Top Six Shows To See On And Off-Broadway

Out of all the Broadway and off-Broadway plays and musicals, which top six do you think is the best/"must see"?

I'm seeing six shows in June, possibly a seventh.

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It really depends what you are into:

If you like dark shows, Festen and Sweeney Todd are both wonderfully dark.

If you like jukebox musicals, Jersey Boys is a top choice.

If you're looking for spectactle, go to Tarzan.

For comedy, Spelling Bee should be your top choice followed by Spamalot and Avenue Q.

For the best music on Broadway, go to Piazza.

If you're with children, go to Beauty and the Beast.

If you're in the mood for brainless fun, go to Mama Mia.

The two best shows I have in the last six months in NYC are "Piazza" and "Pajama Game".

I would avoid Lestat and Ring of Fire at all costs.

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I've been trying to see a mix of shows that are weightier and darker and those that are more fun-filled, so I'll try to make my list reflect that:

1. "Sweeney Todd" - the production that made me think the most this season.
2. "The Light in the Piazza" - stunning production, Victoria Clark is worth the price of admission.
3. "The Threepenny Opera" - a really interestingly directed production, a really interesting starter course in Brecht's "alienation effect" featuring great performances by Alan Cumming, Ana Gasteyer, and the rest of the cast.
4. "Doubt" - plays typically aren't my thing, but I had a great time at "Doubt." It's a fun play to discuss afterwards as well.
5. "The Color Purple" - the most pure audience-pleasing fun I had this season. LaChanze was great, and the story is really uplifting. It may not be high art, but the music is catchy and the performers make up for the flaws in writing.
6. "Red Light Winter" - a great play with some impressive performances. This was a great thought-provoking night off-Broadway.

Also, though I wouldn't put "Bernarda Alba" on my top six list, I think it's worth seeing. Some great music and performances.

I had a lot of fun at "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" as well.

Updated On: 3/31/06 at 04:10 PM

Jersey Boys
Spelling Bee
3 Days of Rain
I love you, You're Perfect, Now Change
Spamalot
The Odd Couple but it's closing June 4 but then there's always Some Girl(s) even though it hasn't opened yet

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The Drowsy Chaperone is a definite. The others are up in the air.

Thank you, all, for your suggestions!!

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Avenue Q
Spelling Bee
The Color Purple
Jersey Boys
Title of Show
Bernarda Alba was fantastic (Very dark)
Sweeney Todd
Hairspray
And after you see all of these, see FB!
Plays:
Family Secrets
Rabbit Hole
Doubt
Entertaining Mr Sloane was so demented, but i loved every creepy second.

Updated On: 3/31/06 at 05:16 PM

Bernarda Alba, Rabbit Hole, Abigail's Party, George M. Cohan Tonight! and Entertaining Mr Sloane will all be closed by June. And [title of show] is scheduled to run only through May, but might extend.

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Updated On: 3/31/06 at 05:46 PM

Don't miss Altar Boyz.

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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels
Sweeney Todd
The Color Purple
Hairspray
RENT
Light in the Piazza

Isn't the whole point behind suggesting a show is that you yourself have seen it?

How can it be "must see" if you yourself have not seen it?

Ooops. Missed the part about June. Sorry.

June, okay. My top six, on and off-broadway:

Sweeney Todd
Jacques Brel
[title of show] (If it extends. Which it should. Because of it's awesomeness)
Jersey Boys
Well
Spelling Bee

If [title of show] doesn't extend, I'd tack Piazza on the end of that list.

MAMMA MIA!
DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS
WICKED
SPAMALOT
AVENUE Q
PHANTOM