How to choose a Broadway show when you don’t know what to see

You have decided to see a Broadway show. Now you just have to choose between musicals, plays, revivals, celebrity-led limited runs and long-running blockbusters, all competing for the same spot on your calendar.

The most popular show is not automatically the right show for you. A spectacular three-hour musical might be perfect for a first visit, while a sharp 90-minute comedy or intimate drama could be a better match for your group.

Instead of searching for the single “best” show on Broadway, start by deciding what kind of experience you want. Once you answer a few practical questions, the crowded list of options gets much easier to navigate.

How to choose the best Broadway show for your plans

The right Broadway show depends on your group, preferred style, available time and appetite for something familiar or new. The factors below can help you narrow the options and build a shortlist that actually fits your plans.

Decide whether you want a Broadway musical or play

One of the easiest ways to start is by choosing between a musical and a play. Both can deliver an unforgettable experience, but they usually feel very different.

Musicals combine acting with songs, choreography, live music and larger production elements. They are often the safest choice for first-time Broadway visitors, tourists and groups whose tastes do not perfectly align. Productions such as “Wicked,” “The Lion King,” “Hamilton” and “MJ” offer the scale and energy many people imagine when they picture Broadway.

Plays rely more heavily on dialogue, acting and storytelling. Some are serious dramas, while others are fast-paced comedies, thrillers or visually ambitious adaptations. A play can still feature elaborate scenery and effects, but the experience is generally less focused on musical spectacle.

A play can be every bit as entertaining and easy to follow as a musical. Productions such as “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” use major illusions and stage effects, while comedies can move faster than many full-length musicals.

Choose the kind of Broadway experience you want

Once you know whether you are leaning toward a musical or play, think about how you want the show to feel.

For a big Broadway spectacle, look for large ensembles, elaborate scenery, recognizable songs and choreography-driven productions. For something more emotional, choose a character-focused musical or drama. If you mainly want to laugh, focus on musical comedies, irreverent productions and shorter comedic plays.

The show with the most hype is not always the right match. A serious drama may be brilliant but wrong for a celebratory trip, just as a high-energy jukebox musical may not satisfy someone looking for a complex story.

Think about how you want to feel when you leave the theater, whether that means laughing from start to finish, getting swept up in a big spectacle or sitting with a story that stays with you afterward. That answer can tell you more than any list of award winners.

Pick a show that works for your group

The right production can change completely depending on whether you are going with children, friends, a date or experienced theater fans.

Families should look beyond a familiar title and check the show’s age recommendation, content advisory and runtime. “The Lion King” and “Aladdin” are popular family choices because the stories are recognizable and there is plenty happening onstage to keep younger viewers engaged.

At most Broadway theaters, children under 4 are not admitted, though the exact policy is set by each theater and production. Every admitted audience member needs their own ticket, so check the individual show rules before bringing a young child.

For a date night, think about whether you want romance, comedy or something more emotionally intense. The show does not have to be romantic. It just needs to give you something to talk about afterward.

Groups of friends often do well with funny, fast-moving musicals or productions built around familiar songs. Birthday groups may want something lively, while theater fans may be more excited by a new play, unusual revival or limited engagement.

When everyone wants something different, choose the show most people will be excited to see rather than the one only a single person is campaigning for.

Start with what you already know

A familiar song, story or performer can make the choice easier. “MJ” and “& Juliet” are natural starting points for pop fans, while adaptations such as “The Great Gatsby” and “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” let you enter the theater already knowing the world or characters.

You do not need to learn the entire plot before going. Listen to a song or two or watch a short official performance clip to get a feel for the show without spoiling its biggest moments.

Then decide whether you want a proven Broadway hit or something newer. Long-running shows are easier to research because there are years of clips and audience reactions, while a new production may give you the chance to see an original cast or catch a show before it becomes widely known.

Limited runs add more urgency. Check the closing date and any dates tied to a celebrity performer before buying. The Broadway staple may still be there on your next trip, while the new play or revival may not be.

Use reviews to get a feel for the show

Reviews can help you understand the tone, pace and overall experience before you buy.

Read a few and pay attention to the details people keep mentioning. If several reviewers say the show takes time to get going, leans heavily on spectacle or hits harder emotionally than expected, you will have a much better sense of whether it is right for you.

Do not let a star rating make the decision. A review is most useful when it helps you picture the show, not when it simply tells you whether someone liked it.

Check the practical details

A show can sound perfect until you realize it runs nearly three hours, does not play when you are free or is out of your price range.

Check the runtime, whether there is an intermission and the exact curtain time before making dinner or post-show plans. Broadway schedules vary by production, so do not assume every show has the same matinee days or begins at 7 or 8 p.m.

If you are buying mainly to see one performer, review the production’s cast schedule for planned absences or alternate performances. It is also worth checking age recommendations, content advisories and sensory warnings, especially when attending with children or anyone sensitive to flashing lights or loud effects.

Finally, compare prices across a few shows and performance dates. Weeknights and some matinees may cost less than weekend evenings, while rush tickets, lotteries and standing-room options can lower the price if you are comfortable with limited availability or an unknown seat location.

Still having trouble deciding on a Broadway show? Use this test

By now, you may have a few shows left on your list. Instead of comparing every award, review and cast recording again, bring the decision back to the three things that matter most:

1. Musical or play? Do you want songs and spectacle or a performance driven more by dialogue and acting?

2. Familiar favorite or rare opportunity? Would you rather see a Broadway staple you already know or a new production, limited run or celebrity cast you may not get another chance to catch?

3. What fits this outing? Are you looking to laugh, get swept up in a major production or see a story that stays with you after the curtain comes down?

The show that best answers those three questions is your best bet. Broadway has too many great productions to find one that is perfect for everyone, but you only need to find the one that feels right for this trip.

Find the Broadway show you cannot wait to see with SeatGeek

Once you have your shortlist, compare the available dates and Broadway ticket prices on SeatGeek. A weeknight performance, matinee or different section may make the show you want easier to fit into your plans and budget.

Open the event-specific seating map to see what is available throughout the theater, then use Deal Score to compare the price and location of each listing. If you are not ready to buy, set a price alert and follow the show for changes.

Every qualified order is backed by our Buyer Guarantee, so if your tickets are not delivered on time, are not valid for entry or do not match what you ordered, SeatGeek will help make it right.

Choose the show that has you counting down to curtain time, find your seat and let Broadway take it from there.