As I attended a camp in New York City this summer, I noticed many people often skip “see a Broadway show” on their New York bucket list. Usually, it was because they didn’t know which shows were the best or which ones they would like. After seeing 15 Broadway shows this summer, I have a good grasp on which shows you do and don’t want to miss on your next trip to the theatre.
“Six”: This show is locked and loaded with historical facts like the famous Broadway show “Hamilton.” This show is a one-act, hour-long pop concert about the six wives of King Henry VIII. It is excellent for someone who wants to avoid sitting through a three-hour performance but still wants to get a Broadway Playbill. I guarantee you will be blown away by this show’s beautiful costumes, voices, and technical elements.
“New York, New York”: There was a reason this musical didn’t win any Tonys. Apart from the show-stopping tap number and the incredible scenic design, there wasn’t anything special about this show. It follows the story of three struggling musicians with different backgrounds, but while I watched, it felt like many plot points still needed to be developed. The sets grabs your attention, but the story leaves something to be desired.
“Some Like it Hot”: This musical was a beautiful modern take on a Marilyn Monroe classic. This performance shares the story of two men trying to make their way into the music scene. They could only become successful jazz musicians if they dressed up as women and joined an all-women band. This show consistently had me on the edge of my seat. All the actors’ comedy, stage presence, and dancing ability blew me away. If you want the complete “Broadway” experience, this is a show you do not want to miss.
“MJ”: I dreaded seeing this one the most of all the shows I saw. Well, I’m here to tell you that all the dread escaped my body the second that curtain rose. The Michael Jackson musical was a beautiful tribute to Michael’s impact on the pop music industry. Featuring all his top hits, this show made you want to leave your seat and dance (spoiler alert: they let you get up and dance at the show’s end). This musical is for everyone, including non-theatre lovers.
“Sweeney Todd”: Words cannot justify how sensational this show is. With leading players including Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashford, and Gaten Matarazzo, this musical has the power to make you feel emotionally connected to a barber who murders his customers and bakes them into pies. This Stephan Sondheim classic takes you on a journey that you may think is a dark comedy but reveals itself as a display of beautiful tragedy. This one is my favorite out of the musicals I saw this summer.
With honorable mentions such as “Funny Girl,” “Here Lies Love,” and “Kimberly Akimbo,” this season’s Broadway shows were spectacular! There were some suggestions I would give here and there, but overall, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing most of these shows, and I hope others do as well!
