How to Choose the Best Musical in New York?

New York is the city for musicals! Broadway is home to an incredible concentration of theaters with around a dozen major productions running at any time. Not sure which one to see? Here’s my guide to finding the best musical for you.

Musicals for families with children

Visiting New York with kids? A Broadway show will create memories they’ll treasure forever. For families, I recommend starting with the two Disney musicals: The Lion King and Aladdin. Also consider the remarkable Blue Man Group.

• The Lion King : every child knows the famous Disney film and the thrilling story of a lion claiming his place as leader of his pride. On stage, the animals come to life through magnificently costumed actors. You’ll hear all the songs from the movie. Hakuna matata! 😉
• Aladdin : discover or rediscover one of the most beloved tales from the Arabian Nights! A young orphan, Aladdin’s life changes when he finds a magic lamp and frees its genie. The musical brings this story to life with stunning Middle Eastern sets. Children who’ve seen the Disney film will recognize the characters brought to the stage.

Musicals if English isn’t your strong suit

Where is Bryan? English not your first language? That’s no reason to skip Broadway musicals in New York!

• You can certainly choose The Lion King and Aladdin. Both shows work beautifully for adults, with stories that appeal on multiple levels and ages.
• I also recommend MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical, which tells the life story of Michael Jackson. The show features the King of Pop’s greatest hits, from Billie Jean to Thriller. You don’t need to understand English: the music tells the story.

Musicals based on films and books

Broadway specializes in adapting hit films and novels into musicals. Characters come alive before your eyes. The advantage for audiences: you already know the story, so you can focus on enjoying the sets, songs, and choreography even more.

• Chicago : a true crime story from 1920s Chicago. The musical was adapted into a film starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere before returning to Broadway. Its success continues unabated. Perfect for crime drama fans.
• Moulin Rouge : the 2001 film with Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor comes to life on stage! Follow the impossible love story between a young composer and a star of the Moulin Rouge cabaret. The spectacle brings the Belle Époque Paris of the film to Broadway.
• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child : discover the eighth book in the Harry Potter saga. Note: this is a play, not a musical. You’ll want solid English skills or should read the book first. Expect stunning special effects on stage.
• Wicked : since 2003, this musical has been one of Broadway’s greatest hits. Meet the witches from Gregory Maguire’s novel, which reimagines characters from The Wizard of Oz. A colorful fairy tale!

Musicals celebrating artists

If you’d rather enjoy a succession of songs and choreography than follow a plot, consider these musicals in New York:

• MJ, the Michael Jackson Musical : the show recreates the preparations for Michael Jackson’s legendary 1992 Dangerous World Tour. Featuring 25 of the superstar’s greatest hits: Beat It, Bad, Thriller, and more.
• Hell’s Kitchen : launched in March 2024, this musical traces the early life of American singer Alicia Keys. The artist was born in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood, not far from Broadway’s theaters.

How to book your tickets

To book your tickets, visit our section dedicated to musicals in New York. Why book through us? Here are your benefits:

• You have access to all ticket categories and real-time availability. You can also book directly in euros, avoiding currency exchange fees and bank charges.
• Another major advantage: when you book through us, you can cancel your tickets free of charge up to 4 days before the performance. Simply contact us through our contact form within this timeframe.
• Finally, you can pay for all musicals using vacation vouchers if you have them. See details on our vacation vouchers page.