There is nothing like being in New York City and indulging in a Broadway performance. Here’s our Culture Editor’s take on the top 10 best must-see Broadway shows and theater performances to enjoy in NYC in 2023, including Fat Ham and A Doll’s House.
what are the best Broadway shows of 2023?
2023 has only just begin, and already we know it’s going to be an amazing year. How do we know? Well, Broadway is bringing so many exciting shows to the stage that the next twelve months are bound to be meet our sky-high expectations.
The 10 best Broadway shows and theater performances in 2023, including A Doll’s House.
If you can’t wait, you don’t have to – there are some tremendous shows that opened over the last couple of months that you can see right now; among them, &Juliet, Some Like it Hot, The Collaboration, Between Riverside and Crazy, and Death of a Salesman. These shows are star-studded and fantastic, so what are you waiting for? Your year of unforgettable theater starts now.
And if you’re looking to fill the rest of your calendar, here are ten shows coming over the next twelve months that we can’t wait to see.
the 10 must-see Broadway theater performances to enjoy in 2023
1. Pictures from Home
Opening January 10th, a brand-new play starring Broadway legends Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein, and Zoë Wanamaker. Based on Larry Sultan’s photo memoir, the production brings to life a theatrical portrait of the writer’s parents. At a time where a lot of theater consists of revivals, film adaptations, and jukebox musicals – not that there’s anything wrong with any of those things – we’re thrilled to hear about this fresh and innovative new show concept. Adapted by Sharr White, and directed by Bartlett Sher.
2. A Doll’s House
When it first opened, Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll House took audiences by storm; for a 19th century play, its ideas – of a woman’s limitations in the world – were controversial and shocking. And now, writer Amy Herzog creates an adaptation that will speak to our present-day. Directed by Jamie Lloyd, the cast includes Jessica Chastain, Arian Moayed, and Okieriete Onaodowan – and our interest has definitely been piqued. We’ll be the first in line when performances begin on February 13th.
The 10 best Broadway shows and theater performances in 2023, including A Doll’s House.
3. Sweeney Todd
We almost can’t believe it; the Demon Barber of Fleet Street returns to Broadway on February 26th. Of all of Stephen Sondheim’s iconic musicals, this one is definitely a stand-out. If you think you can stomach a story about revenge, love, and baking people into pies, then it might just become your favorite musical of all time. Especially because it comes with a cast of all-stars: Josh Groban and Annaleigh Ashford in the roles of Sweeney and Mrs. Lovett, and an ensemble that includes Jordan Fisher, Gaten Matarazzo, Ruthie Anne Miles, Maria Bilbao and other favorite performers.
4. Bob Fosse’s Dancin’
Original cast member Wayne Cilento directs this brand-new revival of Bob Fosse’s Dancin’. Beginning on March 2nd, audiences can experience a dazzling reinvention of the choreographer’s work. It includes a spectacular cast, never-before-seen moves, and a 21st century upgrade for the beloved production. If you’ve ever wanted to watch two hours of electric dance moves, this is the 2023 show for you.
Of course, everyone knows Life of Pi. Not only was Yann Martel’s novel an enormous bestseller, but also Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning film adaptation rocketed the story toward a second life. And now the harrowing tale is reincarnated for a third time. The award-winning London play finds its way to New York on March 9th. From everything we’ve heard, the production is a visual triumph, using puppetry to tell this epic story of survival.
The 10 best Broadway shows and theater performances in 2023, including A Doll’s House.
6. Camelot
On March 9th, previews begin for Lerner and Loewe’s Camelot. And with a book by Aaron Sorkin, direction by Bartlett Sher, and a cast that includes Andrew Burnap, Phillipa Soo, and Jordan Donica, we are expecting to see this age-old tale of knights, kings, and the royal court transformed with fresh, ebullient energy. This production has been a long time in the making. We’re delighted that we’ll finally have the chance to see it with our own eyes.
7. Fat Ham
James Ijames’ Pultizer Prize-winning show is – and we don’t say this lightly – quite possibly the best modern adaptation of Shakespeare that we have ever seen. And if you missed the production’s run at the Public Theater, you are in luck: there will be another opportunity when Fat Ham opens on Broadway on March 21st. This version of Hamlet takes place at a family barbecue. Juicy – the queer, Black, and extremely charismatic protagonist of Fat Ham – is confronted by his father’s ghost, and forced to contend with the concept of revenge. If there’s a single show you should make sure you see this year, it’s this one.
8. New York, New York
Even with all of the bright, shiny new musicals coming to Broadway this year, there are few with as much star-power behind them as New York, New York. With a score from John Kander and Fred Ebb (Chicago, Cabaret), lyrics from Lin-Manuel Miranda, and a story from David Thompson and Sharon Washington, we know that people will be talking about this one for years to come. The story takes place in New York (no surprises there) in the wake of World War II. It centers around a group of artists who are trying to make their dreams come true. These days, it’s rare that we get to see a new musical with this much buzz around it. We’re hoping that this one is a classic in the making.
The 10 best Broadway shows and theater performances in 2023, including A Doll’s House.
9. Merrily We Roll Along
Though Merrily We Roll Along is currently playing at New York Theatre Workshop, there’s a good chance you haven’t seen it yet. Why? Well, the run of the well-reviewed, much-discussed production is totally sold out. This play includes Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez in its lead roles. But thankfully, our prayers have been answered. The high demand for this revival has led to a Broadway transfer next fall. Merrily We Roll Along is known for being one of Sondheim’s biggest flops. It is a secret favorite of many, and from everything we’ve heard, the latest rendition is a hit.
10. Jaja’s African Hair Braiding
Though it does not premiere until next fall, we are already looking forward to Jocelyn Bioh’s Jaja’s African Hair Braiding, which is directed by Whitney White. Bioh’s School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play was one of the best new plays of the past few years, and we can’t wait to see her latest creation. This one takes place in a Harlem hair braiding salon, over the course of one transformative summer. Though we have to wait a few more months, we feel confident it’s going to be a favorite show of the year.
the must-see Broadway theater performances of 2023
That’s our Culture Editor’s take on the 10 best must-see Broadway shows and theater performances to enjoy in NYC in 2023, including A Doll’s House, Fat Ham and more. What’s at the top of your list, dear reader?
