When tickets to see Hamilton are the price of a flight home and you still haven't won the Ham4Ham lottery after entering every day for the past three years... it's time to broaden your horizons. After all, you don't really want to go home not seeing a single musical on Broadway by the time you graduate, do you?
Ticket Central at NYU offers discounted Broadway tickets. You pay a fraction of the amount you would typically spend on a Broadway show, which is especially great if you're on a budget. (Typically <$50, depending on what you're trying to see.) All you have to do is log into Global Home and search for the NYU Box Office, and then follow the link to Discount NYC Events.
Here are some of the best musicals on and off-Broadway.
*Disclaimer: Unfortunately, some of these have ended their run on Broadway. You may still be able to see them in other cities (which is likely), or if they decide to do a revival (which is less likely).
1. Book of Mormon
Book of Mormon is hands-down one of the best musicals I’ve ever seen on Broadway. If you're anything like me, you'll find yourself humming one of their songs days after you see the musical.
Go if you want to die laughing.
2. Jersey Boys
Maybe you haven't heard of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons. But you've definitely heard one of their greatest hits, "Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You" if you've ever seen Ten Things I Hate About You (1999). The song is covered by Heath Ledger's character in the film.
A very well executed musical that I would highly recommend.
3. Wicked
Ever wondered why the Wicked Witch of the West was so wicked? Ever wondered what really happened in Oz before Dorothy showed up? Or was there anything you just didn't get in the original book or movie? This classic retelling of The Wizard of Oz is your answer.
Go for the story, stay for the music.
4. Fun Home
Based on Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical graphic novel of the same name, Fun Home is a great musical for anyone regardless of where they are in the coming out process to watch with their friends and allies.
5. Avenue Q
A hilarious Sesame-Street style R-rated off-Broadway musical. Go if you want your childhood ruined.
[No Longer Running]
6. Les Miserables
This Broadway classic is one of my absolute all-time favorites.
For someone who doesn't cry while watching movies, I teared up watching the musical live.
Les Miz is currently on their North American tour.
7. Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
A boy named Christopher John Francis Boone, who is on the spectrum, sets out to solve the mystery behind the death of his neighbor’s dog. It's not a musical, so don't be too disappointed if they don't start singing.
8. The Color Purple
A really touching musical set in the deep South, which follows a young woman named Celie and explores her turbulent relationship with God.
Others
You can't really go wrong seeing one of the classics on Broadway. The Lion King, the Phantom of the Opera... there are so many to choose from!
