Broadway hosts the absolute best of the best productions, and the new arrivals this year are no exception! Since there is always so many things to do in NYC all the time, and shows are constantly coming and going, it’s hard to keep track of what’s currently on. To make it a little easier, we’ve compiled a list of productions that are kicking off in 2023! From comedies to musicals, we’ve got you covered.
1. Fat Ham
A 2023 twist on the classic Shakespeare play “Hamlet,” this production written by James Ijames features a similar plot line of a protagonist navigating the death of his father and a deceitful uncle. The twist though? Juicy, the play’s main character is a queer, Black, Southern college kid trying to find himself while things unfold around him. From an uproarious family cookout emerges a compelling examination of love and loss, pain and joy, and revenge. Previews begin on March 21 ahead of an official opening on April 12.
Where: American Airlines Theatre, 227 W 42nd St
2. Life of Pi
Adapted from Yann Martel’s best-selling novel Life of Pi, this production tells the tale of a 16 year-old boy named Pi who becomes stranded on a lifeboat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean with an odd companion – a Royal Bengal tiger. With time and nature working against them, the two work together and develop a warm relationship to try and help them survive the circumstances. Previews begin on March 9 ahead of an official opening on March 30.
Where: Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, 236 W 45th St
3. Pictures From Home
Bringing to life a photo memoir about a family who photographed their entire life, Nathan Lane, Danny Burstein and Zoë Wanamaker star in this comic and dramatic Broadway production. Adapted to the stage, the show touches on themes of childhood memories, parenthood, and the vicissitudes that comprise familial relationships. Previews begin on January 13 ahead of an official opening on February 9.
Where: Studio 54, 254 W 54th St
4. Prima Facie
Jodie Comer stars in Prima Facie as Tessa, a young and brilliant legal barrister who’s worked her way up the ranks through the middle class lawyers and to the top of the game. After an unexpected event occurs, she finds herself in a battle where patriarchal power of the law, burden of proof and morals diverge. Previews begin on April 11 ahead of an official opening on April 23.
Where: John Golden Theatre, 252 W 45th St
5. Bad Cinderella
Exploring themes of beauty shaming with a modern twist of classic Cinderella, this fairy-tale musical comedy from Andrew Lloyd Webber tells the story of how Cinderella constantly craves the utmost perfection amongst the already flawless residents and royals of Belleville. She’ll even go as far as to change her physical appearance…before realizing it’s probably better to just be herself. Previews begin on February 17 ahead of an official opening on March 23.
Where: Imperial Theatre, 249 W 45th St
6. A Doll’s House
Starring Academy Award® winner Jessica Chastain and directed by Tony® nominee Jamie Lloyd, this reinvention of the 1879 play outlines the life of Nora Helmer, a childlike wife and mother who has to confront the truths of her marriage to her husband Torvald, even though her whole existence is built around his life. Previews begin on February 13 ahead of an official opening on March 9.
Where: Hudson Theatre, 139-141 W 44th St
7. Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’
Dedicated to the art of dance, Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’ will return to Broadway 41 years after the original smash-hit production took its final bow! Complete with an eclectic score that spans a multitude of musical genres, a great cast of accomplished Broadway dancers, and passionate emotion, it will have you wanting to get out of your seat and dance yourself. Previews begin on March 2 ahead of an official opening on March 19.
Where: Music Box Theatre, 239 W 45 St
8. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
After being unjustly exiled by a lustful judge, this production follows the life of barber Sweeney Todd as he returns to London to seek revenge. When he arrives, he befriends a woman named Mrs. Lovett who owns a failing pie shop… making it the perfect place to reopen his new barber shop. Once Todd’s thirst for blood takes over (including use a secret ingredient in her meat pies to his advantage), it turns to carnage and Fleet Street gets flipped on its head. This all-star cast also includes Josh Groban, Annaleigh Ashord, Gaten Matarazzo, and many more. Previews begin on February 26 ahead of an official opening on March 26.
Where: Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, 205 W 46th St
9. New York, New York
It’s time to be a part of it! This show depicted around 1946 New York City is a love letter to the best city on Earth. This musical illustrates NYC during its resurgent rebuild and how society and culture was thriving during it. With an exhilarating new score by the incomparable John Kander and Fred Ebb, and storytelling by David Thompson and Sharon Washington, with additional lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, you’ll be beautifully whisked through the city that never sleeps. Previews begin on March 24 ahead of an official opening on April 26.
Where: St. James Theatre 246 W 44th St
10. Shucked
This feel-good production which on the surface, is about corn…is much deeper than that. When the people of Cobb County (who live in an outside world surrounded by a tall wall of prosperous corn) have their lifestyle challenged, they send out a character named Maizy to get help from the “real world.” On a deeper level, there are many moral-based themes at play, including the clash of values between a small town and big city, the importance of keeping an open mind, and working through division to achieve unity. Previews begin on March 8 ahead of an official opening on April 4.
Where: Nederlander Theatre, 208 W 41st St
11. Camelot
After King Arthur establishes the kingdom of Camelot and the Knights of the Round Table (who constantly fight for justice and what’s right), an ironic turn of events happen when his philosophy comes crumbling down and his wife Guenevere falls in love with his favorite knight, Sir Lancelot. Previews begin on March 9 ahead of an official opening on April 13.
Where: Vivian Beaumont Theater, 150 W 65th St
12. Once Upon a One More Time
Soundtracked by famous hits by Britney Spears, this witty and heartwarming production is based on classic fairy-tales. Take a journey through mystical fairy-tales and find a “happy ever after” as you sing along to chart-topping hits by the undisputed Princess of Pop. Previews begin on May 13 ahead of an official opening on June 22.
Where: Marquis Theatre, 46th Street between Broadway & 8th Avenue
13. Back to the Future: The Musical
Take a trip down memory lane as you watch Marty McFly and his time-traveling DeLorean like you never have before. Set in the style of a musical, Marty and his friend Dr. Emmett Brown will attempt to sing and dance their way back to 1985… as long as his high school-aged parents fall in love in order to save his own existence. Previews begin on June 30 ahead of an official opening on August 3.
Where: Winter Garden Theatre, 1634 Broadway
Bonus: 7 Best Broadway Shows Leaving Soon
- 1776 (through Jan 8): Based on the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the story of 1776 follows John Adams who was pushing for American freedom (at a time when few people cared for his opinions). Watch the famous American figure attempt to win over the colonial crowd and push forward one of the most famous documents of all time.
- Almost Famous (through Jan 8): Everyone’s dreamt of going on tour with their favorite band, and for 15-year-old William Miller, that’s what he gets. As an aspiring journalist, Rolling Stone hires him to go on tour with an upcoming rock and roll band and learn the industry. From there, the hilarious events that ensue are headlined by his love for music and celebration of family and fandom.
- Kimberly Akimbo (through Jan 8): Kimberly Akimbo is a New Jersey teenager that looks like she’s 72 years old. Thanks to her rare aging disease and borderline illegal family secrets, she tries to maneuver her way through life as any normal teen would. Time isn’t on her side though, so she has to move quick!
- Death of a Salesman (through Jan 15): The American Dream is the end goal; at least in the mind of main character Willy Loman. This play portrays the chase of this dream through the perspective of a traveling salesman. Plus, considering their African American heritage, they find it even more difficult to find the ultimate illusion of “American perfection.”
- Topdog/Underdong (through Jan 15): Topdog/Underdog follows the lives of two brothers, Lincoln and Booth, who got their names jokingly from their father that abandoned them. Now in their 30s, the two look to recreate their lives, but not without some negative influences including gambling, shoplifting, and crime.
- The Collaboration (through Jan 28): It’s New York in 1984, and two of the most popular artists are working on a collaboration of a lifetime. When Andy Warhol asks the up and coming Jean-Michel Basquiat to work together on an art exhibit, the rest is history. This play dives into both of their creative processes, but also the personal journeys they embark on with each other along the way.
- Piano Lesson (through Jan 29): Starring Danielle Brooks and Samuel L. Jackson, The Piano Lesson is about two siblings battling each other for their family’s prize possession, a piano with their ancestor’s carved faces in it. Will the brother build fortune and sell it, or will the daughter keep it and preserve family heritage? Find out as they revisit their history and come to a decision