Broadway’s glittering lights have long been a magnet for aspiring thespians and avid theatergoers alike, beckoning them to the city that never sleeps. Beyond the iconic Theatre District, New York’s ever-exciting theater scene is far from resting on its laurels. With an array of captivating productions, there’s something for every taste and preference. From Andrew Lloyd Webber’s reimagined classic, Cats: The Jellicle Ball, to the unauthorized musical parody, Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody, and the timeless tale of Little Shop of Horrors, this summer’s lineup is set to delight audiences of all ages.
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Cats: The Jellicle Ball
Currently playing through Saturday, August 8th, this rendition of Cats has been described as the way the classic musical should have been from the start. The reimagining of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic work puts New York’s queer ballroom scene on full display, with glamorous costumes, stellar choreography, and an unforgettable performance by the legendary André De Shields. In this version, the ‘cats’ are humans competing in a high-stakes competition, often strutting to house music. Each night, a special guest joins the cast as a judge in the competition, adding to the excitement and unpredictability of the show. Whether you’re a seasoned theater enthusiast or just looking for a unique experience, Cats: The Jellicle Ball is an unmissable spectacle.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)
Playing through Sunday, November 22nd, this eight-time Tony-nominated musical comedy has been making waves on Broadway since its arrival from London in 2025. The show follows a memorable few days in the city with Dougal, a relentlessly upbeat Brit, and Robin, a less-than-amused New Yorker, as they navigate a series of hilarious misadventures. With a warm and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny tone, Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York) is a must-see for anyone with an interest in musicals or New York City. If you can’t make it to Broadway, be assured that a North American tour is kicking off in fall 2027.
Source: media.cntraveler.com
Every Brilliant Thing
Another British import, Every Brilliant Thing has been making a splash on Broadway since its US run kicked off with Daniel Radcliffe as the lead. I saw him perform a couple of months ago, and was blown away by the performance – it was unlike anything I’d seen on Broadway before, mostly due to the amount of audience participation. The show’s unique format involves the lead (now played by Tracee Ellis Ross) walking around the audience before the show starts and handing out lines for people to read. The way it all comes together is quite touching, and I left feeling ultimately uplifted. Every Brilliant Thing is a heartwarming and thought-provoking experience that deals with themes of depression and suicide.
Heated Rivalry: The Unauthorized Musical Parody
Left feeling bereft by the fact that we won’t get a second season of Heated Rivalry until 2027? While it may not scratch the exact same itch, this unauthorized musical parody is just the hero the fandom needs during the hiatus. I’ll confess – I did not watch Heated Rivalry, and it’s a testament to just how good this musical is that knowledge of the original source material isn’t some unspoken prerequisite for enjoying it. Framed as a retelling of the first season through the aperture of three wound-up moms all named ‘Susan,’ the 75-minute musical speed runs through Shane Hollander and Ilya Rozanov’s steamy decade-long affair with the help of earworm numbers, a fair share of puppets, and an old family recipe for a concoction known as the ‘Ambien margarita.’ The deep cut, NSFW humor of the show thrives in its Off-Broadway format, and its smaller venue inside Chelsea’s Culture Club ensures that there’s plenty of great seats.
Little Shop of Horrors
This off-beat, doo-wop-forward musical is a cult classic for good reason. This summer feels like an especially fitting time for the show to collect another round of applause as the box office this season has been dominated by discourse of fresh concepts like Curry Barker’s Obsession, Kane Parsons’s Backrooms, and highly anticipated titles like Jane Schoenbrun’s Teenage Sex and Death at Camp Miasma. A Faustian tale of how a dweeby florist feeds blood and flesh to a strange plant in exchange for fame and fortune, Little Shop of Horrors wryly spins a cautionary tale as old as time. Before industry legends Howard Ashman and Alan Menkin scored the family-friendly soundtracks of Disney classics like Aladdin or The Little Mermaid, they got in some of their best hits in this horror-comedy-1960s rock musical that defies simple categorization.
Oh, Mary!
I’ve seen Oh, Mary! thrice now – twice in New York with Cole Escola in the title role, and again recently on London’s West End, where excellent understudy Gabe Gomez took the stage. The show’s ingenious casting streak continues to impress, with each performance offering a unique take on the classic tale. Whether you’re a fan of the original or just looking for a fresh spin, Oh, Mary! is a must-see experience that will leave you breathless.
