What are the best Broadway shows today? This has been ranked by theater lovers to determine the top Broadway musicals from the 2000s to the present. From Wicked to Spring Awakening, today's best Broadway musicals are carrying on the musical theater legacy and drawing in audiences both during their Broadway runs, and on tour as well.
Though revivals and adaptations have been increasing in popularity, such as Thoroughly Modern Millie, West Side Story and South Pacific, notable new shows such as Wicked and The Book of Mormon continue to draw audiences to Broadway musicals. Today's Broadway shows dazzle with nonstop dancing, music, and energy, as seen in shows like Hairspray and Billy Elliott. The 2000s have also seen a large draw to musical comedies, including the dark satire of Urinetown, a show with an outrageous plot that kept audiences laughing in their seats.
Though the decade has seen its fair share of criticism that the original musical is dead, Broadway shows are still enjoyed by many who delight in the dazzle of the lights. Broadway today attracts families to shows such as Seussical or Legally Blonde, but treasures such as The Color Purple and Next to Normal continue to keep the Broadway musical alive.
Cast your votes below for the greatest modern Broadway musicals and see where the musicals of the 2000s you think are the best rank.1
Hamilton: An American Musical is a sung- and rapped-through musical about the life of American... more on Wikipedia5511682
Dear Evan Hansen is a musical with music and lyrics by Pasek and Paul, and a book by Steven... more on Wikipedia3971243
516198Wicked
Stephen Schwartz, Winnie HolzmanCharacters: Wicked Witch of the West, The Wizard, Glinda the Good Witch, Boq, Doctor Dillamond
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen... more on Wikipedia4
364163The Book of Mormon
Matt Stone, Trey ParkerCharacters: Arnold Cunningham, Kevin Price, Nabulungi, General Butt-Fucking Naked, Elder McKinley
The Book of Mormon is a musical comedy. First staged in 2011, the play is a satirical... more on Wikipedia5
Waitress is a musical with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, and a book by Jessie Nelson.... more on Wikipedia206716
287122In the Heights
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría HudesCharacters: Claudia, Graffiti Pete, Camila Rosario, Benny, Kevin Rosario
In the Heights is a musical with music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, and a book by Quiara... more on Wikipedia7
Come from Away is a musical with book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein. It is... more on Wikipedia179648
Newsies The Musical is a Disney Theatrical Productions stage musical based on the 1992 film... more on Wikipedia242104Newsies
Alan Menken , Jack Feldman9
351178Hairspray
Scott Wittman, Marc ShaimanCharacters: Velma Von Tussle, Edna Turnblad, Little Inez, Seaweed J Stupps, Motormouth Maybelle
Hairspray is an American musical with music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and... more on Wikipedia10
272140Legally Blonde: The Musical
Heather Hach, Laurence O'KeefeCharacters: Elle Woods, Professor Callahan, Serena McGuire, Paulette Bonafonté, Margot
Legally Blonde is a musical with music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin and... more on Wikipedia11
202106The Phantom of the Opera
Charles Hart , Richard StilgoeCharacters: Erik, Christine Daaé, Carlotta, Viscount Raoul de Chagny, Madame Giry
The Phantom of the Opera is a musical with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and lyrics by Charles... more on Wikipedia12
220123Next to Normal
Tom Kitt, Brian YorkeyCharacters: Gabriel "Gabe" Goodman, Natalie Goodman, Henry, Diana Goodman, Dr. Fine/Dr. Madden
Next to Normal is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt.... more on Wikipedia13
269160Mamma Mia!
Björn Ulvaeus, Catherine JohnsonCharacters: Rosie, Sophie, Harry Bright, Sam Carmichael, Bill Austin
Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical written by British playwright Catherine Johnson, based on the... more on Wikipedia14
213127Spring Awakening
Steven Sater, Duncan SheikCharacters: Otto, Martha, Anna, Thea, Wendla Bergmann
Spring Awakening is a rock musical with music by Duncan Sheik and a book and lyrics by Steven... more on Wikipedia15
226142Mary Poppins
Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. ShermanCharacters: Mary Poppins, Michael Banks, Jane Banks, Bert, George Banks
Mary Poppins is a musical with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman... more on Wikipedia16
203135Avenue Q
Jeff Marx, Jeff WhittyCharacters: Trekkie Monster, Princeton, Mrs.Thistletwat, Christmas Eve, Nicky
Avenue Q is an American musical in two acts, conceived by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx, who... more on Wikipedia17
7430Matilda the Musical
Dennis Kelly , Tim MinchinCharacters: Matilda Wormwood, Harry Wormwood, Michael Wormwood, Zinnia Wormwood, Amanda Thripp
Matilda the Musical is a stage musical based on the 1988 children's novel of the same name by... more on Wikipedia18
Kinky Boots is a Broadway musical with music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and a book by Harvey... more on Wikipedia702719
The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a 1975 musical horror comedy film by 20th Century Fox... more on Wikipedia141121The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Richard O'Brien20
125105The Producers
Mel Brooks, Thomas MeehanCharacters: Carmen Ghia, Roger De Bris, Leo Bloom, Franz Liebkind, Max Bialystock
The Producers is a musical adapted by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan from Brooks' 1968 film of... more on Wikipedia21
127115Jersey Boys
Marshall Brickman, Rick EliceCharacters: Joe Pesci, Bob Crewe, Tommy DeVito, Nick Massi, Frankie Valli
Jersey Boys is a jukebox musical with music by Bob Gaudio, lyrics by Bob Crewe, and book by... more on Wikipedia22
10795Thoroughly Modern Millie
Jeanine Tesori, Richard MorrisCharacters: Miss Dorothy Brown, Mrs. Meers, Oriental #2, Millie Dillmount, Jimmy Smith
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a musical with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan,... more on Wikipedia23
118111Billy Elliot the Musical
Elton John, Lee HallCharacters: Billy Elliot, Debbie Wilkinson, Tony Elliot, Mr. Braithwaite, George Watson
Billy Elliot the Musical is a musical based on the 2000 film Billy Elliot. The music is by... more on Wikipedia24
111105Spamalot
Neil Innes, John Du PrezCharacters: Patsy, Sir Bors, Brother Maynard, Sir Bedevere, The Strangely Flatulent
Monty Python's Spamalot is a musical comedy adapted from the 1975 film Monty Python and the... more on Wikipedia25
9186The Color Purple
Stephen Bray, Marsha NormanCharacters: Celie, Sofia, Squeak
The Color Purple is a musical with a book by Marsha Norman and music and lyrics by Brenda... more on Wikipedia
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