The Best of Broadway in New York

New York is a bucket-list city for many keen travelers, not least because of the obvious allure of famous places like Central Park, Fifth Avenue, The Empire State Building and the chance to see a celebrity casually dining out at a restaurant. While those may all be incredible sights to visit and experience, and visitors should most definitely grab a coffee and explore Central Park, the real stars are on stage—on Broadway, that is. Let’s dive into the intriguing world of New York Broadway and look into which plays you enjoy during your next visit to the Big Apple.

The Book of Mormon

Mormonism is said to be strict and serious, a religion or way of life that frowns upon modern living and tech. However, The Book of Mormon, a satire about a Mormon couple trying to preach their religion to the good people of Uganda, will have you in absolute stitches for the entire show. The stage is set at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre in New York for two rather gullible missionaries who believe they have powerful information to share. However, they find themselves in a troubled part of the African country and need to overcome many challenges, depicted in a hilarious fashion. The beauty of the play, while very funny and entertaining, is that it relays a respectful message towards religion and social justice, something that the world needs right now. From the creators of South Park, this controversial and comical Broadway show is one of a kind. There are plenty of shows to choose from, so be sure to research and See all Tours & Activities before you make a final decision.

Hamilton

Perhaps you’ve had the fortune of reading Hamilton at school or writing a paper about him, detailing his life and journey from the Caribbean to the United States. But, there’s no way that you’ve seen or heard this magical and musical version of the play. Picture this: imagine watching and hearing the story of the birth of the United States in the mouth of one of its founding fathers—to the rhythm of rap! An utterly dichotomous and must-see show.

For a bit of context and to share the backstory (but not give away too much), if you decide to see Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theatre, you’ll be in for a treat as you watch Alexander Hamilton, an orphan from the Caribbean moving to the US and becoming a major figure in both the American Revolutionary War and the first government of the nation. History mixed with humor and compassion, the ultimate trifecta. There is one thing to note here, viewers should know that the musical is fast-paced, meaning that the raps are filled with puns and everything moves swiftly; sound knowledge of the English language is essential, otherwise it may be easy to get lost of miss some of the funniest parts of the play.

Harry Potter and The Cursed Child

Who doesn’t love Harry Potter? From books and then movies, this incredibly popular fictional character has made it to the Broadway stage of the Lyric Theatre in New York City. And viewers are overjoyed. Arguably the best part about it is that Harry Potter and The Cursed Child is not based on any of J.K. Rowling’s books. Instead, the gifted writer herself sat down to write this plot and give fans a new storyline that they will only get to see in the musical. The plot does not replicate any of the movies and was written seventeen years after Harry defeated Voldemort. The idea was to show viewers where Harry has ended up after his days at Hogwarts, namely as an employee of the Ministry of Magic, married and a father of three children. This play is a masterpiece, having won several Tony Awards, including “Best Musical,” and to this day holds the record for the highest one-week ticket sales in Broadway history.

Wicked

Speaking of Tony Awards, it would be amiss not to mention the beautiful musical Wicked, which has won not one, not two, but three Tony Awards, as well as a Grammy if you can believe that. Wicked is the prequel to the famous story of The Wizard of Oz, an absolute family favorite. Filled with suspense and emotion, this is a play suitable for all audiences and one that children will thoroughly enjoy.

It tells the story of Elphaba and Glinda, two young students of witchcraft who meet in the land of Oz and, despite their differences, become very close friends. While Elphaba is incredibly talented and smart, she is a little withdrawn and struggles to find her place in the world—something that we can all relate to in one way or another. Her friend Glinda, on the other hand, is outgoing and very popular. As circumstances unfold, these two very different personalities are brought together to experience funny moments, but also face many challenges that ultimately help them find their place and grow. This Broadway classic remains on the podium of the highest grossing Broadway musicals along with The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King.

The New York Broadway is iconic and has something for everyone. It’s an opportunity to switch off your phone and delve into a different world filled with stories, characters and music that will enchant and possibly even change you. A beautiful and unique chance to spend time with your children, a partner or a group of friends. Life is short, watch the show.