In this article, we’ll explore the top 20 best Broadway shows since the 1970s. Some of these may have been performed Off-Broadway too, but all have enjoyed successful runs on Broadway primarily.

First, though, let’s explore what ‘Broadway’ actually means.

Broadway Defined

Everyone knows the term ‘Broadway’, but do we really understand what it means?

Without a doubt, Broadway is one of the most important elements of the global arts culture. People travel from all over the world to watch New York City’s legendary Broadway shows. Indeed, it’s one of the many things tourists feel they have to do when they visit the Big Apple, and is as much a part of the city’s DNA as the Empire State Building or Central Park.

What is Broadway? Put simply, Broadway isn’t just one individual theatre: it actually applies to 41 different professional venues based in the Theater District and Lincoln Center on Midtown Manhattan’s Broadway. Each of these theatres has at least 500 seats.

Broadway generates a huge amount of revenue, and provides many new performers with the chance to make a name for themselves in one of the most vibrant arts scenes in the world. Established actors and singers perform on Broadway too, attracted by the sense of history and tradition.

Having big stars in shows is more beneficial for its success, and the overall theatre scene. Why? Because a performer’s fans may attend the show to support the actor or singer, even if they have never visited a theatre before. Likewise, the presence of a known face can help to make a show seem more exciting and appealing to total newcomers.

Stars such as Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Jason Alexander, and Lea Michele all performed on Broadway before they achieved mainstream success. Established stars such as Al Pacino and Bruce Willis have taken to Broadway decades after becoming household names, though these two in particular came under criticism for their weak performances.

Some of the most well-known Broadway theatres include the Ambassador Theatre, August Wilson Theatre, Broadway Theatre (of course!), Circle in the Square Theatre, Hayes Theatre, Hudson Theatre, Lyceum Theatre, the Palace Theatre, and the Schubert Theatre. Each of these has been home to numerous shows over the years, varying from darker fare to more bombastic, family-friendly performances.

The 20 Best Broadway Shows

The Allure of History and Cultural Value

There really is something magical about the sense of history and artistic endeavour on Broadway, bringing millions of people from all over the world to soak it up.

Broadway is a long, wide street running the entire length of Manhattan, starting at Bowling Green’s southernmost point all the way into the Bronx. This is actually the oldest street in the Big Apple (running from north to south, at least), and was in place before New York City became a thriving settlement.

Broadway is also referred to the Theater District and The Great White Way, as it was one of the first of the United States’ streets to be equipped with electrical illumination. This continues to give the area its own special charm, as countless bulbs in billboards and marquees create a stunning glow.

Anyone would be hard pressed to walk through Broadway and feel anything other than mesmerised at the sheer amount of light and energy.

So many creative men and women have contributed to Broadway over the decades, crafting shows and musicals that capture audiences’ imaginations so well they keep coming back for years. There’s something for every taste and lifestyle on Broadway too, from the magic-based fun of Wicked and the family-friendly charm of The Lion King to the darker fare of Rent.

Broadway’s shows also reveal different aspects of the human experience, representing diverse races and cultures in funny, serious, and inspiring ways. Audiences can gain an insight into the lives of others they may not get anywhere else, all while surrounded by some of the oldest, most beloved theatres in the United States.

What Makes a Broadway Show a Success?

Multiple different elements contribute to a successful Broadway show.

A strong score / songs that really connect with audiences is one of the most important aspects of the best Broadway shows in NYC. A song like ‘Memory’ from Cats or ‘Circle of Life’ from The Lion King can evoke powerful emotional reactions in people, and move them to tears. This alone can give any Broadway show a real edge.

The story itself is vital too. Narratives that feature likeable characters, a coherent structure, impressive dialogue between actors, and resonant themes can all help to make a Broadway show a hit.

Of course, the actors on stage matter as well. While many of the best Broadway shows feature unknown performers and achieve huge success, having household names headlining them can draw big audiences in. This ensures ‘new blood’ discovers the joys of the theatre and increases the chances of them developing a lifelong affinity for shows, helping to safeguard the future of Broadway.

Broadway shows can obviously go on to run for years and years, bringing people into New York City purely to experience them. Others – such as Hairspray, Rent, Chicago, and more – are so successful they spawn big-screen adaptations, which only feed back into the show by inspiring them to watch the original material.

Fans of Broadway shows can rest assured that it will always remain a key part of New York City’s cultural identity, and keep producing exciting new work that benefits the entire theatre industry.