NYC's 10 Best Broadway Shows and Off Broadway Shows

10 Best On Broadway and Off Broadway Shows to See in New York City cont.

5. Fela! Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 230 W 49th Street, Theater District. On Broadway. One of the newest scores on the list, Fela! has received numerous acclaims and has been raved throughout the Big Apple as the best new musical on Broadway. Produced by Jay-Z, Will Smith, and Jada Pinkett Smith. Fela! follows the life of Fela Kuti, an artist, political activist and revolutionary musician. Features Afrobeat music and choreography. Ticket prices begin at $55.

4. Billy Elliot. Imperial Theatre, 252 W 45th Street, Theater District. On Broadway. You may be familiar with the story line of Billy Elliot from the 2000 movie with the same title. The Broadway show, a 10 time Tony Award winner, is a story of a young boy reaching for his dream to become a dancer. An emotional, inspiring score with beautiful stage performances.

3. Hard Times. City Center Stage II, 131 West 55th Street, Theater District. Off Broadway. A story originally written by Charles Dickens and adapted to stage by Stephen Jeffreys. Set in a Victorian era manufacturing town, father Thomas Gradgrind teaches his children the value of facts, common-sense, and self interest without dreaming or imagination. His daughter, Louisa Gradgrind, re-examines her life as an adult after she realizes she is stuck living a vapid life with no passion and a loveless marriage. She questions her father’s philosophy of life which she believes has caused her woes. Closing date March 28th. Ticket prices start at $30.

2. Memphis. Gershwin Theatre, 222 West 51st Street, Theater District. On Broadway. Memphis is a musical set in the 1950s in Memphis, Tennessee, starring a white DJ and music lover named Huey Calhoun. It opens with a rhythm and blues tune and focuses on early rock-n-roll as it transcends the color barrier of the south during those times. The story is very predictable, however the music and performance is genuinely entertaining. Tickets start at $41.50.

1. Next to Normal. Booth Theatre, 222 W 45th Street, Theater District. On Broadway. A moving piece accurately conveying the hopelessness and struggles of manic depression. Next to Normal follows the story of a family trying make it and overcome the struggles and stress of the mental illness. A deeply moving piece from the director of RENT and winner of 3 Tony Awards. Prices start at $36.50.

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