Ask any native New Yorker and they’ll tell you: fall is the perfect time of year in the Big Apple. The leaves changing in Central park, the weather cooling from the relentless summer heat, pumpkin spice lattes on every street corner — it’s all magic straight out of a Nora Ephron fantasy.
The arrival of autumn also means it’s time for a new chapter on Broadway, with the fall slate of theater including electrifying new musicals, revivals with a modern twist, and major names from the worlds of music and entertainment stepping into the spotlight to star in crowd-pleasing favorites.
Below, we’ve rounded up seven of the best NYC Broadway shows for the whole family to enjoy starting this fall— from long-running Disney classics to new musicals from the likes of Jack Antonoff and Elton John. Scroll through the discovery guide and check out our picks for this season’s can’t-miss shows. You can also find some frequently asked questions about Broadway towards the end.
Aladdin
There’s a party going on in Agrabah, and it’s happening eight times a week at the New Amsterdam Theatre. The Broadway re-telling of the 1992 animated Disney classic brings the story of Aladdin, Princess Jasmine, the Genie and more to vivid life with favorite songs like “A Friend Like Me,” “Prince Ali,” and “A Whole New World,” plus multiple musical numbers written by the late Howard Ashman and Tim Rice that were cut from the original film like sentimental tearjerker “Proud of Your Boy.”
The Lion King
Hakuna matata! Now the highest-grossing Broadway production of all time, The Lion King has enchanted generations of kids since it first debuted on the Great White Way in 1997. The lavish production incorporates giant puppets and mind-boggling costuming as the actors on stage transform into Simba, Nala, Rafiki, Scar, Timon, Pumbaa, Mufasa and more. It’s a perfect show to introduce kids to the magic of Broadway, and the whole family will recognize songs like “Can You Feel The Love Tonight,” “I Just Can’t Wait to Be King” and “Circle of Life.”
Moulin Rouge! The Musical
It’s been more than four years since Moulin Rouge! The Musical dominated the 74th Tony Awards, taking home 10 trophies including Best Musical. Since then, the show has continued transporting audiences back to the Belle Époque, where a dashing young composer named Christian falls for Satine, the star of the famous Parisian cabaret Moulin Rouge. Taking cues from the 2001 movie musical of the same name, the jukebox musical provides a feast for the senses as the star-crossed pair fall in love to the sounds of “Lady Marmalade,” “Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend,” the famous “Elephant Love Medley” and more. This fall, come see Aaron Tveit return to his Tony-winning role as Christian opposite JoJo as Satine.
Get tickets to Moulin Rouge! The Musical.
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child
Return to the Wizarding World as the next generation of Harry Potter stars make their mark at Hogwarts…and the very history of magic. Albus Severus Potter may be the younger son of the Boy Who Lived, but his experience at school is far from his famous father’s glory days. Not only does Albus get sorted into Slytherin, his only friend is Scorpius Malfoy — son of Harry’s old rival Draco — and the pair find themselves relentlessly bullied at the very bottom of Hogwarts’ social hierarchy. Getting their hands on a powerful prototype of a Time-Turner, Albus and Scorpius are determined to rewrite the past and travel back to a time filled with familiar faces like Cedric Diggory, Dumbledore, Snape and even the return of He Who Must Not Be Named.
Get tickets to Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.
Hadestown
Based on the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hadestown tackles themes of romance, tragedy, politics, freedom and even climate change as the ill-fated lovers travel to hell and back and face off against Hades, god of the underworld. With music by Anais Mitchell, the tragic tale won eight Tony Awards — including Best Musical — in 2019 and has been playing at the Walter Kerr Theatre ever since.
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome to Cabaret! Visit the Kit Kat Club for an unforgettable romp through 1931 Berlin, where Sally Bowles is the decadent main attraction in the starry-eyed revival of Kander and Ebb’s Tony-winning musical. Cabaret stars Eddie Redmayne as Emcee and Gayle Rankin as Sally Bowles through September 14. Starting September 16, the Tony nominees will be replaced, respectively, by Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho. And don’t forget to head to the August Wilson Theatre early for the spectacular new Prologue by the Kit Kat Club Band!
Get tickets to Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club.
Romeo + Juliet
Shakespeare’s timeless tale of star-crossed love and doomed romance gets a modern update in the new Broadway adaptation opening at Circle in the Square Theatre on September 26. Starring Kit Connor and Rachel Zegler, Romeo + Juliet will be directed by Sam Gold and feature music by Jack Antonoff and movement by Sonya Tayeh as the young lovers once again break conventions amid the never-ending war between the Montague and Capulet families.
Get tickets to Romeo + Juliet.
Tammy Faye
Arriving in New York after a run on London’s West End, Tammy Faye will be the first new musical to open at the iconic Palace Theatre since its reopening this summer. With previews beginning October 19, the biographical musical tells the groundbreaking story of Tammy Faye Bakker (played by Katie Brayben), her husband Jim Bakker (played by Christian Borle) and the couple’s rise in the world of televangelism as they built an empire on their personalities and evangelist values — only to be marred by scandal, jealousy and behind-the-scenes machinations. With music by Elton John and lyrics by Jake Shears of Scissor Sisters, Tammy Faye is ultimately a testament to Tammy Faye’s resilience, one-of-a-kind character and determination to lead with love.
What are the best shows on Broadway right now?
Aladdin, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child and Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club are just some of the top shows you can see on Broadway this season.
What is the most popular Broadway show?
The popularity of a show can be determined by a number of factors, including tenure and star power. Shows like Aladdin, Hamilton and Wicked continue to be bestsellers into 2024, along with The Lion King, which sits at the top of the list of highest-grossing musical theater productions of all time.
What are some new Broadway shows?
Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club is one of the top newer Broadway shows that you can see, along with Romeo + Juliet, which opens in September 2024, and Tammy Faye, for which performances begin in October 2024.
How much is a Broadway show in NYC?
Ticket prices for Broadway shows depend on a variety of factors, including the show, seat location, performance date and time, and when the tickets are purchased. The average ticket for a Broadway show can cost between $50 and $300.
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