New York

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Broadway Show Guide

A travel journal to New York by Broadwayj1

This is a list of what is currently running on Broadway. Be sure you check to see if these shows are still running when you go.

  • 17 reviews

Broadway Show GuideBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The New York theatre district.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Walk/cab.

The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Goat and Sylvia"

Sally Fields was playing in this show last time I was in the city. This is a drama about a husband and wife. I know it has a crazy name, but it's really a very good show. If you want some drama on your trip, this is a really good show to go and see. I would not take your children. And it's great to see Sally F. on stage and live.

Very good.

See you in the dark!

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? (The Show)
John Golden Theater / 252 W. 45th Street New York, New York
212-239-6200

Phantom Of The Opera (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Phantom of the Opera"

This is a great show, and a show that people love and keep coming back to see. It is also a very easy show to buy tickets for, since so many people have already seen it. It has been running for years, and if you have never seen it, you should plan on making a stop one evening. It's a wonderful love story with a great score by Andrew Lloyd Webber. This is a great show for the family, and amazes folks when it comes to effects. Candles come up from the stage, a boat is floated, a chandelier falls from the theater, and the whole opening number is amazing when they transform from the auction to the opera house. So go and see the music of the night!!

See you in the dark!

You can also get good seats at the last minute for this show, but on the weekends it might be a little harder, as this show is popular with bus tours.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Phantom Of The Opera (The Show)
Broadway New York, New York

Rent (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Rent"

This is such a powerful show. I really like Rent--I have seen it four times now, so I'm a big fan. This is a big rock-and-roll musical! It's based on La Bohème the opera, but this isn't an opera--don't worry. This show is not really good for younger children or for people who aren't open-minded about the gay community. This is a show about life and living it to the fullest--a show about hopes and dreams. The last time I was in town, Joey Fatone from one of the boy bands was in the show, so I didn't want to go and see it. The cast looks a little weak right now with him in it. But that's just me. But if you want a wild, fun night on the town, go and see this show. It's amazing!!! Because there's no day like today!!

See you in the dark!

Tickets are not always easy to get. Many people want to see this one.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Rent (The Show)
Nederlander Theatre / 208 west 41st st. New York, New York 10036

Naked Boys SingingBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

The name says it all. That's what you are going to get. It's a big spoof! The show is a review with naked boys singing the songs. What more can I say? You don't want to take your kids. But if you want to go, it's great fun! This is in the Village and you will be able to find it once you get to NYC. It's fun! Go. See you in the dark.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Naked Boys Singing
47th Street Theater - 304 West 47th St. New York, New York

Broadway Preview ChannelBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Broadway Preview Channel"

Another great thing in New York is the Broadway Preview channel--you can learn about any show on this channel. It's a great handy-dandy thing to watch if you're planning on going to see shows in town. The channel shows clips of the shows and interviews with some of the stars. So before you buy tickets, give it a watch!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Broadway Preview Channel
New York, New York

Puppetry of the Penis (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Puppetrey of the Penis"

If you thought Naked Boys Singing said it all, I bet you're laughing now. Yes, this is a real show, and once again New York, the theater capital of the world, has brought us this. And the name says it all. I will give you a math equation: two men + two, well, you know = lots of puppets and fun! This is actually a very funny show to watch! And you will be amazed at such things the human body can do like . . . the Eiffel Tower! Ouch . . . well. Just thought I would let you know about this show. And tickets are actually pretty hard to buy! This is off-Broadway, and the Anna Nicole Show made this show very popular. It's not for families. It's not for . . . many people. BUT GO, YOU'LL DIE! See you in the dark!
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Puppetry of the Penis (The Show)
Off-Broadway New York, New York

Broadway TheatreBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Dance of the Vampires"

Dance of the Vampires is a great show! This show stars Michael Crawford, and was WONDERFUL! At first, I rolled my eyes to see that Crawford was playing this kind of a part--I thought this man is a little old to be going after young girls in shows now. But I wanted to see Crawford, so I went. And it was the best show out of six on this trip. The music is done by Mr. Stein, the same man who wrote most of Meatloaf's songs. The show is about a count who is trying to seduce the young Sarah. This is a musical/comedy, and has amazing special effects! And is a gem! The dance numbers are hot and sexy, and the whole show is a huge must. I went the day of the show, and got a seat in row D for about $100. It's worth it. One of the best scenes is where the vampires are climbing down the walls of the theater headfirst! Another memorable scene is when Crawford sings "Total Eclipse of the Heart" with Sarah. So if you want something different and a little dark, GO! YOU WONT BE DISSAPOINTED!!! Trust this Broadway baby! See you in the dark.

p.s.: This show might be a little dark for younger children and has adult humor, sex, and all the other things we hold near and dear to our hearts . . .

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Broadway Theatre
1681 Broadway New York, New York 10019
+1 212 944-3700

Hairspray (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Hairspray"

Right now, you can hardly even get a seat for Hairspray. This is the hottest ticket on Broadway--the show plays to sold-out houses every night. On my last day in NYC, I just happened to walk by the theater, and I thought, why not? It turned out that not even 20 minutes before a couple had returned some tickets! Yup, that's what they said. And so they only wanted $75 for third-row center tickets for the hottest show on Broadway. Online these tickets are going for $100-350!!! So I bought them and went!

You might have seen the movie version of this musical, which stars Ricki Lake. The show takes us back to the 60s, when Corney Collins runs a local TV program, a teen dance show called American Bandstandish. This is the story of a big girl with a huge dream: to be on this show. But will she make it? She weighs a lot and falls in love with one of the main stars.

This is a really cute show. And if you want to go, you better try to get tickets way before the 2003 Tony Awards, because it is going to sweep them. Then, just like The Producers, no one will get seats! The music is wonderful; very upbeat, fun, rock 'n' roll. It's a show with huge laughs and huge fun! It is a child-friendly show.

Divine played the mother to Tracy in the movie, but in this one Harvey Klinetail plays the mother in drag and he is wonderful!! So if you can get tickets, go and see it! Like the show says, "YOU CAN'T STOP THE BEAT!" See you in the dark!

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Hairspray (The Show)
Neil Simon Theatre / 250 West 52nd Street New York, New York 10036

Into the Woods (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Into the Woods"

I have always loved this musical. It’s one of Sondheim’s best. The original cast had great stars including Bernadette Peters. It was also on Broadway not that long ago, so I had very high hopes for this, the revival with Vanessa Williams as the witch.

What a very sad sight! The show was not that good—almost all of the actors were understudies the night I went. In addition, the set and the show were a huge letdown. I will say, however, that this is a great show for the whole family. Kids will love it, but there are also many funny jokes that go over the heads of young children.

Into the Woods is about three sets of characters who all go into the woods for different reasons. At the end of Act I, they all live happily ever after. Many people think this is the end of the show, and leave!?! Yup, they sure do. Act II takes place after the fairy tale ends. The baker's wife has an affair with the prince, and all does not end happily ever after.

Into the Woods does have a great score—it even won the 2002 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Unfortunately, the last performance at the Broadhurst Theatre took place on December 29, 2002.

  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Into the Woods (The Show)
Broadhurst Theatre / 235 W. 44th St. New York, New York 10019

Producers (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Producers"

This is one of the hottest shows on Broadway, and I only got tickets through a friend of a friend. This was a great show, sweeping the Tony Awards in 2002. At that time, however, it had Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick starring. Steven Weber now stars.

The show is based on the movie The Producers by Mel Brooks. It's about two producers that decide to throw the biggest flop on Broadway, and then take the money and run. They hire the worst actors and director on Broadway, and have the worst title, Springtime For Hitler. It's very, very funny, with great musical numbers and lots of flash.

Make sure you go if you get a chance to, but don't hold your breath about getting tickets. This and Hairspray are very hard to get ticket for, unless you want to spend some major cash. This show is also family-friendly, but many jokes are still aimed at adults.

See you in the dark!

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Producers (The Show)
St. James Theatre / 246 W. 44th St. New York, New York

Chicago (The Play)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Chicago"

All that jazz--a story of greed, corruption, adultery, violence, all the things we hold near and dear to our hearts. And this is how the show begins. The movie did not do this musical justice. It cut out so many songs, and lost the whole Chicago feel. Once you see it on stage, you will feel the same way. This show is the revival that opened in 1994--and is still going strong. However, you can get very good seats almost every night. It's playing at the Shubert Theatre right now, but is being moved to make way for the revival of Gypsy that will star Bernadette Peters. Now that will be a show to buy tickets for! And that's all that jazz on Chicago. See you in the dark!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Chicago (The Play)
Shubert Theatre / 225 W. 44th Street New York, New York 10036
(212) 239-6200

Mamma Mia! (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Mama Mia!"

This musical is a wow! If you love the music of ABBA, you're not going to want to miss this in NYC. Tickets are pretty easy to get, but it's a very popular show. This is such a fun musical about Sophie, who is getting married and doesn't know who her father is, but thanks to the help of her mom's diary, she has three possible fathers. So she invites all three to find out who the real father is before the wedding. There's great music with such classics as "Dancing Queen," "Under Attack," "Mama Mia," and many many more. This is one musical that will have you leaving the theater saying, "Mama mia, I want to go again!" See you in the dark. This show is great for families!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Mamma Mia! (The Show)
Winter Garden Theatre / 1634 Broadway New York, New York 10019

Miserables (Les)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Les Miserables"

This now is one of the oldest shows on Broadway, and it doesn't have too much longer to go. After a very long history of night after night of "One Day More," the Broadway show will soon be coming to a sweet bitter end. I'm not sure just when the show is closing, but I think it's here for the next few months. The show runs 3 hours long and is a wonderful story with wonderful music--a treat for the whole family. You should go and see it, just because it is such a famous show and soon will be gone. The special effects are amazing . . . but, the last time I was in NYC, I thought the cast was just a little weak. So if you have seen it before, go see something new, but if it's your first time in NYC, do yourself a favor and go see Les Miz. See you in the dark!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Miserables (Les)
Imperial Theater / 249 W. 45th St. New York, New York

Lion King (The Show)Best of IgoUgo

Attraction | "The Lion King"

OK, I didn't want to go and see this show. I had no desire to see Disney on Broadway. I knew it was going to be huge and amazing . . . but it was really HUGE AND AMAZING! This and Beauty and the Beastand Aida are the best shows to take young children to on Broadway. This is the best one! In the first five minutes of the show, I was in tears. You will not believe your eyes: huge animals walking through the theater, a chorus like you wouldn't believe, and AMAZING SPECIAL EFFECTS!!! AMAZING!! Yes, they do keep to the movie script, but they added so much more. They added great new songs and African chants. You will be very glad you went to see this. But I must tell you, the chances on getting tickets to this are very, very slim. Get tickets in advance; don't wait for the day of the show, or forget about it! See you in the dark!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Lion King (The Show)
New Amsterdam Theatre New York, New York 10036

Beauty and the BeastBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This show is great to take children to. It's also great to take small children who have never been to the theater before. They know the story, they sing with the songs, and it's also very fun for the adults as well. They added some songs for the stage production, and some great special effects are done on stage--like the beast in the end, spinning in the air and transforming into the prince. It's a great show, but if you don't have kids, you might want to stay away, or if you want to go and see a Disney show, try the Lion King. See you in the dark!
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 30, 2003

Beauty and the Beast
Lunt-Fontanne Theatre (205 W. 46th St.) New York, New York 10036
(212) 575-9200

Aida - The musicalBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Aida plays at the great Palace! This is the theater that many actors wanted to be a part of at one time. If you played the Palace, you had finally made it! So that alone is a great reason to go and see Aida. The show itself is yet another Disney show, and if you have a chance to see this over Beauty and the Beast, go and see this one. It's a great show for families. See you in the dark!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Broadwayj1 on January 31, 2003

Aida - The musical
Palace Theatre (Broadway) New York, New York

About the Writer

Broadwayj1
Broadwayj1
Fishers, Indiana

Get the Word Out

Share this travel journal beyond IgoUgo with your favorite sharing tools.