What’s actually worth seeing on Broadway right now? Here’s my take after five shows.

One of my favorite things to do in New York is go to a Broadway show. There’s something about stepping out of the chaos of the city and campus into a theatre for a few hours that never gets old.

Over the course of freshman year, I saw five shows (I’ll take any excuse to buy a ticket), and if you’re ever debating whether a show is worth going for, here’s my honest roundup. 

1. Cabaret
The current revival of Cabaret doesn’t feel like a traditional Broadway experience. From the moment you enter, the theatre is transformed into the Kit Kat Club, completely blurring the line between audience and performer.

Set in 1930s Berlin as the Nazi regime rises, the story unfolds gradually, shifting from indulgent and playful to extremely serious. What stood out to me about this production was its intimacy. You feel uncomfortably close to the characters and through them to the political tension that the show ultimately gets at.

This show is not a passive watch; it’s immersive and emotionally heavy in the best way. 

2. Wicked (My 4th time seeing this classic!)
Even if you know the songs, or have seen the movie, seeing Wicked live on Broadway is different. The scale of the production, from the sweeping sets to the intricate costumes and the flying sequences, delivers exactly what you’d hope for. It feels big in a way that only live theatre can.

But at its core, Wicked is about friendship, the relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, and how two people can mean everything to each other even if they end up on different paths. Everything about the show completely transports you. For a few hours, you’re not in Midtown anymore, you’re in Oz.

3. Chess
Chess centers on two international chess champions competing during the Cold War. The show transforms what could feel niche into something extremely gripping.

It’s driven heavily by its score, which is intense and incredibly vocally demanding. And this cast absolutely delivers. With Lea Michele, Aaron Tveit, and Nicholas Christopher leading the production, the vocal power on stage is undeniable. Each of them brings a distinct emotional weight to their roles, making the political stakes feel deeply intertwined with the characters’ relationships.

I liked it so much that I waited outside the stage door for an hour, in the cold, just to get autographs.

4. &Juliet
& Juliet reimagines Shakespeare’s heroine by giving her a second chance and a pop soundtrack to match. Instead of ending in tragedy, Juliet gets to decide what her life looks like next.

The costumes are bold and colorful, the choreography is high-energy, and the entire production doesn’t take itself too seriously. The soundtrack is packed with songs everyone already knows, hits from the Backstreet Boys, Katy Perry, and other early 2000s staples which makes the whole theatre feel involved.

It’s definitely one of the lighter shows I saw this year and is easy to enjoy with a big group of friends!

5. Death Becomes Her
Based on the cult classic film, Death Becomes Her leans fully into dark comedy and camp. The premise, eternal youth gone wrong, creates the perfect setup for exaggerated performances, over-the-top drama, and bold theatrical effects.

The cast embraces the absurdity without hesitation, and the physical comedy is genuinely sharp. The timing is precise, the reactions are exaggerated in the best way, and the show knows exactly how ridiculous it is.

And when Michelle Williams sang “Siempre Viva,” my jaw was fully on the floor. I also genuinely don’t think I’ve laughed that much at a Broadway show before.

Each of these shows gave me something different, and that’s what I love most about it. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Image via Bwarchives