The Broadway Theater District is an area in downtown Manhattan consisting of 40 professional theaters. It grew organically during the early 1900s, when theater companies slowly moved into the area. The center of Broadway is the fast paced, brightly illuminated hub known as Times Square. Visitors to New York City will have a great time in the Broadway district, regardless of whether they watch a show or not. If you do decide to watch a show, here are my top three picks.
1. Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz
Hands down, the best theatrical experience I've had was watching Wicked. Not just the best Broadway show, perhaps the best performance art show I've seen. Based off of the 1995 novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked offers a different perspective to the Wizard of Oz. Set in the same universe, with an overlapping timeline, Wicked tells the story from the perspective of the Witches. Its main protagonist is Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. But is she really wicked? Or was she just misunderstood?
Entertainment Weekly named Wicked the Best Musical of the Decade. Wicked has also won the Tony Awards for Best Musical, Original Score, Choreography, Costume Design, and countless others. It has been nominated for over 63 awards. If no other particular musical appeals to you, I highly recommend you watch Wicked.
2. Phantom of the Opera
Having debuted in 1988, Phantom of the Opera is the longest running show in Broadway history. It has been performed more than 10 thousand times on Broadway alone. It has been seen by over 130 million people worldwide. It's also the most commercially successful show in Broadway history.
The musical is based off of the 1910 French novel written by Gaston Leroux. The plot follows a disfigured man who haunts an opera house. He's a musical genius who extorts the opera company for money and a seat to every show. The phantom becomes obsessed with a young member of the opera, Christine Daae, who he helps by training.
3. Lion King
Lion King is based off of the 1994 Disney animated film by the same name. The music, composed by Sir Elton John, is outstanding. The costume and choreography offers an amazing experience to audience members. The story follows a young lion cub's journey to become king of his pride. The range of emotions will have you laughing and crying.
Lion King debuted in 1997, winning the Tony Award for Best Musical. It has grossed over $850 million in ticket sales.
More Broadway Shows
These were my top picks, but there are many other fantastic New York Broadway shows to select from. For more shows, see New York Broadway. If you're planning on exploring New York City, be sure to check out What To Do in New York, a visitor's guide that mixes history with popular attractions.
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