish playwright Strindberg's 1888 drama about power, sex, and class to make it relevant to a turning point in the British class system. The pscyho-sexual power struggle between privileged but frustrated Miss Julie and her servant John (who is smart and proud, but class conscious to the core) is all the more interesting when played out against the political change that is meant to sound the death knell of the old class system that these two are so hampered by. Jonny Lee Miller and Sienna Miller play their roles well, and Marin Ireland, as John's fellow servant and intended bride, is excellent as always.
|
 |
Billy Elliot
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 8 and under. (It contains strong language and some scenes of confrontation between policemen and miners.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Set against the backdrop of a coal miners' strike that took place in Northern England in the mid-1980s, Billy Elliot is about a motherless young boy who wants to give up boxing and learn to be a dancer.
Our Recommendation A musical version of the British film of the same name, Billy Elliot has been a huge hit in London and is now wowing Broadway. Lee Hall has written a solid and sometimes pleasantly surprising adaptation of his own screenplay, and together he and composer Elton John have created a functional score that is pretty good, though seldom soars. Billy Elliot's greatest strengths are its stars (three extraordinarily talented boys alternate in the title role), director Stephen Daldry's often inspired staging, and Peter Darling's electric choreography. |
 |
Burn the Floor
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 4 and under. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Burn the Floor takes the viewer on a journey through time and around the world with Latin and ballroom dance (with a modern twist), as championship dancers Foxtrot, Lindy Hop, Cha-Cha, Rumba, Jive, Waltz, and Tango their way across the stage.
Our Recommendation This blazing hot show (which has already toured the world before finally arriving on Broadway) is an homage to the best of international dance, showing the audience nearly every style of dance imaginable. Fans of TV shows like Dancing with the Stars and So You Think You Can Dance? will appreciate the opportunity to see this passionate artform in a live setting. |
 |
Bye Bye Birdie
info and tickets for this show |
Age Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary This musical theater classic follows what happens when popular Elvis-style rock 'n' roll singer Conrad Birdie is drafted into the army.
Our Recommendation This is a great choice for a family looking for some good clean fun and who don't want to see yet another Disney show. The production stars John Stamos (TV's Full House) and Gina Gershon, and the score features classic songs like "Put On A Happy Face," "Kids," and "A Lot of Livin' To Do".
|
 |
Chicago
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 12 and under.
Summary Roxie Hart kills her lover and becomes a celebrity in this cynical satire of corruption in the criminal justice system set in 1920s Chicago.
Our Recommendation There is virtually no set in Chicago, so don't go expecting big visuals or bright colors. The appeal of this long-running Broadway revival is the sharp humor, the Bob Fosse-style choreography, and the jazzy tunes by Kander & Ebb (e.g. "All That Jazz"). Skimpy costumes, suggestive dancing, and sassy anti-heroines who murder without remorse make this musical suitable for more mature audiences. |
 |
God of Carnage
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 16 and under. (Strong language.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary The play deals with the aftermath of a playground altercation between two boys and what happens when their parents meet to talk about it.
Our Recommendation Yasmina Reza's latest Broadway play, starring Marcia Gay Harden, James Gandolfini, Hope Davis, and Jeff Daniels, is a very funny but very dark look at marriage and manners. Though the ultimate point of God of Carnage - other than perhaps to illustrate that seemingly proper adults can behave with as much unthinking cruelty as their children - is unclear, it is a delight to watch its four stars throw themselves into verbal and physical combat with such relish.
|
 |
Hair
info and tickets for this show |
Age Hair may not be appropriate for young theatergoers under the age of 12. The production contains scenes that briefly depict profanity, nudity and simulated drug use.
Summary Led by the charismatic Berger, a group of young people live spirited lives of free love and pacifism in the East Village, but they are soon faced with the harsh realities of the Vietnam War.
Our Recommendation Even the most jaded theatergoer can't help but to enjoy classic songs like "Age of Aquarius," "Good Morning Starshine," "Hair," and "Let the Sunshine In" in this sensitively directed and well-choreographed production of the 1967 classic musical about New York City hippies. Although many of the other songs are less-than-classic, and the humor can be sophomoric at times, the show resonates emotionally. And the Baby Boomers just love it - especially the part where the audience is invited onstage to dance with the cast at the end of the show! |
 |
Hamlet
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 12 and under. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary A Danish prince wants to avenge his father's murder in William Shakespeare's most famous tragedy.
Our Recommendation Following sold-out runs in both London and Elsinore (where the play takes place), this production of Hamlet finally arrives on Broadway. It's a great opportunity for fans of major screen star (and frequent stage actor) Jude Law to see him tackle every actor's dream role. |
 |
In the Heights
info and tickets for this show |
Age We recommend 8 years and older. While In The Heights has very positive family themes, it also contains some strong language and adult situations.
Summary The vibrant northern Manhattan neighborhood of Washington Heights comes to life in this rhythmic, heartfelt new Broadway musical about the denizens of a changing community.
Our Recommendation One of the most exciting new musicals of the last few years, In the Heights has a musical score that includes Latin and hip-hop and old-fashioned Broadway ballads. With electric choreography and terrific performances by a diverse cast, In the Heights brings the flavor of the New York City streets to Broadway. |
 |
Jersey Boys
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 12 and under. (Strong language.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary This biographical Broadway musical tells the story of how a group of tough young guys from Jersey became internationally renowned hitmakers Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
Our Recommendation Jersey Boys is a smartly-written play about four men chasing after -- and dealing with the pitfalls of -- fame and an unforgettable concert rolled into one. Wonderfully sung and staged versions of all the Frankie Valli/Four Seasons hits are here, from "Walk Like a Man" to "Can't Take My Eyes Off You". |
 |
The Lion King
info and tickets for this show |
Age Disney recommends its productions for ages 6 and up.
Summary Based on the Disney animated feature, The Lion King is about Simba, a young lion who flees his home after being convinced that he was responsible for his father's death.
Our Recommendation Though some aspects of this Broadway adaptation of the movie still seem a bit too cartoon-y, the new African-inspired music and director/designer Julie Taymor's breathtaking puppetry and stage effects make The Lion King Disney's most innovative and theatrical show so far. |
 |
Mamma Mia
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be appropriate for ages 4 and older.
Summary Set in the Greek isles, Mamma Mia incorporates 23 tunes by pop group ABBA into its story about soon-to-married Sophie, her free-spirited single mom Donna, and three men from Donna's past -- one of whom, Sophie hopes to discover, is her father.
Our Recommendation Mamma Mia has become a worldwide smash since its London debut in 1999, and its biggest fans are usually the middle-aged crowd who fondly remember the disco days of ABBA. Women in particular enjoy watching fun-loving Donna and her two best friends reminiscing about their youth, when they were in a singing trio. Since the plot is a bit thin and the tone decidedly silly, the upbeat Mamma Mia is best appreciated as a big Broadway-style ABBA concert. |
 |
Mary Poppins
info and tickets for this show |
Age Disney recommends its productions for ages 6 and up.
Summary A very unusual nanny helps two children connect with their distant parents, and she shows them a bit of magic along the way. Based on the P.L. Travers stories and the Disney film.
Our Recommendation Fans of the books will be happy to see that this adaptation includes characters and adventures the film left out. Fans of the film may miss its simplicity (and a few of the songs). But everyone is sure to appreciate the excellent cast and impressive sets. Be aware that there are a few darker moments in the show that might scare smaller kids. |
 |
Memphis
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 9 and under. (The show includes a depiction of violence against one of the lead characters.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Inspired by the real-life story of a 1950s rock 'n' roll deejay, Memphis is about the man who brought black music to white listeners in the segregated South.
Our Recommendation Chad Kimball finally gets the breakout role he deserves as Huey Calhoun, a guy who is going nowhere until his love of "race music" - combined with his brash style and quick wit - makes him the most popular radio personality in town. Both his ego and his refusal to acknowledge the barriers of a racist society threaten his relationship with a black singer (Montego Glover). Though David Bryan's score is not nearly as strong as the real rock 'n' roll and blues music of that era, it is enjoyable and includes some standout songs; Joe DiPietro's book, with the exception of a few predictably cheesy moments, is generally smart, funny, and well-constructed; Christopher Ashley's direction is superb. Overall this is a great new Broadway musical with a good look, a hot band, an engaging story, and an excellent cast of performers to bring it to life.
|
 |
Oleanna
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 15 and under. (Strong language; mature themes.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary A college professor (Bill Pullman) faces off with one of his female students (Julia Stiles) in this revival of the 1992 David Mamet play.
Our Recommendation Although this is not considered to be one of Mamet's best plays, and both the director and actors have made a few less-than-effective choices in this production, Oleanna still succeeds at being a fantastic conversation starter (in fact, each 80-minute performance is followed by a lively audience talkback with special panelists). Serving as a virtual Rorschach test for viewers, the play provokes questions about sexual politics, higher education, political correctness, feminism, male aggression, and class differences that will have you arguing with your theater companions for the rest of the night.
|
 |
Phantom Of The Opera
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be appropriate for 4 and older.
Summary A disfigured man who lives beneath the Paris Opera House becomes obsessed with a beautiful singer and "haunts" the owners until they make her the star of the opera.
Our Recommendation This romantic musical tends to be especially liked by female audiences, but in its 20-year Broadway run it has become popular with viewers of all kinds. The lush Andrew Lloyd Webber score boasts modern classics "Music of the Night" and "All I Ask of You". Despite the Phantom's penchant for singing seductive ballads, he is a really disturbed guy, so be aware that this often eerie musical does feature kidnapping and murder. |
 |
Rock of Ages
info and tickets for this show |
Age Appropriate for 14+ (Strong language). Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis stars as an aspiring rocker who arrives on L.A.'s Sunset Strip with dreams of fame and hard rock glory, but finds heartbreak and hard times instead in this tribute to the era of "hair" bands.
Our Recommendation From the lighter-shaped lights they hand you when you walk into the theater to the beer being served by vendors during the performance, Rock of Ages has the feel of a rock concert. Oh, yeah, and then there's the music. If you lived through the '80s (and have happy memories of listening to the radio or watching MTV during that time), then you're likely to be grinning like an idiot and desperate to sing along as the energetic cast belts out melodic rock hits like Bon Jovi's "Wanted Dead or Alive," Whitesnake's "Here I Go Again," and Foreigner's "I Want To Know What Love Is". Sure, the story and dialogue is silly (sometimes deliciously, sometimes cringingly), but when they start singing "Don't Stop Believing," you'll be waving your lighter in the air with everyone else. |
 |
Shrek the Musical
info and tickets for this show |
Age Appropriate 4+. Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Based on Shrek's adventures in the William Steig book and the Oscar-winning film, this Broadway version of the story features Shrek, his wisecracking sidekick Donkey, lovely Princess Fiona, vain Lord Farquaad, and a crazy chorus of fractured fairytale creatures, with more layers than ever and an original new score.
Our Recommendation Seeing the cartoonish ogre live on a Broadway stage might be a bit of a shock, but the people behind Shrek the Musical have taken care to enlist Broadway's finest talents. Among them are performers Brian d'Arcy James as Shrek, Daniel Breaker as Donkey, and Sutton Foster as Princess Fiona; bookwriter David Lindsay-Abaire (author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Rabbit Hole); and songwriter Jeanine Tesori (Thoroughly Modern Millie, Caroline or Change). They're sure to provide big fun for the whole family. |
 |
South Pacific
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 7 and under. Children under the age of 5 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Set during World War II, this classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical is about a U.S. Navy nurse who finds love with a French plantation owner on an island in the South Pacific.
Our Recommendation A wonderful production that truly does justice to one of the finest musicals of the Golden Age of Broadway, South Pacific deals with love, war, racism, and loyalty - and it does it with classic songs like "Some Enchanted Evening," "Younger Than Springtime," "This Nearly Was Mine," and "There's Nothing Like a Dame". |
 |
A Steady Rain
info and tickets for this show |
Age May be inappropriate for 15 and under. (Contains profanity, mature subject matter and politically-incorrect language.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Hugh Jackman (X-Men on screen, The Boy From Oz on Broadway) and Daniel Craig (the James Bond series) star as Chicago cops in this two-man drama.
Our Recommendation Who would want to pass up the chance to see these two major movie stars (who already proved their stage chops before they gained fame on the silver screen) go head to head in a tough-guy play? |
 |
Superior Donuts
info and tickets for this show |
Age Appropriate for 10 + (Some profanity.) Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary Arthur Przybyszewski (Michael McKean), the proprietor of a dilapidated Chicago donut shop, hires a clever young black man from the neighborhood named Franco Wicks to help out - and gets a lot more than he bargained for.
Our Recommendation Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts' newest play is nothing like his two best known works, the creepy psychological thriller Bug and the epic family drama August: Osage County. Unlike those plays, Superior Donuts is a surprisingly conventional comedy about a man with a painful past who finds that an unexpected friendship is what he needs to finally move forward with his life. It is a solid effort, both funny and touching, with notable performances from Jon Michael Hill as Franco and Yasen Peyankov as the Russian business owner who wants to buy Arthur's donut shop. |
 |
West Side Story
info and tickets for this show |
Age Recommended for children of 13 years of age and older.
Summary West Side Story transposes William Shakespeare's tragedy Romeo and Juliet to the gang-ridden streets of 1950s Manhattan. Instead of warring families, there are warring Jets and Sharks. Instead of Romeo and Juliet, we have Tony and Maria, two teenagers who are torn between ethnic loyalty and their intense love for each other. The amazing score includes "Tonight," "Somewhere," and "Something's Coming."
Our Recommendation This exciting new production of the Broadway classic features an energetic young cast and faithfully re-creates Jerome Robbins' iconic choreography and Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim's extraordinary score. It is directed by the show's bookwriter, Arthur Laurents, who has added a bit of a twist (and authenticity) by having the Sharks speak and sometimes sing in Spanish. |
 |
Wicked
info and tickets for this show |
Age Recommended age for children is 8 years and up. There is nothing of a vulgar or sexual nature, but there are adult themes.
Summary In this Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire's novel (a "prequel" to The Wizard of Oz), we learn how Elphaba, a sensitive and misunderstood college student in Oz, came to be known as the Wicked Witch of the West.
Our Recommendation This popular Broadway musical is especially loved by tweens, who can relate to its tale of a young woman struggling to fit in, but audiences of all ages can appreciate the themes about prejudice and friendship, as well as the pop-infused score by Stephen Schwartz. If you're thinking of bringing your pre-tweens, bear in mind that, as in The Wizard of Oz itself, there are some scary scenes. |
 |
Wishful Drinking
info and tickets for this show |
Age Children under the age of 4 are not permitted in the theatre.
Summary In this hilarious and sometimes twisted autobiographical one-woman show, actress and writer Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia in the Star Wars movies) talks about her career, the perils of growing up as the child of Hollywood stars, and her battle with substance addiction.
Our Recommendation Fisher has already gained some practice with this solo show, which she has performed around the country. Thanks to Roundabout Theatre Company, New Yorkers are now getting a chance to see Princess Leia herself perform this non-stop funny, Hollywood anecdote-filled, theatrical memoir live on Broadway.
|
