No trip to New York City is complete without seeing at least one show. Whether it’s a show on Broadway or an off-Broadway production, you’re sure to have a memorable experience as you watch professional actors sing, dance, or recite their lines on stage. Before you plan your next trip to the Big Apple, take a look at the five must-see shows in NYC.
1. Aladdin at the New Amsterdam Theatre
Critics give this stage version of Aladdin, the Disney-animated film, rave reviews for its rollicking spirit and colorful presentation. With its upbeat musical numbers by Alan Menken, vibrant costumes and set, and energetic cast, this is a show your whole family will enjoy. If your children are familiar with the animated film, watch their eyes light up as they see the same story unfold before them on stage at the New Amsterdam Theatre.
2. Wicked at the Gershwin Theatre
If you ever wondered how the evil witch in the Wizard of Oz story became wicked, this musical gives you the back story. Set before Dorothy and her house arrive in Oz, Wicked features clever and memorable tunes by Stephen Schwartz that range from beautiful ballads to upbeat company numbers. The show also has a meaningful message about how appearances don’t always reveal who a person is on the inside. For this show, leave the small children at home, but bring tweens and teens. They’re likely to leave the theatre humming tunes like Defying Gravity and One Short Day.
3. Sense and Sensibility at the Gym at the Judson
If you want to see a staging of Jane Eyre’s beloved novel, Sense and Sensibility, check out the off-Broadway production at the Gym at the Judson. The story follows the lives of the Dashwood sisters and their mother just as they’ve lost their fortune unexpectedly. Told with great humor and heart, the story explores the conflicts between societal expectations, people’s emotions, and their sense of duty. This delightful play is best suited to older teens and adults.
4. Avenue Q at the New World Stages, Stage Three
Irreverent and relevant, Avenue Q tackles a wide range of social issues through song and puppetry. Even though the puppets might remind you of Sesame Street, they deal with some adult issues, though the tone remains mostly light. Book tickets to this Tony Award-winning show, but leave the kids at home.
5. Chicago at the Ambassador Theatre
The latest iteration of Chicago proves that revivals can be as fresh as the original staging. As the tale unfolds, the actors take the audience back to the Roaring ’20s. During song and dance numbers that exude classic Fosse style, two murderesses try to outdo one another in a bid to get out of the Cook County Jail. Sleek, sophisticated, and entertaining, Chicago remains a crowd-pleaser even though it’s been 20 years since it debuted on the Great White Way.
Whether you’re visiting New York or live there, you can have a fun afternoon or evening at the theatre if you see any of these productions. Book tickets early to avoid having to pay higher prices from brokers.
Image by Massimiliano Silipigni is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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