The Top 10 Broadway Musicals of All Time – A Theatrical Countdown

Kicking things off with a windmill-sized dose of optimism and heroism! Man of La Mancha is the tale of Don Quixote, the man who believes in the impossible, even when the world says it’s hopeless. With the iconic song “The Impossible Dream,” this show has become a Broadway classic that reminds us all to reach for the stars, no matter how crazy it seems. Plus, if you can’t sing “To Dream the Impossible Dream” at the top of your lungs, are you even a theatre person?

From its electric rock score to its heart-wrenching story, Rent took Broadway by storm in the ’90s and changed the game for musical theatre forever. Jonathan Larson’s masterpiece about love, loss, and living authentically in New York City still speaks to audiences today. It’s impossible not to belt out “Seasons of Love” and not tear up while doing it. If you’ve ever been to a “Rent” sing-along, you know that the energy is contagious.

“Everything’s coming up roses!” Gypsy is the quintessential showbiz musical. It’s a powerhouse about stage mother Rose, who will stop at nothing to make her daughters stars. With the unforgettable score by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim, this show is an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a blend of fierce ambition, heartbreaking moments, and a whole lot of brass. Plus, if you’ve never seen Gypsy, don’t even think about calling yourself a musical theatre fan. (Just kidding, but seriously—Gypsy is essential.)

Cabaret takes us to 1930s Berlin during the rise of the Nazi party, where the Emcee and the Kit Kat Club remind us that, sometimes, life’s a cabaret. With songs like “Maybe This Time” and “Wilkommen,” the show blends dark political themes with seductive, dazzling numbers. The character of Sally Bowles (played most famously by Liza Minnelli in the film version) is one of Broadway’s greatest icons. Cabaret is thrilling, timely, and brimming with unforgettable musical moments.

If you’re looking for a musical that feels like a rich, emotional journey through the Italian countryside, look no further than Light in the Piazza. With a lush score by Adam Guettel and a book by Craig Lucas, this musical is like a musical theatre painting brought to life. It’s delicate, heartwarming, and gut-wrenching all at once. The score is intricate, and if you’re into soaring ballads, this show is definitely for you. It’s one of those rare gems that will leave you thinking about it long after the final curtain falls.

The ultimate love letter to the Italian cinema of the 1960s, Nine is a musical that’s as stylish as it is complex. With music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, Nine tells the story of a filmmaker trying to reconcile his artistic visions and complicated relationships with the women in his life. Think of it as a mix between Fellini’s 8½ and a Broadway musical — full of sensuality, grandeur, and more than a few diva-worthy moments. Plus, you know it’s going to be fabulous when there’s a number called “A Call From the Vatican.”

What’s better than a big Broadway tap extravaganza? How about two!? The 42nd Street and Crazy For You combo represents the best of the golden age of Broadway musicals. These shows are brimming with dazzling choreography, toe-tapping numbers, and plotlines that follow the age-old showbiz trope of struggling actors and dancers trying to make it big. These shows might as well be the love child of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, because they’ve got all the glitz, glamour, and jazz hands you could possibly want.

If you’ve ever dreamt of being in the chorus, then A Chorus Line is your musical. It’s all about the grit, grind, and passion behind those dancers you see on stage – the ones who don’t get the solo but give everything they’ve got to make the show come alive. With legendary numbers like “One” and “I Hope I Get It,” A Chorus Line is as much a celebration of the underdogs of Broadway as it is a powerful statement about art, identity, and the pursuit of a dream.

Talk about a show that oozes charm, wit, and sheer fabulousness! Victor/Victoria is one of Broadway’s most delightful surprises. It’s a story about a woman pretending to be a man pretending to be a woman, all set to the fabulous music of Henry Mancini. The performances are dazzling, the humor sharp, and the 1930s Paris setting couldn’t be more glamorous. Whether you’re there for the cross-dressing hijinks or the soaring ballads, Victor/Victoria is a glittering piece of musical theatre magic.

And finally, we come to my number one pick: Come From Away. This modern masterpiece tells the heartwarming and incredibly moving story of how the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, opened its arms to 7,000 stranded airline passengers after the 9/11 attacks. With a score full of soaring, foot-tapping numbers and a heart as big as the ocean, Come From Away is the perfect reminder of humanity’s capacity for kindness, community, and resilience in the face of tragedy. It’s a show that leaves you laughing, crying, and feeling truly inspired — all at once.