The Fans Have Spoken! Broadway.com Readers Choose the 10 Must-See Performances on Broadway Right Now
Visiting New York City and have no idea which Broadway musical to see? We’ve got you covered! Last week, we asked theater fans an incredibly tough question on Culturalist: Of all the stellar stars on the Great White Way, which are the top ten must-see performances? Hundreds of fans cast their votes, and the results are in! Check out the ten performances on Broadway you’ve just gotta see below.
MICHAEL C. HALL
Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Dexter and Six Feet Under favorite might be following in the high heels of Neil Patrick Harris and Andrew Rannells, but he’s definitely making the title role of the East German transgender rock goddess his own.
JEFFERSON MAYS
A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder
This Tony winner dies eight times in A Gentleman’s Guide! Broadway fans are obviously slayed by his hilariously impressive performance as every member of the wealthy D’Ysquith family in this Tony-winning musical.
BILLY PORTER
Lola in Kinky Boots
It’s no wonder Billy Porter snagged a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical: As drag diva Lola, he really knows how to strut his stuff in a red sequined dress and knee-high boots...on a moving conveyer belt!
LENA HALL
Yitzhak in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
She might play a downtrodden dude who barely speaks in the hit rock musical, but Lena Hall’s Tony-winning powerhouse performance proves she’s bursting at the seams with star quality.
NORM LEWIS
The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera
Even if you’ve seen Phantom before, now is definitely the time to revisit the classic mega-musical. As the first African-American to headline the production on Broadway, Lewis brings a haunting vulnerability to the beloved role.
JESSIE MUELLER
Carole King in Beautiful
A few short years ago, Jessie Mueller was a Broadway newcomer—now, she’s the Tony-winning toast of the town! This magnetic performer barely leaves the stage as real-life songwriting legend Carole King in the uplifting bio-musical.
JAMES MONROE IGLEHART
Genie in Aladdin
Ever given a performer a standing ovation in the middle of a show? Get ready to jump to your feet in the vibrant new Disney musical when the Tony winner busts out his energetic rendition of “Friend Like Me!”
ALAN CUMMING
Emcee in Cabaret
Playing the mysterious Emcee put Alan Cumming on the map in 1998—now he’s back, reprising his Tony-winning performance alongside Emma Stone as Sally Bowles at Studio 54. What are you waiting for? Come to the Cabaret!
RAMIN KARIMLOO
Jean Valjean in Les Miserables
After garnering a huge following in London and Toronto, Ramin Karimloo is making his long-awaited Broadway debut as Jean Valjean. The Tony-nominated star’s soulful “Bring Him Home” alone is worth the price of admission.
IDINA MENZEL
Elizabeth in If/Then
For the first time in 10 years, Wicked and Frozen favorite Idina Menzel is back on the Great White Way, and her powerful performance as Elizabeth in If/Then doesn’t disappoint. There’s absolutely no question why fans voted her the number-one must-see performance on Broadway!
