Help - NYC/Broadway shows

"Hamilton" is the 'it' show right now, but it doesn't interest me.
Previously "Book of Mormon" was the 'it' show, hard to get tickets, I waited years to see it and didn't think it was all that.
I usually look to the Tony Awards to see what shows to watch.
I would recommend "Kinky Boots", the "Lion King" or "AvenueQ". I really want to see "On Your Feet" - Gloria Estefan's biopic.
"Chicago" and "Wicked" are classics, they were both really popular at one point.



TKTS booth the day off is the cheapest way to buy tickets.

1. You can buy discount tickets through sites like broadwaybox.com.

2. For a show you really want to see, but is still so popular that it's not listed on the discount sites, just buy ahead of time on the Internet. Go to the show's website and they'll link you to Ticketmaster or whatever.

3. Cheapest-but-most-uncertain-option: Buy same day tickets by waiting in line at one of the TKTS booths. Discounts are usually 40-50% and I've always gotten orchestra level seats. There's a booth in Times Square, which mobs of tourists use and I refuse to use. Instead, I always use the downtown booth at South Street Seaport, even if it means taking a subway to get there. (I arrive about 45-60 minutes before they open, and rarely stand in line for more than 10-20 minutes after the opening.) The advantages are 1. The lines are never as ridiculously long as the Times Square booth, 2. It opens earlier in the day, so more time to do other stuff, and (ding, ding!), 3. South Street Seaport sells their matinee tickets for only the NEXT day. (Times Square sells matinee tickets only for the same day plus you can't buy matinee and evening tickets in the same transaction.) So for example, on a Tuesday or Friday, I buy tickets for one evening performance show for that night and tickets for a second show for the matinee performance for the next day. Stand in line once; walk away with cheap tickets to two shows. 

The thing with TKTS is you're not going to get into Hamilton or recently-opened shows. I have, however, seen tons of shows I WANTED to see. It helps to have an open mind, but it really helps to get their app - or request daily emails - to track the tickets they're selling for several weeks before your trip. Knowledge is power. 

If there's something you're dying to see, though, buy through a discount site or through the Internet box office. I've never bought more than 4-6 weeks before my trip, but you can buy as early as you want. Keep in mind, though, that the longer a show runs, the more chance it has to show up on the discount sites.

If you want to see newer shows... I would suggest Waitress, Something Rotten or Fun Home. I haven't seen Waitress but the other two are outstanding!!!

By the spring Phillipa Soo will be starring in Amelie. I loved the movie and can totally see her in the lead in the musical.


I would recommend going to the websites of the shows you want to sing( haha  see not sing)   and sign up for the emails. I got a deal for Fun Home seats for $59, after we paid full price.

My approach is to pick the one show we really want to see and get tickets in advance. Then I watch a few other shows and if I find a deal I snatch them up. Then I get tickets at the TKS booth.

If you watch it on line leading up to when you will be there you should have a pretty good idea what will be available when you are there.

Fun Home is excellent and won the Tony last year
We Loved Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night time- also won a Tony last year. We saw them both in October.

They are both stunning shows. Check out whether they will be in NYC when you will.

Wicked is awesome
We liked Book of Mormon

Saw Dear Evan Hansen in previews a couple of months ago. I highly recommend it. Not sure when it's opening on Broadway. A number of the shows previously mentioned have closed or have posted their closing notices, so make sure to do some googling before you get your heart set on anything.

I saw Benj Pasek and Justin Paul at a theatre festival a few years ago and they sang some songs they were writing  for it.  I am glad to hear you liked it. It's on my list for December.

I would also add The Color Purple to your list to check out... Cynthia Erviro won the Tony for outstanding female lead and beat out some pretty impressive competition.  I cry everytime I hear her sing.

Yup. Sucks. Broadway.com is the WORST. Totally take advantage of tourists. 

Broadway is magical. Any show you see, you will enjoy, especially since you've never been. I'd definitely do one classic - like Wicked or The Lion King, both are unbelievable. I've heard wonderful things about The Color Purple. Dear Evan Hanson will be on Broadway by then and has gotten great reviews. Have fun!