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On The Table Read, “the best entertainment magazine in the UK“, Broadway Inbound share the top four musical theatre shows on Broadway that you must see while visiting New York.
New York City remains one of the most popular long-distance travel destinations for Europeans. Now that wanderlust has taken hold of us, the Big Apple is once again very popular with travellers and a visit to the most famous theatre street in the world is a must. After all, no trip to New York is complete without at least one visit to Broadway. But which show should it be?
With so much to choose from, it’s easy to lose track. Together with The Broadway Collection, we bring light into the darkness and present four Broadway classics that you must see while in the Big Apple!
The Phantom of the Opera
No musical has been running on Broadway as long as this one: The Phantom of the Opera has been one of Broadway’s absolute classics since 1988. Winner of seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical, the show has been performed over 13,000 times and has thrilled audiences in their millions.
The story, based on the novel by Gaston Leroux, tells of a mysterious phantom who haunts the stage of the Paris Opera House and falls in love with a beautiful young soprano – one of the most touching love stories ever.
New York travellers can look forward to an exciting evening of theatre set to the incomparable music of Andrew Lloyd Webber.
Chicago
The performances of Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones aka “Roxie Hart” and “Velma Kelly” in the Oscar-winning hit film “Chicago” are truly unforgettable.
This story of intrigue, fame and murder has been on Broadway as a stage musical with almost 10,000 performances since 1996. In its 26th year, the multi-award-winning show still promises plenty of glamour and star appeal, with the current cast including none other than Baywatch beauty Pamela Anderson.
With one thrilling song after another and rousing dance numbers choreographed by Bob Fosse, Chicago has everything that makes Broadway and New York so unique.
The Lion King
A true family classic and at the same time the most successful show on Broadway, measured by box office receipts, is Disney’s “The Lion King.”
Accompanied by the music of Elton John, the musical thrills audiences with impressive stage technology, larger-than-life animal figures, acrobatics, and grandiose choreography. Make-up artists, sculptors and costume designers spend more than 37,000 hours creating the most realistic-looking animal costumes possible. The result is impressive and it’s no surprise that The Lion King was honoured with six Tony Awards, including the prize for best musical.
While The Lion King can also be seen in Europe, nothing beats the Broadway original, the icing on the cake of any New York trip, with The New York Times writing “There’s nothing quite like it.”
Wicked
Fans of “The Wizard of Oz” shouldn’t miss the musical adaptation “Wicked.” Based on the novel by Gregory Maguire, Wicked tells the story of a young woman with emerald skin – smart, fiery, misunderstood and gifted with an extraordinary talent. She meets a bubbly and popular blonde. Their initial rivalry develops into the most unlikely of friendships – until the world decides to label one “good” and the other “evil.”
An absolute Broadway hit of the 2000s, Wicked has since made it to Europe. What few people in this country know: Idina Menzel, the English voice of Elsa from “The Ice Queen” celebrated her big breakthrough as “Elphaba” in the original cast of Wicked and thus made it to Hollywood.
To avoid disappointment, book tickets in advance. Reservations can be made online at www.broadwaycollection.com, or via your preferred tour operator or travel agency.
Tip: Afternoon performances during the week are usually cheaper. After the show, you can linger in the numerous restaurants and cafés of the theatre district. With a little luck, you might even meet a musical star or two.
For more information on Broadway, visit www.broadwaycollection.com.
About Broadway Inbound and The Broadway Collection
Broadway Inbound is the global travel industry’s ticket source for live theatrical events in New York City and beyond, providing tour and travel professionals with easy, direct access to event info and ticket inventory. Owned by The Shubert Organization, a leader in Broadway theatre for over 100 years, Broadway Inbound works to promote NYC performing arts through marketing, press, and sales initiatives like The Broadway Collection.
To purchase tickets to any Broadway Inbound show, contact a local tour operator or travel agent. Visit www.broadwayinbound.com for news and information, and follow @BroadwayInbound on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for more photos, videos, and exclusive Broadway content. #MakeItBway
Millions of visitors each year come to New York to experience the vibrant energy of the world’s greatest city. And although there are a million things to do in NYC, no trip is complete without seeing a Broadway show. THE BROADWAY COLLECTION is a group of amazing Broadway shows—and more around NYC—that are especially popular with domestic and international visitors. Whether you’re looking for a long-running musical or the newest and hottest show, there’s something for everyone.
We work directly with the shows, so when you click to buy individual or group tickets for any of the shows on this site, you’re getting them from the official source. It’s like walking up to the box office! The curtain’s going up, and there’s never been a better time for you to experience the world’s greatest live entertainment.
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