10 Best Broadway Shows to See in 2024

For the former theater critic, a new season means a flood of requests from friends, family, their friends and so on with suggestions on what to watch. Luckily, there’s plenty of choice this fall, including shows starring some of the biggest celebrities on Earth. Oscar winner Robert Downey Jr. makes his Broadway debut and is joined on stage by Mia Farrow, Katie Holmes and Rachel Zegler. Throw in some TV and pop stars – Jim Parsons, Julianna Margulies, Peter Gallagher, Nicole Scherzinger – and the season isn’t just promising, it’s definitely one of the best. And that’s not even counting Broadway’s true royalty: Patti LuPone, James Monroe Iglehart and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald will play some of musical theatre’s most iconic characters. Need specifics? Here are 10 shows you need to get tickets to now.

“Roommate”

Booth Theatre, 222 W. 45th St. theroommatebway.com

New York Times calls it “the most unexpected double act of the New Broadway season.” Mia Farrow is returning to Broadway for the first time since 1979, when she was seen in “Romantic Comedy” (not counting two staged readings). And Patty LuPone is back, despite give up your share card in 2022 (apparently, she will still be allowed to appear, subject to payment of the necessary fees). Jen Silverman’s play tells the story of the unlikely friendship between two middle-aged women who are unlikely to be roommates.

“McNeil”

Vivian Beaumont Theater, Lincoln Center, 150 W. 65th St. mcnealbroadway.com

Robert Downey Jr. makes his Broadway debut as a famed writer obsessed with artificial intelligence in Ayad Akhtar’s new play (Disgraced). The Oscar winner shares the stage with Ruthie Ann Miles, Andrea Martin and, interestingly, her own digital likeness as the play explores the complexities of smart technology.

“Our City”

Ethel Barrymore Theatre, 243 W. 47th St.; ourtownbroadway.com

Thornton Wilder’s play about everyday life in Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire, “stands at the top of the Mount Rushmore of the great American theater,” director Kenny Leon told The New York Times. Hollywood Reporter. Jim Parsons stars in the series alongside Zoey Deutch and Katie Holmes, giving it even more star power. This is the play’s first revival in nearly 25 years, and it won the Pulitzer Prize in 1938.

“Tenth left”

James Earl Jones Theater, 138 W. 48 St.; leftontenthbroadway.com

Two TV actors take to the stage in Delia Ephron’s new play based on her best-selling memoir. Julianna Margulies (The Good Wife) plays a novelist and screenwriter who is involved with a past romance, played by Peter Gallagher (Gracie and Frankie). As with any true story, things get a little confusing.

“Romeo + Juliet”

Circle on the Square, 235 W. 50th St.; romeoandjulietnyc.com

Rachel Zegler played Maria in the recent film version of West Side Story. Now she has the opportunity to study the original material. She stars in director Sam Gold’s new production of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy, alongside Keith Connor (Heartstopper), who does some really impressive pull ups in the show.

“Sunset Boulevard”

St. James Theatre, 246 W. 44 St. SunsetblvdBroadway.com

Nicole Scherzinger, former lead singer of the Pussycat Dolls, fresh from an Olivier Award-winning run in London (Britain’s Tony), gives a brilliant performance as the consummate diva Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gripping musical. This is a simple performance, without luxurious scenery and a spiral staircase. Instead of sweeping robes and turbans, Scherzinger spends most of the performance barefoot, wearing a simple black jumpsuit. Really ready for her close-up.

“Wonderful World”

Studio 54, st. 254 g. 54, louisarmstrongmusical.com

James Monroe Iglehart (everyone’s favorite stage genie in Aladdin) plays renowned trumpeter Louis Armstrong, with behind-the-scenes support from producer Vanessa Williams and orchestrator Branford Marsalis. The biographical musical, which includes songs such as “When You’re Smiling,” explores the influence of his four wives on his life.

“Tammy Fay”

Palace Theater, st. 160 W, 47, tammyebway.com

“Broadway is where the greatest stories are told, and Tammy Faye’s story was made for the stage,” says Elton John, who wrote the songs for the new musical. Starring Kathy Braben as late evangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, the series also stars Christian Borle as her charismatic husband, evangelist James Bakker.

“Death Becomes Her”

Lunt Fontanna Theater, 205 W. 46 St., Deathbecomesher.com

Based on the 1992 film starring Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn, the series explores the relationship between two longtime enemies – an aspiring writer (Jennifer Simard, Company) and the actress who steals her husband (Megan Hilty, Mayhem). Is youth the answer for any of them? The show has a lot of fun trying to answer that question.

“Gypsy”

Majestic Theatre, 245 W. 44 St.; gypsybway.com

Six-time Tony winner Audra McDonald will star as one of Broadway’s most iconic characters as Mama Rose, a role many fans have been anticipating for years. The Stephen Sondheim and Jules Styne classic, based on the memoir of stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, features some of Sondheim’s most beloved songs, including “Everything’s Coming Up Roses” and the stunning “Rose’s Turn.”

Off Broadway

One of the biggest names on stage is heading off-Broadway this season. Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh stars in Shakespeare’s King Lear (October 26–December 15 at the Shed, theshed.org). Other big names include Adam Driver, who stars in Kenneth Lonergan’s Hold On to Me Darling (September 24–December 22, Lucille Lortel Theatre), Holdontomedarling.com), as well as Jane Krakowski, Neil Patrick Harris and Debra Messing, who appeared in Robert O’Hara’s film “Shit.Meet.Fan”. (October 10-November 17, MCC Theater, mcctheater.org).