Walking through Times Square last Tuesday, I got stopped by a tourist couple looking frantic. "We need to see a Broadway show tonight," the woman panted, "but we don't know what's playing or where to start!" Made me realize how overwhelming it can be. That's why I'm breaking down every current show on Broadway right now - the good, the pricey, and the ones you shouldn't bother with.
Let's get real. Finding current shows on Broadway isn't just about lists. You need to know which musicals are worth your $200, which plays have standing room tickets, and where to grab dinner before curtain. Having seen 22 shows in the past year (my bank account cries), I'll give you the unfiltered scoop.
Full List of Current Broadway Productions
Right now, there are 35 shows lighting up Broadway theaters. I'll be brutally honest - some are fantastic, others feel like cash grabs. Here's the complete lineup updated for this season:
| Show Title | Theater | Type | Runtime | Ticket Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lion King | Minskoff Theatre | Musical | 2hrs 30min | $99-$299 |
| Hamilton | Richard Rodgers Theatre | Musical | 2hrs 45min | $149-$399 |
| Harry Potter and the Cursed Child | Lyric Theatre | Play | 3hrs 30min (2 parts) | $119-$349 |
| Merrily We Roll Along | Hudson Theatre | Musical Revival | 2hrs 40min | $129-$299 |
| Appropriate | Belasco Theatre | Play | 2hrs 15min | $79-$199 |
| Sweeney Todd | Lunt-Fontanne Theatre | Musical Revival | 2hrs 50min | $129-$349 |
| Water for Elephants | Imperial Theatre | Musical | 2hrs 35min | $89-$249 |
| The Notebook | Schoenfeld Theatre | Musical | 2hrs 20min | $99-$279 |
Just last month I paid $175 for orchestra seats to a hyped new musical that put me to sleep by intermission. Total waste. Meanwhile, I scored $40 rush tickets for a play that blew me away. Lesson learned: price doesn't equal quality when it comes to current shows on Broadway.
Deep Dive: Must-See Current Shows on Broadway
Merrily We Roll Along
Playing at the Hudson Theatre through July 2024. Honestly, this Sondheim revival surprised me. Daniel Radcliffe actually can sing! Performances at 7pm Tue/Thu, 8pm Fri, 2pm & 8pm Wed/Sat, 3pm Sun.
What works: Jonathan Groff's magnetic performance (worth the ticket alone), the reverse chronology actually makes sense here. What doesn't: Second act drags near the end. Best deal: $45 standing room tickets sold daily.
Appropriate
At the Belasco until June 30. Family drama with Sarah Paulson unearthing skeletons. Evening shows 7pm Tue/Thu, 8pm Fri, 2pm & 8pm Wed/Sat, 3pm Sun.
Why I recommend it: Most gripping first act I've seen this season. But fair warning - it's 2 hours with no intermission. Saw an older couple sprinting up the aisle halfway through. Good value though - scored $49 mezzanine seats on TodayTix.
Frankly? Skip the overpriced Disney adaptations unless you've got kids. The puppet work in Lion King still impresses though - caught the Saturday matinee last week and the giraffes still get me.
Insider Tip: For current shows on Broadway with "difficult" tickets like Hamilton, try the cancellation line at 5pm. Last month I got fourth-row seats for $199 at 6:45pm when someone's dinner reservation ran long. Bring a folding stool!
Where to Sit Without Going Broke
Here's the reality of Broadway seating:
| Theater | Best Value Section | Price Range | View Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richard Rodgers (Hamilton) | Front Mezzanine | $199-$249 | Perfect sightlines, avoid rear mezz - feels like watching ants |
| St. James (Sweeney Todd) | Orchestra Side Rows K-M | $129-$159 | Slight angle but full stage view - saw Groban sweat here |
| Walter Kerr (Hadestown) | Rear Orchestra Center | $89-$109 | Slight overhang but immersive experience |
My biggest pet peeve? "Partial view" seats that should be labeled "you'll see half a performer". At the Majestic last month, my $99 seat had me staring at Phantom's chandelier chain mechanism. Not magical.
Getting Tickets Without Getting Scammed
Finding tickets for current shows on Broadway requires strategy. Here's what actually works in 2024:
- Box Office Rush: Show up 2 hours pre-show. Best for weekdays. Got Merrily tickets this way just last Thursday
- TodayTix App: Digital lottery and rush tickets. Won $40 Hadestown seats last month
- TKTS Booth: Times Square location opens at 3pm. Pro tip: Lincoln Center location has shorter lines
- Broadway Week: Jan/Feb and Sept deals. Buy early - good seats vanish fast
Scam alert! Saw a tourist pay $400 cash for "Hamilton orchestra" tickets that turned out to be printouts for last year's show. Only buy through official channels.
My personal hack: Follow theaters on Twitter for last-minute ticket releases. Got front row to Sweeney Todd when they released house seats at 4:45pm.
Broadway Survival Guide
Having seen 50+ shows, here are my non-negotiable tips:
Theater District Navigation
Theaters cluster between 41st-54th Streets, mostly near 8th Ave. Arrive 45 minutes early - security lines get crazy. Personal favorite preshow spot: Joe Allen restaurant (326 W 46th). Their burger saved me from theater hot dog regret last winter.
Parking? Don't. Took 45 minutes to exit the garage after Harry Potter. Subway to 49th St (N/R/W) or 50th St (C/E) stations. PATH train stops at 33rd if coming from Jersey.
What to wear? Unless it's opening night, jeans are fine. Saw someone turned away for shorts last August though - pack pants even in summer.
Late arrival policies suck universally. Most theaters won't seat you until intermission. After sprinting 8 blocks in heels because my Uber stalled, I learned this the hard way at Dear Evan Hansen.
Broadway FAQs Answered Straight
What current shows on Broadway are best for kids?
Lion King (5+), Aladdin (6+), Wicked (8+). Avoid plays - even teens fidget through 3-hour dramas. Saw a 12-year-old asleep on his dad during Death of a Salesman.
How early should I book for popular current shows on Broadway?
Hamilton/Sweeney Todd: 3-4 months out. Others: 2-6 weeks. Just booked July tickets for The Notebook in May - plenty available.
Which current Broadway shows offer discount tickets?
Water for Elephants (Tuesdays), The Notebook (Thursday matinees). Check TDF for member discounts. Saw Kimberly Akimbo for $57 this way.
Can I see two current shows on Broadway in one day?
Doable but exhausting. Matinee at 2pm, dinner break, evening at 8pm. Did this last spring - walked 22,000 steps and slept through Act 2 of the second show. Not recommended.
Closing Thoughts from an Addict
After seeing so many current shows on Broadway, what stands out? Moments. The collective gasp when Elphaba flies in Wicked. The trumpet solo in Chicago that makes your spine tingle. Even the disaster shows become great stories - like when the chandelier got stuck halfway down at Phantom.
What's worth your Broadway dollar right now? Merrily if you want star power, Appropriate for drama lovers, Hadestown for sheer artistry. Skip the jukebox musicals unless you love mediocre covers. There are so many current shows on Broadway worth seeing - just bring comfortable shoes and check your credit card balance first.
Oh, and that couple I met in Times Square? Saw them later at Sweeney Todd intermission. "We used your seating chart!" they yelled over the crowd. Made my night. Hope this guide does the same for your Broadway adventure.
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